Chancellor Gets Rid Of 0.7% Of GNI On Aid Commitment

Chancellor gets rid of the commitment of spending 0.7% of GNI on overseas aid.

• "This country has always and will always be open and outward-looking, leading in solving the world's toughest problems. But during a domestic fiscal emergency, when we need to prioritise our limited resources on jobs and public services… …sticking rigidly to spending 0.7% of our national income on overseas aid, is difficult to justify to the British people… …especially when we're seeing the highest peacetime levels of borrowing on record. I have listened with great respect to those who have argued passionately to retain this target. But at a time of unprecedented crisis government must make tough choices "
• This is likely to prove one of the most politically controversial parts of the Spending Review. Has come in for criticism from centrists within the Conservative Party.
• Commitment is enshrined in law and was part of the 2019 Conservative manifesto. But reducing aid spending is popular with the public and seen as essential at time of national crisis.