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Concern Worldwide (UK) Director of Policy and Campaigns responds to the 2021 Autumn Budget and Spending Review
In light of the 2021 Autumn Budget and Spending Review, which suggests there is a risk of further cuts to UK aid, Anushree Rao, Director of Policy and Campaigns at Concern Worldwide (UK), said:
"Today’s Spending Review implies that the UK’s Special Drawing Rights to the International Monetary Fund (IMF) is likely to be counted as part of its 0.5% GNI to UK aid. If this is the case, there is now a risk of further cuts to programmes on the ground, which will be disastrous for many more millions of people living in extreme poverty - especially at a time when global hunger and climate change are dangerously on the rise.
It’s incredibly disappointing that the Chancellor said the Government may return to 0.7% of GNI to UK aid only in 2024-25. The world’s poorest communities are suffering now, and simply cannot wait until then.
With just days until the COP26 summit in Glasgow, the government can no longer claim to be serious about tackling the climate crisis, supporting recovery from the devastating impacts of Covid-19 and remaining a world leader on international development.
The previous round of cuts to UK aid severely hindered and even ended Concern programmes that provided essential health services to extremely poor communities, and supported efforts to help them prepare for and cope with climate shocks.
With just days until the COP26 summit in Glasgow, the government can no longer claim to be serious about tackling the climate crisis, supporting recovery from the devastating impacts of Covid-19 and remaining a world leader on international development."
For more information and media enquiries, please contact Hannah Myerson, Senior Communications Officer, at [email protected].