Live International Development Questions House of Commons

80 people, although police said it will not know the total toll until

the end of the year. Do join me for a round-up of the day in both Houses

of Parliament at 11 o'clock tonight. First we have the secretary.

Colleagues the results will be announced when they are available.

That is what it says here! I expect to announce the results of the

ballots at the end of the debate on Grenfell Tower this evening.

Questions to the Secretary of State for International Development.

Secretary Priti Patel. Thank you Speaker. UK aid plays a vital role

in helping the world's poorest in helping tackle and disease and

terrorism put up in Africa since 2015, we have provided assistance to

13.7 million people. Can I congratulate the Secretary of State

this week for population and considering what Mrs Gates had to

say about the impact on migration. Will she consider how the core

funding for organisations such as IP PF and others can be reinstated in

to help the organisations deliver what they have been doing

effectively for some years. The honourable gentleman is right. These

are important organisations and the UK has led the way on family

planning. As we showed yesterday, we are constantly looking at how we can

work with important partners on this very essential issue, in particular

on family planning and modern methods of contraception and we will

review more. Mr Speaker, in the decision by the PM to appointed

joint minister for sub-Saharan Africa, can be Secretary of State

say what her priorities are for driving forehead HMG's priorities.

My friend Mike is absolutely right to commend the two Department

working together and there is a good reason for this because we are not

one HMG, we are one Government about we have the same priorities right

comes to Africa, tackling the big issues but also the essential air of

economic development and growing countries like Africa so they can

become trading... The assessment of the current situation in the

Democratic Republic of Congo and in particular what is the Government

doing to assist the humanitarian crisis that but also to ensure Congo

can move to democratic elections as soon as possible. I thank my

honourable friend and I congratulate him on his reappointment to that

role. He is right to stress the significance of what is going on in

the DRC right now. It is very worrying. There are many human

tearing pressures that we know of in the country and electoral situation

and democratic situation is not sustainable right now. We're working

on the ground and with our partners to ensure we provide support that is

necessary to get the country back on track. In recent years, UK aid has

played a key role in helping Ethiopia become more resilient to

crises by nicking sure people have a safety net so they do not staff.

Would you agree with me that the British public can be proud of what

this Government has done? My honourable friend is right and

having visited Ethiopia recently just a month ago, we have seen UK

aid in action. There is no doubt that the UK is keeping people alive

with the humanitarian situation, the drought that has taken place, that

at the same time we are supporting the industrialisation of Ethiopia

with trade opportunities and British firms creating jobs in the country

itself. The Independent commission for aid impact has reported that UK

development assistance to Africa was down by a massive 20,000,020 16 and

one that Africa is losing out on a spending as the Government diverts

money to countries in Europe and Asia. Considering that Africa has

the highest proportion of its population living in extreme

poverty, can the Minister of State on watching tends to do to reverse

the cuts and make sure Africa does not lose out on funding? I welcome

the honourable lady to her new role and congratulate in joining the

front bench in this role. We have a commitment to .7% and that is a

commitment we are proud of. Seven did this serve 74% and the majority

of the money does go to Africa in programming. I think it is important

to recognise that firstly there is an enormous humanitarian crisis in

Africa and we have throughout the years scaled up and lead the way and

called on other donors to put more money into Africa on famine relief

and we are walking across departments to make sure Africa is a

issue. I have regular discussions with the Secretary of State and

others with the conflict in Syria and we are doing more on the

humanitarian side as well. Will be Secretary of State tell us what has

been done to make sure civilians can leave safely including what

information they are giving them on routes to escape. The honourable

lady, her rights, mass conflict in terms of recapturing the city

itself, in terms of the regional support we are providing, we are

providing support, medical, food, shelter, all the basics that they

need in the region, but they asked specifically about information and

we are working with our partners on the ground working in challenging

situations to give them communication and guidance as to

where the safe places are that they can go to. We might not reach the

question for the lady for Bamburgh. May I use this opportunity to thank

you for your support for Syrians and that of DFID. Singing for Syrians

with all of the support that I have received is now not only to support

medical agencies in Syria but for the schools of disabled children.

Does my honourable friend agree with me that aid is always worth more

spent in the region and with the people caught up in this conflict

are really want is to be able to stay as close to home as possible?

