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1135448

	registered interest
	date	27/06/2019
	answering body	Department for International Development
	answering dept id	20
	answering dept short name	International Development
	answering dept sort name	International Development
	hansard heading	International Assistance: Blockchain
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government what consideration they have given to making full use of the capabilities of blockchain-based smart contracts to protect the supply chain and ensure that major international aid and development projects are fully transparent, and that funding is secure.
	tabling member printed	Viscount Waverley
	uin	HL16769
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 10/07/2019 answer text <p>DFID is committed to best practice in the use of new digital technologies and we have set a vision for doing development in a digital world in our Digital Strategy. We have commissioned several reports to understand the effectiveness and potential of emerging blockchain technologies for international development. DFID also has several proof of concept pilots in design and implementation to test the potential of blockchain in, for example, humanitarian supply chains, tracking of UK aid funds, and to incentivise and reward environmentally sustainable farming practices. DFID is learning from these pilots and other projects to ensure that the UK remains at the cutting edge of delivering aid.</p><p> </p><p>DFID’s contracts are tendered in accordance with the EU Public Procurement Directive and the UK Public Procurement Regulations 2015, the focus of which is to ensure open and fair competition between bidders. This means our contracts are competitively tendered following a set of standard processes set out in the regulations. This competitive approach helps ensure value for money in the delivery of UK aid. British companies have continued to be very successful in this competitive market with UK firms winning 80% of our contracts in 2018/19.</p> answering member printed Baroness Sugg grouped question UIN HL16770 HL16771 question first answered 10/07/2019 15:59:57 answering member 4584 label Biography information for Baroness Sugg
	tabling member	1744 label Biography information for Viscount Waverley

1135449

	registered interest
	date	27/06/2019
	answering body	Department for International Development
	answering dept id	20
	answering dept short name	International Development
	answering dept sort name	International Development
	hansard heading	International Assistance: Blockchain
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government what plans they have (1) to help fund the further assessment and development of blockchain technologies for major infrastructure and international development projects, and (2) to ensure that the UK remains a centre of excellence and is a preferred jurisdiction for such contracts.
	tabling member printed	Viscount Waverley
	uin	HL16770
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 10/07/2019 answer text <p>DFID is committed to best practice in the use of new digital technologies and we have set a vision for doing development in a digital world in our Digital Strategy. We have commissioned several reports to understand the effectiveness and potential of emerging blockchain technologies for international development. DFID also has several proof of concept pilots in design and implementation to test the potential of blockchain in, for example, humanitarian supply chains, tracking of UK aid funds, and to incentivise and reward environmentally sustainable farming practices. DFID is learning from these pilots and other projects to ensure that the UK remains at the cutting edge of delivering aid.</p><p> </p><p>DFID’s contracts are tendered in accordance with the EU Public Procurement Directive and the UK Public Procurement Regulations 2015, the focus of which is to ensure open and fair competition between bidders. This means our contracts are competitively tendered following a set of standard processes set out in the regulations. This competitive approach helps ensure value for money in the delivery of UK aid. British companies have continued to be very successful in this competitive market with UK firms winning 80% of our contracts in 2018/19.</p> answering member printed Baroness Sugg grouped question UIN HL16769 HL16771 question first answered 10/07/2019 15:59:57 answering member 4584 label Biography information for Baroness Sugg
	tabling member	1744 label Biography information for Viscount Waverley

