UK aid: frequently asked questions

The UK’s foreign aid programme has been a source of considerable controversy in recent years. Sections of the public and the media, along with some politicians, have questioned the purpose and value of important elements of that programme.

Using a Q&A format, this briefing is an introduction to the UK’s aid programme and some of the activities flowing from it around the world. It is not comprehensive in its coverage. It does not take a position on those issues which have generated controversy. Its sole objective is to support an informed debate.

We hope that it will be useful for Members and their staff – including when it comes to answering questions from constituents.

The briefing will be periodically updated but we cannot guarantee that it will always be fully up-to-date. If in doubt, members and their staff should contact the authors to check the status of the information that they wish to use.

Other relevant Library briefings include:

Sustainable Development Goals: How is the UK performing? (July 2019)

The 2016 Bilateral and Multilateral Development Reviews (December 2016)

Commonwealth Development Corporation Bill 2016-17 (November 2016)

The 0.7 per cent aid target (June 2016)

The Sustainable Development Goals and the post-2015 development agenda (September 2015)