Source · Select Committees · Foreign Affairs Committee
Recommendation 1
1
Paragraph: 8
Given the gap between the merger and the reporting date of the Integrated Review, the...
Recommendation
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.
Paragraph Reference:
8
Government Response
Acknowledged
HM Government
Acknowledged
As the new Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office sets its new priorities, it will be essential to draw on the outcomes of the Integrated Review and Comprehensive Spending Review to shape the objectives and systems of the new department. In turn, the Integrated Review and Comprehensive Spending Review will each benefit from the unified expertise of the new department, allowing us to maximise the UK’s influence around the world and safeguarding British interests and values overseas. Like any government department, the FCDO, its Secretary of State and its Ministers will be answerable to, and report to Parliament, through the usual methods of parliamentary scrutiny.