The major wave of aid reductions began in February 2025. The United States abruptly defunded and closed USAID, the world’s largest aid agency, which has historically funded millions of education programmes worldwide. Shortly after, other governments, including the UK, announced significant cuts to their aid budgets. 

In 2025, the UK made its largest cut to the aid budget in recent years, which had already seen a series of cuts beginning during COVID-19. In February, the government announced a £5 billion cut to increase defence spending. As a result, the aid budget will fall from 0.7% of GNI (as it was in 2021) to 0.3% by 2027. The Government has specifically called out education as one of the sectors that will be hardest hit. These cuts mark a sharp decline from previous years, when the UK was a leading champion of global education. 

UNICEF estimates that by the end of 2026, global education funding will fall by US$3.2 billion, a 24% drop from 2023. Primary education, which is Street Child’s focus, is expected to see funding reduced by about a third. These cuts put an additional 6 million children at risk of dropping out of school (more than the total population of Scotland), with many living in conflict-affected or humanitarian settings.  

Education gives children opportunity in life. But for many, school is also much more than learning: it is a safe space, a source of stability, and a lifeline after trauma. Without it, children risk losing not only their education, but their sense of security, hope, and future opportunity. Beyond the classroom, education shapes families and communities too — helping people stay healthy, find work, adapt to challenges like climate change, and build more peaceful societies. Every pound cut is not just a budget decision; it is a child’s potential put at risk. 

Street Child has launched its “Education Interrupted” appeal to help mitigate the worst impact of these unprecedented cuts on our work. Generous donors are matching contributions pound-for-pound, helping ensure that children in Sierra Leone, South Sudan, Somalia, and other countries continue to access safe, high-quality education despite government reductions.  

Absolutely. Every bit helps. While private donations cannot, and should not, replace the full scale of government aid cuts, even a small contribution can make a real, tangible difference. In many countries where Street Child operates, it costs around £4 a month to keep a child in education, which is relatively affordable compared with the huge impact it creates. Donations help keep vital programmes alive, ensuring children can stay safe, in school, and learning. At the same time, Street Child continues to raise its voice to push back on these cuts, including through initiatives like the Send My Friend to School coalition, so together we can protect children’s futures.