Source · Select Committees · Foreign Affairs Committee
Recommendation 10
10
The merger presents an opportunity for the FCO to learn from DFID’s positive record on...
Recommendation
The merger presents an opportunity for the FCO to learn from DFID’s positive record on transparency, and to be more proactive in publishing details of project expenditure. We recommend that the UK sets ambitious new commitments to aid transparency, to be reviewed on an annual basis. In its first year, the FCDO should strive to achieve a score of ‘Very Good’ on transparency of aid spending, as assessed by the Aid Transparency Index. The Government’s Development Tracker tool should also be maintained, as an effective way of accounting for aid spending to the public. (Paragraph 29) Merging success: Bringing together the FCO and DFID 17
Government Response
Acknowledged
HM Government
Acknowledged
The UK is globally recognised for its expertise and transparency in aid spending. The new Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office will continue to benefit from that expert knowledge as it delivers aid programmes to some of the world’s poorest people. We are committed to improving transparency of aid globally and maintaining our high standards for overseas spending. Work has begun to bring together DFID and FCO’s different data systems, to support efficiency and aid transparency. We anticipate that FCDO will be assessed in the next Aid Transparency Index (next occurring in 2022). We will continue to be accountable to parliament and to taxpayers for how we spend UK aid. The ‘Devtracker’ tool will be maintained as an effective way of presenting aid spending to the public alongside other methods.