The International Planned Parenthood Federation has filed a legal challenge against the United Kingdom’s government over its cuts to the aid budget.
The organization is seeking a judicial review of the actions of the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office which “led to the sudden termination of already contracted aid funding,” said IPPF Director-General Dr. Alvaro Bermejo.
He said the cuts would have a “lethal impact” and previously told Devex they would cause 7.5 million additional unintended pregnancies, 2.7 million unsafe abortions, and 22,000 maternal deaths worldwide over the next year.
"While we are not disputing the Government's right to change its appetite for global solidarity and remove its support for those most in need during the pandemic, it must do so responsibly and within the boundary of the laws,” Bermejo said. “The recent vote in the House of Commons introducing conditions for the future fulfilment of the 0.7% that were not even being met when the legislation was introduced [in 2015] does not make the cuts lawful.”
Why this matters: This is likely to be the only legal challenge brought by the U.K. aid sector against the government.
If the judicial review goes ahead — it must first be accepted by a judge — and rules in IPPF’s favor it could mean the aid cuts are declared unlawful. If that happens, the government would likely need to introduce primary legislation to amend the 2015 International Development Act, which enshrines the 0.7% target in law.
This is a more complex process than passing a motion in Parliament to reduce the aid budget, as what happened on July 13, and would need approval from the House of Lords, where amendments can be introduced.
About the author
William Worley@willrworley
Will Worley is the Climate Correspondent for Devex, covering the intersection of development and climate change. He previously worked as UK Correspondent, reporting on the FCDO and British aid policy during a time of seismic reforms. Will’s extensive reporting on the UK aid cuts saw him shortlisted for ‘Specialist Journalist of the Year’ in 2021 by the British Journalism Awards. He can be reached at william.worley@devex.com.
