Harare — The United Kingdom will this year extend 100 million British Pounds to Zimbabwe to fund education, health, water and sanitation programmes.

In an interview after paying a courtesy call on Vice President John Nkomo at his Munhumutapa Offices, British Ambassador to Zimbabwe Mr Mark Canning said the support was part of Britain's efforts to improve the lives of Zimbabweans. Mr Canning also commended progress made by the inclusive Government.

"I had a meeting with the VP Nkomo with whom we had a wide-ranging discussion on bilateral issues. It was an opportunity to inform him of the substantial assistance Britain will avail to Zimbabwe this year. Britain will make available 100 million pounds towards educational health, water and sanitation programmes this year. More assistance will however, depend on progress made in the implementation of the Global Political Agreement," he said.

Mr Canning echoed Britain's denial that the illegal economic sanctions are hurting ordinary people even though last year, his country airlifted its pensioners resident in Zimbabwe to London after their pensions and savings were rendered worthless by sanctions-induced hyperinflation.

The EU, he said, would soon announce dates for the re-engagement meeting with Zimbabwe in Brussels.

"As part of the re-engagement process, we have supported the restoration of Zimbabwe's voting rights at the International Monetary Fund and access to the US$512 million worth of Special Withdrawal Rights from the bank," Mr Canning said.