UK minister Anneliese Dodds resigns over Keir Starmer's decision to slash aid budget

Anneliese Dodds, the UK’s international development minister, has resigned from her position to protest against Keir Starmer’s decision to slash the foreign aid budget.

Dodds has said that Starmer’s decision to cut the international aid budget by almost half to increase defence spending will actually strengthen the global presence of China and Russia.

Anneliese Dodds resignation

In a statement on X, the senior Labour MP said that she was stepping down from her position as the Minister for International Development as well as the Minister of Women and Equalities.


She added she disagreed with the Labour government’s decision to slash Official Development Assistance (ODA) but would continue to support it.

Dodds stated in her letter that she did believe in Starmer’s decision to increase defence spending to 2.5 per cent, and 3 per cent of the gross domestic budget (GDP) by 2027. However, the bulk of the increase coming from the ODA would render the UK on the backfoot globally.

She said that the Prime Minister would find it difficult to maintain his monetary commitments in Gaza, Ukraine and Sudan, given the reduction in ODA. This would lead to an opportunity for Russia and China to enhance their global presence aggressively in developing nations.

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Anneliese Dodds on defence spending

The Labour MP said that Starmer’s pledge to increase defence spending to 3 per cent of the GDP by 2027 may only be the beginning given the current geopolitical scenario. She asked the Cabinet to look for other ways to raise the money such as modifications in taxation and borrowing rules.

Dodds said that she had only been informed of the ODA cuts on Monday, but decided to hold off on stepping back until Starmer’s US visit was concluded to not overshadow the trip.

Reactions on Anneliese Dodds resignation

UK Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner said she was "really sorry" to hear about Dodds’ departure, Sky News reported. The Labour MP came out in defence of Starmer’s ODA cuts to increase defence spending, adding that it was the “absolutely right” decision.

Rayner claimed that the government would increase aid spending once more when the UK’s economic growth will increase.

Anneliese Dodds decision

The move follows Keir Starmer’s nod to slash ODA by 46 per cent to 0.3 per cent of its gross national income. The move has been criticised by members of Starmer’s own party, who feel that it could allow China to step up globally in the UK’s shoes. As per a report in The Guardian, many feel that it could be Starmer’s movie to appease US President Donald Trump, who has sharply cut his country’s international funding commitments.

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FAQs

1. What is ODA?
ODA, or Official Development Assistance, is the aid given by the UK to developing countries or multilateral institutions for measures like combating poverty and improving health facilities.


2. Who is Anneliese Dodds?
She is a Labour MP who resigned from her position as the Minister of International Development and Women and Equalities.