Analysis by the development network Bond says the UK’s 2025 overseas aid reduction was effectively at least £1.2 billion, more than double the £500 million cut ministers announced. The finding matters because the additional reduction could further limit support for communities affected by conflict, humanitarian crises and climate change, while savings are redirected towards higher defence spending.

Official figures show £13.04 billion was spent on aid in 2025, equal to 0.43% of gross national income, below the expected 0.48%. Bond attributes more than £500 million of the gap to a changed budgeting method that did not increase aid when the economy was larger than forecast, and says lower-than-expected domestic refugee spending may have withheld another £200 million or more; it also says the Treasury and Home Office have not supplied full data.