Unpredictable International Development Funding
Lack of predictable and long-term funding for UK-funded international development initiatives, risking their quality and expertise.
197 items
4 sources
1 inquiry
Source spread
Where this theme appears
Unpredictable International Development Funding has been flagged across 4 independent accountability sources:
1 inquiry rec
192 committee recs
2 NAO recs
2 IMB recs
When the same issue appears across inquiries, coroner reports, and regulators independently, it indicates a recurring issue across the public record.
Browse by source
Source-grouped records are useful for tracing where a concern came from. Large sections show the 50 strongest matches for that source; counts still show the full theme total.
Committee Recommendations (192) — showing 50 strongest matches
#1 —
Recommendation: We recommend that, as part of a renewed consistent approach to promoting global health, the FCDO should continue to fund existing programmes aimed at the eradication of previously identified diseases. The Government should use its integrated voice to lobby development …
Gov response: As the Foreign Secretary said in his statement to the House on ODA on 26 November, investing in global health is one of the five ways in which the UK will prioritise ODA spending in …
Under Consideration
#69 —
Recommendation: With Ethiopia currently the UK’s largest bilateral recipient of ODA, we are surprised that the UK Government has not allocated more financial assistance to the humanitarian response to the crisis in Tigray.
Gov response: Total UK support to the crisis is £47.7m since November 2020 and we keep our level of support under review. In addition to financial support the UK has been, and will remain, actively engaged in …
Not Addressed
#68 —
Recommendation: A failure to adequately resource the response to this crisis increases the risk of a ripple effect of instability throughout the region. The failure to support the communities of Tigray, combined with the lack of an inclusive political settlement, compromises …
Gov response: Focusing on addressing critical humanitarian needs, bringing about an end to hostilities and supporting a sustainable political settlement should remain the priority. The humanitarian response should take into consideration longer term implications of its actions. …
Not Addressed
#67 —
Recommendation: Dr Rogg, FCDO, told us £15.4 million had been announced and disbursed specifically for the crisis to date.148 Paul Turnbull called for additional funding for the crisis, telling us that: We have been a beneficiary of DfID and FCDO. If …
Gov response: Total UK support to the crisis is £47.7m since November 2020 and we keep our level of support under review. In addition to financial support the UK has been, and will remain, actively engaged in …
Not Addressed
#64 —
Recommendation: Paul Turnbull, UN WFP Ethiopia, told us that: The funding has not really been that great, considering the needs on the ground. We know that many donor countries we have relied on in the past are having a very difficult …
Gov response: We work with a variety of partners including OCHA to understand the extent of needs and identify critical gaps, and have undertaken an assessment of humanitarian needs and funding gaps across Ethiopia. Due to the …
Not Addressed
#63 —
Recommendation: The UN regularly publishes and updates information on the funding needed and provided for the crisis in Tigray. In February it published a breakdown that showed that while the overall response was 71% funded, some sectors were a long way …
Gov response: We work with a variety of partners including OCHA to understand the extent of needs and identify critical gaps, and have undertaken an assessment of humanitarian needs and funding gaps across Ethiopia. Due to the …
Not Addressed
#18 —
Recommendation: The halving of UK aid to Afghanistan in 2020/1 is an example of the harm done by aid cuts that were designed to reduce spending at speed, rather than considering wider UK strategic interests. These cuts, made at a time …
Gov response: The Government agrees with the Committee on the importance of doing what it can to help mitigate the impact of the humanitarian crisis on the Afghan people. This has been one of the UK’s highest …
Partially Accepted
#9 —
Recommendation: The FCDO should consider how it can restructure its funding commitments to give long-term certainty to local civil society organisations to ensure funding that has been committed cannot be suddenly withdrawn at short notice. (Paragraph 27) Communications and storytelling
Gov response: As set out in the IDS, we are committed to working in partnership with a diverse range of CSOs, large and small, from across the entire UK, and in developing countries, as well as other …
Accepted
#28 — Ensure long-term financial support for RUTF/MMS and pledge £50m to the Child Nutrition Fund.
