Cuts to the UK’s foreign aid budget could cost hundreds of thousands of lives, aid campaigners have warned, as the government slashes its contribution to global vaccine funding.
Sir Keir Starmer’s government has reduced Britain’s funding to the Gavi vaccine alliance by 25 per cent, despite an ongoing global push to immunise children against life-threatening diseases. The cut follows a decision to shrink the international development budget to finance an increase in defence spending.
The ONE Campaign, a prominent international development charity, says the reduction in aid could lead to 365,000 additional deaths by 2030.
Campaigners argue that the cuts will:
- Prevent 23 million children from receiving vaccinations
- Result in nearly 400,000 avoidable deaths
- Divert crucial funds from girls’ education
- Increase global instability and conflict
David Lammy, the Foreign Secretary, confirmed a £1.25 billion pledge to Gavi from now until 2030. Officials claim this investment will help protect up to 500 million children from diseases such as measles, cholera, and meningitis.
“Our ongoing partnership with Gavi will give millions of children a better start, save lives and protect us all from the spread of deadly diseases,” Mr Lammy said.
However, the commitment marks a significant drop from the £1.65 billion previously pledged for 2021 to 2025. Campaigners had urged the government to maintain that level of funding through 2030.
Adrian Lovett, executive director of the ONE Campaign, didn’t mince words: “We are seeing the harsh impact of the prime minister’s deep cut to overall aid levels.
“The UK’s contribution to Gavi could have saved almost 400,000 more lives if it had been maintained at the same level as before.
“And further impossible choices are looming. A reduced but still strong investment in Gavi, as welcome as it is, means less money to educate girls, fight for climate justice, and prevent deadly conflict around the world.”
Sarah Champion MP, chair of the International Development Committee, voiced disappointment: “With the US stepping back, I had hoped the UK would step up, not least as we are one of the founders of Gavi.
“Whilst I welcome the £1.25 billion pledge over five years, this funding is a 25% cut in cash terms – and more than 40% in real terms, which will inevitably cost lives.”
Earlier this year, Prime Minister Starmer cut development spending from 0.5 per cent of GDP to 0.3 per cent, amounting to roughly £6 billion. The move was designed to fund a planned rise in defence expenditure to 2.5 per cent of GDP.
This latest Gavi funding decision is one of the first clear consequences of that reallocation.
Baroness Jenny Chapman, the newly appointed Development Minister, defended the shift: “Our partnership with Gavi does just that. It will save the lives of millions of children around the world, to grow up safe from deadly diseases like cholera and measles. And it will make the world and the UK healthier and safer, helping prevent future pandemics.”
Dr Sania Nishtar, Gavi’s chief executive, welcomed the UK’s pledge: “The United Kingdom is one of Gavi’s longest and most committed partners.
“This pledge for our next strategic period reaffirms its status as a leader in global health and I am delighted that we will be able to count on its support in our next strategic period, working together and leveraging some of the best in British science and innovation as we save lives and fight outbreaks around the world.”
Beyond vaccine deployment, officials say the funding will also bolster domestic employment through collaborations with pharmaceutical companies like GSK.
