UK Aid Cuts Hit Poorest Nations as Defense Spending Rises

The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office released figures showing that the world's poorest nations were most affected by British aid cuts under the government of Keir Starmer. Funding to least-developed and low-income countries decreased by 6.7%, totaling £118 million in cuts. The UK's overall Official Development Assistance budget fell to 0.44% of gross national income in 2025, a decrease of £987 million from 2024, as funds were redirected toward defense spending.

While aid to Ukraine remains ringfenced, funding for Yemen and Afghanistan is projected to drop by 28% and 39% respectively by 2028/29. In contrast, aid increased for lower-middle-income countries by 13% and upper-middle-income countries by 2%.

The charity network Bond has called on Prime Minister Andy Burnham to reconsider these cuts. Gideon Rabinowitz, Bond's director of policy and advocacy, stated that the human cost is already being felt through the closure of critical humanitarian programs, including maternal health provision in Sierra Leone and education for children with disabilities across Africa.