2
Accepted in Part
In its response to this report, we request the Government provides more detail on its...
Recommendation
In its response to this report, we request the Government provides more detail on its approach in areas where this is sorely lacking, and clarify its own policy position. This will serve to reassure Parliament, the sector, and the public that the policy announcements made to date are part of a coherent approach to ODA programming and work as part of a clear theory of change. Specifically, the Government must: a. Outline the evidence base for the “four essential shifts” and how this will be used to evaluate their success. A clear qualitative and quantitative description of what success looks like is required and over what time scale. It should also include a model for how development partnerships are envisaged to operate with clearly defined roles for FCDO missions, external stakeholders and departmental support. b. Provide a description of its approach to engaging with multilaterals with an evidence base for the choices of which organisations and mechanisms it will invest in, prioritising institutions with a proven track record of delivery. This should be accompanied by a measurable and time-bound plan for reform and a detailed approach for how alignment with UK priorities will be achieved. c. Set out an account of the risk and impact assessment exercises, beyond the Equalities Risk Assessment, that the Department has undertaken around the reductions and reprioritising of ODA. This should include details of the measures taken to mitigate risks, including: discussions with other ODA-delivering countries; 14 communication with bilateral development partners; and intentional efforts to ensure the UK’s multilateral contributions fill the gaps left by the reprioritising of bilateral ODA. d. Present a clear strategy for how the Government will engage with civil society in the UK around development challenges. Specifically, how the Government will work to ensure the energy and resources of diaspora groups and UK-based NGOs complement its own priorities for the spending of
Government Response Summary
The government partially agrees, stating that the "four essential shifts" are based on a well-established evidence base and that it is working to improve measurement of outcomes and impact as part of the FCDO2030 transformation. It commits to measuring how the shifts are embedded, acknowledging the need for robust qualitative and quantitative assessments, but does not provide specific metrics or timescales in this response.
Government Response
Accepted in Part
Government Response
Accepted in Part
HM Government
Accepted in Part
Partially agree 5. The FCDO has designed the “four essential shifts” to respond to a changing global context, characterised by a volatile global economy and a more fragmented and politically contested development landscape. They respond to what partners are saying they want: genuine partnership, not the paternalism of the past. The shifts draw on a well-established body of international development evidence, including by the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) Development Assistance Committee, UN, ICAI and a wide range of academics and think tanks, such as ODI and Professor Stefan Dercon (Oxford) as well UK operational experience. The evidence emphasises that development results are strongest where programmes are aligned with country priorities, strengthen national systems, and support the development of effective, accountable institutions over time. 6. Measurement of the four shifts is an important part of ongoing discussions about how FCDO measures its delivery of international policy, including development outcomes. Not only will we measure the development outcomes we are achieving, but we will also focus on how we have achieved them to inform and improve internal decision making through these four shifts. This will include our modern approach to partnerships and application of partnership principles of mutual respect, accountability, interest and learning. 7. The FCDO’s improved Country Business Planning (CBP) process operates over a three-year time period (FY 2026/27 to FY 2028/29) and will support our understanding of how the four shifts are embedded into delivery planning across the wider organisation, including through regular reporting by Posts and HQ units throughout this three-year period. The FCDO is changing its approach to programme design and approval to take a more holistic portfolio approach. This is enabling us to use all our levers—programmes, diplomacy, and partnerships—together to deliver Ministers’ and partners’ priorities. These approaches will be reviewed regularly to ensure consistent delivery. 8. The FCDO is working to improve measurement of outcomes and impact as part of the FCDO2030 transformation. As part of this we will measure how the four shifts are embedded into development work across the FCDO. The Government recognises that measuring impact of the modern development approach and the four shifts which underpin it will be complex and will require robust qualitative assessments along with quantitative metrics. Monitoring and evaluation approaches will align with our partnership principles and, where possible, will work with partners’ existing systems.
Source
Committee
International Development Committee
Addressee Bodies
Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office
Timeline
Recommendation age
0.3 yrs
Report published
28 Apr 2026