Leaders from the Baptist, Methodist, Church of Scotland and United Reformed Churches say the Prime Minister’s decision to cut the international aid budget is a 'bitter blow' which will have a 'devastating effect' on lives across the globe.

In a statement released today, they say while they appreciate a need for increased defence spending, it shouldn't be at the cost of humanitarian aid.

Sir Keir Starmer announced yesterday that foreign aid spending would be cut from 0.5 per cent to 0.3 per cent in order to fund an increase in defence spending to 2.5 per cent.

The church leaders say they 'deeply lament' the plan and say it breaks Labour's manifesto promise to people in the world’s poorest communities, adding 'While there is a case to be made for increasing defence spending to support Ukraine in resisting Russian aggression, that shouldn’t come at the cost of vital humanitarian and development programmes, which play a crucial role in promoting human security around the world.'

They say that slashing aid by 40 per cent will threaten UK aid programmes which protect women and girls from violence, vaccination programmes and human rights projects which help prevent conflict:  

"Our Churches have strongly encouraged and supported the UK in its commitment to international development, not only as a way of showing care to our global neighbours, but in recognition of the UK’s historic and ongoing responsibilities to address the causes of global injustice, poverty, forced migration, climate change and conflict. It is a source of deep regret to see a backing away from that responsibility. A massively reduced UK aid budget would be experienced as a bitter blow by partners and communities in the global south, especially coming so soon after the devastating USAID cuts. We urge the government to rethink its decision immediately."

Christian aid agencies including CAFOD and World Vision UK have also strongly criticised the plans and the Archbishop of York Most Rev Stephen Cottrell yesterday said cutting aid would worsen global instability.

The Foreign Secretary David Lammy said the decision had been a 'hard choice' but one that is necessary to keep the UK safe.