Just one in four support David Cameron over decision to spend billions on foriegn aid
 

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/arti...riegn-aid.html

I was totally shocked at this article. Several years ago The Sun printed an article on the same subject.

But l read this article on page 11 of The Daily Mail. And DC is proud to support it, and plans to increase the aid.
He does this, whilst his own country, is in despair with severe cuts, and the unemployed have to depend on increased number of food banks.

One of the people he sends money to is Mugabe. Who splashes more money on himself, then his own people

So we know where DC thoughts lie, and its not the UK:(

Re: Totally shocked at OUR foreign Aid
 

dodgy dave likes to fund the odd dictator or three and throw our money around as if it were his own [where ever that's squirreled away]

Re: Totally shocked at OUR foreign Aid
 

This countries problems aren't the same as the problems that (genuine) foreign aid is meant to target. Ebola and Syria should also make it clear that 'their' problems can soon become our problems. The world is interconnected and it's in our interest to help solve world problems.

Re: Just one in four support David Cameron over decision to spend billions on foriegn
 

Yes, BUT, l am talking about the money that WE AS TAXPAYERS, that DC, feels free and easy to send OUR money abroad. To so called POOR COUNTRIES, yet it ends up in dictators like Mugabe.

DC, should be spending OUR money, on this country first. I think its a disgrace that, this country is suffering severe cuts.

Yet, DC is freely sending OUR money, and l am talking BILLIONS here abroad

Re: Just one in four support David Cameron over decision to spend billions on foriegn
 

Frankly Arthur you have no idea what real poverty looks like..It's walking miles to get dirty filthy water out of a mud hole. It's taking a day to get to the nearest hospital where if you are lucky there are actually medicines, let alone medical staff..No fridges,no washing machines, no TV,no electricity..

These are the people who are leaving their homes to find their way to Europe where life is better than were they come from.
IF we don't give aid then there will be more and more and more arriving across the Mediterranean.I'd say we aren't giving enough.

As for the corrupt like Mugabe getting their hands on aid money that's down to poor organisation which is what should be addressed..there are ways to give aid directly to those who need it and bypass corrupt governments.

Re: Just one in four support David Cameron over decision to spend billions on foriegn
 

We're a rich country and its 0.7% of our GDP. Makes a significant difference if properly directed; something we can be proud of. Collecting taxes from those that avoid it is where we want to be looking for revenue.

Re: Just one in four support David Cameron over decision to spend billions on foriegn
 

The trouble is in a lot of these poor countries the governance is extremely poor and a awful lot of the money given to them disappears and l see nothing which says that has improved sadly.

Re: Just one in four support David Cameron over decision to spend billions on foriegn
 

Is this true?
Britain Will Spend More On Foreign Aid Than Local Government Next Year
If it is, it's disgusting :(

Re: Just one in four support David Cameron over decision to spend billions on foriegn
 

Given the brutal way the Chancellor has been cutting local authority grants while shifting ever more responsibilities onto them and following up by blaming them for being unable to fund them I find it entirely believable.

For those who aren't fans of Breitbart: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2016...ing-next-year/

Re: Just one in four support David Cameron over decision to spend billions on foriegn
 

They've ring-fenced themselves in...

Re: Just one in four support David Cameron over decision to spend billions on foriegn
 

No, it's not true, as it doesn't count council tax, business rates, etc., that Councils also raise/spend on Local Government - Central Government grants are around 60% of Council Revenue.

Having said that, I believe that some of the DfID money should be re-allocated to support Social Welfare needs in the UK.

Re: Just one in four support David Cameron over decision to spend billions on foriegn
 

got any facts to back that up i only ask because when you have you usually post them .

Re: Just one in four support David Cameron over decision to spend billions on foriegn
 

https://new.eastsussex.gov.uk/yourcouncil/finance/guide

Re: Just one in four support David Cameron over decision to spend billions on foriegn
 

Properly directed...

I'm not a believer, especially when we commit to a figure & in the final months run around like headless chickens to ensure we spend all of the money.

It's a joke, and the 0.7% thing needs to be repealed, although I suspect in the coming times a lot of the Foreign aid money will be directed here where we have migrants...

It's hard to have much credence in a Govt that cries poverty, axes everything in sight, then *gives away* 12 Billion+ annually of *our* money.

