Critics claim that people's real needs in countries with high debt and inadequate health services cannot be met by rich countries giving aid with strings attached.
REPORTER/EMPICS
Aid
Aid
The flow of overseas development aid from richer countries to poorer countries has been a feature of economic life for many decades.
Britain's contribution dates back to the Colonial Development Act of 1929. It authorised expenditure 'not exceeding £1m in any one year'. This was aimed at 'developing agriculture and industry in the colonies', while promoting 'commerce with or industry in the UK'. In 1944, Britain participated in the Bretton Woods Conference, which established the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (World Bank). During the 1960s, as nations gained independence from colonial rule, Harold Wilson's Labour government created a separate Ministry of Overseas Development, now called the Department for International Development (DFID).
In 2002, Britain was the world's fifth largest donor of international aid. It provided $4.92bn, but this represents only 0.4% of the country's gross national income (GNI).
Britain's contribution dates back to the Colonial Development Act of 1929. It authorised expenditure 'not exceeding £1m in any one year'. This was aimed at 'developing agriculture and industry in the colonies', while promoting 'commerce with or industry in the UK'. In 1944, Britain participated in the Bretton Woods Conference, which established the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (World Bank). During the 1960s, as nations gained independence from colonial rule, Harold Wilson's Labour government created a separate Ministry of Overseas Development, now called the Department for International Development (DFID).
In 2002, Britain was the world's fifth largest donor of international aid. It provided $4.92bn, but this represents only 0.4% of the country's gross national income (GNI).