, Labour’s Shadow Cabinet
Minister for International Development, responding to
the launch of the Government’s International Development White
Paper:
“Rishi Sunak is the Chancellor who abolished DFID and slashed aid
spending, costing lives and trashing Britain’s reputation as the
gold standard in international development. Asking him to repair
the damage is like calling on the arsonist to put out the fire.
“On nutrition alone, his decisions contributed to food rations
for 440,000 Kenyan refugees being reduced to 52% of the basic
food need.
“Development is a key pillar in reconnecting Britain to the world
and solving the global challenges that shape our lives at home.
Addressing 13 years of drift and damage under the Tories will
need a Labour government.
“Labour will restore Britain as a trusted, long-term partner to
tackle the great challenges of our time, promote the rules-based
order, and deliver transformational change with communities
around the globe.”
Ends
Notes
- According to the UK Aid watchdog, ACAI, reduced funding from
the UK and other donors resulted in the World Food Programme
cutting food rations for 440,000 refugees to 52% of the basic
food basket (about 1,050 calories per day) from October 2021.
The UK’s humanitarian response to COVID-19, Independent
Commission for Aid Impact, July 2022, p. 24, https://icai.independent.gov.uk/wp-content/uploads/The-UKs-humanitarian-response-to-COVID-19_ICAI-review.pdf
