The UK Government’s work on achieving SDG2: Zero Hunger

International Development Committee Closed Inquiry
Opened: 20 Oct 2023 Closed: 9 Jun 2025 Parliament page
This inquiry examined the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) and wider UK Government’s work on hunger and nutrition around the world and work towards achieving Zero Hunger by 2030 in line with SDG2. It examined the impact on this work of significant ongoing cuts to the UK aid budget. … Read more
29 Recommendations
8 Conclusions
1 Report
4 Oral sessions
4 Letters
4 Events
Activity timeline 14 events
22 May
2025
Report published
18 Mar
2025
Report published
4 Feb
2025
Oral evidence
4 Feb
2025
Formal meeting (oral evidence session) · The Wilson Room, Portcullis House
7 Jan
2025
Correspondence
7 Jan
2025
Correspondence
10 Dec
2024
Oral evidence
10 Dec
2024
Formal meeting (oral evidence session) · The Macmillan Room, Portcullis House
7 May
2024
Correspondence
7 May
2024
Correspondence
12 Mar
2024
Oral evidence
12 Mar
2024
Formal meeting (oral evidence session) · The Grimond Room, Portcullis House
Oral evidence sessions 4 sessions
4 Feb 2025
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The UK Government’s work on achieving SDG2: Zero Hunger
Chris Carter · Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office Jen Haugen · Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office Rt Hon Anneliese Dodds MP · Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office
10 Dec 2024
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The UK Government’s work on achieving SDG2: Zero Hunger
Dr. Shaikh Tanveer Ahmed · HANDS Foundation Mr Brieuc Pont · Government of France Mrs Melina Mtonga · Find Your Feet Malawi Ms Massiye Nyang’wa · Malawi Violet Natembeya · Kenya
12 Mar 2024
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The UK Government’s work on achieving SDG2: Zero Hunger
Dr Diana Onyango · Farm Africa Dr Rachael McDonnell Jyotsna Puri · International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) Rt Hon Rory Stewart · Give Directly Ruchi Tripathi · VSO
30 Jan 2024
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The UK Government’s work on achieving SDG2: Zero Hunger
Abigail Perry · World Food Programme Dr Mairo Mandara · United Against Malnutrition and Hunger Florian Monnerie · Action against Hunger Grainne Moloney · UNICEF Tariro Washaya · MeDRA (Methodist Relief and Development Agency) Zimbabwe Victor Mughogho · Eagles Malawi
Title HC No. Published Items Response
3rd Report - The Government’s efforts to achieve SDG2: Zero Hung… HC 515 18 Mar 2025 37 Responded
Recommendations & Conclusions
11 results
Clear
1 Conclusion Accepted
3rd Report - The Government’s effo…
Global progress on SDG2 stalls, demanding urgent, concerted effort to strengthen food systems.
The world is off target to achieve SDG2 and shows signs of waning in its resolve. An urgent and concerted effort at local, national and international levels is required to not only tackle the effects of poor nutrition and food … Read more
Government Response
The government partially agreed, stating the FCDO annually reports on nutrition-related spend and will publish the 2024 Commercial Agricultural Portfolio Review by June. It committed to ensuring future programmes consider gender equality, strengthen nutrition objectives, and uphold a 'do no harm' approach.
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2 Conclusion Accepted
3rd Report - The Government’s effo…
Climate change and hunger remain intrinsically linked, government climate finance for food systems is recognised.
Climate change and hunger are intrinsically linked. We recognise the emphasis the Government is putting on improving the impact of climate finance as it relates to food systems. (Conclusion, Paragraph 15)
Government Response
The government agreed with the conclusion, affirming its commitment to tackling gender inequality and empowering women and girls, which it integrates into its food and nutrition investments. It highlighted existing gender-focused efforts and analysis through the Nutrition Accountability Report.
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3 Recommendation Accepted
3rd Report - The Government’s effo…
Assess UK climate finance and agricultural investments for climate impact on food systems.
We recommend the Government conduct an assessment of UK climate finance to ensure it addresses the impact of climate change on nutrition and food systems. The UK’s agricultural investments need to be assessed more rigorously for the adaption and mitigation … Read more
Government Response
The government partially agreed, stating that smallholder farmers are central to UK ODA policy and programming, and that it already has social and environmental safeguarding frameworks in place to assess and mitigate negative consequences. It did not commit to conducting a new specific assessment of UK climate finance as requested.
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10 Recommendation Accepted
3rd Report - The Government’s effo…
Prioritise stabilisation and peacebuilding at programme and diplomatic levels to end hunger.
