Committee publication · Correspondence · 24 March 2026
Correspondence from the Minister of State for International Development & Africa relating to the Publication of FCDO’s Multi Year ODA Allocations (2026/27–2028/29) - 19 March 2026
Summary
Baroness Chapman announces the publication of the FCDO's multi-year Official Development Assistance allocations for 2026/27–2028/29, confirming a transition to 0.3% of GNI spending by 2027. The letter outlines the government's reset approach to development, framed around security priorities, modernisation, and four strategic shifts: thinking as an investor, supporting systems over services, providing expertise over grants, and backing local solutions.
Key findings
- Government is reducing ODA budget to increase defence spending amid heightened European security concerns, a choice matched by Germany, France, and Sweden.
- Four major strategic shifts: act as investor not donor, support systems not deliver services, provide expertise rather than grants, support local solutions over international interventions.
- Prioritisation of aid to crisis-affected communities, with full protection for Ukraine, Sudan, and Palestine funding, plus protected ODA spend at 2025/26 levels for UK Overseas Territories.
- Emphasis on partnerships with multilateral institutions such as World Bank's IDA (each £1 unlocks £4 additional finance) and Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance.
- Continued funding of Independent Commission for Aid Impact as primary mechanism for independent evaluation of UK ODA value for money.
Tone
ProceduralTopics
Key actors
Baroness Chapman of Darlington, Sarah Champion MP, Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO), World Bank, Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, Global Fund, British International Investment (BII), Independent Commission for Aid Impact
Notable line
“Every pound must deliver. Under our new approach, we will have clearer, more realistic priorities and new, innovative ways of doing development in partnership that deliver better results.”
Key Quotes
“Facing the most serious security situation in Europe since the end of the Cold War, our allies like Germany, France and Sweden have all made the same choice.”
“We will prioritise aid for communities hardest hit by crisis, conflict and climate change. That means fully protecting funding for Ukraine, Sudan and Palestine, and prioritising humanitarian crisis support.”
“… each £1 we invest unlocks £4 of additional finance, and our ongoing partnership with Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, which will save the lives of millions of children around the world and utilise the UK's world-leading scientific expertise.”
“Poverty, crises and institutional failure are easily exploited by malign actors to gain advantage, spread extremism or crime. Instability abroad affects the cost of living, the security of our borders, and the resilience of our economy at home.”
Source · parliament.uk record ↗