The US embassy in London is offering grants of up to half a million dollars for new "public education" programmes, prompting accusations of interference in British domestic politics.
The funding notice, for a scheme labelled "Liberty Under Law: The Shared Anglo-American Tradition," aims to foster a "national conversation" about "shared civilizational values" underpinning US-UK ties. Priority will be given to applicants focusing on "freedom of speech" and "limited government."
Liberal Democrat MP Lisa Smart, the party's Cabinet Office spokesperson, stated that the UK does not "need Trump's Maga money meddling in our democracy." A spokesperson for the US embassy in London said the initiative aims to strengthen US-UK ties and deepen public understanding of constitutional principles and democratic norms.
Separately, the US state department is reportedly planning to allocate $12 million in grants to UK organisations founded by Jacob Rees-Mogg and Toby Young.