Fears that the United Kingdom government may be preparing to shut down its independent aid watchdog have spread rapidly across the development sector in recent days, following unusually blunt ministerial remarks that appeared to put the future of the body in question.
But according to a letter sent by development minister Jenny Chapman to the chief commissioner of the Independent Commission for Aid Impact, seen by Devex, while ICAI is facing renewed budgetary and political pressure, there is currently no decision and no formal plan to close the watchdog.
The controversy was triggered last week during a hearing of the U.K. House of Commons’ International Development Committee, when Chapman was asked directly about the future of ICAI.
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About the author
Susannah Birkwood
Susannah Birkwood is a Devex contributing reporter focusing on U.K. aid policy and international development. She has reported on foreign aid budgets, peacebuilding, and the politics of the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office, drawing on more than 16 years of experience across newsrooms and NGO press offices. She has overseen major media campaigns for international NGOs, including WWF, ActionAid, and Plan International, and has advised a wide range of charities and INGOs on media strategy and press outreach.
