We live in an unequal world, in which many people lack the basics of life or the opportunity to fulfil their God-given potential. Action is needed to tackle global poverty, address injustices, and encourage sustainable development.
For Christians, supporting international development is a response to the Biblical call to love our neighbours, protect the vulnerable and act for justice. As Churches, we therefore support and advocate for aid programmes, fair trade, tax justice, and cancellation of unjust debts.
Protect the international development budget
In the UK, since 2013 the government has committed to spending 0.7% of GNI – Gross National Income – on international development. This promise was enshrined in law, with cross-party support, in 2015. The % target is designed to always be affordable, flexing in response to the changing economic prosperity of the UK. But in November 2020, the Chancellor announced the Government’s intention to temporarily cut this budget to 0.5% of GNI. We encourage you to get in touch with your MP using the template below to ask them to support reversing this cut.
For decades, Churches and Christians have been key in calling for Britain to fulfil its international responsibilities and support overseas aid. The 0.7% target has its origins in an initiative of the World Council of Churches in 1958. The cut has been condemned by our member Churches. Find out more about the background to this issue in this briefing, produced for Churches Together in Britain and Ireland in February 2021.
Blogs
Read our latest blogs on international development and aid here: