UK's superpower status diminished by decision to merge DfID with Foreign Office, MPs warn

World's poorest will lose out the most, report says

The UK’s status as a superpower will be diminished by Boris Johnson’s decision to fold the Department for International Development (Dfid) into the Foreign Office, an influential group of MPs have warned.

The world's poorest are also "likely to pay the greatest price".

There were howls of protest from former ministers when the decision to scrap Dfid as a separate department were announced last month.

The prime minister defended the move saying it would be of "huge benefit" to Britain's overseas aid mission.

But MPs on the Commons International Development Committee (IDC) attacked what they described as an “impusive” decision that would reduce the UK’s standing in the world.

With nations still engaged in the fight against Covid-19, MPs on the IDC also warned “now is not the time” for such a restructure.

In a new report they warn: “The decision puts the international response to Covid-19 in jeopardy at a time when global co-operation is needed.

"It is the world's poorest and most vulnerable who are likely to pay the greatest price."

The group also calls for Mr Johnson to appoint a minister responsible for aid to attend Cabinet, as well as a Commons committee to continue to scrutinise overseas spending.

Sarah Champion, the chair of the committee, said: "Dfid gives the UK considerable international standing and is something we should all be proud of.

"It is deeply disappointing that the Government failed to recognise these strengths as it made its impulsive move to have the FCO swallow up Dfid.

"Now we are on the brink of this expertise being lost and our international reputation being damaged beyond repair.

"The fact that there was no consultation, seemingly no evidence as to why this is a good idea, really lets down the communities that UK aid is there to support.”

The report also calls on ministers to report to parliament the costs and expected financial benefits of the change.