16 September, 2017
The Department for International Aid denied that its response to the crisis had been affected by any budgetary considerations.
Organization for Economic Cooperation (OECD) criteria enshrined in United Kingdom law means that the British Treasury will have to foot the aid bill to Anguilla, Turks and Caicos and the British Virgin Islands, rather than the Department for International Aid.
The government has pledged £57m so far to help with recovery efforts.
Theresa May initially vowed to give £32m, but promised another £25m after her government came under criticism for its initial response to the disaster.
"I think anybody with an ounce of compassion would like to see spending by our government helping these people get back on their feet and getting these British overseas territories helped in the long term".
There are very strict global rules around what officially counts as foreign aid, making it clear that only the poorest countries can receive what is known as official development assistance or ODA. "Therefore they come from rather scanty resources".
The minister said the relief package could have been significantly higher.
For, while Britain - as one of the world's leading economies - should be leading by example when it comes to aid commitments and the plight of the world's poor, Ministers, and organisations like the OECD, should not lose sight of the timeless adage that charity does, in fact, begin at home and, in this instance, with Hurricane Irma's helpless victims.
Downing Street insisted the UK's aid effort had not been hampered by the limits set by the Paris-based Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development.
Countries are given a ranking according to need, which is meant to ensure the poorest countries take priority, and Anguilla, Turks and Caicos and the British Virgin Islands do not qualify because their incomes are too high.
A Government spokesman said: "This was an unprecedented disaster and it's absolutely right that the Government responded immediately to the needs of those affected".
"This has been our primary focus and continues to be our priority".
"I have today written to the development assistance committee asking them as a matter of urgency to develop options to ensure the aid rules reflect the needs of those impacted by natural disasters", said Patel.
Under the rules, the United Kingdom aid budget can not be used because the GDP of the islands is too high and the budget is created to relieve poverty.
As well as emergency supplies, the British Red Cross has also sent six experts to help with the emergency response. Officials claim many millions more will be needed to help with reconstruction.
