Southport MP defends vote for foreign aid cut

Damien Moore has defended joining with the Conservative party in voting to cut the UK’s foreign aid spending.

MPs voted yesterday to reduce the UK’s foreign aid budget from 0.7% to 0.5% of GNI, meaning a reduction of approximately £4bn in foreign aid spending per year.

Spending 0.7% of GNI on foreign aid was a “commitment” in the 2019 Conservative manifesto. 25 Conservative MPs voted against the measures.

The cut will mean that the UK still spends more of a percentage of GNI than G7 members Japan, Canada, Italy and the United States.

Mr Moore says that he will lobby the Government to revert back to 0.7% “as soon as the fiscal situation allows.”

Damien Moore told OTS News: “This country has been and always will be open and outward-looking, leading in solving the world’s toughest problems and striving to be a force for good in the world. Whether it is stepping up to support desperate Syrians and Yemenis in conflict zones, leading the fight against Ebola and Malaria, or supporting millions of children to gain a decent education.

“Nevertheless, we must be honest about where we are. The UK is currently experiencing its worst economic contraction in 300 years because of the pandemic, with a budget deficit double that caused by the 2008 financial crisis. At this time of unprecedented crisis, tough choices must be made, which is why the Chancellor announced a temporary reduction in the UK’s ODA budget from 0.7 per cent to 0.5 per cent of the UK’s Gross National Income (GNI).

“I am encouraged that the UK will be spending more than £10 billion in 2021 on its seven ODA priorities, as set out by the Foreign Secretary – climate change and biodiversity; global health security, including Covid-19; girls’ education; responding to humanitarian crises, such as those in Yemen and Syria; science and technology; resolving conflicts and defending open societies, including human rights; and promoting trade.

“As one of the most generous aid donors in the G7, with a commitment considerably higher than the OECD average, and coupled with our expertise and convening power, the UK remains a development superpower.

“The UK is, for example, the biggest bilateral donor to the Global Partnership for Education, the largest fund in the world dedicated to improving education in developing countries; and the World Bank International Development Association, which works to accelerate progress toward the UN Sustainable Development Goals. Likewise, our contribution to the COVAX AMC is amongst the largest, and will contribute to the supply of at least 1.3 billion doses of Covid-19 vaccines in 2021, already reaching over 120 countries.

“I have been assured that the UK will return to 0.7 per cent as soon as the fiscal situation allows, and I will lobby my colleagues in Government to ensure that this is the case.”

Southport Labour said: “This is yet another broken promise from the Conservative government; sadly it comes as no surprise that the MP elected to represent the people of this town has yet again toed the callous party line.

“Playing populist politics and basing policy on sound bites does nothing to help this country, or those most in need around the world.

“The pandemic has shown how things can escalate dangerously when countries do not have the resources to respond to global issues. All of our lives are affected.”