Presbyterian moderator’s concern that FCO merger will hit poorest

The Prime Minister will jeopardise the UK’s world-leading humanitarian work if he presses ahead with a merger of two major government departments, the Presbyterian (PCI) moderator has said.
By Mark Rainey
Published 7th Jul 2020, 15:40 BST
Refugees line up for a distribution of blankets, mats and plastic jerricans in 2007 in a refugee camp, North Darfur, Sudan. Photo: Alfred de Montesquiou/APRefugees line up for a distribution of blankets, mats and plastic jerricans in 2007 in a refugee camp, North Darfur, Sudan. Photo: Alfred de Montesquiou/AP
Refugees line up for a distribution of blankets, mats and plastic jerricans in 2007 in a refugee camp, North Darfur, Sudan. Photo: Alfred de Montesquiou/AP

Rev Dr David Bruce called on Boris Johnson to reconsider the decision – to merge International Development (DFID) with the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) – for the “good of all, not least the poorest on our planet”.

Last month, Mr Johnson said that by “uniting development and diplomacy in one new department,” the government would help “safeguard British interests and values overseas”.

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However, the Presbyterian moderator has now written to the PM, expressing similar concerns to those already highlighted by the Tearfund and Christian Aid charities.

In the letter, Dr Bruce states that the merger presented “a very real danger around conflicts of interest and risks jeopardising the UK’s world-leading humanitarian work, with its dedicated focus on fighting poverty and inequality amongst the world’s poorest and most marginalised people”.

Dr Bruce added: “The decision becomes harder to understand as we find ourselves in the midst of the biggest global humanitarian disaster in a century, with the Covid-19 pandemic threatening to reverse decades of hard-won gains for the world’s poorest and most vulnerable people, against the backdrop of challenges posed by the climate crisis.”

Rev Dr Liz Hughes, convener of PCI’s Council for Global Mission has welcomed the Moderator’s intervention.

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She said PCI is concerned the proposed merger represents a departure from DFID’s commitment to “put the last first,” and added: “Each year our 500-plus congregations wonderfully support our partners through the World Development Appeal, specific disaster relief responses and other means. The value of this kind of support and the difference that international aid can make is unquestionable.”

• The new Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office – operating from early September – will give the UK “even greater impact and influence on the world stage” the government has said.

The Prime Minister added: “This is exactly the moment when we must mobilise every one of our national assets, including our aid budget and expertise, to safeguard British interests and values overseas. And the best possible instrument for doing that will be a new department charged with using all the tools of British influence to seize the opportunities ahead.”

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Related topics:Boris JohnsonPrime Minister