UK’s Foreign Aid Budget

That the Parliament condemns the UK Government’s reported decision to reduce the foreign aid budget from 0.5% to 0.3% of gross national income; understands that this reduction is to fund an increase in defence spending to 2.5% of GDP by 2027, with a view to raising it further to 3% in the next parliament; believes that such a significant reduction in aid spending undermines the UK’s longstanding support to international development; acknowledges the reported criticisms of various experts, activists and groups who describe the aid cuts as cruel and shameful, and warn of severe impacts on global health systems, education and support for marginalised communities, and urges the UK Government to reconsider this decision in light of what it sees as its potential detrimental impact on the world’s most vulnerable people.