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Write to your MP to challenge proposed reduction in international development budget

Categories: Articles:Development, Articles:Social Justice | Published: 17/02/2021 | Views: 587

In November 2020, the UK Chancellor announced the Government’s intention to significantly reduce the budget for international development, arguing that the costs of dealing with the coronavirus pandemic meant a temporary cut was necessary.



Under the Government’s plans, overseas aid spending will be reduced from 0.7 per cent to 0.5 per cent of Gross National Income (GNI). It would mean the international development budget falling by around a third, from £15.2 billion in 2019 to around £10 billion in 2021. The 0.7 per cent target had been met every year since 2013, and enshrined in law since 2015.

The decision to reduce the UK’s international development commitment requires a change in the law. Please contact your Member of Parliament to make the case for opposing the cut and protecting Britain’s international development commitment.

Churches Together in Britain and Ireland have published a briefing, which provides helpful information on what the cut in aid will mean and some arguments in favour of retaining the 0.7 per cent aid commitment.

Please read the briefing and send it to your MP asking them to consider doing the following:

• Write to the Prime Minister calling on him to protect the 0.7% aid target

• Vote against any legislation that will reduce or revoke the 0.7% aid target

• Use their voice to speak out about these cuts in Parliament

We are particularly keen for those individuals living in the constituencies listed below to contact their MP. These constituencies have Conservative MPs and, if this campaign is to succeed, we require as many backbench Conservative MPs as possible to support it.

• West Aberdeenshire and Kincardine

• Banff and Buchan

• Dumfries and Galloway

• Berwickshire, Roxburgh and Selkirk

• Dumfriesshire, Clydesdale and Tweeddale

• Moray

 

Click here to find your MP contact details

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