Coronavirus: UK foreign aid spending cut by £2.9bn amid economic downturn
In a letter to Ms Champion, Mr Raab said the UK was"experiencing a severe economic downturn as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic".
He added that aid would also focus on"tackling climate change and reversing biodiversity loss, championing girls' education, UK leadership in the global response to Covid-19, and campaigning on issues such as media freedom and freedom of religious belief". He said a £2.9bn package of reductions in the government's planned foreign aid spending had been identified"so we can proceed prudently for the remainder of 2020".
It comes after Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced the Department for International Development would be merged with Mr Raab's department.that UK aid spending had"been treated as some giant cashpoint in the sky that arrives without any reference to UK interests".Ms Champion said Mr Raab's announcement on the last day of Parliament before the long summer recess raises more questions than it answers" and queried the timescale of the cuts.
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
UK grocery sales rise at record pace amid Covid-19 outbreakLocal shops and online services thrive as Britons turn to making meals at home
Read more »
Coronavirus UK map: the latest deaths and confirmed Covid-19 casesLatest figures from public health authorities on the spread of Covid-19 in England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. Find out how many confirmed cases have been reported in each local authority
Read more »
UK weather forecast - Summer holidays to get off to dreary start as rain comingBRITS’ summer holidays look set for a dreary start with rain expected across the UK this week. The school holidays are starting for many families this week but Met Office weather forecasters …
Read more »
Michelle Mitchell: 'Cuts to UK cancer research could have a huge impact on patients'Lifesaving new treatments are at risk due to Covid-19 income slump – unless the government steps in, warns the CRUK chief executive
Read more »
Brexit LIVE: UK sends EU dire ultimatum - before rivals share 'poignant moment' in LondonTHE UK sent a dire Brexit warning to the EU ahead of formal talks in a bid to secure a post-trade deal following a working dinner between David Frost and Brussels chief negotiator Michel Barnier.
Read more »
Brexit alliance: How shock country ‘moved to back Ireland’ after UK departureBREXIT talks are still deadlocked, meaning some EU member states like Ireland are panicking about the growing possibility of no deal - but the Emerald Isle has found support from a surprising member state.
Read more »