Committees

DFID's allocation of resources inquiry launched

15 December 2015

Following the International Development Committee's session on DFID's allocation of resources on 8 December 2015, it has agreed to conduct an inquiry to explore the subject further, including the implications of the spending review and the new aid strategy.

Scope of the inquiry

The International Development Committee invites written submissions into DFID's allocation of resources and, in particular, evidence should address some of the following issues:

  • What is the right definition of ‘fragile states'? What are the implications in defining fragility for DFID's decisions on where it works and how? For instance, how effective is the balance of spending through multilateral (60%) and bilateral partners (40%)?
  • What is the capacity of DFID and its partners to scale up in fragile states?
  • What choices and challenges does DFID face in determining where it will work in the future and what should inform those decisions?
  • What is DFID's capacity to deliver on both existing commitments and refocused priorities:
    o What are the implications of the security and prosperity agenda for delivery of the other Sustainable Development Goals and work to tackle extreme poverty both in the shorter and longer term?
    o What does DFID need to do to improve on past performance in the following areas?
     Security; and
     Economic development. 
  • What are the challenges ahead for ensuring effective design, delivery and accountability of ODA spend by other Government departments through cross-Government funds such as the CSSF and the new Prosperity Fund? What role can DFID play in ensuring value for money in all ODA spending?  What is the responsibility of other Government departments to comply with DFID's objective to reduce poverty? 
  • How effectively has DFID managed its operating costs and what are the implications of the new aid strategy for operating costs both centrally and in country offices?
  • What are the challenges of meeting Treasury non-fiscal spending requirements and will these be affected by the new aid strategy?
  • How has ‘payment by results' worked for DFID in the past (eg. 2014-15) and what are the implications of extending this approach as implied in the aid strategy?
  • How effective is DFID's approach to managing risk and how could or should this change to reflect new priorities under the aid strategy?
  • How has DFID performed on the targets and indicators it had in place to March 2015? How should targets and indicators be altered to reflect delivery against Government manifesto commitments and the priorities of the new aid strategy?

Written submissions 

The Committee invites submissions from interested organisations and individuals. The deadline for these is 10am on Monday 25 January.

The Committee considers requests for reasonable adjustments to its usual arrangements for taking evidence and publishing material, to enhance access. Please contact indcom@parliament.uk or telephone 020 7219 1223.

Get involved

The Committee will hold an evidence session on 19 January and asks stakeholders interested in giving oral evidence on that day to contact the International Development Committee (indcom@parliament.uk) as soon as possible, but by 11am on 4 January at the latest.

Further information

Image: DFID