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NEW: The @HMTreasury has asked government departments to identify "a minimum of 30% reduction" and cuts to their 2020 overseas aid — Official Development Assistance, ODA — spend
The "commission" to find the 30% reductions was made in writing and sent to departments. I have seen the document. Departments have been given only a few days to identify "areas that could be cut" and provide "a summary of Q1 underspend as well as projected Q2-Q3 underspend"
I am told the request was sent on Friday.
The document says: "Returns are required by:
DCMS, MOD, DIT: 24 June
BEIS, DEFRA, DHSC, HO, FCO: 25 June
DFID, Joints Funds Unit: 26 June"
The document says: "Returns are required by:
DCMS, MOD, DIT: 24 June
BEIS, DEFRA, DHSC, HO, FCO: 25 June
DFID, Joints Funds Unit: 26 June"
According to government officials, this timeframe means that there is no time for proper impact or risk assessments — and there is little or no scrutiny and oversight taking place
In its request, HMT asked departments to indicate whether cuts "would involve reneging on public commitments." According to sources, the government is worried about the possible bad publicity of cutting funds to programmes and projects it has already announced
Departments have been asked to explain how the spend they would like to keep contributes to five priority areas:
1. COVID-19
2. Climate change & girls education
3. Advancing Global Britain as a force for good
4. Bottom billion poverty reduction
5. Protecting operational capacity
1. COVID-19
2. Climate change & girls education
3. Advancing Global Britain as a force for good
4. Bottom billion poverty reduction
5. Protecting operational capacity
While the Prime Minister has committed to spending 0.7% GNI on development, the timing of FCO/DFID merger, these 5 priority areas and the proposed cuts, suggest, according to sources:
1) the UK intends to use foreign aid as leverage to pressure countries into trade agreements
1) the UK intends to use foreign aid as leverage to pressure countries into trade agreements
2) Funds recouped from underspend, or from programmes/projects paused because of Covid, and are to be repurposed may be presented as new funding by the government when this isn't really the case. Funding to key agencies, projects and organisations is being cut by stealth
Key people in the civil service at all levels had no advance notice of the timing of the FCO/DFID merger. A source said there was no communication nor consultation nor preparation
Officials in the UK and diplomats around the world had no advance script or messages so when approached by counterparts from other governments and agencies were left blindsided and red faced. This is not normal for a change of this magnitude, a source said. It was "amateur hour".
Govt response:
HMG Spokesperson: "The government is committed to spending 0.7 per cent of our national income on aid, which is enshrined in law. Given the expected fall in Gross National Income this year, commitments of aid spending are being reviewed across all departments.”
HMG Spokesperson: "The government is committed to spending 0.7 per cent of our national income on aid, which is enshrined in law. Given the expected fall in Gross National Income this year, commitments of aid spending are being reviewed across all departments.”
