Recommendations & Conclusions
12 items
3
Recommendation
7th Report – Assessing Value, Ensuring …
Accepted in Part
Alongside a clear VfM strategy and framework, the FCDO should publish detailed and practical guidance for its staff and partners on how to approach and conduct VfM assessments, particularly in respect to equity, ensuring that programme activities address the needs of the most marginalised in society. The FCDO should also …
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Alongside a clear VfM strategy and framework, the FCDO should publish detailed and practical guidance for its staff and partners on how to approach and conduct VfM assessments, particularly in respect to equity, ensuring that programme activities address the needs of the most marginalised in society. The FCDO should also ensure that all partners are informed of the latest VfM strategy, to ensure coherence. This guidance should be produced as soon as possible, in the least to coincide with the 2026 Spring Statement. (Recommendation, Paragraph 19) 44
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Government response AI summary
The government partially agrees, committing to update its internal PrOF Guide on Value for Money (VfM) for staff in 2026 and publish a version for external partners. It will also produce a specific internal 'Equity and VfM' guide for staff.
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Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office
4
Conclusion
7th Report – Assessing Value, Ensuring …
Accepted in Part
The Committee is disappointed to note that per the FCDO’s current published definition of VfM in its Programme Operating Framework, the department frames VfM in the context of value to the taxpayer, not improving the lives of those in poverty. Whilst accountability to the taxpayer should be a key facet …
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The Committee is disappointed to note that per the FCDO’s current published definition of VfM in its Programme Operating Framework, the department frames VfM in the context of value to the taxpayer, not improving the lives of those in poverty. Whilst accountability to the taxpayer should be a key facet of any VfM approach for a Government department, reducing poverty globally, and maximising the impact of each pound to do so, must remain the FCDO’s central tenet for ODA spending. (Conclusion, Paragraph 23)
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Government response AI summary
The government partially agrees, committing to update its Value for Money (VfM) guidance in 2026 to communicate more clearly the basis on which VfM is assessed. However, it clarifies that, in practice, its ODA expenditure assessments already focus on the impact on those living in …
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Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office
5
Conclusion
7th Report – Assessing Value, Ensuring …
Accepted in Part
It is essential that the FCDO makes it clear in all strategy frameworks and guidance documents that improving the lives of those in poverty is the core principle of the FCDO’s approach to VfM. All economy, efficiency, effectiveness and equity assessments must be explicitly considered against this principle. (Recommendation, Paragraph …
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It is essential that the FCDO makes it clear in all strategy frameworks and guidance documents that improving the lives of those in poverty is the core principle of the FCDO’s approach to VfM. All economy, efficiency, effectiveness and equity assessments must be explicitly considered against this principle. (Recommendation, Paragraph 24)
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Government response AI summary
The government partially agrees, stating it will update its Value for Money (VfM) guidance in 2026 to more clearly communicate to staff and partners that improving the lives of those in poverty is a core principle, while affirming that current assessments already align with this …
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Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office
6
Conclusion
7th Report – Assessing Value, Ensuring …
Accepted in Part
Sustainability is essential for ensuring that programmes have a long- lasting impact after a programme has ended. Despite broad recognition of the importance of sustainability, the FCDO is yet to formalise this within its VfM criteria. This should not just be an informal consideration within VfM assessments, but should mandatorily …
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Sustainability is essential for ensuring that programmes have a long- lasting impact after a programme has ended. Despite broad recognition of the importance of sustainability, the FCDO is yet to formalise this within its VfM criteria. This should not just be an informal consideration within VfM assessments, but should mandatorily and consistently measured throughout a programme. (Conclusion, Paragraph 28)
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Government response AI summary
The government partially agrees, stating sustainability is already integrated into its VfM approach but will develop refreshed VfM guidance in 2026 with a stronger focus on assessing sustainability at each stage.
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Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office
7
Conclusion
7th Report – Assessing Value, Ensuring …
Accepted in Part
The Committee recommend that sustainability should be a named central tenet of the FCDO’s VfM assessment criteria by the end of the 2025/26 financial year, and should be regularly and formally considered throughout the life of a programme. (Recommendation, Paragraph 29) The international development landscape and the UK ODA’s reduction …
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The Committee recommend that sustainability should be a named central tenet of the FCDO’s VfM assessment criteria by the end of the 2025/26 financial year, and should be regularly and formally considered throughout the life of a programme. (Recommendation, Paragraph 29) The international development landscape and the UK ODA’s reduction to 0.3%
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Government response AI summary
The government partially agrees, stating sustainability is already integrated into its VfM approach and that refreshed VfM guidance will be developed in 2026 to strengthen its assessment, but does not commit to making it a named central tenet by the specified deadline.
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Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office
22
Conclusion
7th Report – Assessing Value, Ensuring …
Accepted in Part
The Minister for International Development must ensure that there is coherence across the department in respect of promoting locally-led programmes and ensuring they deliver good VfM. This should include prioritising the development of a local leadership strategy as a cross- departmental piece of work that places lower- and middle-income countries …
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The Minister for International Development must ensure that there is coherence across the department in respect of promoting locally-led programmes and ensuring they deliver good VfM. This should include prioritising the development of a local leadership strategy as a cross- departmental piece of work that places lower- and middle-income countries at the centre. (Recommendation, Paragraph 68)
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Government response AI summary
The government partially agrees, stating it has added ‘locally led’ as a principle in the refreshed PrOF and will provide detailed guidance, indicating local leadership as an organizing principle but not explicitly committing to a new cross-departmental strategy.
