In November 2020, then-chancellor Rishi Sunak announced a reduction in UK foreign aid spending from 0.7% to 0.5% of gross national income (GNI). This decision was made despite the UK’s longstanding commitment, under a United Nations pact, to allocate at least 0.7% of its GNI to foreign aid. Initially described as a temporary measure in response to the pandemic’s effects on the UK’s public finances and economy, this decision has yet to be reversed three and a half years later. The effects of these cuts have rippled across the globe, significantly impacting the world’s most vulnerable children and families.
Impact of foreign aid cuts
With 76% of its funding cut, Afghanistan is among the countries that have experienced the largest reductions in aid. Jordan has also seen a 49% drop in aid; Myanmar has seen a 47% loss; and Syria, which is widely regarded as one of the worst humanitarian crises of the 21st century, has seen a 45% reduction in aid.
Funding for non-governmental organisations and charities that fight poverty, enhance health outcomes, promote education, and address important issues like gender inequality and climate change has also been substantially cut back by the UK government, or scrapped altogether.
For example, the World Health Organization’s global polio eradication initiative lost almost all of its UK funding; the UN children’s fund saw funding cut by about 60%; and the joint United Nations programme on HIV and AIDS saw an 80% reduction in UK funding. As the charity Médecins Sans Frontières has pointed out, the cuts affecting these key programmes were enacted immediately, leaving no transition period or time to try and mitigate their impact.
Women and children have disproportionately borne the brunt of these cuts
The UK’s foreign aid cuts have greatly impacted programmes that support education, maternal and health care services, nutrition and food security, female economic empowerment, access to essential services, and reducing child mortality. It is women and children who have been disproportionately affected by the cuts.
- In Afghanistan, a programme launched by Save the Children in 2022 designed to help families access vital healthcare, nutrition, and education (with a particular focus on women and girls) received only £1mn of the promised £7mn, jeopardising hundreds of thousands of Afghan families’ access to essential services.
- In Nigeria, the UK government ended a three-year agreement with Women for Women International, which was halfway through a scheme that assisted some of the country’s most marginalised women. Prior to its cancellation, the programme had shown positive results, with 62% of women reporting incomes above the poverty line post-programme, compared to just 3% before enrolment. Moreover, 61% of male leaders who participated in the men’s engagement programme reported taking actions in support of women’s rights.
- In Nigeria, Pakistan and Zimbabwe, large cuts to education funding have significantly reduced the numbers of marginalised girls and boys receiving an education.
- In Ethiopia and Nigeria, health programmes have been slashed due to UK cuts, with less support for maternity and newborn care available to Ethiopian families and fewer sexual and reproductive options for Nigerian women.
- In South Sudan, cuts to the humanitarian budget will mean 27,000 children suffering from severe acute malnutrition will go untreated, of whom 12% could die.
If the UK government is to achieve its objective of placing gender equality at the forefront of the nation’s international efforts, it must promptly address the harm caused by its cuts to the foreign aid budget and restore its funding for important gender equality and education initiatives.
The multifaceted arguments for increasing foreign aid
Shockingly, the World Bank reports that around 700 million people live today in extreme poverty, surviving on less than $2.15 per day. Unfortunately, this situation is not improving as the world grapples with the ongoing effects of Covid-19, escalating climate challenges, and intensifying international conflicts. As one of the wealthiest nations in the world, the UK has a moral obligation to provide vital assistance to those in less fortunate circumstances.
Beyond the moral rationale, there are also compelling economic arguments for increasing foreign aid. As the National Institute of Economic and Social Research found, every £1 spent on aid generates at least triple its value in the recipient regions. Investment in overseas development is beneficial for the UK as it may expand the markets for UK goods and services, boost trade with other countries, and generate employment opportunities in the UK.
In addition to economic benefits, development aid also contributes to global stability, which is, of course, advantageous for the UK. Overseas aid contributes to global stability by addressing poverty, fostering economic growth, and supporting governance in developing countries. This stability reduces the likelihood of conflicts, terrorism, humanitarian crises, and mass migrations, all of which could have disruptive effects on the UK.
Though there are many more arguments that could be put forward in favour of increased foreign aid spending, the final point I will address in this article is that foreign aid spending is essential for global health security. Foreign aid spending helps fund programmes that improve healthcare infrastructure and support disease prevention in developing countries. Such programmes play a pivotal role in containing the spread of diseases that could potentially impact our own nation.
A defining choice for the new Labour government
By bolstering our foreign aid commitments, the UK not only upholds its moral and ethical responsibilities but also secures a future that is economically prosperous and politically stable. The interconnected nature of today’s world means that the wellbeing of distant nations directly impacts our own. Thus, increasing foreign aid is not merely an act of charity; it is a strategic investment in a safer, more prosperous, and healthier global community.
The new British Labour government stands at an important crossroads: it can choose to increase UK foreign aid spending back to previous levels or even higher, positioning itself as a leader in international aid; or it can turn its back on vulnerable communities, many of whom are women and children, who need our help the most.
If you believe that the UK government should increase its foreign aid spending, consider reaching out to your local MP to voice your opinion and advocate for this crucial cause.
