Thank you for contacting me about the Borgen Project.
The UK's vital work on international development is a source of immense pride and I share your concern for the world's most vulnerable. For many years now, we have been one of the few countries to consistently spend the UN agreed target of 0.7 per cent of Gross National Income (GNI) on foreign aid, otherwise known as Official Development Assistance (ODA).
That said, Ministers had to take many tough but necessary decisions in responding to the pandemic, which included reducing our ODA budget from 0.7 to 0.5 per cent of GNI. I can assure you, however, that HM Government (HMG) remains committed to the International Development (Official Development Assistance Target) Act 2015, and to spending 0.7 per cent of GNI on ODA. Indeed, the decisions that have been taken are in line with the spirit and framework of the Act, which envisages situations in which departure from 0.7 per cent may be necessary. In light of this, and HMG's continued commitment to the 2015 Act, I do not believe there is a need to bring forward additional legislation.
Nevertheless, I am encouraged that, spending 0.5 per cent, the UK's ODA commitment remains considerably higher than the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OEDC) average, which stood at 0.33 per cent in 2021. In the meantime, I hope it will be of some reassurance to you that UK foreign aid is having a life-saving impact for many people around the world.
For instance, the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office is spending £1.5 billion to tackle global malnutrition from 2022-2030, in addition to the £372 million in aid pledged to provide immediate and longer-term relief to countries on the frontline of the current food insecurity crisis. This comes on top of HMG's existing commitment to send £3bn worth of humanitarian aid to the world's most vulnerable countries over the next three years.
The UK also has a strong track record on promoting safe water, sanitation and hygiene, in line with UN Sustainable Development Goal 6. For instance, between 2015 and 2020 HMG pledged to provide 60 million people with improved access to water and sanitation, and exceeded this target in August 2020, helping 62.6 million people.
I hope this has reassured you that HMG recognises how urgent and important it is to ensure vulnerable countries are able to respond to the risks they face, and I will be sure to continue to scrutinise my ministerial colleagues to this end on behalf of the people of Derby North.
Thank you for contacting me.