- Anneliese Dodds resigns as UK international development minister over aid budget cuts.
- Keir Starmer redirects overseas aid funds to boost UK defence spending.
- Jenny Chapman appointed as new international development minister.
UK International Development Minister Anneliese Dodds announced her resignation on Friday, citing opposition to cuts in overseas aid ordered by Prime Minister Keir Starmer to fund increased defence spending.
Dodds warned that the reductions would deprive vulnerable communities of essential food and healthcare, expressing her concerns in a letter to Starmer shared on X.
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On Tuesday, Starmer committed to raising UK defence spending to 2.5% of GDP by 2027, financing the increase by reducing the overseas development budget from 0.5% to 0.3% of gross national income.
While Dodds acknowledged the need for greater defence investment amid rising global instability, she criticised the lack of discussion on alternative funding sources.
“Instead, the tactical decision was taken for ODA to absorb the entire burden,” she said, referring to overseas development assistance.
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In his response, Starmer admitted the cuts were “a difficult and painful decision” but maintained that national security must remain the government’s top priority.
Following Dodds’ resignation, Starmer appointed longtime ally Jenny Chapman as the new international development minister.
