Give taxpayers opt-out choice on foreign aid
Like most other taxpayers I talk to, I am baffled by this country’s ridiculous foreign aid budget, so here is an idea: why can’t we have an opt-out or opt-in as to whether a portion of our tax goes to foreign aid? It is our money, after all.
Those who want their money sent abroad can agree to it; the rest of us who want to see, for example, better social care at home can see the benefits on our doorstep.
When we are running a surplus and are able to fund an adequate NHS, police service and Armed Forces, we can then start sending massive amounts of hard-earned money abroad.
A government’s first priority is to protect its own. Our politicians appear to have forgotten this.
Julian Millerchip, Coventry Aid should take the form of British goods supplied from British companies, such as tractors, water purification systems and solarenergy panels and appliances. Virtually everything needed by those asking for our help is, or could be, manufactured in the UK. This way our aid would be providing thousands of UK people with work and actually helping those who need it. Terence F. Matthews,
Upminster, Essex The biggest foreign aid scandal you revealed has been that the International Development Secretary, Justine Greening, replied ‘No comment’ to ten questions put to her by The Mail on Sunday. Her department overspent on foreign aid by almost £200,000 last year, and when she did give an answer to the paper, she had the gall to remind us she is a ‘qualified chartered accountant’.
Brian Miller, East Devon The Department for International Development does excellent, often lifesaving work. Having worked on a number of overseas aid projects, I know that we are saving the lives of many vulnerable people, especially children.
We are enabling many youngsters to be educated and enhancing the rights of females of all ages.
The world’s richest countries are all involved in giving this aid, having agreed to donate 0.7 per cent of their gross domestic product at the United Nations in 1970. The UK just happens to be leading the way in meeting that obligation in full.
Such work enhances the UK image and makes friends – more effectively than the £45billion spent each year on our military.
Mervyn Williams, Waterloo, Huddersfield We both voted for the lunatics currently in power and feel so betrayed by them lining the pockets of corrupt officials. We should slash the foreign aid budget in half and use it for our NHS and steel industry. Sylvia and Frank Mcfadden,
Leeds The only way to counter the corruption that is rife in most needy countries is to have the aid bought in Britain, taken in Britishregistered ships and delivered by British troops who would then ensure somebody with a gun doesn’t subsequently steal it.
Until our Government switches on to what is happening, such aid will largely become a black-market commodity and reach the overseas accounts of those who don’t need it.
Our borrowing money abroad to give away to those who see it as a gratuity given by the stupid is a corrupt practice that should have been ended decades ago.
John Jones, Southport