Karen Bradley among Tory rebels blocked in bid to reverse foreign aid cuts

By Jack Lenton 8th Jun 2021

Moorlands MP Karen Bradley was among a group of Tory MPs who were thwarted in their plans to reverse cuts to the Government's foreign aid budget.

We reported last week how dozens of Conservative MPs, including Moorlands MP Karen Bradley, supported an amendment to reverse the cuts, in a move which also received backing from Jeremy Hunt, David Davis and Theresa May.

It came following last year's announcement that the UK's foreign aid spending would be reduced from 0.7% of its national income to 0.5% - equating to a decrease of over £4 billion.

A vote was due to take place in the Commons next week, with the MPs backing the amendment aiming to get foreign aid spending increased back to 0.7% by January 2022.

But the proposal was ruled inadmissible by Commons Speaker Sir Lindsay Hoyle, meaning it will not be put to a vote. It was ruled that the proposal was not within the remit of the law the group of Tory rebels wanted to change.

However, ministers were told to give MPs an "effective" vote on the issue, and an emergency three hour debate was allowed on the matter yesterday, despite there being no vote.

The government says aid spending will return to the higher 0.7% level "when the fiscal situation allows" - but has not specified a date.

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