Bond reacts to FCDO release ahead of UK ODA allocations announcement

Today, Thursday 19th March 2026, the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) have issued a press release ahead of its allocations of the 2026/27 Official Development Assistance (ODA) budget, which we expect to be published later today. 

The press release indicates the areas of programming where UK ODA will be spent, following drastic cuts to the UK aid budget – the steepest cut of any G7 country between 2024-26 – announced by the Prime Minister last year.

In response, Romilly Greenhill, CEO of Bond, the UK network for NGOs, said:

“While we welcome clarity on areas of programming that will be prioritised, such as support for fragile and conflict affected states and humanitarian support for Ukraine, Gaza, Sudan and Lebanon, it is evident that devastating cuts will nevertheless be felt across the board – including by the world’s marginalised communities. We are concerned that funding for the fourth round of International Climate Finance appears to have been reduced, to just £6 billion, despite the government previously claiming climate is a priority.

The Labour government’s decision to slash the UK aid budget last year – the steepest cut of any G7 country between 2024-26 – has already irreparably damaged the UK’s reputation on the global stage, and caused devastating consequences for millions of people around the world. Without sufficient funding to underscore its commitments, the government’s political choices will cost lives, leave us all more vulnerable to instability and crisis, and reverse hard-won progress towards a safer, healthier and more prosperous world. 

At a time of increasing global instability, and with even deeper cuts to follow in 2027/28, the UK government must ensure that the world’s most marginalised communities do not pay the highest price. Ahead of the upcoming Global Partnerships Conference and the UK’s G20 leadership next year, the UK government should broaden its commitment to an ambitious development agenda, including by leading on much-needed reforms to global systems that trap the lowest income countries in unjust cycles of debt, and prevent them from investing in their own public services.”

ENDS. 

Notes for editors

1. Bond will be issuing a further response and analysis of the figures, once the UK ODA allocations have been officially announced.
2. Bond unites and supports a diverse network of over 330 civil society organisations from across the UK, and allies to help eradicate global poverty, inequality and injustice.
3. For further information or interviews, please get in touch with Emily Loynes at [email protected] or 07909947850