Overseas development aid will fall from 0.5% of the UK’s gross national income to 0.3% – a cut of about £6bn. The Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health (¹ú²ú×ÔÅÄ) opposes the decision of the UK Government to institute further cuts to its global aid budget, noting that the work of ¹ú²ú×ÔÅÄ Global team, as many other health-focused organisations currently operating in low-income countries, will be profoundly impacted by this decision.
¹ú²ú×ÔÅÄ Global Officer, Dr Sue Broster, said:
This decision puts at risk the lives of children – lives which can be saved through the simple, cost-efficient health care systems and services that the UK has taken a lead role in supporting in some of the poorest and most fragile places around the world.
The government must swiftly set out a roadmap showing how it will reinstate aid the 0.7% target. This is not only the right approach, but the strategic approach for a safer and more prosperous future both in the UK and overseas.