Surely not ?

[whatmeworry]

http://www.telegraph....change-in-Africa.html

As if we dont already throw enough money into this bottomless pit.

Surely this is the proof, if ever it were needed, that the inmates really are running the asylum

[boxtops]

If only the aid all got to where it was intended for.

[whatmeworry]

"If only the aid all got to where it was intended for. "

here in the Uk so pensioners etc can keep themselves warm would be a good start

[boxtops]

Different budget - though I'm not saying you're wrong.

[thoru]

I thought Labour were bad but this shower of sh1te make them look good.

[anotheoldgit]

It was suggested on a radio phone-in, that all 'overseas-aid' should now cease and a national fund set up so that all those who agree with 'overseas-aid' would then be able to make their own personal contributions to the fund.

The programme presenter then came up with the idea of instead of sending money, we should send our young unemployed overseas to carry out work in these countries, in doing so the youngsters would gain skills and at the same time do some valuable work.

Both schemes seem a pretty good idea to me, but what do you think?

[boxtops]

Sounds a bit like the existing VSO scheme which so many youngsters already undertake - but the ones who go at the moment tend to be the enterprising ones who can afford to, who are on gap years.

Good idea in principle, but we'd have to end up paying their subsistence and travel costs if they had no jobs, and if their parents couldn't/wouldn't pay either.

[anotheoldgit]

boxtops

Even so, but it would still be better than just throwing millions upon millions down the drain, as we do at the moment.

[sp1814]

I saw a poster on the underground recently which suggested that the expansion of western economies is accelerating climate change, and those most affected are developing countries.

Will try to root it out - I *think* it was Oxfam, but I'm not sure.

[notasyoungasiwas]

whatmeworry and thoru agree with you 100% !

[anotheoldgit]

/// I saw a poster on the underground recently which suggested that the expansion of western economies is accelerating climate change, ///

That's right blame it on the West, we take the blame for most things.

Couldn't have anything to do with the clearing of the rain forests, volcanic eruptions, high birthrate of underdeveloped nations, or India's and China's rapidly growing industrial revolution?

Just a though of course.

[rov1100]

Maybe they are trying to compete with Bill Gates. The problem is Bill is giving his own money whereas these policians like Chis Huhme are handing out taxpayers money. If he is that concerned why doesn't he sell a few of the seven houses he owns and contribute that way.

[anotheoldgit]

What a jolly good idea.

[mungbeanz]

1 billion pounds is only a very small amount of the $100,000,000,000 that was agreed at the Copenhagen Summit for developing countries. This is hardly news and all of the EU nations are committed to pay into this fund. Another thing - Hasn't foreign aid always been a Tory policy? Why are people getting up in arms about it all of a sudden?

[nannybooby]

I agree I just posted a similar thread about this and similar wastes of money.