Recommendations & Conclusions
16 items
6
Conclusion
9th Report - Future of UK aid and devel…
Acknowledged
To be effective, the Government’s aspiration to spend ODA more efficiently through a reformed multilateral system requires two things: influence and expertise. Both require money that is well targeted and accountable. The Government has not provided adequate reassurance that the internal resources needed to maintain this influence and expertise have …
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To be effective, the Government’s aspiration to spend ODA more efficiently through a reformed multilateral system requires two things: influence and expertise. Both require money that is well targeted and accountable. The Government has not provided adequate reassurance that the internal resources needed to maintain this influence and expertise have been safeguarded. (Conclusion, Paragraph 19)
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Government response AI summary
The FCDO is committed to ensuring it has the development capability and technical expertise needed, and is implementing a new Capability Framework and developing a Workforce Strategy.
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Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office
7
Recommendation
9th Report - Future of UK aid and devel…
Acknowledged
We urge the Government to fully assess requirements for the staffing required to oversee and support reform of the UK’s multilateral partners by an upfront skills audit focussed on what is needed to support a future aid landscape. Steps should be taken to ensure that this capacity is retained and …
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We urge the Government to fully assess requirements for the staffing required to oversee and support reform of the UK’s multilateral partners by an upfront skills audit focussed on what is needed to support a future aid landscape. Steps should be taken to ensure that this capacity is retained and built upon under the FCDO 2030 restructuring programme. (Recommendation, Paragraph 20)
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Government response AI summary
The FCDO is committed to ensuring it has the development capability and technical expertise needed, and is implementing a new Capability Framework and developing a Workforce Strategy.
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Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office
8
Conclusion
9th Report - Future of UK aid and devel…
Acknowledged
The FCDO has an impressive and nuanced understanding of situations on- the-ground through its overseas network and local staff. As part of the next round of spending decisions, in-country missions must have the autonomy needed to spend ODA within the Government’s wider development policy framework. (Conclusion, Paragraph 24)
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The FCDO has an impressive and nuanced understanding of situations on- the-ground through its overseas network and local staff. As part of the next round of spending decisions, in-country missions must have the autonomy needed to spend ODA within the Government’s wider development policy framework. (Conclusion, Paragraph 24)
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Government response AI summary
The FCDO says it is taking a partnership-led approach, giving the country network flexibility to deliver development partners want, and changing how Ministers approve bilateral programming; multiyear allocations include specific allocations for geographic areas and countries; and CMPs have undergone review to improve value for …
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Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office
10
Conclusion
9th Report - Future of UK aid and devel…
Acknowledged
Where missions across a region, or a thematic area, have identified shared opportunities and solutions, collaboration should be encouraged. Supporting such initiatives will be an efficient use of limited funds as well as a good utilisation of expertise, whether in the region or in the UK. (Conclusion, Paragraph 26)
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Where missions across a region, or a thematic area, have identified shared opportunities and solutions, collaboration should be encouraged. Supporting such initiatives will be an efficient use of limited funds as well as a good utilisation of expertise, whether in the region or in the UK. (Conclusion, Paragraph 26)
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Government response AI summary
The FCDO says it is taking a partnership-led approach, giving the country network flexibility to deliver development partners want, and changing how Ministers approve bilateral programming; multiyear allocations include specific allocations for geographic areas and countries; and CMPs have undergone review to improve value for …
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Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office
11
Conclusion
9th Report - Future of UK aid and devel…
Acknowledged
Badly designed and delivered development and humanitarian assistance is bad for the UK. It carries risks to those it is designed to serve and reputational risks to the UK Government. (Conclusion, Paragraph 27)
Government response AI summary
The FCDO says it is taking a partnership-led approach, giving the country network flexibility to deliver development partners want, and changing how Ministers approve bilateral programming; multiyear allocations include specific allocations for geographic areas and countries; and CMPs have undergone review to improve value for …
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Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office
12
Recommendation
9th Report - Future of UK aid and devel…
Acknowledged
Missions must, therefore, have access to in-house expertise both on the ground and in the UK. This expertise needs to cover both thematic issues relating to poverty alleviation, as well as the geographic knowledge of specific contexts. Local staff are absolutely vital for achieving effective projects that represent value for …
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Missions must, therefore, have access to in-house expertise both on the ground and in the UK. This expertise needs to cover both thematic issues relating to poverty alleviation, as well as the geographic knowledge of specific contexts. Local staff are absolutely vital for achieving effective projects that represent value for money. (Recommendation, Paragraph 28)
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Government response AI summary
The FCDO states that it is taking a partnership-led approach, that the country network will have flexibility to deliver development, and that Posts will be able to draw on central Communities of Expertise.
