The Archbishop of York has raised concerns over the UK’s decision to slash foreign aid funding in favour of increased defence spending.
In a statement released on Wednesday, the Most Rev Stephen Cottrell questioned Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer’s approach, warning that cutting ‘vital’ humanitarian aid could lead to greater global insecurity.
"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," he said.
The adjustment aims to increase the UK's defence budget to 2.5 percent of national income by 2027 while reducing Official Development Assistance (ODA) from 0.5 percent to 0.3 percent of Gross National Income.
The move has sparked outrage among many Christian aid organisations, which heavily rely on these funds to provide humanitarian relief. Critics argue that the cuts will cost lives and devastate the most vulnerable communities.
Archbishop Stephen has urged the UK Government to prioritise diplomacy and shield at-risk communities from the impact of these reductions.
“True security is not only about military strength—it is also about addressing the root causes of conflict, poverty, and instability," Archbishop Stephen added.