1135450

	registered interest
	date	27/06/2019
	answering body	Department for International Development
	answering dept id	20
	answering dept short name	International Development
	answering dept sort name	International Development
	hansard heading	International Assistance: Blockchain
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government what plans they have to support UK companies that are developing blockchain technology for the delivery of major international development contracts.
	tabling member printed	Viscount Waverley
	uin	HL16771
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 10/07/2019 answer text <p>DFID is committed to best practice in the use of new digital technologies and we have set a vision for doing development in a digital world in our Digital Strategy. We have commissioned several reports to understand the effectiveness and potential of emerging blockchain technologies for international development. DFID also has several proof of concept pilots in design and implementation to test the potential of blockchain in, for example, humanitarian supply chains, tracking of UK aid funds, and to incentivise and reward environmentally sustainable farming practices. DFID is learning from these pilots and other projects to ensure that the UK remains at the cutting edge of delivering aid.</p><p> </p><p>DFID’s contracts are tendered in accordance with the EU Public Procurement Directive and the UK Public Procurement Regulations 2015, the focus of which is to ensure open and fair competition between bidders. This means our contracts are competitively tendered following a set of standard processes set out in the regulations. This competitive approach helps ensure value for money in the delivery of UK aid. British companies have continued to be very successful in this competitive market with UK firms winning 80% of our contracts in 2018/19.</p> answering member printed Baroness Sugg grouped question UIN HL16769 HL16770 question first answered 10/07/2019 15:59:57 answering member 4584 label Biography information for Baroness Sugg
	tabling member	1744 label Biography information for Viscount Waverley

1177926

	registered interest
	date	11/02/2020
	answering body	Department for International Development
	answering dept id	20
	answering dept short name	International Development
	answering dept sort name	International Development
	hansard heading	Development Aid
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government what is the average percentage of overseas development assistance that they disburse through non-governmental organisations that reaches its intended recipients; what percentage of such funding is spent on administration costs; and what steps they are taking to increase the percentage of such funding that reaches its intended recipients.
	tabling member printed	Viscount Waverley
	uin	HL1549
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 25/02/2020 answer text <p>Non-governmental organisations (NGOs) are important partners for DFID in ensuring that UKAid reaches intended recipients, particularly the most marginalised groups. Approximately 10% of UKAid in 2018 was channelled directly through NGO partners.</p><p>DFID’s approach to programme delivery ensures this funding is well targeted. A Business Case must set out why the programme represents value for money and how this will be measured. Before funds are dispersed, a due diligence assessment is conducted to ensure the NGO partner has the capacity to deliver. Each programme is then monitored throughout its life, with formal annual reviews ensuring that progress and value for money are sustained and that any management fees remain appropriate.</p><p>On 1 April this year, DFID published a new approach to cost transparency in NGO grants. A new budget template and guidance will ensure that DFID has full sight of, and is able to scrutinise, all costs being paid to CSO partners through grants and standardises our approach to paying overheads. However, the exact information requested on administration costs is not held centrally and could only be collated at disproportionate cost.</p> answering member printed Baroness Sugg question first answered 25/02/2020 14:17:08 answering member 4584 label Biography information for Baroness Sugg
	tabling member	1744 label Biography information for Viscount Waverley

1220460

	registered interest
	date	02/07/2020
	answering body	Department for International Development
	answering dept id	20
	answering dept short name	International Development
	answering dept sort name	International Development
	hansard heading	Female Genital Mutilation
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government, following the report by the United Nations Population Fund, State of the World Population 2020: Against my will, published on 30 June, what assessment they have made of whether female genital mutilation can be eliminated by 2030.
	tabling member printed	Viscount Craigavon
	uin	HL6407
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 10/07/2020 answer text <p>The UK government welcomes UNFPA’s 2020 State of the World Population report which shines a light on harmful practices such as child marriage and FGM. The report highlights that respect for human rights and efforts to shift harmful social norms are central to the efforts needed to end FGM by 2030.</p><p>The UK is a longstanding supporter to the UN Joint Programme to Eliminate FGM and our £50 million UK aid package includes support for social norms change and the promotion of rights, laws and policies that protect women and girls from FGM. The UK will continue to support efforts and work with our partners to advance gender equality, sexual and reproductive health and rights, and the Africa-led movement to end FGM by 2030.</p> answering member printed Baroness Sugg grouped question UIN HL6408 question first answered 10/07/2020 10:33:06 answering member 4584 label Biography information for Baroness Sugg
	tabling member	3384 label Biography information for Viscount Craigavon

