Sir Keir Starmer has announced that the UK government is reducing foreign aid from 0.5% to 0.3% of national income, a move that has drawn criticism from some Labour MPs.
The British prime minister has promised to use the funds to increase defence spending to 2.5% of the UK’s GDP by 2027, citing a major security challenge.
Starmer insists that protecting the British people is the top priority, even if it means making tough decisions. His pledge aims to address concerns from former President Trump, who has called for NATO allies to boost their defense spending to 5% of GDP.
However, the Institute for Fiscal Studies (IFS) questions the actual increase in defense spending, estimating it might be closer to £6 billion rather than the claimed £13.4 billion.
Starmer has condemned Russia as a threat and stressed the need to support Ukraine for lasting peace and security. The cuts to the foreign aid budget surprised both ministers and Labour MPs, raising worries about the impact on international development.
Reactions from former officials and experts are mixed, with some criticizing the reduction in aid spending as counterproductive.