​Figures show that the British government has given £86 million in green development subsidies to India and China over the past five years, despite both countries being substantial economies that failed to fully commit to key green policies at the 2021 COP summit in Glasgow.

China is the second-biggest economy in the world, and grants included £80,000 to identify sites ripe for clean energy development. The biggest single investment of £71 million went to India to create a fund for low-carbon projects that would slash carbon emissions.

Around 25 green energy projects have been funded, including nearly £80,000 to create and launch a new platform for carbon trading in China. This is despite India and China both being accused of watering down pledges on coal use at the COP26 summit.

China has already begun to develop its own powerful renewable energy industry and is a growing manufacturer of renewable energy parts and supplies. However, like India, it still remains a huge global polluter thanks to its existing reliance on fossil fuels, combined with a rapidly growing economy and huge population base.

A spokesperson for the TaxPayer's Alliance said that it was unreasonable to expect British families to pay green subsidies to wealthy countries when their own finances were already so strained - particularly with rising inflation, energy bills, food prices and fuel prices.

The Foreign Office said that the UK was continuing to work with countries across the world to tackle climate change and to take a leadership role wherever possible. It refused to specifically comment on green grants, but remained committed to the existing course of action and all agreed spending. However, the pressure from British taxpayers is likely to intensify in 2022, especially if the government cannot successfully limit domestic price rises.