A striking new land art project has appeared in the rolling countryside of northern England, depicting UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham in a bid to pressure him into reversing recent cuts to the country's humanitarian aid budget. The artwork, which spans several hectares, was created by a coalition of campaign groups and artists who argue that the reductions have left millions of people without essential support.
The portrait, etched into a hillside near Manchester, shows Burnham's face in stark relief, with the words “Restore Aid” carved beside it. Organisers say the choice of location is deliberate: Burnham, who also serves as Mayor of Greater Manchester, has been a vocal advocate for social justice, and campaigners hope he will apply that same commitment to international development.
A campaign with a clear message
The initiative is led by a coalition of NGOs, including Oxfam and Save the Children, alongside local community groups. They point to the UK government's decision to reduce official development assistance from 0.7% to 0.5% of gross national income, a move that has already led to significant cuts in funding for health, education, and emergency relief programmes across Africa, Asia, and the Middle East.
“This is not just about numbers on a spreadsheet,” said Sarah Jacobs, a spokesperson for the campaign. “These cuts have real consequences. Children are missing out on vaccines, families are going hungry, and communities are losing access to clean water. We need the Prime Minister to listen and act.”
The land art is designed to be visible from the air, and the campaign has released drone footage to maximise its reach on social media. The organisers hope the image will go viral, drawing attention to the issue ahead of the next budget statement.
Burnham has not yet responded publicly to the artwork, but his office confirmed that he is aware of the campaign. A spokesperson said the Prime Minister remains committed to supporting the world's most vulnerable, while also balancing domestic priorities.
The timing of the campaign is significant. As Europe grapples with multiple crises, from the ongoing war in Ukraine to the aftermath of the pandemic, aid budgets across the continent have come under scrutiny. Several EU member states have also reduced their contributions, sparking concern among humanitarian organisations.
In a related development, the World Health Organization has urged more aid as Ebola spreads beyond response capacity in the Democratic Republic of Congo, underscoring the urgent need for sustained international funding.
The campaign has also drawn attention to the broader issue of holiday poverty persisting across the EU even as summer travel surges, highlighting the uneven recovery from the pandemic and the need for targeted support.
Supporters of the land art project argue that the UK, as one of the world's largest economies, has a moral obligation to maintain its aid commitments. They point to the G7 summit in Cornwall, where leaders reaffirmed their support for the Sustainable Development Goals, as evidence that international cooperation remains a priority.
“We are not asking for charity,” said James O'Brien, a farmer who allowed his land to be used for the artwork. “We are asking for fairness. The UK has the resources to help, and it should.”
The land art is expected to remain in place for several weeks, and the campaign plans to organise a series of events in Manchester and London to keep the pressure on the government. Whether it will succeed in changing policy remains to be seen, but the image has already sparked a national conversation about the UK's role in the world.
As the debate continues, the campaigners are clear about their goal: they want the Prime Minister to restore the aid budget to its previous level and to ensure that the UK remains a leader in global humanitarian efforts. For now, the eyes of Andy Burnham, rendered in earth and grass, will be watching from the hillside.
