Government confirms continuing role for aid watchdog

19 Mar 2026

The Independent Commission for Aid Impact (ICAI) will continue to fulfil the UK’s statutory requirement for independent scrutiny of UK aid spending, Ministers confirmed today.

In January, Development Minister Baroness Chapman told the International Development Committee that the government was considering the future of aid scrutiny and how this should be carried out, as part of implementing aid budget reductions from 0.5% to 0.3% of gross national income by 2027.

Today, the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) has published official development assistance (ODA) programme allocations for 2026-27 to 2028-29. 

The Foreign Secretary confirmed in answer to a question in the House of Commons that “ICAI will continue” to scrutinise UK aid spending. 

ICAI will, however, have its budget significantly reduced. 

Jillian Popkins, ICAI Chief Commissioner, said: 

“We are reassured that Ministers have given their support for ICAI to continue fulfilling the UK’s legislative commitment to provide independent scrutiny of UK aid spending, showing they value our evidence and learning.  

“However, this is a significant reduction in ICAI’s resources. At a time of growing global crises and reducing budgets for overseas development cooperation, independent scrutiny is more, not less, important to make sure every pound of the smaller UK aid budget has maximum impact for developing countries and the taxpayer. 

“We look forward to working with FCDO and the International Development Committee to clarify the implications of this settlement and establish how we can still deliver meaningful scrutiny.”