Baroness Chapman of Darlington appointed new Minister of International Development - Bond reaction

Following the resignation of Anneliese Dodds on Friday 28 February, Baroness Chapman has been appointed as Minister for International Development, Romilly Greenhill, CEO of Bond, the UK network for NGOs, said:

We look forward to working with Baroness Chapman of Darlington, the new Minister for International Development, to ensure the UK’s approach to international development continues to be based on genuine respect and partnership with lower-middle income countries.

However, her appointment comes at a troubling time, following the rushed and unconsulted decision to slash the UK aid budget without any apparent impact assessment or consideration of the consequences on the most marginalised communities in the world.

It is also concerning that Baroness Chapman, as a member of the House of Lords, cannot be held accountable in the Commons, particularly when MPs and the public are demanding answers about these reckless cuts. These cuts must be reversed.

We urge the new Minister for International Development to work closely with the sector to prevent the government from further retreating from its development commitments and protect the UK’s global reputation.

ENDS.

Notes for editors

Read Bond’s reaction to Anneliese Dodds’ resignation.
On Tuesday 25 February, the Prime Minister has 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 ODA 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 ODA 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%.
On Thursday 27 February, 138 NGO leaders wrote an open letter to the PM and Treasury, calling for a reversal of its decision to cut the UK aid budget, risking the closure of programs supporting marginalised communities facing poverty, conflict and climate change.
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.
For further information, please contact Jess Salter, Media Adviser at Bond at [email protected] or call 07392972411.