Tory MPs call for a cut in £13bn aid bill

TORY MPs have piled pressure on Philip Hammond to slash the amount Britain spends on foreign aid.

The Chancellor asked backbenchers to come up with ideas for next week’s Budget – and received more than 220 written submissions.

The third most important request – behind housing and student finance – was for reductions in overseas aid.

Many backbenchers are angry that Britain is still meeting the controversial target to spend 0.7 per cent of national income on aid – about £13 billion. They have told Mr Hammond this is wrong when frontline services such as hospitals and the police are struggling.

The strength of feeling will put pressure on the Chancellor to announce some loosening of the target. But Theresa May has repeatedly stated she wants to see the 0.7 per cent target continue.

Tory MP Andrew Bridgen said: ‘One pound out of every £8 in aid comes from the UK, and we haven’t seen other countries rushing to match our generosity.

‘There are many other pressing needs for taxpayers’ Treasury funds within the UK – from schools and hospitals to social care, the police and the Armed Forces.

‘That is never going to be efficient spending. Mis-spending taxpayers’ money never aids anyone.’