Brit taxpayers’ cash WASTED on ‘superficial’ foreign aid projects, MP Priti Patel warns
New International Development secretary blasted organisations that use Brit funds in 'completely the wrong way'
BRITISH taxpayers’ cash is being WASTED on “superficial” foreign aid projects that don’t even help those in need, according to the new International Development secretary.
Priti Patel blasted organisations that use British funds in “completely the wrong way” last night and vowed she’ll “shut down” such projects in the future.
The minister also revealed she wants Union Jack flag logos to be displayed on British aid packages, so the branding emphasises how generous the UK is to poorer nations.
Her department is preparing to publish a Multilateral Aid Review next month which will assess how international aid organisations are performing.
Forty per cent of the British aid budget - which stood at £4.5 billion last year - is channelled through international institutions.
But a previous review in 2011 assessed 42 organisations and found 18 offered only “adequate” or even “poor” value for money.
Ms Patel told the Telegraph last night: “We will call out those institutions that are not performing for our taxpayers and are failing the people that they should be there supporting…
“When we see waste and inefficiency and when we see UK taxpayers’ money being used in completely the wrong way, we will call them out and we will challenge them…
“So if we see superficial stuff taking place that is not results-focused and is not the right use of our money, we will shut that funding stream down.”
She is also considering making it a requirement for the British flag to be displayed on aid packages, the way the US ensures all American aid is branded with its own flag.
The minister, who is currently visiting various aid projects in Africa, said: “We should be really proud when we see UK aid logos on aid that is saving lives in conflict zones and things of that nature.
"I would love to see more, and we should see more.”
Describing how she’s planning joint overseas visits with foreign secretary Boris Johnson and trade secretary Liam Fox, she said: “We are in the era now post-Brexit where we will be looking at trade opportunities, new development opportunities, working more collaboratively with British businesses as well.”