My honourable friend is absolutely right and I would like to commend

her and congratulate her and others involved in singing for Syrians. It

is an incredible charity and I commend her on her work. Providing

support in the region is what makes a difference in terms of changing

lives and saving lives. We have led the way, we have spent over ?2.6

billion in the region providing opportunity for those displaced in

conflict. Quite obvious to see governments in the... Has she made

an assessment of what that would mean for her department on the

ground and is she being the voice of reason in this? It is wrong to

suggest that we are expanding any conflict at all. Our focus and the

Government is one of making short UK aid goes to the people who are

suffering through such a bleak situations on the ground right now.

We are working across Government and with our partners in the region as

well to bring hope where is there is despair and end the conflict with

our international partners as well. Before the conflict, the Syrian

population was composed of 11% Christians. Quite rightly, the

Government have a programme to admit on humanitarian reasons refugees

from the camps. But in the early stages, the Christians were not

going far comes due to intimidation. Can my honourable friend assure me

that there is a fair proportion of Christians in the reception? My

honourable friend makes an important port and we are reaching the most

vulnerable people across Syria including Christians and UK funding

is distributed on the basis that civilians are not discriminated

against on the basis of race, religion RSS city. -- RSS city.

Meeting the target is a manifesto commitment, enshrined in law and the

Government has been unequivocal that we continue to attract on about.

Those committing to the target of spending a certain amount of GDP on

edge, disease Secretary of State agree that poverty reduction must be

at the heart of UK aid spending? I welcome the honourable gentleman to

the house. He is right and that is exactly what our aid spending does

and poverty reduction is at the heart of the definition in terms of

spending and that is what this Government is absolutely focused on.

