Tariff Tensions Fuel Campaign To Stop Trump’s Second State Visit

Posted on 04/04/2025 by Boris Clair

As a piece of political theatre, it took some beating.

Sitting down in the Oval Office for his first face-to-face meeting with Donald Trump since his re-election, Keir Starmer reached into the inside pocket of his suit and produced an envelope.

The prime minister could barely contain his excitement as he told the president: “It is my pleasure to bring from His Majesty the King a letter – he sends his best wishes and his regards, of course – but he also asked me to bear this letter and bring it to you.”

In it, King Charles invited Trump to come to the UK for a second state visit, an unprecedented honour for a sitting president.

“The answer is yes,” Trump told the PM. “I look forward to being there and honouring the King.”

But if Starmer hoped that appealing to Trump’s love of the Royal Family would spare the UK when it came to his “reciprocal” tariffs, he was very much mistaken.

The president confirmed on Wednesday that British imports into the US will be slapped with a 10% tax – on top of the 25% charges already being applied to cars and steel products.

And while that was less than the levy imposed on many other nations, and the EU, it still has the potential to cause huge damage to the UK economy and send unemployment soaring.

HuffPost UK can reveal that Trump’s actions – which have also sent markets around the world into freefall and increased the chances of a global recession – have breathed new life into the campaign to block his state visit.

Thousands of voters have so far backed a campaign set up by the Stop Trump Coalition in the wake of the tariff announcement, filling in an online form to lobby their local MP.

“Donald Trump has started a global trade war,” say the group. “This threatens to cause a new worldwide recession. It can’t be allowed to succeed.

“The Starmer strategy of trying to be Trump’s friend isn’t working. It is only holding the government back from responding to Trump’s tariffs, or criticising the other outrageous actions he takes daily.

“It is time to cancel the visit and stand up for ourselves.”

More than 200,000 people have also signed a “no second state visit for Trump” petition organised by 38 Degrees.

While Trump’s invitation was officially a decision for the King alone, everyone knows that No.10 was the driving force behind it.

This has allowed Downing Street to insist that it is ultimately a decision for Buckingham Palace when – or if – the visit does end up going ahead.

A poll by Ipsos taken before Trump’s tariff announcement showed that the British public are evenly split on whether we should be rolling out the red carpet for him once again. Some 46% were in favour, with 44% against.

Keiran Pedley, director of UK politics for the company, said Starmer now “faces a delicate balancing act”.

“The US president is unpopular in Britain and the public were already split down the middle on whether the visit should go ahead last month.,” he told HuffPost UK.

“It is hard to see how his announcements on tariffs would have made the visit more popular. However, there are political and diplomatic realities to contend with, and Starmer will be keen to get the balance right.”

Trump unveiled the tariffs he was slapping on countries around the world at a White House press conference.

The PM does have plenty of political cover at Westminster, however, with even parties which are instinctively hostile to Trump refusing to join the growing clamour for the state visit to be cancelled.

Calum Miller, the Lib Dems’ foreign affairs spokesperson, said: “Trump has turned his nose up at the special relationship between the UK and the US by slapping the same tariffs on Britain as he has on Iran.

“His appalling treatment of President Zelenskyy still looms large in many of our minds, so I understand how great the temptation is to cancel his state visit.

“But we have to remember that Trump thinks of himself as a ‘deals’ man. The one thing he thinks he understands is a negotiation – and the state visit is our ace in the hole when it comes to dealing with the president.

“The government should keep all options open and be tough in talks ahead of any visit to try to end this trade war before it starts.”

Carla Denyer, co-leader of the Greens, said the visit should not have been offered in the first place, but stopped short of saying it should not happen.

“I can’t imagine many Brits will be thrilled to see Starmer rolling out the red carpet for a man that has proposed the ethnic cleansing of Gaza, blamed Zelenskyy for the war in Ukraine, and is now wreaking havoc on the global economy with his tariffs,” she said.

Trump with Queen Elizabeth II laugh during a Buckingham Palace banquet at his last state visit to the UK in 2019.

It may well be that the solution for the PM will be found in a classically British political fudge.

Would it really be all that surprising if no suitable date could be found in the King’s packed diary to squeeze in the visit before Trump leaves office in 2029?

That would spare the monarch – who is thought to be no great fan of the president either – some embarrassment while also avoiding a political firestorm for Starmer.

The most likely outcome, however, is that it will go ahead, although probably not until nearer the end of Trump’s four-year term.

Starmer will hope that an economic deal is done with the US by then, sparing the UK the worst of Trump’s tariffs, while also drawing some of the sting from the state visit controversy.

Whatever happens, his eagerness to be the King’s messenger boy will be added to the growing list of political mis-steps he has made since enter No.10 last July.

Starmer Accused Of Dancing To ‘Farage’s Tune’ With Small Boats Crackdown

Posted on 31/03/2025 by Boris Clair

Keir Starmer has been accused of “dancing” to Nigel Farage’s tune with his latest promise to cut back on illegal immigration.

