MPs ask ‘what will be left of Labour programme?’ amid calls for rethink and plan to speak out against decision

• Labour MP Emily Darlington: ‘International aid is as vital as defence spending – cutting either undermines British security’

Keir Starmer is facing a backbench revolt by Labour MPs this week as anger mounts over the government’s decision to cut the international development budget by almost half in order to pay for an increase in defence spending.

The Labour chair of the all-party select committee on international development, Sarah Champion, who has already called on the government to rethink the decision, has secured a debate in the Commons on Wednesday at which dozens of Labour backbenchers are considering intervening to express their dismay.