DFID and the UK Government

As a UK Government department, DFID is funded by UK taxpayers and is responsible to Parliament for its activities and expenditure. Overall policy direction is provided by the government of the day through DFID's Secretary of State. What DFID can and cannot do is governed by legislation agreed by Parliament: the International Development Act, passed by Parliament in 2002, gives the Secretary of State the specific remit of promoting development and reducing poverty.

DFID is funded by the UK taxpayer and, like other Government departments, DFID funding needs to be approved by Parliament. In Parliament, the work of DFID is overseen by theInternational Development Select Committee.

Other Government Departments

DFID works in close collaboration with other Government departments on issues such as trade, conflict prevention, debt, the environment, and child labour. Find out more here.

Coherence in Government policy on all issues affecting developing countries is crucial if we are to make an effective contribution to the reduction of poverty. To make such coherence a reality, DFID is working more closely than ever before with other UK Government departments.

DFID is, for example, working

• with theDepartment of Trade and Industry (DTI) on trade issues;
• with theMinistry of Defence (MoD) and the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) on conflict prevention;
• with theTreasury on debt;
• with theDepartment for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) on environment issues; and
• with theDepartment for Children, Schools and Families on child labour.

This coherence is reflected in DFID's Departmental Reports, which now include specific Public Service Agreement targets on joint working. There is a target shared with the Treasury to achieve relief from unsustainable debt for all HIPC countries committed to poverty reduction. There is a target shared with the FCO and the MoD to improve the effectiveness of the UK contribution to conflict prevention and management. Future Departmental Reports will report progress against these targets..

Reporting to Parliament and the UK people

Around March each year, DFID produces an annual Departmental Report showing the policies it is pursuing, the work it has undertaken, and the money it has spent. Printed versions of the full document are available to buy fromThe Stationery Office website and from booksellers. An online version of the latest annual report is available in this section.