While hosting more than 40 countries at a landmark illegal migration summit today in London, the prime minister unveiled £33 million of funding to help set up an international unit of the Crown Prosecution Service.

He said 24,000 people “who have no right to be here” were returned under Labour, which he claimed was the “highest return rate for eight years”.

He said the UK has been seen as a “soft touch on migration”.

Starmer also called on an international effort to stop the people-smuggling gangs, saying they should be treated as a global security threat, similar to terrorism.

But his announcements were soon slammed as “inhumane and ineffective”.

The Green Party’s co-leader Carla Denyer said in a statement: “The UK’s inhumane and ineffective approach to migration is costing lives, and yet Keir Starmer is choosing to dance to Nigel Farage’s tune rather than making the common sense changes needed to make the system safer and fairer.

“We urgently need to introduce safe routes for people fleeing war, violence or persecution to seek safety in the UK so that people aren’t forced into the hands of people smugglers.

“It’s shameful that this Labour government continues to ignore the only solution that will prevent people from dying during dangerous journeys to the UK, all because they are running scared of Farage’s Reform party.”

Reform UK leader Farage quickly criticised Starmer’s speech too.

In a message on X, he said: “Over 30,000 migrants have crossed the Channel since Labour came to power. More illegals crossed in the first three months of 2025 than the same period in 2024.

“He promised to smash the gangs but he’s smashing Rishi Sunak’s record instead.”

The Conservatives, on the other hand, claimed Labour should have kept their Rwanda deterrent – even though only four volunteers were ever deported via the scheme.

Shadow home secretary Chris Philp said: “The government’s plan to ‘smash the gangs’ already lies in tatters. We are about to see 30,000 illegal channel crossings since election reached this week, a 31% increase.

“This year so far has been the worst on record. This is a direct consequence of the government cancelling the Rwanda deterrent before it even started.

“Other countries, including Germany, Italy and the even the European Commission are looking at offshore processing as a deterrent, but Starmer’s Labour government has gone in the opposite direction. He has lost control of our borders as a result.”

Border security minister Angela Eagle told the media this morning Labour were “open-minded” when it came to looking at offshore processing.

But Philp added: “Today’s conference will make no difference to that – as the NCAA themselves said, law enforcement alone cannot stop illegal immigration. You need a removals deterrent.

“And Yvette Cooper admitted yesterday that the government is simply crossing its fingers and praying for bad weather to stop illegal migration across the channel. That is not a plan.”

Keir Starmer Admits UK Was ‘Under Pressure’ To Weigh In On Trump-Zelenskyy Spat

Posted on 23/03/2025 by Boris Clair

Keir Starmer has claimed the UK was “under pressure” to speak out after Donald Trump’s explosive spat with Volodymyr Zelenskyy last month.

The US president accused his Ukrainian counterpart of being ungrateful for America’s support for Kyiv since Russia invaded, criticised Zelenskyy for wearing military fatigues in the Oval Office and told him he had “no cards” with which to negotiate a deal with Moscow.

The White House then cancelled a scheduled joint press conference and appeared to kick Zelenskyy out of the building without signing the expected shared mineral agreement.

Trump went on to pull US military aid and intelligence sharing with Ukraine.

It was not until, with the UK’s encouragement, Zelenskyy publicly said he backed Trump’s efforts to secure a quick peace in Ukraine and said he was open to a 30-day ceasefire that the US reinstated aid and intel sharing.

Speaking to the New York Times, the prime minister has now revealed that there were plenty of tensions behind the scenes for No.10 around this time.

He said: “On the day in which the Oval Office meeting between President Trump and President Zelenskyy didn’t go particularly well, we were under pressure to come out very critically with, you know, flowery adjectives to describe how others felt.

“I took the view that it was better to pick up the phone and talk to both sides to try and get them back on the same page.”

The prime minister also recognised Trump has caused “quite a degree of disorientation” just two months into his second administration where he’s announced a string a dramatic orders – including imposing 25% tariffs on British steel.

Starmer then told the NYT that he still believes the best position for the UK right now is to remain as a bridge between the US and Europe, despite growing concerns about the White House’s relationship with Moscow.

He said: “Many people are urging us to choose between the US and Europe. Churchill didn’t do it. Attlee didn’t do it. It’d be a big mistake, in my view, to choose now.”

The PM defended Trump’s call for an increase in defence spending among European allies too, saying the US president “has a point”.

The PM also noted that he has a good relationship with Trump, adding: “I like and respect him. I understand what he’s trying to achieve.”

However the PM made it clear he does not share Trump’s warmth towards the Russian leader after the US president has repeatedly claimed he trusts Putin.

Starmer said: “I don’t trust Putin. I’m sure Putin would try to insist that Ukraine should be defenceless after a deal because that gives him what he wants, which is the opportunity to go in again.”

