Recommendations & Conclusions
37 items
1
Conclusion
3rd Report - The Government’s efforts t…
Accepted
The world is off target to achieve SDG2 and shows signs of waning in its resolve. An urgent and concerted effort at local, national and international levels is required to not only tackle the effects of poor nutrition and food insecurity, but also the underlying causes. All activities need to …
Government response. The government partially agreed, stating the FCDO annually reports on nutrition-related spend and will publish the 2024 Commercial Agricultural Portfolio Review by June. It committed to ensuring future programmes consider gender equality, strengthen nutrition objectives, and uphold a 'do no …
2
Conclusion
3rd Report - The Government’s efforts t…
Accepted
Climate change and hunger are intrinsically linked. We recognise the emphasis the Government is putting on improving the impact of climate finance as it relates to food systems. (Conclusion, Paragraph 15)
Government response. The government agreed with the conclusion, affirming its commitment to tackling gender inequality and empowering women and girls, which it integrates into its food and nutrition investments. It highlighted existing gender-focused efforts and analysis through the Nutrition Accountability Report.
3
Recommendation
3rd Report - The Government’s efforts t…
Accepted
We recommend the Government conduct an assessment of UK climate finance to ensure it addresses the impact of climate change on nutrition and food systems. The UK’s agricultural investments need to be assessed more rigorously for the adaption and mitigation challenges posed by climate change. (Recommendation, Paragraph 16)
Government response. The government partially agreed, stating that smallholder farmers are central to UK ODA policy and programming, and that it already has social and environmental safeguarding frameworks in place to assess and mitigate negative consequences. It did not commit to conducting …
4
Conclusion
3rd Report - The Government’s efforts t…
Deferred
The inclusion of women in the design of Zero Hunger policy and programming is vital for equitable and cost-effective progress toward SDG2. Moreover, programming that does not use carefully disaggregated data to ensure it is sensitive to both gender and age dimensions of hunger is unlikely to achieve sustainable results. …
Government response. The government's response did not address the conclusion regarding the vital role of including women and using disaggregated data in Zero Hunger policy and programming. Instead, it discussed disability and the impact of Official Development Assistance (ODA) spending reductions.
5
Recommendation
3rd Report - The Government’s efforts t…
Deferred
We call on the Government to renew its focus on improving both the gender relevance of nutrition-specific funding as well as the sensitivity of gender- specific programming to food systems and nutrition. (Recommendation, Paragraph 21)
Government response. The government's response did not address the recommendation to renew its focus on improving gender relevance in nutrition-specific funding and gender-specific programming. Instead, it discussed efforts to address conflict-induced hunger and improve the predictability of the FCDO's Official Development Assistance …
6
Recommendation
3rd Report - The Government’s efforts t…
Accepted in Part
Smallholder farmers in low-income countries are vital players in sustainable food systems. We welcome some of the steps taken to assess the impact of new trade deals on low-income countries. Currently, though, there is more to be done to ensure that the range of tools the UK has to alleviate …
Government response. The government partially agrees, highlighting existing ODA programmes and trade agreement assessment frameworks that consider smallholder farmers. They do not believe a separate assessment is currently warranted but will consider it in 2026, subject to the Spending Review.
7
Recommendation
3rd Report - The Government’s efforts t…
Accepted in Part
We recommend the Government assess its trade, agriculture, climate and gender programmes against the impact they have on smallholder farmers. Where necessary, these programmes should be adjusted to mitigate harm against smallholder famers and to enhance their place within sustainable food systems. (Recommendation, Paragraph 29)
Government response. The government partially agrees, stating existing safeguarding frameworks and impact assessments already consider smallholder farmers. It will consider a further impact assessment in 2026, but does not deem a separate assessment warranted at this stage due to the ongoing Spending …
8
Recommendation
3rd Report - The Government’s efforts t…
Deferred
Disabled people are particularly vulnerable to hunger and their needs must be incorporated into all Zero Hunger focussed programming. The Government have made important steps in this direction. (Conclusion, Paragraph 31)
Government response. The government partially agreed, recognizing the vulnerability of disabled people to hunger, but deferred concrete action on incorporating their needs into programming, stating it was necessary to pause the refresh of the Disability Inclusion and Rights Strategy until after the …
9
Recommendation
3rd Report - The Government’s efforts t…
Deferred
We recommend the Government specifically address the linkages between nutrition and disability in the refresh of the Disability Inclusion and Rights Strategy. We request the relevant section of the updated strategy is shared with the Committee. (Recommendation, Paragraph 32)
Government response. The government acknowledges the linkages between nutrition and disability but has paused the refresh of the Disability Inclusion and Rights Strategy due to ODA budget cuts, deferring consideration until after the multi-year Spending Review has concluded.
