Foreign Office admits aid cuts threaten UK credibility

Sir Keir Starmer’s foreign aid cuts have put Britain’s international reputation and credibility at risk, the government has admitted.

- ARCHIE MITCHELL POLITICAL CORRESPONDENT

The prime minister’s decision to slash development spending from 0.5 per cent of GDP to 0.3 per cent – a reduction of around £6bn – has sparked alarm among leaders in Africa and around the world, a Foreign Office document has revealed.

Responses to David Lammy’s “new approach to Africa” consultation show among high commissioners and ambassadors in 51 countries – including 40 in Africa – concerns were raised about the implications of international aid cuts “on the UK’s reputation and credibility”.

And, after international development minister Baroness Jennifer Chapman admitted the aid cuts will hit education programmes, the consultation found concerns among African leaders that “the largest return on investment [through aid spending] in terms of equity is in basic education”.

The consultation was aimed at building a new relationship between the UK and Africa “rooted in mutual respect, and reflecting how Africa, the UK and the world have changed”. As well as the high commissions in Africa and 11 other countries, it consulted more than 90 non-governmental organisations, academics and think tanks.