The UK’s ability and knowledge in providing foreign aid has decreased after the merger of international development with the Foreign Office, according to a report by the UK’s public spending watchdog.
The National Audit Office, which is accountable to parliament regarding government expenses, stated that the relocation of the department under the supervision of Boris Johnson in the Foreign Office resulted in a decrease of specialized senior positions in development.
It was stated that this has damaged the reputation and responsibility of the UK’s ability to provide development aid, exacerbated by the government’s reduction of the aid budget following the decision to no longer meet the target of spending 0.7% of national income.
Charities confirmed the report’s accuracy, citing a lack of planning and consultation during the merger of the Foreign Office and the Department for International Development in 2020.
The NAO reported that the recent departmental merger had shown significant advancement, but there is still room for improvement in terms of clearly defining its requirements, addressing lingering problems with HR and IT, and implementing cultural changes. The report also stated that the merger incurred a minimum expense of £24m, but the potential gains and cost-cutting measures resulting from the merger were not effectively monitored.
FCDO’s development capacity has decreased following the merger. Leadership structures and roles within FCDO have been altered to incorporate both development and diplomacy.
According to the report, the elimination of senior development positions in certain international locations has decreased effectiveness and damaged the credibility and accountability of FCDO’s official development assistance (ODA). This has resulted in negative consequences.
The amount of positions for expert development advisers decreased by 14% from 867 in 2019 to 747 in 2022, despite some internal and external replacements. The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) is aware of the potential harm of losing its knowledge and abilities in international development, which is currently considered a serious issue, and is taking steps to reduce this risk.
The auditor general, Gareth Davies, commended the Foreign Office for implementing “sensible measures” to resume the merger despite facing various challenges such as the pandemic and geopolitical conflicts in Afghanistan and Ukraine.
He stated, “Despite the merger taking place over three years ago, there are still tasks to be completed in order to address any remaining issues, ensure that fundamental requirements are met, and attain the full advantages of a fully integrated department.”
In general, it is important for the government to consider the expenses associated with large-scale changes, such as the impact on productivity and available resources. These costs should be thoroughly evaluated in comparison to the expected advantages.
The decision by the government to proceed with the merger has been criticized multiple times by aid organizations and political opponents, who claim it will negatively impact the efficiency of Britain’s aid expenditures.
According to Gideon Rabinowitz, the director of policy at Bond, a UK network for organizations in international development, the merger of the FCDO was carried out without proper consultation and preparation. This has resulted in a damaging decline in the government’s development expertise. It is concerning that even three years later, the department has classified the risk of losing its international development skills and expertise as “severe.”
It is imperative that the FCDO promptly resolves these major deficiencies in order to effectively promote development objectives both within the department and throughout the government, as well as to address pressing development needs.
Oxfam expressed serious concern over the loss of international development knowledge as a result of the unwise decision to merge.
A representative from the organization stated that despite numerous warnings, the government ignored the potential negative impact of the merger on impoverished individuals globally.
“Allocating a significant portion of the aid budget within the UK has only exacerbated the issue. As low-income communities across the globe struggle with conflict, climate change, and inequality, it is crucial to have a well-equipped and autonomous international development department focused on building partnerships with the developing world and effectively combatting poverty.”
A representative from the FCDO stated: “The merge has provided us with the necessary integrated capability to expand and advance our goals in foreign policy, national security, and international development in a more efficient and connected manner.”
According to the report, we have made considerable strides towards our goals by leveraging our expertise to address emergencies and prioritize UK interests.
“We are aware that there is still work to be done, and we are dedicated to fulfilling the objectives of the FCDO. Our recent efforts, such as appointing a second permanent undersecretary with a specific focus on development, have enabled us to effectively integrate our diplomatic, consular, and development efforts to benefit the UK.”
Source: theguardian.com
