THE ?3.7billion hike in overseas aid could have paid for 200 new schools, kept 123,333 cops on the beat or locked up an extra 97,368 criminals, The Sun can reveal.
While domestic budgets are being slashed, spending at the Department for International Development will surge from ?7.8billion this year to ?11.5billion in 2015.
But yesterday David Cameron and International Development Secretary Andrew Mitchell insisted there is a "moral duty" to help abroad.
They also backed the DOUBLING of aid to countries such as Afghanistan and Yemen to prevent them becoming terror havens.
The Prime Minister was forced to explain the decision when he was confronted by a voter in Nottingham who demanded: "Surely charity should begin at home?"
He admitted boosting the help given to poor nations had been a difficult decision.
But he added: "I think we do have a moral responsibility, as one of the richest countries in the world, not to give up on them just because we are having a difficult time at home."
Meanwhile, speaking exclusively to The Sun, Development Secretary Mr Mitchell said: "Aid saves lives, but it's also in our national interest.
Conflict, violent extremism, unchecked migration, drug trafficking - all can be addressed upstream by aid."
Britain's aid budget is used to help 90 countries.
-------------------------------------------------------------------
While domestic budgets are being slashed, spending at the Department for International Development will surge from ?7.8billion this year to ?11.5billion in 2015.
But yesterday David Cameron and International Development Secretary Andrew Mitchell insisted there is a "moral duty" to help abroad.
They also backed the DOUBLING of aid to countries such as Afghanistan and Yemen to prevent them becoming terror havens.
The Prime Minister was forced to explain the decision when he was confronted by a voter in Nottingham who demanded: "Surely charity should begin at home?"
He admitted boosting the help given to poor nations had been a difficult decision.
But he added: "I think we do have a moral responsibility, as one of the richest countries in the world, not to give up on them just because we are having a difficult time at home."
Meanwhile, speaking exclusively to The Sun, Development Secretary Mr Mitchell said: "Aid saves lives, but it's also in our national interest.
Conflict, violent extremism, unchecked migration, drug trafficking - all can be addressed upstream by aid."
Britain's aid budget is used to help 90 countries.
-------------------------------------------------------------------
