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
3 results
Clear
11 Conclusion Rejected
3rd Report - The Government’s effo…
DFID/FCO merger and spending cuts damaged UK's SDG2 efforts and reputation.
The handling of the merger of DFID with the FCO, and that of the subsequent sudden and drastic cuts in programme spending, was very damaging for the UK’s efforts toward SDG2. Not only did it damage the UK’s reputation as … Read more
Government Response
The government explicitly disagreed with the committee's conclusion, defending the decision to reduce ODA to fund increased defence spending as a necessary measure for national security, and stating they have learned lessons from previous reductions.
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12 Recommendation Rejected
3rd Report - The Government’s effo…
Reconsider reduction in Official Development Assistance from 0.5% to 0.3% of GNI.
The reduction of ODA from 0.5% to 0.3% of GNI in February 2025 could not have come at a worse time, with cuts in donor spending across Europe and in the United States of America and ever-increasing need. If the … Read more
Government Response
The government rejects the recommendation to reconsider the ODA reduction, stating it is a necessary decision to fund increased defence spending to 2.5% of GDP by 2027, which is deemed essential for national security.
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23 Recommendation Rejected
3rd Report - The Government’s effo…
Work internationally to drive coherence around SDG 2 and champion an international plan.
The Government should work internationally to drive coherence around SDG 2 championing the idea of an international plan to advance efforts to tackle hunger and malnutrition. (Recommendation, Paragraph 70) Learning and application of best practice
Government Response
The government rejects the idea of an additional international plan, stating that a multitude of existing strategies already exist and a new plan is unlikely to add value. However, it will continue to promote coordination among ongoing global initiatives.
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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
Parliament page
7 May 2024 Correspondence from the Minister for Development & Africa relating to The role of consultants in food security programming - 30 April 2024
Parliament page
7 May 2024 Correspondence to the Minister for Development & Africa relating to The role of consultants in food security programming - 26 March 2024
Parliament page