UK development cuts: Seeing more clearly – the case for 3D vision and integrated action

Many will be suffering from whiplash due to recent events. Navigating the new normal and responding to it is challenging. The news that the UK will increase its defence budget at the expense of its development budget is disheartening.

The world isn’t black and white. Situations don’t lend themselves to defence spending or development investments. Every context requires the smart application of all a government’s tools—tailored integrated action drawing on defence, development, and diplomatic access and influence.

So a few thoughts about the UK Prime Minister’s recent announcement:

• ⁠It’s important to be clear about the size of the cut. The aid budget won’t be 0.3% GNI but more like 0.1% GNI when housing refugees’ costs are included.
• ⁠HMG had little choice but to reduce the development budget, but see this for what is is – not a retreat from development spending but a consequence of Trumpism.
• ⁠The cut will further weaken the UK’s soft power as a development thought leader, but it does allow it to grasp the nettle of defence spending – just sooner than expected.
• ⁠Every pound of UK development spending must now work harder for its keep. HMG must ensure that its spending is developmentally sound and demonstrates wider return for the UK. This requires clearly articulated and evidenced alignment between project action and strategic return. The UK needs a better narrative for how its development spending returns value for it and its counterparts and partners.
• ⁠ But the value of development programmes is derived from more than just cost. It can also be measured by access and influence gained. Diplomacy, thought leadership, and coalition building will be crucial. Understanding and developing this linkage is vital, along with tools to measure non-programmatic actions and their strategic impact.
• ⁠Wishing things were different won’t help. The task now is to overcome the trauma and think about where and how to invest development funds strategically.
• ⁠ ⁠With increased military spending, the UK MOD must now work understand its soft power and seek synergies with wider development and diplomacy. A 3D approach, integrating defence, development, and diplomacy, seems more relevant than ever.