Anneliese Dodds quits as development minister over aid budget cut

Anneliese Dodds has quit as international development minister over the decision to cut overseas aid to fund a boost to defence spending.

The Labour MP for Oxford East posted on X: “It is with sadness that I have had to tender my resignation as Minister for International Development and for Women and Equalities.”

She posted an image of the letter of resignation sent to Sir Keir Starmer, in which she wrote that she knew there were no “easy paths” to increase defence spending, but that she disagreed with the decision to cut overseas development aid to 0.3% of GNI (gross national income).

Dodds said she no longer believed the prime minister would be able to continue his support for Gaza and Ukraine, as well as other foreign priorities, given the size of the cuts to foreign-aid, the largest in history.

The Prime Minister said on Tuesday that defence spending will increase to 2.5% of gross domestic product by 2027.

‘Cuts will remove food and healthcare from desperate people’

“It is with sadness that I write to inform you that I will cease attending your Cabinet, and am tendering to you my resignation as your Minister of State for International Development and for Women and Equalities.

“As I stated to you earlier this week, it was imperative that you had a united cabinet behind you as you set off for Washington.

“Your determination to pursue peace through strength for Ukraine is one I share.

“It is for that reason that I am only writing to you now that your meeting with President Trump is over, and four days after you informed me of your decision to cut Overseas Development Assistance to 0.396 of GNI.

“Undoubtedly the postwar global order has come crashing down.

“I believe that we must increase spending on defence as a result; and know that there are no easy paths to doing so.

“I stood ready to work with you to deliver that increased spending, knowing some might well have had to come from ODA.

“I also expected we would collectively discuss our fiscal rules and approach to taxation, as other nations are doing.

“Even 3% may only be the start, and it will be impossible to raise the substantial resources needed just through tactical cuts to public spending.

“These are unprecedented times, when strategic decisions for the sake of our country’s security cannot be ducked.

“Instead, the tactical decision was taken for ODA to absorb the entire burden.

“You have maintained that you want to continue support for Gaza, Sudan and Ukraine; for vaccination; for climate; and for rules-based systems.

“Yet it will be impossible to maintain these priorities given the depth of the cut; the effect will be far greater than presented, even if assumptions made about reducing asylum costs hold true.

“The cut will also likely lead to a UK pull-out from numerous African, Caribbean and Western Balkan nations — at a time when Russia has been aggressively increasing its global presence.

“It will likely lead to withdrawal from regional banks and a reduced commitment to the World Bank; the UK being shut out of numerous multilateral bodies; and a reduced voice for the UK in the G7, G20 and in climate negotiations.

“All this while China is seeking to rewrite global rules, and when the climate crisis is the biggest security threat of them all.

“Ultimately, these cuts will remove food and healthcare from desperate people — deeply harming the UK’s reputation.

“I know you have been clear that you are not ideologically opposed to international development.

“But the reality is that this decision is already being portrayed as following in President Trump’s slipstream of cuts to USAID.

“While we differ profoundly on this decision, I remain proud of all that you have achieved since I backed you to be leader of the Labour Party.

“I will always remain grateful to you for enabling me to contribute to our election victory, by appointing me to chair the policy review, Stronger Together and the National Policy Forum, and of course the Labour Party itself, including work to rid the party of anti-semitism and on the production of the manifesto.

“I am also grateful to the many thousands of party members, party staff and trade unionists I have worked with.

“I also regret deeply that I will no longer be able to work with you towards a more equal Britain, after years of covering the women and equalities brief where I have sought to deliver a commonsense approach which could command public support while delivering change.

“I am sorry that I will not be in post to deliver the groundbreaking new legislation on equality for Black, Asian and minority ethnic people, disabled people and LGBT+ people to which we are committed.

“I am however pleased that 0E0 measures in the Employment Rights Bill will soon be in place, revolutionising support for women in the workplace.

“Finally, I would like to thank the civil servants whom I have worked with over the last eight months — individuals who often work in the most dangerous and difficult places and circumstances, to protect our country’s interests.

“I wish you, and the government you command, every success for the future.

“I will continue to support you, and the change you are determined to deliver – but now I shall do so from the backbenches.

“Yours ever,

“Anneliese Dodds MP”

In response to the resignation, Save the Children UK chief executive Moazzam Malik, said: “The UK Government has lost a highly principled and highly effective minister with a deep commitment to the world’s most vulnerable children and people.

“This resignation highlights the wide coalition against the Government’s decision to cut international aid to the lowest levels on record, at a time when conflict, humanitarian emergencies, climate change and deep seated poverty are devastating children’s lives.

“We call on the Government to act in the UK’s national interest: reverse the aid cut now. The UK’s future security and prosperity depend on tackling global challenges and building reliable partnerships. We join politicians, military leaders, business people and charity workers in calling for a balanced approach to development, defence and diplomacy.

“Poor children and their communities deserve better from Britain.”