Foreign Aid Fiasco: Britain's Charity Begins Abroad but Leaves its Own People Struggling

Strategic Insights -

As I sit in a flood-ravaged market town, surrounded by customers with despair etched on their faces, it is hard to ignore the stark contrast between the UK's foreign aid efforts and the struggles of its own people. The proposed plan to protect Kendal from flooding was scrapped due to government cuts, leaving thousands homeless and a clear-up bill of several million pounds. Meanwhile, a Serbian town, Lazarevac, benefited from British taxpayers' funds to build flood defences, raising questions about the UK's priorities. The government's response that it can tackle floods at home while responding to humanitarian crises abroad has left many wondering if this is truly in the interest of the people of Yorkshire and Cumbria.

Key Takeaways:

  • The proposed plan to protect Kendal from flooding was scrapped due to government cuts, leaving 1,397 people homeless.
  • In contrast, a Serbian town, Lazarevac, received British taxpayers' funds to build flood defences, highlighting the disparity in spending.
  • The UK's foreign aid budget is estimated to be £12bn next year, a staggering amount that could fix various domestic issues, including the police, defence, hospitals, and social benefits.
  • The EU's accounting rules will add a further £1bn to the foreign aid budget in 2016, making it £13bn.
  • A recent TaxPayers' Alliance report states that British aid "does not have any discernible impact on freedom in developing countries".
  • Many people believe that foreign aid sponsors corruption and underwrites a massive international aid rip-off.
  • Development economist Peter Baur argued that the aid industry is poor people in rich countries supporting rich people in poor countries.
  • Academic studies have failed to find beneficial effects of official foreign aid, with nearly universal agreement that aid has failed.

Statistics:

  • 10% cut in flood relief money
  • £7-£8million clear-up bill for the town
  • £12bn estimated foreign aid budget for next year
  • £1bn additional foreign aid budget to be added in 2016, making it £13bn
  • £1bn proposed cut to foreign aid budget to a sustainable level

Sources:

  • TaxPayers' Alliance report, exact title not specified
  • Peter Baur, exact quote and publication not specified
  • EU's accounting rules, exact source not specified
  • Taylor, GP. (Author), article is based on his writing.