The announcement by the Prime Minister to cut the aid budget from 0.5% of gross national income to 0.3% by 2027 to fund an increase in defence spending is short-sighted and won’t make anyone safer.
The NEU warmly welcomed Labour’s commitment to “rebuild Britain’s reputation on international development with a new approach based on genuine respect and partnership with the global South”. By following in the footsteps of Trump and the populist right, the new government has reneged at the first opportunity on its commitment to the communities facing poverty, conflict and insecurity.
This is not only a broken manifesto commitment and a dereliction of the UK’s international obligations, but a staggering betrayal of the world’s most vulnerable people and entirely counterproductive to efforts to build a safer and more secure world.
Cutting UK aid to tackle global diseases, reduce the impact of climate change and support education in conflict zones will cost lives and drive instability and inequality.
With record numbers of people in need of humanitarian assistance, international solidarity has never been more important. Now, more than ever, is not the time to balance the books against the world’s poorest.
We urge the UK Government to urgently reverse this decision to slash the already diminished aid budget.