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
12
Rejected
Reconsider reduction in Official Development Assistance from 0.5% to 0.3% of GNI.
Recommendation
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 …
Read more
Government Response 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.
23
Rejected
Work internationally to drive coherence around SDG 2 and champion an international plan.
Recommendation
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 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.
Conclusions (1)
11
Conclusion
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 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.