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SNP renews £9m aid vow

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Published Date: 27 June 2007
THE new Scottish government is considering expanding its international-aid programme to help more struggling nations.
In its election manifesto, the SNP pledged to double the country's £4.5 million international-aid budget.

External relations minister Linda Fabiani restated that commitment to MSPs yesterday, but could not say when the extra funds would be available.

As well as taking stock of Scotland's work in Malawi, the administration will consider assisting other nations.



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1

Paul,

27/06/2007 01:59:26

Weeshooie, giving aid is about helping people much less fortunate than oursleves. Even though we don't have everything we still have a lot more than them. And that surely helps make us civilised.

Also, just to allay your fears, a lot of aid unfortunately comes with strings, that is to say it opens up business opportunities for commercial companies or NGO's, and often it is biased towards companies from the donor country. So actually, it also boosts the national economy.

I believe we should stil give aid but in a different way because the current "development" agenda is mostly about trying to create political stability (though this has failed spectacularly in several regions) and making developing countries become politically structured like the West and to open up labour and consumer markets. Some people call it neo-colonialism though I think that is going a bit too far. Only a small amount of total aid is focused on disaster management and allowing people to improve their situation in the way they want rather than the way wee want.

You don't think politicians would really give money away just because they care about people in other countries do you? It's only the public that believe that.

2

DCO,

west lothian 27/06/2007 02:06:42

We now have for the first time in Scotland a SNP government, lets take care of Scottish People first before sending money abroad!

3

Colin P,

27/06/2007 03:14:16

I agree that the money should be kept in Scotland. There's plenty of time, once all finances are settled and things are running smoothly, to think about handouts to other countries.
On that subject, why can't Scotland be different, and when they do give overseas aid, give it solely to one country. We could send aid workers and intern engineers to help build an infrastructure that the people could use, rather than giving to a government which may squander funds on defence.

4

Richardinho,

27/06/2007 04:55:01

I have to say, i don't believe in giving money to Africa. They should help themselves rather than rely on us-in any case aid only fosters a dependency culture at best, and at worse just finds it's way into the pockets of various warlords and corrupt government officials.

The whole Malawi thing was just a rather badly thought out and embarassing attempt by McConnell to make himself feel important.

5

The Daleks,

27/06/2007 05:20:52

Spend the money in Scotland.

6

sam the god,

27/06/2007 07:30:06

The money should stay in Scotland and this will still fit the international aid
Programme as this country is full of illegal immigrants

7

Logie Almond,

27/06/2007 08:01:39

More money into the pockets of corrupt African politicians.

8

Cadgers,

Perth 27/06/2007 09:20:21

Charity (should) begins at home.

9

Sam Mond,

Ganimede 27/06/2007 09:48:34

Give the £9M over and spend the Tram money on Education etc. £600M would go a long way towards more teachers, smaller class sizes and still give the needy nations a boost.

All in all, SNP manifesto pledges met and Scotland, rather than Edinburgh benefits.

Hoorah!!

10

Sam Mond,

Ganimede 27/06/2007 09:53:08

Another point, not that it applies to the general posters in the Hootsman, is that we have enough people living long term on handouts in this country. Why not send them to Africa on their dole money (with the African cost of living, the dole money goes a long way) and these spongers can provide a service in return for their money instead of wasting valuable resource.

Before anyone gets all defensive, I am talking about the 'I could work if I wanted to but I don't' section of society...

11

boudica,

Glasgow 27/06/2007 10:22:36

The SNP should put the £ 9 million into giving the children of Scotland the same support network that Asylum Seeker children have been getting as this has proved to benefit those childrens education so much so that their grades are far higher than scots born children so if a support network works it should be given to all children and would benefit Scotland as a whole ...as they say Charity begins at home ...

12

Miss H,

27/06/2007 13:04:26

13 it's not that simple.

Asylum seeker families are generally housed in areas of multiple deprivation, where people have historically had low expectations.

Most asylum seeker families come from middle class educated backgrounds however and this is why their children get better results than their peers.


 

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