UK GOVERNMENT MUST REVERSE DECISION TO MERGE DEPARTMENT FOR INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT WITH THE FOREI

I recently presented a petition on behalf of my constituents who are deeply concerned about the UK Government’s decision to merge the Department for International Development with the Foreign Office.

Whilst the UK Government has sought to downplay the significance of this regressive move, it cannot be underestimated.

It appears this decision to scrap this department was taken unilaterally by Boris Johnson and had not been discussed in Cabinet meetings. The fact that a Government Department which works to provide assistance to the poorest people on the planet was abolished and Cabinet and Parliament were bypassed when this decision was taken is unacceptable.

The Prime Minister must come clean and explain and what expert advice he had taken to scrap the UK's international aid efforts, especially at a time when poorer and developing countries, already burdened with hardship, are having to deal with the coronavirus pandemic as well. You can watch my contribution below.