Alliance Criticises UK Aid Funding Cuts

Kate Nicholl MLA, Chair of the All-Party Group on International Development at the Assembly, has strongly criticised the UK Prime Minister's intention to further reduce overseas aid funding. The proposed cut, from 0.5% to 0.3% of gross national income, has been met with anger and disappointment.

Nicholl, the South Belfast MLA, highlighted the UK's long-standing tradition of international development leadership.

"The UK has a long-established tradition of leading on international development and overseas aid, supporting some of the most vulnerable people around the world," she said. "This funding has enabled organisations to do life-changing work tackling poverty, supporting sustainable development, and providing humanitarian relief. All of that work and influence has now been placed in jeopardy." She emphasised the detrimental impact of the cuts, citing feedback from the Coalition of Aid and Development Agencies in Northern Ireland. "We must be clear that they will result in fewer children receiving life-saving nutrition, a reduction in the provision of healthcare programmes, and will restrict educational advancement in many countries around the world," Nicholl stated.

While acknowledging the need for defence spending, she argued against it coming at the expense of international aid. "At a time when conflict, the climate emergency, and humanitarian crises are on the rise, cutting aid is not only unjust, it's dangerously short-sighted," she said.

Nicholl reiterated Alliance's commitment to restoring the UK's aid commitment to 0.7% of national income.

"We have both a moral duty and a strategic interest in supporting the world's most vulnerable people, and Alliance has long advocated for restoring the UK's aid commitment to 0.7% of national income. We will continue to push back against these cuts and be passionate advocates for international development and humanitarian assistance," she concluded.