theodi/ndl-core-corpus huggingface dataset:
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-20)

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Charlie Dewhirst:To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, pursuant to the Answer of 26 November 2024 to Question 14107 on Civil Servants: Pay, if he will publish an anonymised list of the salary of each civil servant by public body. \p Georgia Gould: As was the case under the previous administration (a) summary data that includes £5k salary band headcounts and median and mean salary measures by department and grade are published here https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/civil-service-statistics and

(b) Salary data reported within 5k salary bands for individual SCS at paybands 2 and 3 are published reguarly by departments on data.gov.uk as part of departmental transparency organograms. These data also include the salary pay scales for junior staff. The Cabinet Office organograms can be found here https://www.data.gov.uk/dataset/ff76be1f-4f37-4bef-beb7-32b259413be1/organogram-cabinet-office

There are no current plans to publish further data.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-20)

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Jas Athwal:To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what steps he is taking to reduce fraud in the public sector. \p Georgia Gould: This government is taking tough action to reduce public sector fraud.

In January, we introduced the Public Authorities (Fraud, Error and Recovery) Bill, giving us more tools to combat fraud, allowing government to investigate fraud, recover public money and sending fraudsters a clear message: you won’t get away with stealing public money.

The Bill was introduced on 22nd January, and is currently being examined at the Committee Stage.

Utilising emerging technology to counter fraud is vital. That’s why the Public Sector Fraud Authority uses advanced analytics and is developing artificial intelligence tools to help counter fraud experts better understand, prevent and detect fraud.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-20)

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Charlie Dewhirst:To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, how many people he plans to recruit for the test-and-learn teams funded through the Innovation Fund. \p Georgia Gould: The £100 million Public Service Reform and Innovation Fund will be deploying Test, Learn and Grow teams around the country over the next three years to design and test innovative solutions to our biggest public service challenges in partnership with local places – ensuring that local learning informs national policy decisions.

The Cabinet Office will be working across government and with local partners to codesign the detailed approach to the allocation of the Innovation Fund.

As part of this co-design, we will formalise our resourcing requirements to provide support on the ground with multi-disciplinary teams helping local places respond to the public service challenges in their areas.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-20)

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Charlie Dewhirst:To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, pursuant to the Answer of 27 January 2025 to Question 25918 on UK-EU Trade and Cooperation Agreement: Consultants, what consultants are commissioned by his Department to (a) assist the EU Relations Secretariat and (b) work on the renegotiations with the European Union. \p Nick Thomas-Symonds: The Cabinet Office has not commissioned consultants to assist the EU Relations Secretariat or work on resetting the relationship with the European Union.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-20)

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Jim Allister:To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, with reference to the Answer of 22 February 2023 to Question 146816 on Northern Ireland Protocol and Trader Support Service: Costs, what the cost to the public purse was of (a) Trader Support Services operations, (b) Movement Assistance Scheme operations and (c) the Digital Assistance Scheme between August 2020 and February 2025. \p Nick Thomas-Symonds: The Government is committed to supporting industry in moving goods smoothly between Great Britain and Northern Ireland, including through the use of schemes such as the Movement Assistance Scheme (MAS) and the Trader Support Service (TSS). The costs of the MAS, TSS, and Digital Assistance Scheme (DAS) are set out below:

FY 2020/21

FY2021/22

FY2022/23

FY2023/24

FY2024/25

MAS

£3.53 million

£9.78 million

£8.75 million

£9.64 million

£8.30 million (up to 30/01/2025)

TSS

£100.62 million

£148.80 million

£114.68 million

£105.19 million

£73.18 million (up to 30/01/2025)

DAS

£3.45 million

£13.73 million

£16.6 million

£18.4 million

£15.2 million (up to 28/02/2025)
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-20)

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Adrian Ramsay:To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, if he will make an estimate of the total value of trade (a) imports and (b) exports of fish and crustaceans between the UK and the Faroe Islands for financial year (i) 2023-24 and (ii) 2022-23. \p Georgia Gould: The information requested falls under the remit of the UK Statistics Authority.

