Senior Minister Resigns
Labour Minister Anneliese Dodds has resigned from her post in protest of Sir Keir Starmer's decision to reduce aid funding in order to increase defence spending. Dodds, who attended Cabinet, believes that cutting back on development money will benefit Russia.
Defence Spending Increase
Starmer announced a £6 billion per year increase in military spending, stating that Britain must "fight for peace." This decision includes reducing aid money from 0.5 per cent to 0.3 per cent.
Resignation Letter
In her resignation letter posted on social media, Dodds expressed her sadness at stepping down, citing her disagreement with the aid budget cut. She mentioned her willingness to support the government's efforts for necessary change, even if it meant reducing the aid budget to accommodate the increase in defence spending.
Reaction and Justification
Save the Children Chief Executive Moazzam Malik noted that Dodds' resignation reflects a "wide coalition" against the government's decision. Starmer defended his choice, stating that the world is in a critical moment where actions must be taken to ensure peace and security, especially in the face of threats from the US regarding funding for Europe's security.
Future Defence Budget
The plan outlined by Starmer aims to raise the military budget to 2.5 per cent of GDP within two years, with a further increase to 3 per cent after the next election. This decision follows years of consideration, particularly since Russia's invasion of Ukraine.
Labour's Response
Labour pledges to raise the defence budget to 2.5 per cent of GDP within two years and then to three per cent after the next election, adding £13 billion annually to military spending starting from 2027.
Aid Spending Controversy
The decision to reduce aid funding comes amidst reports of questionable projects being supported, such as a study on prawn health, raising concerns about the effectiveness and allocation of aid money.
