UK Government are very generous

Quarmby


Joined: 15/09/2008
Posts: 975

Message Posted:
21/10/2010 20:02

They are prepared to cut thousands of jobs, raise taxes, cut benefits for UK residents, but they have just announced that the Dept for International Development have had their budget increased by 37%. absolute magic! They just put up 2 fingers to the opinions of the UK public

measey


Joined: 07/02/2009
Posts: 1037

Message Posted:
21/10/2010 20:04

nothing to do with the last goverment then.

Quarmby


Joined: 15/09/2008
Posts: 975

Message Posted:
21/10/2010 20:07

They, the present government have announced today the 37% increase today. If an increase was announced by the last government, the present lot could have changed it, considering the present climate.

No1Doyen


Joined: 04/07/2008
Posts: 16617

Message Posted:
21/10/2010 20:07

Now read about what this department actually does.



http://www.dfid.gov.uk/About-DFID/Quick-guide-to-DFID/

No1Doyen


Joined: 04/07/2008
Posts: 16617

Message Posted:
21/10/2010 20:13

A statement by DFID.



In 2008/09 we provided £5.5 billion of aid to poorer countries. Our budget will increase to £7.8 billion by 2010/11.





Why not keep our hands in our pockets for a couple of years and reduce our debt by £13billion?

Quarmby


Joined: 15/09/2008
Posts: 975

Message Posted:
21/10/2010 20:15

i do not disagree that they do good work but you cut your cloth accordingly. there are many in the UK who do good work for the UK but are having to accept cuts, sorry I think it is unreasonable in the present climate to give such increases.

No1Doyen


Joined: 04/07/2008
Posts: 16617

Message Posted:
21/10/2010 20:16

I'm with you on that one Quarmby.

scootex



Joined: 03/03/2009
Posts: 908

Message Posted:
21/10/2010 20:16

TRNC b eing apoorer country perhaps they will send it here to be split between the expats

No1Doyen


Joined: 04/07/2008
Posts: 16617

Message Posted:
21/10/2010 20:16

The expats here don't need the money.

Tootie


Joined: 28/08/2008
Posts: 2037

Message Posted:
21/10/2010 20:18

Welcome to EU Membership....



Can I have more pls sir.....

No1Doyen


Joined: 04/07/2008
Posts: 16617

Message Posted:
21/10/2010 20:29

The accounts for this department showed last year that total spending for eliminating poverty in poorer countries was £5,306,369,000



The total budget for administering these payments last year was £159,048,000



And that's just one department. I'm amazed!

proger1



Joined: 18/04/2009
Posts: 2919

Message Posted:
21/10/2010 20:35

Are you seriously telling me that it cost over 150 million pounds in order to spend over 5 billion pounds wisely. That has to be the most rediculous economics ever.

I am so glad I don't contrbute to that.

rowlo



Joined: 12/10/2008
Posts: 4796

Message Posted:
21/10/2010 20:37

we are a poorer country now , to many fat cats milking the cow ?

Tootie


Joined: 28/08/2008
Posts: 2037

Message Posted:
21/10/2010 20:38

Quote: By Andrew Pierce

Published: 12:20PM BST 30 Sep 2008 http://www.telegraph.co.uk



"We have just marvelled at the spectacle of the Beijing Olympics and gloried in the success of our brilliant young sport stars. Those games did not come cheap – the price tag was a record £20 billion. Not a great surprise perhaps for a country that is powering out of poverty, had a trade surplus last year of £175 billion, and put a man in space last week.

"Many British taxpayers would be astonished to learn that we are still giving aid to China – and that last year, under Labour, China received in aid for the British taxpayer £38.6 million.

Deniz1


Joined: 28/07/2009
Posts: 3829

Message Posted:
22/10/2010 09:07

Msg 9 What a sweeping statement we are not all rich folks living here.Some months i dont have any money in my purse until pension day!

yrret


Joined: 17/08/2010
Posts: 761

Message Posted:
22/10/2010 09:24

You all, along with the rest of the country, had a chance to vote against this happening recently, how many took that opportunity I wonder?

The bill could have now been virtually nil for overseas aid.

briggus


Joined: 25/07/2007
Posts: 161

Message Posted:
22/10/2010 11:23

http://www.channel4.com/programmes/dispatches/episode-guide



The programme aired on Tuesday on tax avoidance alledged that the minister in charge of over seaseas investment indeed made money from companies registered in the British Virgin Islands that in turn made large profits from overseas aid. The fact - aid continues make of it what you will.

AlsancakJack



Joined: 14/08/2008
Posts: 5762

Message Posted:
22/10/2010 11:53

briggus

And people call the TRNC government corrupt? They do not know half of what is going on in the UK let alone the EU.

