Too charitable

Britain is now the only major economy to hit the controversial foreign aid spending target of 0.70 per cent of gross national income. The UK gave £13.9 billion last year.

Germany’s £19.2bn was 0.66 per cent and way down the chart were France at £8.8bn, Italy at £4.5bn, Canada at £3.3bn, Japan at £8.9bn and the US at only £27.4bn, 0.18 per cent of gross national income.

The UK should review foreign aid given to countries with space programmes, which suppress women, hate Britain, have human rights issues and corrupt leaders. Meanwhile, our NHS, education, roads, welfare and transport cry out for cash. Charity should start at home, not in some ungrateful foreign land.

CLARK CROSS Springfield Road, Linlithgow