Question to the Department for International Development:

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, what steps her Department is taking to tackle the fraudulent use of aid disbursed by her Department.

The Department for International Development has robust measures in place to protect, prevent, and detect the fraudulent use of aid. We have controls embedded throughout the programme cycle, from design through mobilisation, delivery and closure; this includes a comprehensive risk management framework which requires risks to be identified prior to any disbursement of aid.

All organisations that receive funding from DFID are required to provide evidence about the use of funds, including audited financial statements which are examined as we monitor programme performance and delivery.

We have a zero tolerance approach to fraud and this applies to all those within the delivery chain who are entrusted with UK taxpayers’ funds. When fraud is identified we respond swiftly and effectively to recover funds wherever possible.