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Our response to the Prime Minister’s commitment to use the UK’s G7 Presidency to boost investment in girls’ education

Our response to the Prime Minister’s commitment to use the UK’s G7 Presidency to boost investment in girls’ education

Plan International UK welcomes the Prime Minister’s commitment to use the UK’s G7 Presidency to boost investment in girls’ education. The Government’s pledge of £55 million for the What Works Hub today, as well as the launch of the Girls Education Action Plan, are important steps to delivering quality and safe education for girls.  

But as the UK prepares to host the G7 Summit next month, the world is looking for strong political and financial leadership. Today’s announcement comes as the UK has slashed its aid budget for education by up to 40% - impacting more than a million children living in the world’s toughest countries and seriously undermining these initiatives. This Action Plan will not be delivered without ambitious financing to back it up.   

The Prime Minister was right today to say, “we risk creating a lost pandemic generation”. Girls are facing a greater risk of early marriage, sexual exploitation, and early pregnancy. And for many, the chance for an education will be lost forever. Cutting UK Aid is a misguided attempt to balance the books on the backs of the world’s most vulnerable children, especially girls, at a time when they most need our support. 

Now is not the time to shirk our responsibilities by cutting UK aid. This summer, the UK will co-host a Global Education Summit which aims to raise $5 billion for the Global Partnership for Education – the world’s largest education fund. If the UK wants to be a world leader on girls’ education, it must reverse the aid cuts and pledge at least £600 million to the Global Partnership for Education, setting an example to others and protecting the futures of millions of girls.