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Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office
14
Conclusion
9th Report - Future of UK aid and devel…
Acknowledged
We reiterate our previous concerns around the sequencing and speed of the FCDO 2030 programme. (Conclusion, Paragraph 32)
Government response AI summary
The FCDO is implementing a new Capability Framework, developing a Workforce Strategy for the Spending Review period and working through a detailed design process to ensure that the future FCDO workforce is sufficiently skilled to deliver Ministerial priorities within the agreed Spending Review settlement, but …
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Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office
16
Conclusion
9th Report - Future of UK aid and devel…
Acknowledged
The existence and adequate resourcing of the Independent Commission on Aid Impact sends a powerful message to all stakeholders that the UK takes transparency and value for money seriously. We are alarmed by apparent misunderstanding of the ICAI’s distinct role by the Development Minister. (Conclusion, Paragraph 35)
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The existence and adequate resourcing of the Independent Commission on Aid Impact sends a powerful message to all stakeholders that the UK takes transparency and value for money seriously. We are alarmed by apparent misunderstanding of the ICAI’s distinct role by the Development Minister. (Conclusion, Paragraph 35)
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Government response AI summary
The Government states they are clear about ICAI’s role and take ICAI reports seriously, and that they remain committed to supporting ICAI for at least the next 3 years; with a average programme allocation of £1.68m per year and £685,000 for operating costs.
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Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office
17
Recommendation
9th Report - Future of UK aid and devel…
Acknowledged
Whilst we agree that the value for money of every aspect of Government spending must be assessed, we caution against any rapid decision- making with regards to the ICAI’s future. Full funding should remain in 16 place until a final decision made—a decision based on an assessment of the existing …
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Whilst we agree that the value for money of every aspect of Government spending must be assessed, we caution against any rapid decision- making with regards to the ICAI’s future. Full funding should remain in 16 place until a final decision made—a decision based on an assessment of the existing arrangements compared against other options. (Recommendation, Paragraph 36)
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Government response AI summary
The Government states they are clear about ICAI’s role and take ICAI reports seriously, and that they remain committed to supporting ICAI for at least the next 3 years; with a average programme allocation of £1.68m per year and £685,000 for operating costs.
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Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office
18
Recommendation
9th Report - Future of UK aid and devel…
Acknowledged
As its Parliamentary oversight body, this Committee must be kept fully appraised of the Government’s work and decision-making around ICAI’s future. (Recommendation, Paragraph 37)
Government response AI summary
The government agrees that they take transparency and value for money seriously, that they are clear about ICAI’s role, and that they remain committed to supporting ICAI for at least the next 3 years.
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Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office
19
Conclusion
9th Report - Future of UK aid and devel…
Acknowledged
In the coming years, the greatest need will be in fragile and conflict- affected states, and states most vulnerable to climate change. Working in partnership to address these needs mutually benefits the affected countries and the UK. The empowerment and equipping of these states, and their civil society organisations, should …
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In the coming years, the greatest need will be in fragile and conflict- affected states, and states most vulnerable to climate change. Working in partnership to address these needs mutually benefits the affected countries and the UK. The empowerment and equipping of these states, and their civil society organisations, should be central to the FCDO’s approach. Resourcing decisions for ODA by the Government in the coming weeks and months need to accurately reflect where the greatest need is. They also need to reflect where preventative action is likely to have the greatest impact. (Conclusion, Paragraph 39)
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Government response AI summary
The government says it is transitioning to differentiated development partnerships based on mutual benefit and prioritizing ODA where humanitarian needs are most acute. It notes the importance of local civil society and the UK's International Strategic Framework on Women and Girls.
