A cross-party group has called on the Government to “allay the widespread concern” that UK international aid is under threat because of the axing of the Department for International Development (DfID) by agreeing to new Parliamentary scrutiny.
Former Liberal Democrat Chair of the International Development Committee Lord Malcolm Bruce, who has coordinated the cross-party efforts, warned the Government must show it is “not turning its back on the world’s poorest.”
In a letter to the Prime Minister, signed by over 70 parliamentarians, the group call for the Government’s support to retain the Independent Commission for Aid Impact (ICAI) and International Development Committee. The group also asks for a commitment to have a Development Minister in the Cabinet.
Among the cross-party group include a number of former Ministers in DfID, the former Secretary of State for International Development and Conservative MP Andrew Mitchell, and the current Chair of the Committee Labour MP Sarah Champion.
Former Chair of the International Development Committee and Liberal Democrat Peer, Malcolm Bruce, said: “From building health systems to girls’ education and support for the disabled, the UK has long been renowned as a world leader in helping the most vulnerable through international aid.
“It is no wonder that so many NGOs fear for the future of that vital aid in the wake of the nonsensical axing of DfID. The Government must show it is not turning its back on the world’s poorest.
“The merger of DfID and the FCO will inevitably put effectiveness at risk. There is no two ways about it, we cannot afford to have Ministers sidestep parliamentary scrutiny.
“The combination of ICAI and the International Development Committee, put in place by Andrew Mitchell MP, has proved highly effective at scrutinising and monitoring the UK aid policy and programmes. The Prime Minister should therefore agree to retaining ICAI and the International Development Committee and make a commitment to have a Development Minister in the Cabinet.”