Foreign Office merger has diminished UK’s aid capability, finds watchdog

National Audit Office says merging DfID with Foreign Office has led to loss of dedicated senior roles

Britain’s capability and expertise on foreign aid has been diminished since international development was merged into the Foreign Office, the UK’s public spending watchdog has found.

The National Audit Office, which reports to parliament on public spending, said the transfer of the department to the Foreign Office, overseen by Boris Johnson, had caused a loss of dedicated senior roles in development.