Oxfam reacts to new govt aid policy

• Between 2024-2026 the UK has had the steepest cut of any G7 country.
• We are seeing a rollback on rights and gender equality, and multiple crises, including climate and conflicts, entrenched inequality and poverty.
• Aid cuts risk widening the gap between strategic ambitions and actual delivery of impactful, transformational work on the ground, where most needed, especially at local level and in most fragile contexts.

Shahd Mousalli, Senior Humanitarian Adviser for Oxfam GB commented:

“We welcome the Government prioritising fragile and conflict-affected countries where the need is the most acute, including the protection of women and girls. We know that the alarming inequality too many experience every day is being driven wider by armed conflict, climate crisis and gender injustice.

“However, cutting Official Development Assistance (ODA) in order to invest in defence spending is a false economy that will not make our world safer. Continued sustained investment in human security is vital for populations suffering extreme violence and insecurity and another round of cuts will result in further harm, cost lives and exacerbate humanitarian crisis.

Beth John, Climate Justice Advisor at Oxfam GB, said:

“The UK cannot claim it remains an international climate leader while announcing cuts - rather than a much-needed increase - to climate finance.

As climate disasters intensify and families lose their homes, crops and livelihoods, scaling back this vital support falls painfully short of the reality faced by people on the frontlines.

With development budgets being slashed around the world and UK ODA already at a 25‑year low, this announcement marks a step back from the Government’s own commitments.

“If the Government wants a modern approach to development, it should ensure that the biggest polluters pay their fair share to address the climate crisis they have disproportionately caused.”

Notes to Editors:

Information about the Government’s announcement today can be found here.