Bond statement in response to James Cleverly MP becoming the new foreign secretary

Bond, the UK network of NGOs, welcomes the appointment of new Foreign Secretary James Cleverly but urges him to immediately address global crises including the famine in East Africa, the Taliban takeover in Afghanistan, the Russian invasion of Ukraine and the climate-related floods in Pakistan.

The umbrella group of 425 international development charities adds the £4.6bn UK aid cuts have “exacerbated” these crises, proving the reduced budget – 0.5% of gross national income – is “not viable” and should be returned to the legally enshrined 0.7% as soon as possible.

Responding to the announcement, Bond chief executive Stephanie Draper said:
“We look forward to working with the new Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, James Cleverly. He will bring valuable experience to the role having worked in the department most recently as minister of state for Europe and North America.

“With escalating global crises, the task at hand is not easy and will require immediate action. In the last year alone, we’ve seen an unprecedented food shortage in East Africa and around the world, as well as the Taliban takeover in Afghanistan, the Russian invasion of Ukraine and now climate-related floods in Pakistan.

“Our ability to respond to these crises – and many others – have been exacerbated by the savage UK aid cuts, proving that limiting the UK aid budget to 0.5% of GNI is not viable to ensure a secure future for us all. We need the cap to be lifted before more wasteful cuts ensue, with a clear plan to return to 0.7, and a dedicated minister for international development and humanitarian assistance to position the UK as a positive partner on the world stage.

“The new secretary of state needs to ensure UK aid stays poverty-focused with a long-term, patient approach. Sustainable development for the most marginalised communities must also remain a priority, along with tackling climate change and the protection of human rights and civic space worldwide.”