Question to the Department for International Development:

To ask Her Majesty’s Government what proportion of development aid was spent on the Building Stability Overseas Strategy in 2014–15.

UK development assistance contributes to delivering the Building Stability Overseas Strategy by tackling the short and long-term drivers of instability, supporting stronger and more legitimate institutions and societies, helping to meet basic needs and create opportunities for social and economic development for all, including women and girls. In 2013, 43% of UK Official Development Assistance was spent in Fragile and Conflict Affected States (FCAS), where the need to build stability is most pressing. Examples of DFID programmes:

· In Nigeria, the Stability and Reconciliation Programme (£38m, 2011-2016), aims to reduce incidence and impact of violent conflict.

· DFID’s support to the multi-donor Afghanistan Reconstruction Trust Fund (ARTF) (£256.8m 2014-17) helps the Afghan government to provide basic services, and thus improve confidence in its ability to meet Afghan people’s expectations.