Archbishop of Canterbury criticizes government plan to cut foreign aid
The Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby, has warned the government against significantly reducing the UK’s overseas aid budget.
The leader of the Church of England said in a statement that “helping the world’s poorest is one of the great moral and ethical achievements of our country”.
Welby’s warning comes on the heels of Boris Johnson’s plan to reduce the share of the overseas aid budget from 0.7 percent of national income to a mere 0.5 percent.
Reports emerged earlier this week that the PM was considering cutting £4 billion from the overseas aid budget.
Resistance to this anticipated measure has been sharpened by speculation that the cut in the aid budget is primarily driven by the government’s plan to boost defense spending.
On Thursday (November 19), the PM announced a significant boost to defense spending to the tune of £16.5 billion spread over four years.
According to Johnson the increase in the defense budget represents a “once-in-a-generation modernization” of the armed forces with the stated aim of extending British influence around the world.
But the leader of the Church of England – who is also the symbolic head of the global Anglican Communion – has criticized the PM’s view of what amounts to credible and sustainable global influence.
"Keeping our aid commitment is a strong signal that the UK is a reliable partner for long-term economic, social, environmental and educational advancement across the globe", the archbishop contended.
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