Bond statement in response to ICAI follow-up review of 2019-2020 reports

Today the Independent Commission on Aid Impact (ICAI) published its annual follow-up review of its 2019-2020 reports.

Simon Starling, Director of Policy, Advocacy & Research at Bond, the UK network for organisations working in international development, said:

“The FCDO’s lack of progress remedying shortfalls identified by its own UK aid watchdog is very concerning. This lack of action and engagement sets a poor precedent for the quality of UK aid, as well as accountability for the British taxpayer and the communities UK aid supports.

With aid cuts now devastating programmes on the ground, it appears the merger of the FCO and DFID has contributed to UK aid regressing in terms of quality, transparency and openness. As the FCDO approaches its second year, we urgently need to see better engagement with ICAI and a recommitment to much-needed transparency.”

ENDS
Notes to Editor

ICAI follow-up review of its 2019-2020 reports can be found here.
The review examines progress made by aid-spending government departments and funds on addressing ICAI recommendations. It follows up on three reviews published in the last annual review cycle from July 2019 to June 2020. The follow-up also returns to four reviews published in previous cycles in order to address outstanding issues from last year’s follow up exercise.
The Independent Commission for Aid Impact (ICAI) scrutinises UK aid spending. The aid scrutiny body operates independently of government and reports to Parliament through the House of Commons International Development Committee or their ICAI Sub-Committee. ICAI works to ensure UK aid is spent effectively for those who need it most and delivers value for UK taxpayers.
Bond is the UK network for organisations working in international development. Bond unites and supports a diverse network of over 400 civil society organisations from across the UK, and allies to help eradicate global poverty, inequality and injustice.
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