The Future of UK Development Policy

The UK was once seen as a leader in international development, but amid a series of crises, including the COVID-19 pandemic and spikes in energy and food prices triggered by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, it has stepped back in recent years, with major aid cuts, a reduced focus on the poorest countries, and over a quarter of its aid budget being now spent in the UK. Where should the UK development policy go from here? 

CGD has elevated leading voices across the political spectrum in a series of conversations, including with the current Minister of State for Development and Africa Andrew Mitchell and former Shadow Secretary of State for International Development Preet Gill, to set out their vision for the UK’s role on a global stage. 

CGD colleagues are also presenting proposals and recommendations for what the UK’s future role in international development should be. Explore our work—from innovative policy proposals, to recent events, as well as more in depth research, below: 

More from the Series

Feb

8

2023

11:00—12:00 PM GMT | 6:00 - 7:00am ET

A Conversation with Labour’s Preet Gill and Sir Mark Lowcock on the UK’s Development Role

January 12, 2023
Preet Gill, Shadow Secretary of State for International Development and Sir Mark Lowcock, former UN “Relief Chief”; the Department For International Development (DFID)’s longest serving Permanent Secretary; and current Senior Fellow at the Center for Global Development will discuss what the future h...
CGD NOTE

Projections of UK-Hosted Refugees, and the Implications for the UK’s Aid Budget and Spend

September 26, 2022
In this note, we look at the potential numbers and cost of refugee hosting in the UK in 2022, how this compares to the UK’s historic approach, and the knock-on impact for the UK’s aid budget.
CGD NOTE

A Proposed UK Party Manifesto Section on Global Cooperation

September 08, 2022
At some point in the next couple of years, the UK is going to have an election. Before then, political parties are going to be working up their election manifestos. In an attempt to save them time, here's a draft section on international cooperation for them to cut-and-paste.