If you are a UK taxpayer of the PAYE variety, you’ll be getting a statement in the post this week from the government, showing exactly how they spend the money you contribute.
We’ve all got our own opinions about tax, like how much we should pay and how it gets spent. And when it comes to overseas aid, there’s no shortage of opinions about that either. But do you actually know how it’s divided up?
Imagine your income tax is a delicious strawberry cream cake, one that Mary Berry would be proud of. How big a slice do you think goes to helping the world’s poorest people lift themselves out of poverty?
If you picked 0.9% – the smallest sliver of cake – you’re right. For someone earning £30,000, that works out at just £60 a year spent on life-saving aid.
If that surprised you, the really impressive bit is the impact that modest amount of money will have on other people’s lives. Your £60 translates into 84 children vaccinated against life-threatening diseases or 10 anti-malarial bed nets.
We’ve created this handy little calculator that lets you see exactly how much of your income tax is spent on aid, and what that money could buy. Put in your own salary to see your personalised results.
