Responding to the UK Government announcing a pledge of £100 million to the 2026 – 2030 replenishment of the Global Partnership for Education, a spokesperson for Send My Friend to School, the UK’s global education coalition, said:

“The UK’s pledge to the Global Partnership for Education (GPE) falls devastatingly short of what is needed at a moment of acute global education need. With millions of children already denied their right to education, a reduction of this scale sends the entirely wrong signal to partner countries, other donors, and most importantly, to children whose futures depend on access to quality learning.

The UK has emphasised that their new approach to development is based on partnership, country ownership, and support for nationally-led development. Yet a pledge at this level strongly undermines the UK’s credibility as a global partner. It sends precisely the wrong message: that countries investing in their own education systems cannot rely on support from the UK.

At GPE’s last replenishment, the UK provided £430 million in funding over five years. The announcement that the UK will pledge£100 million for the next five years represents a reduction of 77%. This follows the end of essentially all UK bilateral aid to education.

The consequences of such a low pledge will be felt by children and communities around the world. At a time when conflict, climate shocks, and economic pressures are placing enormous strain on education systems, now is not the moment to step back from investing in education. Education remains one of the strongest drivers of prosperity, stability, and equality. Cutting support today will create greater challenges for tomorrow.

It is not too late for the UK Government to change course. We urge ministers to provide additional annual top-up contributions over the course of GPE’s 2026-2030 strategic period, and to take bold political action to place education at the heart of the UK’s international development strategy. The UK had a proud history of championing and investing in education worldwide, which has been shattered by this devastating decision today.”