how the UK can give away £12 billion in foreign aid when it apparently has such a huge debt/deficit?

[ophelia275]

I just don't understand how it is possible to give away money you don't have?

Surely it is like someone who is bankrupt or owes all their creditors lots of money, giving charity £100s of pounds they can't afford?

Why is the government cutting so many services/benefits here in the UK if it can afford to send £12 billion abroad? How does this benefit the UK? How does it eradicate the debt? Sounds like lunatics (MP's) are running the asylum (Houses of Parliament).

Can somebody that is financially/politically savvy please explain how it is possible to give away money you don't apparently have, as I am genuinely puzzled?

Aid to countries like India is extremely targeted. India is very diverse and has huge inequalities. our aid does not go into the national budget. It is directed to a few specific states which are equivalent to the size of some other countries, with dire dire poverty and appalling outcomes for infant mortality, health and education. If these states were considered countries, they would be some of the poorest in the whole world. The aid is very carefully monitored to ensure it is used by the state government on health, education etc. it does not go into the national coffers to be used on technology / space programmes etc,

It's just 0.7% of our gross national income and the impact that makes abroad vs here is huge.

Lots of articles outlining the benefits of international aid to the UK. If you look at the history of many countries we donate to the UK has played a role in history either as the consequence of colonialism or war and I believe we should contribute to building these societies back up.

It's naive to think that the 0.7% would go back in our pockets, improve our schools etc even if we didn't spend it in this way.

And yes to the poster up thread who said if you call staying at home a future. Having a home and being alive at 18 is more than many have or can hope for.

I think some of it is spent for diplomatic favours.
You can have a lot more political lout in a country if you are giving large handouts to that country.
And some is sent because the people spending it like to give it away and feel good about themselves.

clout not lout.

There is a lot of waste in government. The waste is what is wrong - not the amount used in foreign aid. It is the waste that diverts money from essential services. it is the waste the government are failing to cut. This is what we should be pushing for an end of.

It can be both Pilgit.