Thread by @haynesdeborah

BREAKING: The UK has imposed a “devastating” cut of about 85% in aid to a @UNFPA family planning programme in the world’s poorest nations – money that could have helped prevent some 250,000 maternal and child deaths, @SkyNews understands 1/

The UK is the biggest donor to the @UNFPA Supplies programme, which also seeks to reduce unintended pregnancies & unsafe abortions.
But an initial commitment to spent £155 million this year – cash that had been expected - has been shrunk to just £23 million, the agency says 2/

£130mln (the amount that's being cut) could have helped to prevent around 250,000 maternal & child deaths, 14.6 million unintended pregnancies & 4.3 million unsafe abortions. “This will have a devastating impact on women, girls and their families across the world” @UNFPA said 3/

. @UNFPA is latest agency to reveal impact of a decision by @BorisJohnson to cut UK spending target for overseas aid to 0.5% of national income from 0.7% - in breach of manifesto pledge.

This cut = a drop of £4bln+ in UK aid spending globally.

(So much for "Global Britain") 4/

My piece on the UK's decision to cut funding by 85% on lifesaving family planning support and supplies for women & girls in the poorest countries (that the UK is lead donor of) by 85%.

We will have more on this story on Thursday on @SkyNews 📺 5/

bit.ly/3xzEgjk

🚨In 2019 the UK pledged £425mln to support family planning in poorest nations through to 2025 - billed as “largest financial partnership in @UNFPA’s history”.

@FCDOGovUK & @DominicRaab are backtracking on this @UN commitment to help some of the most vulnerable women & girls 6/