Back to News
Conservative plans to slash aid budget would ‘irreparably damage’ UK’s global credibility, charities say
UK NewsPolitics•October 5, 2026 at 6:56 PMNational

Conservative plans to slash aid budget would ‘irreparably damage’ UK’s global credibility, charities say

By Alexandra Topping Political correspondent•The Guardian - UK News

Party’s pledge to reduce aid budget from £9bn a year to £1bn to fund new prison places branded as ‘posturing’Conservative plans to slash the aid budget by 90% would leave the UK unable to cover existing contributions to the UN and World Bank and “irreparably damage” Britain’s global credibility, several organisations and charities have told the Guardian.In a series of announcements at the Tory party conference in Birmingham, Kemi Badenoch said that as prime minister she would reduce the aid budget from £9bn a year to £1bn, to part-fund 50,000 new prison places in England and Wales. The culture budget would also be slashed by £1bn a year to fund the plans. Continue reading...

Party’s pledge to reduce aid budget from £9bn a year to £1bn to fund new prison places branded as ‘posturing’

Conservative plans to slash the aid budget by 90% would leave the UK unable to cover existing contributions to the UN and World Bank and “irreparably damage” Britain’s global credibility, several organisations and charities have told the Guardian.

In a series of announcements at the Tory party conference in Birmingham, Kemi Badenoch said that as prime minister she would reduce the aid budget from £9bn a year to £1bn, to part-fund 50,000 new prison places in England and Wales. The culture budget would also be slashed by £1bn a year to fund the plans.

Continue reading...

Related News

‘If voters aren’t better off by the next election, we’re screwed’: Labour insiders voice fears over budget
UK NewsPolitics

‘If voters aren’t better off by the next election, we’re screwed’: Labour insiders voice fears over budget

Some say party risks ‘looking twee’ by focusing on small fixes amid growing nervousness that budget lacks ambitionIn the...

The Guardian - UK News16 minutes ago
How to storm-proof your home, from roof tiles to garden fences
UK NewsBusiness

How to storm-proof your home, from roof tiles to garden fences

With an extremely wet and windy winter forecast, take steps to keep you and your home safe and dryWith the Met Office wa...

The Guardian - UK News16 minutes ago
UK accused of giving people of Gaza false hope over new refugee safe route
UK NewsPolitics

UK accused of giving people of Gaza false hope over new refugee safe route

Only ‘very small number’ of people already in Lebanon or Jordan will be referred, says organisation running schemeThe Ho...

The Guardian - UK News16 minutes ago
UK savings: 5% interest rate deals may not last, say experts
UK NewsBusiness

UK savings: 5% interest rate deals may not last, say experts

Competition is hotting up, with National Savings & Investments lifting rates to the highest in yearsNational Savings and...

The Guardian - UK News16 minutes ago
Thousands of security personnel deployed as Delhi braces for ‘cockroach’ protest
UK News

Thousands of security personnel deployed as Delhi braces for ‘cockroach’ protest

Several trains to Delhi have been cancelled and dozens of metro stations are shut to stop protesters from gathering.

BBC News - UK52 minutes ago
Create new pre-apprenticeship scheme to close youth unemployment gap, says Milburn
UK NewsPoliticsBusiness

Create new pre-apprenticeship scheme to close youth unemployment gap, says Milburn

Exclusive: Former minister’s review warns that dramatic action is needed over huge drop in youth apprenticeship startsA...

The Guardian - UK News1 hour ago

More From These Categories