A Cumbrian MP has called on the Government not to slash £4 billion from its international aid budget.
Tim Farron, MP for Westmorland and Lonsdale, has signed an amendment to the Advanced Research and Innovation Agency Bill.
The Government has been widely criticised for the move, having promising to maintain international aid spending at 0.7 per cent of national spending in their manifesto during the last General Election.
Aid agencies have warned that the cuts will kill tens of thousands of desperate people who rely on British aid in countries such as Syria, Yemen and South Sudan, beset by a deadly combination of conflict, extreme weather and the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The amendment has backed by over 30 Conservative MPs including former prime minister Theresa May.
Mr Farron said:“Britain has a proud history of providing aid and support for the poorest and most vulnerable people in the world.
“The Government’s decision to cut aid for these people in the middle of a pandemic is despicably cruel and will tragically result in the deaths of thousands of desperate people who will no longer have access to food or clean drinking water.
“I’m proud to have signed this amendment and hope that we can defeat the Government’s heartless plans.”
