UK aid spending topped £14billion for the first time in 2017, official figures on taxpayer cash spent in other countries reveals today.

The amount spent on aid rises every year because the Government is committed by law to spending 0.7 per cent of national income on it. If the economy grows the share also rises.

Aid spending is deeply controversial among Tory MPs who insist more money should be spent at home on public services or on defence.

The UK Mailonline reports that Pakistan received the most direct cash from the UK, receiving more than £400million in development assistance. Nigeria was second on £327million.

Almost £530million was also ploughed into multi-national efforts respond to humanitarian crises caused by wars in Somalia, Syria and Yemen.

A Government spokesman said: ‘The UK was at the forefront of delivering lifesaving aid in humanitarian emergencies around the world in 2017, from wars in Yemen and Syria, to the Rohingya crisis in Bangladesh, to famine in South Sudan.

‘We are spending UK aid where it is most needed, saving lives and helping poorer countries prosper.

‘Poverty reduction is at the heart of what we do but UK aid is also tackling global challenges like disease, terrorism and conflict, and creating a safer, healthier and more prosperous world for us all.

‘This is a win for the UK and a win for the developing world.’

Almost three quarters of UK aid is spent via the Department for International Development – but the figure is falling as other departments spend abroad.

Money spent by the Foreign Office and Ministry of Defence now makes up a bigger share as the Government focuses on work aimed at boosting the UK interest directly.

About 63 per cent of aid spending is ploughed directly into other countries by the UK, with the remaining 37 per cent spent via multinational aid agencies.