ISLE of Wight MP Bob Seely opposed the Government today — by voting to increase financial help for the world's poorest people.

He was among 24 Conservative MPs opposed to the Government’s motion to maintain overseas aid spending cuts.

MPs voted by a majority of 35 to keep the budget for international development at 0.5 per cent of national income. The rebel MPs, and opposition MPs, wanted to revert it to 0.7 per cent.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson said the UK can “take pride” that it continues to spend at least £10 billion on aid this year during the Covid-19 crisis.

He said: “Everyone will accept that when you’re suddenly compelled to spend £407 billion on sheltering our people from an economic hurricane never experienced in living memory, there must inevitably be consequences for other areas of public spending.”

He added: “By voting for this motion, MPs will provide certainty for our aid budget and an affordable path back to 0.7 per cent while also allowing for investment in other priorities – including the NHS, schools and the police."

Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer said: “The Conservatives have just voted to cut international aid.

“Cutting aid to help the world’s poorest during a pandemic is callous – and not in our national interest.

“Boris Johnson is damaging Britain’s reputation around the world.”

The 24 rebel Tory MPs were: David Amess (Southend West), Harriett Baldwin (West Worcestershire), Peter Bottomley (Worthing West), Karen Bradley (Staffordshire Moorlands), Steve Brine (Winchester), Rehman Chishti (Gillingham and Rainham), Stephen Crabb (Preseli Pembrokeshire), David Davis (Haltemprice and Howden), Tobias Ellwood (Bournemouth East), Roger Gale (North Thanet), Damian Green (Ashford), Simon Hoare (North Dorset), Neil Hudson (Penrith and The Border), Jeremy Hunt (South West Surrey), Pauline Latham (Mid Derbyshire), Tim Loughton (East Worthing and Shoreham), Theresa May (Maidenhead), Johnny Mercer (Plymouth, Moor View), Andrew Mitchell (Sutton Coldfield), Caroline Nokes (Romsey and Southampton North), Neil Parish (Tiverton and Honiton), Mark Pawsey (Rugby), Bob Seely (Isle of Wight), Tom Tugendhat (Tonbridge and Malling).