Key facts
- UK aid spending may fall short by up to £580 million by end of 2027.
- Shortfall attributed to higher inflation and FCDO budget policy change.
- Falling short means cuts to clean water, education, and vaccine delivery.
- UK's ODA budget fell to 0.44% of GNI in 2025 from 0.5% in 2024.
The UK is on track to miss its target of spending 0.3% of national income on international aid by an estimated £400 million by the end of 2027, according to calculations by the Center for Global Development (CGD). The CGD's central forecast suggests a shortfall of £410 million, with a more plausible scenario indicating a gap of £580 million. These shortfalls are attributed to higher-than-expected inflation and a 2025 policy change affecting the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) budget. The CGD urged ministers to allocate additional funds in the upcoming budget to meet the target.