UK's international development minister quits after foreign aid cut

London, Feb 28 (AP) The British Cabinet minister responsible for international development quit Friday in the wake of Prime Minister Keir Starmer's decision earlier this week to ramp up defence spending by slashing the foreign aid budget.

In a letter to Starmer, which she posted on social media, Anneliese Dodds resigned as international development minister and minister for women, saying there were “no easy paths” to increasing defence spending but that she disagreed with the decision to cut overseas aid.

On Tuesday, Starmer said the government would raise UK defence spending to 2.5 per cent of gross domestic product by 2027 from the current 2.3 per cent, saying Europe is in a new era of insecurity that requires a “generational response.” The increase would be funded by a reduction in the aid budget from 0.5 per cent of GDP to 0.3 per cent.

The move, which drew support from US President Donald Trump, was widely criticised by aid agencies, who said it not only harmed some of the world's poorest people but also reduced Britain's soft power. (AP) GRS GRS

Source: PTI