Taxpayers’ Russian fund

IT HAS emerged that the British taxpayer is helping to fund the training of Russian social workers ahead of the 2018 World Cup — despite the host country having more than enough resources to do so themselves.

This came to light after a parliamentary question from former Labour Minister of Sport Kate Hoey about the human rights abuse of construction workers building stadiums. The reply from Minister Alan Duncan revealed the British Embassy in Moscow is financing an International organisation for Migration project to improve the understanding and skills of social workers in Russia so they can better help victims of modern slavery.

MCC committee overwhelmingly voted last night with just one abstention to recommend to September’s AGM rejecting residential property development at Lord’s and to fund the building work themselves, starting with the Compton and Edrich stands. This followed MCC members voting 10-1 in favour of no flats at the Nursery End.