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International aid spending review launched by Foreign Office International aid spending review launched by Foreign Office
(35 minutes later)
A review has been launched into whether all UK overseas aid is being used "effectively", the Foreign Office says.A review has been launched into whether all UK overseas aid is being used "effectively", the Foreign Office says.
It comes as the Sun alleged that thousands of pounds of UK aid had been spent on a TV gameshow and on finding female mates for an endangered fish. It comes as the Sun reported that thousands of pounds of UK aid had been spent on a TV gameshow and on finding female mates for an endangered fish.
The Foreign Office said most aid promoted UK prosperity and stability, but the review would ensure every penny represented "value for money".The Foreign Office said most aid promoted UK prosperity and stability, but the review would ensure every penny represented "value for money".
The UK's total overseas aid budget last year was £12bn.The UK's total overseas aid budget last year was £12bn.
The government says international aid is used to help an estimated 1.4 billion people around the world living in poverty.The government says international aid is used to help an estimated 1.4 billion people around the world living in poverty.
But according to the Sun, almost £7,000 was used in an anti-litter drive in Jordan, while a project to promote "safe and responsible" use of Facebook in Laos, south east Asia, cost £970. A list published by the Foreign Office showed almost £14,000 was spent producing a gameshow for Ethiopian television that aims to teach young people there about British values.
More than £13,000 was budgeted for a gameshow, which is set to be screened in Ethiopia later this year, the Sun said. A project to measure the carbon footprint of the Dakar rally cost more than £13,000.
'Growing economies''Growing economies'
The show aims to engage young people "on UK values of human rights and good governance", it added. According to the Sun, almost £7,000 was used in an anti-litter drive in Jordan, while a project to promote "safe and responsible" use of Facebook in Laos, south east Asia, cost £970.
A project to help find female mates for endangered Mangarahara cichlid fish in Madagascar cost £3,400, the paper said, while £5,000 was allegedly spent on workshops about Shakespeare's Hamlet, in Ecuador.A project to help find female mates for endangered Mangarahara cichlid fish in Madagascar cost £3,400, the paper said, while £5,000 was allegedly spent on workshops about Shakespeare's Hamlet, in Ecuador.
BBC political correspondent Chris Mason said a source close to the Foreign Secretary Philip Hammond told him there had "clearly been a lack of scrutiny on some expenditure".
A Foreign Office spokesman said: "The Foreign Secretary has ordered a review so that we can be sure that every last penny of the FCO's aid spending around the world is effective and represents value for money.A Foreign Office spokesman said: "The Foreign Secretary has ordered a review so that we can be sure that every last penny of the FCO's aid spending around the world is effective and represents value for money.
"Building closer relationships with growing economies is important."Building closer relationships with growing economies is important.
"The vast majority of aid spending promotes UK prosperity and broader stability but there will be a crackdown on projects that cannot show taxpayers' cash is being spent wisely.""The vast majority of aid spending promotes UK prosperity and broader stability but there will be a crackdown on projects that cannot show taxpayers' cash is being spent wisely."
In March, legislation was passed making it a legal requirement for 0.7% of UK's annual national income to be spent on international development.In March, legislation was passed making it a legal requirement for 0.7% of UK's annual national income to be spent on international development.
The private members bill was originally tabled by former Scottish Secretary Michael Moore in the Commons and received Royal Assent on 26 March.The private members bill was originally tabled by former Scottish Secretary Michael Moore in the Commons and received Royal Assent on 26 March.