A couple of weeks ago, the UK’s Minister for International Development, Andrew Mitchell, presented the first new White Paper on International Development for almost fifteen years to Parliament. Its release has prompted much comment. My own opinion leans towards measured praise. But so far, none of t...

Since 2019, the UK’s strong reputation in global health has been undermined by a series of cuts and a distracting departmental reorganisation. November 2023 may represent a turning point—with a new Foreign Minister who has historically championed aid as Prime Minister, and the publication of a new i...

Well done Andrew Mitchell. On Monday he will unveil the UK’s first White Paper on development for 14 years, and the first credible statement of policy and intent on the subject of any kind for more than a decade. (Yes, there have been previous documents claiming to be strategies, including Liz Truss...

Green-skilled labour migration could support the green transition, and yield major benefits for both development and carbon emissions. But what skills does the UK need? How reliable are the UK’s domestic training pipelines? What are the prospects for deliberate international recruitment?

The UK is, hopefully, coming out of its nadir in international development. This is marked by planned rises in development spend, an ambitious new international development white paper, a supportive Minister, and a new parliament in 2024. But before considering any proposal, future governments with ...

We have reviewed each of the UK’s seven main finance tools—from export finance to capital increases at its private finance arm, British International Investment. Overall, we find that the UK has substantially increased the level of finance it mobilises, from around £3bn in 2018, to £5bn in 2021, and...