The Department for International Development (DFID) has said that a number of recent newspaper articles have reported claims that misrepresent or inaccurately portray projects supported by it, or focus on projects that are no longer funded.
UK aid is spent where it is most needed and is subject to rigorous internal and external checks and scrutiny at all stages. The Government has reformed the UK's aid strategy, cutting wasteful programmes and making sure spending is firmly in the UK's national interest. Alongside an increased Defence budget and the UK's world class diplomatic service, our aid programme is helping to create a more prosperous and stable world in which the UK can stand tall and flourish.
This is an approach that works; it has helped reduce the threat to the UK from Ebola in West Africa, it is targeting the root causes of the migration crisis, and it is increasing economic prospects in fragile states to counter extremism and help build our future trading partners. As I believe the work DFID does is in our national interest, I will not be signing the petition you mention.
I have produced a podcast on this subject, which you can see here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VljbEa2gkf4.
