U.K., Oct. 28 -- UK Parliament issued the following news:
The Chair of the International Development Committee has responded to the National Audit Office overview of the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office.
Published today, the overview examines the spending and performance of the department in 2025-2026.
Chair comment
IDC Chair Sarah Champion said:
"As the Government reduces aid spending and looks to implement the 'four essential shifts' in development policy, the NAO's overview of the FCDO's spending and performance over the last year does not fill me with confidence.
“My Committee has already heard deeply concerning accounts of the damage caused by sudden cuts to UK bilateral ODA, and we will continue to scrutinise the impact of these cuts and the way they are being implemented.
"We have also been clear that making a success of the essential shifts requires staff with the right expertise, and spend that is well targeted and accountable. Yet this report highlights the stark reality of the cuts in the face of the array of risks the department has identified, and it underlines the challenges facing the FCDO's development portfolio.
"If the UK is to make the most of its ODA despite the reduction to 0.3% of GNI then it will need to prioritise meeting these challenges, with key personnel in place to deliver the Government's vision.
"Many in the sector have highlighted that actual ODA spending in 2026/27 and 2027/28 may fall below forecast levels as a percentage of GNI. Though fluctuations in GNI or in ODA spending by other departments – such as Home Office spending on refugee costs – no longer automatically result in an increase or decrease in the FCDO’s aid spending, my Committee has called for the government to allocate any ODA underspend on UK refugee costs to international aid. Once again, I urge Ministers to commit to this."
Further information
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Image: House of Commons/Laurie Noble
Disclaimer: Curated by HT Syndication.
