Today (16/7/20) the International Development Committee (IDC) has released a report assessing the potential impact of the planned merger of DFID (Department for International Development) and the FCO (Foreign and Commonwealth Office) into the FCDO (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office). Speaking in response to the report’s findings, Romilly Greenhill, UK Director of The ONE Campaign, said:

“The FCDO has got its work cut out to show this isn’t change for the sake of it. In the midst of a global pandemic, the stakes for fighting poverty and disease have never been higher. The Government’s decision to merge these departments will be judged on its results alone.

“As this report underlines, UK aid will only remain among the world’s best if it stays poverty focused, effective and transparent. 

“UK aid must continue to meet these high standards, so it achieves maximum impact fighting poverty, and boosts our long-term national interest. This requires the new set up to retain proper parliamentary scrutiny of aid spending, the expertise from DFID, and leadership at the top table.”