Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting

Luke Taylor Excerpts

Tuesday 10th November 2026 Commons Chamber

[Chris Elmore]

I am afraid it is indeed our past; the right hon. Gentleman might want to read a history book if he does not think it is the United Kingdom’s past. We will do this with an open mind and work towards a constructive solution over the coming year or so.

[Luke Taylor (Sutton and Cheam) (LD)]

Overseas aid is critical to improving our security not just at home but around the world. It improves resilience, strengthens institutions and enables our Commonwealth brothers and sisters to thrive. The Minister references defence and national security spending decisions. I am sure he recognises how ODA investment makes our interests at home and overseas more secure. I am particularly concerned to see the cuts to funding for countries with existing programmes from £546 million to £131 million. Can the Minister explain in more detail how those cuts have been assessed and what impact they may have on programmes that are already in progress and on our security at home and overseas?

[Chris Elmore]

I am more than happy to explore in more detail with the hon. Gentleman individual country profiles and work, although this is published in the usual way in terms of the impact of decisions on countries. I will make a wider point, and he touched on it in his question: these are difficult decisions—I am not shying away from that—but I believe they are the right ones.