The UK government has acknowledged that significant cuts to foreign aid spending will likely lead to a surge in global deaths, particularly affecting the world’s poorest communities, with women and girls bearing the brunt—especially in Africa and conflict-affected regions.
According to the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO), upcoming reductions in international aid will disproportionately affect healthcare, girls’ education, and gender equality programmes.
The FCDO’s impact assessment stated plainly: “Any reductions to health spending risk an increase in disease burden and ultimately in deaths, impacting in particular those living in poverty, women, children and people with disabilities.”
Deep Cuts to Aid Budget by 2027
The government is slashing aid from 0.5% to 0.3% of Gross National Income (GNI) by 2027—a drop amounting to around £6 billion, with the deepest reductions still ahead. In the financial year 2025–26 alone, aid will be cut by £575 million.
Health funding will see a 46% cut, falling from £975 million to £527 million. This includes reductions to health security, pandemic prevention efforts, and sexual and reproductive health services, such as the Ending Preventable Deaths Programme, which supports maternal and child health.
Girls’ Education Funding Nearly Halved
Funding for education, gender, and equality will be slashed by 42%, with support for girls’ education nearly halved to £186 million.
This includes the closure of a major programme in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, which had been aiding 170,000 children in post-conflict rural areas.
Overall UK spending in Africa will decrease from £1.6 billion to £1.4 billion, while aid to Europe will see a slight increase.
Widespread Backlash from Development Leaders
Gideon Rabinowitz, policy director at Bond, the UK network for development organisations, said: “The world’s most marginalised communities, especially women and girls in conflict zones, will pay the price for these political decisions.”
He urged the UK to show leadership, particularly as the United States has withdrawn funding for global gender programmes.
Labour MP Sarah Champion, chair of the International Development Committee, condemned the cuts, saying they “will hurt education, health, social protection and support for women and girls – the very pillars of healthy, secure societies.”
Former deputy foreign secretary Andrew Mitchell warned that such reductions will cause deaths among the world’s most vulnerable, calling it “an affront to the internationalist reputation of the Labour Party” and damaging to the UK’s global credibility.
Shift to Multilateral Aid Over Country-Specific Support
Despite these cuts, the UK will still contribute £1.8 billion to the World Bank’s International Development Association (IDA) and will continue to support the Gavi vaccine alliance.
However, this shift means less funding will go directly to country-specific projects, particularly in Sub-Saharan Africa, where the majority of the world’s extreme poor reside.
Ian Mitchell of the Centre for Global Development said: “If the UK is serious about tackling poverty, it must direct more funding to African nations where need is greatest.”
Rabinowitz echoed the concern, noting that while some humanitarian and vaccine funding is protected, the government is deprioritising gender equality, education, and support for nations like South Sudan, Ethiopia, and Somalia.
Women’s Rights at Risk
ActionAid UK’s co-CEO Hannah Bond expressed alarm over cuts to girls’ education and women-led organisations, warning this could increase child marriage and reduce access to lifesaving support in crisis zones such as Gaza and Ukraine.
The UK has long been a leader in sexual and reproductive health funding, especially in the wake of the US pulling support for global family planning. The future of critical initiatives like the Women’s Integrated Sexual Health (WISH) programme remains uncertain.
Though the government claims the overall impact on equality has been mitigated, its own assessment acknowledges “negative impacts where cuts fall”.
Government Defends ‘Modernised’ Aid Approach
Baroness Jenny Chapman, Minister for Development, defended the changes, stating the UK is “modernising international development” by shifting focus to strategic partnerships and investments.
She said: “Every pound must work harder for UK taxpayers and those we support. We aim to become partners, not donors, and institutions like the World Bank and Gavi are key to addressing major global challenges.”
