Lord Jack McConnell has urged Number 10 to rethink the decision.
Jack McConnell, the former Labour first minister in Scotland, has warned that the UK's decision to cut its foreign aid budget will cost lives and create chaos. The budget, which is being reduced from 0.5% to 0.3% of the country's gross national income, is being cut to increase defense spending to 2.5% of GDP. Prime Minister Keir Starmer announced the move ahead of a meeting with US President Donald Trump, stating it was necessary to respond to a "generational" threat. McConnell criticized the decision, arguing it creates a false choice between aid and defense and weakens the UK's influence and soft power. He emphasized the importance of investing in both areas and noted the British public's readiness for tough decisions.
