London: India has become the second highest recipient of Britain's aid spending, after its funding increased by £10 million to nearly £279 million. Conservative MPs said the amount of taxpayer's money being given to one of the world's fastest growing economies is “ridiculous”. While several ministers have pledged to end the handouts by 2015, millions of pounds worth of aid will still be given to the country in the form of “grants” and “technical assistance”.
Former defence minister Sir Gerard Howarth said, “The Indians will be the first to recognise that in the current international situation British taxpayers money should be directed to those in the greatest need.” He said, “A country with its own space programme does not need aid from us. Whilst I understand the Prime Minister's view that international aid has a role to play, and there's no doubt that British taxpayer's generosity in respect of Syrian refugees falls into that category. But most people cannot understand why we are increasing overseas aid far faster than we are increasing public money on the defence of the realm. Strong defence is what projects serious influence on the World.”
Official figures have also revealed that Britain now spends more of its aid money on a fund to tackle climate change than it does on a vaccination programme for children in the developed world. More than £ 274 million was spent in 2014 on the strategic climate fund, to promote renewable energy in developing countries and tackle deforestation.
The conflict pool, which helps stabilise fragile states with peacekeeping missions, received just £180million, the lowest level for three years. The figures showed that Britain's overall aid spending has risen by £302million to £11.7billion. A spokeswoman for Dfid said, “We are doing exactly what we said we would do back in 2012 – ending financial aid to India by the end of this year. Since 2011, Dfid has cut aid to India by almost 40%, saving the British taxpayer more than £300 million.”
She said that the conflict pool budget is larger because it includes resources from other government departments. Conservative MPs have repeatedly questioned David Cameron's decision to spend 0.7 per cent of Britain's national income on aid. Cameron had vowed last month to spend half of Britain's annual £11billion aid budget on “stabilising and supporting broken and fragile states”, he said. “We are going to enhance that capability by refocusing our aid spending so we will target at least half of Dfid’s budget on stabilising and supporting broken and fragile states, and do much more to help refugees closer to their homes,” he said. “This will make our aid spending an even more fundamental part of our strategy to keep this country safe. And it will help to maintain Britain’s position as Number one in the world for soft power.”
