Prime Minister Boris Johnson commits to deliver British leadership in funding for Global LGBT+ rights
Today, whilst presenting the results of the Integrated Funding Review of diplomatic, defence and development programmes to Parliament, Prime Minister Boris Johnson confirmed that the UK will ensure its rhetorical leadership commitment to Global LGBT+ rights will be delivered.
The Prime Minister said “yes”, he could now confirm the request in the letters from Crispin Blunt on 4th September and 12th October to the Foreign Secretary, copied to the Prime Minister, for additional funding for programmes that support LGBT+ rights that will make the UK the leading government donor for LGBT+ issues.
The Prime Minister was advised of Crispin Blunt’s question in advance of today’s statement on the Integrated Review.
In the House of Commons today, the Prime Minister confirmed the UK will deliver world leading funding in the realm of global LGBT+ rights as part of the Integrated Review.
Answering in response to a question from Crispin Blunt, the Conservative MP for Reigate and Chair of the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Global LGBT+ Rights, on whether the Integrated Review now means that the Prime Minister is able to confirm Mr Blunt’s request for at least £55m in funding from the UK’s Official Development Assistance (ODA) budget, the Prime Minister replied: “Yes it does madam Deputy Speaker.”
Mr Blunt wrote to the Foreign Secretary on 4th September and 12th October, with the Prime Minister copied in, to highlight the UK’s substantial and growing lag behind leading funders of LGBTI+ rights as a proportion of the ODA funding. The UK’s percentage spending as a proportion of ODA on LGBT+ rights during the last reporting period stood at of 0.08%, £14.6m. This was in itself an artificial high created mostly through spending around one programme. By comparison, over the same period the leading government funder, Sweden, committed 0.4% of ODA (£23.6m), the Netherlands committed 0.18% of ODA (£10.8m) and Norway committed 0.16% of ODA (£8.1m).
In his letters, Mr Blunt requested the UK’s percentage spending be increased to match those of other leading nations, pointing out that £55m per annum – a very small proportion of ODA spending which in 2019 stood at £15.2bn – would be necessary to deliver on our rhetoric of being the world leader on LGBT+ rights.
Ahead of today’s exchange in the Commons, Mr Blunt alerted the Prime Minister’s team to his intention to refer to his previous letters to the Foreign Secretary and his request that Global Britain under the Government of Boris Johnson reinforce its rhetoric desire to ensure that Mr Johnson’s government commits to a percentage ODA funding on LGBT+ rights ahead of other leading nations.
Commenting after the exchange Mr Blunt said:
“Today is a terrific day for LGBT+ people globally and a wonderful statement about the values of Global Britain. The Prime Minister’s commitment today, albeit amounting to a tiny fraction of total ODA spending, will have inestimable personal value to hundreds of millions of people. Relief of poverty is not only to be measured in material things, as freedom to be oneself is beyond price. As the PM pointed out that freedom also delivers economically so this is a profoundly effective use of a very small part of the UK’s ODA expenditure.
Around the world, 72 jurisdictions criminalise LGBT+ people simply for being who they are. The Prime Minister’s commitment today reinforces the global leadership that the UK has taken on as co-chair of the Equal Rights Coalition, with funding ensuring that the important steps forwards in LGBT+ rights people across the world can be free and safe to be who they are by committing the necessary funding alongside the political leadership.”
David Sampson, Deputy Director of the Baring Foundation, who have produced the report Leading the Way: The role of global Britain in safeguarding the rights of the global LGBTI+ community, also welcomed the Prime Minister’s announcement today:
“Today’s statement was a great commitment from the Prime Minister. We are looking forward to seeing that translated into delivery for LGBT+ people around the world. The Baring Foundation would welcome the opportunity to work with FDCO in sharing our expertise in global funding for LGBT+ projects.”
Phyll Opoku-Gyimah, Executive Director of Kaleidoscope Trust, said:
"We welcome the Prime Minister's comments and his commitment to upholding the Government's support for LGBT+ rights worldwide, as laid out in the 2018 LGBT Action Plan. At a time of such global uncertainty, the plight of LGBT+ people living in countries that criminalise their existence is more urgent than ever. The UK must continue its strong support of LGBT+ human rights on a global stage"
Nancy Kelley, CEO of Stonewall said:
“I welcome this support for global LGBT+ rights from the Prime Minister. This is a landmark commitment and could make a real impact on LGBT+ people’s lives across the world. We look forward to working with FCDO and partners to ensure this funding supports communities effectively.”
Notes to editors:
The full video and text of Mr Blunt’s question and the Prime Minister’s response can be found below:
Only 0.08% (£14.6m) of UK ODA was allocated to LGBT communities around the world across the two years of 2017 and 2018.
The Baring Foundation have produced a report, endorsed by 14 leading LGBT organisations in the UK, Leading the Way: The role of global Britain in safeguarding the rights of the global LGBTI+ community (attached) which outlines the situation of LGBT+ specific funding:
LGBT funding is hugely under resourced across the world, including by governments;
Just 0.04% of all government development aid globally supports LGBT causes.
Only 0.08% of the UK’s Overseas Development Aid (ODA) budget goes to LGBT communities;
Despite recent increases, the UK still lags behind countries such as Sweden, the Netherlands and Norway in proportion to ODA. Sweden commits the most at 0.4%.
The APPG on Global LGBT+ Rights is an informal, cross-party group of UK parliamentarians from both the House of Commons and House of Lords, united in a common aim to improve rights for LGBT+ people globally.
The Baring Foundation is an independent grant-giving foundation improving the quality of life of people facing disadvantage & discrimination.
Kaleidoscope Trust works to uphold the human rights of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT+) people in countries around the world where they are discriminated against or marginalised due to their sexual orientation, gender identity and/or gender expression.
Stonewall is Britain’s leading charity for lesbian, gay, bi and trans equality, working to create a world where every single person can be accepted without exception.
Contact the office of Crispin Blunt MP for further information: [email protected].