10
Recommendation
3rd Report - The Government’s efforts t…
Accepted
Conflict breeds hunger and hunger breeds conflict. We recommend that stabilisation and peace building at both the programme and diplomatic level is made a priority for the Government as it seeks to end hunger by
Government response. The government partially agreed, affirming commitment to stabilisation and peacebuilding, noting they are already proactively addressing conflict-induced hunger through diplomatic efforts, UN Security Council actions, a legal handbook, bilateral programs, and a £5 million contribution to the UN Peacebuilding Fund …
11
Conclusion
3rd Report - The Government’s efforts t…
Rejected
The handling of the merger of DFID with the FCO, and that of the subsequent sudden and drastic cuts in programme spending, was very damaging for the UK’s efforts toward SDG2. Not only did it damage the UK’s reputation as a leader and innovator toward the goal of ending hunger …
Government response. The government explicitly disagreed with the committee's conclusion, defending the decision to reduce ODA to fund increased defence spending as a necessary measure for national security, and stating they have learned lessons from previous reductions.
12
Recommendation
3rd Report - The Government’s efforts t…
Rejected
The reduction of ODA from 0.5% to 0.3% of GNI in February 2025 could not have come at a worse time, with cuts in donor spending across Europe and in the United States of America and ever-increasing need. If the Government fails to learn the lessons from the handling of …
Government response. The government rejects the recommendation to reconsider the ODA reduction, stating it is a necessary decision to fund increased defence spending to 2.5% of GDP by 2027, which is deemed essential for national security.
13
Recommendation
3rd Report - The Government’s efforts t…
Accepted in Part
We recommend that the FCDO put measures in place to ensure that all Official Development Assistance committed to nutrition and food security related programming is predictable and long term, with better safeguards against, and warnings of, any changes to funding agreements with delivery partners. We request the Government outline clearly …
Government response. The government partially agrees, acknowledging the value of predictable programming and noting the FCDO's ODA budget will have greater certainty. However, final 2025/26 allocations are pending the Spending Review, though they commit to managing funding changes responsibly and informing partners.
14
Recommendation
3rd Report - The Government’s efforts t…
Accepted
Where cuts are to be made as part of this spending review, we request the Government informs the Committee of the steps it will take to ensure that there will be a phased transition with clear communication to implementing partners, avoiding some of the damage that was done when budgets …
Government response. The government agrees and commits to early dialogue with partners, regular strategic engagement, and ensuring responsible exits from agreements to manage budget changes. It also commits to keeping the Committee and partners closely and regularly updated on ODA budget implementation.
15
Recommendation
3rd Report - The Government’s efforts t…
Accepted in Part
UK trade policy needs to reflect the Government’s aspirations for achieving SDG2 with a continued commitment to comprehensive assessments of the impact of trade deals on food-insecure populations and a focus on reforming trading rules that compound food insecurity. (Conclusion, Paragraph 52)
Government response. The government partially agrees, stating it already has frameworks for assessing trade deals and ODA impact, and will consider further impact assessments in 2026, depending on the Spending Review.
16
Recommendation
3rd Report - The Government’s efforts t…
Accepted
Ensuring the FCDO attracts and retains the highest level of expertise is key for maintaining value for money and delivering effective programming. The Government needs to be ready to invest in both existing and new expertise. (Conclusion, Paragraph 55) Localisation
Government response. The government agrees and commits to recruiting new Food and Agriculture advisory expertise, implementing a new annual Strategic Oversight Board for capability, and strengthening nutrition capacity through internal and external learning and development.
17
Recommendation
3rd Report - The Government’s efforts t…
Deferred
The next frontier for international development programming and policy is the meaningful and mainstreamed inclusion of local decision making. Whether at national or regional government level, or closer to the grassroots at NGO or household level, the Government has some ambitious and worthy intentions. For example, we welcome the Government’s …
Government response. The government partially agreed, stating that locally driven action is central to their current efforts in development. However, any decisions to develop new delivery frameworks for local decision-making are deferred pending the outcome of the ongoing Spending Review.
