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Select Committee · International Development Committee

The FCDO's approach to value for money

Status: Closed Opened: 13 Nov 2024 Closed: 11 Feb 2026 10 recommendations 28 conclusions 1 report

In November 2020, the Government announced a reduction of Official Development Assistance (ODA) from 0.7 per cent to 0.5 per cent of Gross National Income (GNI), a “temporary measure” until a set of certain fiscal rules were met. In the 2024 Autumn Budget, the Government confirmed that the FCDO would be held to the previous …

Clear

Reports

1 report
Title HC No. Published Items Response
7th Report – Assessing Value, Ensuring Impact: The FCDO's A… HC 422 29 Oct 2025 38 Responded

Recommendations & Conclusions

3 items
20 Conclusion 7th Report – Assessing Value, Ensuring … Acknowledged

Financial pressures risk undermining locally-led solutions and associated value for money benefits.

The Government has ambitious and earnest intentions for championing locally-led solutions. However, there is a significant risk that these ambitions could be lost amidst financial pressures, in favour of centrally managed programmes, and that the VfM benefits that localisation can offer will be lost. (Conclusion, Paragraph 66)

Government response. The government agrees with the observation, affirming its commitment to country-led, locally-led development partnerships and the Grand Bargain, recognizing their importance for value for money and effectiveness.
21 Recommendation 7th Report – Assessing Value, Ensuring … Acknowledged

Prioritise localised interventions for specific challenges to maximise ODA value for money.

The Government must prioritise localised interventions for context-specific challenges, including poverty reduction and community health. Given a reduced ODA budget, these interventions should be targeted towards areas with the highest level of impact to maximise VfM and fulfil the globally agreed Grand Bargain. (Recommendation, Paragraph 67) 47

Government response. The government agrees to prioritize localized interventions, stating that country-led, context-specific partnerships are central to its bilateral offer and that it remains committed to the Grand Bargain and advancing locally-led development.
30 Conclusion 7th Report – Assessing Value, Ensuring … Acknowledged

FCDO demonstrates a strong monitoring, evaluation, and learning culture and processes.

We have been glad to hear that there is a stronger evaluation culture in the FCDO than can be seen in many other Government departments, and that the FCDO’s monitoring, evaluation and learning (MEL) processes are strong in comparison to other international actors. There has been a clear continuity of …

Government response. The government acknowledges the committee's positive assessment, agreeing that the FCDO is a world leader in Value for Money (VfM) and has maintained the strong legacy of monitoring, evaluation, and learning processes from DFID.

Oral evidence sessions

3 sessions
Date Witnesses
17 Jun 2025 Alex Hurrell · Verian Group UK Ltd, Anisa Berdellima · MSI Reproductive Choices, Dr Brendan Whitty · St Andrews University, Mark Henstridge · Oxford Policy Management, Sinead Magill · Palladium Group View ↗
25 Mar 2025 Rt Hon Andrew Mitchell · House of Commons, Sarah Annable-Gardner · Action Through Enterprise View ↗
11 Feb 2025 Abdoulaye Fabregas · OECD, Dianne Stewart · The Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria, Jennifer Armitage · LAMP Development, Shamik Dhar · Deer Run Advisory, Stefan Dercon CMG · University of Oxford View ↗

Correspondence

3 letters
DateDirectionTitle
27 Mar 2025 — Correspondence from the Minister of State for International Development, Latin …
14 Mar 2025 — Correspondence from the Minister of State for International Development, Latin …
11 Mar 2025 — Correspondence from the Minister for the Indo-Pacific relating to the decision …