UK slammed for slashing aid budget

Amina Taylor
Press TV, London

An alliance of more than 200 UK charities and NGOs have blasted the British government’s decision to cut its international aid budget to the tune of billions of dollars. The move to slash the aid budget from 0.7% of gross national income to 0.5 % represents a breaking of the ruling Conservative Party’s own election manifesto at a time when international communities are more in need and the UK continues to build its military arsenal.

The long-awaited statement for the 2021-22 aid budget did not spell out the specifics of where the cuts would fall, but with the bulk of projects located in former British colonies in Africa and the Commonwealth, the impact to such significant cuts will be acutely felt.

The UK government’s plan to cut as much as £4bn from the aid budget represents a genuine deficit in programs overseas that have relied on British help to assist the most vulnerable. And campaigners say to have this happen during a global pandemic this will be devastating news to some communities already struggling.

For many, especially from the continent of Africa, this will feel like the UK stepping back on its commitment to forge closer ties built on a 21st century partnership.

There is already domestic opposition to the UK bolstering its nuclear stockpile by 40% at a multi-billion cost and spending on conflicts like the war in Yemen.

Analysts think this might be a blessing in disguise, a push for those in receipt of British aid to be more self-reliant.

As Britain moves towards a post-Brexit future, it may find some of the communities let down by this aid U-turn have long memories.

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