This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-38364687
The article has changed 4 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
Version 0 | Version 1 |
---|---|
UK 'must lead' in helping war disabled | |
(about 3 hours later) | |
The UK must show "leadership" in helping civilians disabled by injuries sustained in wars, the international development secretary has said. | |
Priti Patel told MPs said people were "every day pained by what we see, people being harmed". | |
Newspaper reports have queried how the 0.7% of national committed to putting into aid is being spent. | |
But Ms Patel promised to ensure "every single penny" is used for projects for which it was intended. | |
Appearing before the International Development Committee, she said there were "areas that I would like to personally show some leadership in". | |
She suggested these could include family planning and "disability in conflict", adding: "We are, every single day, pained by what we see... people being harmed. Disability is another component of that." | |
Some Conservatives have criticised the aid budget, with some saying the cash should be spent on adult social care in the UK instead. | |
Ms Patel told the committee: "I think the British government and [the Department for International Development] leads the world in a lot of the work we do with women and girls." | |
She also said: "We look at everything within the round." She added: "We make sure that every single penny is to encourage those outcomes." | |
Reports rejected | |
Conservative MP Nigel Evans, who sits on the International Development Committee, earlier told BBC Radio 4's Today programme it was important to avoid "box-ticking" in order to meet the target. | |
He backed the 0.7% commitment, saying while he was "increasingly" worried about money being wasted, he had also witnessed money being spent in "such a productive way" on projects around the world. | He backed the 0.7% commitment, saying while he was "increasingly" worried about money being wasted, he had also witnessed money being spent in "such a productive way" on projects around the world. |
The Department for International Development rejected a report in The Times claiming it was "dumping" billions of pounds into World Bank trust funds in an attempt to meet the 0.7% target. | The Department for International Development rejected a report in The Times claiming it was "dumping" billions of pounds into World Bank trust funds in an attempt to meet the 0.7% target. |
It said the World Bank had the "reach and expertise to reduce poverty around the world" but that the UK was challenging it to "work harder and smarter". | It said the World Bank had the "reach and expertise to reduce poverty around the world" but that the UK was challenging it to "work harder and smarter". |
The department also rejected the Daily Mail's claim it was giving £5m to an "African girl band", saying it was part of a project in Ethiopia working to combat forced child marriage, violence and teen pregnancy. | The department also rejected the Daily Mail's claim it was giving £5m to an "African girl band", saying it was part of a project in Ethiopia working to combat forced child marriage, violence and teen pregnancy. |
"All programmes are kept under review to ensure they are helping the world's poorest and delivering value for UK taxpayers," it added. | "All programmes are kept under review to ensure they are helping the world's poorest and delivering value for UK taxpayers," it added. |