£12bn for aid while our NHS is on the brink

I am amazed that Andrew Mitchell finds it an extraordinary irony that our foreign aid budget is viewed as controversial here in the UK, as the former International Development Secretary wrote last week when outlining what our aid has achieved in Rwanda. If it was a few million pounds, no one would be concerned, but it is £12billion, and we are committed to spend it each year by law.

At a time when our NHS is under pressure, some of this could well be spent on improving the health of our sick, many of whom do not have a reasonable quality of life.

No accountant in the real business world or at home would lock themselves by law into spending this kind of money – particularly as we have to borrow to find it. John Spiller, Bristol

Mr Mitchell admitted that many of his own constituents challenge him on the international aid budget. They are not alone in making this challenge as most people you speak to about this feel the same.

The taxpayer should have some say in how their money is spent and not the ruling politicians. The will of the people should be heard. Neil W. Franklin, Ruislip

Andrew Mitchell said he can look people in the eye and tell them the Tory project in Rwanda has done a tiny bit of good. But how much good could the money do here? It would help the buckling NHS, with patient-laden ambulances queuing at the door for hours on end, people waiting seven hours to be seen, and patients who need admission sleeping on trolleys waiting for a bed.

There are many in this country who cannot find a home to buy or live in squalid conditions due to greedy landlords and accept gifts of food through no fault of their own. Couldn’t the aid budget help improve their lives, too? Does Mr Mitchell have to live in such demeaning conditions? G. Duffy, Preston

While commending Mr Mitchell for his efforts in promoting health and education in Rwanda, I disagree with his praise of President Kagame. He says the President has lifted millions out of poverty but, as Mr Mitchell partly concedes, there are serious problems about his record on political freedom and human rights. Ian A. Miller, Newcastle upon Tyne

I nearly choked on my corn flakes reading the article by Andrew Mitchell, stating Britain is safer and more prosperous because it gives aid. Perhaps you could persuade him to write another article, explaining to the masses his meaning of safer and prosperous. B.G. Thomson, Thingwall, Wirral