Development Aid
The question
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, pursuant to the Written Ministerial Statement of 19 March 2026 (HCWS1425), what explains the reduction in allocations to (a) South Asia and Afghanistan and (b) Asia Pacific over the spending period.
Answered by Chris Elmore
The Government has taken the decision to reduce Official Development Assistance (ODA) to the equivalent of 0.3 per cent of Gross National Income by 2027 to fund an essential increase in defence spending. The reduced ODA programme allocations over the spending period reduce the risk of 'cliff-edge' reductions in funding to the regions in question, while also reflecting the strategic decision to increase the share of ODA the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) spends through multilateral organisations. We will publish country by country allocations no later than the publication of the FCDO's 2025/26 Annual Report & Accounts in July.
Verbatim has judged this answer against the question that was actually asked — answered, partly answered, or evaded. Sign in to see the verdict →