What next for UK international development?

The UK has been a global leader on development, not least due to the extraordinary expertise and trust built up by the Department for International Development (DFID). The recent announcement by the UK Prime Minister that DFID will be merged with the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) in September has provoked heated debate in parliament and across the development and global affairs sector.

Building a more sustainable and just world undoubtedly needs a whole government effort, including the considerable diplomatic influence of the FCO. But how the merger is managed will be crucial if the UK is to retain its principled approach to aid.