Source · Select Committees · International Development Committee
Recommendation 9
9
Rejected
Repeated UK aid budget cuts damage reputation and hinder long-term Value for Money.
Conclusion
Guaranteed, long-term funding for programmes is essential for ensuring that VfM is achieved, and that the impact of FCDO work continues to be felt long after the end of a programme. In the last five years, the UK has significantly cut its aid budget twice—damaging not just its international reputation and standing, but also those most in dire need of assistance. (Conclusion, Paragraph 37) 45
Government Response Summary
The government disagrees with the conclusion, reiterating its commitment to returning to 0.7% ODA when fiscal circumstances allow, based on OBR forecasts, and notes these conditions are not met within this Parliament.
Government Response
Rejected
HM Government
Rejected
Disagree. The Government is committed to returning to spending 0.7% of GNI on ODA as soon as fiscal circumstances allow, and when the Office for Budget Responsibility’s (OBR) fiscal forecast confirms that, on a sustainable basis, the UK is no longer borrowing for day-to-day spending and underlying debt is falling (the ODA fiscal tests). The government will continue to monitor future forecasts closely, and each year will review and confirm, in accordance with the International Development (Official Development Assistance Target) Act 2015, whether a return to spending 0.7% of GNI on ODA is possible against the latest fiscal forecast. The OBR’s latest forecast shows that the ODA fiscal tests are not due to be met within this Parliament.