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
12 Recommendations
4 Conclusions
2 Reports
2 Oral sessions
10 Letters
2 Events
Activity timeline 15 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
View on parliament.uk
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
3 results
Clear
1 Conclusion Rejected
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
The government defends the merger of FCO and DFID, stating it reflects the Prime Minister's commitment to a unified British foreign policy and will maximise global influence. It argues the timing was right to shape the new department's objectives and unify the international COVID-19 response.
Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office
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2 Conclusion Rejected
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
The government counters the committee's concerns, stating the merger is a key moment to maximise international impact and will make the UK a stronger force globally. While acknowledging potential costs, it states these are being monitored, commitments made to minimise them, and will be factored into the forthcoming Spending Review.
Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office
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8 Recommendation Rejected
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.
Government Response
The government rejects the recommendation to appoint a dedicated Minister for Development who attends Cabinet and the National Security Council, stating that the Foreign Secretary is currently responsible for development and aid spend.
Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office
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Government Response AI assessment · 16 of 12 classified
Accepted 4
Accepted in Part 2
Acknowledged 1
Deferred 4
Not Addressed 2
Rejected 3
Total 12 recs + 4 conclusions
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 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
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
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
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 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
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
19 May 2020 Correspondence from the Secretary of State, relating to follow-up to the Effectiveness of UK Aid evidence
Parliament page
26 Mar 2020 Correspondence from the Prime Minister, second reply, concerning the Integrated Security, Defence and Foreign Policy Review
Parliament page