Recommendation: The Government should work with governments and organisations to ensure continued long-term, predictable financial support for Ready-to use Therapeutic Foods and Multiple Micronutrient Supplementation packs, to address the needs of children and pregnant women in humanitarian situations. This should support …
Gov response: Partially Agree. The decision on what the UK will spend its future ODA budget on is being worked through following the decision to reduce UK ODA from 0.5% of GNI currently to 0.3% in 2027. …
Partially Accepted
#14 — Ensure phased transition and clear communication with partners during ODA spending cuts.
Recommendation: Where cuts are to be made as part of this spending review, we request the Government informs the Committee of the steps it will take to ensure that there will be a phased transition with clear communication to implementing partners, …
Gov response: Government Response – Agree 29. Programme teams will be in dialogue with partners with regards to any future changes in budgets as early as is possible in the decision-making processes. Centrally, we are also having …
Accepted
#13 — Ensure Official Development Assistance for nutrition and food security programming is predictable and long-term.
Recommendation: We recommend that the FCDO put measures in place to ensure that all Official Development Assistance committed to nutrition and food security related programming is predictable and long term, with better safeguards against, and warnings of, any changes to funding …
Gov response: Government Response: Partially Agree 26. We agree about the value of predictable and long-term programming. At the Spring Statement it was confirmed that the FCDO will no longer be required to adjust its budgets to …
Partially Accepted
#12 — Reconsider reduction in Official Development Assistance from 0.5% to 0.3% of GNI.
Recommendation: The reduction of ODA from 0.5% to 0.3% of GNI in February 2025 could not have come at a worse time, with cuts in donor spending across Europe and in the United States of America and ever-increasing need. If the …
Gov response: Government Response – Disagree 22. At this time of profound change, with conflicts overseas undermining security and prosperity at home, the Prime Minister has taken the decision to increase spending on defence to 2.5% of …
Not Accepted
#11 — DFID/FCO merger and spending cuts damaged UK's SDG2 efforts and reputation.
Recommendation: The handling of the merger of DFID with the FCO, and that of the subsequent sudden and drastic cuts in programme spending, was very damaging for the UK’s efforts toward SDG2. Not only did it damage the UK’s reputation as …
Gov response: Government Response – Disagree 22. At this time of profound change, with conflicts overseas undermining security and prosperity at home, the Prime Minister has taken the decision to increase spending on defence to 2.5% of …
Not Accepted
#11 — Cuts to ODA funding threaten UK's global AMR efforts and Fleming Fund initiatives
Recommendation: An important part of the UK’s international work on AMR is the aid provided, particularly through the Fleming Fund, to fund AMR initiatives in low- and middle-income countries. This aid can help support the global fight against AMR, for example …
Gov response: 1.1 The government agrees with the Committee’s recommendation. Recommendation implemented 1.2 Tackling antimicrobial resistance (AMR) requires a coordinated and comprehensive global response. The 2024 – 2029 UK National Action Plan to confront AMR (NAP) includes …
Not Addressed
#20 — Participate in multilateral peace process, supporting reconstruction and UN agencies in Gaza and West Bank.
Recommendation: A key component of the UK’s policy in support of a two-state solution must be participation in the reconstruction of Gaza and areas of the West Bank that have been rendered uninhabitable by military action. Institution building requires physical infrastructure …
Gov response: The Government agrees with this recommendation. The UK has been working closely with our international and regional partners to build consensus on Gaza’s future security and governance arrangements, in addition to planning for early recovery …
Accepted
#14 — Reconsider cuts to women and girls-specific programming and consider ringfencing funding.
Recommendation: 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)
Gov response: Disagree Decisions on the FCDO’s 2025/26 ODA programme allocations have been made. As confirmed by the Equalities Impact Assessment (EIA), the allocations process for 2025/26 has protected against disproportionate impacts on women and girls and …
Not Accepted
#11 — Funding cuts to gender-specific programming devastate women and girls, denying vital support.
Recommendation: 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 …
Gov response: 55. We recognise the importance of strengthening the private sector in fragile and conflict-affected states (FCAS) and we welcome the Committee’s recognition of the role British International Investment (BII) in these contexts. 56. BII has …
Under Consideration
#2 — ODA share for poverty reduction programming has declined in recent years.
