A message from Fr John

Dear Friends

Aid agencies have expressed grave concern that the UK government is considering to permanently cut aid spending next year to just 0.5% of national income, down from the legally binding target of 0.7%.

Christian Aid's UK Advocacy and Policy Lead, Jennifer Larbie, said: "Cuts have consequences. Cutting the UK aid budget will have consequences for the world's poorest. This is not just about the compassion of our country it is about justice.

"It will result in people not accessing vital health care during a global pandemic. People going hungry. In fewer children being educated and their already limited choices being further diminished.

"These are the tangible effects. The intangible, but no less damaging, ones are to the UK's global standing. By not keeping our foreign aid promises we further undermine our position as host of the G7 next year. We give the impression; do as we say not as we do.

"The people of this country, have a proud tradition of never turning a blind eye to those in need around the world. The values of fairness and justice are echoed through their giving and their work. People give money, sign petitions or bake cakes because they believe helping those in need is a fundamental part of being human. Their giving has continued in the face of a pandemic They expect their government to do the same.

"These are challenging and difficult times. But the government has a clear choice: honour its commitment to the world's poorest, or not. As Archbishop Desmond Tutu has said, a promise to the poor is particularly sacred."

Christine Allen, Director of CAFOD, said: "At a time when international solidarity and cooperation across borders is needed more than ever, it is deeply alarming that the Government has chosen to turn its back on the world. 

"Aid spending on tackling global poverty must not be treated as a charitable favour to the world, but as Britain's moral duty.  

"We recognise the economic challenges we face at home, but when the government have increased spending on defence, there can be no argument to reduce spending on the means to tackle conflict and its causes. Yet despite our wealth, this government has decided to take money from the world's poorest."