Oral Answers to Questions

Christina Rees Excerpts
Tuesday 15th June 2021

(3 years, 5 months ago)

Commons Chamber
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Virginia Crosbie Portrait Virginia Crosbie (Ynys Môn) (Con)
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What steps he is taking to ensure that tackling global poverty and inequality remains a priority for his Department.

Christina Rees Portrait Christina Rees (Neath) (Lab/Co-op)
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What steps he is taking to reduce global poverty.

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Lindsay Hoyle Portrait Mr Speaker
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Virginia Crosbie is not here, so I call Christina Rees.

Christina Rees Portrait Christina Rees [V]
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As a Labour and Co-operative party MP, I am so proud that tackling poverty is at the heart of the co-operative movement. What assurances can the Minister give that the co-operative sectors, which do so much to alleviate poverty in developing countries, will not be impacted by cuts to the aid budget? Will he commit to reinstate the 0.7% aid budget target?

James Duddridge Portrait James Duddridge
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I can certainly commit to going back to 0.7%—that is the Government’s intention when the fiscal situation is right. I can agree to co-operate with co-operatives across the developing world—with a small C and a large C—including the Fairtrade movement.