Labour MPs urge Burnham to restore 0.7% aid spending target
10 reported
A group of Labour MPs is calling on party leader Andy Burnham to restore the UK’s commitment to spending 0.7% of national income on overseas aid, according to a collection of essays to be published by the New Economics Foundation (NEF) thinktank. The essays, which emerged from gatherings of MPs and policy experts including David Miliband and Mark Malloch-Brown, propose a rethinking of foreign policy under a Burnham-led government. Former minister Fleur Anderson suggests a 10-year road back to the 0.7% target, which was legislated under Gordon Brown but cut in 2020 by Rishi Sunak during the Covid pandemic. The target was not reinstated by Keir Starmer, who instead made further cuts to aid spending and redirected funds to defence, prompting the resignation of development minister Anneliese Dodds. Other MPs, including Liam Byrne and Gareth Thomas, propose using the UK’s upcoming G20 presidency in 2027 to advance a global wealth tax and discussions on replacing the UN’s sustainable development goals. The NEF’s chief executive, Danny Sriskandarajah, said there is an opportunity for the UK to show global leadership on progressive issues.
What’s reported
Labour MPs are calling on Andy Burnham to restore the 0.7% of national income overseas aid target.
The calls are part of a collection of essays to be published by the New Economics Foundation (NEF) thinktank.
The project involved MPs and policy experts including David Miliband and Mark Malloch-Brown.
Fleur Anderson proposes a 10-year road back to the 0.7% target, with possible deviations in crises.
The 0.7% target was legislated under Gordon Brown and cut in 2020 by Rishi Sunak during the Covid pandemic.
Keir Starmer did not reinstate the target and made further cuts to aid, redirecting funds to defence.
The cuts prompted the resignation of development minister Anneliese Dodds.
Liam Byrne calls for the UK to use its 2027 G20 chair to convene discussions on a global wealth tax.
Gareth Thomas suggests using the G20 and G7 presidencies to discuss replacing the UN’s sustainable development goals.
Danny Sriskandarajah said there is an opportunity for UK global leadership on progressive issues.
Key figures
Andy Burnham, Labour party leader
Fleur Anderson, former minister
David Miliband, policy expert
Mark Malloch-Brown, former UN deputy secretary general
Rishi Sunak, former prime minister
Keir Starmer, former Labour leader
Anneliese Dodds, former development minister
Liam Byrne, chair of the Commons business and trade committee
Gareth Thomas, former Labour minister
Danny Sriskandarajah, chief executive of the New Economics Foundation
Sources: The Guardian