Susanna Reid Pinpoints 1 Thing That Could Fuel Voter Anger At Keir Starmer

Posted on 16/03/2025 by Boris Clair

Susanna Reid has warned Keir Starmer that he risks a voter backlash by cutting benefits while boosting defence spending.

The prime minister has confirmed that the military budget will increase from 2.3% to 2.5% of national income from 2027 amid mounting tensions over the war in Ukraine, paid for my slashing the amount spent on international aid.

Work and pensions secretary Liz Kendall will also unveil plans to cut the welfare bill by up to £6 billion on Tuesday.

But on the BBC’s Sunday with Laura Kuenssberg this morning, Reid said those policy decisions could land the PM in a fresh political crisis.

The Good Morning Britain presenter said: “There’s no doubt that [Keir Starmer] has developed a reputation as somebody who can operate very effectively on the international stage.

“But the thing is, if you ask people on the doorsteps, of course they want to back Ukraine but at what price?

“If the things that he’s flexing his muscles over at home – be it benefits or Personal Independence Payments for people – if it looks like he’s using cuts to welfare to pay for war, I’m not sure that’s going to be popular at all.”

Kuenssberg had earlier asked health secretary Wes Streeting: “As a Labour politician, did you get into politics in order to take money from some of the poorest and most vulnerable people in society?”

He replied: “We don’t want to take money from the poorest in society, we want to support people who are the poorest and most vulnerable to make sure they’ve got dignity, independence and great quality of life.”

What Is NHS England – And Why Is Keir Starmer Scrapping It?

Posted on 13/03/2025 by Boris Clair

Keir Starmer has just scrapped NHS England – but what does that mean and how will it impact you?

Here’s what you need to know.

What is NHS England?

NHS England is known as a “quango”, meaning it is an non-departmental public body which operates independently of government.

The government has described NHS England as the “world’s largest quango”.

It is sponsored by the Department of Heath and Social Care and works with NHS organisations across England to deliver “better outcomes for our patients”.

It currently has seven regional teams and a workforce of 13,000.

Why is NHS England now being cut?

The prime minister announced on Thursday that he was cutting the whole organisation in a bid to “empower NHS staff and put patients first”.

NHS England will now be brought back into the Department of Health and Social Care, to end duplication between the two, as part of Labour’s wider plan to boost efficiency in the public sector, the PM said.

The prime minister’s spokesperson told journalists: “Where you’ve got teams doing the same role there’s clearly room for efficiencies and those savings can be reinvested back into frontline services.”

The government hopes this will put more resources back into the “front line rather than on unnecessary admin,” put focus back onto local communities and restore accountability in the health service.

It also comes after the NHS leaders said the NHS England faced a possible overspend of £6.6bn in the 2025/26 financial year.

Starmer claimed the move will cut back on complex bureaucracy and undo the harm caused by the 2012 reorganisation of the NHS by the Tory-led coalition government.

Ministers also pointed to Lord Darzi’s recent independent investigation into the NHS, which found the system is still struggling with those changes the Tories brought in 13 years ago.

Health secretary Wes Streeting explained that this sudden change has been motivated by UK’s current economic woes, too.

He said: “When money is so tight, we can’t justify such a complex bureaucracy with two organisations doing the same jobs. We need more doers, and fewer checkers, which is why I’m devolving resources and responsibilities to the NHS frontline.”

Sir James Mackey, who will be the Transition CEO of NHS England, said this will mean the “biggest bang for our buck for patients” and help deliver “significant savings of hundreds of millions of pounds a year”.

What happens now?

Although work has started immediately, the process of dismantling NHS England is expected to take around two years, according to the PM’s spokesperson.

Streeting told the Commons on Thursday that 10,000 roles will be scrapped.

The government has also explained that there will be three “big shifts” within the health service – analogue to digital, sickness to prevention, and hospital to community, which should free up capacity.

The Department of Health and Social Care is also expected to shrink slightly as a result of the merger, while Streeting will have more direct control over the NHS as a whole.

Starmer’s Past Warning About What UK Foreign Aid Cuts Could Mean For Russia Comes Back To Haunt Him

Posted on 07/03/2025 by Boris Clair

Keir Starmer once advised against cutting foreign aid over the boost it could give to countries like Russia, it has emerged.

Last week, the prime minister announced he was slashing the international development fund from 0.5% of Gross Domestic Product (GDP) to 0.3%.

That money will now be redirected to the defence budget, which will increase from 2.3% of GDP to 2.5%, amid the growing concerns about Europe’s security, Vladimir Putin’s land grabs and the Ukraine war.

Starmer admitted that he was not “happy” about the decision but said: “At times like these the defence and security of the British people must always come first – that is the number one priority of this government.”

But, as leader of the opposition, Starmer told the then-Conservative government not to reduce the international aid budget from 0.7% of GDP to 0.5% – precisely because of the boost it gave to countries like Russia.

Speaking in July 2021, the Labour leader said: “Our overseas aid budget goes beyond that moral obligation: it also helps build a more stable world and keeps us safer in the UK.

