Britain's £12bn Overseas Aid Programme
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Red Line, I accept your valid point regarding Defence not necessarily being the beneficiary of a revision of UK Foreign Aid.
What has really blown my pressure relief valve in all this is UK Gov's increase in this budget of 34%, in this time of all-round hardship. To concurrently slash Defence, at a time of multiple conflicts for HM Forces, amounts to nothing less than an insult to those serving, and a source of considerable vexation to those who are a) retired from HM Forces, but b) still care about these issues.
When will UK Goverments, past & present, realise that UK is a post-colonial power in decline? We clearly cannot strut on the world stage any more, nor should we try, unless we are prepared to make the required investments. I do not view Mr Andrew Mitchell's (International Development Minister) vision of UK becoming a "Development Superpower" as anything other than the pipe-dream of a reallity-starved politico, whose main focus is undoubtedly on his portfolio/profile/career advancement.
UK PLC needs to stop trying to 'punch above its' weight' in many areas. How on earth have we ended up with a) nuclear weapons, but b) conventional forces that are/will be so depleted that we will have little 'option buffer' regarding the doomsday scenario? Answer: we have the nuclear arsenal in order to guarantee entree to the UN Security Council, where our political intelligentsia can delude themselves of their own significance.
The incongruity of this whole issue regarding the Foreign Aid budget is a direct parallel of Nero/Rome/fire/fiddle.
HB
What has really blown my pressure relief valve in all this is UK Gov's increase in this budget of 34%, in this time of all-round hardship. To concurrently slash Defence, at a time of multiple conflicts for HM Forces, amounts to nothing less than an insult to those serving, and a source of considerable vexation to those who are a) retired from HM Forces, but b) still care about these issues.
When will UK Goverments, past & present, realise that UK is a post-colonial power in decline? We clearly cannot strut on the world stage any more, nor should we try, unless we are prepared to make the required investments. I do not view Mr Andrew Mitchell's (International Development Minister) vision of UK becoming a "Development Superpower" as anything other than the pipe-dream of a reallity-starved politico, whose main focus is undoubtedly on his portfolio/profile/career advancement.
UK PLC needs to stop trying to 'punch above its' weight' in many areas. How on earth have we ended up with a) nuclear weapons, but b) conventional forces that are/will be so depleted that we will have little 'option buffer' regarding the doomsday scenario? Answer: we have the nuclear arsenal in order to guarantee entree to the UN Security Council, where our political intelligentsia can delude themselves of their own significance.
The incongruity of this whole issue regarding the Foreign Aid budget is a direct parallel of Nero/Rome/fire/fiddle.
HB
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mgd
Could you find a slightly larger Tank that could accommodate "R a" as well?
I'll be willing to contribute - and I suspect so will many others. How did he get through OASC?
Could you find a slightly larger Tank that could accommodate "R a" as well?
I'll be willing to contribute - and I suspect so will many others. How did he get through OASC?
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I'm musing at the moment, taking in the view from my office window, somewhere in the vineyard country of NW Europe.
Two thoughts:
1. Are we trying to curry favour with India with our planned GBP300m Aid grant? (Sorry about that, had to be done).
2. I intend to write to Mr Mitchell (Overseas Development Secretary) regarding his vision for UK to become a "Development Superpower". I shall propose that HMS Belfast be re-commissioned, in order that she may undertake a cruise along the coasts of impoverished nations, firing Star-shells from her main battery stuffed with banknotes of the local currency which would then cascade cash over the eternally grateful populace. Perhaps a RN gunnery expert (if we still have any) could advise me of the viability of this project.
Back to my musing (don't you just love Fridays?).
HB
Two thoughts:
1. Are we trying to curry favour with India with our planned GBP300m Aid grant? (Sorry about that, had to be done).
2. I intend to write to Mr Mitchell (Overseas Development Secretary) regarding his vision for UK to become a "Development Superpower". I shall propose that HMS Belfast be re-commissioned, in order that she may undertake a cruise along the coasts of impoverished nations, firing Star-shells from her main battery stuffed with banknotes of the local currency which would then cascade cash over the eternally grateful populace. Perhaps a RN gunnery expert (if we still have any) could advise me of the viability of this project.
Back to my musing (don't you just love Fridays?).
HB
Time for you all to clamber back on the outrage bus as David Cameron commits an extra £814m funding to immunisation of children in the Third World on top of the £680m already committed.
Personally I think every pound spent on Overseas aid, and moves such as the one above, do more for our long term security and stability than any similar amount spent on the defence budget could ever achieve.
Personally I think every pound spent on Overseas aid, and moves such as the one above, do more for our long term security and stability than any similar amount spent on the defence budget could ever achieve.
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prOOne
Don't altogether disagree with you, but having watched a couple of Mitchell's recent public performances and his very weak responses to aid for India and Pakistan questions, I'm far from comvinced that our monies are being well-targetted (even acknowledging that it's in our National interest to maintain good relations with both).
Don't altogether disagree with you, but having watched a couple of Mitchell's recent public performances and his very weak responses to aid for India and Pakistan questions, I'm far from comvinced that our monies are being well-targetted (even acknowledging that it's in our National interest to maintain good relations with both).
Last edited by jindabyne; 13th Jun 2011 at 22:10.
The wretched people at the bottom of the pile are, no doubt, grateful but just how much do they see of aid? Those higher up,siphon it off and just laugh at us - they regard us as a soft touch and naive to the point of imbecility - why do you think so many foreigners flock to this country?
The only aid which can be justified is the help given to a country that suffers a totally out of the ordinary natural disaster.
