'We urge the government to rethink its decision immediately'
 

General Secretary Lynn Green has joined Methodist, Church of Scotland and United Reformed Church leaders in expressing regret and lament at the Prime Minister’s announcement of further cuts to the international development budget  

Prime Minister Keir Starmer announced the Government would fund an increase in defence spending by cutting the foreign aid budget on 26 February. 

In response, the Joint Public Issues Team released a letter signed by Lynn and other denominational leaders expressing their opposition to the move. 

The letter stated: 

'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.'
 

Revd Lynn Green, General Secretary, The Baptist Union of Great Britain 

Emma Jackson, Convener of the Public Life and Social Justice Programme Group, The Church of Scotland  

Revd Helen Cameron & 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 

Revd Philip Brooks, Deputy General Secretary (Mission), The United Reformed Church 

26 February 2025