Charity urges against UK aid cuts

UK charity Oxfam is urging the Gordon Brown government not to use the recession as an excuse to cut aid to poor countries.



According to Oxfam, UK Finance Minister Alistair Darling is considering cuts of up to 860 million pounds a year in planned aid spending.



Oxfam senior policy advisor Max Lawson says reducing future UK aid would send the wrong message just days after Prime Minister Gordon Brown lobbied for world leaders to assist poor countries hit hard by the financial crisis.



Mr. Lawson says Mr. Brown should not expect other countries to follow his lead if the UK reneges on its own aid promises.