DFID in 209-10 and the Resource Accounts 2009-10

Written evidence submitted by British Expertise

7 September 2010.

British Expertise is the leading trade association in the UK for consultancy companies and those in related professional services who want to develop their work internationally. Most of our members work for DFID, and we organise regular meetings with procurement (value for money) and sector and geographic teams.

We were only made aware of your enquiry yesterday, and in the short time possible we are unable to give a detailed written submission. However in summary to the points highlighted in your invitation to submit written evidence we would make the following comments:

· We believe DFID could reduce their adminstration costs by far greater degree of outsourcing programme managent to the private sector. We would quote as an example the contract we have (with Birmingham Chamber of Commerce) to run the Aid-Funded Business Service (AFBS) for UK Trade & Investment. AFBS advises UK companies on how to win business from the developement aid organisations around the world, and 1.2 people run a service previously run in-house by 5 civil servants, with a much greater programme of events and publications than before.

· We are concerned with the growth of budgetary support programmes in DFID. We feel there are in many cases insufficient audit trails in place, and that they help cause, rather than prevent, fraud and corruption. There is no substitute for properly planned projects using quality based procurement of consultants and other providers of technical assistance. The UK is a world leader in the field of development related consultancy, and British Expertise members can play a far wider role in the british aid programme, which ultimately ensure better value for money for the UK taxpayer.

I am the Director for the UKTI AFBS and also the Private Sector Liaison Officer for the UK for both the World Bank Group and the Inter-American Development Bank.

Nigel Peters

Director