Alarm bells ring over aid spending amid lack of clarity on DfID merger

NGOs warn of rising uncertainty over programmes to tackle poverty and Covid-19 despite assurances from ministers

The government's plans to merge the Department for International Development (DfID) with the Foreign and Commonwealth Office have been criticised for a chaotic lack of clarity as NGOs are told to cut aid programmes.

DfID said it was due to review its aid spending because of a fall in gross national income, but stressed no decisions had been made. However, experts in the aid sector say there are already signs of cuts among programmes tackling poverty and Covid-19.