§ Mr. Simon ThomasTo ask the Secretary of State for International Development what representations she is making to the IMF on the need to include financing free basic education in the public spending targets they set for developing countries; and if she will make a statement. [33521]
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§ Mr. BoatengI have been asked to reply.
The UK has been at the forefront of encouraging the IMF to reform their medium term programmes to ensure that these deliver growth and poverty reduction. A key element of the new design of IMF programmes is the undertaking to support pro-poor budgets, which includes protecting and expanding where possible education spending. In recent years the IMF programmes have supported the introduction of free education in several countries, including Uganda and Tanzania.