Fifth of foreign aid budget goes on refugees and asylum seekers

A FIFTH of the overseas aid budget is spent supporting refugees and asylum seekers here in the UK.

- By Jonathan Walker Whitehall Editor

The country is due to spend £8.9billion for overseas assistance in 2027-28 but £1.8billion will be spent on dealing with the immigration crisis, according to the Independent Commission for Aid Impact.

The "eye-watering cost" was described as "indefensible" by Conservatives.

Shadow Home Office minister Katie Lam said: "This broken system rewards delay and indecision, while the British taxpayer foots the bill.