MP says the programme was impossible to justify
Today the Secretary of State for International Development, Rt Hon Justine Greening MP, informed MPs in a Written Ministerial Statement that the UK will cease its aid to India programme in 2015. John has been campaigning in Parliament on this issue.
John said,
“I and a few others in Parliament have campaigned to end our aid to India programme, and I therefore welcome this announcement. The Government was wrong to send many millions of pounds to a country with its own space, nuclear and aid programmes – which we were in effect subsidising.”
“However, I still think it wrong that the programme will run until 2015. Between now and then, nearly £1,000 million will be sent in aid. This money should be spent on projects closer to home. As many politicians in India themselves have stated, they should not be receiving this money.”
“This announcement also demonstrates the changing nature of the healthy relationship between our two countries. We have common ties of history, language and the Commonwealth, and work closely together on a wide range of key global issues.”
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