Fury as UK hands over £70m to one of the world's richest countries

The UK has pledged £70 million to help fund clean energy projects across Southeast Asia, including in one of the world's richest countries. Foreign Secretary David Lammy announced the financial support as part of a new UK-Singapore collaboration in sustainable infrastructure development. He called it a "landmark" moment and a significant advancement in the Strategic Partnership between the two countries.

Mr Lammy said: "This year, the UK and Singapore mark 60 years of diplomatic relations. ASEAN is set to be the fastest-growing economic bloc this decade. We need to keep investing in our friendships, making them resilient and focused on the future." However, the move has drawn fierce backlash as Singapore is one of the richest countries in the world. It has the fourth largest GDP per capita, according to the International Monentary Fund.

It's also already one of the world's smallest emitters of carbon, contributing just 0.15% of global emissions as of 2022.

Susan Hall, leader of the Conservative group in the London Assembly, slammed the foreign secretary for "handing out" British taxpayers' money and demanded it stop.

She wrote on X: "David Lammy hands out our money wherever he goes - this time 70million to Singapore- one of the wealthiest countries in the world - it's our money and this has to stop!"

Conservative peer Lord Moylan said he "laughed until he cried" at the news of the fund.

Tory councillor Lucy Trimnell accused Labour of being reckless with their spending of taxpayers' money, and claimed 11,000 people "worked just to pay" for Mr Lammy's project.

She wrote on X: "It used to be 'look after the pennies and the pounds will look after themselves'. Labour aren't even looking after our £Ms.

"UK median salary is £34,528p/a - roughly speaking that's about 11000 median salary earners who worked just to pay this."

The money will support early-stage project development through joint technical assistance and encouraging private sector involvement, the Monetary Authority of Singapore said.

It added: "The UK's funding, to be delivered through British International Investment (BII), will deploy investment capital and provide blended finance to support low-carbon energy projects and innovative business models, bolstering energy security and climate resilience.

"This significant move marks a major step forward in the UK-Singapore Strategic Partnership and reflects both countries' commitment to support Asia's green energy transition and sustainable development."