Aid money for Commonwealth veterans

THE UK aid budget will be used to support thousands of war veterans living in poverty in Commonwealth countries, Penny Mordaunt will announce today.

The International Development Secretary will also set out plans to work with the Ministry of Defence to help Commonwealth islands devastated by hurricanes. Strict international rules meant ministers were not allowed to spend aid money last year on helping its overseas territories devastated by Hurricane Irma.

The plans are the first attempts to fulfil a pledge made by the Conservatives at last year’s general election to change the rules and widen the definition of how aid money can be spent.

There are an estimated 8,500 veterans in Commonwealth countries who fought for the Armed Forces and are now living in poverty. Ms Mordaunt, a Royal Navy reservist, will say in a speech at the Policy Exchange think tank today: “Those who have served our nation deserve our support and protection in their twilight years.”