A PARLIAMENTARY candidate for Ukip has criticised MPs in the region for committing the country to foreign aid.

Last week MPs from all parties voted to fix the amount British aid at 0.7 per cent of national income, about £12bn a year, and it is likely to become law.

But Phillip (CORRECT) Broughton, once one of the youngest councillors in the country in Stockton, said the vote amounted to a “shabby deal” for the public.

Mr Broughton, who has been chosen as Ukip’s candidate for Hartlepool at next year’s General Election, said: “There is absolutely no mandate from the public for this increase – in fact there is scant support across the political spectrum for any foreign aid whatsoever, coming at a time when our own hard pressed taxpayers are under such pressure to make ends meet. Ukip want to change this policy dramatically insisting that we should first solve our own problems with our own money before playing the role of Lady Bountiful to the rest of the world.”

Alex Cunningham, Labour MP for Stockton North, issued a press release explaining his reasons for voting in favour of the idea.

He said: “I am proud to represent Stockton North and always make it a priority to listen to people from my local area, whether it’s on a local or a global issue. Hearing from local residents confirmed my determination to fulfill our commitment to meeting our UK Aid promise and enshrine it in law. We have a duty to care for the world’s poorest, and it is also in our interest to help build a more peaceful and stable global society.”