THE SNP have challenged Boris Johnson to U-turn on his decision to slash the UK’s aid budget in the middle of a pandemic.
It comes as the Tory leader faces a mounting rebellion from his own benches over the cuts, with former international development secretary Andrew Mitchell bringing forward an amendment to the Advanced Research and Invention Agency (Aria) Bill.
If selected by Commons Speaker Sir Lindsay Hoyle and approved by a majority of MPs, it would force any shortfall of the original 0.7% aid spending target to be covered by Aria’s budget.
Around 30 Tory MPs back the move – including former PM Theresa May. Her former deputy Damian Green and Johnny Mercer, who recently resigned as defence minister, also added their names.
READ MORE: SNP condemn the Tories' 'callous' foreign aid cuts amid Covid crisis
The SNP have consistently called on the Tory government to strengthen aid efforts in a bid to properly tackle the Covid crisis – the Scottish Government has already taken steps to increase overseas aid support.
The party’s international development spokesperson Chris Law said: “The Tory government’s deep cuts to the aid budget – hitting some of the world’s poorest people and vulnerable communities in the middle of a pandemic – is deplorable.
“It speaks volumes of the Tory government’s toxic priorities that as the UK prepares to host the G7, it turns a blind eye to the catastrophic consequences these cuts will have.
“The grim reality is that these aid cuts will cost lives as the UK ditches its moral obligations, breaks its legal commitments, and abandons those desperately in need.
“The Prime Minister must at long last take heed of the warnings and the growing opposition - including from his own benches - and urgently U-turn on his government’s shameful aid cuts.”
The bill returns to the Commons for further consideration on Monday.
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