Use International Aid To Help Flood Victims & Defences.

[anotheoldgit]

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/live/uk-england-cumbria-34973832

Since no offers of financial aid seems to be incoming from those we are so often keen to help, should the government now delve deeply into the international aid budget, so as to help those poor people of Cumbria in their hour of need?

[andy-hughes]

It sounds like a plan - given the emotive images in the press.

But since the Foreign Aid budget is 0.7% of GDP, it would be better to source the flood relief from a bigger pot - like Defence? It is a form of 'defence' after all, and far more here-and-now than bombing in Syria.

[sp1814]

No...they should first use the money that we squander on 'winter fuel allowances' for pensioners who live abroad in hot countries.

[retrocop]

What you mean a UK politician put the needs of his country before others. Nowadays that would be a first. :-(

[TheChair]

As the UK is the 9th richest country in the world, wouldn't you be just a little embarrassed to be offered charity by other countries?

[anotheoldgit]

andy-hughes

/// But since the Foreign Aid budget is 0.7% of GDP, it would be better to source the flood relief from a bigger pot - like Defence? ///

Ah spoken like a true anti-Brit, much better to put the lives of your own country's men, women & children's lives at risk by cutting their defence, than to deprive your foreign nationals of anything.

[sp1814]

Anti-Brit???

[anotheoldgit]

sp1814

/// No...they should first use the money that we squander on 'winter fuel allowances' for pensioners who live abroad in hot countries. ///

Or perhaps using the child benefit money that Polish and other EU immigrants send over to their children back in their own countries?

It never fails to amaze me, how some on this site will first attack their own, before criticising or depriving 'Johnny Foreigner'.

[retrocop]

//sp1814
No...they should first use the money that we squander on 'winter fuel allowances' for pensioners who live abroad in hot countries. //

Always thought it strange that hard working ex pats who paid their N.I. and taxes in the UK are villified for receiving Winter Fuel Allowance. After all they invest their OWN money to escape the cold winter climes of the UK whilst those from hotter climes are swarming into the UK,having contributed zilch to our economy and expect/demand to be housed and fed for free as well as taking advantage of the NHS. I know who I would rather see get the benefit. BTW. I stayed in Crete once over Christmas.Never been so cold and wet in all my life.

[andy-hughes]

AOG - //Ah spoken like a true anti-Brit ...//

That's a rather tall assumption - and like most tall assumptions, it is incorrect.

[anotheoldgit]

TheChair

/// As the UK is the 9th richest country in the world, wouldn't you be just a little embarrassed to be offered charity by other countries? ///

Don't you mean 'accepting', be very nice to be offered, but then we are not the 9th richest country in the world according to this we are the 23rd.

http://uk.businessinsider.com/the-23-richest-countries-in-the-world-2015-7?r=US&IR=T

[retrocop]

//wouldn't you be just a little embarrassed to be offered charity by other countries?//

I am embarrassed that this "rich country" relies on food banks!!!

[anotheoldgit]

retrocop

A very good point.

[naomi24]

//I am embarrassed that this "rich country" relies on food banks!!! //

It doesn't.

[retrocop]

naomi
Ok. I will re word my last. I am embarrassed that this "rich country" has food banks operating in it!!

[fiction-factory]

But given that most people in Britain are probably within the top 5% richest people in the world I could understand other countries expecting us to be able to resource something like this from our own wealth

[dannyk13]

Osborn has just announced help will be available to the families of £5,000 per family, and money to be made availalble to strengthen flood defences.

[naomi24]

It's not alone, Retrocop, and people in this country where benefits are very generous would survive without them.

[joeluke]

'Use International Aid To Help Flood Victims & Defences?'

Don't be daft, don't you know that charity begins abroad?

As for which other pot it should come from, how about the biggest waste of money ever - the Arts

[Bigbad]

Yes, AOG. It would make a change to spend British pounds on British people.
See my answer to another of your threads

http://www.theanswerbank.co.uk/News/Question1459052-2.html

SP, that was a good reply to your post by retrocop. Hotter countries are not necessarily hot all year round, and homes have to be heated in the colder months.

AH, the threats that we face should mean increasing our defence budget, not using it for other things.

[ladybirder]

Government has announced £5m to go to families and business who are victims of the floods and it will be administered by local government. BBC1 News @ One.