Source · Select Committees · International Development Committee
3rd Report - The Government’s efforts to achieve SDG2: Zero Hunger
International Development Committee
HC 515
Published 18 March 2025
Recommendations
3
Accepted
Assess UK climate finance and agricultural investments for climate impact on food systems.
Recommendation
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 …
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Government Response Summary
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 a new specific assessment of UK climate finance as requested.
10
Accepted
Prioritise stabilisation and peacebuilding at programme and diplomatic levels to end hunger.
Recommendation
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 Summary
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 in 2024/2025.
14
Accepted
Ensure phased transition and clear communication with partners during ODA spending cuts.
Recommendation
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, …
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Government Response Summary
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.
16
Accepted
Invest in FCDO expertise to ensure effective programming and value for money.
Recommendation
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
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Government Response Summary
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.
21
Accepted
Attend Financing for Development conference with innovative solutions for private investment in malnutrition.
Recommendation
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 Summary
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
Accepted
Lead global action on debt relief, exploring suspension clauses for hunger-affected nations.
Recommendation
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)
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Government Response Summary
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.
35
Accepted
Outline clear plans to reform financial systems hindering investment in low-income, food-insecure countries.
Recommendation
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 …
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Government Response Summary
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.
37
Accepted
Review SDG2 staffing complement and structure across departments, hiring new staff as required.
Recommendation
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 Summary
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.
Conclusions (3)
1
Conclusion
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 Summary
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 harm' approach.
2
Conclusion
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 Summary
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.
27
Conclusion
Accepted
We support the Government’s commitment to strengthening the evidence base for the prevention of child wasting. (Conclusion, Paragraph 78)
Government Response Summary
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.