Anneliese Dodds, the Minister for International Development, has stepped down in response to the Prime Minister’s recent reductions to the aid budget.

In her resignation letter to Sir Keir Starmer, Dodds expressed that the announced budget cuts to international aid, intended to finance an increase in defense expenditures, would “deprive vulnerable communities of essential food and healthcare services – severely damaging the UK’s standing globally.”

She informed the Prime Minister that she postponed her resignation until after his meeting with President Trump, emphasizing the necessity for a cohesive cabinet as he prepared for his trip to Washington.

The MP for Oxford East, despite her non-cabinet minister status, participated in cabinet meetings, expressing her regret over her departure in the letter.

Dodds noted that while Sir Keir had articulated his non-ideological stance against international development, the cuts were being misrepresented as aligning with President Trump’s adverse funding reductions, particularly impacting USAID.

Before his visit with the US president, Sir Keir declared that aid contributions would be lowered from 0.5% of the gross national income to 0.3% by 2027 in order to increase defense spending.

In his response to Dodds’s resignation, the Prime Minister expressed gratitude for her “dedication, hard work, and friendship.” He acknowledged the difficult nature of the decision to cut aid, stating: “This is a challenging and painful choice that I do not make lightly. We will strive to restore our development capabilities.”

Dodds remarked in her letter that she welcomed the increase in defense spending, particularly in light of the precarious international order.

However, she conveyed disappointment that discussions on “our fiscal policies and taxation strategies” were overlooked, leaving the ODA [overseas development assistance] to shoulder the entire impact of the cuts.

She cautioned that these reductions would likely result in the UK’s withdrawal from numerous regions, including African, Caribbean, and Western Balkan nations, coinciding with Russia’s aggressive global advancement.

“This may lead to a reduction of our commitments to regional banks and a diminished role in the World Bank, potentially isolating the UK from various multilateral organizations and decreasing our influence within the G7, G20, and climate negotiation discussions.”

The announced spending cuts imply a reduction of £6 billion annually in foreign aid. Currently, a portion of the aid budget is allocated for housing asylum seekers within the UK, meaning the actual expenditure on international aid will be approximately 0.15% of the gross national income.

The decision to boost defense funding was made just before the Prime Minister’s meeting with President Trump, who has previously criticized European nations for their insufficient defense spending and reliance on American military support.

While the US president welcomed the UK’s commitment to increasing spending, Sir Keir faced criticism from international development organizations and certain members of his party for this decision.

Dodds strategically delayed her announcement until after the Prime Minister’s return from Washington to avoid overshadowing the significant visit, demonstrating her intent not to complicate matters for him.

Other MPs, including Labour MP Sarah Champion, who chairs the international development committee, have expressed discomfort with this decision, labeling the reduction in aid funding to support defense as a misguided approach that would only exacerbate global safety concerns.

Labour MP Diane Abbott, who previously criticized the cuts, remarked that it is “shameful” that no other ministers chose to resign alongside Dodds.

Dodds’s departure underscores a growing tension between the Prime Minister’s necessary decisions and the perspectives of some Labour MPs, which could further strain relations between the leadership and backbenchers.

In a statement on X, Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch remarked: “While I do not agree with the PM on many matters, I fully support his decision to reduce the foreign aid budget to bolster UK defense.”

“He may face resistance from certain cabinet ministers, but I stand firmly with him on this issue.”

Conversely, backbencher Andrew Mitchell, a former international development minister, expressed support for Dodds, accusing Labour of engaging in “disgraceful and cynical behavior.” “Shame on them, and kudos to a principled politician,” he added.

Liberal Democrat international development spokesperson Monica Harding praised Dodds as making the right choice, characterizing the government’s stance as “unsustainable.”

She acknowledged the need to increase defense spending but cautioned that “cutting the international aid budget in this way is tantamount to robbing Peter to pay Paul.”

“As we withdraw our aid, countries like Russia and China may fill the resulting void.”

Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner expressed her regret regarding Dodds’s resignation.

“This is a challenging decision, but it was crucial that the Prime Minister and cabinet support his move to increase defense expenditure,” she stated.

Dodds first entered Parliament as a Labour MP in 2017, representing the Oxford East constituency.

During Jeremy Corbyn’s leadership, she served as a shadow Treasury minister and was later appointed shadow chancellor under Sir Keir’s leadership.

Following Labour’s disappointing results in the 2021 local elections, she was assigned the women and equalities brief.

Since July 2024, she has held the position of International Development Minister.

With Dodds’s resignation, she becomes the fourth minister to leave Starmer’s government, following Louise Haigh, Tulip Siddiq, and Andrew Gwynne.