Damning figures reveal extent of UK budget cuts on world’s poorest people

WorldPolitics
14 Apr 2025 • 2:14 AM MYT
The Independent
The Independent

The world’s most free-thinking newspaper

image is not available

  • UK foreign aid cuts will leave 55.5 million people without essential resources, according to analysis by Save the Children.
  • The cuts, reducing aid to 0.3% of gross national income, will impact programs for education, family planning, water, and food aid, particularly affecting women and girls.
  • While the government claims the cuts are necessary to increase defense spending, critics argue they break a Labour manifesto pledge to restore aid to 0.7% of GNI.
  • The reduced budget, coupled with asylum-seeker housing costs also coming from the aid budget, leaves little funding for other vital programs.
  • Charities and MPs have condemned the cuts, highlighting the potential consequences for global health, education, and the UK's international reputation.

IN FULL