No country in the world is a hermetically-sealed unit, and one issue where this message is more important than for any other is climate change. Emissions from a country anywhere in the world can be the difference to sea levels rising for low-lying countries like Bangladesh or the Maldives; to the pressure on natural resources such as water throughout the world; or to the likelihood of extreme weather, here in Britain, and in many other countries.

Labour’s efforts on climate change diplomacy were therefore vital to our own energy security, and the climate of the globe. The Low Carbon High Growth Fund, which I created at the Foreign Office while in Government, had a relatively small budget in spending terms – £14.4 million – but had a global reach which could be used to affect energy and climate change policy in countries like China, Brazil and Mexico.

With diplomatic efforts from the Labour Government, funding for cooperation between national bodies, and engagement by foreign Governments, we helped create a low-carbon zone in Jilin City in China – a project the Chinese Government are now taking forward, using their resources to lower emissions after intervention from Britain. In Brazil the Government launched a National Plan on climate change with domestic targets, and recognised the impact of our intervention in forming that policy. This programme was never about funding other countries’ climate programmes, but using some resources to put British expertise together with other Governments, and helping to bring down carbon emissions. It also brings economic advantages back to Britain, and helps to develop our country as a centre for green growth.

In Opposition, William Hague was very supportive of our work, and so he should have been. In a speech at the end of last year he said that the “great deal of good work in climate diplomacy in recent years” would continue, and that he intended “to ensure that it has the resources and high-level support to continue”. But William Hague hasn’t followed through on his word.

In this written statement the Government laid in Parliament William Hague set out how he is cutting the Low Carbon High Growth programme by £3 million and will “explore alternative sources of funding …for future years”, which suggests the FCO will stop funding this work all together. The briefing around the announcement meant that some welcomed this reversal of what William Hague said he’d do if he got into Government.

I regret William Hague’s policy u-turn, not only because it shows he is not willing to fulfil the promises he made in Opposition, but also because he is powerless to stand up for the work the Foreign Office does. He promised many things in Opposition. But already we’re seeing where this Government’s priorities really lie. I’ve tabled a Parliamentary question about this policy change and will share the answer with you when I receive it.