The FCDO's approach to displaced people
International Development Committee
Closed
Inquiry
2024 saw a continuing rise in global displacement, with at least 117.3 million people forced to flee their homes, including nearly 43.4 million refugees, around 40% of whom are under the age of 18. These vast movements of peoples, and the associated costs and disruptions, can cause significant problems in …
Read more
11
Recommendations
12
Conclusions
1
Report
4
Oral sessions
4
Events
Activity timeline 10 events
4 Dec
2025
2025
17 Sep
2025
2025
Report published
3 Jun
2025
2025
3 Jun
2025
2025
Formal meeting (oral evidence session) · The Grimond Room, Portcullis House
29 Apr
2025
2025
Oral evidence
29 Apr
2025
2025
Formal meeting (oral evidence session) · The Grimond Room, Portcullis House
1 Apr
2025
2025
Oral evidence
1 Apr
2025
2025
Formal meeting (oral evidence session) · Room 5, Palace of Westminster
4 Mar
2025
2025
Oral evidence
4 Mar
2025
2025
Formal meeting (oral evidence session) · The Thatcher Room, Portcullis House
Oral evidence sessions 4 sessions
3 Jun 2025
View on parliament.uk
FCDO’s approach to displaced people; FCDO's Approach to Value for Money
Matthew Wyatt · Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office
Melinda Bohannon · Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office
The Rt Hon. the Baroness Chapman of Darlington · Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office
29 Apr 2025
View on parliament.uk
The FCDO's approach to displaced people
Achim Steiner · United Nations Development Programme
Arafat Jamal · UNHCR
Colin Buckley · British International Investment
Mónica Ferro · UNFPA
1 Apr 2025
View on parliament.uk
The FCDO’s approach to displaced people
Bethan Lewis · Plan International UK
Daphne Jayasinghe · International Rescue Committee
Dr Jessica Hagen-Zanker · ODI Global
Gideon Rabinowitz · Bond
Hélène Kuperman-Le-Bihan · Mines Advisory Group
Louis Hoffmann · International Organization for Migration
4 Mar 2025
View on parliament.uk
The FCDO's approach to displaced people
Belinda
Fatimah
Katy Nembe Katonda · CAFOD
Tinebeb Berhane · ActionAid Ethiopia
Zohal
Reports 1 report · click to expand
| Title | HC No. | Published | Items | Response |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6th report - The FCDO's Approach to Displaced People | HC 525 | 17 Sep 2025 | 23 | Responded |
Recommendations & Conclusions
23 results
1
Conclusion
Not Addressed
6th report - The FCDO's Approach t…
UK ODA cuts indicate stepping back from addressing global displacement crisis.
There is a global displacement crisis. The UK cannot solve it alone, and nor should it be expected to. However, significant cuts to UK ODA and development programming indicate a United Kingdom that is stepping back from the world stage …
Read more
Government Response
The government outlines its comprehensive approach to displacement and notes its collaboration with international partners. However, it then reiterates the committee's conclusion verbatim without providing a direct response to the concern about significant cuts to UK ODA indicating the UK is stepping back from the world stage.
2
Conclusion
Acknowledged
6th report - The FCDO's Approach t…
ODA share for poverty reduction programming has declined in recent years.
Programming to reduce poverty, which drives displacement and exacerbates other drivers, has received a declining share of ODA in recent years. (Conclusion, Paragraph 29)
Government Response
The government states it is actively engaging internationally to strengthen the response to forced displacement and continues humanitarian interventions, prioritising development, but does not specifically address the observed declining share of ODA for poverty reduction.
3
Conclusion
Not Addressed
6th report - The FCDO's Approach t…
Department failed to learn from cuts to peacebuilding programming, risking escalating conflict.
The Department has failed to learn the lessons from previous cuts to stabilisation, peacebuilding and deconfliction programming, which likely contributed to the escalation of conflict in Sudan going unchallenged. We are concerned that the recent cuts to the Integrated Security …
Read more
Government Response
The government justifies the decision to reduce the ODA budget to 0.3% of GNI, stating plans to return to 0.7% when fiscal circumstances allow, but does not address the committee's concern about a failure to learn lessons from previous cuts or the impact on conflict escalation.
4
Conclusion
Not Addressed
6th report - The FCDO's Approach t…
Better integrate climate threat modelling into displacement work planning.
Climate change is a current and growing driver of displacement, and the Department must better integrate the modelling of climate threats into its planning for its displacement work. (Conclusion, Paragraph 48)
Government Response
The government response addresses issues related to peacebuilding in Sudan and the Integrated Security Fund, rejecting claims about funding cuts impacting conflict escalation, but it does not engage with the recommendation to integrate climate threat modelling into displacement planning.
5
Recommendation
Accepted in Part
6th report - The FCDO's Approach t…
Set out measures to increase data for climate adaptation and displacement prevention planning.
