“Andrew Mitchell Pledges to Continue UK’s Assistance to the World’s Most Deprived”

International Development Minister Andrew Mitchell recently delivered a keynote speech at the Scottish International Development Alliance’s spring conference in Glasgow, where he reaffirmed the UK Government’s commitment to helping the world’s poorest people.

Mitchell emphasized how the UK Government has been at the forefront of humanitarian responses, including the Ukraine conflict and last month’s Turkey/Syria earthquake catastrophe, through its £11 billion foreign aid budget.

He also highlighted the UK Government’s commitment to reinvigorating its position as a global leader in development, as outlined in the Integrated Review Refresh published on 13 March.

Mitchell expressed pride in the role that the UK has played in supporting Scottish aid workers around the world.

He praised NGOs such as Edinburgh-based Mercy Corps and demining charity The HALO Trust, which are making a real difference in carrying out vital humanitarian work in Ukraine, backed by UK aid.

Mitchell also talked about the challenges posed by the pandemic and the global repercussions of Russia’s war on Ukraine.

In addition to Mitchell, speakers at the conference included representatives from international NGOs such as BRAC UK and Save the Children, economic experts from the UN conference on trade & development and NatWest Group.

Mitchell used his speech to outline the UK’s role as a leading global player in building on its commitment to sustainable development and driving the agenda on issues such as Ukraine, climate change, and human rights.

The Scottish International Development Alliance is an umbrella body for civil society organisations based in Scotland.

Mitchell also addressed the FCDO’s joint HQ Abercrombie House in East Kilbride, Lanarkshire, to address its 800 staff.

The UK Government is one of the most generous global aid donors, spending over £11 billion in aid in 2021 and is the third highest G7 spender of Official Development Assistance (ODA) as a percentage of GNI. Mitchell highlighted the FCDO’s first International Women and Girls Strategy, which puts gender equality at the forefront of UK foreign policy.

The UK Government will focus on gender equality in at least 80% of its bilateral aid programmes by 2030 and will commit £200 million to the Women’s Integrated Sexual Health (WISH) programme, aimed at sub-Saharan Africa.

The UK Government is proud of its role in responding to the Turkey/Syria earthquake catastrophe, with four members of the UK-ISAR team being from Scotland.

Mitchell concluded his speech by praising Scotland’s civil society and the FCDO’s 800 staff in East Kilbride, stating that they are at the very heart of shaping and delivering UK foreign policy as a force for good in the world.

Frances Guy, chief executive of Scotland’s International Development Alliance, expressed delight in welcoming Mitchell to the conference to discuss issues related to international development and hear about his vision for the future.