UK aid cuts will have devastating impact on world’s poorest & undermine global security

SIDA and the SMP have written jointly to MPs of all parties to urge them to speak up for the devastating impact that UK Government International Development cuts from 0.5% to 0.3% will have on some of the world’s most vulnerable people, and to look elsewhere for defence spending.

Our approach to all parties came ahead of Wednesday’s debate in the House of Commons where MPs across the House largely welcomed adding to defence coffers, but condemned the cuts, with many emphasising the loss of life and suffering that they will have on the world’s poorest and the destabilising effect for global security in fragile states.

The Chair of Westminster’s International Development Committee, Sarah Champion MP quoted former British Army head, General Richard (Lord) Dannatt:

“...every pound we cut from development aid today, risks costing us far more in future military operations…If we cut aid, we will be forced to deploy military resources in areas where we could have mitigated instability through targeted development.”

The end of aid programmes which have kept people from going hungry and provided access to basic education, healthcare, sanitation and essential services, risks increasing humanitarian crises.

Please let the SMP know what effect cuts have on collaborative efforts with your Malawian partners by e-mailing Stuart@scotland-malawipartnership.org