UK Aid Cuts Spark Outcry from Leading Christian Charities
Three prominent Christian charities have expressed strong opposition to the UK’s proposed reduction in aid spending, cautioning that the decision could have dire consequences for millions worldwide.
The British government has announced plans to decrease its aid budget to 0.3% of Gross National Income (GNI) by 2027, a move that would equate to a £5.5 billion reduction from figures dating back to February 2025.
Organizations such as Tearfund, CAFOD, and Christian Aid, which have historically benefitted from substantial government funding, have openly criticized the decision.
Sam Perriman, head of public policy at Tearfund, voiced serious concerns, stating that the reallocation and reduction of funds would leave “millions of communities living in extreme poverty” without essential resources needed for survival.
Tearfund further warned that these cuts would likely lead to “millions of avoidable deaths.”
Both CAFOD and Christian Aid echoed these concerns. Neil Thorns, CAFOD’s director of Advocacy, remarked, “Today is not a good day for the UK’s global reputation, and it’s the wrong time for the government to be breaking its manifesto pledge to be a global climate leader.”
Jennifer Larbie, head of UK advocacy for Christian Aid, added, “Today’s deep cuts to the aid budget are a political choice to boost the defence budget at President Trump’s behest — one that the world’s most vulnerable people will pay for with their lives and livelihoods.”
Tearfund’s 2024/25 annual report revealed that a significant portion of its income (£26.5 million out of £80.2 million) was sourced from national and international government grants.
Similarly, Christian Aid disclosed that over a quarter of its income for the same period was derived from “institutional” sources.
In its 2024/25 report, CAFOD indicated that its income was £56.2 million, with nearly a quarter (£13.5 million) coming from “charitable activities …. thanks to enhanced funding from governments and other institutional donors.”
This article was originally written by www.christiantoday.com
