Andy Burnham Poised for PM: Calls Grow to Restore 0.7% Aid Target
Andy Burnham Poised for PM: Calls Grow to Restore 0.7% Aid Target
As Andy Burnham prepares to become UK's next Prime Minister, influential Labour MPs and thinktanks are urging him to reinstate the 0.7% overseas aid target. What will his leadership bring?
Andy Burnham is set to take the helm as the UK's new Prime Minister on July 20, replacing Keir Starmer, after securing significant backing for his Labour leadership bid. His impending premiership is already sparking discussions around key policy shifts, particularly concerning the nation's international development commitments.
Influential Labour backbenchers and the New Economics Foundation (NEF) thinktank are actively campaigning for Burnham to restore the UK's commitment to spending 0.7% of its Gross Domestic Product (GDP) on overseas aid. This target, initially legislated under former Prime Minister Gordon Brown, was controversially suspended as a temporary measure by Rishi Sunak during the Covid-19 pandemic in 2020. Keir Starmer further deviated from this commitment, choosing instead to make additional cuts to aid spending to bolster defence.
A forthcoming NEF publication, featuring contributions from MPs and policy experts including David Miliband and Mark Malloch-Brown, outlines proposals for a Burnham-led government to re-evaluate foreign policy. Fleur Anderson, a former minister with a background in international development, specifically calls on Burnham to pledge a return to the 0.7% target, suggesting a realistic 10-year trajectory to achieve this goal. She emphasizes the importance of a “credible long-term trajectory” that allows international partners and organisations to plan effectively, rather than focusing solely on rigid annual targets.
Beyond foreign policy, Burnham has also indicated an interest in domestic reforms, reportedly discussing changes to stamp duty and council tax. As he prepares to step into the nation's top office, his policy agenda is clearly under intense scrutiny and anticipation.
