Recommendations & Conclusions
4 items
6
Recommendation
Fourth Report - Effectiveness of UK aid…
Deferred
Poverty reduction should continue to form a central part of the Government’s international policy. Accordingly, it should commit to targeting the majority of the UK’s ODA spend towards the very poorest countries. The Government should also set out how its refreshed international policy intends to work towards attainment of the …
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Poverty reduction should continue to form a central part of the Government’s international policy. Accordingly, it should commit to targeting the majority of the UK’s ODA spend towards the very poorest countries. The Government should also set out how its refreshed international policy intends to work towards attainment of the Sustainable Development Goals and ensure that no-one is left behind.
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Government response AI summary
The government commits to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals but defers setting out specific foreign policy priorities and how they will be achieved to the Integrated Review.
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Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office
13
Recommendation
Fourth Report - Effectiveness of UK aid…
Deferred
Multilateral spending forms an important part of the UK’s ODA, but we are concerned that the merger may lead to an increase in funds provided to these organisations for generalised future spending rather than targeted funds delivering immediate benefits. As part of the Integrated Review, the Government should set out …
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Multilateral spending forms an important part of the UK’s ODA, but we are concerned that the merger may lead to an increase in funds provided to these organisations for generalised future spending rather than targeted funds delivering immediate benefits. As part of the Integrated Review, the Government should set out its strategy for development spending through multilateral institutions over the next five years, including the proportions of UK ODA to be spent through bilateral and multilateral channels, whether it intends to honour existing agreements and how it will it will seek to influence these organisations to ensure that UK aid is spent in the best possible way. (Paragraph 91) Scrutiny arrangements
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Government response AI summary
The government states that its strategy for multilateral relationships and future ODA allocations, including the balance between bilateral and multilateral channels, will be considered as part of the Integrated Review and determined by the 2020 Spending Review.
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Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office
14
Recommendation
Fourth Report - Effectiveness of UK aid…
Deferred
In 2019, the UK aid budget totalled £15.2 billion. Given the size and complexity of this budget, thorough parliamentary scrutiny of UK aid spending is essential. This is best performed by a dedicated select committee which is able to take a holistic overview of UK ODA, ensuring that aid is …
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In 2019, the UK aid budget totalled £15.2 billion. Given the size and complexity of this budget, thorough parliamentary scrutiny of UK aid spending is essential. This is best performed by a dedicated select committee which is able to take a holistic overview of UK ODA, ensuring that aid is spent in a strategic and transparent manner on high-quality interventions. Therefore, we recommend the creation of a House of Commons Select Committee on Official Development Assistance (ODA), with a remit for scrutiny of the totality of the UK’s ODA spending.
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Government response AI summary
The government agrees on the importance of parliamentary scrutiny and notes that the structure and remit of select committees are ultimately a matter for Parliament, suggesting a new committee will likely be set up to scrutinise the new department.
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Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office
16
Recommendation
Fourth Report - Effectiveness of UK aid…
Deferred
Drawing upon the highly effective model of cooperation between the National Audit Office and Public Accounts Committee, the new ODA Committee should have responsibility for receiving and considering ICAI’s reviews. It should also have responsibility for the other aspects of cooperation and coordination with ICAI in which we currently participate, …
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Drawing upon the highly effective model of cooperation between the National Audit Office and Public Accounts Committee, the new ODA Committee should have responsibility for receiving and considering ICAI’s reviews. It should also have responsibility for the other aspects of cooperation and coordination with ICAI in which we currently participate, including recruitment of the Chief Commissioner and other commissioners; agreement of the forward work programme and commissioning work. (Paragraph 104) 40 Effectiveness of UK aid: potential impact of FCO/DFID merger
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Government response AI summary
The government commits to parliamentary and independent scrutiny but states that the specific form these arrangements will take following the merger will be set out in due course.
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Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office