Dear Mr Morrison-Bates

Freedom of Information Request F2009-150

Thank you for your Freedom of Information request dated 29 June about overseas aid payments. You asked for the following information:

1. The exact amount (in GBP) that was paid by British taxpayers in foreign aid to third world countries during 2008.

Figures for Official Development Assistance (ODA) are published by the OECD Development Assistance Committee for all donor countries, including the UK. You asked for the exact amount but you should note that the 2008 figure shown below is provisional and will be confirmed later this year.

2.  The exact amount (in GBP) that was paid by British taxpayers in EU / Eastern European capital subsidies during 2008.

DFID does not hold information corresponding to this description. You can find figures on the UK's overall contribution to the EC budget on the Treasury website at http://www.hm-treasury.gov.uk/d/european_community_finances_2008.pdf.

DFID does hold figures on the proportion of development aid that is channeled through the European Community, and these can be found in our annual publication `Statistics on International Development' (SID). The latest edition covers the period 2007/2008. Figures for 2008/09 will be published in September 2009. Data is shown in financial years rather than calendar years.

If you have any queries about this letter, please contact me quoting reference number F2009-150

If you are unhappy with the service we have provided and wish to make a complaint or request a review of our decision, you should write to Openness Unit at the above address or e-mail [email address]

If you do make a complaint and are not content with the outcome, you may apply directly to the Information Commissioner for a decision. Generally, the Information Commissioner cannot make a decision unless you have exhausted DFID's complaints procedure. You can contact the Information Commissioner at:

The Information Commissioner's Office, Wycliffe House, Water Lane, Wilmslow, Cheshire SK9 5AF.

Yours sincerely

Maureen McWhirter

Openness Unit

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