Asked by: Baroness Sugg (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to the announcement by the Foreign Secretary on 16 November that funding will be restored for women and girls to its former level before the Overseas Development Assistance cuts, what year they plan to use as a benchmark for reinstating former funding levels; when they estimate that this commitment will be fulfilled; and whether the commitment includes restoring funding to sexual and reproductive health services.
Answered by Lord Goldsmith of Richmond Park
On 16 November the Foreign Secretary announced how women and girls will be at the centre of our foreign policy priorities, with more than £20 million of new funding to help stop violence against women and girls around the world. We are restoring funding for women and girls to pre-ODA cut levels, focusing on giving more girls a quality education; ending the extremely harmful practice of female genital mutilation, supporting girls' health; and ending the abhorrent use of sexual violence around the world.
The UK is firmly committed to defending comprehensive sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) globally - this includes family planning and maternal health, both central to the empowerment of women and girls. Any funding for SRHR will contribute to UK objectives to improve the lives of women and girls across the world. Following the Spending Review, decisions on allocations and individual programmes will be published in the usual way.
Asked by: Baroness Sugg (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they are developing new frameworks for working on open societies, conflict and multilateralism; if so when they will be published; and what plans they have to consult (1) non-governmental organisations, and (2) Parliament, in the development of such frameworks.
Answered by Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon
The Integrated Review published in March sets out the Government's vision of the UK's role in the world through to 2030. The review was the result of extensive consultation with non-governmental organisations and Parliament. It provides the framework for all UK Security, Defence, Development and Foreign Policy including in relation to open societies, conflict and multilateralism. The review renewed the UK's commitment to be a force for good in the world and puts promoting open societies at the centre of the Government's priorities, defining the framework for UK action both internationally and domestically.
The review also outlined our approach to conflict, including focusing on preventing, managing and resolving conflict in priority regions and working in partnership with allies and multilateral organisations. The review underscored the UK's determination to seek multilateral solutions to global challenges. It set out a clear ambition for the UK to be a problem-solving and burden-sharing nation with a global perspective, working with others to protect our values and shape the international order of the future. We maintain an ongoing dialogue with Non-Governmental Organisations and Parliamentarians, including on the implementation of the Review.
Asked by: Baroness Sugg (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask Her Majesty's Government when the International Development strategy will be published; and what plans they have to consult (1) non-governmental organisations, and (2) Parliament, in the development of that strategy.
Answered by Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon
The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Secretary is leading work on the new International Development Strategy, which will be cross-government in scope. We look forward to engaging with partners and stakeholders, including civil society and Parliament, over the coming months. This will build on the extensive engagement and call for evidence that was undertaken to inform the Integrated Review.
Asked by: Baroness Sugg (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask Her Majesty's Government what contribution landmine clearance will make to the achievement of the aim set out in the Integrated Review that the UK will be seen globally as a leader in conflict prevention and resolution.
Answered by Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon
The UK's mine action investments are a vital part of our global effort to promote conflict prevention and resolution. We invested £124 million to help clear deadly explosive devices worldwide in the last three years through the Global Mine Action Programme 2. This funding has cleared and confirmed safe 394 million square metres, the equivalent of over 55,000 football pitches, and delivered UK commitments under the Anti-Personnel Mine Ban Convention and the Cluster Munitions Convention.
In financial year 2021/22 we will remain a leading donor in this sector.