Oxfam Scotland has responded to the Prime Minsiter’s comments on aid and the military.
Head of Oxfam Scotland, Judith Robertson, said: “We are deeply concerned at Prime Minister David Cameron’s suggestion that some of the UK’s aid budget could be spent on military activities.
“This is a crucial time for our commitment to the world’s poorest people. Tonight, one in 8 people will go to bed hungry. That’s a disgrace.
“In the next 28 days we have a chance to take a big step towards ending the scandal of hunger.
“On March 20th, George Osborne will announce this year’s Budget.
“The UK Government has promised to deliver on the 43 year old promise to commit 0.7% of our national income on aid, a pledge reconfirmed at Gleneagles in 2005.
“Whilst aid remains a very small proportion of overall spending, the Coalition deserves praise for protecting the aid budget when every other G8 nations is not.
“However, the millions of people who support this progressive stance will expect UK aid to be spent on hospitals, not helicopter gunships and on schools, not soldiers.
“To be clear: not a single penny should be diverted to the military.”
In advance of the Budget, Oxfam Scotland has launched an appeal to supporters to write to their MPs to support international aid and the Enough Food For Everyone IF campaign.