Church leaders say increase in defence spending should not be at the cost of slashing international development assistance
Published on 27 February 2025 2 minutes read
Cutting the UK's overseas development assistance budget by billions of pounds is a "bitter blow" and deeply lamentable decision that will have a devastating impact on the world's poorest people, Church leaders have said.
They accused the party of the UK Government of breaking a manifesto promise and urged Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer to think again immediately.
Labour's 2024 election manifesto said it is "committed to restoring development spending at the level of 0.7 per cent of gross national income (GNI) as soon as fiscal circumstances allow", although this is not expected during this parliament.
The Church of Scotland, Baptist, Methodist and United Reformed Church leaders said they recognised there is a case for increasing defence spending but it should not come at the cost of "vital" humanitarian and development programmes.
They spoke out after Sir Keir revealed plans to increase defence spending to 2.5% of national income by 2027 - spending £13.4 billion more on defence every year from 2027.
Speaking in the House of Commons, the Prime Minister said the policy could only be funded through hard choices.
"And in this case, that means we will cut our spending on development assistance, moving from 0.5% of GNI today to 0.3% in 2027, fully funding our increased investment in defence," he told MPs.
"I want to be clear to the House, that is not an announcement I am happy to make."
According to the House of Commons Library, reducing the aid target to 0.3% of GNI would mean that the aid budget in 2027 would be around £9.2 billion, down from £15.4 billion if the aid target was 0.5% - a £6.1 billion reduction.
Deep regret
The church leaders' statement:
"We deeply lament the government's stated intention to make further cuts to the UK's international development budget.
"This would break a manifesto promise made to people in the world's poorest communities, and have a devastating impact on lives and livelihoods across the globe.
"While there is a case to be made for increasing defence spending to support Ukraine in resisting Russian aggression, that shouldn't come at the cost of vital humanitarian and development programmes, which play a crucial role in promoting human security around the world.
"UK aid programmes protect women and girls from violence, provide cost-effective vaccines to babies and young children and support human rights defenders who work to prevent future conflict.
"Such programmes will be under threat if UK aid is further slashed by 40%.
"Our churches have strongly encouraged and supported the UK in its commitment to international development, not only as a way of showing care to our global neighbours, but in recognition of the UK's historic and ongoing responsibilities to address the causes of global injustice, poverty, forced migration, climate change and conflict.
"It is a source of deep regret to see a backing away from that responsibility.
"A massively reduced UK aid budget would be experienced as a bitter blow by partners and communities in the global south, especially coming so soon after the devastating USAID cuts.
"We urge the government to rethink its decision immediately."
Emma Jackson, convener of the Public Life and Social Justice Programme Group, The Church of Scotland
Rev Lynn Green, General Secretary, The Baptist Union of Great Britain
Rev Helen Cameron and Carolyn Godfrey, President and Vice-President, The Methodist Church in Britain
Tim Dunwoody, team leader for Irish Methodist World Development & Relief, The Methodist Church in Ireland
Rev Philip Brooks, Deputy General Secretary (Mission), The United Reformed Church