Select Committee · Foreign Affairs Committee

FCO-DFID merger

Status: Closed Opened: 18 Jun 2020 Closed: 24 Sep 2020 15 recommendations 1 conclusion 1 report
Clear

Reports

1 report
Title HC No. Published Items Response
Second Report: Merging success: Bringing together the FCO a… HC 525 23 Jul 2020 16 Responded

Recommendations & Conclusions

3 items
3 Recommendation Second Report: Merging success: Bringin… Not Addressed

The FCO and DFID have shared ministers since February 2020, which may provide the model...

The FCO and DFID have shared ministers since February 2020, which may provide the model for ministerial portfolios in the new Department. However, it is not yet clear how many Ministers will serve in the new Department, whether the existing joint portfolios will be replicated, nor whether responsibilities will be … Read more

Government response AI summary
The government states that the existing FCO and DFID joint ministerial team is continuing in their roles with previous portfolios to ensure continuity, thereby not publishing a list of expected ministerial roles or their reasoning by the specified date.
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Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office
4 Recommendation Second Report: Merging success: Bringin… Not Addressed

In the interests of accountability, the Government should explain the process that led to the...

In the interests of accountability, the Government should explain the process that led to the decision to merge the FCO and DFID. We ask that the Government publishes the findings of its consultation, including a list of contributors and the timeframe in which it was executed. (Paragraph 14) Staff and … Read more

Government response AI summary
The government did not explain the process leading to the merger or commit to publishing consultation findings, a list of contributors, or timeframes, stating that the merger decision is a matter for the Prime Minister.
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Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office
14 Recommendation Second Report: Merging success: Bringin… Not Addressed

Ministers have suggested that the merger will deliver better value for money on overseas spending...

Ministers have suggested that the merger will deliver better value for money on overseas spending of UK taxpayer money, but have not clarified how this greater value will be delivered. The Government should provide a detailed explanation of how this merger will provide greater value for money on spending, and … Read more

Government response AI summary
The government did not provide a detailed explanation of how the FCDO merger will deliver greater value for money or how this conclusion was reached, instead reiterating that the primary purpose is policy alignment and greater effectiveness.
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Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office

Oral evidence sessions

1 session
Date Witnesses
7 Jul 2020 Lord Macpherson of Earl’s Court · HM Treasury, Tim Durrant · Institute for Government View ↗

Who gave evidence

2 witnesses
WitnessOrganisationSessions
Lord Macpherson of Earl’s Court · former Permanent Secretary HM Treasury 1
Tim Durrant · Associate Director Institute for Government 1

Correspondence

1 letter
DateDirectionTitle
7 Jul 2020 Correspondence with the Foreign Secretary on FCO-DFID Merger dated 23/6/2020 an…