theodi/ndl-core-corpus huggingface dataset:
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Ben Obese-Jecty:To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to the Answer of 9 June 2025 to Question 55429 on Offenders: Foreign Nationals, which country each of the foreign national offenders removed from the country between 5 July 2024 and 18 May 2025 went to. \p Dame Angela Eagle: The Home Office publishes data on foreign national offender (FNO) returns in the ‘Immigration System Statistics Quarterly Release’. Quarterly data on returns of FNOs by destination are published in table Ret_D04 of the ‘Returns detailed tables’. Information on the data and how to use the dataset can be found in the ‘Notes’ page of the workbook. The latest data goes to end of March 2025. Data up to end June 2025 will be released on 21st August 2025.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-18)

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Esther McVey:To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many crimes have been committed by immigrants who arrived in the UK illegally in Cheshire in each of the last five years. \p Dame Angela Eagle: This Government pledged to deliver the highest rate of removals since 2018 and this target has been surpassed, with a surge in returns activity since the election leading to almost 30,000 people with no right to be in the UK being removed before the end of May.

Of the total returns since 5 July 2024, 4,436 were of foreign national offenders (FNOs). This is an increase of 14% compared to the 3,879 FNO returns in the same period 12 months prior.

The specific information requested is not currently available from published statistics, but work is currently underway to publish more detailed information on FNOs subject to deportation. Further information on this work can be found at: Statistics on foreign national offenders and the immigration system - GOV.UK
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-18)

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Esther McVey:To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, whether there are circumstances in which biometric data is not collected from immigrants arriving in the UK illegally. \p Dame Angela Eagle: The Home Office requires the collection of biometric data (facial images and fingerprints) from all individuals who enter the UK unlawfully. We use them to confirm a person’s identity and to assess whether the person poses a threat to public safety. Biometric enrolment is primarily carried out by immigration and Border Force officers, but police officers may also capture biometrics of people they suspect to be unlawfully in the UK, in support of immigration control, including during enforcement operations or criminal investigations.

There are very limited exceptions where biometric data may not be collected at the time of encounter. for example cases where the individual is a child under five.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-18)

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Esther McVey:To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many illegal immigrants have committed a crime in each of the last three years; and how many have been denied protected status after committing a crime. \p Dame Angela Eagle: Work is currently underway to publish more detailed information on foreign national offenders (FNOs) subject to deportation. Further information on this work can be found at: Statistics on foreign national offenders and the immigration system - GOV.UK.

Of the total returns since 5 July 2024, 4,436 were of FNOs. This is an increase of 14% compared to the 3,879 FNO returns in the same period 12 months prior (FNO returns include both enforced and voluntary returns).
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-18)

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Edward Morello:To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what assessment she has made of the level of risk of violence faced by children in West Dorset constituency. \p Jess Phillips: The Government is determined to reduce violent crime in every area of the county including in West Dorset, and will continue to take action towards that goal through its Safer Streets Mission, and in particular its objective to halve crime over the coming decade.
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Rupert Lowe:To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, whether her Department is taking steps to inform (a) law enforcement, (b) border agencies and (c) local authorities of name changes made by people with insecure immigration status. \p Dame Angela Eagle: I refer the Hon Member to the answer I gave him to Question 58407.
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Esther McVey:To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what accommodation housing illegal immigrants in Cheshire has received additional security measures; and for what reason. \p Dame Angela Eagle: The Home Office does not comment on the specific locations or operational details of individual accommodation sites, including decisions on any security measures in place, but in all such decisions, the safety and security of local communities, staff, and those residing in accommodation are of paramount importance.
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Sir John Hayes:To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, if she will make it her policy that the people manning the engines of asylum boats are refused asylum. \p Dame Angela Eagle: Under existing legislation, an individual convicted of a particularly serious crime, resulting in a custodial sentence of 12 months or more, and who is considered a danger to the UK, will be denied asylum and will be considered for removal from the UK.