Not by 7% is extremely valuable in alleviating poverty, but would the

Secretary of State update the house on a important summit she attended

yesterday on family planning and what it has achieved? The issue of

family planning is an enormous issue in terms of development and

alleviation. We convened yesterday with our co-hosts and many other

representatives from around the world came, made big pledges and

commitments to tackle the issue of family planning. The UK has led the

way when it comes to this, but we are working in the private sector to

put more money in this and develop new products. What percentage of the

budget will be spent helping developing countries tackle climate

change? Will she follow Scotland's example and establish a climate

justice fund will her Government tie itself to Donald Trump's attitude to

climate change recently described as pushing the Earth 's climate over

the brink to become like Venice with a temperature of 250 degrees and

reigning sulphuric acid? With regard to this Government's

commitment to climate change, we have a signatory to the Paris

agreement and we are committed to delivering that. When it comes to

percentage of spending, we have a range of spending across the

department -- Government departments, working on this issue

with DFID as well because we know so much over climate change issues have

a massive impact in terms of drought, famine and causing a great

deal of harm in different parts of the world. Constituents are coming

into Parliament today to set out their concerns about Christians in

Syria facing oppression and persecution. Will the Secretary of

State use the aid budget to alleviate the suffering of Christian

communities during that time of trouble? I thank my honourable

friend for her question, UK aid and funding is distributed on the basis

to those in need, but importantly standing up for them and giving them

a voice in parts of the wild is conflict. As well as recommitting to

the UN target of not .7 -- 0.7, how will the Minister consult civil

society before proposing further changes, or relaxation of rules? I

thank the honourable lady for her question, this is an important area

where I have committed to working with all partners, in particular

civil society, and in fact civil society and I, a range of NGOs spent

some time on this issue two weeks ago, and this is an ongoing dialogue

and I would welcome views of other partners on this issue. With high

Government's new-found desire to reach out to other parties for

ideas, precisely which of the 13 policy ideas in Labour's 2013

manifesto does the Secretary of State intend to implement? When it

comes to development I think it is fair to say we are in agreement to

our national commitment to 0.7%. Hence our constructive exchange

right now. With reference to a previous question, on ODA reform, we

should be working on this with our international partners. This year we

are providing a package of humanitarian support to these

particular countries, providing food, shelter and water to those in

desperate need. Can I press the Secretary of State

and asked her what her department is doing to encourage the Ugandan

Government to fully engage in diplomatic efforts to bring warring

parties in South Sudan to the negotiating table? South Sudan and

the conflict there is an abhorrent situation, I have seen that at first

hand. I have absolutely been pressing the Ugandan Government and

also other neighbours in the region, they need to step up effectively,

call out the appalling behaviour we have been seeing in South Sudan, and

the UK's doing everything we possibly can to make sure that

message is heard. Can I congratulate the Secretary of State and DFID for

coordinating the aid effort in South Sudan with other countries. Does she

agree this was let another example where British taxpayers' money is

being widely spent keeping alive men, women and children who have

been -- happen to share the planet with us? South Sudan is a man-made

crisis which has caused thousands to flee their home. UK aid is making a

great difference. Number five, Mr Speaker. Last week DFID launched a

fund specifically for UK's small UK registered charities with an annual

income of less than ?250,000. In I am proud of the work many of our

constituents in Cheadle undertake, and small charities are vital to our

aid programme and for this -- does my right honourable friend agree

with me that providing these funds to our local and small charities, we

can improve the connection between our civil society and the important

work in helping countries overseas? Small charities are a crucial part

of the UK's development over. I would urge all colleagues across the

House to encourage their small charities to apply to this fund,

because there is a great opportunity to build those links nationally and

internationally on these important issues. Will she give priority in

allocating funds to areas of the world such as Yemen, where there is

a humanitarian catastrophe, where 300,000 people are facing a cholera

epidemic? The honourable gentleman is right, and I commend him for

raising the issue of Yemen where the conflict is having devastating

impact, and of course there is a cholera crisis. We are spending

hundreds of millions in providing the necessary life-saving support to

the people who are engrossed in that awful conflict. What assessment has

my right honourable friend made of the remarkable voluntary and

charitable contribution made alongside the Government's work to

relieve the crisis in Syria, and how does the department helped to

facilitate that were? My honourable friend is right to raise this, and

in terms of the support for Syria and the region, UK aid is playing a

significant part, we are one of the largest donors, but also the many

small charities as we have heard, playing a part as well, and the

small charities fund will help to facilitate more UK small charities

to do more on international crisis and conflict. Number six, Mr

Speaker. The UK was at the forefront of drafting those goals, and is

leading a great deal of the implementation. The 28th of March we

published a report, DFID's leads on implementation in making sure the

single departmental plans drive it through domestically. Winger he will

know of my interest in the issue of food waste in particular. Does he

agree that with a goal of 12.3, it is not just enough to have a DFID

led approach, we won't be able to help farmers in developing countries

unless we also tackle the relationship with the supermarkets

in this country as well. The right poll has been a leader in food waste

in this House. It has to be driven by Defra and the Secretary of State

for Defra, monitored by the Cabinet Office and then DFID role is to make

sure that internationally, we are consistent with exactly the kind of

leadership on food waste that the right honourable member has

provided. Winger the commitment to and lamenting the sustainable

development goals comes right from the top of the Government. -- in

implementing. Does -- on my right honourable friend update the House

on when he is asked the officer for national statistics to report on the

UK's progress? Winger red they are currently compiling a report for the

UN, and we will be submitting ourselves to a voluntary assessment

of the UN -- the UK's performance at home and abroad on the sustainable

development goals. Given President from's declaration on the Paris

agreement, doesn't that blow a hole in the UK's objectives on the

climate change agreement as part of the millennium development goals?

The UK's obligation under the sustainable development goals is to

make -- remain committed to our own performance, we are sticking with

the Paris agreement, and we will demonstrate at home and abroad that

we really care about clean, renewable energy. Topical questions.

Yesterday I hosted a fantastic family planning conference here in

London, dealing with the population challenges of regions such as

Africa, but also making -- demonstrating UK leadership in terms

of how we can help those who do not have a voice on this issue. Will the

Secretary of State commitment to change the UK definition of

international aid without consultation and approval from this

House? I have already said that I am engaged in all parties, not just

political parties but also stakeholders and international

colleagues as well, because of course our very clear guidelines on

OECD rules, we will work with all part -- partners to insure that we

can look at the changes necessary. If your tools or your land stolen

and there is no redress through the justice system, or if you are too

fearful to walk to school because you have been raped and no action

has been taken, development is restricted if policy continues. So

what action is DFID taking to make sure that justice systems function

properly in the domestic were? -- poverty continues. Strengthening the

justice systems around the world, particularly in developing

countries, is an essential part in our fight against poverty. But also

building safer communities and countries, and that is the focus of

DFID and UK aid. What is the cycling's -- what is the Secretary

of State doing about the plight of hundreds of thousands of Syrians who

cannot access any UK aid, because they are still under age by the Al

Assad Government. He raises a very serious situation, in Syria and also

the besieged areas in which we are struggling, collectively all

agencies are struggling to get support and aid to people who

desperately need this. We're working with many of the aid agencies on the

ground but also the UN in particular. Who are leading the way

here, and of course it is a devastating situation in Syria, and

we are working with all parties to see what we can do to get supplies

in as and when those windows opportunities appear. Winger free

trade is essentially -- free trade -- can my right honourable friend

update the House on what policies she is taking to update this issue?

