Jardine urges UK Government to protect overseas aid

Edinburgh West MP Christine Jardine has called on the UK Government to avoid cutting the UK’s overseas aid budget further as part of the boost to defence spending.

Ms Jardine welcomed the Prime Minister’s timetable for raising UK defence budgets to 2.5% of GDP by 2027, with a longer term plan for reaching 3%.

But the Liberal Democrat is concerned about the effect that funding this increase partly through cuts to Official Development Aid (ODA) will have on the UK’s soft power, and projects supporting some of the world’s poorest and most vulnerable people.

The UK’s commitment to spending 0.7% of gross national income on ODA was passed into law in 2015 as a private members Bill from Liberal Democrats and backed by all major parties.

Ms Jardine hopes that the Government will set out a plan to restore aid spending, which she believes is “vital for our soft power and security”.

Christine Jardine MP said:

“I welcome the Prime Minister’s commitment to spending 2.5% of our GDP on defence as soon as possible.

“At this critical point for our national security, the stability of Europe, and our relationship with the United States, we must do more to keep Britain safe. I would urge the Government to listen to Liberal Democrat calls to find a way to spending 3% sooner.

“But I am concerned by funding this through further cuts to our already low overseas aid budget. We know how important this spending is to support some of the most vulnerable people around the world, and it is vital for our soft power and security.

“This decision will damage our reputation and simply give China and Russia another opportunity to spread their influence. The Prime Minister and the Chancellor must think again.”