Question
We are told that one of the core areas of discussion at last week’s meeting was climate resilience. Given that building climate resilience is now absolutely critical, particularly for small countries in the global south, could the Minister tell the House how he explained to them his Government’s decision to cut overseas aid by more than £1 billion last year? Could he share with the House what impact he was told that cut has had on many of our Commonwealth partners, many of which are having to live with and mitigate the worst effects of climate change, despite having contributed virtually nothing to creating the problem in the first place?
Answer
We are still investing in critical infrastructure and climate resilience developments right across the Caribbean and further afield. That work is not changing; it is still a focus of the Government. As I said in answer to my hon. Friend the Member for Lewisham East (Janet Daby), I have seen this work up close. One of the ways in which we are mitigating some of the ODA funding cuts—I think he is aware of this—is by channelling our influence with philanthropic donations to ensure that we can work in this space and offer additional support. I know that it does not please him, but our support for Caribbean nations on climate resilience funding is warmly welcomed across the Caribbean, and that did not change in CHOGM.
Verdict: RED (18/100)
The reply sets out the Government's general position that Caribbean climate-resilience and infrastructure work continues despite the aid cuts, and mentions philanthropic funding and CHOGM. It does not say what the Minister told counterparts about the cut, so that part is only partly answered, and in general terms. It does not address what impact counterparts said the cut has had on Commonwealth partners; it instead says current climate support is welcomed, which answers a different question. The person who asked would most likely need to follow up to get specifics.
How we got there
| Question item | Coverage | Specificity | Rationale |
|---|---|---|---|
| What did the Minister explain to the counterparts at last week's meeting about the Government's decision to cut overseas aid by more than £1 billion last year? | Partially Addressed | Hedged | The reply describes the Government's general position that Caribbean climate-resilience and infrastructure work continues despite the ODA cuts, and that philanthropic channelling mitigates them, with a passing reference to CHOGM. It never says what the Minister actually explained to counterparts about the cut at the meeting, so the item is only partly answered. |
| What impact did those counterparts tell the Minister the aid cut has had on Commonwealth partners? | Not Addressed | Generic MISREADS QUESTION | The question asks what impact counterparts said the aid cut has had on Commonwealth partners, but the reply only says that the Government's climate-resilience support is welcomed across the Caribbean, which substitutes a statement about reception of current support for any account of the cut's effects. |