The United Kingdom’s international development minister confirmed last week that multiyear aid allocations for 2026-29 have still not been published, months after they were due to be released, as the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office grapples with a 40% cut to overseas development spending. Development minister Jenny Chapman also signaled a potential rethink of aid oversight itself at a parliamentary hearing.
Facing scrutiny from members of Parliament as she attended the House of Commons’ international development committee hearing on Jan. 20 over how a sharply reduced aid budget can still deliver development impact, Chapman offered no firm timeline for release of the figures, simply saying they would be published “as soon as possible.” This is despite FCDO promising in a July 2025 news release to publish indicative multiyear aid allocations for 2026-27 onward by September to November.
Chapman said publication had been delayed after the government received updated impact assessments of the cuts, which she said would be published alongside the allocations. “We’re almost done,” she said. “I’m hoping it’s very, very soon — and I know I said that last time.”
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.