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Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office
20
Conclusion
9th Report - Future of UK aid and devel…
Acknowledged
Upholding the rights of marginalised groups, as well as realising the potential of women and girls in both achieving societal resilience and poverty reduction, should be strategic priorities for UK ODA. This must be reflected in the spending allocations. (Conclusion, Paragraph 41)
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Upholding the rights of marginalised groups, as well as realising the potential of women and girls in both achieving societal resilience and poverty reduction, should be strategic priorities for UK ODA. This must be reflected in the spending allocations. (Conclusion, Paragraph 41)
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Government response AI summary
The FCDO is transitioning to differentiated development partnerships based on mutual benefit and will prioritize geographic ODA where humanitarian needs are most acute, focusing on locally led approaches and reaffirming commitment to women and girls.
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Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office
22
Conclusion
9th Report - Future of UK aid and devel…
Acknowledged
The Government’s focusses on global health, and climate and nature are welcome. However, the Government must maintain the flexibility within these priorities to accommodate the interconnectedness of development challenges. It also needs the flexibility to be able to respond to needs expressed by its bilateral partners in governments and civil …
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The Government’s focusses on global health, and climate and nature are welcome. However, the Government must maintain the flexibility within these priorities to accommodate the interconnectedness of development challenges. It also needs the flexibility to be able to respond to needs expressed by its bilateral partners in governments and civil society. This is particularly important in fragile and conflict-affected states. (Conclusion, Paragraph 43)
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Government response AI summary
The government says it is transitioning to differentiated development partnerships based on mutual benefit and prioritizing ODA where humanitarian needs are most acute. It notes the importance of local civil society and the UK's International Strategic Framework on Women and Girls.
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Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office
23
Recommendation
9th Report - Future of UK aid and devel…
Acknowledged
We urge the Government to consider the nature of interconnected challenges such as nutrition, food systems, education, Water Sanitation and Hygiene, and governance challenges—particularly in relation to fragile and conflict-affected states—as it plans how it will deploy its financial and human resources in a holistic way over this spending period. …
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We urge the Government to consider the nature of interconnected challenges such as nutrition, food systems, education, Water Sanitation and Hygiene, and governance challenges—particularly in relation to fragile and conflict-affected states—as it plans how it will deploy its financial and human resources in a holistic way over this spending period. (Recommendation, Paragraph 44) 17
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Government response AI summary
The FCDO is transitioning to differentiated development partnerships based on mutual benefit, will prioritize geographic ODA where humanitarian needs are most acute, and are focusing on locally led approaches. The UK’s International Strategic Framework on Women and Girls reaffirms commitment to advancing the rights, safety …
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Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office
1
Recommendation
11th Report - UK Aid and Development As…
Acknowledged
In the coming months we expect to see much greater transparency from the Government over the evidence base for its newly articulated approach to international relief and development and the tangible impact it expects this to have. We anticipate more information on how it intends to communicate both the approach …
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In the coming months we expect to see much greater transparency from the Government over the evidence base for its newly articulated approach to international relief and development and the tangible impact it expects this to have. We anticipate more information on how it intends to communicate both the approach and its results, and how the various components will be brought together to form a coherent policy. (Conclusion, Paragraph 24)
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Government response AI summary
The government partially agrees, stating their approach draws on established evidence and that measurement of the shifts is part of ongoing discussions. They do not commit to specific timelines or methods for increased transparency on the evidence base or communication of results.
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Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office
3
Conclusion
11th Report - UK Aid and Development As…
Acknowledged
From the evidence we have received, and applying it to what we know of the Government’s approach, we have prepared a document to convert the Government’s ambitions into a policy to alleviate poverty. This outlines some of the key considerations that will need to be borne in mind as the …
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From the evidence we have received, and applying it to what we know of the Government’s approach, we have prepared a document to convert the Government’s ambitions into a policy to alleviate poverty. This outlines some of the key considerations that will need to be borne in mind as the Government’s aspirations are translated into practical policies. (Conclusion, Paragraph 26)
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Government response AI summary
The government acknowledged receipt of the report and the appended policy paper, expressing gratitude to the committee for its work.
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Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office