Today, the UK Treasury announced its decision to maintain aid spending at 0.5% of gross national income, falling short of the 0.7% target set by law. With millions facing life-threatening hunger, this reduced commitment threatens essential support for vulnerable communities and weakens the UK’s role in addressing global crises.
Kate Munro, Head of Advocacy at Action Against Hunger UK, outlines the urgent need to restore aid funding to safeguard lives and uphold the UK’s responsibilities on the world stage:
“The commitment to deliver only 0.5% of gross national income (GNI) to UK official development assistance (ODA) in the Autumn Statement is deeply disappointing. The continuation of steep cuts to UK aid, that were first introduced in 2020, is likely to have devastating impacts. The shortfall in the budget, which is set at 0.7% GNI in legislation, and the diversion of aid to the Home Office will cost lives at a time when life-threatening levels of hunger and malnutrition are rising globally. Since the UK aid cuts began in 2020, we have seen the impacts around the world, with life-saving services for young families disappearing in some of the poorest places.
To reduce malnutrition globally and decrease the risk of famine, it is vital to invest in food, water, health and livelihoods. These are essential to prevent humanitarian crises and to support communities already facing extreme hunger, especially in hotspots like Gaza and Sudan, where famine is already taking hold. In these regions, nearly half of young child deaths are linked to malnutrition, which significantly increases their vulnerability to infectious diseases.
In their manifesto, Labour pledged to be strong on the world stage, reconnect with allies, and forge new partnerships. At a time when global challenges demand unity and support, cutting the aid budget sends a message that the UK is retreating from its responsibilities on the world stage. Investing in humanitarian assistance and development cooperation is a moral imperative at a time when conflict and inequality are on the rise. It is also vital to the UK’s credibility on the world stage.
A strong, outward-looking UK requires a commitment to robust and sustainable humanitarian and development assistance. This means reversing cuts to aid spending, supporting global health, and addressing the root causes of poverty and hunger. Without this, the UK’s ability to lead and make a positive impact on global issues will be severely compromised.
Action Against Hunger will continue to advocate for a return to spending 0.7% of GNI on ODA, so that the UK can play a leading role in the fight against global poverty and hunger.”
Kate Munro, Head of Advocacy at Action Against Hunger UK