Fury as Yvette Cooper reveals £6billion will be spent on overseas green schemes

Fury as Yvette Cooper reveals £6billion will be spent on overseas green schemes The Labour government previously slashed the foreign aid budget. Share Article Share Article Facebook X LinkedIn Reddit Bluesky Email Copy Link Link copied Bookmark Add us as preferred source Comments By Toby Codd 12:05, Fri, Mar 20, 2026 Updated: 12:08, Fri, Mar 20, 2026 Yvette Cooper has faced criticism (Image: Getty) This article contains affiliate links, we will receive a commission on any sales we generate from it. Learn more Yvette Cooper has sparked backlash by pledging millions of pounds of taxpayer money to fund green schemes overseas. It comes despite the Labour government slashing the foreign aid budget by 40%. The Foreign Secretary has confirmed the UK will dish out £6billion on International Climate Finance projects over the next three years. She has vowed to maintain "climate and nature" as a priority to "protect people and prevent future crises". Ms Cooper also aims to generate an additional £6.7billion in "climate and nature positive investments". Article continues below ADVERTISEMENT Get the latest politics news - straight from our team in Westminster and more Subscribe Invalid email We use your sign-up to provide content in ways you've consented to and to improve our understanding of you. This may include adverts from us and 3rd parties based on our understanding. You can unsubscribe at any time. Read our Privacy Policy READ MORE: Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper 'handing Vladimir Putin huge propaganda victory' READ MORE: Yvette Cooper shuts down Laura Kuenssberg as 'pathetic' clash sparks outrage As reported by the Daily Mail , the government previously said it would cut funds from the overseas budget to finance an increase in defence spending by 2027. However, aid groups criticised the cuts as "reckless" with Labour MP Sarah Champion warning the approach would "make the whole world more vulnerable". Some previous aid projects included spening £99million of taxpayers' money on encouraging families in Africa and Asia to cook with electricity rather than firewood. Reform MP Robert Jenrick said: "When money is tight it is insane to waste such large amounts of money on dubious projects thousands of miles away." He added: "A Reform UK Government would slash our aid budget to a bare minimum and put our own people first." Article continues below ADVERTISEMENT The government has now committed £1.4billion a year to help countries involved in war. These include Ukraine, Palestine, Sudan and Lebanon while other nations, such as Somalia and Afghanistan, will see aid reduced. Article continues below ADVERTISEMENT Robert Jenrick said Reform would 'put our own people first' (Image: Getty) Ms Cooper told MPs on Thursday: "We have looked hard at what we prioritise and how we work, using the challenge of a reduced budget to find solutions that increase impact, focusing on what secures best value for money for taxpayers while reflecting UK values and the UK national interest, and what will seize new opportunities to bring real change to people's lives." She added that the UK will start reducing funding for G20 countries such as China and India. An expert has warned that the move could result in more migrants arriving in the UK. International Development Committee chairman Sarah Champion said: "As the former Home Secretary well knows, we will see people come to our shores to seek sanctuary and opportunity." Yvette Cooper Climate change International Development Labour Party Share Article Share Article Facebook X LinkedIn Reddit Bluesky Email Copy Link Link copied Bookmark Add us as preferred source Comments