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Select committee: International Development Committee

9th Report - Future of UK aid and development assistance: interim report

HC 1330 Published 5 February 2026

International Development Committee Future of UK aid and development assistance Report on parliament.uk ↗

At a glance11 recommendations and 12 conclusions · Government response published 22 April 2026 (deadline 5 April 2026)

The government's response

Summary written by Accountability Index from the government's response. It is not the government's own words.

The Government's response is mixed: it disagrees with the recommendations for a multilateral development review, a communication plan and data improvements, and a pause to restructuring, partially agrees on staffing capability, bilateral spend and spending priorities, and agrees on the Independent Commission for Aid Impact (ICAI).

  • On the recommendation for a multilateral development review before the end of 2026, the Government's response is "Disagree". It says the FCDO already evaluates the multilateral portfolio as part of the Spending Review and scrutinises funding under the Programme Operating Framework.
  • On workforce, it partially agrees with the recommendation for a skills audit and staffing assessment (Recommendation 3) but disagrees with the call to pause restructuring (Recommendation 7). It says the process "is not being rushed" and that a Workforce Strategy for the Spending Review period is being developed.
  • On bilateral spend, it partially agrees. It says posts "will have the flexibility and autonomy to deliver the programmes our partners want and need" and that Centrally Managed Programmes "have undergone a thorough review" during resource allocation.
  • On ICAI, it agrees and commits to supporting it "for at least the next 3 years". Programme allocations will average £1.68m a year, with exact profiling by year "subject to further discussions with ICAI".