Re: Just one in four support David Cameron over decision to spend billions on foriegn
 

well that tells me how east Sussex council finance works what it doesn't do is answer the question about foreign aid spending unless its hidden some where

---------- Post added at 13:17 ---------- Previous post was at 12:29 ----------

Local government funding at the Spending Review 2015

https://www.gov.uk/government/news/l...ng-review-2015

Re: Just one in four support David Cameron over decision to spend billions on foriegn
 

Sorry, I thought you were asking about Council Spending - I was pointing out the comparison wasn't against all Council funding/spending, just against the Central Government Grant portion of it.

Re: Just one in four support David Cameron over decision to spend billions on foriegn
 

UK foreign aid budget £11bn, amount of tax lost through avoidance and non-payment £35bn. Some interested parties are trying to deflect attention from bigger issues.

Re: Just one in four support David Cameron over decision to spend billions on foriegn
 

UK Foreign aid is set by the EU according to their rules.

http://www.loc.gov/law/help/foreign-aid/eu.php

Re: Just one in four support David Cameron over decision to spend billions on foriegn
 

Here's that £34 billion broken down...

http://www.theweek.co.uk/62461/benef...ich-costs-more

Re: Just one in four support David Cameron over decision to spend billions on foriegn
 

Iirc nearly 10% of the world's wealth is out of circulation squirreled away in hidden off shore bank accounts

Re: Just one in four support David Cameron over decision to spend billions on foriegn
 

Good points but in my tiny little mind I feel that our govt should be giving our councils more money that it gives out in foreign aid......but that's just my personal opinion :(

Re: Just one in four support David Cameron over decision to spend billions on foriegn
 

Everywhere is off-shore to somewhere. :D

Re: Just one in four support David Cameron over decision to spend billions on foriegn
 

Apart from the wealth that's been stolen by dictators or what comes under illegal tax evasion, I say good for them!
The first worlds governments are greedy for our money and already swimming in it. Why the hell should we feel the need to give them more of what we have earnt?
This groundswell of populist anti tax avoidance feeling is playing into the hands of the worlds governments. But the people who know how best to spend the money are the people who earnt it.....not governments who often waste it. Yet because of envy, many of us are advocating that govts enable the grabbing of more and more of their populations money, starting with the rich, because 'they have enough and can afford it'.
There are already wheels in motion to get rid of £50 notes (which will make cash in hand work harder), get rid of cash (which will make it easier for govts to see whos got what and where it comes from) and allow the taxman to raid our bank accounts (no explanation required).

But like Pastor Martin Niemöller wrote:

"First they came for the Socialists, and I did not speak out—
Because I was not a Socialist.

Then they came for the Trade Unionists, and I did not speak out—
Because I was not a Trade Unionist.

Then they came for the Jews, and I did not speak out—
Because I was not a Jew.

Then they came for me—and there was no one left to speak for me."



In your rush to demand that the worlds governments crack down on tax avoidance/offshore tax havens etc, be careful what you wish for......

Re: Just one in four support David Cameron over decision to spend billions on foriegn
 

Maggy.,
If you thought that l don't know about poverty. I was brought up in poverty, admittedly, like in foreign countries.

BUT, I grew up in Hammersmith, And l knew what poverty was like. Getting food from the rubbish tips of markets, having to sell rags, to get money. Wearing holes in my trousers that you could see me underwear.

Washing in freezing cold water, having to go to the local baths, to have a decent wash.

Going to school wearing wellington boots, because my parents couldn't afford shoes.

I can fully understand that this country has foreign aid. And DC is proud to increase it each year.

BUT, we have problems at home. And he should sort those problems out, before giving our money freely abroad.

Just think ONE countries AID, could solve the NHS problems. And give the staff decent wages. And stop the Junior Doctors strike

And another countries AID, could be given to FOOD BANK charities.

There is other worthy areas that this could be done.

I am talking about ONE YEARS AID, could solve these

So yes, l do know what poverty is like

Re: Just one in four support David Cameron over decision to spend billions on foriegn
 

What utter bs, the wealth gap has never been wider, it's not envy that's making people say enough is enough it's the ordinary working man paying for financial finagling or enduring austerity when there's a whole swathe of people not only not paying what due but making yet more cash out of the misery. And seeing as we're quoting people who was it that said paying tax is only for the little people, the same multi millionaire shyster that paid less in tax than his cleaner or another of his ilk.

Re: Just one in four support David Cameron over decision to spend billions on foriegn
 

People don't earn wealth in isolation though and the problem with people avoiding as much tax as they can is the idea they're freeloading off the state. The State provides much of the infrastructure that is needed to earn wealth: Education and healthcare for them, their staff and their clients. The police who provide law and order and allow society to function. We take so much of this kind of thing for granted. Even then not much wealth is 'created' out of nothing but rather moved around so a company's clients themselves have depending of those things to get their money to pay the company.

