At a time when austerity continues, we need to be explain that we are not wasting taxpayers’ money on a grand delusion that we can create prosperity.
While polls show that clear majorities believe the aid budget to be too high, they continue to pour their own money into international development charities.
Taxpayers’ money has sapped the independence, and the moral responsibility, of our great charities.
“We have to demonstrate that the money is not just being spent well, but could not be spent better”.
Overseas development spending will never fulfil its soft-power potential if DfID is allowed to pursue what amounts to its own foreign policy.
The challenge for aid donors and recipients alike is to work together to improve its efficiency and effectiveness.
Patel got a lot done – in particular, improving international rules about emergency spending. Now her successor must work on an aid policy for Global Britain.
Replacing one female Brexiteer with another is an elegant solution, but the new International Development Secretary brings experience to the role too.
While we still have a commitment to spend 0.7 per cent of our GDP on foreign aid, I would much rather see such funds allocated to our Overseas Territories.
Our commitment to overseas development is under constant political pressure, but it enhances British soft power around the world.
I left feeling proud that as a UK taxpayer my money is being put to such good use, but we mustn’t pat ourselves on the back just yet. Our work is not done.
Cameron’s insistence on binding Britain to the OECD has undermined not just May’s vision for overseas development, but his own.
Conservatives Friends of Bangladesh plays an important part in strengthening economic, cultural and political ties.
I was drawn to work here by the values which I believe can help a struggling economy become more productive: autonomy, hard work, and enterprise.