Question to the Department for International Development:

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, what recent steps he has taken to ensure value for money in Overseas Development Assistance.

Driving value for money in UK aid is critical to delivering the global goals, tackling extreme poverty and enhancing global security.

DFID has robust controls and processes in place to ensure each pound spent improves poor people’s lives. Indeed, in a recent review from the Independent Commission for Aid Impact (February 2018), which assessed DFID’s approach to Value for Money in programme and portfolio management, it was noted that DFID’s systems “improve the return on UK investment in aid”. It recognised DFID as “a global champion on value for money” and noted that “Value for money is fully embedded in our systems and processes.”

While we know DFID deserves this praise, we also know we can always improve and are not complacent in our efforts to strengthen our approach. That is why we are seeking to develop a stronger approach to capturing the impact of our spend to ensure we deliver value for money across our portfolio.