I agree that the current atmosphere is unhelpful as people become outraged at perfectly normal practises but as I said before I think that is more about people trying to damage Cameron, even left-wingers or Brexiters, than it is genuine horror.

Re: Just one in four support David Cameron over decision to spend billions on foriegn
 

I am somewhat in agreement with you - but I was just answering your question (is it true?).

Re: Just one in four support David Cameron over decision to spend billions on foriegn
 

You are doing their dirty work for them. When they've managed to extract all they can from the legally avoided tax monies of the rich and then set their sights on your money, don't say that I didn't warn you.

---------- Post added at 22:02 ---------- Previous post was at 22:01 ----------

I know. It seems that it's not technically true but it still isn't right, imo.

Re: Just one in four support David Cameron over decision to spend billions on foriegn
 

Is not technically true the same as not true? ;)

Re: Just one in four support David Cameron over decision to spend billions on foriegn
 

They aren't freeloading off the state. The state is freeloading off of us! The state is rich. It's just spending (some/lots) our money very badly......and wants more of our money to spend.....trust it, it knows how to spend our money best.
Hell, the EU hasn't had it's accounts signed off since god knows when because of the corruption and waste. Most of the worlds governments run their peoples pension funds like a Ponzi scheme......but they need more money, always more :dozey:

---------- Post added at 22:11 ---------- Previous post was at 22:07 ----------

lol, slightly squiffy. You know what I mean :D

Re: Just one in four support David Cameron over decision to spend billions on foriegn
 

Only technically. :D

Re: Just one in four support David Cameron over decision to spend billions on foriegn
 

Just how old are you Arthur?

Re: Just one in four support David Cameron over decision to spend billions on foriegn
 

I would hazard a guess that he was born in the early 1950's. About 1952?

Re: Just one in four support David Cameron over decision to spend billions on foriegn
 

Mate, you were moaning just the other day that you were going to get rid of half your property and pay of debts because of the amount of tax you were expected to pay, part of the reason for that is because certain people and companies won't pay the tax what's due and embroil themselves in all sorts of shenanigans and aggressive schemes to avoid or evade at everyone else including yourselves expense

---------- Post added at 03:26 ---------- Previous post was at 03:24 ----------

Looking at his user name and join date I'd say 1955...

Re: Just one in four support David Cameron over decision to spend billions on foriegn
 

Well so was I and I don't recall seeing that sort of poverty in England...That's from pre welfare system that is..

Re: Just one in four support David Cameron over decision to spend billions on foriegn
 

he accurately described my memories of childhood some people had nothing
i remember collecting rags to sell so my friends mum could buy food etc,
1 tap cold water only
2 tin bath hung up in the yard [bath on sunday ]same water for whole family dad first then mum followed by the kids in order of age.
3 washing clothes in a copper boiler then a dolly tub
4 no arse in your pants was the norm
the good old days :)

Re: Just one in four support David Cameron over decision to spend billions on foriegn
 

You really think that if governments managed to extract all the tax they feel they are owed from corporations that they would stop hounding the rest of us for what they feel we owe? Get real! Governments are a bottomless pit with regards to tax. :D

Re: Just one in four support David Cameron over decision to spend billions on foriegn
 

This "aid" is often, I think we should admit it, bribes to keep certain governments on our side and buying UK products and services.

Some of it gets to where, and whom, "we" intended. But a lot doesn't. And "we" are not consulted on it's distribution.

Until the misuse is stopped, so should aid.

And to set a specific percentage of income to it does tie the hands of future governments who may have worse financial problems than we have at the moment.

Cuts in budgets and services at the same time as BORROWING money to send abroad does seem rather crass to me.

Re: Just one in four support David Cameron over decision to spend billions on foriegn
 

There's only one way to find out...

Re: Just one in four support David Cameron over decision to spend billions on foriegn
 

It is depressing that when the Government has cut public spending on local government to such a point that it is less that the 0.7% GBP that we spend on helping the world poor, the outcry isn't that the Government has made such drastic cuts to our public services, it is that we should be spending the 0.7% on foreign aid!

How selfish and self-centred has this country become? The 5th largest economy in the world, an economic system that facilitates and encourages tax evasion & avoidance to the tune of tens of billions and we begrudge helping those who have nothing .. shame ..

Re: Just one in four support David Cameron over decision to spend billions on foriegn
 

Were you forced to be a child soldier?
Did you have to walk for four hours a day just to get water? (not neccasarily clean)
Were you subject to torture ?
Were you subject to famine ?


