Aid ‘does more harm than good’
BILLIONS of pounds is being frittered away in UK foreign aid that actually does “more harm than good”, a leading MEP warned yesterday.
Money is being sent to corrupt foreign states where it is siphoned off into private bank accounts, Ukip deputy leader Mike Hookem claimed.
Mr Hookem, MEP for Yorkshire and North Lincolnshire, said: “While extreme poverty must be tackled, the benefits of UK foreign aid payments are seriously undermined through corruption and misappropriation. In many CRUSADE cases the allocation of aid does more harm than good, especially when taxpayers’ money is used to prop up crumbling states and dictators.
“UK foreign aid does not represent value for money to the British taxpayer and could be better spent at home.”
Ukip is backing the Daily Express crusade to divert foreign aid cash to dealing with problems at home.
Examples of wasted UK aid include £15million to a scheme to reduce the flatulence of Colombian cattle. Another £3million went to China – the world’s to the EU’s aid budget. For years its development spending has been littered with incompetence and fraud.
“Brexit gives us the chance to target aid where it is most needed.
“And as we go out into the world we can trade more freely with those countries whose business is currently hamstrung by regressive EU tariffs.”
A spokesman for the Department for International Development said: “DFID has zero tolerance of fraud and corruption. All spending is subject to rigorous checks, which is why UK aid goes where it is most needed and will deliver the best value for taxpayers.”