General Chat

our contributions to overseas aid/charities in the present economic climate?.............I think at the moment I see both sides.

no we should be reducing itwe are in dept up to our eyeballs and cant afford it.

No - I'm all for us helping & doing our bit when a huge disaster strikes,(like Tsunami) but not helping charities with ongoing work abroad when our country is in difficulty, and our charities fall a firm last.

If people want to support those charities then let them fund raise by all means, as people already do. But other than a huge disaster where all hands are on deck, its up to the country involved to play their part in helping their own people

I am in a bit of a quandary over this one, to be honest with you.

I have no problems whatsoever with the amount of money we are sending as aid, either from the Government, or from charitable fundraising, in fact, I really wish we could do more... BUT... I DO have a problem with the fact that so much of it doesn't actually get to those who really need it... so much, in so many places, is syphoned off by corruption (not in all places, but in a large proportion)

When we are tightening our belts, and others are dying of hunger and lack of basic human requirements, I do resent that the fat cats just get fatter. I wish I could wave a magic wand and have all that aid go direct to those who need it most.

What also galls me, is that some of these so called poor countries are extremely rich in resources... but this is not being spread around, and again the people who need it are not seeing much of that wealth.

We think the balance between rich and poor is bad in this country, and we talk of corruption etc.... but there is absolutely nowhere near the same level of poverty here, where even the poorest have housing, medical treatment, warmth (mostly) and food available and CLEAN WATER straight from the tap, what luxury... might not be the best, but it is there.

So... I think I am on the fence with you 007 1/2. Uncomfortable isn't it? Far too many splinters.

Love

Daff xxxxx

a couple of statistics to consider ;0

"It is estimated that food wasted by the US and Europe could feed the world three times over.....1.5bn people could be alleviated by eradicating the food wasted by British consumers and American retailers"

"Food waste also costs UK consumers £10.2bn a year"

Last week ( I won't say where) I witnessed around £20 of fresh fruit and veg chucked out from a shop... it was at its sell by date, but still in perfect condition., it had been reduced in price very slightly that day, but unsold... the same happens every week...that's one small shop.

To answer the question, I think the level of overseas aid we give needs to be looked at, of course it does, but if we are to have a 'working' world...spinning along niicely ( or as nice as it can be) for everyone...then we do have to continue with aid.. but make sure it comes from those who can well afford it and as far as humanly possible goes where it is needed.

Short answer to your question, SRS is no.

At least as far as I'm concerned.

I'll still be giving to the same charities I always have and I hope that the government will continue to support those in the most desperate need.

Gwynne

Interesting topic. I've never really had a great deal of money on hand that was spare to donate to charity (which is not because I'm mean but because I'm an artist and don't make a lot anyway) but the ones that I do give to are ones that I want to give to - one being the family history society I'm in, because I love being involved in it and I want it to survive.

I think also there are some charities that need people to spare time, rather than money - like the Rainbows unit I help, which is really struggling at present because the group is being run with the minimum amount of necessary adult helpers. That kind of charity tends to need volunteers rather than actual financial aid to keep going, but then again I can also understand why people would be reluctant to give up their time for free at the moment.

No we should not be increasing it ...we should be reducing it by the same amount we are reducing everything else by x

No, If anything at this moment in time they should all be stopped,untill we can afford it. why borrow money,pay interest on it to give away ?**M**

Our government is giving our hard earned cash to the like of China, India and Russia. Why? Hardly poor countries.

no, due to our countrys financial state i thnk we shouldnt x

Thanks for all your answers so far, some very interesting comments. Thanks :)

ok, just to throw another spanner in the works......


UK spending on Afghanistan aid projects is set to rise by 40% in efforts to hasten the withdrawal of troops from the country.

International Development Secretary Andrew Mitchell is to say securing progress there is his top priority.

The government has already committed £500m on projects in Afghanistan over the next five years.

Meanwhile, Defence Secretary Liam Fox has restated a target of removing combat forces from the country by 2014.

The £7.3bn international development budget is one of only two Whitehall budgets - along with health - set to be protected from far-reaching spending cuts being imposed by the Treasury.

Britain currently gives aid to about 90 countries, but Mr Mitchell has already said that after an ongoing review some countries, such as China and Russia, will no longer receive it.

He told the Politics Show on Sunday that India was "roaring out of poverty" and would be looked at very closely.

Full article at :

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-10675583

I officially have no right to comment seeing I have moved to a country who looks after their own 1st.

As my birth country for most of my life I have thought that the UK send too much money overseas rather than check their own cardboard cities.
Even now I still think that the UK are too soft, No it's time they looked after themselves. Stop giving hand outs out, stop allow anyone to move in and be paid for doing it
Why should other countries benifit from a country no longer rich, sorry if the UK can't afford there own down and outs why are they paying millions to others