Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Britain will clear up any confusion within the South African government about the decision to end aid to the country, Foreign Secretary William Hague said today.
The South African Department of International Relations and Co-operation reacted angrily to the UK's decision to end the £19 million-a-year package, claiming it was "tantamount to redefining our relationship".
The UK will stop giving aid to the country in 2015 as South Africa is now "in a position to fund its own development", International Development Secretary Justine Greening said yesterday.
A spokeswoman from the Department for International Development (DfID) said officials had been in discussions about the move with South Africa.
But South Africa claimed the decision had been made "unilaterally".
Mr Hague said the UK would clear up any "bureaucratic confusion" about the move but said it should not have been a surprise.
He told Radio 4's Today programme: "Britain has helped to improve matters in South Africa but we don't continue to give aid to countries that are raising their incomes, that have growing economies.
"Discussions have been going on about that for some months, it therefore shouldn't have been a surprise.
"No doubt there is some confusion or bureaucratic confusion about that perhaps, on the South African side, but I'm not going to fling accusations about that.
"We will be holding in the near future our annual bilateral forum where ministers of all departments discuss things together. If there's any confusion about this I'm sure we will clear that up then."
PA
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments