We live in an unequal world, in which many people lack the basics of life or the opportunity to fulfil their God-given potential. Action is needed to tackle global poverty, address injustices, and encourage sustainable development.
For Christians, supporting international development is a response to the Biblical call to love our neighbours, protect the vulnerable and act for justice. As Churches, we therefore support and advocate for aid programmes, fair trade, tax justice, and cancellation of unjust debts.
International development budget cuts
In 2015, the UK enshrined in law, with cross-party support, a commitment to spending 0.7% of GNI – Gross National Income – on international development. The 0.7% target has its origins in an initiative of the World Council of Churches in 1958, and was adopted by the United Nations in 1970.
In November 2020, the Chancellor announced the Government’s intention to temporarily cut this budget to 0.5% of GNI. The cut was condemned by our member Churches. This temporary reduction then became permanent.
When Labour took office in 2024, it did so on a manifesto commitment to “restoring development spending at the level of 0.7 per cent of gross national income as soon as fiscal circumstances allow.”
However, in February 2025, the Prime Minister announced the intention of making further reductions to the international development budget, to 0.3% of GNI. Again, church leaders spoke out against the move.
We encourage you to get in touch with your MP to ask them to support reversing this cut. The Sanctuary Foundation offer this useful template for writing to your MP about this, though using your own words is always more powerful.
For decades, Churches and Christians have been key in calling for Britain to fulfil its international responsibilities and support overseas aid. Find out more about the background to this issue in this briefing, produced for Churches Together in Britain and Ireland in February 2021.
Blogs
Read our latest blogs on international development and aid here: