DfID staff seek assurances after merger announcement
“Cast iron”assurances are being sought over the future of almost 1000 jobs in East Kilbride after a government merger.
Boris Johnson last week announced that the Department for International Development (DfID) and Foreign Office would join forces to create the Foreign Commonwealth Development Office.
That sparked fears over the future of 948 positions at Abercrombie House in East Kilbride, despite the Prime Minister himself reassuring workers their jobs were safe.
Mr Johnson said that the new development office would“unite our aid with our diplomacy,”but many fear the merger will adversely affect the UK’s humanitarian work carried out by the DfID.
As well as concerns surrounding job security, many have questioned what the DfID / FCO merger means for Britain’s humanitarian efforts.
Much of these stem from the DfID, with the department playing a key role in tackling Ebola, gender inequality, the crisis in Syria and the provision of lifesaving aid in emergencies.
Labour’s Monica Lennon called the merger a “bad decision” that could have “huge ramifications” for workers in East Kilbride.
The MSP said: “Labour created the DfID and provided global leadership that ensured Britain was a moral force for good in the world. Abolishing this department, which has done so much to tackle poverty and injustice, would be a deeply retrograde step at any time, let alone when global cooperation is needed more than ever.
“The work led by DfID staff in East Kilbride in fighting global poverty is a huge source of pride and I’m proud of Scotland’s role in this UKwide endeavour.”
Dr Lisa Cameron MP called Boris Johnson’s merger plans
“short sighted,” which would “abandon” the UK’s efforts to tackle poverty and delivering aid across world. She added: “It is vital that the Prime Minister sets out the evidence behind abolishing DfID when just six months ago, more than 100 charities specialising in humanitarian relief, girls’ education, global health, clean water and sanitation, strongly warned against it.
“Only last week, an interim report from the International Development Committee said the move would erode accountability and shift funds from poverty reduction.
“In taking this decision on DfID, the UK government is once again ignoring expert advice.”
MSP Linda Fabiani’s motion in the Scottish Parliament said the merger “threatened to compromise” the development and humanitarian work carried out by the DfID in an independent manner.
It also asked for it to be recognised that “Scotland contributes proportionately” to the global development and humanitarian work of DfID.