Bond response to International Development Committee report on future of UK aid

Today, Thursday 5th February, the International Development Committee has published an interim report on the future of UK aid and development assistance, warning that the pace of changes within the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) could risk global poverty reduction being deprioritised.

The cross-party group of MPs have also expressed alarm that Ministers are considering scrapping the Independent Commission for Aid Impact, the public body responsible for scrutinising the UK government’s spending of UK aid. Bond has warned that there is a real risk that transparency and accountability will decline without the robust scrutiny that ICAI has provided to date.

Romilly Greenhill, CEO of Bond, the UK network for NGOs, said:

“Today’s interim report confirms what the UK NGO sector has warned: that the speed and scale of changes to the FCDO and the reduction of the UK aid budget, as well as the potential loss of essential scrutiny by ICAI, risk pushing global poverty reduction down the agenda – with devastating consequences for millions of people facing conflict, poverty and insecurity.

We share the committee’s concerns around the future of ICAI, the trusted independent body that holds the Government to account on UK aid spending. ICAI costs a tiny portion of the total UK aid budget (0.03%), yet plays a vital role in helping to ensure British taxpayers’ money delivers the most impact worldwide – whether in fighting the spread of disease, helping girls access education, or mitigating the deadly effects of climate change.

We also share the Committee’s concerns that the Government’s decisions on UK aid spending and staffing are being taken without sufficient strategic planning. Without clear guidance on how the Government intends to keep global poverty reduction as its key focus amid these changes, there is a serious risk that expertise, accountability and effectiveness will be lost. We urge the Government to pause irreversible staffing and funding decisions until we urgently see a full assessment of how the UK aid cuts will impact the world’s most marginalised communities.

The ongoing cuts to the UK’s aid budget are already costing lives and reversing hard-won progress achieved. It is essential that the Government now act on the Committee’s recommendations. The Government has a responsibility to ensure clear strategic direction and independent scrutiny underpin any decisions around UK aid spend – whilst keeping ultimate focus on the eradication of global poverty.”

ENDS. 

Notes for editors

1. The International Development Committee report is available to read here.
2. The Independent Commission for Aid Impact works to improve the quality of UK development assistance through robust, independent scrutiny.
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