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CBM UK calls on the International Development Minister to support the most marginalised

Posted on: Wednesday, May 14th, 2025
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Yesterday (13th May), the Minister for International Development acknowledged to the International Development Committee that the recently announced cuts to UK Aid will have significant consequences. She recognised, too, that government decisions will inevitably impact marginalised and vulnerable communities. We are extremely concerned that millions living in extreme poverty will be hit harder and inequalities exacerbated.

Given this, it is deeply concerning that equality impact assessments have not yet been carried out. We know from experience that previous cuts disproportionately impacted marginalised groups like women, girls, and people with disabilities. This can’t happen again. The UK Government needs to learn the lessons of the past, and we urge the Minister to ensure impact assessments are carried out sooner rather than later.

At CBM UK, we have decades of experience in working alongside those most marginalised, including women and girls with disabilities. Whilst agreeing with the Minister that development should be ‘partnership not paternalism’, we know that true progress comes through meaningful partnerships with Organisations of People with Disabilities and the inclusion of their voices in decision-making.

As a matter of justice and solidarity, we call on the UK Government to demonstrate leadership, step up, and set an example in international development. We urgently ask the Minister to reconsider the way forward and ensure that these cuts do not leave those most excluded and hardest to reach even further behind.