Where does the money go?

[Elroy Blue]

An interesting map regarding the outrageous amount of taxpayers money that is given away as 'aid'

http://projects.dfid.gov.uk/

£1.2 billion to India anyone. A country that spends hundreds of billions on arms, a space programme and owns huge chunks of UK industry. So why are WE paying for:

Improve the quality of elementary education for all children. £295,951,200

Enhanced and equitable utilisation of quality health services by the poorest and those in great need. £95,000,000

Identified ULBs ability to provide urban services and attract private investment significantly enhanced
£61,000,000

Those are amongst many others. India has just taken delivery of its latest multi-billion pound aircraft carrier (and even has aircraft to fly off it) and also has a multi billion pound order for US maritime patrol aircraft (we couldn't afford ours and scrapped them)

Looking at the other 'aid', it's mind boggling at what we are supposedly paying for.

As we see the infrastructure of this country crumble and services sold off to private companies, Cameron must feel all warm and cosy.

[Jasandjules]

It is something I truly fail to understand.

[Cupramax]

I dont even want to look at that link, I seriously think my head would explode. With the issues we have in this country to be pissing aid out on that level shows how insainly f*cked up this country is.

[johnnybegood]

I think its a sweetner for the 200 odd years of bumming they got of us.
They were the JEWEL IN THE CROWN after all.

[Jimbeaux]

I believe it is more akin to legal and institutional "bribes" that lead to more favorable trade agreements. It may actually more than pay for itself. Then again, I could be totally wrong and it may be simply insane.

[iphonedyou]

johnnybegood said:

I think its a sweetner for the 200 odd years of bumming they got of us.
They were the JEWEL IN THE CROWN after all.

I read a very interesting argument a few years ago that in spite of any hardships, they ultimately did a lot better out of us than had we not took a (very) controlling interest in the country's affairs.

[Caulkhead]

All the rich countries do this including the US. There must something in it for us, I guess we're buying business off them.

[mattviatura]

Jimbeaux said:

I believe it is more akin to legal and institutional "bribes" that lead to more favorable trade agreements.

Hmm.

Not helped us with Typhoon has it though.

[Jimbeaux]

mattviatura said:

Jimbeaux said:

I believe it is more akin to legal and institutional "bribes" that lead to more favorable trade agreements.

Hmm.

Not helped us with Typhoon has it though.

Maybe ya'll opted for the gold level bribe package as opposed to the platimun option.

[Truckosaurus]

Caulkhead said:

All the rich countries do this including the US. There must something in it for us, I guess we're buying business off them.

Indeed. You'd think "Cutting the Overseas Aid Budget" would be a vote winner, but no-one ever suggests it. I suspect it is a national security thing, preventing countries from cosying up with the Russians/Chinese/Arabs/etc.

[BoRED S2upid]

Caulkhead said:

All the rich countries do this including the US. There must something in it for us, I guess we're buying business off them.

Are we still a rich country then? I forget.

[s1962a]

I think we've been through this before on PH. It was suggested that some of this aid money is actually a bribe to get more business/contracts into this country.

What would be a more interesting comparison is the aid given out vs net benefit to this country. Very difficult to quantify I would imagine.

[elster]

Elroy Blue said:

An interesting map regarding the outrageous amount of taxpayers money that is given away as 'aid'

http://projects.dfid.gov.uk/

£1.2 billion to India anyone. A country that spends hundreds of billions on arms, a space programme and owns huge chunks of UK industry. So why are WE paying for:

Improve the quality of elementary education for all children. £295,951,200

Enhanced and equitable utilisation of quality health services by the poorest and those in great need. £95,000,000

Identified ULBs ability to provide urban services and attract private investment significantly enhanced
£61,000,000

Those are amongst many others. India has just taken delivery of its latest multi-billion pound aircraft carrier (and even has aircraft to fly off it) and also has a multi billion pound order for US maritime patrol aircraft (we couldn't afford ours and scrapped them)

Looking at the other 'aid', it's mind boggling at what we are supposedly paying for.

As we see the infrastructure of this country crumble and services sold off to private companies, Cameron must feel all warm and cosy.

These countries will have their current aid projects come to a close in 2015

China, Russia, Vietnam, Cambodia, Moldova, Bosnia, Cameroon, Lesotho, Niger, Kosovo, Angola, Burundi, the Gambia, Indonesia, Iraq and Serbia

To focus on these

Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Burma, Democratic Republic of Congo, Ethiopia, Ghana, India, Kenya, Kyrgyzstan, Liberia, Malawi, Mozambique, Nepal, Nigeria, Occupied Palestinian Territories, Pakistan, Rwanda, Sierra Leone, Somalia, South Africa, Sudan, Tajikistan, Tanzania, Uganda, Yemen, Zambia and Zimbabwe.

Most of the projects are spearheaded by the UN and we can specify whether aid will go the country or not, but not so much on the project by project basis unless implemented by us.