“This cut will also reduce UK influence just when it is needed most, and of course it risks leaving a vacuum that other countries – China and Russia, for example – will fill.”

The Tories decided to cut foreign aid spending in 2021 because of the strain on public finances at the time.

Starmer chose to cut it again to boost defence spending last week after US President Donald Trump said America would no longer provide military protection for Europe – even amid fears Putin will push further into Europe unless deterred by the west.

But the PM’s decision to boost defence at the cost of foreign aid has been heavily criticised – especially in light of his past warning.

A Labour MP told HuffPost UK: “It does seem the PM has once again been hoisted by his own petard. For many observing this latest display, the ‘vacuum’ he warned about was the one where his principles used to be.”

Tory MP – and deputy foreign secretary under Rishi Sunak – Andrew Mitchell criticised Starmer over the comments too, saying: “I hope the prime minister will revisit his wise words when he supported the rebellion in the Conservative Party against the cut from 0.7% to 0.5%.

“How much more compelling is the case he put so eloquently back then when applied to today’s savage cuts and cynical proposals.”

Speaking almost four years ago, Starmer also said: “The House should have had the opportunity for a straight up/down vote on whether to approve or reject the Government’s cut to overseas aid.”

Now, as prime minister, Starmer has not given parliament a chance to vote on the decision to cut aid.

Back in 2021, the Labour leader also warned: “Cutting aid will increase costs and have a big impact on our economy. Development aid – we all know this – reduces conflict, disease and people fleeing from their homes.

“It is a false economy to pretend that this is some sort of cut that does not have consequences.”

Labour backbencher Sarah Champion quoted these warnings from Starmer in parliament this week during a debate on the reduction in aid.

She said it was an “inarguable case against the folly of making massive aid cuts” and claimed Starmer’s words “are as true now as they were then”.

Keir Starmer Dismisses Calls For Donald Trump’s State Visit To The UK To Be Cancelled

Posted on 02/03/2025 by Boris Clair

Keir Starmer has dismissed calls for Donald Trump’s second state visit to the UK to be cancelled in the wake of his Oval Office row with Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

The prime minister said he was “not going to be diverted” by those calling for King Charles to withdraw his invitation to the US president.

Starmer handed over a letter from the monarch to Trump when he visited the White House on Thursday.

It is the first time ever that a US president has been granted the honour of a second state visit.

But calls have been growing for the visit to be shelved after Trump and his vice-president, JD Vance, ganged up on Zelensky on Friday.

SNP leader John Swinney said: “Right now, given [Friday’s] shocking events, it is hard to believe the visit can happen.”

Shadow home affairs minister Alicia Kearns said: “State visits should be conferred to the most honourable of allies, not to curry favour.

“No state visit should proceed until the steadfastness of the US’s commitment to her allies is assured. His Majesty should not have to carry the weight of Keir’s diplomatic failings.”

Asked about the row on BBC1′s Sunday with Laura Kuenssberg, Starmer said: “I’m not going to be diverted by the SNP or others trying to ramp up the rhetoric without really appreciating what is the single most important thing at stake in Europe.”

Meanwhile, a spokesman for Kemi Badenoch slapped down Alicia Kearns.

He said: “Personal views of individual MPs are not official Conservative Party positions.

“In practical terms, the state visit is a matter for the King who extended the invitation, and not for MPs. As Kemi said on TV this morning, it is imperative that the UK remains close to America and they don’t disengage from Nato if we are going to get a just and lasting peace for Ukraine.”

Lib Dem leader Ed Davey also insisted the state visit should go ahead.

He said: “What we’ve said in the Liberal Democrats all along is that the state visit should be used to secure guarantees for Ukraine.

“Therefore, I think we should use every single card that we have, and I think it should be made clear to the White House that the state visit would be a genuine one, we would welcome him here, but on condition that he steps up, that the US steps up, to work with the UK and Europe to support and defend Ukraine.”

International Development Minister Anneliese Dodds Resigns Over Starmer’s Foreign Aid Cuts

Posted on 28/02/2025 by Boris Clair

The international development minister Anneliese Dodds has just quit her job after Keir Starmer chose to cut the foreign aid budget, reports say.

The prime minister announced he was taking funds from the international development sector to boost defence spending from its current level of 2.3% of gross domestic product (GDP) to 2.5% by 2027 – by 3% by the next parliament.

This move came after Donald Trump said Europe needs to spend more on its own security and stop relying on the US.

It means foreign aid funding will fall from 0.5% of GDP to 0.3%, a move which sparked backlash among charities and Labour backbenchers.

Dodds quit on Friday, warning that the UK’s decision would only strengthen Russia as Vladimir Putin stretches his influence around the globe.

She said while it was right to increase defence spending, she believes Starmer will now find it “impossible” to now stick to his promises to fund development in Ukraine, Gaza and Sudan.

According to the Guardian – who first reported her resignation – Dodds said she was told about the shift in spending on Monday but chose to hold off on announcing her resignation until after the PM’s trip to Washington.

