Issue 1: Protecting 0.7% U.K. Aid

What is Foreign Aid?

The term ‘Foreign Aid’ refers to the international movement of money, services or goods from independent governments or international institutions. Foreign aid takes the primary forms of fiscal donations, military resources or humanitarian support. It is considered to be one of the most significant sources of foreign exchange (CFI). The UK has been a consistent, essential player in providing international foreign aid. Due to the U.K. possessing one of the world’s largest economies, we are well positioned to provide support to the world’s most financially vulnerable. Through our foreign aid commitments, we are able to help the most disaster-stricken, resource-poor countries.

What is the 0.7% Aid Target?

In 1970, the United Nations General Assembly implemented a recommended target for member countries to spend 0.7% of their Gross National Income (GNI) on Official Development Assistance (ODA). The rationale behind this was that if the wealthiest countries committed to the budget, accompanied by appropriate policies, ODA would become unnecessary by the end of the 20th Century. However, only eight member countries have been able to meet this target since its inception — the U.K. being one. In 2013, the U.K. met the target for the first time. As a result, the Conservative-Liberal Democrat coalition government enshrined this into law in 2015, hoping to protect the integrity of the commitment.

Why is the 0.7% Aid Target Vulnerable?

At the Chancellor’s Spending Review on 25th Novemeber 2020, the government announced a temporary reduction in ODA spending to 0.5% of the GNI. Whilst this 2% drop may not seem alarming, in reality, it equates to a loss of £3.9 billion. This means a significant reduction in support that recipient countries greatly benefit from for stability and growth. This U-turn comes less than a year after Boris Johnson’s government committed to the budget in their manifesto, and a mere few months before the U.K. is set to act as a host at the international G7 and COP26 intergovernmental summits.

Why Do We Need to Protect the 0.7% Aid Target?

We are currently experiencing the worst humanitarian crisis in a generation. This is made worse by the ramifications of the global climate crisis. A reduction in the foreign aid budget dramatically diminishes the U.K.’s ability to respond to these crises, as well as undermines its long-established global standing as a critical player in international aid relations.

The effects of cutting aid spending can be seen with the government’s response to the Yemen pledge. The U.K. will give £87 million within the next financial year, this is less than half of what was provided last year. The ramifications of this decision are disastrous as it places 400,000 children under the age of 5, at risk of starvation.

Over 700 million people are currently living in extreme poverty (with a budget of less than $1.90 per day). Foreign Aid commitments act as vital lifelines for those countries whose citizens need support to stabilise their quality of life, and work towards socio-economic growth. The U.K.’s ability to contribute alleviates poverty and helps to achieve milestones in global sustainable development. To be effective, foreign aid spending needs to be invested in a transformative way, that will enable countries to respond to emergencies and humanitarian crises.

Concerns over the nation’s economic standing as it recovers from the covid-19 pandemic need not be worsened by the bid to protect the 0.7% Aid Target.

Whilst it is inevitable that the economy is going to shrink (due to the pandemic), cuts to spending on international development should still be proportionate. Furthermore, due to the shrink in the economy, the government has recouped nearly £3 billion in aid this year. This means that the U.K.’s economy is not affected by the aid budget during recessions, or austerity etc. than it is during times of prosperity. The budget is designed specifically to adapt to any change in economic circumstance.

Foreign Aid needs to be available to support the world’s most vulnerable children in accessing healthcare, education and nutrition. The U.K. has the capacity, and the ability, to build and transform institutions to help guarantee a child’s fundamental right to survive. The U.K. has been leading from a moral standpoint by upholding the 0.7% Target. By cutting these funds to those most at risk, the U.K. is sending a message of isolationism at a time when we should be advocating for global integration and connection — and continuing to provide the resources to attain it.

How to join the conversation

Save the Children is currently running an active campaign to Protect 0.7% U.K. Aid.

The government’s plans to cut aid will hit nine of the world’s hardest countries in which to be a child, including Syria, Somalia and South Sudan. During a global crisis, the world needs Britain at its best — generous, forward-thinking and compassionate.

To become part of our conversation and protect the world’s most vulnerable, at-risk children, join our campaign.

If you feel inspired by this blog, and want to take action, write to your MP and open up the conversation with them.

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