THE GOVERNMENT is “playing fast and loose” with the definition of aid spending, undermining British overseas efforts, a leading human rights group has warned.

A report by the International Development Committee published today found that cross-departmental pots of money risk becoming “a slush fund to pay for developing the UK’s diplomatic, trade or national security interests.”

It adds that the “lack of clarity” over the objectives of funds spent on foreign militaries “risks undermining faith in the UK aid brand.”