The Archbishop of York, Stephen Cottrell has expressed concern over the Government’s decision to cut Official Development Assistance (ODA) from 0.5% to 0.3% of Gross National Income, following the Prime Minister’s announcement of increased defence spending.
While acknowledging the need for investment in national security, Archbishop Stephen has questioned whether reducing vital aid funding is the right approach. He said: “Defence and development are not competing priorities; they are complementary. Properly used, development funding helps prevent conflicts, tackle instability, and build a safer, more just world. Cutting aid in this way risks exacerbating the very crises that lead to insecurity.”
This decision comes at a time when global need is rising and of the impact this will have across some of the poorest communities in the Anglican Communion.
Archbishop Stephen is urging that the Government ensures that increases in defence spending include robust investment in preventative diplomacy and conflict resolution mechanisms. “True security is not only about military strength—it is also about addressing the root causes of conflict, poverty, and instability. I am asking that the Government conducts a full assessment of how these aid cuts will affect existing UK-funded development programmes and to take every possible step to shield the world’s most vulnerable from the consequences of this decision. “
