MP criticises Government approach to merger which could affect the future for UK Aid

Ms Oswald was speaking after questioning the Secretary of State for the new combined department, Dominic Raab, on the timescale for members of DFID staff knowing the implications for them of the merger.

Over 950 DFID staff work out of Abercrombie House in East Kilbride, many of whom live in East Renfrewshire.

After hearing a statement from Mr Raab on the UK Government’s plans for the new department, Kirsten asked him to ensure that staff were given an early indication of the implications of the merger for them or their work.

Mr Rabb responded: “I have spoken to DFID staff, indeed I did a FCDO all-staffer and we made it very clear what approach we are taking.

“We want to energise our brilliant diplomats’ development expertise but also forge a new culture. We are also committed to making sure that we have a stronger presence across all the nations and indeed all the regions of the UK because it is important that Scotland sees and the people of Scotland see the value added that we yield when we come together as one United Kingdom, but also with this merger.”

However, this response just heightened Ms Oswald’s concerns that the Government plans to empower FCO staff to override DFID’s development experts.

She said: “I was glad to hear Members across the chamber talk about the excellent work and expertise of DFID staff, but disappointed that Mr Raab was unable to indicate when they would learn the implications of the merger for them and their work.

“This merger came out of the blue, it wasn’t even in the Conservative manifesto for the election in December, so staff are naturally suspicious of the motives for it.

“They fear that even more of the aid budget will be directed by diplomatic and wider government interests, rather than to help the world’s poorest, which was a widespread concern before DFID was formed in 1997.

“Scandals such as the Pergau Dam, which saw hundreds of millions of pounds diverted to support the arms trade, lay behind the formation of DFID. It looks like Boris Johnson and Dominic Cummings are determined to recreate the opportunity for such scandals to happen again.

“Dedicated staff in DFID, in London and East Kilbride, deserve to know the Government’s plans as soon as possible, Mr Raab needs to come clean about the future for the UK’s aid strategy and the implications of this merger for their ability to respond to the challenges facing communities across the world.”