In her letter, she said: “Undoubtedly the postwar global order has come crashing down. I believe that we must increase spending on defence as a result; and know that there are no easy paths to doing so.

“I stood ready to work with you to deliver that increased spending, knowing some might well have had to come from overseas development assistance [ODA]. I also expected we would collectively discuss our fiscal rules and approach to taxation, as other nations are doing.

“Even 3% may only be the start, and it will be impossible to raise the substantial resources needed just through tactical cuts to public spending. These are unprecedented times, when strategic decisions for the sake of our country’s security cannot be ducked.”

Dodds also warned this would impact Britain’s national security.

She said: “The cut will also likely lead to a UK pullout from numerous African, Caribbean and western Balkan nations at a time when Russia has been aggressively increasing its global presence.

“All this while China is seeking to rewrite global rules, and when the climate crisis is the biggest security threat of them all.”

The Labour MP’s criticism over the cut comes after senior Labour peer and former Scottish first minister Lord McConnell warned in HuffPost UK that the reduction in foreign aid would “create chaos and cost lives”.

Dodds’ decision also marks the fourth ministerial resignation since the PM was elected in July.

Louise Haigh quit as the transport secretary in November, Tulip Siddiq quit as the anti-corruption minister in January and Andrew Gwynne quit as health minister earlier this month.

The prime minister lost his then chief of staff, Sue Gray, in October, too.

Read Dodds’ full letter here:

<div class="js-react-hydrator" data-component-name="Twitter" data-component-id="9900" data-component-props="{"itemType":"rich","index":24,"contentIndexByType":1,"contentListType":"embed","code":"

It is with sadness that I have had to tender my resignation as Minister for International Development and for Women and Equalities.

While I disagree with the ODA decision, I continue to support the government and its determination to deliver the change our country needs. pic.twitter.com/44sCrX2p8z

