Baroness Chapman of Darlington has been appointed Minister of International Development

Charities have raised concerns about the lack of accountability of a new Government Minister of International Development as a row over cuts to aid rumble on. 

Anneliese Dodds resigned as international development minister on Friday after the move to cut official development assistance (ODA) from 0.5% of gross national income to 0.3% in 2027. 

The Prime Minister, Sir Keir Starmer, said the move was not a welcome one but was necessary, confirming that the cuts would be used to fund defence spending. 

In a letter to Starmer, Dodds said it would be “impossible” to retain funding in Gaza, Sudan and Ukraine, urging the government to look at other ways of funding the increase to defence spending, which the Labour leader hopes to see rise to 3% of GDP by 2030.

A former MP, loyal to the Prime Minister, has now been installed into the role to replace Ms Dodds. 

Jenny Chapman, Baroness Chapman of Darlington, served as an MP from 2010 until 2019, before serving as political secretary to Sir Keir Starmer while he was in opposition. 

She was given a place in the House of Lords in 2021, nominated by Mr Starmer, and served first as Shadow Minister for the Cabinet Office, then as Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State at the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office. 

She now takes on a role as Minister of State (International Development, Latin America and Caribbean). 

NGOs have reacted strongly to the appointment, raising issue with the lack of ability to question Ms Chapman in the House of Commons. 

Romilly Greenhill, CEO of Bond, the UK network for NGOs, said: "We look forward to working with Baroness Chapman of Darlington, the new Minister for International Development, to ensure the UK’s approach to international development continues to be based on genuine respect and partnership with lower-middle income countries.

“However, her appointment comes at a troubling time, following the rushed and unconsulted decision to slash the UK aid budget without any apparent impact assessment or consideration of the consequences on the most marginalised communities in the world.

“It is also concerning that Baroness Chapman, as a member of the House of Lords, cannot be held accountable in the Commons, particularly when MPs and the public are demanding answers about these reckless cuts. These cuts must be reversed.

“We urge the new Minister for International Development to work closely with the sector to prevent the government from further retreating from its development commitments and protect the UK's global reputation.”