Kate Osamor MP, Labour’s Shadow International Development Secretary, commenting on the Secretary of State for International Development, Priti Patel’s plans for foreign aid to be based on ‘core Tory values’ said:

“Priti Patel is cutting the aid budget by stealth. If International aid is based on core Tory values, it would cease to exist.

“Her plans will undermine the UK’s reputation as a leader in development and prioritises vested interests over the lives of the most disadvantaged. It shows this government has learnt little from the scandals that occurred during the Thatcher and Major governments caused by tying aid to business interests.

“She continues to misrepresent the purpose of foreign aid, with DfID placing ever greater faith in private sector investment, despite the Government’s own aid watchdog raising serious concerns about how this money is being spent and monitored. We have a Secretary of State for International Development who speaks like a trade minister rather than the head of a department whose main focus should be helping people.”