Fairtrade calls on UK government to reverse global development assistance funds cuts
The UK Labour Party, led by Sir Keir Starmer, has confirmed cuts to overseas development aid, which Fairtrade is calling on it to reverse. Pic: Shutterstock
The Fairtrade Foundation has issued an urgent plea to the UK Government to reverse significant cuts to its Official Development Assistance (ODA), which are expected to be reduced to 0.3% of gross national income (GNI) by 2027, reports Neill Barston.
According to the social justice movement, which is set to play its part in our 2025 World Confectionery Conference this September, the decision by the government – which comes amid reductions in the national economic outlook over the next two years, could have a marked impact on supply chains within the food and drink sector, including cocoa communities.
Consequently, Fairtrade has urged the government to maintain the ODA budget at 0.5% of GNI over the next two years and to honour its climate funding commitments.
Notably, the present Labour administration had lobbied the previous Conservative administration, which lost power last year, over its own cuts to the overseas development budgets, which the then opposition party labelled as especially concerning. However, the present government has argued that it has been left with a significant ‘financial black hole’ running into to more than two billion pounds, and is faced with a stagnating, low growth economy.
As Faritrade noted, the nation’s food security depends on the wellbeing and sustainable farming practices of smallholder farmers and agricultural workers in low-income countries, which are often supported by UK aid programmes.
Fairtrade stated: “Given the scale of the challenges we face at Fairtrade, like rising costs to unstable markets, we champion a ‘trade plus aid’ approach. Aid is essential for addressing the causes of poverty and exploitation that are at the root of human rights abuses and environmental harms. Without it, those farmers and agricultural workers who are most in need will struggle to make a living and support their families.
“Restoring the aid budget is also a critical step in honouring the UK’s International Climate Finance (UKICF) commitments. Climate finance must support those most vulnerable to climate impacts, ensuring that smallholder farmers and agricultural workers can adapt and transition to more sustainable and resilient practices,” added the organisation, that concluded that at a time of major global pressures, the country should be taking a lead on supporting those most in need around the world.
