Commons International Development Committee assesses FCDO value for money framework
The House of Commons International Development Committee has assessed the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office’s (FCDO) approach to value for money (VfM) in UK aid and found weaknesses in its procurement practices and reliance on private contractors. It observed that the FCDO increasingly depends on large prime contractors, creating barriers for smaller firms and reducing competition and expertise in the sector. The Committee noted that opaque procurement procedures, inconsistent transparency standards and a lack of comprehensive public data risk undermining accountability and cost-effectiveness in aid delivery.