Statement on IDC Report into UK Aid spend by the Home Office

London, United Kingdom, March 2, 2023 —  Daphne Jayasinghe, IRC Policy Director , commenting on the report into the use of UK aid at the Home Office released today by the International Development Committee, said,

“Today’s report is an important call for the Government to spend UK aid effectively, on those who need it most, and where it can achieve greatest impact. 

Home Office support in the UK for those fleeing conflict and persecution is essential, but should come primarily from outside the Official Development Assistance (ODA) budget - not at the expense of those living through crises overseas. 

We now urge the Government to return as quickly as possible to spending the majority of the foreign aid budget in fragile and conflict-affected states, where two thirds of the world’s poorest people are expected to live by 2030.”