Professor Melissa Leach, Director of the Institute of Development Studies, has joined other leading research institutions in co-signing a letter from the Development Studies Association (DSA) to the UK government. The letter calls for aid cuts announced this week to be reconsidered arguing that they represent a betrayal of the world’s poorest by denying four billion pounds in targeted aid spending.
According to the DSA, reduced funding will effectively diminish prospects of meeting the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDG’s) and of the UK playing a leading role in global affairs. The Institute of Development Studies with the DSA is encouraging MPs from all parties to oppose the legislation required for the aid cuts to be enacted so that the UK continues to play a leading role in global poverty reduction and equality.