Theresa May to rip up rules on foreign aid spending to stop billions being wasted

Theresa May vowed to rip up the rules on foreign aid spending to stop billions of taxpayers’ money being wasted.

Her manifesto criticises the strict international rules that dictate how Britain must spend its bloated £13 billion a year budget as unhelpful and promises to work with fellow world leaders to redefine what counts as aid.

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And if other countries refuse to overhaul the rules the PM boldly promised to change the law so Britain can spend the cash on what we want.

The Tory manifesto said it was vital to “improve the way that taxpayers’ money is used to help the world’s most vulnerable people”.

Mrs May insisted Britain will continue meeting the target of spending 0.7 per cent of our national income on foreign aid - saying it gave a “powerful statement” of Britain’s role in the world.

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But her commitment to use a “better definition” of development spending paves the way for millions to be diverted from the overseas aid budget to the military to spend in conflict zones - cutting the burden on the taxpayer.

The move delighted critics of David Cameron’s hated promise to spend 0.7 per cent of the nation’s income on foreign aid and Tories hailed The Sun for campaigning for an overhaul.

Tory election candidate Nigel Evans, who sat on the Commons International Development committee, said: “The Sun’s campaign of scrutiny on wasteful aid spending has helped root out the least effective aid efforts.

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“Value for money and saving lives must be the key to our aid.”

Ministers want to use some of the £13 billion budget to keep the peace and ensure aid isn’t stolen in areas such as Somalia and South Sudan.

Mrs May’s blueprint for the next five years in office vowed: “We will work with like-minded countries to change the rules so that they are updated and better reflect the breadth of our assistance around the world.

“If that does not work, we will change the law to allow us to use a better definition of development spending, while continuing to meet our 0.7 per cent target.”