UK urged to keep its 0.3% of national income aid floor

Summary

A Guardian letter by Callum Northcote argues that the UK must stick to its pledge to spend 0.3% of gross national income on international development, after a Guardian report of 26 October said the UK might miss that target. The letter says the development budget has been repeatedly cut over the past five years, and estimates that 62 million fewer people will be supported by UK aid in 2026-27 compared with 2019. It says the Labour government committed to 0.3% as a floor with the intention of raising funding again over time, and that this commitment must hold if the government wants to rebuild its international reputation. The writer accuses the government of using clever accounting techniques at the expense of communities around the world.

Timeline

1. The Guardian

   1 Nov 2026, 17:28 UTCSource ↗

   In a letter, Callum Northcote argues the UK must stick to its pledge to a 0.3% of gross national income floor for international development spending, saying the government has used accounting techniques instead of keeping its promise.