British international development minister Anneliese Dodds announced her resignation on Friday in response to Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s decision to reduce the foreign aid budget to increase defense spending.
On Tuesday, Starmer revealed plans to enhance annual defense expenditures, signaling to U.S. President Donald Trump that the UK is committed to strengthening Europe’s security. This increase will be financed by decreasing the overseas development budget from 0.5% of GDP to 0.3%.
Humanitarian organizations expressed their shock and dismay at the announcement, cautioning that it would undermine the UK’s global influence and severely affect the vulnerable populations they assist.
In her resignation letter shared on X, Dodds emphasized that the extent of the cuts would hinder the UK’s ability to uphold its development commitments in regions such as Gaza, Sudan, and Ukraine.
“Ultimately, these reductions will deprive desperate individuals of food and healthcare, significantly damaging the UK’s standing,” she stated in her letter.
“I understand you have indicated that you are not fundamentally opposed to international development. However, the reality is that this decision is already being interpreted as aligning with President Trump’s pattern of cuts to USAID.”
see more: Trump Ends U.S. Program to Enhance Electricity Access in Africa.
The UK’s foreign office, responsible for development matters, has not yet provided a response.
