25Jun 2020 by Sam Al-Hamdani

Cross-party group urge Govt to agree to increased aid scrutiny in wake of DfID axe

Parliamentary news
A cross-party group has called on the Government to “allay the widespread concern” that UK international aid is under threat because of the axing of the Department for International Development (DfID) by agreeing to new Parliamentary scrutiny.  Former Liberal Democrat Chair of the International Development Committee Lord Malcolm Bruce, who has coordinated the cross-party efforts, warned the Government must show it is “not turning its back on the world’s poorest.” In a letter to the Prime Minister, signed by over 70 parliamentarians, the group call for the Government’s support to retain the Independent Commission for Aid Impact (ICAI) and International Development Committee. The group also asks for a commitment to have a Development Minister in the Cabinet. Among the cross-party group include a number of former Ministers in DfID, the…
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18Jun 2020 by Sam Al-Hamdani

Lib Dems use Urgent Question to challenge Govt on DFID merger

Parliamentary news
Liberal Democrat International Development spokesperson Wendy Chamberlain has today challenged the Foreign Secretary on the “wrongheaded” decision to merge the Department of International Development with the Foreign and Commonwealth Office. In an Urgent Question in the House of Commons, Wendy Chamberlain blasted the Prime Minister’s description of DFID as a “cashpoint in the sky”. She also raised mounting concerns about future funding for DFID projects and the risk of job cuts for current DFID staff in the midst of a public health emergency and economic crisis. Following the Urgent Question Wendy Chamberlain said: “This merger has already been condemned by NGOs and no less than three former Prime Ministers. The Foreign Secretary's desperate scramble to mention just one NGO that supports the move demonstrates how unpopular it is. “The fact…
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17Jun 2020 by Sam Al-Hamdani

PM must think again on DFID in face of COVID-19 global health emergency

Parliamentary news
Responding to the COVID-19 update from the Prime Minister, Acting Leader of the Liberal Democrats Ed Davey said: “News that a drug has been identified that can help treat COVID-19 will be welcomed by all. But - to get a grip on this global pandemic - finding a vaccine remains vital. “Given the ongoing public health emergency, the Prime Minister must show global leadership, not least by working with our international partners to develop and distribute a COVID-19 vaccine. Instead, he has chosen to set out plans to abolish the Department of International Development, which for years has funded vital work in public health, including the work of GAVI - the global Vaccine Alliance. “It was the Liberal Democrats who enshrined the 0.7% aid commitment into UK law. This is…
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16Jun 2020 by Sam Al-Hamdani

PM’s decision to scrap DFID shows Government turning its back on most in need

Parliamentary news
Responding to reports that the Prime Minister will announce later today that the Foreign Office and Department for International Development are set to be merged, Liberal Democrat Spokesperson for International Development Wendy Chamberlain said: “Not content with depriving disadvantaged kids of their free school meals, the Prime Minister is now choosing to abolish the department whose job is to support the most vulnerable people around the world. "UK aid prevents suffering. The Liberal Democrats have always made absolutely clear our unequivocal support for Britain’s role as a world leader in providing aid to those most in need. By working internationally we can achieve so much more than we can alone. "This decision shows the extent of the Prime Minister’s determination to see the UK turn its back on the world.”…
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