“This is a devastating decision for the poorest, most vulnerable and most marginalised people in the world.

“This Government cannot ‘win peace through strength’ when it cuts vital services and support which address some of the root causes of conflict and crises around the world. With this decision, the UK is falling into line, not standing strong against this turning tide we are seeing with the USAID freeze and other European governments slashing aid budgets.

“The work we do to support communities across Africa is not politics and bureaucracy, it is real life. The reality is that these cuts will add to the suffering of millions of vulnerable people around the world.”