THE SNP have condemned "callous" UK Government cuts to foreign aid being forced through by the Tories.

An urgent question by a backbench Tory MP was brought forward at Westminster over the Government's reduction in overseas assistance.

Last year, the Tory government announced a reduction in its manifesto commitment to overseas aid from 0.7% of Gross National Income (GNI) to 0.5%

Andrew Mitchell, the Tory MP for Sutton Coldfield, highlighted that Germany is set to exceed the 0.7% target and France has now pledged to hit it and the US has increased spending by $15 billion.

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He asked International Development Minister James Cleverly why the UK was now planning to break a promise to the world's poorest and cut around £500 million in humanitarian aid.

He told the Commons that these cuts should "shame us all".

Cleverly noted that the UK is experiencing the "worst economic contraction for 300 years" amid the coronavirus pandemic and said the Government is committed to the 0.7% pledge "when the fiscal circumstances allow".

The SNP's international development spokesperson, Chris Law MP, spoke later on, asking how the Government can increase spending on nuclear weapons and said the coronavirus crisis should not be used "as an excuse" to cut aid adding that it is "our essential duty" to increase aid at this time.

Speaking after the question, Law said: “It speaks volumes that the Tories can’t find the money to support the world’s poorest and most vulnerable but they can find the money to increase nuclear weapons funding and additional private planes.

"We know the pandemic has had a disproportionate impact on the world's poorest communities - the need for humanitarian aid has never been greater. While almost all countries are stepping up their aid spending - including Scotland if the SNP is re-elected - this callous Tory government is forcing through unprecedented cuts. 

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"It is once again a tale of two governments. The SNP in government consistently committed to international development projects and support with the limited powers it has - including through a £10 million fund for international development - and we have pledged to increase the aid budget by 50% if re-elected.

"Scotland faces a choice of two futures - a callous Tory government cutting aid for the world's most vulnerable in the middle of a pandemic under the broken Westminster system, or the opportunity to build a fairer future as an independent country that takes democracy and its international obligations seriously. 

“Only both votes SNP on May 6th can put Scotland’s future in Scotland’s hands - not Boris Johnson’s.”