Lords Committee to question Minister for International Development on the Government’s development priorities

Baroness Chapman of Darlington, Minister of State for International Development, and Latin America and the Caribbean will appear before the House of Lords International Relations and Defence Committee to face questions on a wide range of issues across her development portfolio.

The session will take place on Wednesday 18 June at 11am and will be available to watch live or on demand at Parliament TV or attend in person Committee Room 4, Palace of Westminster.

Questions will include:

• In light of UK Official Development Assistance being reduced and projected to remain at historic lows, what is the Government's long-term strategy for development policy, and which priorities will guide this strategy?

• In the Government's view, what role does soft power play in strengthening UK and global security? How is it being resourced and prioritised in your department?

• How is the FCDO tracking the consequences of the aid cuts on programme delivery and outcomes, particularly in countries and sectors where the UK has historically played a leading role?

• How are recent reductions in USAID funding affecting UK development programming, particularly in areas where the UK and US have historically co-funded or strategically aligned initiatives? Are any priority programmes at risk as a result?

• What is the Government's assessment of the new Israeli mechanism for delivering aid into Gaza?