Foreign aid. That thing angry people love to whinge about whenever the government dares to spend a penny outside our borders. “Why are we giving money to other countries when we have problems here?” they cry, usually while misunderstanding both the numbers and the entire point.

So, let’s break it down, shall we?

It’s Not Just Charity – It’s Self-Interest

Yes, it’s lovely to help people in need, but foreign aid isn’t some grand act of selfless kindness—it’s an investment. Rich countries give aid because a more stable, healthier, and economically developed world benefits us. Shocking, but true.

Want fewer wars? Fewer refugees fleeing disaster zones? Fewer global pandemics? More countries trading with us rather than collapsing into chaos? Then congratulations, you support foreign aid. See, it’s not difficult if you have a few functioning brain cells in the prefrontal cortex.

It’s a Tiny Amount of Money

Every time the government announces an aid budget, some people act like we’ve just handed over the entire NHS to a small village in Zambia when we could be spending on homeless squaddies. In reality, the UK spends around 0.5% of its GDP on aid. That’s pennies down the sofa in the grand scheme of things.

If you’re furious about government spending, maybe look at where the real waste is—say, billion-pound procurement disasters or failed vanity projects—rather than getting upset about feeding a few children in countries ravaged by war and famine.

Trade, Influence & Global Standing

You know who gives foreign aid? Countries that actually matter on the world stage. You know who doesn’t? Basket-case economies that nobody listens to. Trump’s Republican Union of Fascists are rapidly becoming a great example of it.

Aid gives us diplomatic influence, strengthens trade relationships, and helps create future economic partners. China knows this, which is why they’re busy pumping money into Africa and Asia, securing resources, contracts, and loyalty. Meanwhile, some people in Britain think we should just sit back, cut all foreign aid, and then act surprised when we have even less say in global affairs than we have now after our catastrophic exit from the European Union.

Stopping Problems Before They Reach Us

The best description I have heard is this. Imagine a house in your street catches fire. You could ignore it, because technically it’s not your problem. Or you could help put it out before it spreads and burns your house down too. Impulsive people might ignore it (especially if the residents are brown) whilst people would help sort it out and gain closer bonds because of it.

That’s foreign aid. If we can help stop conflicts, famine, or disease at the source, it’s a lot cheaper and easier than dealing with the fallout when it inevitably affects us. Refugee crises, terrorism, new pandemics—these things don’t respect borders, no matter how many Union Jacks you wave at them whilst shouting ‘Britain First’ as if you are some sort of political heavyweight rather than a moron.

The Hypocrisy of ‘Looking After Our Own’

The classic argument: “We should spend that money here!” Of course, yeah, very clever. And when we cut foreign aid, does that money suddenly flood into schools, hospitals, and fixing potholes? No, it mysteriously disappears into the abyss of tax cuts for the wealthy and contracts for donors. People who for some reason, are admired as ‘wealth creators’ on LinkedIn. They are, honestly.

Strangely, the loudest critics of foreign aid tend to also be against taxing billionaires, increasing welfare, or funding public services. Almost like their real problem isn’t where the money goes, but the very idea of helping people at all when the money could go into an offshore tax haven. I suppose that’s foreign aid if you run a cocktail bar in the Cayman Islands. Sort of.

In Summary…

Foreign aid is not some naive, do-gooder nonsense—it’s a vital part of national security, economic strategy, and global stability. Pretending otherwise isn’t just ignorant, it’s actively self-destructive.

So next time someone rants about “wasting money on foreign aid,” kindly remind them that a richer, healthier, and more stable world benefits everyone—including them. Or just let them carry on moaning, safe in the knowledge that actual grown-ups will continue making decisions that stop the world from descending into chaos.

Well at least that was the case until Trump came along, with Farage busily licking his ringpiece.