Michelle Sandall

Save the Children is among the INGOs that have been denied re-registration by Israeli authorities to continue providing humanitarian aid to Palestinian communities from 1 January 2026. Read our full statement here: bit.ly/4srvdxv

We have been warning for some time of the catastrophic harm caused by the government's aid budget cuts. This is being made worse by ineffective management. This report highlights that across government there are unclear definitions of value for money when it comes to the aid budget. It confirms, as we have warned, that the budget has not been fully focused on impact. Continuing down this path will not deliver on the government’s international development objectives or broader growth agenda. At a time of growing global uncertainty, we urge the government to deliver an effective approach to international development. This requires a coherent whole-of-government strategic direction. This must be focused on impact and backed up by a coordinated and agreed approach to value for money. Without this, efforts to reduce poverty, and support to the world’s most vulnerable children, will fall short of their potential.

When overseas aid is cut, lives are lost – like this mother and newborn baby in Afghanistan. This example should act as a warning to the UK Government about what happens when you cut aid. #AidCuts bbc.co.uk/news/articles/ckgq…

Text Copyright © 2015 Michael Rosen, published by Smokestack Books ‘Don’t Mention the Children’ was written in 2014 by the children’s author, poet and activist Michael Rosen following a @guardian report that the Israeli government had banned a radio advert naming children killed in Gaza. Gaza is now the deadliest place in the world to be a child. Over 20,000 children have been killed by Israeli forces. The actual number is undoubtedly higher. These children had names, and favourite subjects in school. They wanted to be teachers, doctors and astronauts when they grew up – the same as children in the UK and across the world. They were, and still are, someone's everything: their entire universe. We refuse to allow their suffering to become normalised. We must make their voices heard. With Save the Children UK and @chooselove, we called on actors, presenters, activists and influencers to use their voices and platforms to ensure these children can never be erased. The poem was written to expose the silencing of children’s suffering in the face of devastating violence. Since then, the situation for children has only grown worse. Its message remains painfully relevant today. Demand Prime Minister Keir Starmer takes urgent action for children in Gaza and the West Bank. Sign our petition: bit.ly/4mnc4Zn 'Don't Mention the Children' – a poem by: @MichaelRosenYes Narrated by: Misan Harriman Zawe Ashton Beth Orton Laura Bailey Laura Whitmore Khalid Abdalla Dawn O’Porter Nadia Sawalha Jolyon Rubenstein Indira Varma Jen Brister Daniel Ings Denise Gough Stephen Kapos Max la Manna Ambika Mod Vanessa Redgrave Joely Richardson Nathalie Emmanuel Poppy Delevingne Dr Mo Mustafa Guy Pearce Michael Rosen Juliet Stevenson Annie Lennox

GAZA: New figures show 20,000 children killed in nearly 23 months of war. That's more than one Palestinian child killed by Israeli forces every hour. Our press release: savethechildren.org.uk/news/…

Minister of State for Development, Anneliese Dodds, has resigned in response to the UK Gov slashing international aid to historic lows. As conflict, climate change, and poverty are devastating lives, these cuts put the world’s most vulnerable at even greater risk. #AidCuts

A statement from our CEO @MoazzamTMalik on the news that the government is cutting the UK aid budget to fund an increase in defence spending: “We are stunned by this decision to cut the aid budget in order to increase military spending. It is a betrayal of the world’s most vulnerable children and the UK’s national interest. By jeopardising the UK’s partnership with countries across the world and international organisations, it signals a withdrawal from efforts to tackle climate change, global poverty and inequality, and conflict and humanitarian needs. It will damage efforts to tackle global health needs and pandemics. It will add to economic instability internationally. The impacts will have direct consequences for children and families in the UK as well as around the world. This decision comes at a time when global solidarity has never been more important. Other countries will watch the UK’s decision and are likely to follow suit in reducing commitments to international collaboration. It will undermine aspirations to build a ‘rules based order’ that is so essential for the UK’s long-term security and prosperity. It will make the world a more dangerous place for children now and in the future. This decision flies in the face of the government’s commitment to respectful partnerships with the global south. There is nothing respectful about slashing lifelines for families in the most dangerous places. Earlier this week, the Prime Minister promised to ‘stand with Ukraine’. Now he’s serving notice on the support needed by the country’s children, who have been forced from their homes, seen their schools bombed and lived in fear for three years. Through UK aid, we all help protect children facing the worst the world has to offer. We have every reason to be proud of it and the government should fearlessly protect it.”