Conflict breeds hunger and hunger breeds conflict. We recommend that stabilisation and peace building at both the programme and diplomatic level is made a priority for the Government as it seeks to end hunger by
Government Response
The government partially agreed, affirming commitment to stabilisation and peacebuilding, noting they are already proactively addressing conflict-induced hunger through diplomatic efforts, UN Security Council actions, a legal handbook, bilateral programs, and a £5 million contribution to the UN Peacebuilding Fund in 2024/2025.
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14 Recommendation Accepted
3rd Report - The Government’s effo…
Ensure phased transition and clear communication with partners during ODA spending cuts.
Where cuts are to be made as part of this spending review, we request the Government informs the Committee of the steps it will take to ensure that there will be a phased transition with clear communication to implementing partners, … Read more
Government Response
The government agrees and commits to early dialogue with partners, regular strategic engagement, and ensuring responsible exits from agreements to manage budget changes. It also commits to keeping the Committee and partners closely and regularly updated on ODA budget implementation.
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16 Recommendation Accepted
3rd Report - The Government’s effo…
Invest in FCDO expertise to ensure effective programming and value for money.
Ensuring the FCDO attracts and retains the highest level of expertise is key for maintaining value for money and delivering effective programming. The Government needs to be ready to invest in both existing and new expertise. (Conclusion, Paragraph 55) Localisation Read more
Government Response
The government agrees and commits to recruiting new Food and Agriculture advisory expertise, implementing a new annual Strategic Oversight Board for capability, and strengthening nutrition capacity through internal and external learning and development.
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21 Recommendation Accepted
3rd Report - The Government’s effo…
Attend Financing for Development conference with innovative solutions for private investment in malnutrition.
The Government should attend the Financing for Development conference in June with new and innovative solutions for the raising of private investment toward addressing malnutrition and building sustainable food systems. (Recommendation, Paragraph 68)
Government Response
The government will use the Financing for Development Conference to push for global financial system reform and is working to catalyse private investment through contributing to the new FASA Fund and funding a £20m local currency pilot through GAFSP.
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22 Recommendation Accepted
3rd Report - The Government’s effo…
Lead global action on debt relief, exploring suspension clauses for hunger-affected nations.
The Government should lead action on debt relief for countries affected by hunger and malnutrition including exploring the potential of debt suspension clauses for low-income countries at high risk of backsliding on food security and nutrition. (Recommendation, Paragraph 69) Read more
Government Response
The government commits to tackling unsustainable debt and states it was the first bilateral creditor to systematically offer Natural Disaster Clauses (a form of debt suspension clause) through UK Export Finance lending, directly addressing part of the recommendation.
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27 Conclusion Accepted
3rd Report - The Government’s effo…
Government's commitment to strengthening child wasting prevention evidence base is welcomed.
We support the Government’s commitment to strengthening the evidence base for the prevention of child wasting. (Conclusion, Paragraph 78)
Government Response
The government highlights its co-founding of the Child Nutrition Fund and ongoing investments through the Child Wasting and Innovation Programme, which has supported the generation of evidence around cost-effective formulations of RUTF.
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35 Recommendation Accepted
3rd Report - The Government’s effo…
Outline clear plans to reform financial systems hindering investment in low-income, food-insecure countries.
The Government needs to re-double its efforts to reform the financial systems which precipitate the strangling unsustainable debt faced by many food-insecure countries. The Government should state clearly what it intends to do regarding the reform of financial systems that … Read more
Government Response
The government agrees to re-double efforts for financial system reform, committing to lead G7 institutional reform, push MDBs on the G20’s Capital Adequacy Framework, offer guarantees for over $6bn in MDB finance, and champion bolder systems for fragile states.
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37 Recommendation Accepted
3rd Report - The Government’s effo…
Review SDG2 staffing complement and structure across departments, hiring new staff as required.
The Government should review the staffing complement and structure working on SDG2 across departments, and the anticipated need in coming years, hiring new staff where needed. (Recommendation, Paragraph 90) 57
Government Response
The government agrees to review staffing, planning to recruit new Food and Agriculture advisory expertise in 2025/2026, implement a new annual Strategic Oversight Board, and strengthen FCDO’s nutrition capacity through learning and development.
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Government Response AI assessment · 37 of 29 classified
Accepted 11
Accepted in Part 10
Acknowledged 1
Deferred 10
Not Addressed 2
Rejected 3
Total 29 recs + 8 conclusions
Correspondence 4 letters
7 Jan 2025 Correspondence from the Minister of State for Development relating to The Task Force for a Global Alliance Against Hunger and Poverty, 13 December 2024
Parliament page
7 Jan 2025 Correspondence to the Minister of State for Development relating to The Task Force for a Global Alliance Against Hunger and Poverty, 30 October 2024
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7 May 2024 Correspondence from the Minister for Development & Africa relating to The role of consultants in food security programming - 30 April 2024
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7 May 2024 Correspondence to the Minister for Development & Africa relating to The role of consultants in food security programming - 26 March 2024
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