This House of Lords Library briefing provides background information in advance of the second reading of the International Development (Official Assistance Target) (Amendment) Bill [HL] in the House of Lords on Friday 18 November 2016. It provides background information on the international development official assistance (ODA) target along with further details on the UK’s performance in meeting the annual ODA target since 2013. The briefing also explores the annual management of the ODA target.
International Development (Official Development Assistance Target) (Amendment) Bill [HL]: Briefing for Lords Stages (212KB PDF)
Following the Pearson Commission in 1969, an official development assistance target was formally recognise by a UN resolution in 1970. Whilst in 2005, members of the European Union pledged to meet the ODA target by 2015, the UK Government, as part of its 2004 spending review, aimed to meet it by 2013. This was endorsed by successive administrations and the International Development (Official Assistance Target) Act 2015 put the annual ODA target on statutory footing. The UK met the ODA target for the first time in 2013, again in 2014 and in 2015. There had been concerns however regarding the management of an ODA target on an annual basis. In 2015, the National Audit Office examined how the Department of International Development (DFID) managed the ODA target in 2013 and published their report with analysis relating to DFID’s budget and accounting systems.
International Development (Official Development Assistance Target) (Amendment) Bill [HL]: Briefing for Lords Stages (212KB PDF)
The UK is a signatory to the convention establishing an international claims commission for Ukraine. The commission would assess claims for compensation for damage and losses caused by Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022. The House of Lords International Agreements Committee has broadly welcomed the convention, but also raised concerns about the scope and efficacy of the commission.
Recent tensions in Bosnia and Herzegovina have raised concerns about stability and security in the country, particularly due to reports of external influence and recent secessionist rhetoric in Republika Srpska. This briefing outlines recent developments, international responses and the UK government’s position on Bosnia and Herzegovina ahead of a House of Lords debate on the subject.
Concerns have been raised about levels of welfare spending in the UK and increasing numbers of young people not in education, employment or training. This briefing sets out statistics, government policy and commentary on welfare and youth employment. This includes the government’s youth guarantee, its ‘Get Britain working’ policies and the interim report by Alan Milburn on young people and work.