You (as per usual have absoloutely) no clue what poverty is , yes you had it hard but what you allegedly experienced is nothing compared to what people are currently experiencing in some countries

It amazes me that as someone who claims to have experienced some aspects of poverty you would wish to see anyone in that situation regardless of ethnicity or nationality

Or, could it be that your usual motives that lurk under the surface of every post you make be the real reason........

Re: Just one in four support David Cameron over decision to spend billions on foriegn
 

Just to give you my date of birth - its 28/12/1951 - which makes me 64 (65 in December).

When l was born, there was 2 TV channels, l used to pay money into our TV - coin slot telly.

Poverty, was big when l was brought up. Shops closed on a Sunday. When l grew up, we had to buy patches for trousers, the house l was brought up in. We had to boile the water, as the pipes were dirty.

Phone was a luxury, We got most of food from the waste of Hammersmith Market. We would go down on a Saturday night, when they threw all the food onto a pile. And had to push people out of the way to get the good stuff.
Plus there is more.

Yes, poverty was real and l made a vow to my Scottish wife, that l would NEVER go back to those days.

Sadly, those times are coming back.

---------- Post added at 20:21 ---------- Previous post was at 19:30 ----------

http://www.itv.com/news/border/updat...record-levels/

This is my main argument, DC spending millions on overseas aid.

There should be more to solve this problem

Re: Just one in four support David Cameron over decision to spend billions on foriegn
 

so you would take money from the poor of the world to solve the problem of food banks? Is that the only recourse available?

Re: Just one in four support David Cameron over decision to spend billions on foriegn
 

Just two TV channels does not add up to poverty..At least you has a TV. The rest of it was the leftover attitude of may do and recycle. I had clothes that my mother remodelled from her old clothes on her old electric sowing machine.It wasn't that we were poor it was just what people did in the 40s,50s and 60s..She used cheaper cuts of meat because having lived through the war that's what lots of people did and not because we were poor.

Sorry Arthur Maybe you were poor but I saw what real poverty was back then.I spent the first 6 years of my life in Nigeria where my father worked for the Colonial Service as a Medic. He went out into the bush to give medical aid such as vaccinations,give help to pregnant native women,deal with some pretty exotic diseases such as sleeping sickness,malaria,elephantiasis so and so forth.No NHS,no running water,no way to keep food fresh..and in some parts of the world such poverty still exists.

Re: Just one in four support David Cameron over decision to spend billions on foriegn
 

we send money to poor country's who put satellites into orbit ,country's where every one owns a Kalashnikov ak47 , country's with huge military's and huge military budgets ,all art is saying is look after our own first is that such a crime ? .

Re: Just one in four support David Cameron over decision to spend billions on foriegn
 

:tu:

Re: Just one in four support David Cameron over decision to spend billions on foriegn
 

Here are the facts:

Follow how the UK invests in developing countries

Re: Just one in four support David Cameron over decision to spend billions on foriegn
 

Re: Just one in four support David Cameron over decision to spend billions on foriegn
 

Re: Just one in four support David Cameron over decision to spend billions on foriegn
 

Thanks .. not sure what happened with my link ..

Re: Just one in four support David Cameron over decision to spend billions on foriegn
 

No probs. Copied the page title after you copied the url - easily done (I speak from experience :)).

Re: Just one in four support David Cameron over decision to spend billions on foriegn
 

Foreign aid blunder as £8M of UK cash pledged to teach BALLET and MUSIC in IRAQ

AN ASTONISHING £8million of British taxpayers’ cash was pledged towards providing musical instruments and ballet lessons for children in Iraq – to "improve national identity"


http://www.express.co.uk/news/world/...let-music-IRAQ

Re: Just one in four support David Cameron over decision to spend billions on foriegn
 

I reckon there would be uproar if people knew how lottery money and government grants are shared out within the UK too.

Re: Just one in four support David Cameron over decision to spend billions on foriegn
 

From your link

Re: Just one in four support David Cameron over decision to spend billions on foriegn
 

Sort of sums up the tabloid outrage :) thank you!

Re: Just one in four support David Cameron over decision to spend billions on foriegn
 

jeebers how many rugs have you got ;)

and i am astounded that you of all people read through that drivel that i keep posting from the express, i might go back to the daily mail .

Re: Just one in four support David Cameron over decision to spend billions on foriegn
 

I'm a speed reader, and since there are not many big words in the Express, and it's mostly pictures, it doesn't take long... ;)