Sustainable Development Goals Summit

Debate between Baroness Hayman and Lord Mott

Thursday 21st September 2023 Lords Chamber

[Lord Mott (Con)]

The noble Lord makes a powerful point. The one thing I would say in response is that we have continued to honour our commitments. We have helped educate more than 8 million of the world’s most vulnerable girls since 2015, and hosted the 2022 Preventing Sexual Violence Initiative Conference, to end conflict-related sexual violence. Our international women and girls strategy commits to at least 80% of the FCDO’s bilateral aid programmes focusing on gender equality by 2030, which is vital for delivering the SDGs.

[Baroness Hayman (CB)]

My Lords, returning to the point made by the noble Lord, Lord McConnell of Glenscorrodale, yesterday the Prime Minister rowed back—not, he assured us, on the targets, but on the actions that would help us to achieve those targets. However, from New York the message was very clear, and we were party to it, that no country had done enough and every country had to do more. What effect will this have on our international standing as a leader on climate change?

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[Lord Mott (Con)]

I thank my noble friend for her question. I will continue the trend that I started earlier: when I do not understand or do not have complete information about a question, I will take it back to the department. I think I will take her question back to the department and to the Treasury to ensure that she gets a full response in a timely fashion.

[Baroness Hayman (CB)]

My Lords, I apologise for not declaring my interests when I spoke.