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 … Show more

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 … Read more

Government response AI summary
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.
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Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office
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 … Read more

Government response AI summary
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.
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Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office
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 AI summary
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.
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Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office

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 ↗

Who gave evidence

19 witnesses
WitnessOrganisationSessions
Abigail Perry · Director of Nutrition World Food Programme 1
Chris Carter · Deputy Director, Head of Human Development Depart… Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office 1
Dr Diana Onyango · Head of Technical Team Farm Africa 1
Dr Mairo Mandara · Global Leadership Council Member United Against Malnutrition and Hunger 1
Dr Rachael McDonnell 1
Dr. Shaikh Tanveer Ahmed · Chief Executive HANDS Foundation 1
Florian Monnerie · Country Director for Action Against Hunger DRC Action against Hunger 1
Grainne Moloney · Senior Nutrition Adviser UNICEF 1
Jen Haugen · Deputy Director, Global Food Security, Agricultur… Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office 1
Jyotsna Puri · Associate Vice-President, Strategy & Knowledge International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) 1
Mr Brieuc Pont · Special Envoy on Nutrition and Secretary General … Government of France 1
Mrs Melina Mtonga · Executive Director Find Your Feet Malawi 1
Ms Massiye Nyang’wa · Smallholder farmer Malawi 1
Rt Hon Anneliese Dodds MP · Minister for Development Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office 1
Rt Hon Rory Stewart · President Give Directly 1
Ruchi Tripathi · Global Lead on Livelihoods and Resilience VSO 1
Tariro Washaya · Programme Manager MeDRA (Methodist Relief and Development Agency) Zimbabwe 1
Victor Mughogho · Executive Director Eagles Malawi 1
Violet Natembeya · Smallholder farmer Kenya 1

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…