A response to the Hon gentleman or lady Parliamentary Question of 12th March is attached.

Letter from the National Statistician (pdf, 134.6KB)
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-20)

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Charlie Dewhirst:To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, pursuant to the Answer of 27 November 2024 to Question 6057 on Prime Minister’s Office: Vacancies, how many jobs in the Prime Minister's Office were filled by exception without (a) internal and (b) external advertisement since 4 July 2024. \p Georgia Gould: As was the case under the previous Government, where over 9,000 such exceptions were used in the year ending March 2023, exceptions are a long-established part of bringing talent and expertise into the Civil Service. Since 4 July 2024, there have been 3 appointments made via exception.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-20)

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Charlie Dewhirst:To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, pursuant to the Answer of 26 November 2024 to Question 14099 on Permanent Secretaries: Dismissal and Recruitment, what his planned timetable is for the implementation of the recommendations in 2025. \p Georgia Gould: I have nothing to add to my answer to question 14099 on 26 November 2024.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-20)

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Charlie Dewhirst:To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, pursuant to the Answer of 5 February 2025 to Question 25853 on Public Bodies: Reviews, which four public body reviews are completed; what were the conclusions of each of these; which public body reviews are in progress; and which public body reviews have been paused. \p Georgia Gould: Of reviews planned for 2024/25, the following reviews have completed:

Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency, Care Quality Commission, Regulator of Social Housing, Defence Equipment and Support, Submarine Delivery Agency, Nuclear Research Advisory Council, Legal Aid Agency.

It is each department’s responsibility to publish its reviews once finalised.

The following reviews are in progress:

Valuation Tribunal Service, Science Advisory Committee on the Medical Implications of Less-Lethal Weapons, Her Majesty's Courts and Tribunals Service, Youth Justice Board for England and Wales, Intellectual Property Office.

In some cases, departments have paused their reviews to give capacity to deliver more ambitious work on improving delivery and value for money , in line with government’s wider commitment to reform arm’s length bodies. This wider reform includes the closure of NHS England as announced by the Prime Minister on 13 March.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-20)

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Charlie Dewhirst:To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, pursuant to the Answer of 27 November 2024 to Question 14111 on Public Appointments, if he will place in the Library a copy of all correspondence to and from the Public Appointments Commissioner since 4 July 2024. \p Georgia Gould: Ahead of launching a significant appointment (which are agreed between the Commissioner for Public Appointments and HM Government Ministers and Welsh Government Ministers) departments must correspond with the Office for the Commissioner for Public Appointments to agree the Senior Independent Panel Member.

Personal data relating to potential Senior Independent Panel Members is shared with the Commissioner for Public Appointments for the purpose of assessing their suitability and experience for the role, as per the requirement in the Governance Code for Public Appointments.

I am unable to publish this correspondence as it would involve disclosing personal information protected under data protection laws in line with practice under previous administration.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-20)

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Charlie Dewhirst:To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, pursuant to the Answer of 26 November 2024 to Question 14093 on Special Advisers: Code of Practice, if he will make an assessment of the potential merits of amending the Code of Conduct for special advisers to reflect changes to the Ministerial Code. \p Georgia Gould: I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to PQ14093. The Government published the Code of Conduct for Special Advisers 6 November 2024.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-20)

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David Chadwick:To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, how many active businesses were registered in (a) Powys and (b) Brecon, Radnor and Cwm Tawe constituency on the Companies House register in each of the last five financial years. \p Ms Abena Oppong-Asare: The information requested falls under the remit of the UK Statistics Authority.

A response to the Hon gentleman’s Parliamentary Question of 11th March is attached.

Letter from the National Statistician (pdf, 115.0KB)

Letter from the National Statistician (pdf, 115.0KB)
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-20)

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Charlie Dewhirst:To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, with reference to the planned Right to Switch Off, what plans he has for the application of this policy (a) on fallow days for employees, (b) during office hours on Mondays to Fridays for people who work (i) standard working patterns, (ii) part-time and (iii) compressed hours and (c) for people who work four-day weeks on full-pay. \p Justin Madders: In “Next Steps to Make Work Pay” the Government said it would deliver the right to switch off through a Statutory Code of Practice, rather than through the Employment Rights Bill.

