Chancellor Jeremy Hunt on Wednesday ruled out Britain’s aid budget reverting to 0.7% of national income in the next five years, but stressed the “massive difference” UK development can make worldwide.
“I don't think the fiscal position makes it possible to do that,” he told MPs on the Treasury Committee after presenting £20 billion in tax cuts in last week’s Autumn Statement.
“I don't believe it's possible to budget for that in the figures, no,” he said, noting the Treasury’s budget period covers the coming five years.
As chancellor, Rishi Sunak attracted fierce controversy by slashing billions off the overseas aid budget in 2021 amid budget pressures from the Covid pandemic. The cut to 0.5% of gross national income has cost lives around the world, aid groups say.
Last week, the Prime Minister used a food security summit to launch a White Paper setting out the Government’s long-term approach to international development up to 2030. It repeated a commitment to return to the higher target “once the fiscal situation allows”.
In his first major speaking engagement since becoming Foreign Secretary, Lord Cameron said at the summit that he would “put development right back at the heart” of the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO).
Mr Hunt, who as a backbench MP voted against the 2021 cut, told the committee: “Absolutely, I'm committed to returning to 0.7 when it’s affordable to do so.
“And I fully share your judgment that the aid that we do as a country is a very big statement of our values, makes a very massive difference all around the world.”
