We are deeply disappointed to hear today’s announcement by the Prime Minister that UK Official Development Assistance (ODA) will be reduced from 0.5% to 0.3% of Gross National Income (GNI).
This decision will have devastating consequences for millions of people affected by conflict, poverty and insecurity, and comes at a time when humanitarian support is needed more than ever.
While we fully acknowledge the budgetary challenges linked to the current economic and geopolitical context, removing support to some of the world’s poorest and most vulnerable will result in more instability, conflict, and poverty in the long term.
As an organisation working in some 35 countries worldwide, we have seen first-hand the life-saving impact of aid and development assistance and the benefits it brings to the UK. Decreasing the aid budget will undoubtedly further weaken the UK’s soft power and influence overseas, in stark contrast to the Government’s stated manifesto commitment to regain Britain’s global leadership on development.
Today’s announcement is a major setback to achieving this objective and the many humanitarian and development goals that the UK under successive governments has been committed to.
The UK Government should follow through, as a matter of priority, with its plans to reduce the high proportion of the aid budget currently being spent on in-donor refugee costs and ensure ODA funding is ringfenced to support programmes overseas.
The Government should also ensure the remaining aid budget is spent as effectively as possible and reaches those affected by conflict, violence, and poverty who truly need it most.
