Effectiveness of UK AID

International Development Committee Closed Inquiry
Opened: 9 Mar 2020 Closed: 2 Oct 2020 Parliament page
Interim and final Report's published The International Development Committee launched an inquiry into the role of UK aid and the work of the Department for International Development (DFID). The inquiry was aimed at the fundamentals of what UK aid is spent on and who spends it. During this inquiry, the … Read more
11 Recommendations
5 Conclusions
2 Reports
2 Oral sessions
10 Letters
2 Events
Activity timeline 17 events
2 Oct
2020
Report published
22 Sep
2020
Correspondence
16 Jul
2020
Report published
10 Jul
2020
Correspondence
10 Jul
2020
Correspondence
10 Jul
2020
Correspondence
2 Jul
2020
Correspondence
2 Jul
2020
Correspondence
2 Jul
2020
Correspondence
9 Jun
2020
Report published
19 May
2020
Correspondence
19 May
2020
Correspondence
Oral evidence sessions 2 sessions
28 Apr 2020
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Effectiveness of UK Aid
Joelle Jenny · Cabinet Secretariat Nick Dyer · Foreign Commonwealth & Development Office Rt Hon Anne-Marie Trevelyan Rt Hon James Cleverly
17 Mar 2020
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Effectiveness of UK AID
Emma Mawdsley · University of Cambridge Ian Mitchell · Centre for Global Development James Rogers · Henry Jackson Society Tamsyn Barton · Independent Commission for Aid Impact
Recommendations & Conclusions
16 results
1 Conclusion
Fourth Report - Effectiveness of U…
Reorganising departments is not easy.
Reorganising departments is not easy. In our view, the decision to merge the FCO and DFID into a new international department, the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO), is flawed on a number of grounds: • The decision was taken … Read more
Government Response
Both the Integrated Review and the merger of FCO and DFID are evidence of the Prime Minister’s commitment to a unified British foreign policy that will maximise our influence around … Read more
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2 Conclusion
Fourth Report - Effectiveness of U…
While merging departments may seem attractive short-term, with improved policy coherence and possible administrative savings,...
While merging departments may seem attractive short-term, with improved policy coherence and possible administrative savings, they can be extremely costly and disruptive and impair organisational effectiveness. In the long run, the creation of the FCDO could reduce the UK’s influence … Read more
Government Response
As the Foreign Secretary stated in Parliament on 8 September, “The creation of the new Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office today is a key moment: a key moment for our … Read more
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3 Recommendation
Fourth Report - Effectiveness of U…
In the light of developments since the publication of this Committee’s interim findings on the...
In the light of developments since the publication of this Committee’s interim findings on the effectiveness of UK aid, we restate the recommendation we made in that report about significant reorganisations of UK aid: that the Government should present a … Read more
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4 Conclusion
Fourth Report - Effectiveness of U…
While there has been a trend in recent years for some OECD donor countries to...
While there has been a trend in recent years for some OECD donor countries to merge their development and foreign policy administrative bodies, all the other most substantial donor countries - the United States, Germany, France and Japan - typically … Read more
Government Response
Merging DFID with the FCO to create the new FCDO will enhance our aid by bringing together the best of what we do in aid and diplomacy to make the … Read more
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5 Conclusion
Fourth Report - Effectiveness of U…
UK aid spending amplifies the UK’s voice on the world stage, promoting our national interest...
UK aid spending amplifies the UK’s voice on the world stage, promoting our national interest by projecting our core values, and transforming the lives of people living in the very poorest countries. A potential shift of the UK’s ODA budget … Read more
Government Response
The UK is a world leader in international development, helping to end extreme poverty in developing countries by tackling challenges like Covid-19, saving lives in humanitarian crises and helping girls … Read more
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6 Recommendation
Fourth Report - Effectiveness of U…
Poverty reduction should continue to form a central part of the Government’s international policy.
Poverty reduction should continue to form a central part of the Government’s international policy. Accordingly, it should commit to targeting the majority of the UK’s ODA spend towards the very poorest countries. The Government should also set out how its … Read more
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7 Recommendation
Fourth Report - Effectiveness of U…
The UK’s development legislation plays an intrinsic part in ensuring that aid is spent well...
The UK’s development legislation plays an intrinsic part in ensuring that aid is spent well and is focused upon poverty reduction. The very presence of this legislation demonstrates the UK’s role as a serious player in international development, and accordingly … Read more
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8 Recommendation
Fourth Report - Effectiveness of U…
We recommend that the Government appoints a Minister for Development with responsibility for the totality...
We recommend that the Government appoints a Minister for Development with responsibility for the totality of the UK’s aid spend, and that this Minister attends Cabinet. We also recommend that this Minister attends the National Security Council.
