UNICEF UK RESPONSE TO PLANS TO MOVE ODA CUTS FORWARD, ORIGINALLY SCHEDULED TO TAKE PLACE IN 2027

Joanna Rea, Director of Advocacy for the UK Committee for UNICEF (UNICEF UK), said: 

“We are shocked by the decision taken today by the UK Government to begin implementing cuts to the ODA budget from 2025.

“These cuts will fall disproportionately onto children. At a time of unprecedented need, this will compound the suffering of the world’s most vulnerable children and undermine decades of progress. 

“The UK’s aid budget is already a reduced one, in part due to spending more than 25% of the ODA budget in the UK to support refugees and asylum seekers.  

“Bringing forward cuts reduces opportunities to refocus the ODA budget on eliminating global poverty while ensuring that refugees and asylum seekers still receive the support that they need. In addition, it gives insufficient time to assess the impact of cuts to programmes, such as for health or education which will impact children for the rest of their lives. 

“We urge the government to immediately reconsider this decision and outline their plan to protect children from cuts.

ENDS

For more information, please contact: UNICEF UK Media Team, 0207 375 6030, [email protected]

About UNICEF 

UNICEF works in some of the world’s toughest places, to reach the world’s most disadvantaged children. Across more than 190 countries and territories, we work for every child, everywhere, to build a better world for everyone.

The UK Committee for UNICEF (UNICEF UK) raises funds for UNICEF’s emergency and development work for children. We also promote and protect children’s rights in the UK and internationally. We are a UK charity, entirely funded by supporters.

United Kingdom Committee for UNICEF (UNICEF UK), Registered Charity No. 1072612 (England & Wales), SC043677 (Scotland).

For more information visit unicef.org.uk. Follow UNICEF UK on Twitter, LinkedIn, Facebook and YouTube.