HC Deb 17 December 2003 vol 415 cc919-20W
Ms Drown

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development for what reasons the UK has made no contribution to the World bank's Fast Track Initiative for countries with serious education needs and strong education plans. [144697]

Hilary Benn

The UK Government are committed to playing their full part in helping countries to achieve the Education for All goals. DFID is the fourth largest bilateral donor supporting basic education and the Department's investment is set to increase further over the next five years—to more than £1 billion—including substantial additional funding for FTI countries such as Ethiopia and India.

At the Fast Track Initiative meeting held in Oslo on 20–21 November 2003 it was agreed that FTI funding will now be extended to all low-income countries that are working towards the EFA goals, and that most additional funding will be secured at country level rather than through a global funding mechanism.

Accordingly, DFID will continue to channel our growing support to education through our bilateral country programmes in the form of long term, flexible and predictable funding in support of the Government's own development plans. We believe this is the best way to provide flexible financing, improve harmonisation and reduce transaction costs. We will continue to press for closer donor collaboration to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of all external education assistance. The FTI has an important role to play in this. DFID will continue to play an active role in the development of the FTI, and will take over chair of the initiative in 2004.

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