A Code of Practice sets out guidelines for employers to follow. A failure to comply with a code of practice can be taken into account by an Employment Tribunal. We are developing the content of a draft Code with key stakeholders including both business representative groups and trade unions. In due course, that draft Code will be subject to a full formal consultation process.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-20)

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Dr Scott Arthur:To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, whether he has made an assessment of the potential impact of staff cuts at Dundee University on the industrial strategy. \p Sarah Jones: The Government recognises the crucial role of universities in the UK's innovation ecosystem and in delivering the skills needed to drive growth as part of the Industrial Strategy. Education policy is devolved in Scotland, and it is for the Scottish Government to consider the broader impact of developments in the education sector, including of any potential staff cuts in Scottish universities.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-20)

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Bell Ribeiro-Addy:To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, if he will take steps to ensure that Universal Service Obligation reform retains a universal postal service for (a) people experiencing homelessness, (b) victims of domestic abuse and (c) other people without a secure address. \p Justin Madders: The government recognises the importance of access to post for all users, especially the most vulnerable and is committed to the universal service obligation.

As the independent regulator for postal services, it is Ofcom’s responsibility to secure the provision of a universal postal service and must ensure the provision of sufficient access points to meet the reasonable needs of users of the service. In its proposals, Ofcom committed to continue to engage with other stakeholders on the issue of ensuring that specific vulnerable groups have access to post.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-20)

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Andy Slaughter:To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, pursuant to the Answer of 13 February 2025 to Question 30065 Trade Promotion: Israel and Occupied Territories, if he will list his department’s current priorities identified for (a) export and (b) investment services in (i) Israel and (ii) the Occupied Palestinian Territory. \p Mr Douglas Alexander: Current priorities identified for export and investment services in Israel include infrastructure (construction and energy), healthcare (medicinal and pharmaceutical products), food and drink, financial and professional services.

Priorities for the Occupied Palestinian Territories include cars, tech, food and drink, and financial, professional business, and digital services.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-20)

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Andy Slaughter:To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, pursuant to the Answer of 13 February 2025 to Question 30065 on Trade Promotion: Israel and Occupied Territories, how much of his Department's budget has been allocated to each of the Trade Envoys for (a) Israel and (b) the Occupied Palestinian Territory in the (i) 2024-25 and (ii) 2025-26 financial years. \p Gareth Thomas: The Department has so far not spent any of its budget this Financial Year to support the Trade Envoys to Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territories.

The funding for next Financial Year 2025-26 for the Trade Envoys to Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territories will be allocated on a case-by-case basis to meet costs of travel and subsistence needed to undertake their role.

Any costs incurred are subject to Departmental guidelines which apply to the programme’s use of public funds.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-20)

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Andy Slaughter:To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, pursuant to the Answer of 13 February 2025 to Question 30065 on Trade Promotion: Israel and Occupied Territories, what assessment he has made of the effectiveness of the role of the Trade Envoys to (a) Israel and (b) the Occupied Palestinian Territories. \p Gareth Thomas: Following the announcement by the Secretary of State on 28th January of the appointment of a new team of Trade Envoys, we are in the process of developing specific objectives to measure the performance and impact of the Trade Envoys supporting Departmental priorities including Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territories.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-20)

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Bell Ribeiro-Addy:To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what assessment his Department has made of the potential impact of Universal Service Obligation reform on the affordability of postal services for consumers. \p Justin Madders: It is the responsibility of Ofcom, as the independent regulator of postal services, to ensure that the universal postal service is affordable for customers as well as being efficient and financially sustainable.