In its response to this report, the FCDO should set out the measures it is taking to increase the data available to policy teams when planning medium to long-term climate adaptation investments; and whether prevention of climate-induced displacement is one …
Read more
Government Response
The government details its use of climate science from IPCC, Met Office, and a new Natural Hazard Science Hub to inform policy teams on climate adaptation investments. However, it states that preventing climate-induced displacement is not a mandatory criterion for all teams planning these investments.
6
Conclusion
Acknowledged
6th report - The FCDO's Approach t…
Government strategy for influencing multilateral institutions is a welcome engagement effort.
The Government appears to have devised a strategy for influencing multilateral institutions, most notably the World Bank. This is a welcome effort to reinvigorate UK engagement at the multilateral level, given the significant cuts to other parts of the UK …
Read more
Government Response
The government acknowledges the importance of influencing multilateral institutions, confirming its strategy to prioritise multilateral partners in the ODA budget and continue driving reform to maximise impact and effectiveness, particularly with the World Bank.
7
Recommendation
Accepted
6th report - The FCDO's Approach t…
Formulate independent strategy for preventing and reducing displacement, not outsourcing to multilaterals.
Engagement with the World Bank’s fragility, conflict and violence strategy update is positive, but the Government should not assume that it can outsource to multilateral institutions the need to also formulate strategy on preventing and reducing displacement. (Conclusion, Paragraph 57)
Read more
Government Response
The government explicitly states it does not assume it can outsource the need to formulate its own strategy on preventing and reducing displacement, affirming it has developed a cross-cutting strategic approach to address forced displacement.
8
Conclusion
Rejected
6th report - The FCDO's Approach t…
Department lacks holistic view and overarching strategy for displacement solutions and prevention.
The Department lacks a holistic view of the drivers of and solutions to displacement, and therefore lacks an overarching strategy to establish solutions and prevention mechanisms. This means that UK impact in this area is constrained, reducing value for money …
Read more
Government Response
The government rejects the committee's finding by detailing its existing strategic approach to forced displacement, which it describes as comprehensive, encompassing a wide range of interventions from reducing drivers to finding long-term solutions and supporting host communities.
9
Recommendation
Not Addressed
6th report - The FCDO's Approach t…
Commission a holistic review of displacement drivers and solutions, reporting findings within one year.
The FCDO should commission a holistic review of the drivers of and solutions to displacement, reporting its findings to the Committee within one year of the publication of this report. (Recommendation, Paragraph 59)
Government Response
The government response details consideration of equalities impacts in ODA allocations and efforts to mitigate negative effects on women and girls, but it does not address the recommendation to commission a holistic review of displacement drivers and solutions.
10
Conclusion
Not Addressed
6th report - The FCDO's Approach t…
Appoint a new Special Envoy for Displacement to oversee policy teams and facilitate coordination.
The Department should appoint a new Special Envoy for Displacement who can oversee the discrete policy teams that work on mitigating the drivers of displacement, facilitating policy co-ordination between teams and ensuring consistency of outputs. (Recommendation, Paragraph 60) Displaced women …
Read more
Government Response
The government response outlines steps to strengthen gender and equality integration across the Department's work and its approach to mainstreaming, but it does not address the recommendation to appoint a Special Envoy for Displacement.
11
Conclusion
Not Addressed
6th report - The FCDO's Approach t…
Funding cuts to gender-specific programming devastate women and girls, denying vital support.
Funding cuts to gender-specific programming will be devastating for women and girls, starving them of vital support and services. The Government has not learned lessons from the previous Government about the severe impacts of funding cuts to programming for women …
Read more
Government Response
The government response highlights British International Investment's role in strengthening the private sector in fragile and conflict-affected states through economic resilience and job creation, but it does not address the committee's concerns regarding funding cuts to gender-specific programming.
12
Conclusion
Not Addressed
6th report - The FCDO's Approach t…
Government lacks infrastructure for effective gender mainstreaming, reducing UK programming impact.
The policy of gender mainstreaming refers to a strategic approach to achieving gender equality through integrating women’s experiences and concerns in the design, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of policies and programmes. However, while gender mainstreaming is part of the correct …
Read more
Government Response
The government response details efforts to direct humanitarian funding to local organisations and improve displacement data, completely failing to address the committee's concerns about gender mainstreaming infrastructure or the impacts of aid cuts on women and girls.
13
Recommendation
Not Addressed
6th report - The FCDO's Approach t…
Publish impact assessments for gender-specific programming cuts, no later than report response.
It is astonishing that the Government has made cuts to gender-specific programming without seemingly understanding the impacts on women and girls. The Government must publish impact assessments, as promised by the Minister, as soon as possible and no later than …
Read more
Government Response
The government's response outlines efforts to improve data collection and disaggregation for various humanitarian projects, but it does not address the recommendation to publish impact assessments for cuts to gender-specific programming.
14
Recommendation
Rejected
6th report - The FCDO's Approach t…
Reconsider cuts to women and girls-specific programming and consider ringfencing funding.
