Committee Chair comments on publication of National Audit Office report on FCDO merger

• International Development Committee

Sarah Champion MP, Chair of the International Development Committee, said:

“We said the FCDO merger was a bad move at a bad time and this NAO report only reinforces that. It should have been obvious that the middle of a global pandemic was not the moment for significant upheaval at two internationally-focussed Departments.

“The merger hasn’t realised efficiency savings or the benefits that were envisioned. You have to question if the merger was anything other than ideology as it can’t be shown to have offered value for taxpayers. The NAO can only find ‘success’ against the scaled back version of unrealistic plans. The UK has taken a hit to its international standing and to the impact of our aid spending.

“Perhaps the biggest loss is in staffing. Civil servants, long recognised as excellent across both original Departments, have seen losses in their engagement, productivity and many have simply left.

“The Government should now urgently take back some control of these impoverished outcomes and claw ODA budget funding back from the Home Office, which has been taking a staggering, increasing chunk away from its rightful purpose - addressing the great humanitarian challenges of our time.”

Further information

• About Parliament: Select committees
• Visiting Parliament: Watch committees

Image: Flickr