Recommendation: Programming to reduce poverty, which drives displacement and exacerbates other drivers, has received a declining share of ODA in recent years. (Conclusion, Paragraph 29)
Gov response: 4. The UK is actively engaging with partners and the multilateral system to strengthen the international response to forced displacement. 5. This includes shaping the UN80 reform process, championing the Global Compact on Refugees, and …
Under Consideration
#1 — UK ODA cuts indicate stepping back from addressing global displacement crisis.
Recommendation: 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 …
Gov response: Sixth Special Report of Session 2024–26 HC 1522 International Development Committee The International Development Committee is appointed by the House of Commons to scrutinise the work of the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office in respect …
Under Consideration
#16 — Detail interim private finance investments to plug ODA gap and safeguard UK conflict expertise.
Recommendation: It should also detail what interim investments it has made for private finance to plug the Official Development Assistance gap. This includes investment in civilian-led conflict prevention, resolution and peacebuilding. UK expertise, much of it currently concentrated in the Migration …
Gov response: 43. HMG agrees that UN peacekeeping remains an indispensable tool for peace and agrees with the need for UN peacekeeping reform as part of the UN80 process. HMG’s overarching reform objective is for peacekeeping mission …
Under Consideration
#14 — Publish a timeline to restore ODA spending to 0.7%, including a protected conflict budget.
Recommendation: For the UK to continue being a lead actor within the United Nations Security Council, and a leading global actor in the prevention and resolution of conflict, it is critical that the Government sets out a pathway and 47 timeline …
Gov response: 39. The UK has consistently used the UN platform to press for progress on Libya, even if Council action on the file has received less media attention than other issues. In the last twelve months, …
Under Consideration
#13 — Reduced ODA budget diminishes UK global visibility, empowering adversaries in conflict zones.
Recommendation: With a reduced Official Development Assistance budget and a smaller budget allocation for conflict prevention and peacebuilding efforts, the UK is less visible on the global stage and in key conflict zones. This opens up the space to our adversaries …
Gov response: 38. Cyprus is an example of the UN acting effectively, with the UN Peacekeeping Force in Cyprus (UNFICYP) having been in place as a stabilising force for over 60 years. HMG was pleased to have …
Under Consideration
#20 — Financial pressures risk undermining locally-led solutions and associated value for money benefits.
Recommendation: The Government has ambitious and earnest intentions for championing locally-led solutions. However, there is a significant risk that these ambitions could be lost amidst financial pressures, in favour of centrally managed programmes, and that the VfM benefits that localisation can …
Gov response: Agree. Country-led, whole of society and context-specific development partnerships are at the heart of the FCDO’s bilateral offer. The alleviation of poverty is the foundation of everything the FCDO does and is the primary purpose …
Not Addressed
#15 — Require HM Treasury to reallocate all future unspent ODA back to the FCDO.
Recommendation: The FCDO must make formal representation to HM Treasury that any unspent ODA allocated to other Government departments is channelled back through the FCDO to continue its vital humanitarian and development work, and to ensure that overall ODA spending does …
Gov response: Disagree. At Spring Statement 2025, the Government confirmed that financial year ODA Department Expenditure Limit (DEL) totals will not be adjusted for GNI fluctuations to improve budget stability. This means FCDO’s ODA budget will no …
Not Accepted
#10 — Require Government to return ODA spending to 0.5% GNI with a clear rebuilding schedule.
Recommendation: The Government must make every effort to return to spending 0.5% of GNI on ODA at a minimum, as soon as possible. The Government should produce a clear schedule for rebuilding aid from the interim level of 0.3%, with defined …
Gov response: Disagree. The Government is committed to returning to spending 0.7% of GNI on ODA as soon as fiscal circumstances allow, and when the Office for Budget Responsibility’s (OBR) fiscal forecast confirms that, on a sustainable …
Not Accepted
#9 — Repeated UK aid budget cuts damage reputation and hinder long-term Value for Money.
Recommendation: Guaranteed, long-term funding for programmes is essential for ensuring that VfM is achieved, and that the impact of FCDO work continues to be felt long after the end of a programme. In the last five years, the UK has significantly …
Gov response: Disagree. The Government is committed to returning to spending 0.7% of GNI on ODA as soon as fiscal circumstances allow, and when the Office for Budget Responsibility’s (OBR) fiscal forecast confirms that, on a sustainable …
Not Accepted
#8 — Reducing ODA to 0.3% will have devastating consequences, undermining UK soft power and security.
