Recommendation 30

HM Government Deferred

Partially Agree. The Government recognises the important role of cash transfers in alleviating poverty and vulnerability by helping people to meet their basic needs and supporting human development. We know that, when integrated with wider policies and programmes, cash transfers increase consumption and contribute to positive food security outcomes, as well as help smallholder farmers to overcome liquidity and credit constrains so that they can invest in agricultural inputs, technologies and practices. We also know that it is harder for cash transfers to have a positive impact on nutrition unless there is intentionality as part of the design and targeting of such programmes, especially during the crucial first 1,000 days from conception to age two. For example, the FCDO recently conducted a review of its programming in Zambia, including on cash transfers, with the objective of strengthening nutrition integration to capitalise on co-benefits. The review concluded that nutritional outcomes could be improved through a range of pathways, including robust nutrition social behaviour change communication and referral to nutrition-specific health services and women’s empowerment activities alongside cash programming. Yet, social protection systems are not systematically designed and leveraged as platforms for improving food security and nutrition. For example, during the COVID-19 pandemic only around 8% of the announced social protection measures were aimed at addressing food and nutrition needs. We will take this recommendation and further action on this area into consideration within the refresh of FCDO priorities as part of the ongoing Spending Review.