The United Kingdom government took many in the aid sector by surprise with its recent announcement that its aid spending would fall further in coming years — from 0.5% of gross national income to 0.3% by 2027.
But precisely because so many were taken by surprise — including the development minister herself — aid leaders believe there is plenty of opportunity to influence how the cuts are delivered, and how much impact there will be on the most vulnerable.
In theory, there may even be an opportunity to reverse public and political opinion, but leaders currently feel it is more realistic to influence how spending will fall – not whether.