With the passage of the Nationality and Borders Act 2022, the maximum sentence for facilitating a breach of immigration law, or “facilitation”, was raised to life in prison. Small boats pilots fall into this category of offender so aggravated cases, where there is an elevated level of harm and / or culpability identified, will likely receive a sentence in excess of 12 months. In cases where there is insufficient evidence to secure a facilitation charge, it is highly likely that a prosecution for illegal arrival will be sought. Similarly, in higher-end cases, the sentence for this will also likely be over 12 months on conviction.
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David Simmonds:To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, with reference to the Spending Review 2025, published on 11 June 2025, whether she has had recent discussions with the Home Secretary on the closure of all asylum hotels in this Parliament. \p Dame Angela Eagle: The Home Office continues to work with a range of stakeholders and consider a range of options to fulfil its legal obligations and deliver its commitment to reduce the overall cost of asylum accommodation, and to end the use of hotels by the end of Parliament.

Current accommodation funding arrangements are published on GOV.UK: Asylum Dispersal Grant: funding instruction Asylum Dispersal Grant: funding instruction - GOV.UK
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David Simmonds:To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, with reference to the Spending Review 2025, published on 11 June 2025, whether her Department has made an assessment of the potential impact of closing all asylum hotels in this Parliament on local authorities. \p Dame Angela Eagle: The Home Office continues to work with a range of stakeholders and consider a range of options to fulfil its legal obligations and deliver its commitment to reduce the overall cost of asylum accommodation, and to end the use of hotels by the end of Parliament.

Current accommodation funding arrangements are published on GOV.UK: Asylum Dispersal Grant: funding instruction Asylum Dispersal Grant: funding instruction - GOV.UK
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Gavin Robinson:To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, if she will list by (a) age, (b) gender and (c) country the number of asylum claims granted protection to (i) asylum seekers who crossed the English Channel by sea and (ii) all asylum seekers in each of the last five years. \p Dame Angela Eagle: The Home Office publishes data on asylum, including by nationality, age and sex, in the ‘Immigration System Statistics Quarterly Release’. Data on initial decisions of asylum claims, by the date of the decision, is published in table Asy_D02 of the ‘Asylum claims and initial decisions detailed datasets’. Data on initial decisions of asylum claims from small boat arrivals, by the date of arrival, is published in table Irr_D03 of the ‘Irregular migration to the UK detailed tables’ and by the date of decision in asylum summary tables Asy_02c and Asy_02d.

Information on how to use the datasets can be found in the ‘Notes’ page of the workbooks. The latest data relates to the year ending March 2025.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-18)

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Gavin Robinson:To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many asylum seekers processed had an application for asylum granted in another country in each of the last five years. \p Dame Angela Eagle: The information requested is not currently available from published statistics, and the relevant data could only be collated and verified for the purpose of answering this question at disproportionate cost.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-18)

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Gavin Robinson:To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many asylum seekers subsequently submitted an application for family reunion by (a) age, (b) gender and (c) country of origin in each of the last five years; and how many family members were included in each application. \p Dame Angela Eagle: The Home Office publishes statistics relating to family visas in the Immigration system statistics publication. Data on family visas can be found in the Entry clearance visa data tables. Table Vis_D01 relates to applications of entry clearance visas granted for family reasons, by nationality. Data on family reunion grants by age and sex can be found in the family reunion detailed dataset.

The Home Office does not publish statistics regarding sponsorship detail.
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Gavin Robinson:To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what assessment she has made of the merits of the further submissions criteria in the asylum system. \p Dame Angela Eagle: All Further submissions must be considered in line with the UK’s obligations to assess whether the additional evidence means that an individual requires protection.

We aim to deal with further submission claims quickly so that there is no incentive to lodge spurious claims to frustrate removal.
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Phil Brickell:To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what staff attrition rate was in the National Crime Agency's International Corruption Unit in each of the the past three years. \p Dan Jarvis: Due to operational implications the NCA do not disclose the number of staff working in the ICU.
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Lee Anderson:To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, which areas in the UK are most prevalent for money laundering activity (a) Turkish barbers and (b) other organisations. \p Dan Jarvis: Regional Organised Crime Units and police forces across England and Wales have identified cash intensive business such as barbershops being exploited by criminals seeking to launder money. In March, the National Economic Crime Centre coordinated a three-week crackdown against barbershops and other cash intensive business involving 19 different police forces and Regional Organised Crime Units, as well as national agencies including HMRC, Trading Standards and Home Office Immigration Enforcement. In total, 380 premises were visited across the three-week operation, with officers securing freezing orders over bank accounts totalling more than £1m, executing 84 warrants and arrested 35 individuals. Officers also seized more than £40,000 in cash, 200,000 cigarettes, 7,000 packs of tobacco, over 8,000 illegal vapes and two vehicles.

