In line with the requirements of the International Development Act (2002), our Official Development Assistance (ODA) funds take as their focus the social and economic development and welfare of countries identified by the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development\u2019s (OECD) Development Assistance Committee (DAC). As per OECD and IDA requirements, we do not use these funds for the development and welfare of citizens or sectors in the UK or other High-Income Countries. Though there will inevitably be some secondary or indirect benefit to the UK derived through our ODA-funded research partnerships, it would not fit the purpose of ODA funding to actively consider this when making ODA spending decisions.<\/p>"} , "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4336", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Lord Callanan"} } , "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Lord Callanan"} , "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2021-04-27", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2021-04-27T15:20:41.833Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} ]} , "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "201"} , "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy"} , "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy"} , "date" : {"_value" : "2021-04-13", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Development Aid"} , "houseId" : {"_value" : "2"} , "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25277", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Lords"} } ], "questionText" : "To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the impact of reduced Official Development Assistance funding for research and development on (1) the public health sector, and (2) the health of UK citizens.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/3504", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Lord Bassam of Brighton"} } , "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Lord Bassam of Brighton"} ], "uin" : "HL14865"} , {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1307433", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Cabinet Office"} ], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1307433/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "
Departments are responsible for their responses to written parliamentary questions. Written parliamentary questions receive final sign off from Ministers.<\/p>
The Cabinet Office has produced guidance for civil servants on drafting answers to parliamentary questions. This can be found on the gov.uk website at: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/drafting-answers-to-parliamentary-questions-guidance<\/a>.<\/p> Civil servants and Ministers conduct these duties in line with their respective codes of conduct.<\/p> The Department of Health and Social Care has outlined that the department\u2019s contract included a general clause for Deloitte to provide support to civil servants in responding to written questions, freedom of information requests and media queries. They have not been directly responsible for drafting replies.<\/p> <\/p>"}
, "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4200", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Lord True"}
}
, "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Lord True"}
, "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2021-04-27", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "groupedQuestionUIN" : [{"_value" : "HL14684"}
, {"_value" : "HL14685"}
, {"_value" : "HL14686"}
], "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2021-04-27T10:40:20.24Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
]}
, "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "53"}
, "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Cabinet Office"}
, "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Cabinet Office"}
, "date" : {"_value" : "2021-04-12", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Government Departments: Written Questions"}
, "houseId" : {"_value" : "2"}
, "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25277", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Lords"}
}
], "questionText" : "To ask Her Majesty's Government which departments use external contractors to prepare responses to questions tabled by members of the House of Lords and Members of Parliament; and, in each case, how often such contractors are used.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/3504", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Lord Bassam of Brighton"}
}
, "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Lord Bassam of Brighton"}
], "uin" : "HL14683"}
, {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1307434", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Cabinet Office"}
], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1307434/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : " Departments are responsible for their responses to written parliamentary questions. Written parliamentary questions receive final sign off from Ministers.<\/p> The Cabinet Office has produced guidance for civil servants on drafting answers to parliamentary questions. This can be found on the gov.uk website at: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/drafting-answers-to-parliamentary-questions-guidance<\/a>.<\/p> Civil servants and Ministers conduct these duties in line with their respective codes of conduct.<\/p> The Department of Health and Social Care has outlined that the department\u2019s contract included a general clause for Deloitte to provide support to civil servants in responding to written questions, freedom of information requests and media queries. They have not been directly responsible for drafting replies.<\/p> <\/p>"}
, "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4200", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Lord True"}
}
, "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Lord True"}
, "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2021-04-27", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "groupedQuestionUIN" : [{"_value" : "HL14683"}
, {"_value" : "HL14685"}
, {"_value" : "HL14686"}
], "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2021-04-27T10:40:20.3Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
]}
, "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "53"}
, "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Cabinet Office"}
, "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Cabinet Office"}
, "date" : {"_value" : "2021-04-12", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Government Departments: Written Questions"}
, "houseId" : {"_value" : "2"}
, "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25277", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Lords"}
}
