Following the publication of the World Bank’s International Development Association (IDA21) final report, Richard Watts, Senior Adviser on Development Finance at Save the Children said:
“The grim reality of the aid cuts is emerging as the UK signals it is looking to backtrack on promises it has already made to the world's poorest people.
“In the World’s Bank’s replenishment report for IDA21 - the arm that supports the poorest countries focusing on critical areas for children, there is confirmation that the UK is now reviewing its past commitment to provide £1.98 billion of support.
“This is a significant move that risks undermining the vital support for children living in the world's toughest places. It also sends a troubling signal about the UK’s retreat from global leadership, particularly as both Chancellor and Minister for Development head to the 2025 World Bank Group/IMF Spring Meetings.
“Not only was the World Bank’s vision statement the corner stone of the Labour Manifesto, but its commitment to IDA21 was also delivered with a bold promise that “Britain was back with a voice on the world stage”. Just a few weeks ago, in the Spring Statement, the government reaffirmed its intention to continue strongly supporting Multilateral Development Banks like the World Bank, despite cuts to UK ODA.
“This latest move calls those commitments into question, sending a stark warning about the scale of cuts to come as the UK reduces aid to 0.3% of GNI. We urge the government to not only reaffirm its commitment to the World Bank and the world’s poorest countries, but to also reverse its decision to cut UK ODA, particularly at a time of growing global uncertainty and the accelerating impacts of climate change.”
ENDS