AbstractHow can the UK (re)organise its development work to optimally address the challenges of a vastly changed development and geopolitical landscape? Noting that the (de facto) objectives of development policy ultimately determine how and why alternative arrangements are adopted, we assess the strengths and weaknesses of four main organisational models and examine their trade-offs in the UK context. We discuss how the choice of objectives informs the choice of institutional form, and how the UK’s own arrangements have evolved with its objectives; and consider how policy coherence, expertise, the experience of partner countries and accountability vary with different models. Since there is no inherently superior option, the choice of institutional structure depends on specific trade-offs that are most palatable to UK policymakers. We conclude by outlining five key design features for any new arrangements: the clarity of its objectives; the predictability and stability of its funding; the strategic coherence it achieves across government; its ability to retain and develop a wide range of capabilities (both in personnel and modes of action) and its administrative and legal basis.What Could the UK’s Future Development Structure Look Like?RANIL DISSANAYAKE · RACHAEL CALLEJAPOLICY PAPER 319 • JANUARY 2024The Center for Global Development works to reduce global poverty and improve lives through innovative economic research that drives better policy and practice by the world’s top decision makers. Use and dissemination of this Policy Paper is encouraged; however, reproduced copies may not be used for commercial purposes. Further usage is permitted under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License.The views expressed in CGD Policy Papers are those of the authors and should not be attributed to the board of directors, funders of the Center for Global Development, or the authors’ respective organizations.CENTER FOR GLOBAL DEVELOPMENT2055 L Street, NW Fifth FloorWashington, DC 200361 Abbey GardensGreat College StreetLondonSW1P 3SEwww.cgdev.orgCenter for Global Development. 2024.What Could the UK’s Future Development Structure Look Like?Ranil Dissanayake and Rachael CallejaCenter for Global DevelopmentThe authors are grateful to two anonymous peer reviewers, a number of colleagues who kindly commented on a draft, and participants of a private roundtable in December 2023. Any errors, omissions and the like remain ours alone.Ranil Dissanayake and Rachael Calleja. 2024. “What Could the UK’s Future Development Structure Look Like?” CGD Policy Paper 319. Washington, DC: Center for Global Development. https://www.cgdev.org/publication/what-could-uks-future-development-structure-lookContentsIntroduction ...........................................................................................................................................1The changing inte...