'Aid cuts threaten new world order'

Oxfam campaigners urged Chancellor Alistair Darling not to use the recession as an excuse to cut aid to poor countries at the time they need it most.

Mr Darling is considering cuts of up to £860 million a year in planned aid spending, the charity said.

The Government pledged in 2007 to give £7.5 billion in overseas aid during 2009-10. But Oxfam said this could be cut to £6.6 billion - only a "negligible increase" on the current £6.4 billion a year in aid.

Max Lawson, Oxfam senior policy advisor, said: "The Government should not use the economic recession and statistical sleight of hand as excuses to cut aid to poor countries at the very time when they need it most."

He added: "Reducing future UK aid would send out exactly the wrong message just weeks after the Prime Minister successfully lobbied his fellow leaders to provide a bailout for poor people hit hard by the global downturn.

"It could fatally undermine the 'new world order' based on fairness that Gordon Brown announced at the G20 summit in London.

"He cannot expect other countries to follow his lead if the UK reneges on its own aid promises."

The £860 million that Mr Darling is expected to cut could pay for 1.3 million teachers or more than 300,000 trained nurses, according to the charity.

The weaker pound is already reducing the amount that UK aid money will buy abroad, Oxfam said.