UK's severe cuts to overseas funding impair response to Middle East crises: Report

By Aysu Bicer

LONDON (AA) - A report Wednesday by an influential committee of MPs has criticized UK former Prime Minister Boris Johnson's decision to slash the Official Development Assistance (ODA) funding in 2021.

The Joint Committee on the National Security Strategy said the decision has significantly hampered Britain's ability to respond effectively to recent crises in the Middle East.

It underscored the "significant impact" of the funding cuts, particularly on the Conflict, Stability, and Security Fund (CSSF).

In the first year of reductions, which took effect in 2022, the CSSF's budget was slashed by a staggering £401 million ($496 million), leaving it with a diminished budget of £858 million -- a 32% decrease.

"This decrease was largely attributable to significant cuts to the ODA component of the Fund, including funding for programmes to promote peacebuilding and strengthen civil society in some of the world’s most fragile and conflict-affected regions," it said.

Established as a cross-government response to overseas challenges threatening UK national security, the CSSF has traditionally utilized Official Development Assistance (ODA) and non-ODA funding to address various global issues.

"The Government’s decision to reduce the UK’s ODA spending from 0.7% to 0.5% of GNI9 from 2021 has had a significant impact upon the CSSF’s budget," the report said.

The budget changes have shifted the CSSF's focus from peace-building and conflict prevention, effectively deprioritizing development work within the Fund.

The report argues that the cuts may impair the UK government's ability to respond effectively to international crises and anticipate potential conflicts -- particularly the CSSF's role in responding to recent crises in the Middle East and Sudan.

The reduction in funding for ODA programs may have hampered the government's capacity to address these situations adequately, it underlined.