Bond statement in response to James Cleverly becoming the new secretary of state for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs

Conservative MP for Braintree in Essex, James Cleverly, has been appointed secretary of state for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs. He succeeds Liz Truss, the new prime minister.

Responding to the announcement, Bond chief executive Stephanie Draper said:

“We look forward to working with the new Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, James Cleverly. He will bring valuable experience to the role having worked in the department most recently as minister of state for Europe and North America.

“With escalating global crises, the task at hand is not easy and will require immediate action. In the last year alone, we’ve seen an unprecedented food shortage in East Africa and around the world, as well as the Taliban takeover in Afghanistan, the Russian invasion of Ukraine and now climate-related floods in Pakistan.

“Our ability to respond to these crises – and many others – have been exacerbated by the savage UK aid cuts, proving that limiting the UK aid budget to 0.5% of GNI is not viable to ensure a secure future for us all. We need the cap to be lifted before more wasteful cuts ensue, with a clear plan to return to 0.7, and a dedicated minister for international development and humanitarian assistance to position the UK as a positive partner on the world stage.

“The new secretary of state needs to ensure UK aid stays poverty-focused with a long-term, patient approach. Sustainable development for the most marginalised communities must also remain a priority, along with tackling climate change and the protection of human rights and civic space worldwide.”

ENDS

Notes to editors

Bond is the UK network for organisations working in international development. Bond unites and supports a diverse network of over 400 civil society organisations from across the UK, and allies to help eradicate global poverty, inequality and injustice.
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