TopTen


Joined: 15/04/2009
Posts: 1246

Message Posted:
22/10/2010 13:21

There are too many people that have come into the uk and taken benifits used the free nhs and not put a penny into it, therefore destroying the infrastucture that our parents /grandparents and we the people who have worked and paid our taxes for created. It is time for the government to govern give no one a free hand out let them work for their benifits even if it means sweeping the streets.And none british should be able to prove they are not dependent on handouts, a bit like here.

Geoff


Joined: 25/06/2008
Posts: 1370

Message Posted:
22/10/2010 15:23

Re 19: I agree, but only possible if he UK pulls out of the EU.

Geoff

hunkydory


Joined: 19/10/2010
Posts: 9

Message Posted:
23/10/2010 06:12

They say we are one of he richest countries in the world, so we should help poorer countries.



Wait just a minute, what about the £1 trillion pounds we owe, have they forgotten that we're not only bankrupt, but owe this mega amount and that's not including the Public sector pension defecit.



Poorer countries I bet don't owe what we do, so shouldn't we be passing around the hat ?

hunkydory


Joined: 19/10/2010
Posts: 9

Message Posted:
23/10/2010 06:12

The EU have considerably increased the amount UK has to pay to be in the EU, so I think it's time to tell them what they can do with it, and get out. We survived very well before we joined and could survive well out, and at least we would not be constantly dictated to by Eurocrat fat cats milking this gravy train.



The British people should demand a referendum on EU membership as it's been long overdue.

Does anyone remember the Common Market ?

That's what we originally signed up for - free trading with our European allies, not not being taken over by Germany France etc. and getting the short end of the deal.

Tiggy


Joined: 25/07/2007
Posts: 1994

Message Posted:
23/10/2010 08:08

Could some of the ex-pats on here tell me the best way of setting up an off shore account/s, so I can join them in hiding my cash ? Other tax saving tips also welcome.

Geoff


Joined: 25/06/2008
Posts: 1370

Message Posted:
23/10/2010 08:29

Re 23: If you need to ask then you ain't got enough money my friend.

Geoff

TopTen


Joined: 15/04/2009
Posts: 1246

Message Posted:
23/10/2010 11:17

Msg 23 What a cheap and nasty comment

girne 29


Joined: 06/12/2007
Posts: 1488

Message Posted:
23/10/2010 13:59

topten

'Msg 23 What a cheap and nasty comment'



Yeah, like the comments on this forum about crappy UK, people who lose there jobs, or are disabled, or immigrants ,or single mothers,or the poor who need benifits to top up there crap wages.



After some of the vile things that have been said and tarring everybody with the same brush,your biggest beef is that the feelings of tax dodgers are hurt!! I wont mention the bankers, who caused this mess,as I dont wont to be cheap and nasty.



Tiggy,

THe advice you seek is easily found,just go into a expat bar after 23.00hrs when the drink has been flowing for a while. and they are more and happy to tell you how they do it. Matter of fact some cant stop boasting about it and after a while it gets boring.

Tiggy


Joined: 25/07/2007
Posts: 1994

Message Posted:
25/10/2010 12:33

Geoff, you may well be right!!



Top Ten, What a cheap and nasty reply......Kind of reply from someone with possibly something to hide eh ?!! I advise you to read Girne 29's well written and truthful comments.



Girne 29 we usually steer clear of ex-pats bars as a lot (not all) seem to think they own the place and have to put up with johnny foreigner entering their territory! You do get all the bull and boasting as the G&T'sstart to flow. All that Drink & Driving as well.



We have a few friends that are from the UK and we enjoy their company and they like us mix with the locals and have a great time. real world.

frankedad


Joined: 21/11/2008
Posts: 346

Message Posted:
25/10/2010 13:23

good pension news though lookup daily mail today.. its amazing and pays for its self.

ilovecyprus


Joined: 08/05/2007
Posts: 2880

Message Posted:
25/10/2010 17:07

I believe that the increased aid budget is a good thing. It is part of the governments soft power strategy. It's not strictly an altruistic policy. We have to help poorer parts of the world to help themselves, otherwise we will be swamped by economic migrants and threatened by terrorism.. We have to help poorer countries to stand on their own two feet, and the aid will help.



I believe it was 186 million pounds that we donated to China last year, but there will no aid going to China this year. The current government have wisely stopped donations to this country.



I notice there were a few comments about the EU. The EU have upgraded their offices in London. All the chairs in the building were bought for 800 pounds each. This is another example of the EU having now become an establishment who's main purpose to look after it's own employees. It is a big cumbersome bureaucracy that is out of control. The UK has to get tough with the EU and challenge it's objectives.

girne 29


Joined: 06/12/2007
Posts: 1488

Message Posted:
26/10/2010 14:48

The EU is now to blame for OUR overses aid budget.

