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UK 2020 aid stats released this morning, a few immediate observations:
1. UK met the 0.7% target in 2020
It spent £14.5bn, down £712m (-4.7%) in line with fall in national income (GNI)
1. UK met the 0.7% target in 2020
It spent £14.5bn, down £712m (-4.7%) in line with fall in national income (GNI)
2. FCDO saw a reduction of 9.5%, while non-FCDO increased by 12.1%.
This included a 33% increase for the Home Office to ~£600m due to extra costs of refugee hosting in COVID; and an EU increase COVID-related.
This included a 33% increase for the Home Office to ~£600m due to extra costs of refugee hosting in COVID; and an EU increase COVID-related.
3. “DFID” spend fell to under 70% of the aid budget for the first time
BEIS spent over £1bn in 2020 for the first time - climate finance and R&D.
FCDO share also down from 77.6% to 73.7%
BEIS spent over £1bn in 2020 for the first time - climate finance and R&D.
FCDO share also down from 77.6% to 73.7%
4. Bi-lateral spend in both Africa and Asia fell substantially
Bi-lateral spend to Africa fell by 16% (-£425m)
For Asia it was -30% (-£611m)
Bi-lateral spend to Africa fell by 16% (-£425m)
For Asia it was -30% (-£611m)
5. Overall, aid budget forced to meet COVID pressures, alongside a reduced budget along with fixed climate and other commitments, meaning that bilateral support bore the brunt.
Still, this reduction was <5%. In 2021, it will be much much harder >25%.
Still, this reduction was <5%. In 2021, it will be much much harder >25%.
Full - and very informative as ever - stats release here:
https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/976923/Statistics-on-International-Development-Provisional-UK-Aid-Spend-2020a.pdf
https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/976923/Statistics-on-International-Development-Provisional-UK-Aid-Spend-2020a.pdf
