Bond reaction to international development minister, Anneliese Dodds resignation

Responding to Anneliese Dodds, the international development minister, resignation, Romilly Greenhill, CEO of Bond, the UK network for NGOs said:

“I am sad to see Anneliese Dodds resign – we agree with much of what she has stated in her letter. She was an excellent advocate for women and girls and was dedicated to rebuilding the UK’s reputation on development. We also appreciate the level of engagement she had with the sector. This will be a huge loss. The government should appoint a dedicated minister on development in order to deepen political attention on this agenda. It is clear from the devastating UK aid cuts announced this week, which must be reversed, that the government is trying to step back from its development ambitions.”

ENDS.

Notes for editors

Romilly Greenhill CEO of Bond and NGO leaders are all available for interviews on this issue. Please contact Maryam Mohsin or call 07816191596 to arrange.
Read the letter sent to PM and Treasury signed by 138 CEOs.
On Tuesday 25 February, the Prime Minister announced that the UK Official Development Assistance (ODA) will be reduced by 0.2 % of GNI, to fund an increase in defence spending from 2.3 to 2.5% of GDP by 2027. This cut will bring UK aid as a percentage of GNI to 0.3%.
In 2021, the UK cut ODA from 0.7% to 0.5%.
The last time that UK aid was under 0.3% was in 1999.
Other G7 countries ODA as a percentage of GNI in 2023 (the most up-to-date data available) was: Germany 0.82%, France 0.48%, Japan 0.44%, Canada 0.38%, Italy 0.27%, US 0.24%
Bond is the UK network for organisations working in international development. Bond unites and supports a diverse network of over 350 civil society organisations from across the UK, and allies to help eradicate global poverty, inequality and injustice.