Question to the Department for International Development:

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, pursuant to the Answer of 13 February 2019 to Question 217656, what steps are being taken to streamline and standardise her Department’s reporting requirements for UN agencies.

Where possible, DFID aims to draw on partners’ existing reporting systems and management information to monitor and evaluate our programmes. For example, our UN core funding is linked directly to agencies’ own results frameworks and annual reporting cycles. In addition, where DFID co-funds UN programmes with other donors, where possible, joint reporting arrangements are put in place.

However, large, complex projects in high risk contexts expecting to deliver big results may require additional reporting. As set out in our management response to the ICAI review of the UK’s approach to funding the UN humanitarian system, we will soon launch a new programme delivery learning package for staff to support greater understanding and consistency of reporting requirements across DFID’s country network. We will also look to ensure that lessons generated through the Grand Bargain harmonised reporting pilots process inform our approach to reporting, whilst still ensuring close oversight and accountability for tax payer funds.