Recommendation 1

Given the gap between the merger and the reporting date of the Integrated Review, the FCDO risks operating for months without clear strategic direction, which will be compounded by the likely productivity dips which follow departmental mergers. The FCDO is being created to bring coherent strategy to UK foreign and development policies at a time of global change, so establishing clear objectives at the departmental level is essential to ensure that the UK’s unified international policy is understood by those who are implementing it. We recommend that the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office consults with Parliament before publishing a clear set of strategic objectives by the end of September to ensure its staff and stakeholders understand its purpose, function and direction.