<p class="dcr-s3ycb2">Good morning. MPs are continuing to assess the impact of Keir Starmer's decision to cut aid funding in favor of increased defense spending, following the breakfast briefing.</p>
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<p class="dcr-s3ycb2"><strong>John Healey,</strong> the defence secretary, has faced questions about the announcement's motives, specifically whether it's to appease Donald Trump. "No, it’s not," he asserted to Sky News, highlighting the Labour manifesto's commitment to raising defense spending to 2.5% of GDP (though the manifesto did not specify the timing or the method of funding).</p>
<p class="dcr-s3ycb2">Healey acknowledged the strategic timing of the announcement, as Starmer's first meeting with Trump post-inauguration is at the White House tomorrow. For Starmer, boosting defense is necessary but not sufficient for a successful meeting with Trump.</p>
<p class="dcr-s3ycb2">However, cutting aid use is challenging, especially for Labour figures like <strong>David Lammy</strong>. As foreign secretary, Lammy has pointed out the mistake in Trump's cuts to the US aid budget, emphasizing that the UK cuts to 0.3% of GDP make it one of the least generous G7 countries.</p>
<blockquote data-spacefinder-role="inline" class="dcr-154zxly">
    Executive decision making favours diplomacy, not donation levels.
</blockquote>
<p class="dcr-s3ycb2">Lammy has defended the move in a piece for the Guardian, though specifics on the most affected aid projects remain unclear. He has guaranteed that projects in Ukraine, Gaza, and Sudan will be protected.</p>
<blockquote data-spacefinder-role="inline" class="dcr-154zxly">
    Balancing national security with international aid is a pragmatic imperative for our government.
</blockquote>
<p class="dcr-s3ycb2">Lammy's full article is available for further insights.</p>
<p class="dcr-s3ycb2">Today's agenda includes key political engagements and discussions on pertinent issues facing the UK. Notable events include testimonies from water company bosses and statements on the government’s response to the Grenfell Tower fire inquiry.</p>
<p class="dcr-s3ycb2">For updates and comments, you can post below or reach out on social media. For urgent matters, please use direct messaging on Bluesky at @andrewsparrow.</p>
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