1220461

	registered interest
	date	02/07/2020
	answering body	Department for International Development
	answering dept id	20
	answering dept short name	International Development
	answering dept sort name	International Development
	hansard heading	Population
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the report by the United Nations Population Fund, State of the World Population 2020: Against my will, published on 30 June.
	tabling member printed	Viscount Craigavon
	uin	HL6408
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 10/07/2020 answer text <p>The UK government welcomes UNFPA’s 2020 State of the World Population report which shines a light on harmful practices such as child marriage and FGM. The report highlights that respect for human rights and efforts to shift harmful social norms are central to the efforts needed to end FGM by 2030.</p><p>The UK is a longstanding supporter to the UN Joint Programme to Eliminate FGM and our £50 million UK aid package includes support for social norms change and the promotion of rights, laws and policies that protect women and girls from FGM. The UK will continue to support efforts and work with our partners to advance gender equality, sexual and reproductive health and rights, and the Africa-led movement to end FGM by 2030.</p> answering member printed Baroness Sugg grouped question UIN HL6407 question first answered 10/07/2020 10:33:06 answering member 4584 label Biography information for Baroness Sugg
	tabling member	3384 label Biography information for Viscount Craigavon

1134687

	registered interest
	date	25/06/2019
	answering body	Department for International Development
	answering dept id	20
	answering dept short name	International Development
	answering dept sort name	International Development
	hansard heading	Bangladesh: Rohingya
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government what action they are taking to improve the situation of Rohingya refugees in camps in Bangladesh who have little prospect of returning to Myanmar in the immediate future; what representations they have made to the government of Bangladesh about its ban on formal education in those camps; and what funding they have provided, and intend to provide, to assist with the costs of such education.
	tabling member printed	The Marquess of Lothian
	uin	HL16654
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 08/07/2019 answer text <p>The UK government is committed to improving the situation of Rohingya refugees in Bangladesh, so that they can lead more fulfilling and meaningful lives, both now and in the future. We have provided £129m in funding since August 2017 to all essential sectors: food security and nutrition, shelter, health, protection, water, hygiene promotion and sanitation.</p><p> </p><p>It has also included support to education. This has primarily been as part of our contribution to UNICEF, which has so far totalled £13.43m; and indirectly through our contributions to Education Cannot Wait and the Global Partnership for Education. Together these have provided funding of $26m of which the UK has contributed nearly £3m. Education will remain a priority for future UK funding.</p><p> </p><p>The Development Secretary discussed the Rohingya crisis with the Bangladesh Government in Dhaka in February, including the need to improve refugees’ access to education, skills and livelihoods. The FCO Minister for Asia and the Pacific held similar discussions with the Government during his visit in April. My officials also regularly discuss the issue with their counterparts in government.</p> answering member printed Baroness Sugg question first answered 08/07/2019 15:41:29 answering member 4584 label Biography information for Baroness Sugg
	tabling member	259 label Biography information for The Marquess of Lothian

1176614

	registered interest
	date	05/02/2020
	answering body	Department for International Development
	answering dept id	20
	answering dept short name	International Development
	answering dept sort name	International Development
	hansard heading	Syria: Armed Conflict
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government what information they have on the current humanitarian situation in Idlib province.
	tabling member printed	The Marquess of Lothian
	uin	HL1366
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 14/02/2020 answer text <p>We are gravely concerned about escalating Syrian Regime and Russian military action and its humanitarian impact in Idlib. As of 6 February, the UN reports that 586,000 people have been displaced since 1 December 2019, and many more are at risk of imminent further displacement. This financial year DFID has already allocated £103 million to organisations delivering aid cross border from Turkey primarily into North West Syria, including Idlib. This has helped to provide hundreds of thousands of vulnerable people with food, clean water, shelter, and healthcare including psychosocial support.</p><p>Given the rapidly deteriorating conditions in North West Syria, we have put options in place to increase our funding further to address the pressing needs of those displaced by the conflict. We have provided funding to response partners including the UN to preposition essential supplies to support innocent families and civilians displaced by conflict and we are supporting all our partners to respond to this humanitarian crisis. The Minister for the Middle East and North Africa visited Turkey on 5-6 February and discussed the crisis in North West Syria with UN agencies and humanitarian NGOs, as well as with Turkish authorities. DFID partners on the ground are working tirelessly to provide aid to those affected by the military offensive.</p><p> </p> answering member printed Baroness Sugg question first answered 14/02/2020 12:13:25 answering member 4584 label Biography information for Baroness Sugg
	tabling member	259 label Biography information for The Marquess of Lothian

