New report warns of consequences if sexual and reproductive health funding is cut

The report produced by the Guttmacher Institute, MSI Reproductive Choices and Plan International UK warns of the increasingly dire consequences if cuts to sexual and reproductive healthcare are allowed to deepen.  

• A 50% cut would deny 5.5 million people contraceptive services, leading to an additional 1.9 million unintended pregnancies and 1,960 maternal deaths.  

• A 70% cut would deny 7.7 million people contraceptive services, leading to an additional 2.6 million unintended pregnancies and 2,740 maternal deaths.    

The UK government has long been a global leader in supporting SRHR, with a strong track record of investing in high-impact cost-effective programmes for women and girls. This includes funding for contraception, via UNFPA Supplies (£274 million 2018-2024) and the Women’s Integrated Sexual Health (WISH) programme (£252 million 2018 – 2022), which reached over 10 million women across 24 countries, contributing to gender equality and economic development and building resilience to the climate crisis.   

The UK has also maintained a strong commitment to funding HIV programming and services and championed neglected issues such as abortion, comprehensive sexuality education and female genital mutilation (FGM).  

Unless funding is protected, these investments are at grave risk following the recently announced cuts to Official Development Aid, from 0.5% of gross national income (GNI) to 0.34% in 2027, estimated at £0.5 billion in 2025/6, £4.8 billion in 2026/27 and £6.5 billion in 2027/28 which will be the lowest aid budget in 25 years. 

Rose Caldwell, CEO at Plan International UK, says:

“This research confirms just how dangerous the UK government’s aid cuts are. Slashing funding for sexual and reproductive health and rights will no doubt lead to women and girls around the world losing their lives.  

“These cuts come at a time when we are seeing rights being rolled back, impacting women and girls’ access to safe abortion care and education about their bodies. On top of this, humanitarian needs are at an all-time high and millions are facing conflict and crises. When sexual and reproductive health isn't funded in these contexts, women and girls are denied the lifesaving support they need.  

“Doubling down on cuts now not only weakens the UK’s reputation on the global stage but signals a retreat from its track record of defending human rights. This is a moment to be a trusted partner with courage and principle - the UK government must not turn its back on women and girls”