FCO-DFID merger

Foreign Affairs Committee Closed Inquiry
Opened: 18 Jun 2020 Closed: 24 Sep 2020 Parliament page
14 Recommendations
2 Conclusions
1 Report
1 Oral session
1 Letter
1 Event
Activity timeline 5 events
24 Sep
2020
Report published
23 Jul
2020
Report published
7 Jul
2020
Oral evidence
7 Jul
2020
Correspondence
7 Jul
2020
Formal meeting (oral evidence session) · The Wilson Room, Portcullis House
Oral evidence sessions 1 session
7 Jul 2020
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Foreign Affairs Committee
Lord Macpherson of Earl’s Court · HM Treasury Tim Durrant · Institute for Government
Title HC No. Published Items Response
Second Report: Merging success: Bringing together the FCO and DF… HC 525 23 Jul 2020 16 Responded
Recommendations & Conclusions
16 results
1 Recommendation
Second Report: Merging success: Br…
Given the gap between the merger and the reporting date of the Integrated Review, the...
Given the gap between the merger and the reporting date of the Integrated Review, the FCDO risks operating for months without clear strategic direction, which will be compounded by the likely productivity dips which follow departmental mergers. The FCDO is … Read more
Foreign and Commonwealth Office
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2 Recommendation
Second Report: Merging success: Br…
For the Government to deliver on its stated aim of more accountable development spending with...
For the Government to deliver on its stated aim of more accountable development spending with a greater focus on the national interest, it should establish and deliver on a clear strategy for communicating its interpretation of the ‘national interest’ to … Read more
Foreign and Commonwealth Office
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3 Recommendation
Second Report: Merging success: Br…
The FCO and DFID have shared ministers since February 2020, which may provide the model...
The FCO and DFID have shared ministers since February 2020, which may provide the model for ministerial portfolios in the new Department. However, it is not yet clear how many Ministers will serve in the new Department, whether the existing … Read more
Foreign and Commonwealth Office
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4 Recommendation
Second Report: Merging success: Br…
In the interests of accountability, the Government should explain the process that led to the...
In the interests of accountability, the Government should explain the process that led to the decision to merge the FCO and DFID. We ask that the Government publishes the findings of its consultation, including a list of contributors and the … Read more
Foreign and Commonwealth Office
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5 Recommendation
Second Report: Merging success: Br…
To integrate the Departments successfully, the new PUS must have the skills and experience necessary...
To integrate the Departments successfully, the new PUS must have the skills and experience necessary to effectively oversee both diplomatic and development projects. Above all else, they must have exceptional knowledge and experience of change management and major project delivery … Read more
Foreign and Commonwealth Office
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6 Recommendation
Second Report: Merging success: Br…
The strength and reputation of the UK’s world-class aid delivery is in large part due...
The strength and reputation of the UK’s world-class aid delivery is in large part due to the skills and experience of DFID staff. We recommend that the Government makes staff retention a priority and implements a clear strategy for retaining … Read more
Foreign and Commonwealth Office
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7 Recommendation
Second Report: Merging success: Br…
We welcome the Foreign Secretary’s assurance and his pledge to engage with staff throughout this...
We welcome the Foreign Secretary’s assurance and his pledge to engage with staff throughout this process, but clarity on the nature of future roles is needed as soon as possible. We recommend that the Government presents a clear plan to … Read more
Foreign and Commonwealth Office
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8 Recommendation
Second Report: Merging success: Br…
Diplomacy and development require different but complementary skillsets; it is vitally important that staff are...
Diplomacy and development require different but complementary skillsets; it is vitally important that staff are clear on what specific skills staff will need to develop in order to undertake their responsibilities effectively and to progress in the new Department. Early … Read more
Foreign and Commonwealth Office
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9 Recommendation
Second Report: Merging success: Br…
We welcome work being done to increase in-country collaboration, and believe that in-country leadership of...
We welcome work being done to increase in-country collaboration, and believe that in-country leadership of projects should be enhanced, not diminished. The new Department has the opportunity to build on examples of excellent in-country work completed by both the FCO … Read more
Foreign and Commonwealth Office
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10 Recommendation
Second Report: Merging success: Br…
The merger presents an opportunity for the FCO to learn from DFID’s positive record on...
The merger presents an opportunity for the FCO to learn from DFID’s positive record on transparency, and to be more proactive in publishing details of project expenditure. We recommend that the UK sets ambitious new commitments to aid transparency, to … Read more
Foreign and Commonwealth Office
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11 Recommendation
Second Report: Merging success: Br…
To ensure this goal is achievable, all staff in the FCDO working on development should...
To ensure this goal is achievable, all staff in the FCDO working on development should have a thorough understanding of the international aid transparency frameworks and standards they are working towards. We recommend that all FCDO staff working on development … Read more
Foreign and Commonwealth Office
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12 Recommendation
Second Report: Merging success: Br…
We believe that, as the Government is maintaining its commitment to spending 0.7 percent of...
We believe that, as the Government is maintaining its commitment to spending 0.7 percent of GNI on ODA, the current level of scrutiny on ODA spend should also be maintained. The Independent Commission for Aid Impact (ICAI) has shown itself … Read more
Foreign and Commonwealth Office
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13 Recommendation
Second Report: Merging success: Br…
The Government has made clear that the intention of the merger is not to save...
The Government has made clear that the intention of the merger is not to save costs but has suggested better value for money is available through it. This could be through reducing administrative costs. We recommend that the Government reports … Read more
Foreign and Commonwealth Office
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14 Recommendation
Second Report: Merging success: Br…
Ministers have suggested that the merger will deliver better value for money on overseas spending...
Ministers have suggested that the merger will deliver better value for money on overseas spending of UK taxpayer money, but have not clarified how this greater value will be delivered. The Government should provide a detailed explanation of how this … Read more
Foreign and Commonwealth Office
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15 Conclusion
Second Report: Merging success: Br…
As the aim of the merger is to harmonise UK foreign and development policy, it...
As the aim of the merger is to harmonise UK foreign and development policy, it is essential that the Government does not focus solely on the ODA spend of the FCDO, but ensures that the new Department has responsibility for … Read more
Government Response
The Integrated Review will define the Government’s ambition for the UK’s role in the world and the long-term strategic aims for our national security, defence, development and foreign policy. In … Read more
Foreign and Commonwealth Office
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16 Conclusion
Second Report: Merging success: Br…
It is also important that the alignment in aid and diplomacy is not used as...
It is also important that the alignment in aid and diplomacy is not used as an excuse to roll back the reforms that have ensured the UK’s IMF and World Bank positions are still staffed by individuals with experience of … Read more
Government Response
The UK’s IMF and World Bank positions should continue to be staffed by individuals with relevant expertise, such as experience of working with multilateral institutions and delivering major projects on … Read more
Foreign and Commonwealth Office
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Correspondence 1 letter
7 Jul 2020 Correspondence with the Foreign Secretary on FCO-DFID Merger dated 23/6/2020 and 1/07/2020
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