In its consultation document proposing a package of reforms to better reflect people’s usage of postal services and support financial sustainability, Ofcom set out that it plans to consider options to ensure the continued affordability of USO services, including more targeted interventions than the current Second-Class safeguard cap.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-20)

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Leigh Ingham:To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, if he will have discussions with Bark.com on their effectiveness in vetting tradespeople employing their services. \p Justin Madders: All traders, including online platforms, must exercise professional diligence in their commercial practices in order to comply with the requirements in the Consumer Protection from Unfair Trading Regulations (2008), restated and updated in the DMCC Act 2024. Part 3 of the DMCC Act will strengthen the CMA's powers to enforce the law and enable the CMA and courts to impose monetary penalties for breaches.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-20)

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Ben Obese-Jecty:To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what discussions he has had with Cabinet colleagues on fulfilment of the UK's commitment to the NATO Industrial Capacity Expansion Pledge. \p Gareth Thomas: The Department for Business and Trade continues to work with colleagues across government to deliver new a Defence Industrial Strategy which will help us meet our NATO commitments, such as the NATO Industrial Capacity Expansion Pledge.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-20)

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David Chadwick:To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, whether future trade deals will include impact assessments for (a) Scotland, (b) Wales, (c) Northern Ireland and (d) the regions of England. \p Mr Douglas Alexander: For new free trade agreements (FTAs), the Government publishes impact assessments to support the parliamentary scrutiny process of FTAs. The analysis will include an assessment on the UK's regions and nations as well as UK growth and trade.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-20)

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Adrian Ramsay:To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, whether he has plans to meet with the Faroese Minister of Foreign Affairs, Industry and Trade to discuss cetacean hunts. \p Mr Douglas Alexander: The Government is strongly opposed to the hunting of whales and dolphins. The Secretary of State currently has no plans to meet with the Faroese Minster of Foreign Affairs, Industry and Trade. However, the Department for Business and Trade regularly engages the Faroese government on this important matter. Officials meet annually under the Joint Committee of the UK-Faroe Islands Free Trade Agreement, and UK officials highlight our strong opposition to the practice at every opportunity.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-20)

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Ian Roome:To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what steps his Department is taking to help reduce the number of corporate insolvencies. \p Gareth Thomas: The Government aims to boost all businesses, across key policy areas to build business capabilities, and a strong business environment. The Government works closely with the British Business Bank to enhance small business's access to finance through targeted interventions. Under the umbrella of the Export Academy, UK Export Finance and the newly announced Business Growth Service, businesses can access support, information, training, events, and expert support from business and International Trade advisors to overcome trading and export barriers.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-20)

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David Chadwick:To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, whether his Department has plans to review the UK's free trade agreements with (a) Australia and (b) New Zealand. \p Mr Douglas Alexander: The UK Government continually assesses the implementation of free trade agreements to maximise their benefit and to support economic growth. The Department is working to ensure the UK-Australia and UK-New Zealand Free Trade Agreements continue to work well for business.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-20)

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David Chadwick:To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, whether his Department has plans to make an assessment of the potential impact of the UK's free trade agreements with (a) Australia and (b) New Zealand on Welsh agriculture. \p Mr Douglas Alexander: The UK Government assessed the environmental impacts of the UK-Australia FTA and the UK-New Zealand FTA within the independently scrutinised impact assessments which were published in December 2021 and February 2022 respectively when the FTAs were signed. These covered both the economic and environmental impacts.

In addition, the independent Trade Agriculture Commission gave both the UK-Australia FTA and the UK-New Zealand FTA a clean bill of health, concluding both FTAs are consistent with the maintenance of UK statutory protections in relation to animal or plant life or health, animal welfare and environmental protection.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-20)

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Blake Stephenson:To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, pursuant to the Answer of 25 February 2025 to Question 31113 on Stellantis: Luton, what his Department's definition of appropriate support is. \p Sarah Jones: We are supporting affected workers at Stellantis’ Luton plant by making sure they are fully aware of the options available to them and have access to services they need to assist them in taking forward these options e.g. the Job Centre Plus Rapid Response Service.

