FREE now SUBSCRIBE Invalid email Make the most of your money by signing up to our newsletter fornow We will use your email address only for sending you newsletters. Please see our Privacy Notice for details of your data protection rights.

Plans are being thrashed out to five the military a bigger role in helping countries in need of aid. With the Conservative Party finalising its general election manifesto, it is believed senior Tories are pushing for more military involvement in foreign aid. If approved troops could be used to deliver food and medicine overseas. But insiders maintain Theresa May will keep the foreign aid commitment to spend 0.7 per cent of national income on aid and two per cent on defence.

GETTY The armed forces could get a share of foreign aid cash under new plans

It will mean more money going to the military instead of somebody else’s pockets Senior defence source

A senior defence source told The Sun: “It will mean more money going to the military instead of somebody else’s pockets. “It’s not a land grab on the International Development Department. But we think we’ve got experts who can help the heavily-criticised department.” The move would see the military deliver parcels instead of paying for private contractors and charter planes.

It comes as the Liberal Democrats pledged to maintain Britain's international development spending at the United Nations target of 0.7 per cent of national income. Leader Tim Farron said his party's success in enshrining the 0.7 per cent figure in law during the coalition government had prevented Conservative prime ministers from buckling to pressure from Ukip and Tory backbenchers to ditch the promise. Despite Mrs May's promise last month that the commitment "remains and will remain", Mr Farron accused her of wanting a "cold, mean-spirited Britain" which would leave the funding under threat.

GETTY The move would see the military deliver parcels instead of paying for private contractors

PA Lib Dem leader Tim Farron pledged to maintain Britain's international development spending at 0.7%

Labour's leaked draft manifesto included a promise to keep the 0.7 per cent commitment, which equates to around £12 billion a year. But Ukip have said they would slash it to 0.2 per cent of GDP. Reaffirming his party's aid commitment, Mr Farron said: "Liberal Democrats are fierce internationalists, and I am proud of Britain's record as a world leader in providing help and support to some of the poorest, most vulnerable people in the world. "UK aid prevents suffering. It allows girls to stay in school, stops babies from dying of preventable illnesses, and ensures that farmers can sell their crops at a fair price. A healthier, safer and more stable world is the best interest of British families as well.

UK Foreign Aid: Where did it all go? Mon, January 16, 2017 Public mood changes following scandals over how the money is allocated. This is where the UK Foreign Aid was being spent in 2015. Play slideshow Getty Images 1 of 10 India = £150.4m