This is the first phase of targeted action against criminals and organised crime groups who use high-street businesses to launder criminal funds, and the NECC is committed to continue working with Policing and partners across the UK to reduce this threat.
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Andrew Rosindell:To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what steps her Department is taking to help protect Hong Kong democracy activists in the UK who have bounties placed on them by the Hong Kong government. \p Dan Jarvis: While it is our long-standing policy not to provide detailed information on security matters, where we identify individuals at heightened risk, we are front footed in deploying protective security measures as appropriate.

The Government has developed new guidance which can be found on GOV.UK providing those who believe themselves to be at-risk of transnational repression with practical advice for their safety both physically and online.
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Leigh Ingham:To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what recent discussions she has had with relevant stakeholders on tackling online misogynistic radicalisation. \p Jess Phillips: Tackling misogyny, both online and offline, is central to our mission to halve violence against women and girls (VAWG) in a decade and we will address the drivers and root causes of VAWG as part of our upcoming cross-Government Strategy, due to be published this year. I have regularly engaged with VAWG stakeholders to help inform this work and held a roundtable on technological harms.
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Andrew Rosindell:To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what plans her Department has to review the current proscription of Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) under the Terrorism Act 2000; and what criteria will be used to determine whether (a) HTS and (b) HTS's affiliates continue to pose a threat to national security. \p Dan Jarvis: As a matter of long-standing policy, the Government does not comment on proscription matters in respect of individual organisations.
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Rupert Lowe:To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, whether her Department has had discussions with counter-terrorism police on the potential impact of full-face coverings in public settings on national security. \p Dan Jarvis: The Home Office has regular and routine discussions with counter-terrorism policing on a wide range of national security issues.

The Crime and Policing Bill contains a new criminal offence of wearing, or otherwise using, an item that conceals identity in an area designated by police due to the risk of criminal activity taking place at protests. This will enable the police to put a stop to individuals hiding behind masks to avoid conviction for criminal activity at protests.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-18)

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Jim Shannon:To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what steps she is taking to raise awareness of online scams. \p Dan Jarvis: The national Stop! Think Fraud campaign helps the public recognise fraud and scams, including common scams people may see online, and the steps they can take to protect themselves, their family and friends.

The website can be accessed at Stop! Think Fraud - How to stay safe from scams and is regularly updated. We are also working with tech companies to promote the messaging of the Stop! Think Fraud campaign on their platforms, as a commitment under the Online Fraud Charter.

Improving public awareness and victim support will be one of the seven key areas in the next Fraud Strategy.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-18)

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Dan Norris:To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, whether she plans to review the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986 to accelerate the transition to animal-free (a) research and (b) testing methodology. \p Dan Jarvis: This Government will soon publish a strategy to support the development, validation and uptake of alternative methods. It will set out how we can build on our support by creating a research and innovation system that replaces animal testing with alternative methods wherever possible.

The Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act (ASPA) does not allow testing on animals where there is a validated non-animal alternative that would achieve the scientific outcomes sought. Section 20B of the ASPA already requires the development and validation of alternative strategies.

The Government already invests £10m annually in the National Centre for the Replacement, Refinement and Reduction of Animals in Research (NC3Rs) to accelerate the development and adoption of 3Rs approaches.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-18)

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Dan Norris:To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many project licences for animal testing have been approved in the last five years; and what proportion of those included conditions requiring the use of New Approach Methodologies where available. \p Dan Jarvis: The Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986 does not allow testing on animals where there is a validated non-animal alternative available that would achieve the scientific outcomes sought.

The number of project licences granted are published in the Regulator’s Annual Report, which is available here: https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/animals-in-science-regulation-unit-annual-reports. The numbers for 2020 to 2023 are below. The Annual Report for 2024 will be published later this year.

