1 November 2010
A new independent body has been created to judge whether overseas aid projects provide value for money.
The Independent Commission for Aid Impact will be led by Graham Ward, a former president of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales.
It will use a ‘traffic light’ system to report on whether the Department for International Development projects achieve their objectives.
DfID had its budget protected in the Spending Review, but International Development Secretary Andrew Mitchell said this had to be matched by greater scrutiny.
‘The commission will shine a light on where aid works and where improvements are needed,’ Mitchell said on October 29.
‘We will lead other donors in opening our books to independent scrutiny. The new commission has the power to scale up the projects that have proved their success. It will be there to ensure we deliver on our promises.’
He said the commission would report direct to Parliament, have separate staff and accommodation from DfID and will be responsible for publishing its findings without the need for prior government approval.
