Exclusive: Britain's new plan for foreign aid - and the taxpayer won't foot the bill
We live in a troubled world. Conflict is spreading. Migration is soaring. Millions of people are trapped in poverty. But the problems on the other side of the world don't just stay there.
The UK has, however, a unique opportunity to combine science, technology and finance to help the world tackle the evils of hunger, poverty and climate change - for good.
We have world class science, a financial services industry in the City of London like no other and a determination to succeed.
But we also have a proud history of doing the right thing for people in desperate need. It’s in our DNA.
It’s not only right. It’s smart, too. And that’s why Britain now has a smart plan to act.
Finding solutions to problems we all share is absolutely necessary. But at a time when the British purse is hard pressed, it cannot be business as usual.
We can’t lean on taxpayers.
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Britain has a unique financial services sector in the City of London. We’re one of the oldest trading nations. It’s in our blood.
So it’s our role to bring together the expertise in the City of London and companies in the private sector.
Because smart money will help to generate revenue; and revenue is what feeds the world’s economic growth.
But without solutions the money doesn’t solve the problem.
Science will be central to the smart plan.
The Food Security Summit, at which the Prime Minister will speak on Monday, will showcase how science will enable farmers to produce food in the face of climate change.
UK scientists have already pioneered ways of growing crops in tough conditions, including droughts.
Our expertise is literally helping to feed the world. And the potential of science, together with technology, goes so much further.
Our smart plan will encourage our world class scientific institutions and companies to discover and export ground-breaking solutions to global ills.
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Vaccines to help fight diseases. Artificial Intelligence to clamp down on stolen and dirty money. Digital inventions that predict extreme weather events.
The UK has an important part to play in making the world better and stronger. And the beauty is that from now on, we can do more with less. Every penny that is invested will be stretched as far as it can.
Crucially, our smart plan for development moves away from charity.
Only when we bring together all the talents and all the nations can we achieve the best for everyone on the planet.
