National security chief 'launches review of aid spending'
1 min read
The Government's new national security adviser has reportedly ordered a wide-ranging review of how British aid money is spent.
The Sun reports that Mark Sedwill has launched a "capability review" of the Conflict, Stability and Security Fund - a cross-departmental programme to support fragile states such as Afghanistan.
That includes a line-by-line analysis of spending on the Empowerment Fund, a pro-democracy project set up by Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson.
Mr Sedwill's aim is apparently to ensure better value for money and reduce mistakes in how cash is doled out.
He was appointed national security adviser in February after previously serving as permanent secretary at the Home Office.
Overall the UK spends around £13bn a year on international development, with the Government committed to spending at least 0.7% of GNI on the department.
Today's news follows a recent report claiming that government departments have been rushing to spend money on aid to hit the overall spending target.
The National Audit Office found five of the 11 departments in charge of the aid budget spent it in the last quarter of the financial year.
