Foreign aid FARCE: British military left with £50 million bill
GETTY Thousands of people were affected by Irma,
Thousands of people were affected by Irma, but defence chiefs now face a £50 million bill after setting out to help those in need as British Overseas Territories are deemed too wealthy to receive any of the UK's foreign aid budget. Over 2,000 British military personnel were deployed to the Caribbean to assist those whose homes and livelihoods were destroyed by Hurricanes Irma and Harvey. The Royal Navy launched a relief effort after the British Virgin Islands, Anguilla and the Turks and Caicos islands were devastated by natural disasters. Speaking at the Conservative party conference Theresa May said it was “absurd” that aid money could not be used to help those who were affected.
She said: ”Many people on those islands have been left with nothing. "And if we must change the rules on international aid in order to recognise the particular needs of these communities when disaster strikes, then that's what we will do.” It comes amid fears that the Navy losing their ability to "fight on beaches" as both specialists landing ships HMS Albion and HMS Bulwark risk being taken out of service under cost-cutting proposals.
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Last year, the UK spent £13 billion on foreign aid, which is overseen by the Department for International Development (DfID). Tory MP Andrew Rosindell said: “We have a colossal DfID budget and it is outrageous that money cannot be used for disaster relief in this situation. "Instead the bill is being paid for by the Ministry of Defence. “That cannot be right and it highlights the need for radical change to the way we operate our overseas aid budget.”
GETTY Last year, the UK spent £13 billion on foreign aid
Backbench Brexiteer Jacob Rees-Mogg added: “Dfid money clearly ought to be used to help the British Virgin Islands.” Defence Secretary Sir Michael Fallon insisted the rules must be changed so money does not affect his budget. He said: “It is extraordinary that the military aid we have been able to give to the Caribbean, all that aid we gave after the hurricane, is not classified as overseas development assistance.
GETTY Military left with £50 million hurricane bill
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