My constituents have been writing to me about the Government’s recent decision to cut UK foreign aid, which is also known as Official Development Assistance (ODA).
The UK has an extensive and proud record on international development. From standing shoulder to shoulder with Ukraine, to vaccinating children across globe to providing extensive humanitarian relief in conflict zones around the word, the UK has always been an influential force for good in the world. The previous Government lifted millions out of poverty across the world, supported business growth and investment in developing countries, and we provided new clean water, sanitation and hygiene support for over 110 million people between 2011 and 2019. We also supported improving rights for women and girls and the protection of religious minorities.
In today’s dangerous world where our country faces unprecedented threats – be that from Russia, Iran or China – it is clear that we need realism in our foreign and defence policy. The first duty of every Government should be to protect our country and citizens, which is why the last Government had a clear plan in place to increase defence spending to 2.5 per cent of GDP and has pressed the Government to match our commitment.
To increase funding in the short term to reach 2.5 per cent of GDP, it is right that part of the overseas aid budget is repurposed to support the defence and security of our country, our allies and our interests. This is a position the Opposition suggested and I therefore welcome the Government doing this.
I will closely examine any further information that is provided about how the Government plans to allocate the ODA budget. I also want to make clear my commitment to scrutinising the Government’s approach to spending foreign aid to ensure every penny is spent effectively and at value for British taxpayers’ money.
In the long term, I continue to support a return to spending 0.7 per cent of Gross National Income (GNI) on overseas aid when the fiscal conditions allow.
I hope I have explained my views on this and why I believe that it is right to support the defence budget at this critical time.