1191995

	registered interest
	date	30/04/2020
	answering body	Department for International Development
	answering dept id	20
	answering dept short name	International Development
	answering dept sort name	International Development
	hansard heading	International Assistance: Coronavirus
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government what international responses they are initiating with partners in the UN to provide assistance to those states which are the least prepared to address the health and economic crises arising from the COVID-19 pandemic.
	tabling member printed	The Marquess of Lothian
	uin	HL3792
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 11/05/2020 answer text <p>We are using UK aid to its full effect to counter the health, humanitarian, and economic risks and impacts of COVID-19. The UK strongly supports the United Nations Global Humanitarian Response Plan and continues to work with international partners, including the United Nations and its agencies, to ensure aid reaches those most in need.</p><p>Up to £744 million of UK aid funding has been committed so far to support the global efforts to combat COVID-19. Of that, £145 million is for United Nations appeals, including:</p><ul><li>£75 million for the World Health Organization;</li><li>£20 million for UNICEF and £5 million to Education Cannot Wait to help refugee, migrant and displaced children proving basic suppliers and lessons;</li><li>£20 million for the UN Refugee Agency providing access to handwashing stations and drinking water for displaced people;</li><li>£15 million for the World Food Programme; and</li><li>£10 million to United Nations Population Fund to provide lifesaving <em>sexual and reproductive health and rights</em> and gender-based violence prevention.</li></ul><p>The UK is also providing up to £150 million of UK aid funding which will go the International Monetary Fund’s Catastrophe Containment and Relief Trust to help developing countries meet their debt repayments so that they can focus their available resources on tackling COVID-19.</p> answering member printed Baroness Sugg question first answered 11/05/2020 13:05:08 answering member 4584 label Biography information for Baroness Sugg
	tabling member	259 label Biography information for The Marquess of Lothian

1197886

	registered interest
	date	21/05/2020
	answering body	Department for International Development
	answering dept id	20
	answering dept short name	International Development
	answering dept sort name	International Development
	hansard heading	Africa: Coronavirus
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government whether the COVID-19 pandemic is progressing in Africa at a slower rate than they expected; and if so, what assessment they have made of why that is the case.
	tabling member printed	The Marquess of Lothian
	uin	HL4851
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 03/06/2020 answer text <p>The number of confirmed cases of COVID-19 is currently increasing more rapidly in Africa today than many other regions in the world. Currently cases in Africa are growing by approximately 5% each day compared with 3% in Asia and 1% in Europe. Cases continue to rise in Africa and while overall it took 52 days to reach the first 10,000 cases, it took only 11 days to move from 30,000 to 50,000 cases, and Africa now has over 100,000 cases.</p><p>However, confirmed cases of COVID-19 are growing at a slower rate than was the case in Europe and Asia at the same stage of their epidemics. This slower growth in Africa may be explained by under-reporting due to low testing rates. For example, as of 7 May, an average of 69 tests were carried out in Africa per 100,000 people compared to over 30 times this rate in Europe. It is possible that the lower mortality to date could be as a result of Africa being the youngest continent demographically, with a lower proportion of older people who are at higher risk of death. It is important to remain vigilant for the potential increase in cases that Africa could see in the coming months. Africa is also likely to see disproportionate indirect impacts of COVID-19 on wider health, economic, and social outcomes, which will be important to mitigate.</p><p>So far, the UK has pledged £764 million of UK aid to help end this pandemic as quickly as possible. This includes support to Imperial College London and the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine to model the future trajectory of the pandemic in low- and middle-income countries. This will help understand how COVID-19 is progressing in Africa and help to inform governments in the region on how best to respond to the pandemic.</p> answering member printed Baroness Sugg question first answered 03/06/2020 15:32:37 answering member 4584 label Biography information for Baroness Sugg
	tabling member	259 label Biography information for The Marquess of Lothian