PARLIAMENTARY WRITTEN QUESTION
Syria: Development Aid (28 August 2020)

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what was the total budget this year for DFID's Syria aid programme; and with reference to his 22 July announcement of cuts to the aid budget of £2.9bn, how much will be cut from the programme's proposed spend.

Asked by:
Anna McMorrin (Labour)

This financial year (2020/21) the Government budgeted £137 million for delivery of aid in Syria as a part of the UK's Syria Crisis Response. Difficult decisions have been necessary around the ODA budget to make sure we meet the 0.7 per cent commitment, however the UK continues to play a leading role in mobilising the international community.

At the Brussels Conference on "Supporting the Future of Syria and the Region" in June, the UK pledged at least £300 million to the Syria Crisis for 2020, bringing our total commitment to over £3.3 billion since 2012. This support will continue the essential life-saving and life-sustaining assistance in Syria and provide vital support in neighbouring countries.

Answered by:
Sir James Cleverly (Conservative)
7 September 2020