UK government commits to underwriting existing NGO contracts in the event of a no deal Brexit

Today the UK government has committed to underwriting existing NGO contracts in the event of a no deal Brexit.

This comes after the EU was found to have inserted disclaimers in aid contracts stipulating that UK NGOs would cease to receive funding in the event of no deal, despite the UK’s membership of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development.

Reacting to today’s announcement, Claire Godfrey, head of policy and campaigns at Bond, the UK network that represents UK international development NGOs said:

“This commitment provides much needed reassurance to UK NGOs so they can continue to bid for EU funding without fearing cuts before a programme has ended – the impact of which would have been borne by the world’s poorest and most vulnerable people.

Humanitarian aid should never have become a Brexit negotiating tool. Inserting EC disclaimer clauses in NGO contracts unnecessarily discouraged UK NGOs, with sought-after expertise, from applying for funds.

It is important to remember that the UK aid sector is a global leader when it comes to aid and development, and has long championed the value of keeping the world’s poorest at the heart of our work. We sadly risk hindering joint global development and aid efforts unless people stop playing politics with the lives of those facing dire poverty, insecurity and climate change.”

ENDS

Delivering humanitarian aid programmes if there’s no Brexit deal: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/delivering-humanitarian-aid-programmes-if-theres-no-brexit-deal
Bond is the UK network for organisations working in international development. Bond unites and supports a diverse network of over 450 civil society organisations and allies to help eradicate global poverty, inequality and injustice.
For further information please contact Maryam Mohsin, [email protected] or 07555 336029