Andrew Mitchell: Overseas aid is 'in the national interest'

The government is preparing to unveil big changes to the way it helps the world's poorest people.

The UK will no longer give international aid to 16 countries including Russia and China, but will instead focus on places that are fragile or in conflict, such as Nigeria and Pakistan.

The International Development Secretary Andrew Mitchell said giving aid to the very needy is ''morally right' and also ''in our national interest''.