Today, the UK Government reiterated their decision to cut aid spending down to 0.3% of Gross National Income (GNI) by 2027 – a cut of around £5.5 billion since February 2025. The UK's aid budget cuts are the most severe of any G7 country. (Centre for Global Development)
Sam Perriman, Head of Public Policy at Tearfund, said:
"Tearfund is deeply concerned that the shift in spending and the impact of cuts will mean millions of communities living in extreme poverty are made even more vulnerable and left without access to the resources they desperately need to survive.
“We appreciate clarity on the Government’s focus areas, including fragile and conflict-affected states. However, this prioritisation is only necessary because of such drastic funding cuts. Addressing these issues in isolation is wildly inadequate."
"By reducing budgets and cutting climate funding, the UK is retreating from its responsibilities at a time when communities are already being pushed to the brink by environmental collapse. The Government’s drastic spending cuts on aid will lead to unnecessary deaths around the world, as well as increasing global instability and risk of conflict. The Labour Government can still find a more ambitious, moral role for itself in a rapidly changing world."
ENDS
Notes to editors
- Following the UK aid cuts in February 2025, more than 3000 Tearfund supporters wrote to their MPs to stand against aid cuts in solidarity with communities living in extreme poverty.
- Tearfund and more than 6000 of its supporters are currently calling on the UK Government to increase urgent aid to Sudan in the third year of its civil war: https://www.tearfund.org/campaigns/speak-up-for-the-people-of-sudan
- Tearfund is responding to the crisis in the Middle East through local partners and appealing to supporters to contribute to this response: www.tearfund.org/middleeast
For further information contact Melissa Barnston on 07929 335 146 or email [email protected]. For out of hours media enquiries: 07929 339813 or [email protected].
About Tearfund
Tearfund is a Christian charity that partners with churches in more than 50 of the world’s poorest countries. We tackle poverty through sustainable development, responding to disasters and challenging injustice. We believe an end to extreme poverty is possible. For more information about the work of Tearfund, please visit www.tearfund.org.
