Thank you for contacting me on the very important matter of Foreign Aid.
As you will know, I was one of the Members of Parliament calling for the 0.7% to be reinstated. Prior to being a Member of Parliament, I spent a great deal of time working on, and seeing the benefits of, foreign aid.
The UK’s strengths rests within our defence capabilities, our diplomatic network, our free trade agenda and our development commitments. From tackling climate change, to providing humanitarian assistance and to preventing terrorism, there are many facets to our foreign aid budget. All of which make an important contribution both at home and abroad.
Let me assure you that I will continue to work with like-minded colleagues to ensure a prompt return to the 0.7 target, in line with the promises I made to the people of Totnes when I was elected in 2019.