Burnham must take international aid obligations seriously | Letter

Desmond Whyms says a fundamental rethink of aid is necessary to ensure Britain can genuinely help countries improve their human and environmental outcomes in the long term

Halima Begum’s excellent article on the opportunities now facing our new prime minister (Andy Burnham could easily ignore the UK’s falling aid commitment. He would be wise not to, 23 July) sheds a harsh light on the UK’s recent performance in international development.

Labour’s amplification of earlier Tory cuts to the development budget is shortsighted, self-defeating and immoral, with even military leaders not supportive of it. It highlights the weakening of Britain’s soft power as well as resulting in a more unstable world.