A lot is said about whether or not the UK’s foreign aid should be tied by law to 0.7 per cent of GDP, but few people believe there should be no foreign aid. What is of concern, however, is whether or not it is given to the right people and causes.

I believe that as from January 1 2021 there is one clear cause that needs financial support from across the world - and yet it hasn’t been mentioned.

During 2021 vaccines for Covid-19 will be widely available, yet many of the poorer countries in the world will not be able to afford the vaccines and, perhaps more importantly, afford the cost of the logistics involved in making sure that everyone who needs the vaccine can receive it.

After Brexit the UK is ideally placed to take a leading position to ensure that this is done. We should establish which of the richer countries would be prepared to give financial aid to this project. Then identify the poorer countries which will be unable to afford the vaccines and what the cost will be in each country to ensure that they reach everybody that needs it. Even in poorer countries it should not only be made available in cities or to “influential” and relatively wealthy people.

A mammoth task, but our country has led the world many times in the past, and now is our time to take a leading position once again

This project is so vital that all budget aid for 2021 should be spent on this one project. To do less would demonstrate our lack of humanity.

Ken Shuttleworth,

Reynards Way, Bricket Wood