Year

Number of project licences granted

2020

478

2021

497

2022

490

2023

460
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Esther McVey:To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, whether his Department has updated guidance on the use of single-sex facilities in response to the Supreme Court judgement in the case of For Women Scotland v The Scottish Ministers of 16 April 2025. \p Michael Shanks: We will review and update policy wherever necessary to ensure it complies with the latest legal requirements. We aim to ensure appropriate facilities are available for all staff.
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Abtisam Mohamed:To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, whether his Department plans to make an assessment of the potential impact of enabling community energy schemes to sell energy to local households and businesses on the transition to Net Zero. \p Michael Shanks: The Department is considering a range of reforms to unlock renewable investment and pass through the benefits of cheaper renewables to consumers. This includes potential changes to support local and community energy.

All policies within my department and Government undergo appropriate analytical appraisals, which includes an assessment of the impacts on Net Zero.

The Secretary of State previously commissioned Ofgem to explore policy and regulatory barriers to local supply, including route to market challenges.

The Department continues to work with Ofgem and key stakeholders to enhance our community energy offer. We will set out further detail in due course.
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Sir Oliver Dowden:To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what steps his Department is taking to help ensure that wood from primary forests will not be used for the generation of energy. \p Michael Shanks: We have strengthened the sustainability criteria for large-scale biomass generation from the previous government to ensure wood from primary forest is not used for energy generation. Under new arrangements as part of the Low Carbon Dispatchable Contract for Difference this includes increasing the proportion of woody biomass that must come from sustainable sources from 70% to 100% and clarifying explicitly that no subsidy will be paid for electricity generated from material sourced from primary forest and old growth areas. We are also working with Ofgem and the Low Carbon Contracts Company to ensure there is robust appropriate assurance and enforcement activity to support this.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-18)

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Sir Oliver Dowden:To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what recent discussions his Department has had with Ofgem on Drax. \p Michael Shanks: Details of Ministers' and Permanent Secretaries' meetings with external individuals and organisations are published quarterly in arrears on GOV.UK.
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Sir Oliver Dowden:To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what recent discussion his Department has had with Ofgem on companies receiving subsidies for unsuitable biomass. \p Michael Shanks: Details of Ministers' and Permanent Secretaries' meetings with external individuals and organisations are published quarterly in arrears on GOV.UK.
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Richard Burgon:To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what discussions he has had with his Israeli counterparts on the application of the global humanitarian principles of (a) humanity, (b) impartiality, (c) independence and (d) neutrality in relation to Israel's policies in Gaza. \p Mr Hamish Falconer: On 19 May, the UK signed a joint donor statement with 26 other humanitarian donors, which directly called on Israel to allow a full resumption of aid into Gaza and enable the UN and humanitarian organisations to work independently and impartially to save lives, reduce suffering and maintain dignity. This statement referenced humanitarian principles, underscoring that humanitarian principles matter for every conflict around the world and should be applied consistently in every warzone. Further, our statement to the UN Security Council on 13 May was clear that the UK will not support any aid mechanism that prioritises political or military objectives or puts civilians at risk. The UK government has repeatedly called on the Government of Israel to abide by its obligations under International Humanitarian Law to ensure full, rapid, safe and unhindered provision of humanitarian assistance to the population in Gaza. The Foreign Secretary has reiterated this in his recent calls with Israeli Foreign Minister Sa'ar.
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Martin Wrigley:To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what recent discussions he has had with the his US counterpart on UK citizens with a green card data. \p Stephen Doughty: The Foreign Secretary has not had any recent discussions with Secretary of State Marco Rubio about green card data, or UK citizens with green cards.
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Wendy Morton:To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, pursuant to the Answer of 9 April 2025 to Question 41835 on Africa: Development Aid, if he will set out bilateral country ODA budgets following the Spending Review. \p Stephen Doughty: We will publish the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office's final 2025/26 Official Development Assistance (ODA) programme allocations in the Annual Report & Accounts in July.
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Adam Thompson:To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, which water, sanitation and hygiene programmes his Department plans to continue funding through the Official Development Assistance budget in the next five years. \p Stephen Doughty: Water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) remain a key part of the UK's focus on global health; our work on tackling climate change; and our humanitarian action. The latest consolidated Statistics on International Development report shows UK bilateral Official Development Assistance (ODA) spend on WASH totalled £37 million in 2023.

