Source · Select Committees · International Development Committee
Recommendation 14
14
Deferred
Paragraph: 102
In 2019, the UK aid budget totalled £15.2 billion.
Recommendation
In 2019, the UK aid budget totalled £15.2 billion. Given the size and complexity of this budget, thorough parliamentary scrutiny of UK aid spending is essential. This is best performed by a dedicated select committee which is able to take a holistic overview of UK ODA, ensuring that aid is spent in a strategic and transparent manner on high-quality interventions. Therefore, we recommend the creation of a House of Commons Select Committee on Official Development Assistance (ODA), with a remit for scrutiny of the totality of the UK’s ODA spending.
Government response summary AI-generated
The government agrees on the importance of parliamentary scrutiny and notes that the structure and remit of select committees are ultimately a matter for Parliament, suggesting a new committee will likely be set up to scrutinise the new department.
Summary of the government's response below — read the verbatim text to verify.
Paragraph Reference:
102
Government Response
Deferred
HM Government · verbatim extract
Deferred
The Government agrees that Parliament has an important role in scrutinising UK aid spending. Select committees are fundamental in scrutinising the Government’s spending and policies, and we are grateful for the constructive and collaborative approach adopted by the International Development Committee. The Government’s view is that Select Committees in the Commons should generally mirror Government departments. The Prime Minister has said, he expects Parliament will want to set up a new committee to scrutinise the new department. Ultimately the structure and remit of Select Committees is a matter for Parliament.
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