Why are we "Ring Fencing" Foreign Aid?
Discussion
babatunde said:
Exactly, not to mention that "foreign aid" is shorthand for, country will receive British Goods of a mystical value of Xbillion
Because that worked really well when it came to selling the Typhoon to the Indians. They pissed our foreign aid up on sending a probe to Mars while hundreds of millions suffer in poverty. RobGT81 said:
Because that worked really well when it came to selling the Typhoon to the Indians. They pissed our foreign aid up on sending a probe to Mars while hundreds of millions suffer in poverty.
Eeeeerrmmm no.With reference to the "aid" given to india ask yourself where is JLR's new bottomless budget is coming from?
Mr. Tata's pockets are only so deep
babatunde said:
Exactly, not to mention that "foreign aid" is shorthand for, country will receive British Goods of a mystical value of Xbillion
It's not this, which is what the sensible hard-nosed Americans do. It's actual hard dash spent. Borrowed in our name and to be paid back by us and our children. Before we get too obsessed with the idea that it is somehow aimed at winning business from these dysfunctional dictatorship dumps, most if the money goes fund various African dictators, who spend almost no money with British businesses, but have plenty of interaction with Swiss banks and aircraft manufacturers.
BlackLabel said:
Good isn't it? Mind you some of that 'aid' will be going to EU members soon........rich85uk said:
Is it only UKIP that are willing to not only stop this £1 billion increase but reduce our forgeion aid budget? I'm not a UKIP supporter but this is absolute madness
Harriet Harrman thinks you're a disgusting baby killer for even suggesting we talk about any cut in the foreign aid budget. Not that we can even talk about because that's how she tried to close down any debate on in on QT a few weeks back. Shortly after trying to do the same trick on any immigration talk and being that of icky racists. The sad thing was the clapping morons that applauded her and those that backed down because of those kinda tactics. Mr_B said:
Harriet Harrman thinks you're a disgusting baby killer for even suggesting we talk about any cut in the foreign aid budget. Not that we can even talk about because that's how she tried to close down any debate on in on QT a few weeks back. Shortly after trying to do the same trick on any immigration talk and being that of icky racists. The sad thing was the clapping morons that applauded her and those that backed down because of those kinda tactics.
That makes me feel warm and fuzzy inside. Anything Harperson is for, I am against.REALIST123 said:
BlackLabel said:
Good isn't it? Mind you some of that 'aid' will be going to EU members soon........Obviously whenever you read anything that seems outrageous about the EU you should regard it as likely untrue until you do some research. When I read the Telegraph article I was shocked so I looked into it. It looks like this was first made a target by the UN general assembly in 1970 (so this target long pre-dates Britains EU membership in 1973). It was subsequently made an EU target as well but it was left to individual states to make pledges, they where not compelled by the EU in any way. The UK enshrined this in legislation of it's own free will with the support of the three largest political parties at the time.
So overall my view is that most of what you have read about the EU in popular media is very likely somewhere between untrue and deliberate deceit. DYOR.
turbobloke said:
Mr_B said:
Harriet Harman was on QT talking about this. Of course she went straight to the rather emotive point of how dare anyone suggest they cut this figure as it means more babies starving to death. When that's the standard you get, you have no chance of saying something is wrong and we are in some cases making things worse with the attitude of if you chuck enough money at it without any checks, why it can only be doing good.
Even better, they throw other people's money around without sufficient checks.Harperson and Dromey don't care much for other people's money and then there/s Balls and Cooper flipping homes three times, a
I personally thought we had finally turned a significant corner when he drove to Buck palace in that jag (without escort) but really nothing has got better at all. Yes, there are the lies that are pushed out daily on the media but you all know in your hearts that we need seismic changes to put Britian first and foremost.
That is why I strongly believe that a PROPER coalition of minor parties may be the only way to break the mould of decades self serving.
As to the OP, perhaps turning round and saying no more until we sort ourselves out first, might be just the RIGHT message to send...
Edited by Mojocvh on Monday 6th April 13:40
I've never claimed to be politically savvy, but have always assumed that foreign aid is basically a government "bribe fund" for other countries which is used how our govt at the time see fit.
It doesn't surprise me it's labelled as going to some strange-sounding activities like yodelling in Nicaragua. Don't believe for a second that it gets to the people on the ground who may or may not deserve it. The more random the cause, the more impossible it becomes to track where the money goes.
IMHO, there is a reason why this is ring-fenced by the govt, I'm just not sure what it is.
Out of all the things they can cut, only the National Health, the Defence budget and the Foreign Aid budget are currently ring-fenced.
There must be a reason for the govt to protect foreign aid when it's such an easy target for their opposors, or even their own supporters on occasion.
It doesn't surprise me it's labelled as going to some strange-sounding activities like yodelling in Nicaragua. Don't believe for a second that it gets to the people on the ground who may or may not deserve it. The more random the cause, the more impossible it becomes to track where the money goes.
IMHO, there is a reason why this is ring-fenced by the govt, I'm just not sure what it is.
Out of all the things they can cut, only the National Health, the Defence budget and the Foreign Aid budget are currently ring-fenced.
There must be a reason for the govt to protect foreign aid when it's such an easy target for their opposors, or even their own supporters on occasion.
ClaphamGT3 said:
The primary purpose of overseas aid is to provide competitive advantage for UK businesses operating in recipient jurisdictions. National businesses exporting goods and services is a key component of a robust economy, hence most major economies (ie Italy, the US, CIS) prioritise it.
Hardly rocket science.
Well the primary purpose is well and truly screwed then. India have even told us they don't want or need it.Hardly rocket science.
And I do remember that a deal for the UK to sell jet fighters to them fell apart and the French got the contract.
Why is FA going to countries that have nuclear and space programs???
I even seem to remember from somewhere that Bloody China gets Aid too!
I may be wrong on the last one.
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