Diane Sheard, UK Director of The ONE Campaign, said: “By law, UK aid must help to reduce global poverty. If money is being used to fund schemes that don’t meet this goal, then it shouldn’t be counted as aid.

 “The reports of Foreign Office aid spending raise legitimate questions, but we shouldn’t throw out the baby with the bathwater. Overseas aid has supported millions of people and has both vaccinated and educated millions of children.  British people should be proud that the vast majority of UK aid presents good value for money and helps save lives.”