The transition to spending 0.3 per cent of Gross National Income on ODA by 2027 demands significant shifts in the scale and shape of our ODA spending over the next five years. ODA allocations for 2026/27 to 2028/29 will be finalised in an internal resource allocation round following the recent Spending Review. In the meantime, our existing WASH sector programmes will continue.
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Jim Shannon:To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what assessment he has made of the effectiveness of foreign aid since 4 July 2024. \p Stephen Doughty: The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) is committed to delivering effective programming. As we reorient our Official Development Assistance (ODA) budget following the decision to shift to 0.3 per cent of Gross National Income, we will have an even greater focus on delivering impact - ensuring every pound delivers for the UK taxpayer and the people we support.

Effectiveness and value for money are assessed on an ongoing basis as part of embedded processes, and we continue to improve the effectiveness of all UK aid. The FCDO's Programme Operating Framework maximises the impact of aid through consideration of various factors including effectiveness, while programmes undergo an annual review of effectiveness using a results framework. To assess value for money and inform decision-making throughout the programme lifecycle, we use a mix of quantitative data and qualitative information.

These are published to the Development Tracker website, as part of our ODA transparency commitments, which further supports aid effectiveness by providing information to inform other donors' spending decisions. Monitoring and evaluation play an important role in understanding the outcomes and impact of our work and we publish a range of outcomes statistics on GOV.UK.
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Liz Jarvis:To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether he has produced an impact assessment on the potential impact of reductions in UK Official Development Assistance spending on international programmes that support women and girls. \p Stephen Doughty: The UK remains committed to empowering women and girls around the world through our international work. We recognise that supporting women and girls is essential for development and we will continue to do so by using our voice to be a champion for women and girls across the world; working with women's organisations, particularly local organisations; and mainstreaming gender equality to put women and girls at the heart of everything we do.

The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) is focused on ensuring that every pound is spent in the most impactful way. Detailed decisions on how the Official Development Assistance (ODA) budget will be used are being worked through as part of the ongoing Spending Review and resource allocation processes. Equality Impact Assessments - which consider impacts on women and girls - are an essential part of how we make decisions on ODA allocations. We intend to publish final 2025/26 ODA programme allocations in the FCDO Annual Report and Accounts this summer.
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David Smith:To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what steps he is taking to support British students in the United States. \p Stephen Doughty: US Visa policy and immigration issues are a matter for US authorities. We are seeking clarity from US officials, tracking announcements, and keeping our Travel Advice under constant review, to give students that currently study or want to study in the US clarity and confidence. We stand ready to provide consular support to British nationals abroad 24/7.
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Ian Roome:To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether his Department plans to continue funding Voluntary Service Overseas. \p Stephen Doughty: Detailed decisions on how the Official Development Assistance (ODA) budget will be used are being worked through as part of the ongoing Spending Review and resource allocation processes, based on various factors including impact assessments. We are working out how our partnership with Voluntary Service Overseas (VSO) should evolve in line with our new approach to civil society funding which will support the sustainability of international organisations and their partners in developing countries, enabling them to become more self-sustaining and resilient in the future. We will take a rigorous approach to ensure all ODA delivers value for money. We will publish 2025/26 ODA programme allocations in the Annual Report & Accounts this summer.
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Sarah Olney:To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether he has made an assessment of the potential impact of reductions to the Official Development Aid on (a) the VSO and (b) other British companies with a significant presence in the UK. \p Stephen Doughty: Decisions on how the Official Development Assistance (ODA) budget will be used are being worked through as part of the ongoing allocations process following the Spending Review. This will be based on various factors, including impact assessments.

We are working out how our partnership with Voluntary Service Overseas should evolve in line with our new approach to civil society funding which will support the sustainability of international organisations and their partners in developing countries, enabling them to become more self-sustaining and resilient in the future.

