Bond's statement in response to the International Development Committee’s report on the definition and administration of ODA

Claire Godfrey, Head of Policy and Campaigns of Bond, the UK’s network of International Development NGOs said:

“We welcome the IDC’s recommendations because they put reducing poverty in the lives of others at the heart of aid spending. The quality of aid – and the British public’s trust in aid – would improve greatly if the Secretary of State were to be granted increased oversight for aid delivery across all government departments. We share the Committee’s concerns that other government departments and funds, including the prosperity fund and the conflict, stability and security fund, may not always prioritise poverty reduction, or meet the standards in effectiveness and transparency expected from the UK. There would also be better coherence across government which would ensure UK aid is aligned to tackling poverty, promoting sustainable development and gender equality.”

The International Development Committee also recommended that attempts to “manipulate” the definition of Overseas Development Assistance (ODA) risk damaging the UK’s reputation for expertise and professionalism in aid delivery, and stated that no major changes to the definition were required.

Responding to this, Claire Godfrey said:

“The current definition ensures that ODA spending is targeted on poverty reduction, and although imperfect, attempts to ‘update’ the definition risk unintended consequences and could place the UK’s global reputation in jeopardy.”

ENDS

Notes to Editor

Link to the International Development Select Committee report Definition and administration of ODA
Speaking in front of the International Development Committee, the Secretary of State for International Development stated that the 30% target for Official Development Assistance (ODA) spent by other government departments is not set in stone, and that ODA will only be spent by those who ensure that 0.7% is not just “spent well, but couldn’t be better spent”: Oral evidence: Definition and administration of ODA, HC 547
Bond is the UK network for organisations working in international development. Bond unites and supports a diverse network of over 450 civil society organisations and allies to help eradicate global poverty, inequality and injustice.
For further information please contact Maryam Mohsin, [email protected] or 07555 336029