Question
I mean no disrespect to the Minister when I say that this statement should have been made by the Prime Minister. The Government have rightly championed the value of Commonwealth partnerships, but is the Minister aware that the Global Health Partnerships scheme set up by the coalition Government at a time of economic austerity—that has been enormously valuable to Commonwealth countries, as well as enhancing Britain’s national interest and our health services—now faces being defunded thanks to the savage cuts to the international development budget made by the last Government? Will he personally look at whether this great scheme can be saved?
Answer
I pay tribute to the right hon. Gentleman for the work he has done across the international development space for many years. I take no offence from his requirement for the Prime Minister, but I am afraid he will have to put up with me. I am more than happy to review the matter. He will know of the difficult decisions we have taken in relation to ODA funding and the challenges it faces, as I said in answer to the Liberal Democrat spokesperson, the hon. Member for Esher and Walton (Monica Harding). These decisions are not easy. However, we take them extremely seriously and will keep them under review, particularly if at some point in the future we are able to move back towards higher ODA allocations.22% vibes
Verdict: AMBER (48/100)
The Minister partly answered this question. They gave a direct commitment to personally review the Global Health Partnerships scheme, which answers whether they will look at it. They did not directly confirm awareness of the scheme or its possible defunding, responding only with a general reference to difficult ODA funding decisions, and they did not say whether the scheme can be saved. A member of the public would likely need to ask again for specifics on the scheme's future.
How we got there
| Question item | Coverage | Specificity | Rationale |
|---|---|---|---|
| Is the Minister aware that the Global Health Partnerships scheme now faces being defunded? | Partially Addressed | Hedged | The reply acknowledges that the Member 'will know of the difficult decisions' on ODA funding and refers back to an earlier answer, but it never directly confirms awareness of the Global Health Partnerships scheme or its possible defunding, and it names no specific decision about the scheme. |
| Will the Minister personally look at whether the Global Health Partnerships scheme can be saved? | Addressed | Direct | The Minister directly commits to personally reviewing the matter ('more than happy to review the matter'), which answers whether the Minister will look at the scheme, though the reply does not say what the review will consider or whether the scheme can be saved. |