£6 billion spend that money on so-called defence is an outrage, says MSP
heaneymedia
By Bill Heaney
The announcement by the United Kingdom Labour Government that it will slash its aid budget by £6 billion and spend that money on so-called defence is an outrage, according to Maggie Chapman the Green Party MSP, pictured right.
She told the Holyrood parliament: ” More than 300 million people around the world are in dire humanitarian need right now. The UK’s colonial past creates a particular moral responsibility to those who are still paying the price of imperial exploitation, and we should not give money to those who profit from genocide.
“Does the cabinet secretary agree that now is the time to step up and tackle global poverty, conflict, insecurity and climate precarity, and will he commit to seeking new ways to use our public money for peace rather than war?
Ms Chapman, a Green Party member, asked the Scottish Government to reveal exactly what it was doing in relation to International Development and Humanitarian Aid.
She said: “I am asking the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on how its work on international development and support for humanitarian aid is being used to ensure the safety and security of those who are fleeing war and persecution.”
The Cabinet Secretary for Constitution, External Affairs and Culture, Angus Robertson, said: “Through its humanitarian emergency fund, the Scottish Government continues to respond quickly and decisively to overwhelming humanitarian crises across the world by providing much-needed financial support that enables the operations of agencies and charity organisations in conflict regions to deliver services to reduce the threat to the lives and wellbeing of communities that are affected by conflict and persecution.
“The Scottish Government works with our standing humanitarian emergency fund panel and the Disasters Emergency Committee to ensure that the prioritisation of funding is based on urgent need and is established on the principles of humanity, neutrality and impartiality in support of peace in region.”
He added: “I welcome the UK Government’s commitment to increased defence spending at a time of such acute need across Europe. Having said that, I am deeply disappointed at the cut in overseas aid, which involves the lowest percentage of UK finance being spent on aid in a quarter of a century. Globally, we all need to step up to support the poorest and most vulnerable communities in the world.
“The Scottish Government is committed to supporting our partner countries through international development and climate justice funding while responding to global humanitarian crises as a responsible, compassionate and good global citizen.”
Top of page picture is of the devastation caused by Russian bombing of Ukraine.
