Cuts to UK aid budget - CARE International UK response

“When the Prime Minister took office he declared ‘Britain is back’. Yet today he has followed the path of other leaders in making the short-sighted and reactionary decision to slash the UK’s aid budget – undermining both the progress made and Britain’s standing in the world.

“The UK aid budget has already been drained by the Government’s decision to continue to cover rising refugee costs - hitting record low levels of funding. Women and girls have borne the brunt of this year after year – the 2021 aid cuts saw programming to prevent violence against women and girls slashed by 41%.

“In his speech the Prime Minister talked about ‘false choices’, but today he has made the false choice between aid and defence. Not only does this decision do irreparable harm to his government’s reputation, it ignores the vital role aid plays in making the UK and our world, safer, healthier, and more sustainable for everyone.

“A true measure of our international standing is how we choose to treat those who are most vulnerable, exposed, and in danger. Make no mistake, this decision will endanger the lives of the world’s most vulnerable. At a time of increasing international instability and attacks on fundamental human rights, the UK should be standing up for compassion and partnerships, not joining a race to the bottom.”