We have been engaging with the company, trade unions, Luton council and across government throughout the process to ensure that a package of measures is being put in place to support all workers at Luton facing redundancy. This includes tools and services to find new employment.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-20)

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Clive Jones:To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, whether his Department plans to publish a Strategic Approach document for prospective US trade negotiations. \p Mr Douglas Alexander: As the Prime Minister said on 27 February, we’ve decided to work with the United States on a new economic deal with advanced technology at its core. We will set out more details as discussions evolve.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-20)

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Peter Prinsley:To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, how the Department plans to ensure online marketplaces have a duty to notify consumers who have been sold (a) unsafe and (b) illegal products. \p Justin Madders: UK product safety law is clear: all products must be safe. Despite this, unsafe products are too readily available to consumers online. The Government has introduced the Product Regulation and Metrology Bill to allow us to update our regulatory framework, including clarifying and modernising responsibilities of online marketplaces, building on best practice, to create an effective and proportionate framework.

Alongside this, the Office for Product Safety and Standards takes action to reduce risks from non-compliant products online, including risk-based intelligence-led test purchasing, enforcement of online marketplaces and others, consumer and business advice campaigns, and coordinated interventions at ports and borders.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-20)

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Andrew Rosindell:To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, whether the Product Regulation and Metrology Bill will regulate online marketplaces selling dangerous toys. \p Justin Madders: The Consumer Protection Act 1987 allows consumers harmed by defective products to make civil claims from the manufacturer for compensation. The Government is currently reviewing this legislation to ensure it remains up-to-date and fit for the future. Other legislation gives consumers the right to redress if they are misled by a trader’s actions; including the right to unwind contracts, claim discounts, and damages.

While the law is clear that toys must be safe before being placed on the market, the Product Regulation and Metrology Bill will enable regulations to be updated to better reflect modern online supply chains.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-20)

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Lauren Edwards:To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what proportion of British Business Bank funding is dedicated to supporting female entrepreneurs by sector. \p Gareth Thomas: The British Business Bank delivers most programmes via third parties, limiting data on gender and sectoral breakdowns, however it aims to increase gender data in 2025.

The Start Up Loans programme is an example of where gender data is held, and since 2012, it has delivered over 118,000 loans totalling more than £1.1 billion, with 40% going to female founders.

As a founding signatory of the Investing in Women Code, the Bank supports women entrepreneurs by improving access to the tools, resources and finance they need. The Bank also collects data on equity finance for female entrepreneurs and is committed to enhancing data collection of its own equity finance activities.

The Bank has also invested £50 million through existing programmes, supporting the Invest in Women Taskforce.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-20)

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Andrew Rosindell:To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what steps he is taking with his counterpart in Papua New Guinea to help tackle illegal logging. \p Catherine West: The UK Forest Governance, Markets and Climate phase 2 (FGMC2) programme aims to improve forest stewardship by supporting countries to improve their forest governance and how they make decisions about forest land use. This includes reducing the illegal and unsustainable use of forest resources. In Papua New Guinea (PNG), FGMC2 is partnering with the PNG Forest Authority to (i) develop a Forest Sector Economic Model, which will allow stakeholders to examine the impacts of land use decisions, including timber extraction, on forest land; (ii) build on earlier timber legality standards to expose PNG to the experience of other countries that have developed timber verification systems and are able to demonstrate the legality of their timber to international markets.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-20)

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Sarah Champion:To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of Peru's new law expanding the powers of the Peruvian Agency for International Cooperation on (a) civil society and (b) indigenous peoples in that country. \p Catherine West: We are aware that Peru's Congress has approved a reform expanding the powers of the Peruvian Agency for International Cooperation (APCI) and strengthening state oversight of non-governmental organisations.

Given our strong partnership with Peru, we have been monitoring developments closely. We are evaluating the impact of the new regulations, including the issues put forward by some civil society and indigenous people's groups. Alongside international partners, we have previously raised concerns about the potential risks of new controls for civic society and offered to share best practice in this important area.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-20)

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Laurence Turner:To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what recent discussions he has had with his counterpart in Colombia on the potential renewal of the UK-Colombia Bilateral Investment Treaty. \p Catherine West: The Government has not been formally approached by the Colombian government about proposals to amend the UK-Colombia Bilateral Investment Treaty (BIT). The Government regards the UK-Colombia BIT as playing an important role in the investment relationship between our two countries. The stock of total investment between the UK and Colombia was £6.8 billion in 2023. Following the UK-Colombia BIT's initial ten-year term, in accordance with the treaty's provisions, it shall remain in force indefinitely unless it is terminated by either Party.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-20)

