SOUTH Lakeland MP Tim Farron is calling for foreign aid not to be cut to the world's poorest countries.

Mr Farron signed the amendment to the Advanced Research and Innovation Agency Bill calling on the Government not to slash £4bn from the International Aid budget.

The Government had previously promised to maintain international aid spending at 0.7% of national spending in their manifesto during the last general election.

However, financial damage caused by the pandemic have contributed toward the decision. 

Aid agencies have warned that the cuts will kill tens of thousands of desperate people who rely on British aid in countries such as Syria, Yemen and South Sudan, beset by a deadly combination of conflict, extreme weather and the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The amendment has backed by over 30 Conservative MPs including former prime minister Theresa May.

Tim said: “Britain has a proud history of providing aid and support for the poorest and most vulnerable people in the world.

“The Government’s decision to cut aid for these people in the middle of a pandemic is despicably cruel and will tragically result in the deaths of thousands of desperate people who will no longer have access to food or clean drinking water.

“I’m proud to have signed this amendment and hope that we can defeat the Government’s heartless plans.”