Foreign aid handed to 20 countries despite warnings it could be seized by terrorists

Assist funds to essentially the most corrupt nations soared by nearly 30 per cent final 12 months, regardless of warnings a lot of the money could possibly be squandered, stolen or seized by terrorists.

Britain gave a complete of £1.3billion to the 20 most corrupt nations in 2015 – up from simply over £1billion the earlier 12 months – figures reveal.

Massive winners included Afghanistan, the place assist rose by greater than 50 per cent to £300million, regardless of David Cameron describing the nation this 12 months as 'fantastically corrupt'.

Somalia, recognized because the worst offender, obtained greater than £120million, regardless of a evaluate concluding there was a 'sure' threat of assist cash being diverted by terrorist teams linked to Al Qaeda and Islamic State.

Islamist Al-Shabaab fighters patrol on the outskirts of Mogadishu, the capital of Somalia, which has been recognized because the worst offender for corruption however nonetheless obtained greater than £120million in international assist

The figures come as Theresa Might faces calls to place weak British folks first through the use of a part of the £12.2billion international assist price range to sort out the aged care disaster as a substitute.

The Division for Worldwide Growth (DfID) claims the rise in money to deprave states displays the drive to focus assist on essentially the most 'fragile' nations. 

The revered marketing campaign group Transparency Worldwide produces an annual desk rating nations by their stage of corruption. 

All however one of many 20 most corrupt obtain not less than some British assist cash, with a number of receiving tens of tens of millions of kilos a 12 months.

Iraq noticed funding rise 44.three per cent in a 12 months to £55.4million, South Sudan's rose by 1 / 4 to £208million, and Myanmar obtained a 55.four per cent improve to nearly £114million.

Somalia is without doubt one of the greatest recipients regardless of being ranked essentially the most corrupt. 

For years studies have warned assist is susceptible to being 'taxed' by terror teams comparable to Al Shabab. 

This month it emerged an inside 'threat register' discovered a 'sure' threat of funds being diverted by extremists.

The massive rise in funding for Afghanistan can be prone to increase eyebrows given the nation's drawback with corruption.

Earlier this 12 months, Mr Cameron was caught on digicam telling the Queen Afghanistan and Nigeria had been 'probably the 2 most corrupt nations'. 

Assist to Nigeria additionally rose, by 11 per cent to £263million.

Pakistan, which has longstanding corruption issues, benefited from a 40.6 per cent improve in UK assist final 12 months, receiving £374million.

Authorities sources final evening mentioned the most recent figures had been skewed by a giant improve in assist to Syria. 

However the complete handed to deprave nations would have elevated sharply even with out this.

Tory MP Peter Bone, who's campaigning for the Authorities to scrap its assist goal, described the dimensions of the rise as 'stunning'. 

'I feel many individuals will likely be outraged to be taught that we're sending greater than £1billion a 12 months to the world's most corrupt nations and much more shocked to find that the determine goes up,' he mentioned.

'By showering these nations with cash we're successfully propping up a few of the most corrupt and unsightly regimes … What's the level of sending ever more cash to those nations if it isn't reaching the folks in want?'

John O'Connell of the TaxPayers' Alliance mentioned: 'DfID has a poor report of delivering worth for cash … [and] should work more durable to be sure that this cash doesn't find yourself within the improper fingers.'

Members of Somalia's Al Shabaab militant group parade throughout an illustration to announce their integration with al Qaeda, in Elasha, south of the capital Mogadishu

Ministers have confronted mounting controversy over the Authorities's goal to spend zero.7 per cent of Britain's earnings on assist, no matter want. 

David Cameron ordered DfID to spend half of the help price range in so-called 'fragile' states, arguing it might assist stem the causes of struggle, terrorism and mass immigration.

However the coverage has come beneath fireplace once more following the choice to permit city halls to hike council tax by as much as 6 per cent to assist pay for important social care. 

Council bosses say they want an additional £1.3billion to fund the care sector, which faces an ageing inhabitants and price range cuts.

A DfID spokesman mentioned it has 'strong measures in place to guard taxpayers' cash', including: 'We've a zero tolerance strategy to corruption and help is channelled by way of trusted companions quite than native governments.'

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