The only aid which can be justified is the help given to a country that suffers a totally out of the ordinary natural disaster.
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My feelings are that most of this gang current Ministers, would "wet themselves" if something really big, bad, and nasty hit the fan, the School boy leader would not have the gumption to understand why he could not enter yet another conflict, and would be looking to the Libs to give him some moral support, well sadly they like waving pieces of paper in the air stating that "peace in our time would happen,"
Yeah, get real, will a third world country explain in 20 years to a child who we pump full of anti viral drugs now, .....that we the BRITs really are nice people,
will he listen or will he press the loud button, perhaps the School boy Head Prefect could let us have that answer after he speaks with his girlfriend "Cleggers"
Peter R-B
Yeah, get real, will a third world country explain in 20 years to a child who we pump full of anti viral drugs now, .....that we the BRITs really are nice people,
will he listen or will he press the loud button, perhaps the School boy Head Prefect could let us have that answer after he speaks with his girlfriend "Cleggers"
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Time for you all to clamber back on the outrage bus as David Cameron commits an extra £814m funding to immunisation of children in the Third World on top of the £680m already committed.
Personally I think every pound spent on Overseas aid, and moves such as the one above, do more for our long term security and stability than any similar amount spent on the defence budget could ever achieve.
Personally I think every pound spent on Overseas aid, and moves such as the one above, do more for our long term security and stability than any similar amount spent on the defence budget could ever achieve.
Many, many Moons ago I saw a Red Cross Cargo enter the main port for Eritrea, the cargo was 'ceased' by the customs, sold to the Army and the army sold it to black marketeers that then sold it in local markets,still in the red cross sacks. Those starving Eritreans in the outback or villages never got to see this free aid!
Is there an answer??
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I feel sure that David Cameron [+ cronies] demonstrate clearly that they have completely lost the plot......
If we are going to give aid let us give aid in terms of supplying UK sourced hardware - trucks, mechanical devices/ aircraft etc / expertise educated in this country but definitely NOT money paid into foreign Government accounts. It will go straight to Swiss banks and we will look even bigger mugs than we are presently perceived to be.
Scrap Wind Power, develop Thorium based Nuclear plants and end all Bio fuel production and return the stolen land to food production.
Get some real Scientists to advise the Government not the sad old farts we have at present.
If we are going to give aid let us give aid in terms of supplying UK sourced hardware - trucks, mechanical devices/ aircraft etc / expertise educated in this country but definitely NOT money paid into foreign Government accounts. It will go straight to Swiss banks and we will look even bigger mugs than we are presently perceived to be.
Scrap Wind Power, develop Thorium based Nuclear plants and end all Bio fuel production and return the stolen land to food production.
Get some real Scientists to advise the Government not the sad old farts we have at present.
I share the concern that foreign aid is so massive at a time of severe financial constraint for many in the UK. Equally I am yet to be convinced about the long term effects of not providing any such aid.
However if we are to continue being so benevolent I would love to know what, if any, checks are made to establish how this aid is actually used.
How do we [the Govt.] ensure that it isn't used merely for the trappings of power, executive aeroplanes and boats, limousines, palaces, etc etc? Is it used to pay for specific economic development projects or is it just handed out in bundles of cash.....rather similar to our domestic social payments, which recipients can then use entirely as they wish rather? Do we provide the aid after these countries have made the investment or is it always up front?
Is the system 'transparent'? Do we provide aid in the form of goods and services so that at least UK residents derive some benefit in the form of employment?
Lots of questions, I know! Not many answers. Just my two penneth......all I can afford!
However if we are to continue being so benevolent I would love to know what, if any, checks are made to establish how this aid is actually used.
How do we [the Govt.] ensure that it isn't used merely for the trappings of power, executive aeroplanes and boats, limousines, palaces, etc etc? Is it used to pay for specific economic development projects or is it just handed out in bundles of cash.....rather similar to our domestic social payments, which recipients can then use entirely as they wish rather? Do we provide the aid after these countries have made the investment or is it always up front?
Is the system 'transparent'? Do we provide aid in the form of goods and services so that at least UK residents derive some benefit in the form of employment?
Lots of questions, I know! Not many answers. Just my two penneth......all I can afford!
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Proone wrote:
Tell me just how big are these bubbles you people live in?
Can you get them at Ikea or are they only available on prescription?
Personally I think every pound spent on Overseas aid, and moves such as the one above, do more for our long term security and stability than any similar amount spent on the defence budget could ever achieve.
Can you get them at Ikea or are they only available on prescription?
"extra £814m funding to immunisation of children in the Third World"
how many extra Muslim radicals will that money produce?
The overseas aid budget should, perhaps, be seen as an insurance policy, less tangible than Trident and its replacement, but aimed at the same outcome. If you get on the outrage bus about aid, I think logically you must do the same for a weapons system that only the insane would wish to use.
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However if we are to continue being so benevolent I would love to know what, if any, checks are made to establish how this aid is actually used.
Time for you all to clamber back on the outrage bus as David Cameron commits an extra £814m funding to immunisation of children in the Third World on top of the £680m already committed.
Personally I think every pound spent on Overseas aid, and moves such as the one above, do more for our long term security and stability than any similar amount spent on the defence budget could ever achieve.
Personally I think every pound spent on Overseas aid, and moves such as the one above, do more for our long term security and stability than any similar amount spent on the defence budget could ever achieve.
All very well until there is a clash of interests somewhere along the line, but I should imagine the state of HM Forces at present, not to mention that of other western countries, may increasingly prompt less benign observers to feel unduely emboldened.
FB
