Rt Hon Dominic Raab MP Secretary of State Foreign, Commonwealth & Development contact: Matt Dykes Office direct line: 020 7467 1245 King Charles Street email: [email protected] SW1A 2AH

3 December 2020

Dear Secretary of State

Cuts to UK aid and creation of an Overseas Development Aid Select Committee

The TUC and affiliated trade unions are writing to you to express our deep disappointment at the government's decision to cut the aid budget to 0.5 per cent of GNI for the foreseeable future, and we ask you to reverse this decision.

In the context of a global pandemic, where the UN has described the situation as a health, economic and humanitarian crisis – internationalism, collaboration and solidarity is more important than ever.

We believe that the newly created Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office should embrace a renewed strategic approach that puts poverty eradication, decent work, respect for human rights, equality, just transition, and the UN Sustainable Development Goals at its core. In the changing and challenging context of Covid-19, protecting incomes and jobs, and supporting public services takes on an even greater priority to help save lives and livelihoods.

Maintaining aid spending at 0.7 per cent would have enabled the UK to make a more significant contribution to these objectives.

We are also calling on the government to create a new Overseas Development Aid Select Committee as an alternative replacement for the International Development Select Committee, if this is abolished. This will help ensure democratic parliamentary scrutiny of foreign aid to support the government in making the DFID and FCO merger a success.

We welcome the Prime Minister's supportive words at the Liaison Committee on 16 September, where he stressed the importance of parliamentary scrutiny of foreign aid and his expression of sympathy with this approach. By agreeing to a parliamentary

Frances O’Grady General Secretary Paul Nowak Deputy General Secretary

scrutiny mechanism through an Overseas Development Aid Select Committee, the government can demonstrate its commitment to the above aims, with the poorest people being targeted and delivering value for public money.

With the recent President elect Joe Biden victory in the US elections, we know now is the time for the British government to show leadership internationally and development is a key area we can work with our international partners to support workers’ rights everywhere.

We urge the government to reconsider its decision to cut the aid budget and reverse the decision. Furthermore, please can you confirm that the government supports setting up an Overseas Development Aid Select Committee. In light of the Prime Minister saying that he will not 'impose his own views', can you also confirm that he will allow a free vote from the government benches on the select committee issue?

We look forward to hearing from you soon.

Yours sincerely,

Frances O'Grady, General Secretary, TUC Mick Whelan, General Secretary, Aslef Mark Serwotka, General Secretary, PCS Dr Patrick Roach, General Secretary, NASUWT Mary Bousted & Kevin Courtney, Joint General Secretaries, NEU Richard Evans, General Secretary, Society of Radiographers Dave Prentis, General Secretary, Len McClusky, General Secretary, Paddy Lillis, General Secretary, USDAW

2