World

UK To Slash Foreign Aid Budget Amid Coronavirus Crisis

British government has announced plans to slash its foreign aid budget as parts of efforts to sustain its finances which has been severely affected by the Coronavirus pandemic.

Finance Minister Rishi Sunak, on Wednesday, said “sticking rigidly” to spending 0.7 percent of gross national income on overseas aid was “difficult to justify to the British people” at a time of fiscal crisis.

Read also: Trump Woos Farmers With Promise Of $14 Billion In Pandemic Aid

AFP reports that he told the British parliament the aid budget would be reduced temporarily to 0.5 percent of GNI, and return to 0.7 percent “when the fiscal situation allows”.

Plans to cut the foreign aid had been rumoured for weeks and Sunak pressed ahead with the move, despite fierce opposition from charity groups and top politicians – including former prime ministers, Tony Blair and Bill Clinton.

Yinka Akanbi

Yinka is an aesthete and a cosmopolite.

Share
Published by
Yinka Akanbi

Recent Posts

Aliko Dangote Joins World Bank’s Private Sector Investment Lab to Drive Job Creation

Dangote reaffirmed his commitment to fostering sustainable economic growth through private sector-led investment.  The exclusive…

2 hours ago

Kwam1 Slams Kollington: “He Abandoned Me in My Time of Need”

Kwam1 felt that Kollington had not extended the same support he received during his own…

2 hours ago

Sanwo-Olu Showcases Lagos as a Prime Investment Destination

Sanwo-Olu highlighted the immense potential for growth and transformation within Lagos. Sanwo-Olu discussed progress within…

2 hours ago