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Wendy Morton:To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what recent progress his Department has made on increasing private finance through (a) British International Investment and (b) British Investment Partnerships to help meet the UK's international climate finance targets; and how private finance is being targeted towards (i) low-income countries and (ii) climate-vulnerable regions. \p Catherine West: In 2023, the British Investment Partnerships (BIP) portfolio invested £1.5 billion in developing countries which mobilised over £3.5 billion of private sector investment. Over 54 per cent of BIP programme spend was classified as International Climate Finance (ICF) and over 70 per cent of BIP programmes operate in least developed countries and lower-middle income countries.

Since 2022, BII has invested over $1 billion in climate finance and mobilised over $2 billion of private capital. Over 90 per cent of BII's portfolio is invested in Africa and South Asia, in some of the poorest and most climate vulnerable countries in the world.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-20)

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Calum Miller:To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what recent estimate he has made of when the proceeds from the sale of Chelsea Football Club will be disbursed to support victims of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. \p Stephen Doughty: This issue primarily involves responsibilities of Ministers in the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, HM Treasury and the Department for Culture, Media and Sport. The proceeds from the sale of Chelsea FC are frozen in a UK bank account. We are determined to see the proceeds reach humanitarian causes in Ukraine as soon as possible. It is a complex issue with Ministers receiving advice from a range of officials and lawyers. The UK is working with international partners, has engaged with Abramovich's team, and is exploring all options to ensure the proceeds reach vulnerable people in Ukraine who are most in need.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-20)

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Andrew Rosindell:To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether he has met his counterparts in Jamaica since taking office. \p Catherine West: The Foreign Secretary spoke to Jamaica's Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, Kamina Johnson Smith, on 2 August 2024. They discussed the importance of the UK-Jamaica bilateral relationship and climate issues including Hurricane Beryl. They later had a bilateral meeting in the margins of the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in Apia in October 2024. The Minister for Latin America and the Caribbean visited Jamaica 14-16 October 2024, with a focus on collaboration around growth, climate resilience and development. The Minister for Latin America and the Caribbean also met the Jamaican Minister of Industry, Investment and Commerce, Aubyn Hill, on 4 November 2024 to discuss opportunities for closer collaboration between the UK and Jamaica on trade and business.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-20)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-03-20 conversation_191

Andrew Rosindell:To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether he has met with the High Commissioner of Guyana since taking office. \p Catherine West: The Foreign Secretary hosted President Ali of Guyana and his delegation, which included Guyana's High Commissioner to the UK, Dr Rajendra Singh, for lunch at 1 Carlton Gardens on 27 September 2024. They discussed a number of issues: climate, biodiversity, the situation in Haiti and the Essequibo border controversy.
wrans/answers2025-03-20 conversation_192
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-20)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-03-20 conversation_192

Andrew Rosindell:To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether his Department is collaborating with international partners to support Guyana's territorial integrity. \p Catherine West: Our support for Guyana's territorial integrity is unwavering and we are clear that the border was settled in 1899 through international arbitration. The Foreign Secretary underlined our support for Guyana's territorial integrity in a call with President Ali in July 2024 and has reiterated this in subsequent engagements. The UK will continue to work with our international partners, including through the Commonwealth Ministerial Group on Guyana, to de-escalate tensions and ensure respect for Guyana's territorial integrity. We are pleased that the Leaders' Statement following the Commonwealth Heads of Government meeting 2024 underlined the Commonwealth's unswerving support for Guyana's territorial integrity.
wrans/answers2025-03-20 conversation_193
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-20)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-03-20 conversation_193

Andrew Rosindell:To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether his Department has made an assessment of the potential implications for its policies of Jamaica's legislative steps to remove His Majesty King Charles III as head of state. \p Catherine West: It is for all Realms to consider their own constitutional arrangements. We are confident in our relationship with our Jamaican partners, and we will respect any decisions they make. The UK also looks forward to continuing a modern partnership with all Commonwealth partners regardless of their status as a Realm or republic.
wrans/answers2025-03-20 conversation_194
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-20)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-03-20 conversation_194

