Dominic Raab says legislation is needed to cut UK aid spending
by Patrick Wintour Diplomatic editor from on (#5AWQN)
Foreign secretary says it is not known when 0.7% target, set in law, will be restored
The foreign secretary has decided legislation is required to cut the aid budget since the current fiscal uncertainty means the government may feel obliged to miss the commitment to spend 0.7% on gross national income on overseas aid for longer than a year.
Legislation would be laid, Dominic Raab told MPs in an oral statement, but he did not give a date for doing so. The Foreign Office has indicated it is unlikely to be introduced until the second half of next year.
Related: 'We made a promise': fallout from UK's cut in overseas aid remains to be seen
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