A long-standing cross-party consensus contested largely by right-wing newspapers has been shattered by the news that the government intends to end the UK’s commitment to apply 0.7 per cent of its gross domestic product to the relief of poverty and aid for development overseas. The proposal was announced by Rishi Sunak, Chancellor of the Exchequer. He justified it on the grounds that the severe downturn in the economy due to the coronavirus epidemic called for drastic economies in government spending.

The proposal, requiring parliamentary approval, was contrary to promises in the Conservative Party manifesto at the last election. This will embolden the House of Lords to challenge it. Several former prime ministers of both main parties have attacked it, as have leaders of Britain’s main religious denominations.