6 December 2024

International Development Committee Inquiry Proposal – submitted by The UK Committee for UNICEF (UNICEF UK)

Why is UK international development not delivering for children?

Why should the International Development Committee examine this area?

Children make up almost half the population of developing countries - a huge proportion projected to continue growing rapidly in many regions. And yet, the proportion of UK ODA spent on child-related programmes has been shrinking – from 25% of total UK aid spending in 2016 to just 17% in 2022.

The Committee should examine whether the Government is doing enough to support the needs and rights of the world’s most vulnerable children, and to align publicly stated priorities and the allocation of ODA.

For instance, successive UK governments have publicly championed girls’ education. Despite this being named a top priority in the 2015 and 2022 international development strategies, in 2022 just 4% of UK bilateral aid was spent on education, down from 11% in 2016.

ODA cuts across several sectors children rely on – including education, child and maternal healthcare, and WASH – have outpaced cuts to other areas since 2020.

Why is this the right time for the Committee to examine this area?

Growing threats from climate change, extreme poverty, and conflict are creating a more uncertain world for millions of children. With only 5 years left to reach the 2030 UN Sustainable Development Goals, two-thirds of child-related indicators are off-track. The SDGs will not be achieved if they are not achieved for children.

The Autumn Budget revealed the lowest aid budget in 17 years. Clarity is needed over whether this will continue to come at the disproportionate expense of the world’s children.

Why would this area benefit from parliamentary scrutiny?

A lack of strategic approach to children in the FDCO has had dire consequences. Child-focused development spans several different programmatic areas. The disproportionate extent of cuts to aid for children has only recently been revealed in new analysis from UNICEF UK. The Government has faced relatively little challenge or scrutiny on this issue.

Parliamentary scrutiny of this area could hold the Government to account on delivering adequate funding for stated policy priorities and probe whether the UK could do more to uphold its commitment to the UN Convention of the Rights of the Child, of which the UK is signatory, and to protect and promote child rights. It could also assess whether ODA is being spent on proven high impact interventions.

Why does the Government need to act in this area?

Investing in children is a practical and necessary step to a secure and sustainable future for us all. Child-related ODA can offer incredible value for money and high returns on spending. For example, every $1 invested in vaccination offers returns of up to $26[1].

Without access to essential healthcare and nutrition services, millions of children die before their 5th birthday, and many more become too ill to access education, all of which can have devastating and costly impacts on their families, their communities, and their futures.

The UK Government could use its influential role on the international stage to shape a better world for children, by considering and championing their rights in development.

How could Government policy in this area be developed or improved?

1. Adopting a child rights framework across the FCDO and corresponding capacity, to ensure children are always a consideration in policymaking and spending decisions.
2. Dedicating 25% of ODA to child-focused spending.
3. Returning the ODA budget to 0.7% of GNI, and ending the diversion of ODA to in-country refugee costs in the UK.

Additional information:

Have you ever engaged with Parliament before?

Yes – UNICEF UK regularly engages with Parliament and has previously provided written and oral evidence to IDC inquiries.

Do you have personal or field experience related to international development issues?

The United Kingdom Committee for UNICEF (UNICEF UK) is a UK registered charity that raises funds for UNICEF’s work for children around the world and advocates for lasting change for children worldwide. Our experts have worked in countries all around the world and have expertise in UK ODA spending.

If you are invited to pitch your idea to the Committee, would you be able to travel to London and back within the same day?

Yes, a representative from UNICEF UK would be able to do so.

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