THE expression “charity begins at home”, used to criticise UK commitment to overseas aid, makes Government failure to provide adequate funding for services which support UK citizens, who are disabled or unemployed or in poverty as the result of circumstances they cannot control, appear to be a matter of charitable choice.

This is demeaning towards those who are not asking for charity, but the support they have every right to expect from their own Government.

It also overlooks the fact that UK Government foreign aid - much of it delivered via the World Bank - is used to facilitate UK trade; to reduce population pressure; to restrict the causes of climate change; to reduce conflict and to inhibit emigration.

As a major economic power our membership of the World Bank requires a substantial investment, which gives us a major voice in global finance.

This foreign aid is commendable, but it is not a simple, selfless, open-hearted gift to the less fortunate as were the millions of donations made by people across the country during the recent Christian Aid Week.

Maurice Vassie, Deighton, York