Tag: Diane Abbott

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Diane Abbott on 2016-06-13.

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, with reference to the findings of the report of the International Development Committee, UK implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals, HC103, published on 8 June 2016, on the need for a cross-government approach in order to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals, what recent discussions she has had with Cabinet colleagues on those goals.

Justine Greening

I have discussed the government’s approach to implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals with the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster. This will be a cross-government effort with individual Secretaries of State accountable through their Single Departmental Plans. There will continue to be regular discussions involving all relevant departments across Government. The Government will respond to the IDC report.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Diane Abbott on 2016-02-03.

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, what information her Department holds on steps that the Ethiopian government has taken to prevent potential widespread starvation in South Omo.

Justine Greening

The Government of Ethiopia is assisting people in South Omo through food or cash via the Government’s Productive Safety Net Programme to help them through the leanest months of the year. Additionally, the local government is working with the World Food Programme to meet humanitarian needs, allocating over 4,000 MT of food for distribution in South Omo over the coming six months.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Diane Abbott on 2016-02-24.

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, if the Government will contribute emergency aid to Fiji and its surrounding islands following the recent cyclone.

Justine Greening

The UK is assisting Fiji in response to Tropical Cyclone Winston. The UK makes core contributions to the UN Agencies, CERF, ECHO and the Red Cross, all of whom may contribute to the response. We are also contributing technical support to strengthen UNICEF’s capacity and are ready to consider further requests for humanitarian experts should it be required. DFID has also offered to provide support to the UN Disaster & Coordination team and will remain in contact with Agencies in the region.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Diane Abbott on 2016-03-02.

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, if she will make it her policy to provide additional financial support for Jordan for the provision of (a) aid and (b) jobs for refugees in that country.

Justine Greening

The UK with other members of the international community agreed at the Supporting Syria and the Region Conference a comprehensive approach to tackling the impact of the Syria conflict. This included continued humanitarian support in Jordan and a ‘Jordan Compact’ aimed at improving the investment climate and creating jobs for both Jordanians and refugees from Syria. Funding and implementation arrangements are currently being finalised.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Diane Abbott on 2016-06-13.

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, what the implications are for the Government’s policy on using Overseas Development Funding aid through the EU Emergency Trust Fund for Africa to send Eritreans in the EU back to Eritrea of the recommendation by the Commission established by the UN Human Rights Council to refer that country to the International Criminal Court.

Justine Greening

There are no programmes under the EUTF that are specific to Eritrea or that are funding the return of Eritreans currently in the EU.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Diane Abbott on 2016-02-03.

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, which projects her Department funds in South Omo and Bench Majji, Ethiopia.

Justine Greening

DFID Ethiopia’s programmes predominantly support provision of basic and other services across the whole country. This includes programmes focussing on health, climate investment, primary education and many other areas of development.

DFID holds necessary information to run effective programmes in Ethiopia.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Diane Abbott on 2016-02-24.

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, pursuant to the Answer of 15 February 2016 to Question 26161, how will the funds raised as result of the Supporting Syria Conference be used to create sustainable jobs in Levantine states with high youth unemployment.

Justine Greening

As set out in the Co-hosts’ Declaration from the Supporting Syria and the Region Conference (available at https://www.supportingsyria2016.com/media/) donor funding will support plans set out in detailed Statements of Intent by refugee-hosting governments aimed at improving the investment climate and creating jobs for host communities and refugees from Syria.

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The below Parliamentary question was asked by Diane Abbott on 2016-03-15.

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, if she will make an assessment of the extent to which recent changes to the OECD’s Official Development Assistance (ODA) definition will divert ODA away from welfare programmes into military programmes.

Justine Greening

The recent DAC High Level Meeting was able to agree the first update in the ODA rules in over 40 years and reflect the changing nature of aid delivery. All of this is in line with the primary purpose of ODA – to support the economic development and welfare of development countries – and this has not changed.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Diane Abbott on 2016-06-13.

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, what the implications for her policies are of the report from the Committee on Development of the European Parliament on the New Alliance for Food Security and Nutrition (NAFSN), published on 3 May 2016, on the Government’s support for the NAFSN.

Justine Greening

The New Alliance for Food Security and Nutrition is a multi-stakeholder platform that aims to accelerate responsible investment in African agriculture. At the continental level, it is led by the African Union Commission. We support their aims through our policy engagement and programme work.

The report makes some useful recommendations which we are considering and will discuss with the wider AU-led initiative. Many of the report’s recommendations have already been the focus of DFID policy and programme work.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Diane Abbott on 2016-02-08.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, with reference to the Unicef press release of 2 February 2016, More children and women seek safety in Europe, what steps she is taking to support vulnerable women and children entering the UK.

Karen Bradley

We carefully consider all asylum claims and provide protection for those who need it, in accordance with our international obligations. We are committed to treating all those who seek asylum with dignity and respect, including women and girls whose fear is based on gender related persecution, such as sexual violence in conflict situations. We provide accommodation and other support that ensure asylum seekers are not destitute while their claim is considered. The Home Office liaises closely with corporate partners on gender related issues, including active involvement in the wider Home Office strategy to tackle violence against women and girls (VAWG). We have developed an asylum gender action plan and have made good progress in improving the asylum process for women. We work closely with local authorities, children’s services and other agencies to ensure that asylum seeking children receive appropriate support and care. Local authorities, who lead on child protection, have a statutory duty under the Children Act to ensure that they safeguard and promote the welfare of all children, regardless of their immigration status or nationality. Under these arrangements, looked after children are provided with access to all their needs in relation to education, accommodation, psychological or health.