], "questionText" : "To ask Her Majesty's Government what percentage of written answers to questions tabled by members of both Houses of Parliament were drafted by external contractors in the current parliamentary session.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/3504", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Lord Bassam of Brighton"}
}
, "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Lord Bassam of Brighton"}
], "uin" : "HL14684"}
, {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1307436", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Cabinet Office"}
], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1307436/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : " Departments are responsible for their responses to written parliamentary questions. Written parliamentary questions receive final sign off from Ministers.<\/p> The Cabinet Office has produced guidance for civil servants on drafting answers to parliamentary questions. This can be found on the gov.uk website at: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/drafting-answers-to-parliamentary-questions-guidance<\/a>.<\/p> Civil servants and Ministers conduct these duties in line with their respective codes of conduct.<\/p> The Department of Health and Social Care has outlined that the department\u2019s contract included a general clause for Deloitte to provide support to civil servants in responding to written questions, freedom of information requests and media queries. They have not been directly responsible for drafting replies.<\/p> <\/p>"}
, "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4200", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Lord True"}
}
, "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Lord True"}
, "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2021-04-27", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "groupedQuestionUIN" : [{"_value" : "HL14683"}
, {"_value" : "HL14684"}
, {"_value" : "HL14686"}
], "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2021-04-27T10:40:20.347Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
]}
, "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "53"}
, "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Cabinet Office"}
, "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Cabinet Office"}
, "date" : {"_value" : "2021-04-12", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Government Departments: Written Questions"}
, "houseId" : {"_value" : "2"}
, "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25277", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Lords"}
}
], "questionText" : "To ask Her Majesty's Government what steps they have taken to ensure there are no conflicts of interest when the preparation of (1) responses to parliamentary written questions, (2) responses to parliamentary urgent questions, and (3) background briefings, are made by external contractors to departments.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/3504", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Lord Bassam of Brighton"}
}
, "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Lord Bassam of Brighton"}
], "uin" : "HL14685"}
, {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1307437", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Cabinet Office"}
], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1307437/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : " Departments are responsible for their responses to written parliamentary questions. Written parliamentary questions receive final sign off from Ministers.<\/p> The Cabinet Office has produced guidance for civil servants on drafting answers to parliamentary questions. This can be found on the gov.uk website at: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/drafting-answers-to-parliamentary-questions-guidance<\/a>.<\/p> Civil servants and Ministers conduct these duties in line with their respective codes of conduct.<\/p> The Department of Health and Social Care has outlined that the department\u2019s contract included a general clause for Deloitte to provide support to civil servants in responding to written questions, freedom of information requests and media queries. They have not been directly responsible for drafting replies.<\/p> <\/p>"}
, "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4200", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Lord True"}
}
, "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Lord True"}
, "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2021-04-27", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "groupedQuestionUIN" : [{"_value" : "HL14683"}
, {"_value" : "HL14684"}
, {"_value" : "HL14685"}
], "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2021-04-27T10:40:20.397Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
]}
, "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "53"}
, "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Cabinet Office"}
, "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Cabinet Office"}
, "date" : {"_value" : "2021-04-12", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Government Departments: Written Questions"}
, "houseId" : {"_value" : "2"}
, "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25277", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Lords"}
}
], "questionText" : "To ask Her Majesty's Government when they amended the guidance on responding to parliamentary questions to take account of the use of external contractors in preparing and drafting responses.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/3504", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Lord Bassam of Brighton"}
}
, "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Lord Bassam of Brighton"}
], "uin" : "HL14686"}
, {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1307717", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Treasury"}
], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1307717/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : " In the context of unprecedented economic and fiscal circumstances, the Government decided at the 2020 Spending Review that sticking rigidly to spending 0.7% of gross national income as Official Development Assistance (ODA) was not an appropriate prioritisation of resources.<\/p> <\/p> The 2020 Spending Review and subsequent review of departmental ODA allocations conducted by the Foreign Secretary confirmed departmental ODA allocations for the financial year 2020-21. This has ensured that UK ODA is focused on our strategic priorities, spent where it will have the maximum impact, has greater coherence and delivers most value for money.<\/p> <\/p> As a consequence of this prioritisation, ODA funding for research and development (R&D) over 2021-22 has been reduced from previous years. However, the Government invested nearly £15 billion in overall R&D in 2021-22 at the 2020 Spending Review. This follows four years of significant growth in government R&D funding and boost of more than £1.5bn in 2020-21 alone.<\/p> <\/p> Decisions have not yet been made on the ODA budget over the following years. The Government remains committed to international development and intends to return to the 0.7% target when the fiscal situation allows.<\/p>"}