Graham Leadbitter:To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, if he will make an assessment of the potential implications for his policies of the Occupied Territories Bill proceeding through the Irish Parliament; and whether he plans to bring forward similar legislation to ban trade with illegal settlements. \p Mr Hamish Falconer: The UK government considers Israeli settlements illegal under international law and goods produced in these settlements are not entitled to benefit from tariff and trade preferences under the UK's current trade agreements with the Palestinian Authority and Israel. We support accurate labelling of settlement goods, so as not to mislead the consumer. We routinely update our guidance to British businesses on the Overseas Business Risk website and do not encourage or offer support to economic and financial activity in the settlements.
wrans/answers2025-03-20 conversation_195
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-20)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-03-20 conversation_195

Ben Lake:To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether his Department has considered taking steps to help ensure that (a) Eritrean and (b) other non-Ethiopian federal forces honour the terms of the Ethiopia-Tigray Cessation of Hostilities Agreement, signed on 2 November 2022. \p Mr Hamish Falconer: The full implementation of the 'Agreement for Lasting Peace through a Permanent Cessation of Hostilities' in Pretoria in November 2022 is key to peace and stability in Northern Ethiopia. The UK continues to be at the forefront of diplomatic and development efforts to sustain the agreement and encourage political dialogue. We regularly engage the parties to the agreement and the African Union guarantors to reiterate the importance of full implementation. We most recently issued a statement to this effect on 13 March alongside the US, EU, and 22 other countries. Furthermore, we are supporting the African Union Monitoring Verification and Compliance Mechanism.
wrans/answers2025-03-20 conversation_196
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-20)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-03-20 conversation_196

Ben Lake:To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what diplomatic steps his Department is taking to prevent conflict in Tigray. \p Mr Hamish Falconer: The UK is working with partners to prevent a return to conflict and preserve stability in the region by supporting the implementation of the Cessation of Hostilities Agreement. In the context of a rise in tensions in Tigray, we are actively engaging all parties to encourage de-escalation and dialogue. On 13 March we issued a joint statement alongside the US, EU, and 22 other countries to this effect.
wrans/answers2025-03-20 conversation_197
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-20)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-03-20 conversation_197

James McMurdock:To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what recent assessment he has made of the potential implications for his policies of the political situation in Uganda. \p Mr Hamish Falconer: The UK works with the Government of Uganda on a range of shared interests including trade, development, and regional security. The Minister for Africa has spoken regularly to Ugandan Ministers, including on areas of cooperation and on issues related to human rights. The UK will continue to pursue shared interests with the Government of Uganda while maintaining diplomatic channels on a range of issues, including governance.
wrans/answers2025-03-20 conversation_198
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-20)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-03-20 conversation_198

Saqib Bhatti:To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, how much and what proportion of official development assistance to Afghanistan is being spent on programmes supporting Afghan women and girls. \p Mr Hamish Falconer: The UK is committed to prioritising gender equality and rights in Afghanistan. The needs and priorities of women and girls are at the core of the government's humanitarian response. In the Financial Year of 2023-24 (the most recent period for which we have verified data), we can confirm that of those reached by our £113.5 million aid budget to Afghanistan, at least 50% were women and girls, supporting at least 1.3 million Afghan women with humanitarian assistance. We have met this target since Financial Year 2021-22 and expect to continue to meet this target in 2024-25. Our aid is subject to strict monitoring and we have robust third-party monitoring for all our Official Development Assistance funded programmes.
wrans/answers2025-03-20 conversation_199
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-20)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-03-20 conversation_199