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Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office
23
Recommendation
7th Report – Assessing Value, Ensuring …
Accepted in Part
Philanthropic organisations have considerable power that the FCDO is currently not wielding to its maximum impact. Whilst the Government must be aware of the risks and implement mitigations where possible, there are compelling reasons for the Department to improve engagement with philanthropic organisations. (Conclusion, Paragraph 74)
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Philanthropic organisations have considerable power that the FCDO is currently not wielding to its maximum impact. Whilst the Government must be aware of the risks and implement mitigations where possible, there are compelling reasons for the Department to improve engagement with philanthropic organisations. (Conclusion, Paragraph 74)
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Government response AI summary
The government partially agrees on the importance of philanthropic partnerships, stating it is committed to deepening these, has convened strategic roundtables, and is proactively assessing ways to systematically partner, including through strategic dialogues.
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Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office
24
Recommendation
7th Report – Assessing Value, Ensuring …
Accepted in Part
We recommend that the FCDO convenes regular strategic dialogues with philanthropists and development foundations to ensure that work can be aligned and complementary, and to encourage knowledge sharing. (Recommendation, Paragraph 75)
Government response AI summary
The government partially agrees, noting it already convenes strategic roundtables with philanthropists and is proactively assessing ways to systematically partner, including by convening strategic dialogues to align work and share knowledge.
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Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office
26
Conclusion
7th Report – Assessing Value, Ensuring …
Accepted in Part
It is essential that the FCDO requires all of its contracts with private contractors to adhere to the International Aid Transparency Initiative, not just most, to ensure that all implementers of UK ODA are held to the same transparency and accountability standards. (Recommendation, Paragraph 88)
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It is essential that the FCDO requires all of its contracts with private contractors to adhere to the International Aid Transparency Initiative, not just most, to ensure that all implementers of UK ODA are held to the same transparency and accountability standards. (Recommendation, Paragraph 88)
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Government response AI summary
The government agrees more can be done to improve IATI publishing and is reviewing its approach to partner publishing, aiming to increase the proportion of partners that publish data while streamlining the process. However, they acknowledge challenges with sensitive data and financial burden for implementers, …
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Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office
32
Conclusion
7th Report – Assessing Value, Ensuring …
Accepted in Part
Whilst the FCDO’s strong MEL processes help to ensure that programmes are delivering VfM, these expectations increase administrative demands on organisations delivering these programmes. This may lead to smaller NGOs not applying for programme funding. (Conclusion, Paragraph 102)
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Whilst the FCDO’s strong MEL processes help to ensure that programmes are delivering VfM, these expectations increase administrative demands on organisations delivering these programmes. This may lead to smaller NGOs not applying for programme funding. (Conclusion, Paragraph 102)
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Government response AI summary
The government partially agrees, acknowledging the need to ensure MEL requirements do not create barriers for smaller organisations. They commit to forthcoming updates to MEL guidance and programme performance reviews to reinforce a proportionate approach, and will work to eliminate obstacles for local actors.
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Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office
33
Recommendation
7th Report – Assessing Value, Ensuring …
Accepted in Part
Wherever possible, the UK should support smaller organisations in MEL processes without placing unrealistic expectations on the level of data and reporting they are able to provide. Whilst we recognise and agree that MEL is vital for ensuring VfM, this should not be at the expense of using local organisations. …
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Wherever possible, the UK should support smaller organisations in MEL processes without placing unrealistic expectations on the level of data and reporting they are able to provide. Whilst we recognise and agree that MEL is vital for ensuring VfM, this should not be at the expense of using local organisations. The FCDO should establish business hubs in partner countries to assist and support small organisations on the ground to meet MEL requirements. These hubs should include facilities such as feedback channels direct to the FCDO for local actors, which would aid in alleviating the excessive burden on organisations due to onerous, but necessary, MEL processes. (Recommendation, Paragraph 103)
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Government response AI summary
The government partially agrees, committing to ensuring MEL requirements do not create barriers for smaller organisations through proportionate application and forthcoming guidance updates. However, they do not accept the recommendation to establish business hubs, deeming a one-size-fits-all approach inappropriate.
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Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office
34
Recommendation
7th Report – Assessing Value, Ensuring …
Accepted in Part
To enhance the effectiveness and accountability of UK ODA spending, we recommend that MEL reporting requirements of ODA programming should be standardised across all Government departments. In line with our recommendation in Chapter 2, the Second Permanent Under-Secretary at the FCDO should have formal oversight of this, given their responsibility …
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To enhance the effectiveness and accountability of UK ODA spending, we recommend that MEL reporting requirements of ODA programming should be standardised across all Government departments. In line with our recommendation in Chapter 2, the Second Permanent Under-Secretary at the FCDO should have formal oversight of this, given their responsibility for ODA spend across Government. (Recommendation, Paragraph 104)
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Government response AI summary
The government partially agrees, noting existing cross-government guidance supports consistent MEL standards and that a refreshed ODA Delivery and Impact Board will improve data sharing and alignment across government. However, they do not fully commit to standardising all reporting requirements nor to the specific oversight …
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Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office