UK's spending cuts put many anti-terrorism projects at risk of stalling

British soldiers participating in the UN Multinational Stabilization Mission. Illustration photo: AFP/VNA

These programs include counter-recruitment by the Islamic State (IS), mine clearance in Sri Lanka and interdiction of arms smuggling.

These programs are part of the Integrated Security Fund (ISF), an initiative with a budget of nearly £1 billion (about $1.26 billion) set to be established in 2023 to deal with complex security challenges at home and abroad. However, after the British government adjusted its international aid spending and prioritized increased defense spending, many ISF programs are in a state of instability.

Chancellor of the Exchequer Rachel Reeves is now looking to cut spending, leaving some ISF programmes only able to continue if departments find their own funding, as the whole government prepares for austerity.

The ISF focuses on responding quickly to new threats through pilot programs that are difficult to deploy through conventional aid budgets. About £300 million (about $378 million) of the total fund is allocated to peacekeeping missions, including the United Nations.

Among the programmes that could be suspended is the international version of PREVENT, Britain’s controversial counter-terrorism strategy, which is currently being used in Iraq, Syria and Lebanon to prevent radicalisation in refugee camps and detention facilities. Other programmes, such as a counter-propaganda unit to counter disinformation from the Bashar al-Assad regime, IS and Iran, are also at risk.

Several NGOs that coordinate ISF programs said they had not received funding commitments for the next phase. Conciliation Resources said it had no budget for its peace dialogue activities in Papua New Guinea and the Philippines. Meanwhile, in Sri Lanka, HALO, which conducts mine clearance projects, warned that funding cuts could significantly delay its goal of declaring Sri Lanka mine-free by 2030.

Lewis Brooks, policy adviser at Saferworld, warned that the consequences of the cuts could be dire, affecting conflict prevention efforts in many of the world’s hotspots. Activities such as counter-trafficking, helping women prevent community conflict and dialogue between opposing sides are being put in jeopardy, he said.

Earlier this month, the UK government asked all ISF projects to prepare for potential budget cuts in the next financial year, as budget constraints are imposed across the public sector.

In June, Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s government will have to make a major decision on its national security direction, covering issues such as policy towards China, Africa, cooperation within the AUKUS framework, defence capabilities and the threat of extremism. These directions are expected to determine the future of the ISF as well as the UK’s approach to intervention and stability in hot spots around the world.

Source: https://baotintuc.vn/the-gioi/anh-that-chat-chi-tieu-khien-nhieu-du-an-chong-khung-bo-doi-mat-nguy-co-dinh-tre-20250325111349837.htm