‘Significant gaps’ in UK aid strategy in wake of cuts, MPs warn – as they call for more transparency
MPs have warned there are “significant gaps” in the UK aid strategy announced alongside sweeping cuts to the UK aid budget; MPs warned that key concerns raised included effective evaluation of aid outcomes and better communication about UK aid.
Government decision Cuts UK aid budget 0.5 to 0.3 percent of GNP withdrawn widespread criticism from the aid sector, fragile and countries affected by conflict It was praised for its reduced budget.
The new strategy also includes “four key changes” to the UK’s aid partnership strategy; from donor to investor; transition from international intervention working with more local partners; a shift from providing grants to sharing expertise; and the shift from service delivery to systems support.
The new report published by the International Development Committee (IDC) following an investigation, It contained evidence from IndependentWaist TrewHe says the government must now clearly outline how it will monitor and evaluate these changes and their consequences.
“As ministers begin to deal with the UK’s shrinking aid pot, there is some promise in the new approach they are setting out. So what evidence has informed their strategy? What tangible benefits is this expected to deliver?” In response to the report’s publication, IDC chief executive Sarah Champion said:
“The International Development Committee has found that there are still significant gaps in what we know so far. We are calling on the FCDO to fix this.” [Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office] “We will explain what success will look like and how our external partners will be involved,” he continued. “Beyond that, the government must clearly take steps to regain public trust and rebuild the aid situation.”
The report states: “A clear, qualitative and quantitative description of what success looks like is needed.” He adds that there needs to be “a model for how development partnerships are designed” that includes “clearly defined roles for FCDO missions, external stakeholders and departmental support.” ‘
Another part of the UK’s new aid strategy is prioritizing aid. multilateral institutions Like UN organizations. Here too, IDC recommends that there should be an evidence base regarding which organizations and mechanisms they choose. [the UK] will invest” and a clear plan for how this support will align with the UK’s own aid priorities.
Elsewhere in the report, the IDC calls for a fifth key strategic change in the government’s approach to more effectively communicate the value of UK aid, including why it is in the UK’s own interest to send public money abroad.
The report says the government needs to get better at telling the story of how foreign aid is of great strategic value to the UK in its ability to deal with problems such as conflicts abroad and illegal immigration. These words echo Jan Egeland, secretary general of the Norwegian Refugee Council, who said aid cuts were “big strategic mistake”.
A better communication strategy also Independent’In his evidence to the IDC, Bel Trew also made a recommendation: Call to protect HIV finances and help end the AIDS epidemicThis is what the government wants ultimately failed in program allocations announced last month.
Other recommendations in the IDC report include a call for investment in staffing FCDO missions to ensure the UK can effectively deliver strategic change towards new aid priorities.
The report also states that the current strategy is to use a significant part of the foreign aid budget for financing. internal refugee costs This situation in the UK is the “antithesis” of a “proactive and strategic approach to aid”.
The report recommends that the government now prioritize declassifying spending on refugees from its aid budget, and that aid will now only be used for overseas spending.
FCDO appealed Independent for comment
This article was produced as part of The Independent. Rethinking Global Aid project