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9 Recommendation
Fourth Report - Effectiveness of U…
UK aid will increasingly have to balance short term diplomatic needs and initiatives with long...
UK aid will increasingly have to balance short term diplomatic needs and initiatives with long term development objectives. Ultimately, ensuring that UK aid interventions are high quality is crucial to maintaining the UK’s reputation as a top-level development provider, and … Read more
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10 Recommendation
Fourth Report - Effectiveness of U…
In the face of pandemic-related budget cuts, difficult decisions will need to be made as...
In the face of pandemic-related budget cuts, difficult decisions will need to be made as to how savings can be made whilst protecting the overall effectiveness of aid spending. Given the grave challenges faced by developing countries in tackling COVID-19, … Read more
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11 Recommendation
Fourth Report - Effectiveness of U…
To safeguard the effectiveness of UK aid interventions, the Government should set out how it...
To safeguard the effectiveness of UK aid interventions, the Government should set out how it intends to capture and retain DFID expertise in doing development well, and what plans are in place to rapidly train FCO staff in the skills … Read more
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12 Recommendation
Fourth Report - Effectiveness of U…
Aid spending through the FCO continues to raise concerns relating to transparency and quality of...
Aid spending through the FCO continues to raise concerns relating to transparency and quality of programming. With the new FCDO set to become the largest Effectiveness of UK aid: potential impact of FCO/DFID merger 39 implementing department of UK aid … Read more
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13 Recommendation
Fourth Report - Effectiveness of U…
Multilateral spending forms an important part of the UK’s ODA, but we are concerned that...
Multilateral spending forms an important part of the UK’s ODA, but we are concerned that the merger may lead to an increase in funds provided to these organisations for generalised future spending rather than targeted funds delivering immediate benefits. As … Read more
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14 Recommendation
Fourth Report - Effectiveness of U…
In 2019, the UK aid budget totalled £15.2 billion.
In 2019, the UK aid budget totalled £15.2 billion. Given the size and complexity of this budget, thorough parliamentary scrutiny of UK aid spending is essential. This is best performed by a dedicated select committee which is able to take … Read more
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15 Recommendation
Fourth Report - Effectiveness of U…
Through its close work with us, and our sub-committee, the Independent Commission for Aid Impact...
Through its close work with us, and our sub-committee, the Independent Commission for Aid Impact (ICAI) is a crucial part of the robust scrutiny architecture which ensures the aid budget is well spent. ICAI’s expert reviews identify areas of good … Read more
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16 Conclusion
Fourth Report - Effectiveness of U…
Drawing upon the highly effective model of cooperation between the National Audit Office and Public...
Drawing upon the highly effective model of cooperation between the National Audit Office and Public Accounts Committee, the new ODA Committee should have responsibility for receiving and considering ICAI’s reviews. It should also have responsibility for the other aspects of … Read more
Government Response
The FCDO will remain committed to parliamentary and independent scrutiny of the aid budget across Government, and full transparency in aid spending. The form this takes following the merger will … Read more
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Correspondence 10 letters
22 Sep 2020 Correspondence from the Foreign Secretary to the Chair, concerning the creation of the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office - 17 September 2020
Parliament page
10 Jul 2020 Correspondence to the Prime Minister from the Chair's of the Defence, Foreign Affairs and International Development Committees, concerning the Integrated Security, Defence and Foreign Policy Review - June 2020
Parliament page
10 Jul 2020 Correspondence from the Deputy National Security Adviser to the International Development Committee Clerk, concerning the Integrated Review of Security, Defence and Foreign Policy - 24 June 2020
Parliament page
10 Jul 2020 Correspondence from the Deputy National Security Adviser, 10 Downing Street to the Chair's of the Defence, Foreign Affairs and International Development Committees, concerning the Integrated Security, Defence and Foreign Policy Review - 8 July 2020
Parliament page
2 Jul 2020 Correspondence from the Chair to the Secretary of State for International Development and Foreign Secretary relating to the merger between the FCO and DFID
Parliament page
2 Jul 2020 Correspondence from the Secretary of State for International Development and Foreign Secretary, relating to Global Britain: DFID and FCO merger
Parliament page
2 Jul 2020 To committee Correspondence following Chair's letter from the Secretary of State for International Development and the Foreign Secretary relating to the DFID and FCO merger
Parliament page
19 May 2020 Correspondence from the Secretary of State, relating to follow-up to the Effectiveness of UK Aid evidence
Parliament page
19 May 2020 Correspondence from the Director, Joint Funds Unit, relating to follow-up on the Effectiveness of UK Aid and the Conflict, Stability and Security Fund
Parliament page
26 Mar 2020 Correspondence from the Prime Minister, second reply, concerning the Integrated Security, Defence and Foreign Policy Review
Parliament page