Reasons for giving aid (From York Press)

Agree with some of the moral argument here but do not forget countries use foreign aid as a political instrument in a number of ways: trade relations, defence contract inducement and others.
Thankfully we do not have an empire any more by the way but agree that still have moral obligations ensuing from it

Alucard is right. Aid is the latest way of getting back-handers into rich politicians Swiss bank accounts to ensure that lucrative contracts keep rolling in. Also, I get brassed off with this slavery argument. As I understand it, we the British haven't yet received apologies from the Governments of Italy (the Romans), Norway/Sweden (the Vikings) and Iraq (the Caliphate) for enslaving our ancestors?

Robert,
There were positives about being associated with the British Empire. Many of the South Pacific Island chiefs asked for British rule.
Many of the Empire countries received infrastructure such as roads and railways and a Civil Service, not to mention trade and security.
You mention Africa rather holistically with regard to the Slave Trade. In fact in reality this only affected a small part of West Africa with regard to the triangular trade and of course the Arabs were trading in Slaves long before from East Africa.
None of this of course stopped mid & Southern African leaders such as Mugabe from demanding compensation for a Slave Trade that never affected their countries.
Today, the UK government gave Pakistan £5 Million to help with their flood aid while Pakistanis were burning an effigy of our Prime Minister. How's that for gratefulness?

On a separate note I won't forget, after being beaten by Ireland, hearing Pakistani Cricket fans shouting 'Death to Bob Woolmer.'
He was dead the next day.
Do such people deserve our help?

I don't give money to poorer countries as I believe we should sort out our own problems first. How much money goes on admin to these charities and how much is actually used for what it's supposed to be used for?

joshe wrote:
I don't give money to poorer countries as I believe we should sort out our own problems first. How much money goes on admin to these charities and how much is actually used for what it's supposed to be used for?

The letter is about goverment aid not charities. Check out the charities concerned to get your answers you may be suprised.