More than 120 international charities have expressed deep concern that UK aid spending may plummet to its lowest levels since 2007 unless immediate government action is taken. They are particularly worried about Chancellor Rachel Reeves potentially cutting over £2 billion from the overseas development assistance (ODA) budget amidst broader cost-cutting measures expected next month. The signatories of a letter to the Prime Minister include significant organizations such as ActionAid UK and Oxfam GB, highlighting the jeopardy facing crucial humanitarian and developmental support.
The focus of the charities' concerns is the substantial foreign aid funds that are currently directed towards supporting refugees and asylum seekers in the UK. While international regulations permit this diversion, the scale has increased significantly in recent years, raising alarms among these organizations. The last two years have seen an additional £2.5 billion allocated for foreign aid to offset costs associated with accommodating these individuals, but a cessation of that top-up funding last April leaves many programs at risk.
With the possible retreat of UK aid spending from the current 0.58% of national income down to 0.5%, the charities predict a dramatic drop in funding for vital humanitarian efforts. They estimate that, taking into account UK-based aid expenditures, the actual funds available for bilateral humanitarian and development needs overseas could plummet to approximately 0.36% of national income. It's a stark contrast to Labour's pledge to restore the commitment to 0.7% of GNI as soon as fiscal conditions are viable.
The charities are advocating for the government to not only maintain its current aid spending level of 0.58% of GNI but to also lay out plans for restoring and potentially increasing it in alignment with their long-term goal of 0.7%. This call to action comes at a time when they fear essential projects could be dismantled entirely due to austerity measures that prioritize budget cuts over humanitarian commitments.
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