, "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4689", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Lord Agnew of Oulton"}
}
, "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Lord Agnew of Oulton"}
, "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2021-04-26", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2021-04-26T13:01:23.763Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
]}
, "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "14"}
, "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Treasury"}
, "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Treasury"}
, "date" : {"_value" : "2021-04-12", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "UK Research and Innovation: Development Aid"}
, "houseId" : {"_value" : "2"}
, "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25277", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Lords"}
}
], "questionText" : "To ask Her Majesty's Government what plans they have to publish a cost-benefit financial assessment of the impact of reduced Official Development Assistance funding for research and development over the next five years.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/3504", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Lord Bassam of Brighton"}
}
, "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Lord Bassam of Brighton"}
], "uin" : "HL14687"}
, {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1307719", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy"}
], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1307719/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : " The challenging financial situation we face due to the Covid-19 pandemic has resulted in a temporary reduction in the UK\u2019s aid spending target from 0.7% of GNI to 0.5%. This means making difficult decisions when it comes to prioritising how we spend aid money to deliver the most impactful outcomes.<\/p> <\/p> The Government recognises the importance of supporting international research partnerships, and supporting the UK research sector. Our commitment to research and innovation has been clearly demonstrated by my Rt. Hon. Friend Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer\u2019s Budget announcement of increasing investment in R&D across government to £14.6bn in 2021/22; and as has been set out in our Integrated Review ambitions, international collaboration is central to a healthy and productive R&D sector.<\/p> <\/p> On 1st<\/sup> April, the Department set out an additional £250m of funding for the R&D sector. As a result, UK scientists will have access to more public funding than ever before. This takes total Government investment in R&D to £14.9 billion in 2021/22 and follows four years of significant growth in R&D funding, including a boost of more than £1.5 billion in 2020/21.<\/p> <\/p> We are currently working with UKRI, and all our Global Challenges Research Fund and Newton Fund Delivery Partners, to manage the financial year 2021/22 ODA allocations. Our Delivery Partners have communicated with award holders setting out the next stage of the review of ODA funding next year, and to explore options for individual programmes. Full details have been published on the UKRI website.<\/p>"}
, "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4336", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Lord Callanan"}
}
, "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Lord Callanan"}
, "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2021-04-26", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2021-04-26T13:03:10.217Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
]}
, "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "201"}
, "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy"}
, "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy"}
, "date" : {"_value" : "2021-04-12", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "UK Research and Innovation: Development Aid"}
, "houseId" : {"_value" : "2"}
, "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25277", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Lords"}
}
], "questionText" : "To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the impact of reduced Official Development Assistance funding for research and development on (1) the UK\u2019s skills base, and (2) levels of employment, in research and development.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/3504", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Lord Bassam of Brighton"}
}
, "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Lord Bassam of Brighton"}
], "uin" : "HL14688"}
, {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1304206", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Department for Education"}
], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1304206/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : " The Turing Scheme will be backed by £110 million to support international projects and activities during the 2021/22 academic year. This will provide funding for around 35,000 students in universities, colleges, and schools to go on placements and exchanges overseas, a similar number as under Erasmus+.<\/p> This was set out in a one year Spending Review, but the government has a clear aim to use this scheme as part of our long-term ambitions for a Global Britain. The benefits of the exchanges will be assessed and used to build on the scheme. Funding decisions for subsequent years will be subject to future spending reviews.<\/p> Grants available through the Turing Scheme are comparable with Erasmus+ for the most part, but there is also new support available for disadvantaged students and students with special educational needs and disabilities which was not available through Erasmus+. All participating students will receive grants dependent on their destination country to contribute towards their cost of living. The grant support available under the Turing Scheme is currently slightly higher than that under Erasmus+. Under the Turing Scheme, we will provide a grant of £335\u2013£380 per month, plus a disadvantaged supplement of £110 per month. With Erasmus+, under current exchange rates, students received a grant equivalent to £315\u2013£360, with a disadvantaged supplement of £100. Students can continue to apply for student finance.<\/p> For schools and colleges, all participants will receive travel funding, whereas Erasmus+ only provided travel support to higher education participants who travelled to Partner Countries, which was around only 3% of UK participants. With the Turing Scheme, we are introducing funding for travel costs for disadvantaged higher education students to all destinations. Additionally, we are providing funding for visas, passports, and related travel insurance for disadvantaged participants in all sectors.<\/p>