Starmer Faces Backlash Over Aid Cuts to Boost Defense Spending

The UK Prime Minister's decision to slash international development funding has sparked dissent within Labour and criticism from aid groups.

Prime Minister Keir Starmer announced a reduction in the UK’s international aid budget from 0.5% to 0.3% of gross national income to fund increased defense spending.
The decision aims to raise defense expenditure to 2.5% of GDP by 2027, with a long-term target of 3%, in response to shifting global security challenges and US demands for Europe to contribute more to its own defense.
Starmer's move has drawn criticism from Labour backbenchers, with former International Development Minister Anneliese Dodds resigning in protest and NGOs warning of the global repercussions.
Labour MPs and aid organizations argue that the cuts will undermine the UK’s global reputation and security, with a significant portion of the remaining aid budget being redirected to domestic asylum-seeker costs.
The announcement follows Starmer’s meeting with US President Donald Trump, where concerns about European security and the future of the Western alliance were highlighted.