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Archbishop of Canterbury: Justin Welby to take three-month sabbatical in 2021 Archbishop of Canterbury: Justin Welby warns against foreign aid cut
(about 4 hours later)
Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby will take a three-month sabbatical next year, studying in either Cambridge or the United States. Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby has warned Boris Johnson against cutting the UK's overseas aid budget.
Lambeth Palace, the London home of the archbishop, said it was "normal practice" for archbishops to take time off from official duties. The government wants to reduce the annual spend from 0.7% of national income to 0.5%.
Mr Welby is expected to be away from May to July 2021. But Mr Welby said "helping the world's poorest is one of the great moral and ethical achievements of our country".
He will use his time off for "reflection, prayer, and spiritual renewal", the palace added. The archbishop, who will take a three-month sabbatical in May next year, said any recovery from the pandemic required "a global response".
The planned leave was announced at the Canterbury Diocesan Synod on Saturday. "In his teaching, Jesus Christ tells us we mustn't limit our concept of neighbour simply to those close by to us. We need to heed that message in the tough times, as well as the good.
Lambeth Palace said Mr Welby will be in regular contact with his staff while away. "Keeping our aid commitment is a strong signal that the UK is a reliable partner for long-term economic, social, environmental and educational advancement across the globe," the archbishop said.
He is expected to resume his official duties in September 2021. UK aid is distributed with the aim of protecting public health and alleviating global poverty
Anglican leaders issue Brexit bill warning Reports earlier this week that the government was considering cutting £4bn from the overseas aid budget have met strong resistance.
In recent days, 185 charities, two former prime ministers, opposition parties and senior Tories have all urged the government to think again.
Microsoft founder Bill Gates is the latest public figure to call on the British government to protect the foreign aid budget at next week's spending review.
"It's never made less sense to cut foreign aid than right now," said the billionaire philanthropist.
"Covid-19 has reminded us viruses don't respect border laws; they don't check your passport before entering your lungs. The only way the UK - or any country - will be free of this virus is if every country is.
"This is a moment when what's good for the world - and what's good for the UK - are exactly the same thing."
Cameron and Blair warn against aid budget cut
Austerity after virus catastrophic, says WelbyAusterity after virus catastrophic, says Welby
UK's foreign aid spending cut by £2.9bn
Spending on foreign aid is linked to the UK's national income - its GDP - which has been badly impacted by the pandemic.
The government has already announced a £2.9bn cut from the budget for the rest of 2020 in order to avoid over-shooting the 0.7% target.
The 0.7% target, initially proposed by the United Nations in the 1970s, was first adopted in the UK by Tony Blair's Labour government in 2005. However, it was not actually reached until 2013 - under the coalition government, led by David Cameron.
Both Mr Blair and Mr Cameron have criticised any suggestion of a spending reduction, with Mr Cameron calling it a "moral, strategic and political mistake".
But, with UK's national debt now over £2 trillion, some Conservatives have argued money should be re-directed to domestic priorities.
Mr Welby said Britain's "generosity" gave the UK "massive influence for good globally".
It comes as Lambeth Palace, the London home of the archbishop, announced Mr Welby would take three months of planned leave next year, studying in either Cambridge or the United States.
He will use his time off for "reflection, prayer, and spiritual renewal", but will remain in regular contact with his staff while away, the palace added.
Mr Welby's sabbatical was due to begin following the Lambeth Conference this year, but it was postponed because of the coronavirus pandemic.Mr Welby's sabbatical was due to begin following the Lambeth Conference this year, but it was postponed because of the coronavirus pandemic.
Members of the clergy are able to apply for a sabbatical every seven to 10 years. He is expected to resume his official duties in September 2021.
Mr Welby, appointed to his role in 2013, last took a period of leave in 2005.
He is not the first Archbishop of Canterbury to take a sabbatical.
His predecessor, Rowan Williams, took a three-month sabbatical in 2007 and Lord George Carey took two months off in 1997.
Meanwhile, Mr Welby has warned Boris Johnson against cutting the UK's overseas aid budget from 0.7% GDP to 0.5%.
The government wants to cut £4bn from the overseas budget - a move critics say will cost lives in some of the world's poorest nations.
"Keeping our aid commitment is a strong signal that the UK is a reliable partner for long-term economic, social, environmental and educational advancement across the globe," the Archbishop said.