UK aid cuts will be “devastating” for world’s most vulnerable children

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UK aid cuts will be “devastating” for world’s most vulnerable children

Huge cuts to UK overseas aid put millions of children at risk of extreme poverty, homelessness and exploitation. We can’t let that happen. Join us in asking the government to reverse its decision.

Date: 6th May 2025 | Author: Con Enzler

Huge cuts to overseas aid

The UK government has announced massive cuts to international development aid – reducing its budget by £6 bn. If the plans go through, street-connected and vulnerable children will be among those hardest hit.

The UK has played a huge role in international development, funding humanitarian assistance and offering crucial health services to communities in need.

Last September, PM Keir Starmer told the United Nations (UN) General Assembly that the UK would “be a leading contributor to development”. Instead, they have now cut aid from 0.5% of the UK’s gross national income to 0.3% to free up funds for defence.

Following the Trump administration’s recent cuts to USAID funding, humanitarian and development organisations are already in crisis.

We join other humanitarian and development organisations in urging the government to reconsider, or there will be critical consequences for 55 million people across the globe.

Massive cuts to children’s programmes

Previous cuts to UK aid in 2021 disproportionately affected child-focused programmes. UNICEF predicts children’s programmes will again be drastically scaled back, with some at risk of being fully terminated.¹

Millions of children facing extreme hunger, illness, conflict and natural disasters will be abandoned, left to fend for themselves.

More children on the streets

We are deeply concerned about how these cuts will affect vulnerable and street-connected children, including those we support.

With tens of millions of people losing out on access to crucial nutrition and clean water, more children will be forced to take to the streets.

No child should ever have to live on the streets.

Street-connected children are vulnerable to violence and abuse. Alone and unprotected, they’re at high risk of being groomed and exploited by gangs, human traffickers and extremist groups.

Rob Capener, Railway Children Chief Executive, said:

“These cuts will be devastating for the more vulnerable communities in the world, undoubtedly driving more children to the streets where they can face harm, violence and exploitation.”

“If the government moves forward with their plans, it will be impossible for us to meet the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals around poverty, hunger, health and education”.

“We ask the government not to turn their back on the poorest, most at-risk children and urgently reconsider their decision.”

Young Tanzanian boy sitting on the curb.

Implication of education cuts

The aid cuts could have a devastating impact on global education, with the most vulnerable bearing the brunt.

In India, Tanzania and the UK, we help children and young people access educational and professional opportunities so they can build a brighter future.

These educational programmes are a lifeline for children who, without them, face little hope of escaping poverty.

The Education and Development Forum estimates that 2.2 million fewer children will be in school and learning as a result and we know that children who are not in school are more likely to end up on the street.²

Impact on immigration

Investing less in international development will lead to rising numbers of people living in abject poverty, to more instability and risk of conflict, which inevitably leads to more people being forced to leave their homes in search of a better life.

Sir Andrew Mitchell, former international development secretary, told The Independent:

“Sadly it is clear that these terrible cuts will diminish Britain’s reputation and influence in important parts of the world which matter to our country.

“But it will also mean that desperate people go hungry, dangerous diseases won’t secure vaccinations and the causes of illegal immigration into the UK will not be addressed.”

The disproportionate impact on girls

Vulnerable women and girls will be disproportionately affected by these cuts – as the government scales back programmes across education, family planning, water and food aid.

Staying in education reduces the likelihood of girls under 18 being forced into marriage, according to Girls not Brides.³

Through education, girls learn valuable skills and knowledge, giving them the power to challenge discriminatory gender norms and speak out against gender-based violence.

With the loss of sexual health programmes, there could be significant implications for maternal health and the spread of HIV.

Will you help us?

Every child deserves to grow up in a safe, loving home. These cuts threaten the lives, safety, and happiness of vulnerable children everywhere.

That’s why we’ll be joining other aid organisations in Westminster to meet with over 75 MPs and activists to tell the government to reverse the cuts.

We need your help. Ask your MP to put pressure on the Prime Minister to stop these inhumane cuts.

Simply find your MP’s contact details using the button below, copy paste the content of our email template, and send. This will only take you two minutes.

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