RNLI slammed for spending millions on foreign aid while slashing 135 jobs in Britain
THE RNLI has been criticised for spending millions on projects abroad while slashing 135 jobs in the UK.
Bosses last week warned the lifeboat charity is facing “some major challenges” after making losses of £6.3million last year.
But donations to the service are being spent on creches in Bangladesh and swimsuits for Muslim women in Tanzania.
Tory MP Nigel Evans, who sits on the Commons International Development Committee, said the charity is putting its reputation at risk.
He added: “I would say 99 per cent of the British public giving them money do not have the faintest idea it’s diverted to projects overseas.”
His fellow Tory Andrew Bridgen added: “There is an urgent need for the RNLI executive to review this spending. It’s not the Royal International Lifeboat Institution.”
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Overseas spending has risen from £1.13million to £3.3million in the past five years, with £400,000 to be added this year.
But officials insist that makes up just two per cent of its total income and does not affect its UK rescue services.
The creche places it funds cut the risk of kids drowning by 82 per cent.
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