1
Conclusion
Fourth Report - Effectiveness of UK aid…
Rejected
Reorganising departments is not easy. In our view, the decision to merge the FCO and DFID into a new international department, the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO), is flawed on a number of grounds: • The decision was taken whilst the Integrated Review was paused, in its early stages, …
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Reorganising departments is not easy. In our view, the decision to merge the FCO and DFID into a new international department, the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO), is flawed on a number of grounds: • The decision was taken whilst the Integrated Review was paused, in its early stages, and far from ready to reach any decisions about future systems and structures. • Linked to the status of the Integrated Review, there appears to have been no structured consultation of the aid sector, either in the UK or internationally, nor other obvious stakeholders to inform the decision to merge DFID into the FCO. • It is also perplexing that the decision to merge DFID into the FCO was taken in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic. The decision puts the international response to COVID-19 in jeopardy at a time when global cooperation is needed. It is the world’s poorest and most vulnerable who are likely to pay the greatest price. • Little, if any, detail has been provided about the rationale for the decision or its timing, the options considered, likely costs and specific benefits, implementation plans for the reorganisation and how its success will be measured, the new department’s aims and objectives, and how it will tackle global challenges beyond aid.
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Government response AI summary
The government defends the merger of FCO and DFID, stating it reflects the Prime Minister's commitment to a unified British foreign policy and will maximise global influence. It argues the timing was right to shape the new department's objectives and unify the international COVID-19 response.
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Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office
2
Conclusion
Fourth Report - Effectiveness of UK aid…
Rejected
While merging departments may seem attractive short-term, with improved policy coherence and possible administrative savings, they can be extremely costly and disruptive and impair organisational effectiveness. In the long run, the creation of the FCDO could reduce the UK’s influence on the world stage.
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While merging departments may seem attractive short-term, with improved policy coherence and possible administrative savings, they can be extremely costly and disruptive and impair organisational effectiveness. In the long run, the creation of the FCDO could reduce the UK’s influence on the world stage.
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Government response AI summary
The government counters the committee's concerns, stating the merger is a key moment to maximise international impact and will make the UK a stronger force globally. While acknowledging potential costs, it states these are being monitored, commitments made to minimise them, and will be factored …
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Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office
8
Recommendation
Fourth Report - Effectiveness of UK aid…
Rejected
We recommend that the Government appoints a Minister for Development with responsibility for the totality of the UK’s aid spend, and that this Minister attends Cabinet. We also recommend that this Minister attends the National Security Council.
Government response AI summary
The government rejects the recommendation to appoint a dedicated Minister for Development who attends Cabinet and the National Security Council, stating that the Foreign Secretary is currently responsible for development and aid spend.
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Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office