Source · Select Committees · International Development Committee
Recommendation 12
12
Rejected
Reconsider reduction in Official Development Assistance from 0.5% to 0.3% of GNI.
Recommendation
The reduction of ODA from 0.5% to 0.3% of GNI in February 2025 could not have come at a worse time, with cuts in donor spending across Europe and in the United States of America and ever-increasing need. If the Government fails to learn the lessons from the handling of the cuts in 2020, the misery inflicted on millions will be incalculable, the progress that has been made will stall, and the damage to the UK’s reputation will be all but impossible to reverse. We urge the Government to reconsider the reduction in Official Development Assistance. (Recommendation, Paragraph 41)
Government Response Summary
The government rejects the recommendation to reconsider the ODA reduction, stating it is a necessary decision to fund increased defence spending to 2.5% of GDP by 2027, which is deemed essential for national security.
Government Response
Rejected
HM Government
Rejected
Government Response – Disagree 22. At this time of profound change, with conflicts overseas undermining security and prosperity at home, the Prime Minister has taken the decision to increase spending on defence to 2.5% of GDP from 2027, funded by reducing ODA to 0.3% of GNI and reinvesting it into defence. Protecting our national security is the first duty of any government. 23. We have learned lessons from previous reductions, including by gradually reducing the ODA budget to 0.3% of GNI in 2027 to help smooth the transition and by carefully considering the significant shifts that will be required to deliver reductions over the course of the Spending Review. 24. The decision to reduce the ODA budget was a necessary one that reflects the evolving nature of the threats we face, and the strategic shifts required to meet them, while maintaining economic stability. We therefore disagree with this recommendation. 25. We remain committed to returning to spending 0.7% of GNI on ODA when fiscal circumstances allow.