UK International Development Minister Anneliese Dodds has resigned from Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s government, citing deep concerns over drastic cuts to overseas aid aimed at boosting defence spending.
Dodds announced her resignation on Friday, sharing a letter on X in which she warned that the decision to slash aid funding “will remove food and healthcare from desperate people.”
Her departure follows Starmer’s pledge earlier in the week to increase the UK’s defence budget to 2.5% of GDP by 2027. To finance this move, he ordered a reduction in overseas development assistance (ODA) from 0.5% to 0.3% of gross national income.
While Dodds acknowledged the need for greater defence investment amid growing global instability, she criticised the lack of wider discussion on how to fund it. “Instead, the tactical decision was taken for ODA to absorb the entire burden,” she wrote.
Concerns Over Global Impact
In her letter, Dodds warned that the cuts could severely undermine humanitarian efforts in conflict zones and developing nations. She highlighted potential risks to UK-supported aid initiatives in Gaza, Ukraine, and Sudan, as well as climate change and vaccination programmes.
“It will be impossible to maintain these priorities given the depth of the cuts,” she stated, adding that the UK may be forced to withdraw support from multiple African, Caribbean, and Western Balkan nations.
Starmer acknowledged the “difficult and painful decision” but defended the move, arguing that “protecting our national security must always be the first duty of any government.” He assured that critical humanitarian efforts in conflict areas would continue.
Cabinet Shake-Up
Dodds’ resignation marks the fourth high-profile ministerial exit since Labour’s landslide election victory last year. She will be replaced by Starmer’s close ally, Jenny Chapman.
Previous departures include the sacking of junior health minister Andrew Gwynne over offensive remarks, anti-corruption minister Tulip Siddiq’s resignation amid corruption probes, and transport secretary Louise Haigh stepping down after past criminal charges surfaced.
The latest ministerial shake-up underscores growing tensions within Starmer’s government as it balances domestic priorities with global commitment.
