Deputy calls for an end to Guernsey overseas aid

A Guernsey deputy has suggested the island should consider cutting its £5.6m overseas aid budget, saying "charity begins at home" as more people struggle locally.

Deputy Rob Curgenven said the idea was not yet a formal proposal, but followed a social media poll where up to 85% of respondents backed scrapping the funding.

He added the island was "not looking after its own citizens enough", pointing to rising use of food banks and homelessness.

Guernsey's Overseas Aid and Development Commission said the funding was a small part of overall States spending, but delivered lasting impact in communities overseas.

Deputy Curgenven said: "I think we'd have to pull ourselves out of the hole that we're in and then we can look to help other people again."

Critics of cutting aid argued the island had a moral responsibility to support people in crisis overseas, particularly in developing countries.

Deputy Curgenven said he understood that argument, but believed the priority should be supporting islanders during a difficult financial period.

He added that support for overseas aid could increase again in the future, when the island's finances improved.

The president of Guernsey's Overseas Aid and Development Commission has defended the island's spending on international aid, saying it was something islanders should be "proud" of.

Jennifer Strachan said the funding was a small part of overall States spending, but delivered lasting impact in communities overseas.

She pointed to projects including maternity facilities, clean water systems and education programmes, and said the work reflected Guernsey's values as well as its role internationally.

While acknowledging the pressure many islanders faced from the rising cost of living, she said the commission took "utmost care" over how money was spent and insisted it continued to make a real difference.