Question to the Department for International Development:

What steps she is taking to ensure that private contractors in receipt of aid spending are held to the same safeguarding standards as charity and non-governmental organisation contractors.

DFID holds all partners to the same high safeguarding standards. Private sector organisations must follow our Supply Partner Code of Conduct. It sets high, legally enforceable standards for ethical behaviour and compliance with human rights, including specific clauses on sexual exploitation and abuse and sexual harassment.