Labour leader Keir Starmer is backing away from his pledge to restore a separate U.K. international development department, despite huge criticism of aid delivery since the former Department for International Development, or DFID, merged with the Foreign and Commonwealth Office three years ago.
His officials are exploring whether a development “agency” within FCDO — with operational independence — could repair the U.K.’s tarnished reputation without the “disruption and cost” of another big institutional shake-up.
Another factor is a fear that a separate department would fail to “fit in” as effectively with other foreign policy “priorities,” a senior Labour source has told Devex — the reason given by the Conservatives for the controversial merger that created the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office in 2020.
About the author
Rob Merrick
Rob Merrick is the U.K. Correspondent for Devex, covering FCDO and British aid. He reported on all the key events in British politics of the past 25 years from Westminster, including the financial crash, the Brexit fallout, the "Partygate" scandal, and the departures of Boris Johnson and Liz Truss. Rob has worked for The Independent and the Press Association and is a regular commentator on TV and radio. He can be reached at rob.merrick@devex.com.