— Anneliese Dodds (@AnnelieseDodds) February 28, 2025

","type":"rich","meta":{"author":"Anneliese Dodds","author_url":"https://twitter.com/AnnelieseDodds","cache_age":86400,"description":"It is with sadness that I have had to tender my resignation as Minister for International Development and for Women and Equalities. While I disagree with the ODA decision, I continue to support the government and its determination to deliver the change our country needs. pic.twitter.com/44sCrX2p8z— Anneliese Dodds (@AnnelieseDodds) February 28, 2025\n\n\n","options":{"_hide_media":{"label":"Hide photos, videos, and cards","value":false},"_maxwidth":{"label":"Adjust width","placeholder":"220-550, in px","value":""},"_theme":{"value":"","values":{"dark":"Use dark theme"}}},"provider_name":"Twitter","thumbnail_height":1036,"thumbnail_url":"https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Gk37iUmXwAAVKhf.jpg:large","thumbnail_width":746,"title":"Anneliese Dodds on Twitter / X","type":"rich","url":"https://twitter.com/AnnelieseDodds/status/1895447590789075008","version":"1.0"},"flags":[],"enhancements":{},"fullBleed":false,"options":{"theme":"news","device":"desktop","editionInfo":{"id":"uk","name":"U.K.","link":"https://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk","locale":"en_GB"},"originalEdition":"uk","isMapi":false,"isAmp":false,"isAdsFree":false,"isVideoEntry":false,"isEntry":true,"isMt":false,"entryId":"67c18c53e4b01834869f5163","entryPermalink":"https://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/entry/international-development-minister-resigns-over-cut-to-foreign-aid_uk_67c18c53e4b01834869f5163","entryTagsList":"labour-party,keir-starmer","sectionSlug":"politics","deptSlug":null,"sectionRedirectUrl":null,"subcategories":"","isWide":false,"headerOverride":null,"noVideoAds":false,"disableFloat":false,"isNative":false,"commercialVideo":{"provider":"custom","site_and_category":"uk.politics","package":null},"isHighline":false,"vidibleConfigValues":{"cid":"60afc140cf94592c45d7390c","disabledWithMapiEntries":false,"overrides":{"all":"60b8e525cdd90620331baaf4"},"whitelisted":["56c5f12ee4b03a39c93c9439","56c6056ee4b01f2b7e1b5f35","59bfee7f9e451049f87f550b","5acccbaac269d609ef44c529","570278d2e4b070ff77b98217","57027b4be4b070ff77b98d5c","56fe95c4e4b0041c4242016b","570279cfe4b06d08e3629954","5ba9e8821c2e65639162ccf1","5bcd9904821576674bc55ced","5d076ca127f25f504327c72e","5b35266b158f855373e28256","5ebac2e8abddfb04f877dff2","60b8e525cdd90620331baaf4","60b64354b171b7444beaff4d","60d0d8e09340d7032ad0fb1a","60d0d90f9340d7032ad0fbeb","60d0d9949340d7032ad0fed3","60d0d9f99340d7032ad10113","60d0daa69340d7032ad104cf","60d0de02b627221e9d819408"],"playlists":{"default":"57bc306888d2ff1a7f6b5579","news":"56c6dbcee4b04edee8beb49c","politics":"56c6dbcee4b04edee8beb49c","entertainment":"56c6e7f2e4b0983aa64c60fc","tech":"56c6f70ae4b043c5bdcaebf9","parents":"56cc65c2e4b0239099455b42","lifestyle":"56cc66a9e4b01f81ef94e98c"},"playerUpdates":{"56c6056ee4b01f2b7e1b5f35":"60b8e525cdd90620331baaf4","56c5f12ee4b03a39c93c9439":"60d0d8e09340d7032ad0fb1a","59bfee7f9e451049f87f550b":"60d0d90f9340d7032ad0fbeb","5acccbaac269d609ef44c529":"60d0d9949340d7032ad0fed3","5bcd9904821576674bc55ced":"60d0d9f99340d7032ad10113","5d076ca127f25f504327c72e":"60d0daa69340d7032ad104cf","5ebac2e8abddfb04f877dff2":"60d0de02b627221e9d819408"}},"connatixConfigValues":{"defaultPlayer":"8b034f64-513c-4987-b16f-42d6008f7feb","clickToPlayPlayer":"5a777b9b-81fe-41a6-8302-59e9953ee8a2","videoPagePlayer":"19654b65-409c-4b38-90db-80cbdea02cf4"},"topConnatixThumnbailSrc":"data:image/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAAAEAAAABCAQAAAC1HAwCAAAAC0lEQVR42mNkYAAAAAYAAjCB0C8AAAAASUVORK5CYII=","customAmpComponents":[],"ampAssetsUrl":"https://amp.assets.huffpost.com","videoTraits":null,"positionInUnitCounts":{"buzz_head":{"count":0},"buzz_body":{"count":0},"buzz_bottom":{"count":0}},"positionInSubUnitCounts":{"article_body":{"count":3},"blog_summary":{"count":0},"before_you_go_content":{"count":0}},"connatixCountsHelper":{"count":0},"buzzfeedTracking":{"context_page_id":"67c18c53e4b01834869f5163","context_page_type":"buzz","destination":"huffpost","mode":"desktop","page_edition":"en-uk"},"tags":[{"name":"labour party","slug":"labour-party","links":{"relativeLink":"news/labour-party","permalink":"https://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/news/labour-party","mobileWebLink":"https://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/news/labour-party"},"relegenceId":4172183,"section":{"title":"Politics","slug":"politics"},"topic":{"title":"Labour Party","slug":"labour-party","overridesSectionLabel":false},"url":"https://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/news/labour-party/"},{"name":"keir starmer","slug":"keir-starmer","links":{"relativeLink":"news/keir-starmer","permalink":"https://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/news/keir-starmer","mobileWebLink":"https://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/news/keir-starmer"},"relegenceId":4156282,"url":"https://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/news/keir-starmer/"}],"isLiveblogLive":null,"isLiveblog":false,"cetUnit":"buzz_body","bodyAds":["

\r\n\r\n HPGam.cmd.push(function(){\r\n\t\treturn HPGam.render(\"inline-1\", \"entry_paragraph_1\", false, false);\r\n });\r\n\r\n","

\r\n\r\n HPGam.cmd.push(function(){\r\n\t\treturn HPGam.render(\"inline\", \"entry_paragraph_2\", false, false);\r\n });\r\n\r\n","

\r\n\r\n HPGam.cmd.push(function(){\r\n\t\treturn HPGam.render(\"inline-2\", \"entry_paragraph_3\", false, false);\r\n });\r\n\r\n","

\r\n\r\n HPGam.cmd.push(function(){\r\n\t\treturn HPGam.render(\"inline-infinite\", \"repeating_dynamic_display\", false, false);\r\n });\r\n\r\n"],"adCount":0},"isCollectionEmbed":false}”>

It is with sadness that I have had to tender my resignation as Minister for International Development and for Women and Equalities.

While I disagree with the ODA decision, I continue to support the government and its determination to deliver the change our country needs. pic.twitter.com/44sCrX2p8z

— Anneliese Dodds (@AnnelieseDodds) February 28, 2025

Starmer Accused of ‘Betraying World’s Most Vulnerable Children’ As He Slashes International Aid

Posted on 25/02/2025 by Boris Clair

Keir Starmer has been severely criticised after announcing he is cutting the UK’s foreign aid budget to boost defence spending.

The prime minister declared he would now be increasing the defence budget from its current rate of 2.3% of gross domestic product (GDP) to 2.5% by 2027, three years earlier than planned.

It comes after Donald Trump said Europe could no longer lean on the US for military protection.

The US president is also triggering wider security concerns as he seems to be giving in to Vladimir Putin’s demands just to end the Ukraine war.

But Starmer confirmed he would be reducing the amount spent on international aid from 0.5% of GDP to 0.3% to pay for this bump in defence.

