UK looks at diverting aid budget to defense and intelligence: The Times
British finance minister Rishi Sunak is seeking to divert billions of pounds from foreign aid to pay for upgrades to Britain's intelligence and defense capabilities, The Times newspaper reported.
Britain has pledged to spend 0.7 per cent of national income on development projects, though the coronavirus crisis has cost it dearly and it is reviewing its foreign, defense and security policy.
"The chancellor has been clear that if the review isn't cost-neutral it is only right that any extra spending comes out of the 0.7 per cent," a Whitehall source was quoted by The Times as saying.
Sunak is understood to believe that the aid pledge should be abandoned or redefined so that the cash could be spent on a wider set of programs, The Times reported.
The British Treasury did not immediately respond for comment outside normal business hours.
(Source: Reuters)
US, UK forbid use of long-range missiles by Ukraine: Zelensky
37 British MPs urge govt. to stop licensing parts for Israeli F-35s
US, UK secretly approve Ukraine’s use of long-range missiles inside Russia: Report
VIDEO | Press TV's news headlines
Iranian satellites launched into space as private sector debuts in space industry
VIDEO | Iran, Azerbaijan conduct joint maritime rescue operations
VIDEO | Yemen’s Red Sea divide: Naval forces block Israeli-linked ships in strategic ‘parting of the water’
VIDEO | Southern Gaza: Israel’s facade for famine and suffering
VIDEO | IOF hampering humanitarian aid
VIDEO | Sharmahd: Justice Done
Iran repeatedly warned Israel not to test its will: FM
PressTV NEWSLETTER
now
This makes it easy to access the Press TV website
