The United Reformed Church (URC) has joined many other faith groups in urging the government to maintain its aid budget ahead of the comprehensive spending review.

Published in the Observer on Easter Sunday (21 April), an open letter, signed by the Revd Nigel Uden, Moderator of the URC General Assembly, and 26 other faith leaders, also called on the government to prioritise aid for the world’s poorest and most vulnerable.

In March, the government confirmed it is undertaking a spending review that will feed into the budget in the autumn.

The signatories stated: ‘We believe that Britain has a moral responsibility to continue to provide 0.7% of gross national income in aid, and to influence other governments to do likewise.

‘While the world has seen unprecedented progress in tackling extreme poverty, there is still a long way to go to meet the sustainable development goals by 2030.

‘The UK has a proud record of supporting international development and is well respected around the world. It is critical that we continue this leadership and generosity.’

Representatives from the Muslim Council of Britain, the Church of Scotland, the Conference of Liberal Rabbis, the Methodist Church, the Baptist Union of Great Britain and the Church of England also supported the campaign.

Read the letter and full list of signatories here.

Share your support on social media using the hashtag #FaithinAid.

Picture: The Royal Fleet Auxiliary Supplies ship Largs Bay is loaded with essential aid bound for Haiti, following an earthquake in Janaury 2010/Department for International Development/Russell Watkins.
Published: 23 April 2019