Bond warns of impact of FCDO staffing cuts on UK aid following Committee sessions
Yesterday, Tuesday 9th December 2025, senior civil servants at the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) were questioned by both the cross-party Foreign Affairs Committee and International Development Committee (IDC) on the work of the FCDO.
Permanent Under-Secretary Sir Oliver Robbins and Second Permanent Under-Secretary Nick Dyer, as well as FCDO Finance Director Tim Jones, gave evidence to the Committees on reported plans to cut UK staff at the FCDO by up to a fifth.
Bond, the UK network for NGOs, has previously warned of the impact of further narrowing development expertise and capacity within the FCDO on the delivery of UK Official Development Assistance (ODA). Bond’s Director of Policy and Advocacy, Gideon Rabinowitz, gave evidence to the IDC on the impact of budget and staffing cuts on the UK’s development work alongside other civil society experts, s part of an ongoing an inquiry by the IDC into the Future of UK Aid and Development Assistance.
Following yesterday’s Committee sessions, Bond remains concerned that ongoing staffing cuts at FCDO, taking place before the UK aid budget allocations for the upcoming financial year have been finalised, will deplete the UK’s ability to deliver on its international commitments, and calls on the UK government to explain how UK aid and development priorities will be managed with a reduced workforce.
Gideon Rabinowitz, Director of Policy and Advocacy at Bond, said:
Following yesterday’s Foreign Affairs and International Development Committee sessions into the FCDO, we remain concerned that ongoing FCDO staffing cuts – that are taking place before the 2026/2027 UK aid budget allocations are finalised – will deplete the UK’s ability to deliver on its international commitments.
Considering that the FCDO still “does not know the full answers” around its UK aid allocations for the upcoming financial year, it is surprising that decisions on restructuring its directorates have already been made. With 350 UK-based staff accepted for voluntary exit in this financial year so far, and restructures at the Director and Director-General level already implemented, FCDO risks losing key technical and thematic expertise essential for efficient UK aid delivery around the world. Vital relationships with local partners and civil society are also at risk, as budget cuts are also expected to impact country-based staff and local staff who hold valuable knowledge of the communities in which they work.
As the UK aid budget shrinks and FCDO internal capacity reduces, it is more important than ever that FCDO has the skills necessary to ensure each penny of UK aid is spent effectively. The FCDO must be more transparent on the strategy underpinning these staffing cuts – and outline how it will continue to meet its international commitments and reduce global poverty.
1. Read Bond’s reaction to news in July that the FCDO workforce will be cut by 15-25%, and our statement following IDC Chair Sarah Champion MP’s letter to the FCDO on staffing cuts.
2. Read Bond’s reaction to the FCDO annual report for 2024–25 and the equality impact assessment for 25/26.
3. Bond unites and supports a diverse network of over 350 civil society organisations from across the UK, and allies to help eradicate global poverty, inequality and injustice.
4. For further information or interviews, please get in touch with Emily Loynes at [email protected] or 07909947850
