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Yesterday, the UK Government announced plans to cut the Aid budget to 0.3% by April 2027, redirecting funds towards the defence budget. For those of us working in global development, this is a devastating blow. The decision appears to have been made rapidly and without wide consultation: those of us funded by the UK Aid budget had no warning to make our case. It has also been made worryingly soon after the pause on USAID funding. This not only signals support for recent US policy, but also amplifies its consequences: worsening global poverty and inequality, limited ability of organisations to respond to crises, and further endangering the lives of people in marginalised communities worldwide. While perhaps not yet obvious, the effects of this decision will be felt across the sector. It will place immense pressure on organisations working to support marginalised communities and make it harder to deliver essential services where they are needed most. The challenges that SWIDN members exist to tackle have just got considerably more complicated, whether or not an individual organisation receives UK aid funding. 

Our partners at Bond have analysed the numbers, which you can read here. With 28% of the UK aid budget (approximately £14bn) already allocated to domestic refugee costs, reducing the overall budget from 0.5% to 0.3% of national income could mean a cut of around £5.5bn. This would bring UK aid to its lowest level in 25 years (Bond 2025), a decision made by a Labour Government who were voted in on a manifesto which committed to restoring aid to 0.7%.

Pitting aid against defence is a false choice: we know that security at home and stability abroad are interconnected. Investing in international development helps address the root causes of conflict. Cutting funds for life-saving programmes under the pretence of increasing security is short-sighted and counterproductive.

The devastating consequences of past UK aid cuts, particularly in 2021, are well-documented. A UK parliamentary report highlighted how these cuts reinforced racialised power imbalances, lacked accountability to the communities most affected, and upheld systemic inequalities. While we recognise that the aid system has colonial roots and needs reform, calls to decolonise global solidarity must not be weaponised to justify cutting life-saving support. The scale, speed, and impact of these latest cuts are not just policy choices – they are a continuation of colonial harm. History has shown that reducing aid without establishing sustainable alternatives costs lives. A just transition away from problematic models of aid must centre the voices and needs of people in countries most affected, rather than being driven by UK politics or post-colonial guilt. True global solidarity means ensuring that change happens in a way that protects, rather than abandons, those whose lives have been most impacted. 

This decision sends a stark message about the UK’s commitment to global solidarity. Now is the time to advocate for a more just and sustainable approach – one that values global cooperation and recognises that a safer world is built through investment in peace, equality, and justice. What can you do? 

• Write to your MP using this template we have produced to urge policymakers to rethink this decision and ensure the UK continues to play a leading role in international solidarity. If your MP is in opposition, ask them to hold the Government to account for breaking their manifesto promise.
• Tell your friends, neighbours and community here in the UK about the impact this will have on the partners and communities you work with. Encourage them to speak out too. Tackle the narrative that aid is dispensable and can be reduced with what you know: personal stories have power. 
• Join SWIDN as a member today to stay in touch with news and support international civil society here in the UK. We have a tiered fee system to make this accessible and we offer free membership through our Pay it Forward Scheme to ensure everyone can be part of our supportive network. Please get in touch for more information – info@swidn.org.uk