Downing Street signals intent to cut to the 0.7% Foreign Aid budget

[AgnesIO]

Thanks for the figures - I had no idea what others were contributing. I'd be asking serious questions on some countries contributions and I still think the UK's payment is too high. If only it were law - OK want to be a part of the EU? 1% of your GDP has to go to foreign aid. No arguments, no countries taking the mick.

I know this wouldn't apply to Canada/America etc but you get the point

What is it with some people?

I thought people voted to leave the EU as they wanted power back to the UK. Yet here you are suggesting we only do something if we are forced to do it?

and lol at dan being a socialist

[Zak]

What is it with some people?

I thought people voted to leave the EU as they wanted power back to the UK. Yet here you are suggesting we only do something if we are forced to do it?

and lol at dan being a socialist

What does this have to do with the UK voting to leave the EU?

and yes - Example: Hey Poland, the EU requires 1% of your GDP for foreign aid or your membership is suspended. Me thinks that'd get sorted pretty quickly. Everyone pays the same then no one can argue.. OH GERMANY ONLY PAY X AND WE PAY MORE IT'S NOT FAIR haha

[dbgtz]

Thanks for the figures - I had no idea what others were contributing. I'd be asking serious questions on some countries contributions and I still think the UK's payment is too high. If only it were law - OK want to be a part of the EU? 1% of your GDP has to go to foreign aid. No arguments, no countries taking the mick.

I know this wouldn't apply to Canada/America etc but you get the point

It's funny you say that since the EU already kind of does that, more specifically it invests in infrastructure and projects in undeveloped areas. We don't have a lot of these compared to most other EU countries, hence why we're a net contributor. We also pay into the EU less than both Germany and France, so it's not really as simple as much of a black and white issue as people like to make out.

[-:Undertaker:-]

@dbgtz;

It is black and white really, because why should we pay to fix up parts of Poland and Spain when many areas in this country outside of London badly need infrastructure investment? It pisses most average people off when we're being told "sorry that 120 yo Victorian bridge can't be widened cos we have not got the money even tho it really needs it" and then they see we've paid for new sewers in Barcelona.

@FlyingJesus;

Not sure exactly what's so socialist about it. I couldn't care what the Foreign Aid budget was diverted to SO LONG as it is spent on people in this country. It's like saying because I don't ideally want an NHS that I can't support the NHS spending its money wisely becuz lolz socialism. Just because I don't get my own way on everything doesn't mean I don't want the best results, ie govt spending.

[Zak]

Not sure why the focus is shifting to the EU. I was only using that as an example. It isn't a very good example at that

[FlyingJesus]

You're not sure what's socialist about wanting the government to dictate spending more and be in total control of distribution of wealth? Really?

[-:Undertaker:-]

You're not sure what's socialist about wanting the government to dictate spending more and be in total control of distribution of wealth? Really?

if the government is spending X amount of money then even if we find that level of spending undesirable (as i do) we surely want that X amount to be spent wisely rather than wasted. so that's not us being muh socialistz just practical and realist.

[dbgtz]

@dbgtz;

It is black and white really, because why should we pay to fix up parts of Poland and Spain when many areas in this country outside of London badly need infrastructure investment? It pisses most average people off when we're being told "sorry that 120 yo Victorian bridge can't be widened cos we have not got the money even tho it really needs it" and then they see we've paid for new sewers in Barcelona.

@FlyingJesus;

Not sure exactly what's so socialist about it. I couldn't care what the Foreign Aid budget was diverted to SO LONG as it is spent on people in this country. It's like saying because I don't ideally want an NHS that I can't support the NHS spending its money wisely becuz lolz socialism. Just because I don't get my own way on everything doesn't mean I don't want the best results, ie govt spending.

You've counter argued against a point I haven't made. What I was saying isn't black and white is looking at our 0.7% and immediately thinking we spend more abroad which is false. Plus the fact that this article presented us as the biggest spender which is also false.

[FlyingJesus]

You've counter argued against a point I haven't made.

Surely not