THE letter “Mess surrounding our foreign aid programme should not be allowed to continue” (January 16) paints a very one-sided picture of British aid.

The UK’s generosity — which for a relatively small portion of public spending (0.7%) – saves lives, cures illnesses, educates children and makes the world a more stable place, which is in our national interest.

Events like the Ebola outbreak or the Syrian Refugee crisis show what is at stake. We may be an island, but we are not immune from theses crisis.

Of course, it’s reasonable to demand better. Our aid spending could be more effective, but it’s unfair to call for the whole thing to be scrapped. You certainly wouldn’t close down the NHS because of one or two poorly performing hospitals.

I believe in a global Britain, our aid budget embodies that. We help others even when we’re dealing with cuts at home. We should be proud of our generosity. Charity might begin at home, but it must not stop there.

Kada Lawrence Ngbale

Hollins Halls of Residence

Radcliffe Road

Bolton