Merging DfID and the Foreign Office sends out the wrong signal to the world

I read the piece by Rob Merrick and Lizzie Buchan about scrapping the Department for International Development (DfID) and how this move has been criticised by David Cameron and others.

For once I agree with Mr Cameron that this is indeed a bad idea and sends out all the wrong signals to the world.

The merging of DfID and the Foreign Office waters down the government’s inherent commitment to the poorest and most disadvantaged in the world and is yet another nail in the coffin for our altruistic future.

This move is unfathomable, especially while this government is facing this dire public health crisis. Boris Johnson’s comment that DfID has become “a giant cashpoint in the sky” is insulting and disingenuous to all the genuinely good work done on the ground.

In my opinion it is yet another populist signal to a section of the public who think erroneously that charity begins at home.

Again this government is proving itself impervious to the dire and tragic world we all inhabit. You certainly don’t pull the plug at the present time, when the whole world is dealing with coronavirus.

Talk about bad timing!

Judith Daniels

Great Yarmouth

I read with interest that the government is considering easing the restrictions for those of us who are shielding. Apparently, letters may go out as soon as next week.

This will be an interesting exercise given that some people received texts early in March advising them to shield while others, like myself, did not receive this information until May 7th.

It is a good thing I had the wit to shield myself after reading the excellent advice from Asthma UK. I am fortunate to be retired, therefore I did not have to convince my employer about my health situation.

I have little faith in the government’s ability to contact us all properly and little faith in their handling of the crisis.

Nicola Timlick

Rochester

When Boris Johnson said he hadn’t heard of Marcus Rushford’s attempts to change the free meals policy until the other morning, I realised he is not reading the papers nor watching the TV news nor listening to the radio.

No wonder he has a “tin ear” when it comes to public opinion. Is he turning into Trump more rapidly than we thought?

Judy Marris

Bath

Considering the past few weeks, with the concerns regarding Dominic Cummings input at high-level meetings, I wonder if indeed it is the prime minister actually making policies or his “advisers”.

There are several advisers assisting Boris Johnson which begs the question why the PM needs so many Cabinet members. Surely, with all the advisers available for advice and guidance he could do away with a few Cabinet members.

To be serious for a moment, our PM is demonstrably out of his depth. So many U-turns and watering down of policies announced as mind blowing, earth-shattering or gold standard which have been, soon after, either changed or reversed. There doesn’t appear to be any cohesive plan/logic applied to the government’s actions. And certainly no retribution when the results of their policies act against the British electorate’s interests and safety.

Roll on the next election – I will not be voting for Johnson or the Conservative party. We need a government that cares about the people of Britain and wants to improve the lives of ordinary people.

Keith Poole

Basingstoke

Are Boris Johnson’s recent statements in parliament meant to reassure members of the Bame community that Britain is good and will look after them?

Britain ended the slave trade he said. After more than two centuries the slave trade was ended but racism and exploitation continued. Does Johnson think that is an appropriate timescale for action?

Robert Murray

Nottingham

Carers UK have called for an increase in the amount paid to unpaid carers. Something I have called for, for many years. Unpaid carers save the UK billions of pounds every year. With lip service paid towards them.

We must look after carers, or the health and social care system will collapse.

Proper carer assessments, and respite must be front and centre of any reform, alongside a massive increase in carers allowance, with less restrictive criteria.

Unpaid carers are stressed beyond all recognition. And are desperate for support. With the U-turn on free school meals, it highlights the ingrained problems in our country, and how austerity has affected millions.

I hope we can improve society for the many.

Gary Martin

London