International Development Minister Resigns Over Keir Starmer’s Cut To Foreign Aid

The international development minister Anneliese Dodds has just quit her job after Keir Starmer chose to cut the foreign aid budget, reports say.

The prime minister announced he was taking funds from the international development sector to boost defence spending from its current level of 2.3% of gross domestic product (GDP) to 2.5% by 2027 – by 3% by the next parliament.

This move came after Donald Trump said Europe needs to spend more on its own security and stop relying on the US.

It means foreign aid funding will fall from 0.5% of GDP to 0.3%, a move which sparked backlash among charities and Labour backbenchers.

Dodds quit on Friday, warning that the UK’s decision would only strengthen Russia as Vladimir Putin stretches his influence around the globe.

She said while it was right to increase defence spending, she believes Starmer will now find it “impossible” to now stick to his promises to fund development in Ukraine, Gaza and Sudan.

According to the Guardian – who first reported her resignation – Dodds said she was told about the shift in spending on Monday but chose to hold off on announcing her resignation until after the PM’s trip to Washington.

In her letter, she said: “Undoubtedly the postwar global order has come crashing down. I believe that we must increase spending on defence as a result; and know that there are no easy paths to doing so.

“I stood ready to work with you to deliver that increased spending, knowing some might well have had to come from overseas development assistance [ODA]. I also expected we would collectively discuss our fiscal rules and approach to taxation, as other nations are doing.

“Even 3% may only be the start, and it will be impossible to raise the substantial resources needed just through tactical cuts to public spending. These are unprecedented times, when strategic decisions for the sake of our country’s security cannot be ducked.”

Dodds also warned this would impact Britain’s national security.

She said: “The cut will also likely lead to a UK pullout from numerous African, Caribbean and western Balkan nations at a time when Russia has been aggressively increasing its global presence.

“All this while China is seeking to rewrite global rules, and when the climate crisis is the biggest security threat of them all.”