The future of DFID

The Future of DFID

DFID's swan song: Report shows UK aid department progress over last 5 years

A report published as the U.K. Department for International Development closes provides detail on the millions of people supported by U.K. aid.

Brexit

EU Brexit negotiator wants 'framework' for development cooperation with UK

Meanwhile, the U.K. insists it will cooperate on a "case-by-case" basis.

The future of DFID

Exclusive: Non-UK DFID staff face uncertain future

Non-UK staff have been told they can remain in their current jobs after the DFID merger next month, but may not be able to move to new ones.

UK aid

Fraud against DFID nearly doubles in 3 years

But FCO reports just small instances of corruption, raising questions about transparency when DFID merges with it to become FCDO in September.

UK aid

Who is Philip Barton, new permanent undersecretary to FCDO?

The role is seen as a key appointment in the merger of DFID and FCO, and Barton will need to navigate various challenges.

UK Aid

Opinion: NGOs must step up to save UK aid

Amid the DFID merger and U.K. aid cuts, NGOs must draw on the lessons of past victories and earn public support with a new argument for aid — one framed by global common interests, according to this op-ed.

UK AID

Conference call: How FCO spends aid

Ahead of the upcoming U.K. DFID-FCO merger, Devex Data Journalist Lisa Cornish explores what the data says about FCO's approach to ODA spending.

UK aid

Exclusive: Senior UK MPs back new parliamentary committee to scrutinize ODA

The issue of parliamentary scrutiny has been raised repeatedly as details of the DFID-FCO merger are worked out.

The Future of DFID

The real lessons the UK can learn from the AusAID merger

Australia merged its development and foreign ministries back in 2013, offering the U.K. a look at how not to go about it.

The future of DFID

UK's reputation could be 'damaged beyond repair' by DFID merger

IDC chair Sarah Champion says there was "no consultation" on the upcoming DFID merger and "seemingly no evidence as to why this is a good idea."

UK aid

UK government dodges questions about the future of ICAI

The government failed to reassure parliamentarians concerned about the scrutiny of U.K. aid during a debate on the DFID-FCO merger Wednesday.

The Future of DFID

What the DFID-FCO merger could mean for the UK's multilateral relationships

It is both money and expertise that have won DFID influence within multilateral organizations, experts say. Will either be maintained in the new FCDO?

The Future of DFID

Opinion: The end of UK soft power

The end of DFID signals a reduction in expertise, less space for development at the top table, and ultimately less respect for the U.K., a former governance adviser to DFID in Pakistan writes in this analysis of the upcoming merger.

UK Aid

DFID merger causes 'serious transparency challenge' for UK aid

The "2020 Aid Transparency Index" shows a vast discrepancy in the transparency of aid spending by DFID and FCO, increasing concerns about their impending merger.

UK aid

UK will maintain aid-spending levels in poorest countries after merger, Raab says

Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab made the commitment while taking questions about the upcoming DFID-FCO merger in Parliament, but other key questions went unanswered.

The Future of DFID

IDC faces closure as chair calls for new committee to scrutinize aid

There are questions over how UK aid will be scrutinized following the merger of DFID and FCO.

The Future of DFID

Breaking: DFID merged with FCO

Opponents say the announcement marks the culmination of a slow-drain on DFID's influence, and worry about what it means for the future direction of U.K. aid.

The Future of DFID

DFID budget at risk under 'stealth review' of UK aid, MP claims

Sarah Champion, chair of the International Development Committee, accused the government of planning sweeping changes to aid without the knowledge of Parliament.

UK AID

Exclusive: DFID pauses 'some new decisions' as aid budget expected to fall

“All government departments are working through how their plans will need to change" in light of an expected recession, DFID wrote in a document to suppliers. "DFID is no exception."

Brexit

Brexit: UK will not seek a formal agreement with EU on development

Omar Daair, head of DFID's Europe department, said the U.K. will no longer put money through EU development channels after Brexit but will continue to cooperate in an "ad hoc" way.

The future of DFID

DFID's share of UK aid budget declines again

The latest figures from the U.K. government show that DFID's portion of the aid budget continued to shrink in 2019, with some characterizing the development as “disappointing” and “a concern.”

Brexit