Recommendation: The UK’s planned reduction of ODA spend from 0.5% to 0.3% of gross national income will have devastating consequences across the world. The Committee recognises that increased defence spending is needed and is to be welcomed. However, to do this …
Gov response: Disagree. The Government is committed to returning to spending 0.7% of GNI on ODA as soon as fiscal circumstances allow, and when the Office for Budget Responsibility’s (OBR) fiscal forecast confirms that, on a sustainable …
Not Accepted
#29 — Commit to multi-year funding for energy projects, supporting their full life cycle
Recommendation: The Government should commit to multi-year funding structures that support projects across their full life cycle. This should include not only initial deployment but also ongoing maintenance, technical assistance, and governance support. The aim is to ensure that local communities …
Gov response: Government Response: Partially Agree 67. In our ODA allocations and interventions, the UK prioritises predictability and stability in departmental budgets. Current arrangements provide clear annual allocations and include break clauses in contracts to manage risk …
Partially Accepted
#28 — Predictable support for UK-funded energy initiatives remains at risk
Recommendation: Without predictable support, both the quality and effectiveness of UK- funded energy access initiatives, as well as the expertise built up through years of engagement, are at risk. We recognise the importance of the new arrangements for ODA allocations in …
Gov response: Government Response: Partially Agree 67. In our ODA allocations and interventions, the UK prioritises predictability and stability in departmental budgets. Current arrangements provide clear annual allocations and include break clauses in contracts to manage risk …
Partially Accepted
#24 — Increase investment in operationalising existing energy solutions and bridge R&D funding gaps
Recommendation: The Government should maintain its commitment to research and innovation while increasing investment in the operationalisation of existing, effective energy solutions. Funding mechanisms must bridge the gap between early- 35 stage R&D and market-ready technologies, providing opportunities for commercialisation and …
Gov response: Government Response: Partially Agree 54. The FCDO’s Research and Development ODA portfolio leverages UK scientific, engineering, business, and financing strengths to deliver practical, scalable innovations that address global development challenges. These include low-cost technologies and …
Partially Accepted
#3 — Protect FCDO resources for sustainable energy access amid budgetary demands and strengthen blended finance.
Recommendation: The FCDO should ensure that resources directed towards championing sustainable energy access are protected amid competing budgetary demands. A steady commitment to blended finance, working with the private sector and locally responsive initiatives, should seek to help overcome financing barriers …
Gov response: Partially Agree 16. Through our TEA and Modern Energy Cooking Services (MECS) programmes we have established a strong approach to fostering local partnerships and inclusion. More broadly, under the Ayrton Fund for clean energy innovation, …
Accepted
#2 — Sustaining effective energy access programmes and strategically using public finance is crucial.
Recommendation: We welcome the leadership shown by past governments in elevating underexplored aspects of global energy access, such as clean cooking and low-energy appliances, on the global agenda. This support has delivered tangible impact. As ODA resources tighten, the UK’s impact …
Gov response: Partially Agree 12. We agree that energy access is a foundational enabler of sustainable development, essential to delivery of many other SDGs including health, humanitarian, water, food and climate targets. Co-benefits of expanding clean energy …
Accepted
#17 — Maintain full funding for ICAI until a comprehensive assessment of future arrangements.
