British aid going to 'corrupt states'
Friday, 14 November 2008 11:59 AM
British aid is going to governments of the world's most corrupt countries, a transparency group has revealed.
With Britain's policy of general budget support, £366 million in British money went to governments in developing countries to spend in ordinance with their own spending and inspection arrangements this year alone.
"In a time of tightened belts and economic hardship, British taxpayers need to know that their aid money is helping tackle killer diseases and educate children, not being siphoned off for private gain," shadow international development secretary Andrew Mitchell said in Commons today.
"The fact that we give money directly to governments that are not trusted by their own citizens is a serious concern."
Transparency International reported that the UK's largest donations go to some of the most fraudulent countries such as Tanzania, ranked 102 on the corruption indicator and received £105 million.
Other countries include Uganda, ranked 126, receiving £35 million, and Zambia ranked 115, receiving £28 million.
"The secretary of state must urgently review whether it is right that hard-working British families are contributing directly to the governments of these countries," Mr Mitchell said.
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