International aid has been getting a lot of stick of late, with revelations that millions of pounds are being spent on expensive consultants, and calls from some senior politicians to slash the aid budget.

The World Development Movement, of which we are members, has been campaigning on aid for years.

We find that when people hear how little the UK actually spends on aid (currently less than 0.6% of our national income) and how much good it can do, they are in favour of continuing our commitment.

But the value of aid really depends on how it’s spent.

In Bangladesh, £14 million of UK money is being used to promote “special economic zones” where multinational clothing companies will get tax breaks and cheap land.

In existing zones, workers earn less than £1 a day and trade union activity is severely restricted.

This kind of “aid” does not help the world’s poorest people.

Surely, aid must be about contributing to a fairer world and should not be seen as a business opportunity.

Vicki Lesley and David Johnstone, Madehurst Close, Brighton