The UK is committed to ensuring valeting countries can combat

poverty through focusing on free trade. -- developing countries. We

are encouraging trade preferences with poor countries to make this may

help them trade their way out of poverty, and that is an area DFID is

focused on. So the whole house can benefit from the mellifluous tones

of the honourable lady, perhaps she can face the House when opening full

is -- answering. School students from Wrexham and the suit to

southern Africa have had a tremendous relationship through

personal contact with students in Europe and Africa. -- De Soto. How

can we enable that to continue? The honourable gentleman is right to

raise these amazing partnerships between our schools in Africa and

the UK, and of course DFID is leading the way through many of the

programmes we have, but also through the connecting classrooms programme

that is taking place in many honourable and right honourable

members' schools. Speaker-macro, trade not aid is the route out of

poverty for developing countries. With the Secretary of State agree --

would the Secretary of State agree that leaving the EU will allow this

country to lower its tariffs and allow developing countries to trade

with us? My honourable friend makes a very, very important and relevant

point. As someone who also campaigned to leave the EU, I think

it is absolutely right that when we bring forward our trade preferences

through future legislation as we leave the EU, that will enable many

poor countries to leave behind poverty and get on the path to

prosperity. 95% of drinking water in Gaza now being unsafe to drink,

we're now fast becoming -- approaching the part -- pod of Gaza

being uninhabitable is. What is the Government doing to ensure we do not

reach that point, and pushing the plans for a desalination plant?

According to the UN office for the coordination of humanitarian

affairs, most homes in Gaza are only getting water for a few hours every

three to five days. The availability of safe drinking water has become

worse, the UK encourages all parties to find a sustainable solution to

the problem, and in the longer term continues to urge the authorities to

ensure fair distribution of water. Can the Secretary of State assure me

that her department will work closely with disability focus

organisations, so that the UK's efforts to improve access to

education for disabled children in developing countries are successful?

Let me start by welcoming my honourable friend to the House. We

are committed in the UK to focus on disability in poor countries, and

also importantly enable those that are disadvantaged in some of the

most pro--- poorest parts of the world. Yet the macro myself on the

honourable member for Brock still have been to Jordan and met the

people on the ground who are really worried about the potential

instability as a result of accepting so many Syrian refugees. What the

Government agree that ensuring stability in host countries who are

opening their doors is an absolute priority? The honourable lady will

have seen the impact of the Syrian conflict that is happening in Jordan

and the region, and Jordan as a host country has been heavily supported

by the United Kingdom, by UK aid, to provide all the essential things

they need. Can the Secretary of State insure their department works

to try and ensure that more women in the developing world have access to

advice and support on contraception and family planning? My right

honourable friend is right, and I would state again that we hosted a

summer yesterday on this very issue, and will continue to lead the way in

standing up for women's rights in developing countries, but also

pioneering more work and support in family planning and contraceptives.

Does the Minister agree with me that proposals in Israel, discussed last

month by the Israeli Government, on this construction of a Gaza seaport

to ease the situation in Gaza, and will support this initiative? The

idea of a new seaport could open up all sorts of things in Gaza, and

change the situation for the people there quite materially. It is a very

interesting proposal, and I'm interested to see how far it is

taken. Yet the macro -- British funded refugee

camps across Turkey have been preventing illegal migration into

Europe. Is it time to commit a similar scheme in North Africa.

We are providing a great deal of support to migrants with

humanitarian aid, and looking at the flows of people.

The British Government is leading the response to West Africa. Can the

Secretary of State update the House. Parred in East Africa specifically

we have led the way in humanitarian and emergency food assistance, given

help to over 2.4 million people. Questions to the Prime Minister.

Caroline Flint. Question number one. Mr Damian

Green. My right honourable friend is

welcoming the king and queen of Spain on their state visit to the

United Kingdom and I am sure the whole House wishes them well. Isn't

today's report that the National Grid made ?3 billion profit in 2016

at the expense of households further evidence the Government is not

delivering their energy prices? Will the Government agreed to