18
Recommendation
3rd Report - The Government’s efforts t…
Accepted in Part
Successive UK Governments have been innovative and effective leaders in the efforts to tackle hunger. The UK has the convening power and expertise to be a considerable force for good in tackling the challenges of international fundraising, trade reform, climate and development policy which will be needed. However, the will …
Government response. The government states its commitment to maintaining leadership on food security and nutrition, citing the launch of the Global Compact on Nutrition Integration. However, it defers setting out a roadmap for future pledges until the Spending Review is finalised in …
19
Recommendation
3rd Report - The Government’s efforts t…
Accepted in Part
The Government has an excellent opportunity to demonstrate its commitment to leadership on SDG2 by doing everything it can to ensure that the Nutrition for Growth summit is a success. We wait with anticipation for the announcements the Government intends to make at the summit regarding the integration of programming …
Government response. The government launched the Global Compact on Nutrition Integration to boost impact and leverage finance for nutrition across sectors. However, it was unable to make a funding commitment at the summit due to an ongoing Spending Review and will explore …
20
Recommendation
3rd Report - The Government’s efforts t…
Deferred
We recommend the Government lead by example at the Nutrition for Growth summit with a commitment to making a generous and well-targeted pledge as well as a new reach commitment on nutrition and food security within the next six months. This would focus efforts and improve accountability. (Recommendation, Paragraph 67)
Government response. The government was unable to make a generous funding commitment or new reach commitment at the Nutrition for Growth Summit due to an ongoing Spending Review. It will explore options for future pledges and policy commitments in 2025 once the …
21
Recommendation
3rd Report - The Government’s efforts t…
Accepted
The Government should attend the Financing for Development conference in June with new and innovative solutions for the raising of private investment toward addressing malnutrition and building sustainable food systems. (Recommendation, Paragraph 68)
Government response. The government will use the Financing for Development Conference to push for global financial system reform and is working to catalyse private investment through contributing to the new FASA Fund and funding a £20m local currency pilot through GAFSP.
22
Recommendation
3rd Report - The Government’s efforts t…
Accepted
The Government should lead action on debt relief for countries affected by hunger and malnutrition including exploring the potential of debt suspension clauses for low-income countries at high risk of backsliding on food security and nutrition. (Recommendation, Paragraph 69)
Government response. The government commits to tackling unsustainable debt and states it was the first bilateral creditor to systematically offer Natural Disaster Clauses (a form of debt suspension clause) through UK Export Finance lending, directly addressing part of the recommendation.
23
Recommendation
3rd Report - The Government’s efforts t…
Rejected
The Government should work internationally to drive coherence around SDG 2 championing the idea of an international plan to advance efforts to tackle hunger and malnutrition. (Recommendation, Paragraph 70) Learning and application of best practice
Government response. The government rejects the idea of an additional international plan, stating that a multitude of existing strategies already exist and a new plan is unlikely to add value. However, it will continue to promote coordination among ongoing global initiatives.
24
Conclusion
3rd Report - The Government’s efforts t…
Not Addressed
The UK has a tremendous array of research institutes and a strong history of contributing to the fields of nutrition and food security. There is more the Government could be doing to make use of these resources and to integrate learning into programming. (Conclusion, Paragraph 74)
Government response. The government's response primarily discusses future ODA budget decisions and existing investments in the Child Nutrition Fund and Child Wasting and Innovation Programme, but does not explicitly address how it will do more to leverage UK research institutes or better …
25
Conclusion
3rd Report - The Government’s efforts t…
Not Addressed
The potential of local knowledge and understanding in developing solutions to nutrition and food security challenges, particularly in terms of climate adaption and mitigation, is not always fully realised. (Conclusion, Paragraph 75)
Government response. The government's response focuses on future ODA budget decisions and existing support for local production and national governments in supply chain systems. It does not explicitly outline new actions to address the concern that the potential of local knowledge is …
26
Recommendation
3rd Report - The Government’s efforts t…
Deferred
Beyond the OECD Development Assistance Committee nutrition indicators, monitoring of the contribution that the FCDO’s programming is making toward the SDG2 goal has been insufficient. In order to know and understand what works, the FCDO needs a common set of indicators that can be measured at multiple levels. (Conclusion, Paragraph …
Government response. The government partially agreed, stating that decisions on future ODA spending and new delivery frameworks are being worked through as part of the Spending Review, which limits their ability to commit to new monitoring indicators. They highlighted existing support for …
27
Conclusion
3rd Report - The Government’s efforts t…
Accepted
We support the Government’s commitment to strengthening the evidence base for the prevention of child wasting. (Conclusion, Paragraph 78)
Government response. The government highlights its co-founding of the Child Nutrition Fund and ongoing investments through the Child Wasting and Innovation Programme, which has supported the generation of evidence around cost-effective formulations of RUTF.
