4 h. ago British public wants aid spending based on own priorities, not allies – poll

International development minister Anneliese Dodds quit her role on Friday over the Government’s decision to cut overseas aid.

Politics

5 h. ago The Dodds one out: Public think UK spends too MUCH on foreign aid after cash went to prawn farms in Bangladesh and 'inclusion' in the Congo as minister quits

The international development minister appears to be out of touch with UK voters, almost two-thirds of whom (64 per cent)  feel international aid spending is too high.

Politics

6 h. ago Cabinet minister Anneliese Dodds QUITS over Keir Starmer slashing billions from aid budget because she says 'it looks like UK is following in Trump's footsteps'

Development minister Anneliese Dodds has resigned warning that the reduction will only increase the influence of Russia and China.

Politics

7 h. ago Voices: No wonder Annaliese Dodds has resigned over cutting aid to the world’s poorest people – it’s the only right thing to do

Labour’s disgraceful attempt to balance the books on the backs of the poorest people in the world is shameful – but shows Dodds to be a politician of decency and principle, says former deputy foreign secretary Andrew Mitchell

Politics

7 h. ago Minister Anneliese Dodds resigns from Government over Keir Starmer's cuts to foreign aid budget

The former chair of the Labour Party said she has resigned as international development minister

Politics

7 h. ago Anneliese Dodds quits as international development minister over aid budget cut

Scottish Labour MP quits ‘with sadness’ following move to raid aid budget to increase defence spending

Politics

8 h. ago Anneliese Dodds resigns from Government over Keir Starmer's cuts to foreign aid budget

Anneliese Dodds has quit as international development minister over Keir Starmer’s decision to slash the international aid budget to increase defence spending.

Politics

8 h. ago Cabinet minister QUITS over Keir Starmer slashing billions of pounds from aid budget to boost defence spending

Development minister Anneliese Dodds has resigned warning that the reduction will only increase the influence of Russia and China.

Politics

8 h. ago Anneliese Dodds quits cabinet over aid cut in blow to Keir Starmer

Anneliese Dodds walked out as international development minister following the decision to slash the aid budget in order to fund an increase in defence spending

Politics

39 h. ago Readers' letters: UK Government plumbs new depths with international aid betrayal

A reader suggests cutting international development aid to boost defence spending is a betrayao of the world’s most marginalised people

Politics

56 h. ago Swinney says SNP right to oppose Trident as he welcomes defence spending boost

But the Scottish First Minister said it is the ‘wrong choice’ to fund increased spending by slashing international aid.

Politics

57 h. ago Starmer’s cuts are a huge mistake – foreign aid is an investment, not an expense | Halima Begum

At the height of the cold war, the west advanced its soft power through aid and development spending. If we cut that now, who will fill the vacuum?Halima Begum is the chief executive of Oxfam GBThe savagely deep cuts that Keir Starmer has announced to the international aid budget make a mockery of the pledge his party made to the British people in its manifesto. Then, it promised to restore development spending at the level of 0.7% of gross national income “as soon as fiscal circumstances allow”. On Tuesday the prime minister stood in front of parliament and announced that he will cut it from 0.5% to 0.3% of GDP. In the same manifesto, Labour made a commitment to “rebuild Britain’s reputation on international development with a new approach based on genuine respect and partnership with the global south”. This week, the government turned its back on it.Of course, I understand the argument that defence spending has to be increased, but cutting our aid budget still further when governm...

Politics

60 h. ago Keir Starmer says 'dangerous new era' forced decision for 'biggest rise' in defence spending since the Cold War

The Prime Minister said ‘extremely difficult and painful choices’ would be needed to reach the spending goal, including a cut to foreign aid

Events

62 h. ago Why Trump, not Starmer, is to blame for UK cutting foreign aid to boost defence spending

The peace dividend of ‘Pax Americana’ is over and the UK and other European countries have no choice but to rearm

Politics

3 d. ago Keir Starmer bows to Trump pressure and increases UK defence spending by slashing foreign aid

PM brands Russia a ‘menace in our waters’ and says UK must stand by Ukraine to achieve lasting peace to avoid threats to economic instability

Politics

3 d. ago This is a hard choice. We believe in foreign aid – but we have to make cuts. We must keep the UK safe | David Lammy

Putin’s Russia is a threat to all Europe, including the UK. Vital aid work will be hit as we spend more on defence, but we must deal with the world as it isThere are moments in history when everything turns, but the extent of change is not perceived until later when the fog has cleared. These are hinge points that require clear leadership and bold action. In the late 1940s, my Labour predecessor and hero Ernie Bevin, alongside Clement Attlee, saw through the fog when they led Britain into Nato and the UN, and secured the development of Britain’s nuclear deterrent. In the 1960s, Harold Wilson saw through the paranoia of the cold war, refusing Lyndon Johnson’s request to send British troops to Vietnam. In the 1990s, Tony Blair understood that unless we stopped the president of Serbia, Slobodan Milošević, there would be no peace in the Balkans.Three years into Vladimir Putin’s brutal war, this is again a hinge point for Britain. Keir Starmer’s commitment to dramatically raise defence s...

Politics

3 d. ago Watch: Starmer defends cutting foreign aid budget to boost defence spending

Watch as Sir Keir Starmer holds a press conference on Tuesday, 25 February, after announcing he will slash the foreign aid budget to hike defence spending to 2.5 per cent of GDP to counter “tyrants” like Vladimir Putin.

Economics

3 d. ago Keir Starmer says 'dangerous new era' forced decision for 'biggest rise' in defence spending since Cold War

The Prime Minister said ‘extremely difficult and painful choices’ would be needed to reach the spending goal, including a cut to foreign aid

Events

3 d. ago Starmer slams accusation he is ‘Farage in disguise’ over defence spending increase

Sir Keir Starmer dismissed an accusation he is "Nigel Farage in disguise" over his plans to slash the foreign aid budget to hike defence spending to 2.5 per cent of GDP to counter “tyrants” like Vladimir Putin.

Politics

3 d. ago Starmer announces big cut to UK aid budget to boost defence spending

PM confirms rise in military spending to 2.5% of GDP by 2027 – three years earlier than plannedUK politics live – latest updatesKeir Starmer has announced drastic cuts to Britain’s international aid budget to help pay for a major increase in defence spending, amid fears over Donald Trump’s commitment to European security.The prime minister said the UK government would increase defence spending to 2.5% of GDP by 2027 – three years earlier than planned – as he prepared for what is likely to be a diplomatically fraught visit to Washington DC this week. Continue reading...

Economics