‘Poorest in world will pay for Dfid decision’

The world’s poorest are “likely to pay the greatest price” following the prime minister’s decision to fold the Department for International Development (Dfid) into the Foreign Office, according to MPs.

In a move criticised by a host of his predecessors, Boris Johnson told Parliament last month that a “superdepartment” would be of “huge benefit” to Britain’s overseas aid mission.

However the Commons international development committee (IDC), in a newly published report, said the “impulsive” merger could reduce the UK’s standing in the world

“Now is not the time for a major government restructure”

and bemoaned the lack of consultation with the sector before the decision was announced.

The verdict to scrap Dfid as a department after 23 years comes with the world gripped by the coronavirus pandemic and the UK’s aid budget having to be slashed by more than £2 billion due to the resulting economic downturn.

The UK has legally committed to spending 0.7% of national income (GNI) on aid, meaning that when the economy contracts, the budget also tightens.

MPs on the IDC called the timing behind the creation of the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office “perplexing”, adding: “Now is not the time for a major government restructure.”

The decision puts the international response to Covid-19 in jeopardy at a time when global co-operation is needed.

Chairwoman Sarah Champion, a Labour MP, said: “Dfid gives the UK considerable international standing and is something we should all be proud of.”