§ 6. Liz BlackmanTo ask the Minister of State, Department for International Development what action he is taking to reduce poverty in India. [124277]
§ Hilary BennDFID provided £185 million to India in 2001–02. In the New Delhi Declaration of January 2002 the Prime Minister looked forward to expenditure of over £300 million.
Our programme helps government deliver pro-poor policies and services. We are working closely with four focus states committed to poverty reduction, including on their programmes of fiscal and public sector reform, increasing access to basic health, education, and urban services for the poor and empowerment of the marginalized. We also support the efforts of the Union Government and civil society in these areas nationwide.