Closed petition Reverse cuts to global aid for family planning

Closed on 5 November 2021

The Government has reportedly cut funding for global family planning from £154m to £23m. A UN source estimates the lost £130m would have helped prevent about 250,000 maternal and child deaths, 14.6 million unintended pregnancies and 4.3 million unsafe abortions. These cuts should be reversed.

Family planning clearly improves the rights and outcomes for women and girls' around the world. The absolute sum of the £130m represents a very small percentage of government expenditure and works out at £520 to save a life based on the UN estimate that the money could help save 250,000 deaths. That modest sum for a life does not even include all the other deaths and reduced life chances that will result from the unintended pregnancies and unsafe abortions.