Recommendation 1

The Committee recognises that Overseas Development Assistance (ODA) spending has been reduced to allow the wider defence budget to be increased, but highlights the risks in making deep cuts to ODA for Research and Development (R&D). The UK has been shortsighted in making cuts to this area as part of its wider cuts to overseas aid. Along with its spending on health, a much larger part of the aid budget, ODA for R&D is an investment that can greatly benefit the UK in terms of preventing disease outbreaks and assisting future science discoveries, as well as building important science diplomacy links. While recognising the financial and political constraints around restoring ODA spend, we call on the government to reconsider when it comes to R&D spend. The cuts constitute a missed opportunity for the UK to strengthen its global leadership in science and technology, with the risk that this spot may be taken up by competitors. The impact on our relationships and reputation will resonate for years to come. (Conclusion, Paragraph 19)