Britain to stop £200m aid to India by 2015

With GDP growth of 8% a year, India is one of the world’s fastest growing economies - and the UK government has decided it no longer needs our financial aid.

International development secretary Justine Greening says programmes already under way would be completed as promised - but no new financial commitments to India will be made, saving Britain around £200m between now and 2015.

In total, the UK gives around £280m a year to India, and this will eventually be petered down to a £30m-a-year skills-sharing programme in areas like trade, investment and health.

The aid budget has become increasingly controversial as the UK slides further into debt and imposes tough austerity measures whilst handing out millions of pounds to developed countries.