Anneliese Dodds announced her resignation as the UK’s Minister for International Development and for Women and Equalities on February 28 in protest over the government’s decision to cut Overseas Development Assistance (ODA) to 0.3% from 0.5% of Gross National Income (GNI) UK aid spending has been reduced from 0.7 to 0.5 per cent of GNI in 2021 in response to the effects of the Covid-19 pandemic on the UK economy. ALSO READ: Rwanda summons British envoy over ‘insulting’ statement by minister According to UK Parliament, the European country’s aid spending in 2023 was £15.3 billion. This was 0.58 per cent of GNI in that year. Based on the most recent forecasts for GNI, reducing the aid target to 0.3 per cent of GNI would mean that the aid budget in 2027 would be around £9.2 billion. Keeping the aid target at 0.5 per cent of GNI would mean that the aid budget in 2027 would be around £15.4 billion. ALSO READ: UK on spot over ‘ignorance, confusion’ about DR Congo crisis In her resignation letter addressed to Prime Minister Keir Starmer, Dodds expressed her disappointment over the aid reduction, warning that it would have severe consequences for global development, the UK’s international standing, and its ability to support key humanitarian efforts. She highlighted concerns that the cut would hinder aid to regions in crisis, including Gaza, Sudan, and Ukraine, as well as funding for vaccinations, climate initiatives, and international financial institutions. Dodds also warned that the UK’s withdrawal from aid commitments could allow rival powers such as Russia and China to expand their global influence unchecked. ALSO READ: Rwanda criticises UK for 'taking sides' in DR Congo crisis You have maintained that you want to continue support for Gaza, Sudan and Ukraine, for vaccination, for climate, and for rules-based systems. Yet it will be impossible to maintain these priorities given the depth of the cut, said Dodds. Dodds, who advocates for equality and international development, also lamented that her departure would mean she could no longer help implement key legislative commitments, including new equality measures for Black, Asian, and minority ethnic communities, disabled people, and other groups. Despite her disagreement with the ODA decision, she affirmed her continued support for Starmer’s leadership, stating that she would now work from the backbenches. Starmer’s government has defended the aid cut as part of broader spending adjustments, prioritising defence amid what Dodds described as a ‘postwar global order’ that has ‘come crashing down.’ While acknowledging the need for increased defence spending, Dodds criticised the decision to place the full financial burden on the aid budget without broader discussions on taxation and fiscal policy. Dodds was appointed as Minister of State Development and Minister of Women and Equality from July 2024.
