Sir John Major’s Comments on Overseas Aid – 4 June 2021

The comments made by Sir John Major on 4 June 2021.

I strongly support Britain maintaining her statutory promise to commit 0.7% of our GDP to overseas aid.

Whilst I fully recognise our own budgeting difficulties, I do not believe it is morally defensible to ease our own financial burden at the expense of some of the poorest and most vulnerable people in the world, who have nothing – and nowhere else to turn for help.

I made my own views on this clear to the Government, privately, some weeks ago and – even at this late hour – I hope they will honour their better instincts and let compassion prevail to aid those in dire need. Only then can we re-establish ourselves as a nation that keeps its word, and begin to repair our reputation as a global force for good.