UK cuts aid to Commonwealth countries despite warm words at Chogm summit
Summary
UK aid to Commonwealth countries with bilateral programmes is projected to fall from £546 million in 2024–25 to £131 million in 2028–29, according to figures reviewed by the Guardian. The reductions come as King Charles attends the Commonwealth heads of government meeting in Antigua, where reparations for slavery were kept off the agenda, and affect several countries among the world’s poorest.Key Facts
- The projected £131 million in 2028–29 includes £68 million for Nigeria, leaving £63 million for other countries.
- Aid to Sierra Leone is projected to drop from nearly £30 million in 2024–25 to £5 million in 2028–29.
- Aid to Rwanda is projected to fall from nearly £30 million in 2024–25 to £5 million in 2028–29.
- Aid to Tanzania is projected to decline from £60 million in 2025–26 to £5 million in 2028–29.
- Nigeria is scheduled to receive £68 million in 2028–29, down from £137 million this year.
- Funding for the Caribbean Development Team is set to fall from more than £98 million in 2025–26 to £45 million in 2026–27.
- At least 26 Commonwealth countries have been barred from applying to the Darwin Initiative, a nature-protection fund worth about £40 million a year.
- The UK government did not contribute financially to the Commonwealth Nature Initiative, according to the Campaign for Nature’s UK lead.
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