The real aid problem

THERE isn’t a sane voter in this country who would disagree with the International Development Secretary when she attacks the ‘ appalling practice of fat cats profiteering from the aid budget’.

But isn’t there a far more effective way Priti Patel could end the waste of taxpayers’ billions than her promised code of conduct to crack down on unethical behaviour?

The ineluctable truth is that malpractice will flourish as long as Whitehall remains bound by the Coalition’s grossly ill-advised legislation that forces ministers to spend 0.7 per cent of GDP overseas.

No wonder so much sticks to the fingers of so- called ‘poverty barons’, when her department’s priority is to get rid of the money as fast as possible.

The essential first step to restoring sanity to aid – redirecting it to the neediest, while keeping the rest back for cash- strapped services at home – is repealing this mad and deeply unpopular law.