HAYWARDS HEATH, United Kingdom — Members of Parliament (MPs) from across the political spectrum have continued to voice their concerns regarding the decision by the U.K. government to reduce foreign aid spending to 0.3% of gross national income (GNI) from 0.5%. Opposition to the cuts has been voiced most recently by the members of the International Development Committee. They consider the reduction of Official Development Assistance (ODA) to conflict with the government’s long-established commitment to spend 0.7% of GNI on ODA.

All 11 members of the Committee have worked toward improving the lives of people across the globe. However, there are five MPs in particular with a history of working with various aid organizations who continue their work advocating and supporting U.K. foreign aid and development.

Brian Matthew

Before becoming the Liberal Democrat MP for Melksham and Devizes in the latest general election, Matthew demonstrated a strong commitment to combating global poverty. He assisted various charities and NGOs across Africa, worked in war zones and helped respond to cholera epidemics. Since becoming an MP, Matthew has continued his efforts to support U.K. foreign aid and development.

He has called on the U.K. government to help create an expeditionary peace force to conduct peace and aid work in Sudan and attended the launch of a report examining the impact of malnutrition on global development. Matthew has also publicly stated that cuts to development assistance have made global malnutrition highly precarious, creating a challenge the U.K. government must address.

David Taylor

Before becoming the Labour MP for Hemel Hempstead, Taylor worked for the international charity Oxfam, where he began his advocacy for human rights, primarily focusing on Syria and Yemen. Taylor used his experience working with international charities to found the Labour Campaign for International Development (LCID) in 2009, supporting government policies that target global poverty, instability and natural crises. The scale of LCID’s operations has reached new heights in recent years, with 52 LCID-endorsed candidates in the 2024 general election now serving as MPs.

Taylor continues his work supporting U.K. foreign aid and development by urging the government to keep aid spending at 0.5% for as long as possible. He argues that aid is vital not only to secure national interests but also because the U.K. government has a responsibility to support the most vulnerable.

Monica Harding

Before becoming the Liberal Democrat MP for Esher and Walton, Harding had an extensive career in the public and private international charity sectors. She served as President and CEO of Refugees International Japan, sat on the board of Refugees International USA and worked as Director of Communications with the British Council in London, Paris, Tokyo and Shanghai.

Her work supporting U.K. foreign aid and development has continued since becoming an MP 18 months ago. She serves as an officer in the All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) on Sudan and South Sudan and is a member of the APPG that helps promote the United Nations Global Goals. Additionally, Harding has publicly expressed her belief that foreign aid and development are critical elements of effective foreign policy and has called on the government to reverse its cut to the U.K. aid budget.

David Mundell

Across his 21-year career as the Conservative MP for Dumfriesshire, Clydesdale and Tweeddale, Mundell has remained steadfast in supporting U.K. foreign aid and development. In addition to his membership on the International Development Committee, he serves as chair of the Conservative Friends of International Development and co-chair of both the APPG on Nutrition for Development and the APPG on HIV, AIDS and Sexual Health.

An area of focus for Mundell is the fight against global malnutrition, having conducted three international trips with United Against Malnutrition. His most recent trip was to Tanzania, where he observed the impact of the U.K. overseas development in treating and preventing malnutrition in both Tanzania and Zanzibar. Mundell has said that “nutrition is like rocket fuel for our aid budget.” According to him, U.K. investment in nutrition is a strategic decision that could offset the “more than $1.6 trillion lost annually in productivity and potential.”

Sarah Champion

Unlike some others on this list, Champion’s work supporting U.K. foreign aid and development began when she joined Parliament as the Labour MP for Rotherham in 2012. She has twice served as chair of the International Development Committee, a role she currently holds, becoming the first woman elected to the position.

Champion has spoken extensively about the damaging impact of reducing foreign aid to 0.3% of GNI on Britain’s global influence and its existing global health initiatives. She has urged the government to maintain current levels of investment in polio prevention, which has averted approximately 1.6 million deaths. She warns that a withdrawal of funds could lead to 200,000 new cases of the disease each year.

Champion’s political actions align with her rhetoric; she successfully proposed a Parliamentary debate to approve the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office’s spending for 2025/26, which took place on March 4, 2026.

Supporting UK Foreign Aid and Development

The efforts of these MPs to support U.K. global aid and international initiatives help improve the lives of the less fortunate while also making the world a safer, more secure place. Through their advocacy, insight and actions within Westminster and beyond, these five politicians continue to support the world’s most vulnerable people. They also raise awareness at a time when most politicians remain focused on defense spending and conflict.

– Sean Patrick Welsh

Sean is based in Haywards Heath, UK and focuses on Politics for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr