'We will find you,' Penny Mordaunt warns aid predators

The Government has warned that no more UK aid cash will be given to charities unless they meet "tough new standards" put in place in the wake of the Oxfam scandal. 

International Development Secretary Penny Mordaunt told a safeguarding summit in London that there is too little evidence in the areas of robust risk management, comprehensive reporting, responsibility being taken at the highest level for safeguarding and of beneficiaries always being put first.

"Today we will start the vital change this sector needs," she told delegates. "Your task is to start laying the foundations to rebuild the credibility of the aid sector on this issue, both here and overseas."

She explained that she wrote to every UK charity that receives UK aid, asking that they provide her with a statement of assurance on safeguarding, organisational culture, clarity and transparency, and their handling of allegations and incidents.

All 179 organisations responded with a statement of assurance and the Department for International Development is following up with 37 organisations to gain further clarity on their assurance, or reporting.

"If we are to meet our duty, then the sector must raise standards," she told the summit, organised by DfID and the Charity Commission.  "I am determined that DFID will play its full part in this. So, from today, DFID will put in place new, enhanced and specific safeguarding standards for the organisations we work with."

She said the assessment will set the bar at a level of the very best.

"Our standards will be world-leading. They will be tough and exacting. Organisations should not bid for new funding unless they are prepared to meet these tough new standards. We will not approve funds to them unless they pass our new standards. We will also start to apply these new standards to organisations we have ongoing work with."

Only by reporting can predatory individuals be identified and brought to justice.

"And it is those predatory individuals who concern me most," she added.

She  said that DFID is working with law enforcement to find such people.

"We will find you. We will bring you to justice. Your time is up."

The summit, attended by NGOs and charities, was organised as part of a process of improving standards and restoring trust following the allegations that broke last month.