When we leave or get kicked out of EU ,who are we goung to blame then for all our problems

When you leave the EU do you really think NZ Australia etc are going to welcome you back, they have adjusted and now trade mainly within ASEAN.



£ worst of the 16 main currencies ,thats our fault not the EU's.

60% of all our exports go to Europe.While a good proportion will still go to EU ,what happens when tariffs are imposed . Dont expect a nice cushy arrangement to exist once we are out. Having spent 20 years slagging off the EU and being obstructive at every turn ,once we are out dont expect anything but good riddance.



F&C Office

'It is estimated that the real direct cost of the EU to the UK is about £50* per head per year.

But it's also estimated that EU membership is worth about £300** per head per year to the UK economy as a whole, through increased trade, lower cross border costs and so on.'

AlsancakJack



Joined: 14/08/2008
Posts: 5762

Message Posted:
26/10/2010 15:04

Can some one tell me where the millions in aid to Haiti has gone? It is crass to support foreign aid when we cannot dictate how the aid is used and more importantly where it ends up.

ilovecyprus


Joined: 08/05/2007
Posts: 2880

Message Posted:
26/10/2010 16:21

msge 30



I certainly agree with the benefits of trading with EU countries. I have no issue there and it s a great idea. Long may it continue.

It is totally unnecessary though to have a large beauracracy to facilitate this.

We trade with countries outside the EU, states like Turkey. No large beuracracy is needed to expedite this.

We trade with China. In fact, it is cheaper to import goods from China to a UK port than it is to ferry those same goods from one side of the UK to another. The cargo box has made this possible. Again no large beauracracy is needed to promote this.

Shipping is so cheap that trading with Australia and New Zealand would not be a problem. Why would they turn us away? or any country for that matter?



All large beuaracracies (especially if they are unaccountable) become inefficient and costly. Their primary purpose becomes stability and control. They worry more about protecting the security of it's top people, not the people they serve.

ilovecyprus


Joined: 08/05/2007
Posts: 2880

Message Posted:
26/10/2010 16:45

With our aid we can prevent diseases like malaria. African women would have more certainty about their children surviving. This means they will have less children and can spend more time being productive.

Malaria has a big impact on a tropical countries economic growth. Singapore and Malaysia eradicated malaria and have made big strides, as we know.

Clarissa2


Joined: 12/06/2009
Posts: 1476

Message Posted:
26/10/2010 17:03

Re : Msg 30,



girne29,



As I said before one can not have a meaningful discussion in UK if a word "EU" is mentioned, it is like a red cape to a bull. I gave up years ago. I only can say to these people , if you hate EU so much and if it is the cause of all misfortunes befallen on fragile British shoulders, then do everyone a big favour and GET OUT!

But then who are they going to blame for everything?



As for generosity of the British government, in fact Britain is FAR BEHIND other European countries in international aid. Scandinavian countries, followed by Holland and Luxembourg are the most generous countries in Europe.

And another fact : vast proportion of the British aid goes to Afghanistan and Iraq , where it is successfully swindled, so not much left for the aid around the world for more deserving courses.

Quarmby


Joined: 15/09/2008
Posts: 975

Message Posted:
26/10/2010 17:19

Clarissa

please could you specify from whence does your info re UK being less generous than many EU countries in giving out foreign aid?

Clarissa2


Joined: 12/06/2009
Posts: 1476

Message Posted:
26/10/2010 17:35

Re : Msg 35,





Quarmby, from EU reports. There's also plenty open for the public information available in the net if you want to read on the subject.

"Economist" has very good regular publications with analysis on the matter.

ilovecyprus


Joined: 08/05/2007
Posts: 2880

Message Posted:
26/10/2010 17:53

msge 34



"As I said before one can not have a meaningful discussion in UK if a word "EU" is mentioned, it is like a red cape to a bull. I gave up years ago."



There is a discussion taking place on this post about the EU. Why is it not meaningful?

You are implying that the majority of Brits are against the EU. Perhaps this is true. You are also implying that you are better informed than most Brits. What do you know?



Well done to Scandinavia, Holland and Luxembourg.

Quarmby


Joined: 15/09/2008
Posts: 975

Message Posted:
26/10/2010 19:03

According to the OECD, aid given in 2009.



USA £18.0 bn

UK £8.4 bn

France £8.1 bn

Germany £7.8 bn

Japan £5.4 bn

Spain £4.3 bn

Netherlands £4.2 bn

Sweden £3.2 bn

Norway £2.9 bn

Canada £2.7 bn



Clarissa, slightly different from your report.