Damien Egan:To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what assessment his Department has made of the effectiveness of UK soft power in advancing Britain’s diplomatic interests. \p Mr Hamish Falconer: Soft power is crucial to our standing in the world: it fosters friendships, builds relationships, supports efforts to strengthen the rule of law internationally, and drives our own growth and prosperity. But we need to use it more effectively. This is why the Foreign Secretary and Culture Secretary have launched the UK Soft Power Council. The Council will help shape and drive a new Soft Power Strategy that will deliver on our foreign policy priorities, bring momentum to campaigns, and broaden the reach of the major soft power and foreign policy moments in the global calendar. Detailed metrics to measure the impact of soft power on UK priorities will be developed as part of the new UK Soft Power Strategy.
wrans/answers2025-03-20 conversation_200
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-20)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-03-20 conversation_200

Wendy Morton:To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, pursuant to the Answer of 10 February to Question 28082 on the British Council, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of any decision to reduce the number of British Council offices on his Department's objectives. \p Mr Hamish Falconer: The British Council is operationally independent from the UK Government. The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) works with the British Council to ensure strategic alignment between FCDO objectives and British Council activity. Decisions relating to its overseas network are operational matters for the British Council. In an increasingly digital age, the British Council's contribution and impact should be judged by its operational - rather than physical - presence and its results.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-20)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-03-20 conversation_201

Wendy Morton:To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether the Government’s Africa Strategy includes specific commitments to addressing food security and malnutrition in Nigeria. \p Mr Hamish Falconer: The Foreign Secretary launched a five-month consultation to inform the UK's new approach to the African continent during his visit to Nigeria and South Africa in November 2024. This follows the manifesto commitment to develop a fundamentally transformed partnership that engages with African countries as equals, promotes our economic growth ambitions and supports migration priorities. While consultations are ongoing, a broad range of policy options are being considered.
wrans/answers2025-03-20 conversation_202
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-20)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-03-20 conversation_202

Andrew Rosindell:To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether his Department is taking steps with regional partners to help prevent illegal gold mining operations in (a) Honduras and (b) Guatemala. \p Catherine West: The UK recognises the importance of combatting illicit and uncontrolled gold mining to prevent the negative impact it has on biodiversity and people, including in both Honduras and Guatemala. We regularly raise this issue with host governments in the region, working in conjunction with other international partners to help mitigate the impact of illegal gold mining.
wrans/answers2025-03-20 conversation_203
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-20)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-03-20 conversation_203

Noah Law:To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what consideration he has given to allow British International Investment to borrow from the financial markets to support the expansion of its international development goals. \p Catherine West: In the first two years of British International Investment's (BII) current strategy (2022-2023), BII has invested approximately $3 billion into developing economies and mobilised an additional $2 billion in private capital on top of this. BII is evolving its approach to mobilising private capital, including through its new Mobilisation Facility announced by the Prime Minister at UNGA. As part of preparations for BII's next strategy, we will consider options to enable BII to continue mobilising private capital at scale.
wrans/answers2025-03-20 conversation_204
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-20)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-03-20 conversation_204

Sarah Champion:To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether he has had recent discussions with the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs on the potential merits of continuing funding for the Blue Belt international marine conservation programme beyond 2025. \p Stephen Doughty: UK Government Ministers meet regularly through the Overseas Territories Ministerial Group to discuss key priorities, the last was held on 5 March. Territory Governments, Ministers from the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office and the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs discussed Overseas Territories environmental priorities during the annual Joint Ministerial Council (November 2024) where a commitment to the continuation of the Blue Belt Programme was provided in the Joint Communique. The UK Government remains committed to supporting the Blue Belt Programme, which underpins global ocean protection ambition. Future funding for the Programme remains subject to ongoing spending review considerations.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-20)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-03-20 conversation_205

Andrew Rosindell:To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what representations he has made to the Commonwealth Secretariat on the promotion of (a) open learning and (b) distance education through the Commonwealth of Learning. \p Stephen Doughty: The UK supports the role of the Commonwealth in promoting open learning and distance education through the Commonwealth of Learning. The Commonwealth of Learning promotes greater access to quality education and training and allows Commonwealth citizens to benefit from improved livelihoods, greater gender equity and overall economic, social, and cultural development leading to sustainable development. The UK continues to support and encourage collaboration across the Commonwealth and it's institutions to ensure this important work can continue.