The prime minister said he was not “happy” to make this announcement, but noted that “at times like these the defence and security of the British people must always come first”.

Labour MP Sarah Champion, chair of the Commons international development committee, said: “I urge the prime minister to rethink today’s announcement. Cutting the aid budget to fund defence spending is a false economy that will only make the world less safe.

“The prime minister said today that he was ‘proud’ of the UK’s pioneering work on overseas development. I am bitterly disappointed to see the Government abandon this agenda, not only pulling the rug from under some of the world’s most vulnerable people but endangering our long-term security.”

Charities also hit out at the prime minister, calling the decision “reckless” and “short-sighted”.

The CEO of Bond, the UK network for organisations working in international development, Romilly Greenhill said: “This is a short-sighted and appalling move by both the PM and Treasury.

“Slashing the already diminished UK aid budget to fund an uplift in defence is a reckless decision that will have devastating consequences for millions of marginalised people worldwide.”

She claimed Britain was “following in the US’s footsteps” and that undermine the UK’s global goals as well as weaken its national security interests.

The announcement comes as less than 48 hours before Starmer is due to meet Trump in Washington.

The US president has been calling for Nato member states in particular to hike their defence spending, even claiming it should be hiked to 5%.

Greenhill continued: “Tragically, this cut is even deeper than the last Conservative government’s and will destroy this Labour government’s reputation, tearing to shreds their previous manifesto commitments to rebuild the UK’s international reputation as a reliable global partner.”

Save the Children UK’s CEO, Moazzam Malik, also slammed the news, writing on X: “We are stunned by this decision to cut the aid budget in order to increase military spending. It is a betrayal of the world’s most vulnerable children and the UK’s national interest.”

He said this “signals a withdrawal from efforts to tackle climate change, global poverty and inequality and conflict and humanitarian needs”.

He warned it would damage efforts to address global health, and warned it would “add to economic instability internationally”.

“The impacts will have direct consequences for children and families in the UK as well as around the world.”

Malik continued: “Other countries will watch the UK’s decision and are likely to follow suit in reducing commitments to international collaboration.

“It will undermine aspirations to build a ‘rules based order’ that is so essential for the UK’s long-term security and prosperity. It will make the world a more dangerous place for children now and in the future.”

Malik also pointed out that the move overshadows Starmer’s own promises to defend Ukraine.

“Earlier this week, the prime minister promised to ‘stand with Ukraine’. Now he’s serving notice on the support needed by the country’s children, who have been forced from their homes, seen their schools bombed and lived in fear for three years,” the Save the Children CEO said.

<div class="js-react-hydrator" data-component-name="Twitter" data-component-id="2748" data-component-props="{"itemType":"rich","index":30,"contentIndexByType":1,"contentListType":"embed","code":"

A statement from our CEO @MoazzamTMalik on the news that the government is cutting the UK aid budget to fund an increase in defence spending:

“We are stunned by this decision to cut the aid budget in order to increase military spending. It is a betrayal of the world’s most… pic.twitter.com/Rk2PA56Ljd