In the light of these impact assessments, the Government must reconsider the cuts to women and girls-specific programming announced by the Minister and should consider ringfencing funding for this programming. (Recommendation, Paragraph 80)
Government Response
The government rejected the recommendation, stating that 2025/26 ODA programme allocations have already been made with protections for women and girls, and they will use diplomacy to maximise impact despite reduced spending, with future allocations under review for 2026/27-2028/29.
15
Recommendation
Accepted
6th report - The FCDO's Approach t…
Develop a robust strategy and data-led methodology for gender mainstreaming and integration.
The Government must develop a robust strategy and a consistent, data-led methodology for mainstreaming and integration, to ensure that its efforts to mainstream and integrate gender take place in tandem with stand-alone programming (Recommendation, Paragraph 81) Working with the private …
Read more
Government Response
The government agrees to develop a robust, data-led strategy and methodology for mainstreaming and integration, stating it is currently refreshing its approach to strengthen gender and equalities issues across its work.
16
Conclusion
Acknowledged
6th report - The FCDO's Approach t…
British International Investment demonstrates strong track record investing in fragile states, mitigating displacement drivers.
The private sector can play a pivotal role in stimulating the economies of fragile and conflict-affected states. British International Investment has a strong track record of investing in difficult environments, particularly within fragile and conflict-affected states, helping to mitigate the …
Read more
Government Response
The government recognises the importance of strengthening the private sector in fragile and conflict-affected states and welcomes the committee's recognition of British International Investment's strong track record in these contexts, affirming its role in mitigating displacement drivers.
17
Recommendation
Accepted
6th report - The FCDO's Approach t…
Work with British International Investment to target investment at mitigating displacement drivers.
The FCDO should work alongside British International Investment ahead of its 2026 strategy refresh, including on how BII can place more emphasis on, and better target investment at, mitigating the drivers of displacement across fragile and conflict-affected states. (Recommendation, Paragraph …
Read more
Government Response
The government agrees to work closely with British International Investment ahead of its 2026 strategy refresh, committing to explore a wide range of priorities including how BII's ambitions in fragile markets can further mitigate displacement drivers.
18
Conclusion
Accepted
6th report - The FCDO's Approach t…
Insufficient progress meeting localisation commitments in humanitarian programming.
Despite long-standing commitments, the Government is not making sufficient progress in meeting its commitments to localisation in humanitarian programming. The steps taken by the UNHCR on improving localisation in its partnerships should serve as a blueprint for how the Government …
Read more
Government Response
The government details existing efforts to direct humanitarian funding to local organisations, engage with UNHCR, and advocate for increased funding to local actors through pooled funds.
19
Recommendation
Deferred
6th report - The FCDO's Approach t…
Explain reasoning for not signing Global Compact on Refugees multi-stakeholder pledge
In response to this report, the Government must explain its reasoning for not signing up to the Global Compact on Refugees’ multi-stakeholder pledge on advancing localisation in displacement and statelessness responses. (Recommendation, Paragraph 97)
Government Response
The government agrees to the recommendation and states it will review its position on the multi-stakeholder pledge on advancing localisation in displacement and statelessness responses.
20
Recommendation
Accepted
6th report - The FCDO's Approach t…
Set out plan to rapidly increase engagement with local actors in humanitarian settings
In response to this report, the Department must set out how it will make rapid progress in meeting commitments made, principally via the Grand Bargain and Global Compact on Refugees, to increase its engagement with and utilisation of local and …
Read more
Government Response
The government agrees, detailing how it is making progress by leading global donor efforts to transform humanitarian funding, increasing contributions to pooled funds for local organizations, and integrating local leadership into FCDO partnerships through initiatives like the Sahel Regional Fund and support for the Start Network.
21
Conclusion
Accepted
6th report - The FCDO's Approach t…
FCDO's sub-optimal data collection limits accurate targeting of displacement spending
The FCDO may be limited in its ability to accurately target displacement- related humanitarian and development spending owing to its sub-optimal data collection. (Conclusion, Paragraph 102)
Government Response
The government acknowledges the importance of improving displacement-related data and lists various ongoing projects and pledges, including contributions to the UN's CRAF'd and EGRISS, and ONS efforts, to enhance data collection and statistical inclusion.
22
Recommendation
Accepted
6th report - The FCDO's Approach t…
Start systematically tracking and publishing official data on spending for refugees overseas
To help determine a baseline and future targets, the FCDO should start systematically tracking and publishing official data on how much it spends on supporting refugees and internally displaced people overseas. (Recommendation, Paragraph 103)
Government Response
The government states it already systematically tracks and reports data on spending for refugees and IDPs to the OECD, which is then published online.
23
Recommendation
Accepted in Part
6th report - The FCDO's Approach t…
Ensure UK and partners disaggregate programme data by age, gender, ability, and displacement status
The FCDO should ensure that the UK and partners disaggregate monitoring and programme data by age, gender, ability and displacement status at a minimum; do so systematically; and make this data available publicly. (Recommendation, Paragraph 104) 37
Government Response
The government states it already disaggregates data by age, gender, and ability. It will explore implementing disaggregation by displacement status in a future programme management system.