Statement on potential reduction of UK aid budget

SCIAF is alarmed by news circulating that the UK’s aid budget may be temporarily reduced from 0.7% to 0.5% of gross national income (GNI).

Now is not the time for a U-turn on a critical Conservative manifesto promise to protect the UK’s 0.7% aid commitment. We believe that this would be a grave mistake when marginalised communities are being pushed even further into poverty and hunger by the global COVID-19 pandemic, and when aid is needed most.

1,300 SCIAF supporters recently signed our letter to the Prime Minister asking him to ensure that our recovery from COVID-19 protects the planet and to promote the dignity of all people.

Reducing the aid budget would be a retrograde step. No-one will be safe until we are all safe. 

 Next year the UK has a fantastic opportunity to demonstrate global leadership with the hosting of the G7 summit and COP26 in Glasgow. Reducing the aid budget would impact our international standing, at a time when the eyes of the world are upon us and the UK needs to be stepping up for a just and green recovery.