United Kingdom: Parliament votes to cut budget for development aid

The development aid envelope will be reduced by £ 5 billion, an economic necessity caused by the pandemic, according to Prime Minister Boris Johnson.

via REUTERS - UK PARLIAMENT / JESSICA TAYLOR

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3 min

In the United Kingdom, Parliament approved Tuesday, by a narrow majority, the reduction in international aid, a budget that is used to support developing countries.

This aid will drop from 0.7% of national wealth in 2020 to 0.5% in 2021. The government justifies this decision by the Covid-19 crisis and its impact on the economy.

But he had to face a sling of deputies, including among the conservatives, who fear humanitarian consequences.

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With our correspondent in London

,

Claire Digiacomi

Less money for family planning or for water sanitation in the poorest countries, these are the concrete consequences of the decline in development aid from the United Kingdom.

The envelope will be reduced by 5 billion pounds, or about 5.8 billion euros.

An economic necessity caused by the pandemic, according to Prime Minister Boris Johnson who promises that the measure is temporary.

“ 

We all believe that international aid can change lives.

As soon as the circumstances allow, and the conditions are met, we will return to the objective on which we all agree

 ”, explained the British Prime Minister.

A motion criticized by some Labor and Conservatives

Many voices have been raised in the House of Commons to denounce this government motion.

Critics coming from the Labor opposition benches, but also from part of the conservatives, such as former Prime Minister Theresa May.

She recalled that the initial objective of 0.7% of GDP has been enshrined in law since 2015. “ 

We made a promise to the poorest populations in the world.

The government broke that promise.

And with this motion, it could be broken for years to come, says Theresa May.

It is therefore with deep regret that I will oppose it today. 

"

And the criticism is unanimous on the side of charitable organizations, which are worried about the blow to the weakest in the midst of a crisis.

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See also: Covid-19: Boris Johnson announces the upcoming end of restrictions in the United Kingdom

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