Policy paper

Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office's review of the Independent Commission for Aid Impact

This report is the conclusion of the FCDO’s review of the Independent Commission for Aid Impact and makes recommendations on how ICAI can maximise its impact.

Documents

Details

This report follows the review of the Independent Commission for Aid Impact (ICAI) that the Foreign Secretary announced on 29 August 2020. ICAI’s purpose is to improve the impact of UK aid and identify what works in line with the Government’s aims for Official Development Assistance (ODA). The review aimed to ensure that ICAI’s remit and operating model are fit for purpose.

The report concludes that ICAI provides strong external scrutiny of UK ODA and offers excellent support to Parliament in holding the Government to account. It should continue to fulfil its role for ODA to ensure transparency and value for money in aid spending.

Recommendations that improve the impact of UK aid should be central to ICAI’s role and the way that the government, and others, work with ICAI. This review has found that ICAI can do more to help government deliver the best possible impact for UK aid. ICAI reviews should also give practical action-oriented recommendations.

See also the Foreign Secretary’s written ministerial statement.

Published 16 December 2020