Press Release | Monday 20th July 2026

The appointment of Andy Burnham as Prime Minister comes at a moment of profound global need and growing concern about the UK’s direction on international aid.

Last week’s FCDO cuts, which will see support to some countries reduced by up to 90%, have sent a stark signal about the UK’s retreat from its global responsibilities. As the new Prime Minister, Andy now has an opportunity and responsibility to reset that course.

To re-establish the UK as a credible humanitarian actor, the government must move quickly to set out a clear and ambitious international development strategy. This must include a firm commitment to restoring Official Development Assistance to 0.7% of GNI, alongside the reinstatement of a dedicated, independent department for international development to ensure the focus, expertise, and accountability needed to deliver impact.

Aid must also be directed where it is most needed: in fragile and conflict-affected settings, where poverty and instability are most acute: from Sudan to Gaza, from Lebanon to Ukraine. These are the contexts where aid is hardest to deliver, and where its absence carries the greatest consequences.

Rebuilding trust will require strengthening the systems that make aid effective, including restoring institutional expertise and investing in long-term partnerships with local organisations on the frontlines of response.

At a time when development is increasingly politicised, there is a clear need for leadership in making the case for aid; not only as a moral responsibility, but as a strategic investment in global stability, security, and the UK’s international standing.

The Prime Minister has an opportunity to demonstrate that the UK will not turn away from global crises, but instead lead with purpose, partnership, and principle

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