The Prime Minister has announced that DFID and the FCO will merge,
uniting development and diplomacy in one new department that brings
together Britain’s international effort. Work will begin
immediately on the merger. The new department – the Foreign,
Commonwealth and Development Office – will be established in early
September and will be led by the Foreign Secretary. The merger is
an opportunity for the UK to have even greater impact and influence
on the world stage as we recover...Request free trial
The Prime Minister has announced that DFID and the FCO will merge,
uniting development and diplomacy in one new department that brings
together Britain’s international effort.
Work will begin immediately on the merger. The new department – the
Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office – will be established
in early September and will be led by the Foreign Secretary.
The merger is an opportunity for the UK to have even greater impact
and influence on the world stage as we recover from the coronavirus
pandemic and prepare to hold the G7 presidency and host COP26 next
year.
UK aid will be given new prominence within our ambitious
international policy. The Foreign Secretary will be empowered to
make decisions on aid spending in line with the UK’s priorities
overseas, harnessing the skills, expertise and evidence that have
earned our reputation as a leader in the international development
community.
The UK is the only G7 country to spend 0.7% of GNI on overseas
development and the Government remains committed to this target,
which is enshrined in law.
Announcing the new department, the Prime Minister said:
“This is exactly the moment when we must mobilise every one of our
national assets, including our aid budget and expertise, to
safeguard British interests and values overseas.
“And the best possible instrument for doing that will be a new
department charged with using all the tools of British influence to
seize the opportunities ahead.”
The Prime Minister has also announced that the UK’s Trade
Commissioners will come under the authority of UK Ambassadors
overseas, bringing more coherence to our international
presence.
The objectives of the new overseas department will be shaped by the
outcome of the Integrated Review, which is expected to conclude in
the autumn, and is the biggest review of foreign, defence and
development policy since the Cold War.
Notes to editors
A checked against delivery version of the PM’s statement to
Parliament will be on gov.uk