Recommendation: Whilst we agree that the value for money of every aspect of Government spending must be assessed, we caution against any rapid decision- making with regards to the ICAI’s future. Full funding should remain in 16 place until a final …
Gov response: Agree 32. The UK takes transparency and value for money in its Official Development Assistance (ODA) spending very seriously as illustrated by a range of mechanisms we draw on including National Audit Office (NAO) reports, …
No Published Response
#13 — Provide and publish a clear, realistic transition timetable for common SPS area
Recommendation: The Government should provide a clear, realistic transition timetable for moving to a common SPS area, published with key milestones at least 12–24 months in advance. This must not be subject to repeated changes, and implementation plans should be developed …
Gov response: The government partially accepts this recommendation. As communicated on 9 March, it is our intent that the new SPS Agreement will take effect in mid-2027. We have been listening to businesses. We know that some …
No Published Response
#12 — Frequent border policy changes cause disruption, requiring realistic and stable timelines
Recommendation: Frequent border policy changes over recent years have created disruption, uncertainty and financial pressure for port health and local authorities. Stakeholders are clear that another shift in border regimes will only be manageable if timelines are realistic, communicated early, and …
Gov response: The government partially accepts this recommendation. As communicated on 9 March, it is our intent that the new SPS Agreement will take effect in mid-2027. We have been listening to businesses. We know that some …
No Published Response
#8 — Urgently provide clarity on funding for social housing retrofit improvements.
Recommendation: The Government needs to urgently provide the sector with clarity on the funding that will be available over the remainder of this Parliament to help providers deliver the necessary improvements. (Recommendation, Paragraph 40)
Gov response: 30. In April 2024, the Regulator of Social Housing introduced its new consumer regulation regime. The Regulator proactively seeks evidence and assurances that registered providers of social housing are delivering the outcomes set out in …
Under Consideration
#7 — Retrofitting social homes requires accelerated progress and clearer funding certainty.
Recommendation: Progress at retrofitting social homes needs to accelerate if the sector is going to upgrade the remaining homes up to the required standard by 2030. The Government has not yet provided sufficient clarity to the sector on the funding available …
Gov response: 27. In order to deliver a ‘Decade of Renewal for social and affordable housing’, we are focused on delivering transformational and lasting change in the safety and quality of homes, alongside the biggest increase in …
Under Consideration
#4 —
Recommendation: We believe the FCDO should: • recognise that the eradication of the pandemic everywhere is an integral part of resolving the threat anywhere and therefore switch its financial support for Covid-19 vaccines, therapies and tests voluntarily from its ODA pot …
Gov response: We are committed to the OECD Development Assistance Committee (DAC) rules and our ODA is allocated in accordance with current ODA eligibility Directives. The DAC ODA rules are clear that R&D investments which primarily aim …
Under Consideration
#66 —
Recommendation: Ethiopia was the top bilateral recipient of UK aid for the 2020/21 financial year (£324.9m)144 and was the second-largest recipient of UK bilateral aid in 2019 after Pakistan.145 The UK Government has resisted calls to suspend aid, arguing “withholding finance …
Gov response: Total UK support to the crisis is £47.7m since November 2020 and we keep our level of support under review. In addition to financial support the UK has been, and will remain, actively engaged in …
Not Addressed
#51 —
Recommendation: Access to climate finance remains a significant challenge for LDCs, SIDS and grassroots organisations. For Global Britain to be a credible “force for good”, we urge the Government to use its COP presidency and position as a key donor to …
Gov response: Government response: Agree While the amount of available climate finance is increasing, current mechanisms for accessing climate finance are often slow, complex, resource intensive, uncertain, and project based. Insufficient coherence also leaves developing countries unable …
Not Addressed
#47 —
Recommendation: Eileen Mairena Cunningham called for the full, effective and meaningful incorporation of marginalised groups in the global response to climate change and for direct access by them to funds from the GCF.99 She told us that currently: The requirements to …
Gov response: While the amount of available climate finance is increasing, current mechanisms for accessing climate finance are often slow, complex, resource intensive, uncertain, and project based. Insufficient coherence also leaves developing countries unable to access or …
Not Addressed
#46 —
Recommendation: As a result of bureaucratic procedures and accessing funding through intermediaries, the total amount of money at the disposal of grassroots organisations can be as little as 10–15% of the project value.96 Julius Ng’oma told us that his organisation - …
Gov response: While the amount of available climate finance is increasing, current mechanisms for accessing climate finance are often slow, complex, resource intensive, uncertain, and project based. Insufficient coherence also leaves developing countries unable to access or …
