International Development Secretary Hilary Benn voiced concerns that the Bank is forcing too many conditions on aid given to poorer countries.

In an effort to tackle corruption, the Bank has been demanding significant reforms in developing countries.

Mr Benn said the Bank should not refuse to help those in poverty despite the actions of their governments.

Since taking over as head of the Bank last year, Paul Wolfowitz has made it his mission to tackle corruption in poorer countries.

His campaign has led to hundreds of thousands of dollars of loans and contracts to countries like Chad, Congo, Ethiopia and Bangladesh being suspended.

Campaign attacked

However, it has also drawn significant criticism from charities and pressure groups.

Mr Benn has also told Mr Wolfowitz that the UK is unhappy with the lack of progress at removing strict conditions on financial assistance.

Last year, the UK provided £1.3bn to the Bank to help poorer countries and promised to donate a further £50m in 2007, provided it eased the strings attached to aid.

On other issues, particularly economic policy, developing countries ought to take their own decisions


Hilary Benn, international development secretary

However, Mr Benn has said he will now delay handing over the cash until he is satisfied the World Bank has eased its position.

The UK had taken the stance as it opposed World Bank efforts to impose damaging policies that force poorer countries to liberalise their markets.

"Most people would agree that if you're invading your neighbour, if you're oppressing your population or if you're taking aid money and spending it on other things, then we shouldn't stand for that and we won't," Mr Benn told the BBC.

"Britain doesn't and nor does the World Bank and we should attach conditions in those circumstances.

"But on other issues, particularly economic policy, developing countries ought to take their own decisions and I do believe that this is one of the ways that we can increase the voice of the poorest countries of the world," he added.

Decision-making

Campaigners such as Christian Aid and Oxfam have attacked the World Bank's demands, saying they often leave people in developing countries worse off than before.

"Imagine what life would be like if you had to run every decision you made by your bank manager and if he or she didn't like it, you would have to change it," Christian Aid policy manager Anna Thomas said.

"That is the reality for many poor countries and they can't just switch accounts."

Christian Aid points to the example of Ghana where the World Bank's demand for a ban on tariffs and subsidies for the poultry market has led to an influx of cheap European imports and seen many thousands of Ghanaians lose their jobs and livelihoods.