28
Recommendation
3rd Report - The Government’s efforts t…
Accepted in Part
The Government should work with governments and organisations to ensure continued long-term, predictable financial support for Ready-to use Therapeutic Foods and Multiple Micronutrient Supplementation packs, to address the needs of children and pregnant women in humanitarian situations. This should support local production, where possible, and partner with national governments in …
Government response. The government partially agrees, accepting the importance of predictable, long-term funding for nutrition commodities, local production, and partnership. They highlight existing significant contributions to the Child Nutrition Fund (CNF) and successful support for local RUTF production, but defer a decision …
29
Conclusion
3rd Report - The Government’s efforts t…
Acknowledged
We can see the potential for much wider application of cash transfers as a tool to tackle hunger. However, we also appreciate they need to complement other components of a sustainable food system. (Conclusion, Paragraph 81)
Government response. The government partially agrees with the conclusion, recognising the important role of cash transfers in alleviating poverty and improving food security when integrated with wider policies. They will consider further action on this area as part of the ongoing Spending …
30
Recommendation
3rd Report - The Government’s efforts t…
Deferred
We urge the Government to continue to explore the application of cash transfers alongside a locally led process of agricultural and nutritional development. (Recommendation, Paragraph 82) Toward solutions—The Zero Hunger strategic delivery framework
Government response. The government recognizes the importance of cash transfers but states it will take the recommendation and further action into consideration as part of the ongoing FCDO Spending Review and refresh of FCDO priorities.
31
Recommendation
3rd Report - The Government’s efforts t…
Accepted in Part
We are encouraged that the department appears to understand the importance of harmonising development programming and the importance of considering issues of age, gender, nutrition and food security across the piece. However, it is important that this Government build on the progress of the last by identifying where there is …
Government response. The government agrees in principle to a common, coordinated, whole-of-government approach to fighting hunger, with FCDO collaborating with other departments. However, it defers decisions on delivery frameworks for future work until the completion of the ongoing Spending Review.
32
Recommendation
3rd Report - The Government’s efforts t…
Deferred
We recommend that by the end of 2025 a Zero Hunger strategic delivery framework is created that acknowledges the complex interrelationships between climate, gender, disability, conflict, food security and nutrition. The framework should have clear and practical guidance for civil servants 55 and delivery partners as to how programming should …
Government response. The government agrees in principle to a Zero Hunger framework but defers decisions on creating delivery frameworks until after the completion of the ongoing Spending Review and subsequent departmental prioritisation and allocation process.
33
Recommendation
3rd Report - The Government’s efforts t…
Deferred
Within the Zero Hunger delivery framework we recommend significant attention is paid to increasing local ownership across the breadth of FCDO programming that impacts on, or is impacted by, nutrition and food security: a. As part of the Zero Hunger strategic framework, the Government should set an ambition for the …
Government response. The government agrees that locally-driven action is central to its efforts but defers any decisions on setting ambitions for local funding or developing new delivery frameworks until after the ongoing Spending Review is complete.
34
Recommendation
3rd Report - The Government’s efforts t…
Accepted in Part
Beyond the Nutrition for Growth summit, we encourage the Government to see SDG2 as an issue of vital strategic importance to the UK’s national and international interests. Consequently, it should be adopted as a cross- cutting issue across diplomatic activity with heads of missions being made aware of its linkages …
Government response. The government agrees to prioritize SDG2 as a cross-cutting issue within FCDO, committing to developing a roadmap for its Global Nutrition Integration Compact in 2025. However, it defers action on making it a broader cross-government priority, citing capacity limits and …
35
Recommendation
3rd Report - The Government’s efforts t…
Accepted
The Government needs to re-double its efforts to reform the financial systems which precipitate the strangling unsustainable debt faced by many food-insecure countries. The Government should state clearly what it intends to do regarding the reform of financial systems that stifle investment in low-income countries. (Recommendation, Paragraph 88)
Government response. The government agrees to re-double efforts for financial system reform, committing to lead G7 institutional reform, push MDBs on the G20’s Capital Adequacy Framework, offer guarantees for over $6bn in MDB finance, and champion bolder systems for fragile states.
36
Recommendation
3rd Report - The Government’s efforts t…
Accepted in Part
The Government needs to ensure that research is coherent with its aspirations to fighting hunger and considers the inter-related factors facing nutrition and food systems. As part of the Zero Hunger delivery framework there should be clear guidance on this to those commissioning research. (Recommendation, Paragraph 89)
Government response. The government agrees research must address interconnected factors impacting nutrition and food systems, highlighting its existing food systems approach and the Gilbert Initiative. The response does not, however, explicitly commit to providing new clear guidance for those commissioning research.
37
Recommendation
3rd Report - The Government’s efforts t…
Accepted
The Government should review the staffing complement and structure working on SDG2 across departments, and the anticipated need in coming years, hiring new staff where needed. (Recommendation, Paragraph 90) 57
Government response. The government agrees to review staffing, planning to recruit new Food and Agriculture advisory expertise in 2025/2026, implement a new annual Strategic Oversight Board, and strengthen FCDO’s nutrition capacity through learning and development.