Call for input: The Future of UK AID

11 May 2021

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The Microbiology Society is responding to a call for written evidence from the House of Commons International Development Committee about the impact of UK aid cuts.

Championing the contribution made by microbiology, our members and their work in addressing global challenges is one of the Society’s key objectives. In our response, we will highlight the far-reaching consequences of the decision to reduce the funds available for Official Development Assistance (ODA) and we will keep calling on the UK government to confirm its stated commitment to expand investment research and development and enable the use of ODA to support Research and Development (R&D) partnerships with developing countries.

Our focus will be on the following issues that are being examined as part of the inquiry: 

  • The strategic targeting of UK aid spending, including the focus areas set out by the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office’s (FCDO) seven global challenges and their alignment with the conclusions of the Integrated Review
  • Whether these focus areas address the most pressing global development challenges
  • Impact upon communities in lower income countries
  • Impact upon organisations implementing UK ODA programmes
If you wish to contribute, either by commenting on the issues highlighted above or by telling us how the ODA cuts have impacted your work, please contact us at [email protected].


Image: iStock/Brian A Jackson.