Petition · past parliament

Do not merge the DFID into the Foreign Office.

Rejected 12 signatures

What the petition asks

Keep the Department For International Development independent of the Foreign Ofiice. The aims of the two departments are complimentary but not identical. The proposed merger signals that we will help others in the world only if there's "something in it for us".
1. DFID vets all giving assiduously. It is NOT a "giant cashpoint in the sky."

2. Overseas aid is not to promote our national interests, it is to promote the interests of the poorest and deprived.

3. It expresses British values: generosity, compassion, concern, and more.

4. Our diplomatic, political and commercial intersts are served by the Foreign Office and by various trade ministries. That is not the purpose of DFID, and never should be.

Why it was rejected

There was already a petition about this issue. Duplicates are rejected so signatures collect in one place.

You may wish to sign this petition calling for the same action: Reverse the decision to merge DFID with the FCO

Timeline

18 Jun 2020 Petition opened for signatures
21 Jul 2020 Rejected by the Petitions Committee

Key facts

Signatures 12
Status Rejected
Rejected 21 Jul 2020

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Source: the official petition page. Last checked 15 Jul 2026.