UK's drastic cut to overseas aid risks future pandemics, say Sage experts

Major research projects will be cancelled, including those designed to head off future disease threats, warn scientists

The government's drastic cut to overseas aid risks damaging the world's ability to fight the next global health disaster and keep Britain safe, some of its own scientific advisers on Covid are warning.

In a significant escalation of the backlash against the cut, which will see major research projects cancelled this year, current and former members of the Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies (Sage) are among thousands of academics to confront the chancellor, Rishi Sunak, over cuts affecting projects that target the main threats to human health.