Source · Select Committees · International Development Committee
Recommendation 22
22
Accepted
Paragraph: 107
The 2022 Aid Transparency Index noted the FCDO’s deterioration in transparency compared with DFID’s performance...
Recommendation
The 2022 Aid Transparency Index noted the FCDO’s deterioration in transparency compared with DFID’s performance in 2020, in part due to “inconsistent publication of results, evaluations and objectives.” The FCDO failed to publish detailed budgets in its Annual Report and Accounts 2022, which meant that we were unable to scrutinise its spending plans. We understand that allocations are subject to change, but the Department must set out provisional budgets in its annual report. Furthermore, the FCDO must address the issues highlighted by the 2022 Aid Transparency Index and return to the “very good” status previously achieved by DFID.
Government Response Summary
The FCDO commits to attaining "Very Good" in the 2024 Aid Transparency Index and intends to update planned ODA allocations in due course.
Paragraph Reference:
107
Government Response
Accepted
HM Government
Accepted
The FCDO is committed to being more transparent about our ODA spend. We can only meet our development aims when we work closely with our delivery partners and engage with the countries we work with, including being transparent on the nature and cost of the programmes and projects we are undertaking in these countries. As stated in the recent FCDO response to the Independent Commission for Aid Impact (ICAI)’s rapid review of UK aid transparency, the FCDO has made a public commitment to attain “Very Good” in the 2024 Aid Transparency Index. We intend to update planned ODA allocations in due course once we have worked through spending decisions.