On Tuesday 13 July, Parliament debated restoring the UK’s aid spending to 0.7 per cent of Gross National Income. A majority of Members of Parliament voted in favour of cutting UK aid until certain economic conditions can be met. This vote effectively abolishes the 0.7 per cent commitment within this Parliament and breaks the Conservative Party manifesto promise made in December 2019.
Reacting to this, Tearfund’s CEO, Nigel Harris, said:
“For people living in poverty this is a devastating blow. The UK’s lifesaving aid budget has enabled our nation to have a world leading role in providing vaccinations, education, access to clean energy, alongside humanitarian support for communities impacted by conflict and climate change.
"Cutting the aid budget undermines the UK’s ability to lead on the global stage and it is hard to see how the Prime Minister will be able to show credible leadership as the host of the Climate Talks in Glasgow later this year.
"We must be under no illusion that these now indefinite cuts not only break long-term promises to the world’s poorest, but will cost thousands of lives - both now and in the future of this Parliament.”
ENDS
For further information or requests for interview please contact: Sam Perriman, Senior Media Officer on 07783770487 or email [email protected]
