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Select Committee · International Development Committee

The UK Government’s work on achieving SDG2: Zero Hunger

Status: Closed Opened: 20 Oct 2023 Closed: 9 Jun 2025 29 recommendations 8 conclusions 1 report

This inquiry examined the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) and wider UK Government’s work on hunger and nutrition around the world and work towards achieving Zero Hunger by 2030 in line with SDG2. It examined the impact on this work of significant ongoing cuts to the UK aid budget. The Committee examined the effectiveness …

Clear

Reports

1 report
Title HC No. Published Items Response
3rd Report - The Government’s efforts to achieve SDG2: Zero… HC 515 18 Mar 2025 37 Responded

Recommendations & Conclusions

3 items
11 Conclusion 3rd Report - The Government’s efforts t… Rejected

DFID/FCO merger and spending cuts damaged UK's SDG2 efforts and reputation.

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

Reconsider reduction in Official Development Assistance from 0.5% to 0.3% of GNI.

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.
23 Recommendation 3rd Report - The Government’s efforts t… Rejected

Work internationally to drive coherence around SDG 2 and champion an international plan.

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.

Oral evidence sessions

4 sessions
Date Witnesses
4 Feb 2025 Chris Carter · Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office, Jen Haugen · Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office, Rt Hon Anneliese Dodds MP · Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office View ↗
10 Dec 2024 Dr. Shaikh Tanveer Ahmed · HANDS Foundation, Mr Brieuc Pont · Government of France, Mrs Melina Mtonga · Find Your Feet Malawi, Ms Massiye Nyang’wa · Malawi, Violet Natembeya · Kenya View ↗
12 Mar 2024 Dr Diana Onyango · Farm Africa, Dr Rachael McDonnell, Jyotsna Puri · International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), Rt Hon Rory Stewart · Give Directly, Ruchi Tripathi · VSO View ↗
30 Jan 2024 Abigail Perry · World Food Programme, Dr Mairo Mandara · United Against Malnutrition and Hunger, Florian Monnerie · Action against Hunger, Grainne Moloney · UNICEF, Tariro Washaya · MeDRA (Methodist Relief and Development Agency) Zimbabwe, Victor Mughogho · Eagles Malawi View ↗

Correspondence

4 letters
DateDirectionTitle
7 Jan 2025 — Correspondence from the Minister of State for Development relating to The Task …
7 Jan 2025 — Correspondence to the Minister of State for Development relating to The Task Fo…
7 May 2024 — Correspondence from the Minister for Development & Africa relating to The role …
7 May 2024 — Correspondence to the Minister for Development & Africa relating to The role of…