Claims that spending on overseas aid enhances national security are unfounded – and money should be ploughed into priorities in the UK, an MP has said.
Shipley MP Philip Davies said the repeated claims spending is necessary for protection has been shown to be “utter nonsense” as the country has suffered three terrorist attacks in a matter of months.
Speaking in Prime Minister’s Questions he urged government to slash the overseas aid budget and said: “Spending more and more money on overseas aid each year does not make us look compassionate to the public it makes us look idiotic to the public, when that money is much needed in the UK.”
Mr Davies said the policy would be popular with the public.
Mrs May said: “I do think it is important for the position that we hold given the state of our economy is one of the largest economies in the world we are actually recognise we can help those around the world. We are seeing millions of people, particularly girls being educated, as a result of the action we are taking.”
“I think it is important that we are able to use our aid money to ensure good governments in countries so we do not see the creation of spaces where terrorists are able to train and incite others.”
In 2015 Parliament the International Development Bill was passed which committed the UK to spending 0.7 per cent of its gross domestic product (GDP) on overseas aid.
Mr Davies believes spending a guaranteed amount of money each year on overseas aid leads to waste and excess such as £1 billion spent each year on consultants. He wants money ploughed into adult social care, health, police and a pay rise for public sector workers.