Source · Select Committees · International Development Committee
Recommendation 14
14
Accepted
Paragraph: 75
The Government said in its response to our inquiry that it scaled back programmes in...
Recommendation
The Government said in its response to our inquiry that it scaled back programmes in “countries and regions that are better positioned to bounce back from COVID-19”. It is not clear what the basis was for the reductions of allocations by more than half in, for example, Yemen, South Sudan and Ethiopia. What is clear, not least from the cuts to programmes in Africa, is that impact on poverty reduction was given far less consideration than it should have been, given that that should be the primary purpose of UK ODA. The FCDO must urgently review the methodology used when making these cuts, and explain in its response to this report how it will avoid any such failures in future. In addition, as the FCDO “revisits” its allocations for the coming years, poverty alleviation must be the primary priority in determining where to focus and protect spending.
Government Response Summary
The FCDO states it has allocated its ODA budget in line with the International Development Strategy and that all ODA spent by the UK is required to meet the ‘primary purpose’ test that the provision of the assistance is likely to contribute to a reduction in poverty.
Paragraph Reference:
75
Government Response
Accepted
HM Government
Accepted
The FCDO has allocated its ODA budget in line with the International Development Strategy, particularly focussing on support for humanitarian programmes and women and girls, while also taking into account the potential new and emerging needs and priorities of our partner countries. FCDO experts have been empowered to determine with our in- country partners which programmes to continue in line with the Strategy. The IDS describes the FCDO’s commitment to “channel the majority of our ODA towards low-income countries where there is a clear commitment to progress”. All ODA spent by the UK is required to meet the ‘primary purpose’ test that the provision of the assistance is likely to contribute to a reduction in poverty. These legislative and policy commitments to the poorest have been, and will continue to be, met throughout the FCDO’s ODA allocation processes.