<p>Like other countries, we are experiencing a severe economic downturn due to Covid-19. Given the likely decrease in Gross National Income (GNI), we have identified savings to make sure we meet, but do not exceed, our commitment to spend 0.7 per cent of our GNI on Official Development Assistance.</p><p>The savings identified protect UK priorities in responding to the impacts and most pressing challenges of Covid-19 and will help the Government deliver on our manifesto commitments. Those UK policy priorities include poverty reduction for the 'bottom billion'; tackling climate change and reversing biodiversity loss; championing girls' education; UK leadership in the global response to Covid-19; and campaigning on issues such as media freedom and freedom of religious belief, thereby ensuring that the UK is a global force for good. We have also sought to protect the UK's science and research and development base.</p><p>Reductions have been delivered by pushing back payments where possible; reducing the size of low-priority programmes; ending under-performing or low-priority programmes; and slowing the start of new programmes.</p>