Not Addressed
#45 —
Recommendation: Grassroots organisations equally face significant hurdles in accessing climate funding. Less than 10% of climate finance committed to low- and middle-income countries to combat climate change reaches the local level as funders of climate adaptation tend to prefer “bulk spending …
Gov response: While the amount of available climate finance is increasing, current mechanisms for accessing climate finance are often slow, complex, resource intensive, uncertain, and project based. Insufficient coherence also leaves developing countries unable to access or …
Not Addressed
#44 —
Recommendation: Contributors also raised the importance of direct access to multilateral funds for grassroots organisations, LDCs and SIDS.92 To access funding from the GCF, for example, applicants have to become accredited first – a process which the GCF describes as a …
Gov response: While the amount of available climate finance is increasing, current mechanisms for accessing climate finance are often slow, complex, resource intensive, uncertain, and project based. Insufficient coherence also leaves developing countries unable to access or …
Not Addressed
#43 —
Recommendation: He added that: when you submit a proposal, it takes two to three years minimum to access the finance. Then you need to revise, because things change. The impact of climate change invariably becomes a bit more severe, and that …
Gov response: While the amount of available climate finance is increasing, current mechanisms for accessing climate finance are often slow, complex, resource intensive, uncertain, and project based. Insufficient coherence also leaves developing countries unable to access or …
Not Addressed
#42 —
Recommendation: Gebru Jember, Technical Lead of the Least Developed Countries Initiative for Effective Adaptation and Resilience (LIFE-AR) and former Chair of the LDC Group, spoke of lengthy review processes as well as micromanaging by the GCF Board which delayed the disbursement …
Gov response: Government response: Agree While the amount of available climate finance is increasing, current mechanisms for accessing climate finance are often slow, complex, resource intensive, uncertain, and project based. Insufficient coherence also leaves developing countries unable …
Not Addressed
#41 —
Recommendation: LDCs and SIDS face difficulties in accessing funding from multilateral organisations such as the GCF. H.E. Diann Black-Layne told us that: There is a struggle to keep on reminding the green climate fund and others—not the adaptation fund—that this is …
Gov response: Government response: Agree While the amount of available climate finance is increasing, current mechanisms for accessing climate finance are often slow, complex, resource intensive, uncertain, and project based. Insufficient coherence also leaves developing countries unable …
Not Addressed
#40 —
Recommendation: Since then, little has changed. The evidence that we heard includes accounts of the obstacles that must be overcome to access funding, which disadvantage fragile and conflict-affected states, other LDCs and SIDS as well as grassroots organisations.87
Gov response: Government response: Agree While the amount of available climate finance is increasing, current mechanisms for accessing climate finance are often slow, complex, resource intensive, uncertain, and project based. Insufficient coherence also leaves developing countries unable …
Not Addressed
#8 —
Recommendation: We welcome the establishment of the Joint Afghanistan Casework Unit but note the lack of clarity around the cost, staffing and current workload of that Unit. We are also concerned that more than three months after it was set up …
Gov response: As part of HMG’s relocation and resettlement effort, we support those eligible to come to the UK from Afghanistan to do so. The Government has made clear that the initial target of resettling 5000 people …
Under Consideration
#30 —
Recommendation: The Government must simplify funding streams for local civil society organisations and formalise the relationship between these organisations and relevant Government teams, building a more consistent role for these organisations in the Government’s early warning systems. (Paragraph 98) 46 From …
Gov response: Partially agree. 47. The FCDO is committed to shifting towards a more locally led approach, in line with international commitments such as the Grand Bargain1 and Busan Partnership for Effective Development Co-operation2. The IDS makes …
Not Addressed
NAO Audit Recommendations (2)
The effectiveness of Official Development Assistance expenditure
HM Treasury and DFID should set out the steps they will take, across a range of scenarios, to make sure the UK meets its legal obligation regarding the ODA target in the light of the UK's decision to leave the …
Accepted
Reducing the harm from illegal drugs
The JCDU and departments should work with HM Treasury to provide greater certainty on future funding for the strategy. This includes: - exploring the potential for indicative commitments over the life of the strategy; and - DHSC identifying and resolving …
Partially accepted
IMB Recommendations (2)
The Verne (2023)
The Board urges HMPPS to recognise the efforts made by the senior management team to provide a resettlement service despite the absence of dedicated funding.
HMPPS
The Verne (2023)
The Board invites the Minister to ensure adequate funding for the resettlement role currently undertaken by HMP The Verne.
Ministry of Justice