Future of UK aid and development assistance

International Development Committee Open Inquiry
Opened: 15 Sep 2025 Parliament page
A new inquiry into the future of the UK’s international aid and development assistance programmes has been launched by the International Development Committee. It will examine how the UK can continue to deliver high impact international aid and development assistance in the face of a 40% budget cut as the … Read more
13 Recommendations
14 Conclusions
2 Reports
4 Oral sessions
3 Letters
4 Events
Activity timeline 14 events
28 Apr
2026
Report published
22 Apr
2026
Report published
24 Mar
2026
Oral evidence
24 Mar
2026
Correspondence
24 Mar
2026
Correspondence
24 Mar
2026
Correspondence
24 Mar
2026
Formal meeting (oral evidence session) · The Boothroyd Room, Portcullis House
5 Feb
2026
Report published
27 Jan
2026
Oral evidence
27 Jan
2026
Formal meeting (oral evidence session) · Science Gallery London, Great Maze Pond, London, SE1 9GU
20 Jan
2026
Oral evidence
20 Jan
2026
Formal meeting (oral evidence session) · The Wilson Room, Portcullis House
Oral evidence sessions 4 sessions
24 Mar 2026
View on parliament.uk
The development work of the FCDO
Melinda Bohannon · Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office Nick Dyer · Foreign Commonwealth & Development Office Rt Hon Yvette Cooper MP · Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office The Rt Hon. the Baroness Chapman of Darlington · Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office
27 Jan 2026
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Future of UK aid and development assistance
Bel Trew · The Independent Chido Govera · Future of Hope Foundation (Zimbabwe) Finian Ali · Scaling Up Nutrition Network (Nigeria) Jennifer Hudson · Development Engagement Lab Luke Tryl · More in Common Sapphire Alexander · Caribbean Feminist (Trinidad and Tobago)
20 Jan 2026
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Future of UK aid and development assistance
Melinda Bohannon · Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office The Rt Hon. the Baroness Chapman of Darlington · Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office
25 Nov 2025
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Future of UK Aid and Development Assistance
Freddie Carver · ODI Global Gideon Rabinowitz · Bond Lois Austin · Public and Commercial Services (PCS) trade union Martin John · Public and Commercial Services (PCS) trade union Ms Anna Schuesterl · ODI Global Professor Emma Mawdsley · University of Cambridge
Recommendations & Conclusions
3 results
Clear
9 Recommendation Accepted in Part
9th Report - Future of UK aid and …
Earmark bilateral ODA and grant missions autonomy for Centrally Managed Programme approval.
To enable the FCDO to provide relevant and impactful support in its bilateral partner countries: a. sufficient levels of bilateral ODA must be earmarked for programmes, the design and delivery of which would be overseen by the FCDO (and other … Read more
Government Response
The FCDO is taking a partnership-led approach to development and will have flexibility to deliver the development our partners want. CMPs have undergone a thorough review, posts will be able to draw on central Communities of Expertise. FCDO recognizes the importance of sufficient capacity overseas, will work increasingly in partnership with local actors.
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15 Recommendation Accepted in Part
9th Report - Future of UK aid and …
Pause FCDO restructuring until staffing, skills, equalities, and ODA impact assessments are completed.
We call on the Government to pause the processes currently underway until the following actions have been completed: a. a structured assessment of staffing required to deliver the Government’s priorities both in the UK and in countries with a diplomatic … Read more
Government Response
The FCDO is implementing a new Capability Framework, developing a Workforce Strategy for the Spending Review period and working through a detailed design process to ensure that the future FCDO workforce is sufficiently skilled to deliver Ministerial priorities within the agreed Spending Review settlement, but it is not being paused.
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21 Recommendation Accepted in Part
9th Report - Future of UK aid and …
Ensure FCDO retains expertise and provides gender-specific funding to empower marginalised groups.
The FCDO must have the expertise and resources required to empower marginalised groups in decision-making forums, as well as the ability to equip them in their efforts to bring about lasting change in their communities. The FCDO will need to … Read more
Government Response
The FCDO is transitioning to differentiated development partnerships and focusing on locally led approaches and the UK's International Strategic Framework on Women and Girls; equality impact assessments (EIAs) which consider impacts on people with relevant and protected characteristics – are an essential part of how the Government makes decisions on ODA allocations.
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Government Response AI assessment · 23 of 13 classified
Accepted 1
Accepted in Part 3
Acknowledged 14
Not Addressed 1
Rejected 4
Total 13 recs + 14 conclusions
Correspondence 3 letters
24 Mar 2026 Correspondence to the Minister of State for International Development & Africa relating to the Independent Commission for Aid Impact and ODA allocations, 5 March 2026
Parliament page
24 Mar 2026 Correspondence from the Minister of State for International Development & Africa relating to the Publication of FCDO’s Multi Year ODA Allocations (2026/27–2028/29), 19 March 2026
Parliament page
24 Mar 2026 Correspondence from the Minister of State for International Development & Africa relating to the Independent Commission for Aid Impact and ODA allocations, 23 March 2026
Parliament page