The Cross-Party Group on International Development in the Scottish Parliament has published the findings of a review it conducted last year into spending on international development by the Scottish Government.
Scotland’s International Development Fund was launched by First Minister Jack McConnell in 2005, and since then more than £100 million has been committed to the Fund. Ahead of the Fund’s 20th anniversary, the Scottish Parliament’s Cross Party Group (CPG) on International Development agreed in January 2024 to undertake an investigation into international development spending by the Scottish Government, with a view to considering its effectiveness in the communities and countries benefiting from the investment and to reflect on areas for potential improvement. SIDA provides secretariat support to the CPG and assisted with the evidence gathering and drafting of the report document, and has published the findings on its website.
Members of the Scottish Parliament who are members of the Cross Party Group on International Development agreed in June 2025 to publish the document containing the findings of the reflection exercise for consideration by the Scottish Government and other stakeholders. The views expressed do not necessarily reflect the personal views of individual members, their political parties, stakeholders who have contributed to the review, or of the Scottish Government.
Links to the key documents:
Main report document and Annexes 1 and 2
Annex 3 – Analysis of FOI data
Annex 4 – Written Submission from Mark O’Donnell (Inclusive Development Consulting Ltd)
Annex 5.1 and Annex 5.2 – Freedom of Information data released by the Scottish Government
Annex 6 – Written Submission from Publish What You Fund
January 2026: Written Response from the Cabinet Secretary for External Affairs.