Read the government's response ↗ Report an error

Sources

Recommendations and conclusions 23

  1. 1
    Government lacks clear strategy for aligning multilateral ODA spending with its principles. Conclusion · addressed to Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office Conclusion (the committee's words)
    The Government plans to spend a greater proportion of its shrinking ODA pot through multilateral institutions. There is logic to this, but the Government is yet to set out how it will ensure that its multilateral programme spending is used in line with its principles for ODA spend. (Conclusion, Paragraph 11)
  2. 2
    Multilateral development review urgently needed for understanding ODA commitments and performance. Conclusion · addressed to Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office Conclusion (the committee's words)
    A multilateral development review is urgently needed to underpin the change in proportion of ODA spent through this channel. The Government needs a clear understanding of its current commitments and the performance of multilateral organisations it supports. (Conclusion, Paragraph 12)
  3. 3
    Commission a multilateral development review to report on supported organisations' performance by 2026. Recommendation · addressed to Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office Recommendation (the committee's words)
    The Government should commission a multilateral development review to consider and report on the performance of the organisations it supports, before the end of 2026. (Recommendation, Paragraph 13)
  4. 4
    Government must maintain accountability and leverage UK soft power in ODA spending. Conclusion · addressed to Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office Conclusion (the committee's words)
    It is the responsibility of the Government to remain accountable to the public, principally through Parliament, on how ODA is spent. However, it is also morally obliged to be accountable to those receiving UK ODA and their governments. We agree with the Development Minister that ODA should not be seen as simply a tool for increasing the influence of the UK. However, in a contested world, the UK cannot allow any misunderstanding about its commitment to its bilateral partners which could give its adversaries a foothold. Moreover, as the Government recognises, the UK’s diplomatic capital allows it to affect changes that dramatically improve the lives of the poor. This leverage must not be diminished through weak communications over the UK’s financial commitments or lack of oversight over programmes it funds. The Committee see the value of UK soft power in promoting human rights, democracy and the rule-based international order. The UK can and should be unashamed to promote its values, language, and culture in a world where significant powers, who do not share our values, are expanding their influence. (Conclusion, Paragraph 16) 14
  5. 5
    Establish communication plan with partners and improve FCDO data accessibility on multilateral spending. Recommendation · addressed to Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office Recommendation (the committee's words)
    To improve communication and transparency around multilateral spend, we recommend that: a. the Government works with multilateral partners on a communication plan which will convey to bilateral partners and the UK public the work that the UK Government supports; b. the FCDO takes urgent steps to improve the accessibility of data on multilateral programming available to the aid sector and the public. (Recommendation, Paragraph 17)
  6. 6
    Government has not safeguarded internal resources to maintain multilateral ODA influence and expertise. Conclusion · addressed to Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office Conclusion (the committee's words)
    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)
  7. 7
    Assess staffing requirements for multilateral partner reform and retain capacity under FCDO 2030. Recommendation · addressed to Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office Recommendation (the committee's words)
    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)
  8. 8
    In-country missions require greater autonomy for ODA spending within the FCDO policy framework. Conclusion · addressed to Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office Conclusion (the committee's words)
    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)
  9. 9
    Earmark bilateral ODA and grant missions autonomy for Centrally Managed Programme approval. Recommendation · addressed to Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office Recommendation (the committee's words)
    To enable the FCDO to provide relevant and impactful support in its bilateral partner countries: a. sufficient levels of bilateral ODA must be earmarked for programmes, the design and delivery of which would be overseen by the FCDO (and other delivery departments) in-country; b. Centrally Managed Programmes (CMPs) need to undergo a thorough review to ensure that central oversight is providing the best value for money. Missions must have the structures and independence to approve CMPs based on their own strategic priorities and understanding of the local development context. They must also have the freedom and expertise to assess the impact of CMPs, requiring intentional communication with the programme managers. (Recommendation, Paragraph 25) 15
  10. 10
    Encourage collaboration among missions to efficiently utilise funds and expertise on shared opportunities. Conclusion · addressed to Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office Conclusion (the committee's words)
    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)
  11. 11
    Badly designed development and humanitarian assistance poses risks to beneficiaries and UK reputation. Conclusion · addressed to Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office Conclusion (the committee's words)
    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)
  12. 12
    Ensure missions have access to in-house thematic, geographic expertise, and vital local staff. Recommendation · addressed to Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office Recommendation (the committee's words)
    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)
  13. 13
    Provide details on prioritising poverty reduction during FCDO departmental restructuring. Recommendation · addressed to Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office Recommendation (the committee's words)
    We request that, in its response to this report, the Government provides details on how it intends to prioritise poverty reduction as it restructures the department. (Recommendation, Paragraph 30)
  14. 14
    Committee reiterates concerns regarding FCDO 2030 programme sequencing and implementation speed. Conclusion · addressed to Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office Conclusion (the committee's words)
    We reiterate our previous concerns around the sequencing and speed of the FCDO 2030 programme. (Conclusion, Paragraph 32)
  15. 15
    Pause FCDO restructuring until staffing, skills, equalities, and ODA impact assessments are completed. Recommendation · addressed to Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office Recommendation (the committee's words)
    We call on the Government to pause the processes currently underway until the following actions have been completed: a. a structured assessment of staffing required to deliver the Government’s priorities both in the UK and in countries with a diplomatic mission, to be presented in a Workforce Plan for this spending review period; b. a thorough skills audit and an equalities impact assessment to support and inform the Workforce Plan; c. an assessment of the impact of the ODA programming decisions on the extreme poor, as well as the UK’s ability to lead diplomatically on key issues impacting them. (Recommendation, Paragraph 33)
  16. 16
    Alarm over Development Minister's apparent misunderstanding of ICAI's distinct role. Conclusion · addressed to Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office Conclusion (the committee's words)
    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)
  17. 17
    Maintain full funding for ICAI until a comprehensive assessment of future arrangements. Recommendation · addressed to Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office Recommendation (the committee's words)
    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)
  18. 18
    Keep Committee fully appraised of Government's work and decisions regarding ICAI's future. Recommendation · addressed to Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office Recommendation (the committee's words)
    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)
  19. 19
    ODA resourcing decisions must prioritise greatest need in fragile and climate-vulnerable states. Conclusion · addressed to Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office Conclusion (the committee's words)
    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)
  20. 20
    Upholding rights and potential of marginalised groups and women should be UK ODA priorities. Conclusion · addressed to Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office Conclusion (the committee's words)
    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)
  21. 21
    Ensure FCDO retains expertise and provides gender-specific funding to empower marginalised groups. Recommendation · addressed to Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office Recommendation (the committee's words)
    The FCDO must have the expertise and resources required to empower marginalised groups in decision-making forums, as well as the ability to equip them in their efforts to bring about lasting change in their communities. The FCDO will need to ensure that, through its spending allocations, it retains centralised and local gender expertise. It will also need gender-specific bilateral funding to achieve its aims. (Recommendation, Paragraph 42)
  22. 22
    Government must maintain flexibility within ODA priorities to respond to interconnected development challenges. Conclusion · addressed to Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office Conclusion (the committee's words)
    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)
  23. 23
    Consider interconnected challenges in fragile states when deploying ODA financial and human resources holistically. Recommendation · addressed to Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office Recommendation (the committee's words)
    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