Recommendations & Conclusions
4 items
9
Recommendation
Second Report: Merging success: Bringin…
Accepted
We welcome work being done to increase in-country collaboration, and believe that in-country leadership of projects should be enhanced, not diminished. The new Department has the opportunity to build on examples of excellent in-country work completed by both the FCO and DFID, and to build on existing cooperation between the …
Read more
We welcome work being done to increase in-country collaboration, and believe that in-country leadership of projects should be enhanced, not diminished. The new Department has the opportunity to build on examples of excellent in-country work completed by both the FCO and DFID, and to build on existing cooperation between the two Departments. While the structure of the new Department is not clear, it is important that it continues to show strong in-country leadership on both diplomatic and development projects, and that this merger is taken as an opportunity for greater cooperation between these areas, rather than greater competition. We recommend that the FCDO’s ODA programming continue to be led by in-country UK staff, who have strong local knowledge and networks. (Paragraph 26) Spending and Transparency
Show less
Government response AI summary
The government confirmed that Ambassadors will lead all UK government work in host countries, supported by locally appointed staff, and the FCDO will continue to embed country and regional expertise in its programming.
Read full response →
Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office
11
Recommendation
Second Report: Merging success: Bringin…
Accepted
To ensure this goal is achievable, all staff in the FCDO working on development should have a thorough understanding of the international aid transparency frameworks and standards they are working towards. We recommend that all FCDO staff working on development projects or overviewing diplomatic outreach where aid is an element …
Read more
To ensure this goal is achievable, all staff in the FCDO working on development should have a thorough understanding of the international aid transparency frameworks and standards they are working towards. We recommend that all FCDO staff working on development projects or overviewing diplomatic outreach where aid is an element of the relationship, receive comprehensive training on the International Aid Transparency Initiative Standard.
Show less
Government response AI summary
The government commits to ensuring FCDO staff will have access to information and training on transparency commitments and the IATI standard as part of their standard training for Official Development Assistance (ODA) delivery.
Read full response →
Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office
12
Recommendation
Second Report: Merging success: Bringin…
Accepted
We believe that, as the Government is maintaining its commitment to spending 0.7 percent of GNI on ODA, the current level of scrutiny on ODA spend should also be maintained. The Independent Commission for Aid Impact (ICAI) has shown itself be an effective and reputable vehicle for the scrutiny of …
Read more
We believe that, as the Government is maintaining its commitment to spending 0.7 percent of GNI on ODA, the current level of scrutiny on ODA spend should also be maintained. The Independent Commission for Aid Impact (ICAI) has shown itself be an effective and reputable vehicle for the scrutiny of the UK’s ODA spend. We recommend that the Government commits to maintaining ICAI as an independent body for scrutinising the UK’s overseas aid spending. Parliament should continue to be able to make full use of the important work of ICAI in scrutinising ODA spending; a dedicated select committee should have responsibility for all aspects of coordination and cooperation with ICAI.
Show less
Government response AI summary
The government committed to maintaining ICAI and broadening its mandate to provide policy recommendations. It acknowledged Parliament's role in scrutiny and stated that the structure of select committees is a matter for Parliament, though the PM expects a new committee for the FCDO.
Read full response →
Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office
16
Conclusion
Second Report: Merging success: Bringin…
Accepted
It is also important that the alignment in aid and diplomacy is not used as an excuse to roll back the reforms that have ensured the UK’s IMF and World Bank positions are still staffed by individuals with experience of multilateral aid and major project management, whose skills will now …
Read more
It is also important that the alignment in aid and diplomacy is not used as an excuse to roll back the reforms that have ensured the UK’s IMF and World Bank positions are still staffed by individuals with experience of multilateral aid and major project management, whose skills will now be housed in the FCDO. (Paragraph 37) 18 Merging success: Bringing together the FCO and DFID
Show less
Government response AI summary
The government accepted the conclusion, agreeing that IMF and World Bank positions should continue to be staffed by individuals with relevant expertise and that FCDO will house the necessary aid, policy, and programme management expertise.
Read full response →
Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office