Starmer under pressure from Labour members over ‘damaging’ aid cuts

Politics
22 May 2026 • 10:53 PM MYT
The Independent
The Independent

The world’s most free-thinking newspaper

Starmer under pressure from Labour members over ‘damaging’ aid cuts

  • An exclusive poll reveals that 61 per cent of Labour members believe the government's decision to reduce the UK aid budget from 0.5 per cent to 0.3 per cent of GNI by 2027, to fund increased defence spending, is 'too much'.
  • The Survation poll of over 1,000 Labour members also found that 78 per cent think these cuts have damaged the party's reputation, with 37 per cent stating 'a lot' of damage and 41 per cent 'a little'.
  • The aid reductions, following a similar move by Donald Trump in the US, have severely impacted vital work globally, including HIV prevention and treatment, infectious disease control, maternal health, and education, particularly in African nations.
  • Amidst pressure on Keir Starmer's leadership, more than half of Labour members surveyed consider international development an important priority for any future leader, with 11 per cent deeming it 'very' important.
  • The issue significantly influences leadership preferences, as 40 per cent of members indicated they would be more likely to vote for a candidate who prioritises international development and aid.

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