Chamberlain challenges Govt on DFID-FCO merger

Today Wendy Chamberlain, Liberal Democrat International Development Spokesperson, will ask an Urgent Question in the House of Commons on the merger of the Department of International Development with the Foreign and Commonwealth Office.

• Just two months ago the Secretary of State for International Development stated that having a separate department to the Foreign Office was important for both our global leadership, as well as our efforts to reduce poverty around the world. Either the Secretary knowingly misled the Committee, was kept in the dark by her colleagues or this is a publicity stunt, will little thought or care put to the consequences.
• UK aid prevents suffering. But with it taking the Government to be dragged kicking and screaming to u-turn on their refusal to back free school meals over the summer holidays, their callousness evidently spans across Whitehall.
• The Liberal Democrats have always maintained our support for the UK's role as a world leader in providing aid to those most in need. By working on an international scale we can achieve so much more than we can on our own.
• This decision does not reflect 'Global Britain', but a Government determined to see the UK turn its back on the world.