Responding to Chancellor Rishi Sunak’s announcement that he will cut the overseas aid budget by a third, ending the Government’s commitment to spend 0.7% of gross national income on aid, Amnesty UK Director Kate Allen, a member of the Foreign Secretary’s advisory group on human rights, said:

“The decision to slash aid at a time of such great need is hugely disappointing and a bad omen of the direction of travel this Government is choosing in Foreign Affairs.

“Such a significant cut requires proper consideration of the human rights implications and we are concerned it has been undertaken without due consultation with those who will be affected.

“Any reduced aid spending must still focus on the most marginalised and the poorest.”