Am I missing something?

[secsee1]

Looking at last nights news one article was about how the NHS hospitals were having to cut back on peoples operations due to lack of funding from government, another article was about most local council services cutting back again because of lack of funding from government, both of which I understand as if you don't have the money you can't spend it but the very next item on the news was David Cameron in Pakistan pledging £650 Million.
So without wishing to get political where has that money come from when it seems that we cannot look after our own people?

[mollykins]

I think it is good that we help poorer countries, but I think Mr cameron needs to sort his priorities out - we need to sort ourselves out before other countries . . .

[secsee1]

Well said Molly I agree with you.

[boxtops]

IMO the majority of NHS cutbacks were before 1 April in the financial year just finished, my NHS employer had to save millions before that deadline.
I guess the Government will say "different budgets"....

[Zeuhl]

Already accounted for in other budgets, international commitments, strategic partnerships, trade deals between UK firms and recipient countries, arms deals, war against the taliban etc etc

There is plenty of money to be spent - mostly here at home. Despite the 'cuts' govt spending will continue to rise over the next three years.

Like any budgeting exercise you have to make judgements about the benefits/risks of allocating/not allocating in certain areas over a long period.

[SIRandyraven]

Your missing nowt.
Not only are we housing , healing and educating people who come to this country from the third world under various asylum conditions ...but it seems we are now also supporting it the country of origin.
The NHS and education systems in this country is over whelmed as a result of the uncontrolled immigration policy.
All Cameron is doing is electioneering on behalf of the BNP with press releases like this.
How dumb can you be , pushing this out on the news , the same day as taxes go up lol

[SIRandyraven]

Glad I don't have kids in school and private health cover

[craft1948]

My income tax has gone down............has yours gone up Andy :-)

[boxtops]

My council tax has gone down too, £5 a month.

[WELSHYORKIE]

Cameron will probably say that they are assiting them in return for intel on Al Qaeda and other terrorist organisations - the very people who are putting our soldiers in coffins and hospital with limbs missing.

[Zeuhl]

Pakistan is losing a lot more soldiers and civilians to taliban/al quaeda terrorism than we are.

Perhaps supporting allies is a good idea.

[secsee1]

Different budgets my A*** British money should be spent on British people then if anything is left by all means assist other countries

[Zeuhl]

secsee

what proportion of overseas aid do you think is to 'assist' them - or us?

It's more foreign affairs than altruism

and if 'british people' is your only criterion then fine -

I assume then that you're not bothered that more 'british money' has been spent on british bankers than on british pensioners.

[WELSHYORKIE]

Personally, I agree secsee, but not everybody has the same attitude it would seem

[ladybird49]

Its digusting " donating " all that money when there are cuts being made left right and centre for genuine needs here , why oh why......

[Zeuhl]

Yeah right

It was probably easier to run the country in the days when they didn't have to bother telling people what they were doing

lol :-)

[SIRandyraven]

My tax has gone up of course.
But got a pay rise so not all bad.
Many have not this year and inflation means pay cuts.

People will feel bitter
- Mass unemployment and many being put out of work
- Taxes going up for many - include VAT rise
- Pay freezes for many
- Inflation
- Cost of energy at the highest in years and years ...this is a record for £ per barrel of oil
- Cuts in public services

Then the government announces the donation to Pakistan ...bad timing ...

Let them eat cake moment

Yes council tax was frozen this year ...whoop whoop

[SIRandyraven]

Won £800 on premium bonds this month ...maybe I should send the money to Pakistan ?

[SIRandyraven]

On news now ITV ....
Aged 85 person no longer able to go to a day center due to Liverpool council saving £91 million ...at least they can sleep knowing the money is being well spent in Pakistan .