The official unemployment rate in Britain as of 20 January 2010 was a shocking 7.8 percent and two million British pensioners live in poverty — but the Government’s foreign aid budget has just announced a £17 million grant to Vietnam to build toilets in that country.

According to the Human Resource Management Guide (HRM) for January, the UK unemployment rate stands at 7.8 percent, down by 0.1 percent over the quarter but up 1.6 percent on last year. The number of people employed was down by 14,000 this quarter and down by 451,000 on the last year.

According to the HRM, unemployment in September to November was 2.46 million, up 511,000 from this time last year. The claimant count for key out-of-work benefits was 1,606,500 in December, up 430,700 on last year.

In addition, according to Office of National Statistics figures just released, some two million British pensioners are living in poverty, unable to afford fuel for heating.

Despite these crises at home, the British ruling elite continues to disregard the needs of its own people. It has just been proudly announced on the Department for International Development’s website that the “UK will help improve the lives of thousands of people in Vietnam by providing basic toilets and hygiene facilities.”

Making the announcement, International Development Minister Mike Foster said the DFID “will participate in a Vietnamese government-led programme to tackle a chronic shortage of latrines in the country through a £17 million grant. The money will also help spread good hygiene practices such as regular hand washing with soap.”

According to Mr Foster, latest statistics show that less than two percent of the poorest in Vietnam have a toilet and only one in six people in rural areas wash their hands with soap. “Millions of lives are lost needlessly every year because people do not have access to a toilet or somewhere to wash their hands. Our engagement in this programme will help save countless lives in Vietnam by providing them with the basic sanitation and means to enjoy healthier lives.”

According to the DFID, money from the British taxpayer has “helped more than 27 million people across Asia and Africa to adopt better hand washing and hygiene practices since 2008, when DFID launched its water and sanitation policy.”

While no-one in their right mind would not want to help people in need, the first priority should be at home. It is little short of treason to have two million British pensioners struggle to keep warm in winter while millions are spent on toilets in Vietnam, or buying soap for the hordes of Africa and Asia.

Both the Conservative and Labour parties have committed to increasing the foreign aid spend from its current £8 billion per year to £13 billion.
Original article... HERE

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