Pugwash


Joined: 06/09/2010
Posts: 1797

Message Posted:
26/10/2010 19:04

Ilove cyprus,



What do you mean by this?



With our aid we can prevent diseases like malaria. African women would have more certainty about their children surviving. This means they will have less children and can spend more time being productive.



Yes I agree more needs to be done about malaria control especially in West Africa, African women do not do what you see on the news believe me! they are very positive contributors to the economy and there are many single mothers who also manage to work and contribute as they have no choice, there is no "welfare state"

ilovecyprus


Joined: 08/05/2007
Posts: 2880

Message Posted:
26/10/2010 19:16

msge 38



The UN requires countries to provide 0.7% of their GNI on aid. We have previously given less than this, but it looks like the present government is committed to achieving this figure. We provide more aid than Scandanavian countries, but they commit more of their GNI.



msge 39



I am sure African women are very positive contributors. Are they not restricted if they spend most of their time looking after their sick children?

Clarissa2


Joined: 12/06/2009
Posts: 1476

Message Posted:
26/10/2010 20:42

Re : Msg 38&40,



Quarmby,

ilovecyprus is absolutely correct in pointing out to you how the aid is calculated.

The countries that have already achieved the goal of 0.7% of their GNI are:

Sweden with 1.12 %

Norway - 1.06 %

Luxembourg - 1.01%

Denmark - 0.88 %

Netherlands - 82%

as compared to UK 0.52% which is well under 0.7% pledge.

Clarissa2


Joined: 12/06/2009
Posts: 1476

Message Posted:
28/10/2010 14:56

Re : Msg.37,



"...You are also implying that you are better informed than most Brits..."





That's not such a big achievement, is it?

ilovecyprus


Joined: 08/05/2007
Posts: 2880

Message Posted:
29/10/2010 11:59

msge 42



It was pointed out to me that 40% of the EU's budget subsidies go to French and Polish farmers to the detriment of African ones. This does not allow for a level playing field, nor does it allow inefficient and uncompetitive French farmers to go out of business.

To make amends and to try and repair the damage the EU gives 6% of it's aid to African farmers. This will hardly make amends.

How do you feel about this?



A Eurocrat talking about his office was quoted in the Times as saying.



"It is very rare for some one one to be sacked. You've basically got to kill somebody"

AlsancakJack



Joined: 14/08/2008
Posts: 5762

Message Posted:
29/10/2010 12:12

So can anyone answer the question I posed in message 31?

ilovecyprus


Joined: 08/05/2007
Posts: 2880

Message Posted:
29/10/2010 12:57

msge 31



"It is crass to support foreign aid when we cannot dictate how the aid is used and more importantly where it ends up".



There has to be more accountability. From what I understand accountability is getting better, but clearly still far from being perfect. It has to be difficult pushing aid in to systems which have unsophisticated accounting and distribution systems, especially where you have clan and feudal systems operating.

Clarissa2


Joined: 12/06/2009
Posts: 1476

Message Posted:
29/10/2010 13:14

Re: Msg 43,



The original thread was about international aid of UK.



Now, having mixed cherries with tomatoes, you are writing about EU agricultural subsidies, then about African aid and for a good measure about inefficiency of bureaucratic apparatus of the EU.

Protectionism in agricultural trade is a global problem affecting all countries, and subsidies give an unfair advantage to farmers in all industrialised countries.

It is being discussed and fought over for the last 2 decades worldwide and nowhere near any solution.



So I don't think we are going to solve it in 1000 words and put the world to rights in this thread either.

Clarissa2


Joined: 12/06/2009
Posts: 1476

Message Posted:
29/10/2010 13:17

Re: Msg 44,



"...where the millions in aid to Haiti has gone..."



To the same place where billions in aid to Afghanistan and Iraq...

ilovecyprus


Joined: 08/05/2007
Posts: 2880

Message Posted:
29/10/2010 13:55

msge 46



If you look closely at your posting on msge 34, you will clearly see that, by comparing UK aid to other European countries you have opened up the debate beyond the UK.



You will also see from that post that you are clearly pro EU. I also conclude that you favour large donations for international aid. You have also been quite happy to mix cherries with tomatoes, although both being fruits they are still very connected. Heard of cherry tomatoes?



Now as the UK is part of a system, the European system and Europe being part of a global system (holons), there is certainly a connection between UK aid and European aid. It could also be called entanglement.



It is certainly not unreasonable for me to have asked you the question I have posed you in msge 43. I think it is hard for you to admit deep rooted flaws in the EU budgetary system, although I acknowledge you admit flaws in the system of international trade.



I do agree with your last comment on msge 46