Britain spending a fifth of international help finances on housing migrants | Politics | News | EUROtoday

Britain is spending a fifth of the international help finances on housing migrants, in accordance with a brand new report. Aid cash historically goes abroad to assist the world’s poorest nations. But a lot of the money is being spent right here within the UK as a substitute, and the Independent Commission for Aid Impact (ICAI) mentioned utilizing funds which must be going abroad within the UK poses a “serious risk to value for money”.

An eyewatering £2.8 billion was spent on housing migrants and asylum seekers in Britain in 2024 – £1 billion greater than went on humanitarian help. It comes as international help spending is because of fall from 0.5% of nationwide earnings to 0.3% from 2027, with the money diverted to defence.

ICAI Commissioner Harold Freeman, who led the evaluate, mentioned: “As the aid budget shrinks and ministers have to make hard choices, independent scrutiny will be essential to ensure what remains of UK aid is delivering meaningful results for people who need it most.

“It’s additionally clear that the present apply of mixing UK asylum assist prices with abroad improvement spending inside a single finances will not be logical or clear.

“Asylum costs serve a distinct purpose and are driven by domestic pressures, rather than the UK’s priorities overseas.

“We suggest that treating these prices individually may assist restore readability and public confidence in how the UK makes use of its help finances.”

It comes as greater than 3,000 folks have already crossed the Channel in small boats to this point this 12 months.

While the variety of migrants being housed in accommodations has fallen, the quantity in homes, flats and bedsits has elevated, Home Office figures confirmed final month.

There has lengthy been controversy over international help spending with accusations of waste and claims it has helped terror teams.