Pitch Parliament an international development inquiry

• International Development Committee

Anyone is welcome to submit an idea, whether from the UK or overseas. The Committee is particularly interested in hearing from people under-represented in international development debates, such as those with direct experience of aid, vulnerable groups or inter-disciplinary researchers.

Proposals should fall within the Committee’s remit to examine the international aid functions of the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, and Official Development Assistance (ODA) across Government departments.

Issues relevant to the Committee could include poverty reduction, humanitarian support, good governance, energy and climate change, food security and nutrition, global health and the rights of women and girls.

Scope of the proposal

Full terms of reference for proposals are available on the Committee’s website. Guiding questions include:

• Why should the International Development Committee examine this area?
• Why is it the right time for the Committee to examine the area?
• Why would this area benefit from parliamentary scrutiny (that is, the close investigation of Government policies, actions and spending)?

Chair comment

Chair of the International Development Committee, Sarah Champion MP, said:

“Let’s be honest; we only know what we know. Our Committee is tasked by Parliament to scrutinise the Government’s actions on international development, so it is vital that we hear from those who are typically less heard in our policy debates.

“What international development issues are flying under the radar? What is potentially missing from the Government’s aid agenda?

“I’m delighted to launch this call and look forward to hearing new perspectives and bold ideas about the future of the UK’s international development work.”

Further information

The International Development Committee scrutinises the work of the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office in respect of aid policy, and the expenditure of Official Development Assistance across UK government departments.

It is not a government committee but a select committee of the House of Commons with a key role in holding ministers to account. Any of our inquiries would correctly be described as a ‘parliamentary inquiry’ and not a ‘government inquiry’

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