The UK on Monday announced reforms to its foreign aid budget designed to foster economic growth and offer a route away from "malign actors" by instead dealing directly with countries.
Since leaving the European Union, the British government has sought to give the country a globalist rebrand under the "Global Britain" soubriquet. However, it has failed to live up to that tag.
In 2021, the UN called Britain's decision to slash its foreign aid budget a "failure of kindness and compassion".
The UK's trade performance has not contributed to its global credit either.
Exports from Germany and Italy returned to pre-pandemic levels in 2021, and other nations are expected to do so this year. By contrast, UK exports have been forecast to recover in 2023, according to research from Paris-based trade credit insurer, Euler Hermes.
Lagging economically, the revamped aid strategy provides the UK with the chance to flaunt its international credentials and expand its influence among countries in the Indo-Pacific region to try to moderate China's global dominance.
The new International Development Strategy will help address global challenges; deliver investment; support women and girls; send humanitarian assistance to those who need it most; and continue work on climate change, the UK government said.
"In an increasingly geopolitical world, we must use development as a key part of our foreign policy," UK Foreign Secretary Liz Truss said in a statement.
"Malign actors treat economics and development as a means of control, using patronage, investment and debt as a form of economic coercion and political power.
"We won't mirror their malign tactics, but we will match them in our resolve to provide an alternative," she said, without naming any country or group.
The UK government will spend more on country and bilateral programmes, it said, reducing the amount channelled through multilateral organisations.
By 2025, the foreign office intends to spend three quarters of its aid budget bilaterally. It also intends to cut red tape and bureaucracy by giving diplomats greater authority to ensure programmes are delivered quickly.
"The new strategy, launched today, will ensure that our international development work brings benefit across the globe and here at home," Ms Truss said.
"Our strategy will deepen economic, security and development ties globally, while delivering jobs and growth in both the UK and partner countries."
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Director: Matty Brown
Stars: Nadine Labaki, Ziad Bakri, Zain Al Rafeea, Riman Al Rafeea
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Timeline
2012-2015
The company offers payments/bribes to win key contracts in the Middle East
May 2017
The UK SFO officially opens investigation into Petrofac’s use of agents, corruption, and potential bribery to secure contracts
September 2021
Petrofac pleads guilty to seven counts of failing to prevent bribery under the UK Bribery Act
October 2021
Court fines Petrofac £77 million for bribery. Former executive receives a two-year suspended sentence
December 2024
Petrofac enters into comprehensive restructuring to strengthen the financial position of the group
May 2025
The High Court of England and Wales approves the company’s restructuring plan
July 2025
The Court of Appeal issues a judgment challenging parts of the restructuring plan
August 2025
Petrofac issues a business update to execute the restructuring and confirms it will appeal the Court of Appeal decision
October 2025
Petrofac loses a major TenneT offshore wind contract worth €13 billion. Holding company files for administration in the UK. Petrofac delisted from the London Stock Exchange
November 2025
180 Petrofac employees laid off in the UAE
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Trippier bio
Date of birth September 19, 1990
Place of birth Bury, United Kingdom
Age 26
Height 1.74 metres
Nationality England
Position Right-back
Foot Right
What is Reform?
Reform is a right-wing, populist party led by Nigel Farage, a former MEP who won a seat in the House of Commons last year at his eighth attempt and a prominent figure in the campaign for the UK to leave the European Union.
It was founded in 2018 and originally called the Brexit Party.
Many of its members previously belonged to UKIP or the mainstream Conservatives.
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Former Tory deputy chairman Lee Anderson became its first MP after defecting in March 2024.
The party gained support from Elon Musk, and had hoped the tech billionaire would make a £100m donation. However, Mr Musk changed his mind and called for Mr Farage to step down as leader in a row involving the US tycoon's support for far-right figurehead Tommy Robinson who is in prison for contempt of court.
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More than 2.2 million Indian tourists arrived in UAE in 2023
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