To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, if his Department will guarantee funding for successful international scientific research programmes and partnerships in light of the reduction in the Official Development Assistance budget.
Answered on
11 February 2021
The Covid pandemic's economic impact has forced the government to take the difficult decision to temporarily reduce ODA to 0.5% of GNI. The Foreign Secretary has set out a strategic approach to ensure maximum impact for our aid spend. This includes the use of ODA to support scientific research programmes that can provide new solutions to critical challenges in development, such as climate change and infectious diseases.
Ministers will be engaged during February and March on spending plans for financial year 2021/22. For this reason, I am not yet able to comment on the direct implications for specific programmes or activities.