The Courier & Advertiser (Angus and Dundee)
Tory MPS hit out at cuts to overseas aid
Boris Johnson faced claims of “balancing the books on the backs of the poorest in the world” as Tory MPS condemned his cuts to aid spending.
The prime minister was roundly criticised by MPS of all sides for shelving his manifesto commitment to maintain spending at 0.7% of national income, instead reducing it to 0.5% – citing the economic impact of the coronavirus crisis.
But some of the most pointed remarks came from members of his own benches, with Foreign Office minister James Cleverly sent out to defend the policy in response to an urgent question in the Commons.
Conservative former international development secretary Andrew Mitchell warned the “dreadful” decision to slash overseas aid “shames our country and our government”.
He also insisted “red wall” voters in formerly Labour seats which helped Mr Johnson secure a commanding Commons majority also back Britain’s “life-saving” aid spending.
Mr Mitchell told the Commons: “Britain is cutting £500 million in humanitarian aid.
“That will mean that three million women and children will not now receive life-saving support – is it not clear that the original estimate of 100,000 souls who will die as a result is now a tragic underestimate?”
Conservative former prime minister Theresa May added: “The integrated review identifies the United Kingdom as a soft power superpower, citing as one of the reasons our contribution to international development.
“Exactly how is that position going to be enhanced by the action of cutting aid to the world’s poorest including those in slavery?”
For Labour, shadow international development secretary Preet Kaur Gill said: “Make no mistake, slashing humanitarian support in the middle of a global pandemic is callous and incredibly short-sighted.
“People will lose their lives as a result of the cuts and we will all be less safe. As the only G7 nation to cut
aid, it is a retreat from our moral duty and will weaken our position on the world stage.”
Responding to the urgent question for the government, Mr Cleverly said: “The simple truth is the UK economy is 11.3% smaller than it was last year and is undergoing the worst economic contraction for 300 years.”