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| Foreign Office to review its overseas aid spending | |
| (1 day later) | |
| The Foreign Office has launched a review into whether its overseas aid is being used "effectively". | The Foreign Office has launched a review into whether its overseas aid is being used "effectively". |
| It comes as the Sun reported thousands of pounds of Foreign Office aid was spent on a TV gameshow and on finding female mates for an endangered fish. | It comes as the Sun reported thousands of pounds of Foreign Office aid was spent on a TV gameshow and on finding female mates for an endangered fish. |
| The Foreign Office said most of its aid promoted prosperity and stability, but the review would ensure every penny represented "value for money". | The Foreign Office said most of its aid promoted prosperity and stability, but the review would ensure every penny represented "value for money". |
| The UK government's total overseas aid budget last year was £12bn. | The UK government's total overseas aid budget last year was £12bn. |
| About 87% of the government's aid budget is managed by the Department for International Development, with the remaining money distributed by other departments - including the Foreign Office. | About 87% of the government's aid budget is managed by the Department for International Development, with the remaining money distributed by other departments - including the Foreign Office. |
| 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. |
| A list published by the Foreign Office showed almost £14,000 for its aid budget was spent producing a gameshow for Ethiopian television that aims to teach young people there about British values. | A list published by the Foreign Office showed almost £14,000 for its aid budget was spent producing a gameshow for Ethiopian television that aims to teach young people there about British values. |
| A project to measure the carbon footprint of the Dakar rally cost more than £13,000. | A project to measure the carbon footprint of the Dakar rally cost more than £13,000. |
| 'Growing economies' | 'Growing economies' |
| 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. | 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". | 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. |