City MP hits out after PM hints at cut in foreign aid

A CARDIFF MP has urged the Prime Minister to “stop this retreat” from the global stage, amid reports that plans are being drawn up to cut the UK’s overseas aid spending.

Boris Johnson yesterday fuelled speculation of a temporary cut in Britain’s foreign aid budget after failing to rule out such a move at Prime Minister’s Questions.

Labour’s Anna McMorrin (Cardiff North), pictured, criticised the prospect of a cut and tackled the PM on the subject amid reports that plans are being drawn up to pare back the UK’s commitment to spend 0.7% of national income on overseas aid to 0.5% in next week’s spending review.

But Mr Johnson told the Commons: “I think everybody in this country can be immensely proud of the massive commitments this country has made and will continue to make in tackling poverty and deprivation around the world.

“I think they can be even prouder of the commitment that we’re now making, leading the world, to tackle the threat of climate change.”

Communities Secretary Robert Jenrick earlier said it is “legitimate” to look for savings at a time when the public finances are under “huge strain”.

Downing Street has said the Government remained committed to supporting the world’s poorest people but acknowledged that officials were looking at how the aid budget was spent.

During a briefing for journalists, the Prime Minister’s official spokesman drew attention to the fact that the legislation enshrining the 0.7% target in UK law explicitly acknowledged it might not always be met.

The UK has previously said it would be cutting its global aid budget by £2.9bn this year due to the economic hit of the coronavirus crisis, but that the 0.7% commitment towards international development would still be met.