Draft International Development Association (Twenty-First Replenishment) Order 2025

Beccy Cooper Excerpts

Monday 8th December 2025 General Committees

[Dr Beccy Cooper (Worthing West) (Lab)]

It is a pleasure to serve under your chairship, Mr Western. I rise to put on record my support for this delegated legislation, and to make three very quick points.

It is not always easy to make the argument for global investment in this time and age, but this is an excellent example of how we can really add to global investment and see a real return for taxpayers. As the Minister alluded to, each $1 invested will generate more than $4 for programming in IDA-specific countries. That is a fantastic return on investment.

As the shadow Minister said, IDA21 will work alongside the World Bank Group’s evolution. We are always looking at the global architecture to make sure that governance is sufficient. The bank is talking about an improved scorecard, looking at performance and looking seriously at quantitative data as well as qualitative results. It is really important when we look at development, and at populations’ wellbeing, that we look at quantitative and qualitative data.

Finally, there are obviously discussions around borders at the moment, but climate change is affecting us all. If we do not mitigate the worst effects of climate change, it will push 130 million more people into poverty by 2030. We are part of that global world and must address that. Similarly, in my own world of global health, infectious diseases do not respect borders. By investing in global infrastructure and global development, we are protecting our own borders and security, as well as global health.