— Save the Children UK (@savechildrenuk) February 25, 2025

","type":"rich","meta":{"author":"Save the Children UK","author_url":"https://twitter.com/savechildrenuk","cache_age":86400,"description":"A statement from our CEO @MoazzamTMalik on the news that the government is cutting the UK aid budget to fund an increase in defence spending:“We are stunned by this decision to cut the aid budget in order to increase military spending. It is a betrayal of the world’s most… pic.twitter.com/Rk2PA56Ljd— Save the Children UK (@savechildrenuk) February 25, 2025\n\n\n","options":{"_hide_media":{"label":"Hide photos, videos, and cards","value":false},"_maxwidth":{"label":"Adjust width","placeholder":"220-550, in px","value":""},"_theme":{"value":"","values":{"dark":"Use dark theme"}}},"provider_name":"Twitter","thumbnail_height":1350,"thumbnail_url":"https://pbs.twimg.com/media/GkoqzvZXkAABF5C.jpg:large","thumbnail_width":1080,"title":"Save the Children UK on Twitter / X","type":"rich","url":"https://twitter.com/savechildrenuk/status/1894373681427878099","version":"1.0"},"flags":[],"enhancements":{},"fullBleed":false,"options":{"theme":"news","device":"desktop","editionInfo":{"id":"uk","name":"U.K.","link":"https://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk","locale":"en_GB"},"originalEdition":"uk","isMapi":false,"isAmp":false,"isAdsFree":false,"isVideoEntry":false,"isEntry":true,"isMt":false,"entryId":"67bdbeefe4b0d5874086425f","entryPermalink":"https://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/entry/starmer-accused-of-betrayal-over-slash-in-aid-funds_uk_67bdbeefe4b0d5874086425f","entryTagsList":"russia,keir-starmer,ukraine,defence-spending,@ai_seo_headline","sectionSlug":"politics","deptSlug":null,"sectionRedirectUrl":null,"subcategories":"","isWide":false,"headerOverride":null,"noVideoAds":false,"disableFloat":false,"isNative":false,"commercialVideo":{"provider":"custom","site_and_category":"uk.politics","package":null},"isHighline":false,"vidibleConfigValues":{"cid":"60afc140cf94592c45d7390c","disabledWithMapiEntries":false,"overrides":{"all":"60b8e525cdd90620331baaf4"},"whitelisted":["56c5f12ee4b03a39c93c9439","56c6056ee4b01f2b7e1b5f35","59bfee7f9e451049f87f550b","5acccbaac269d609ef44c529","570278d2e4b070ff77b98217","57027b4be4b070ff77b98d5c","56fe95c4e4b0041c4242016b","570279cfe4b06d08e3629954","5ba9e8821c2e65639162ccf1","5bcd9904821576674bc55ced","5d076ca127f25f504327c72e","5b35266b158f855373e28256","5ebac2e8abddfb04f877dff2","60b8e525cdd90620331baaf4","60b64354b171b7444beaff4d","60d0d8e09340d7032ad0fb1a","60d0d90f9340d7032ad0fbeb","60d0d9949340d7032ad0fed3","60d0d9f99340d7032ad10113","60d0daa69340d7032ad104cf","60d0de02b627221e9d819408"],"playlists":{"default":"57bc306888d2ff1a7f6b5579","news":"56c6dbcee4b04edee8beb49c","politics":"56c6dbcee4b04edee8beb49c","entertainment":"56c6e7f2e4b0983aa64c60fc","tech":"56c6f70ae4b043c5bdcaebf9","parents":"56cc65c2e4b0239099455b42","lifestyle":"56cc66a9e4b01f81ef94e98c"},"playerUpdates":{"56c6056ee4b01f2b7e1b5f35":"60b8e525cdd90620331baaf4","56c5f12ee4b03a39c93c9439":"60d0d8e09340d7032ad0fb1a","59bfee7f9e451049f87f550b":"60d0d90f9340d7032ad0fbeb","5acccbaac269d609ef44c529":"60d0d9949340d7032ad0fed3","5bcd9904821576674bc55ced":"60d0d9f99340d7032ad10113","5d076ca127f25f504327c72e":"60d0daa69340d7032ad104cf","5ebac2e8abddfb04f877dff2":"60d0de02b627221e9d819408"}},"connatixConfigValues":{"defaultPlayer":"8b034f64-513c-4987-b16f-42d6008f7feb","clickToPlayPlayer":"5a777b9b-81fe-41a6-8302-59e9953ee8a2","videoPagePlayer":"19654b65-409c-4b38-90db-80cbdea02cf4"},"topConnatixThumnbailSrc":"data:image/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAAAEAAAABCAQAAAC1HAwCAAAAC0lEQVR42mNkYAAAAAYAAjCB0C8AAAAASUVORK5CYII=","customAmpComponents":[],"ampAssetsUrl":"https://amp.assets.huffpost.com","videoTraits":null,"positionInUnitCounts":{"buzz_head":{"count":0},"buzz_body":{"count":0},"buzz_bottom":{"count":0}},"positionInSubUnitCounts":{"article_body":{"count":9},"blog_summary":{"count":0},"before_you_go_content":{"count":0}},"connatixCountsHelper":{"count":0},"buzzfeedTracking":{"context_page_id":"67bdbeefe4b0d5874086425f","context_page_type":"buzz","destination":"huffpost","mode":"desktop","page_edition":"en-uk"},"tags":[{"name":"Russia","slug":"russia","links":{"relativeLink":"news/russia","permalink":"https://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/news/russia","mobileWebLink":"https://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/news/russia"},"relegenceId":3691301,"section":{"title":"Politics","slug":"politics"},"topic":{"title":"Ukraine","slug":"ukraine","overridesSectionLabel":false},"url":"https://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/news/ukraine/"},{"name":"keir starmer","slug":"keir-starmer","links":{"relativeLink":"news/keir-starmer","permalink":"https://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/news/keir-starmer","mobileWebLink":"https://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/news/keir-starmer"},"relegenceId":4156282,"url":"https://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/news/keir-starmer/"},{"name":"Ukraine","slug":"ukraine","links":{"relativeLink":"news/ukraine","permalink":"https://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/news/ukraine","mobileWebLink":"https://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/news/ukraine"},"relegenceId":3696312,"section":{"title":"Politics","slug":"politics"},"topic":{"title":"Ukraine","slug":"ukraine","overridesSectionLabel":false},"url":"https://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/news/ukraine/"},{"name":"defence spending","slug":"defence-spending","links":{"relativeLink":"news/defence-spending","permalink":"https://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/news/defence-spending","mobileWebLink":"https://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/news/defence-spending"},"url":"https://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/news/defence-spending/"}],"isLiveblogLive":null,"isLiveblog":false,"cetUnit":"buzz_body","bodyAds":["