From the Guardian · · 1m 20s
UK aid cuts hit poorest countries hardest
Britain's poorest aid recipients lost £118m while richer countries gained, as the Starmer government redirects funds to defence.
In brief
Britain's poorest aid recipients lost £118m while richer countries gained, as the Starmer government redirects funds to defence. The world's least-developed countries bore the brunt of UK aid cuts, losing 6.7% of funding while middle-income countries saw increases. Originally reported by the Guardian.
Poorest countries lose £118m
Funding to least-developed and low-income countries fell 6.7% under the Starmer government, while richer nations saw their aid share increase.
Overall aid budget shrinks
The UK's Official Development Assistance fell from 0.5% to 0.44% of gross national income, a drop of £987m, with further cuts planned for defence.
Critical programmes forced to close
Maternal health services in Sierra Leone and education for disabled children across Africa are shutting down as aid dries up, charities warn.
“The human cost of these cuts is already being felt, with critical humanitarian programmes already being forced to close.”
Middle-income countries gain ground
While poor nations lost funding, lower-middle-income countries saw aid increase by 13% and upper-middle-income countries by 2%.
Yemen and Afghanistan face steep cuts
Yemen will receive 28% less aid by 2028-29 and Afghanistan 39% less, though Ukraine's aid remains ringfenced.
64 million fewer people get aid
A new report shows that cumulative cuts by the UK, US and Europe have created the largest funding gap on record, leaving millions without support.
The bottom line
The world's least-developed countries bore the brunt of UK aid cuts, losing 6.7% of funding while middle-income countries saw increases.
