Menu
21/01/2010
Anti-Terror Spending Cut Row
Planned UK intelligence spending cuts in Pakistan have been criticised by opposition politicians.
Foreign Office minister Baroness Kinnock said the department faced a £110m funding shortfall as a result of the weakening pound.
She said counter-terrorism operations in Pakistan and Afghanistan would be scaled back as a consequence.
Prime Minister Gordon Brown had earlier introduced tougher rules for UK border controls, citing the Afghan-Pakistan region as the "number one security threat".
Liberal Democrats have called on Mr Brown to respond to the proposed spending cuts immediately.
The party's foreign affairs spokesman Ed Davey described the move as "shambolic".
"They have got to reverse these cuts and they have got to explain why they have got this whole thing in such a mess."
A financial system to protect the Foreign Office's finances from fluctuations in currencies is no longer used.
Baroness Kinnock said the department's current shortfall is set to worsen during 2010/11.
She told peers: "We have had staff redundancies in Argentina, Japan and across the United States.
"Programmes in Afghanistan in counter-narcotics have been cut, capacity building to prevent conflicts in Africa, counter-terrorism and radicalisation in Pakistan, the list goes on."
Removing the Overseas Price Mechanism in 2007 has effectively cut Foreign Office budgets by 20%, Lib Dem peer Lord Wallace of Saltaire claimed.
Shadow foreign secretary William Hague reacted to Baroness Kinnock's comments by calling on to the Labour Government to "lay bare" the "damage done to British diplomacy".
"Cutting FCO expenditure on counter-terrorism programmes in Pakistan because of the movement of exchange rates is clearly not the way to run an effective foreign policy," he said.
The Foreign Office said it was constantly reviewing the precise apportionment of its counter-terrorism spending.
"Pakistan has remained our top priority for counter-terrorism and has rightly been the largest single recipient of our counter-terrorism support throughout this period," a spokeswoman said.
Baroness Royall, Labour leader of the House of Lords, insisted intelligence operations in Pakistan were of the "utmost importance".
Kim Howells, chair of the intelligence and security committee, said she was surprised by the timing of Baroness Kinnock's announcement, but not its content.
"I don't think that this immediately is affecting the hard end of our counter-terrorism activities," said the Labour MP.
(PR/GK)
Foreign Office minister Baroness Kinnock said the department faced a £110m funding shortfall as a result of the weakening pound.
She said counter-terrorism operations in Pakistan and Afghanistan would be scaled back as a consequence.
Prime Minister Gordon Brown had earlier introduced tougher rules for UK border controls, citing the Afghan-Pakistan region as the "number one security threat".
Liberal Democrats have called on Mr Brown to respond to the proposed spending cuts immediately.
The party's foreign affairs spokesman Ed Davey described the move as "shambolic".
"They have got to reverse these cuts and they have got to explain why they have got this whole thing in such a mess."
A financial system to protect the Foreign Office's finances from fluctuations in currencies is no longer used.
Baroness Kinnock said the department's current shortfall is set to worsen during 2010/11.
She told peers: "We have had staff redundancies in Argentina, Japan and across the United States.
"Programmes in Afghanistan in counter-narcotics have been cut, capacity building to prevent conflicts in Africa, counter-terrorism and radicalisation in Pakistan, the list goes on."
Removing the Overseas Price Mechanism in 2007 has effectively cut Foreign Office budgets by 20%, Lib Dem peer Lord Wallace of Saltaire claimed.
Shadow foreign secretary William Hague reacted to Baroness Kinnock's comments by calling on to the Labour Government to "lay bare" the "damage done to British diplomacy".
"Cutting FCO expenditure on counter-terrorism programmes in Pakistan because of the movement of exchange rates is clearly not the way to run an effective foreign policy," he said.
The Foreign Office said it was constantly reviewing the precise apportionment of its counter-terrorism spending.
"Pakistan has remained our top priority for counter-terrorism and has rightly been the largest single recipient of our counter-terrorism support throughout this period," a spokeswoman said.
Baroness Royall, Labour leader of the House of Lords, insisted intelligence operations in Pakistan were of the "utmost importance".
Kim Howells, chair of the intelligence and security committee, said she was surprised by the timing of Baroness Kinnock's announcement, but not its content.
"I don't think that this immediately is affecting the hard end of our counter-terrorism activities," said the Labour MP.
(PR/GK)
Related UK National News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
21 June 2010
Harsh Budget Cuts Looming
Doom and gloom surround anticipated cut backs to be announced in tomorrow's 'emergency Budget'. Today, it was confirmed that the Chancellor, George Osborne and senior cabinet members have 'signed off' the Budget and has already warned Britain will be "on the road to ruin" unless borrowing is reduced, but denied his plans are driven by ideology.
Harsh Budget Cuts Looming
Doom and gloom surround anticipated cut backs to be announced in tomorrow's 'emergency Budget'. Today, it was confirmed that the Chancellor, George Osborne and senior cabinet members have 'signed off' the Budget and has already warned Britain will be "on the road to ruin" unless borrowing is reduced, but denied his plans are driven by ideology.
03 August 2004
Acid rain has 'unexpected' environmental gains
Acid rain, pollutant charged precipitation which has been long associated with various environmental wrongs, could help cut back on harmful greenhouse gas emissions, researchers have claimed today.
Acid rain has 'unexpected' environmental gains
Acid rain, pollutant charged precipitation which has been long associated with various environmental wrongs, could help cut back on harmful greenhouse gas emissions, researchers have claimed today.
26 September 2014
UKIP Lay Out Tax Pledges At Party Conference
UKIP have pledged to cut income tax from 40p to 35p for people earning up to £55,000, while also raising the amount people can earn before they pay the tax to £13,500. The Party is set to lay out its tax plans at its annual conference, which begins this morning at Doncaster Racecourse.
UKIP Lay Out Tax Pledges At Party Conference
UKIP have pledged to cut income tax from 40p to 35p for people earning up to £55,000, while also raising the amount people can earn before they pay the tax to £13,500. The Party is set to lay out its tax plans at its annual conference, which begins this morning at Doncaster Racecourse.
05 November 2010
Cuts Put BBC World Service Jobs At Risk
The funding cuts at BBC World Service will jeopardise more than 300 jobs, the Director of BBC Global News has warned.
Cuts Put BBC World Service Jobs At Risk
The funding cuts at BBC World Service will jeopardise more than 300 jobs, the Director of BBC Global News has warned.
31 August 2010
Pakistan Cricketers Face Punishment If Guilty
The Pakistan cricketers at the centre of a match-fixing row face "prompt and decisive action" if they are found guilty, the sport's ruling body said. The International Cricket Council's anti-corruption unit said that they would "not tolerate corruption in this great game" and they are preparing a report, while police also investigate the claims.
Pakistan Cricketers Face Punishment If Guilty
The Pakistan cricketers at the centre of a match-fixing row face "prompt and decisive action" if they are found guilty, the sport's ruling body said. The International Cricket Council's anti-corruption unit said that they would "not tolerate corruption in this great game" and they are preparing a report, while police also investigate the claims.
-
Northern Ireland WeatherToday:A showery start with outbreaks most frequent north of Lough Neagh and through the morning, before dwindling during the afternoon as the northwest breezes ease and brighter spells of weak sunshine prosper. Maximum temperature 8 °C.Tonight:A dry night, save for a few light showers around the coasts, with prolonged clear spells and light winds bringing a frosty dawn for many in central and southern parts. Minimum temperature -3 °C.