The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) have been monitoring the impact of budget reductions on all our suppliers. We will continue to monitor the impact as spending decisions are made. Staff across the FCDO have been given guidance on the importance of engaging with our suppliers to manage the pivot in ODA programming responsibly if scaling down or exiting programmes.
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Adrian Ramsay:To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what the UK’s priorities are for this year’s meeting of the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources. \p Stephen Doughty: The UK will reinforce our strong commitment to the Convention for the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources (CCAMLR) as an important constituent of the Antarctic Treaty System; uphold the key objective of CCAMLR to conserve Antarctic marine living resources; and protect UK sovereign interests in the South Atlantic and Antarctica. The UK will also continue its efforts to progress discussions on enhancing conservation in the Southern Ocean, including progressing discussions on establishing a representative network of Marine Protected Areas. The UK is also working to progress the development of a krill risk assessment framework for the management of the krill fishery around the Antarctic Peninsula.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-18)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-06-18 conversation_263

Andrew Rosindell:To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, pursuant to the Answer of 19 May 2025 to Question 50828 on Saint Helena: Politics and Government, how many constitutions of the Overseas Territories other than Saint Helena contain a provision that gives their governor special responsibility for finance; and for what reason a provision giving the governor of St Helena special responsibility for finance has been retained in its constitution. \p Stephen Doughty: The special responsibilities of Governors varies between each Overseas Territory constitution, including, where relevant, in relation to finance-related responsibilities. Some constitutions, particularly on islands with small populations, confer powers on Governors in respect of finance, including in St Helena.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-18)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-06-18 conversation_264

Adrian Ramsay:To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what assessment he has made of the potential merits of securing new Marine Protected Areas around Antarctica. \p Stephen Doughty: The UK remains committed to establishing a representative network of Marine Protected Areas (MPA) around Antarctica. The UK-led proposal for the South Orkney Islands Southern Shelf MPA was agreed in 2009. The UK also strongly supported the designation of the Ross Sea Region MPA agreed in 2016. The UK is co-proponent to MPA proposals for the Weddell Sea and East Antarctica and is engaging in negotiations on balancing fishing activity and marine protection around the Antarctic Peninsula. Climate change presents a real and immediate threat to Antarctic marine life and the UK will continue to advocate for the importance of ensuring there is robust protection in place to enhance ecosystem resilience.

The UK has been a vocal advocate for conservation and marine protected areas (MPAs) in the Southern Ocean since the inception of the Commission for Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources inception in 1982. As a world-leading Antarctic science nation producing impactful science through institutions such as the British Antarctic Survey the UK is active in calling for additional marine protection in the Southern Ocean.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-18)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-06-18 conversation_265

John Glen:To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what steps his Department is taking to support the protection of religious freedom for Christian communities in Nepal, in the context of (a) recent political movements advocating for the restoration of a Hindu kingdom and (b) trends in the number of attacks on Christians. \p Catherine West: The UK condemns all forms of discrimination based on religion or belief, recognising that freedom of religion is a cornerstone of human rights and democratic societies. Our Embassy in Kathmandu engages a range of different faith leaders and civil society on human rights. Through this and other engagement, the UK will continue to signal respect for religious diversity and support for everyone's right to freely practise their faith, traditions, and beliefs without fear or prejudice.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-18)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-06-18 conversation_266

Sir Iain Duncan Smith:To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether his Department is taking steps to restrict access to (a) international banking, (b) insurance and (c) other sources of financial support by the military regime in Myanmar. \p Catherine West: The UK is considering a range of further measures to hold the military regime in Myanmar to account. It would not be appropriate to speculate about future sanctions as to do so could reduce their impact. It is vital that any sanctions imposed have the desired effect of constraining the regime's access to finance, arms and equipment. The UK remains committed to targeted sanctions, which directly impact the military without harming the wider population.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-18)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-06-18 conversation_267

Sir Iain Duncan Smith:To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what steps he is taking to implement targeted sanctions on Chinese and Russian companies supplying (a) drones, (b) military hardware, (c) surveillance tools and (d) aviation fuel to the Myanmar government. \p Catherine West: The UK has sanctioned a number of targets responsible for supplying arms to the military regime since the coup in 2021. In 2022, the UK sanctioned two Russian companies involved in the supply and upkeep of aircraft for the Myanmar Armed Forces. In October 2024, the UK issued its 19th round of sanctions, targeting companies involved in the procurement of aviation fuel and equipment to the Myanmar Armed Forces. The UK has now imposed sanctions on 10 individuals and entities in connection with the import of aviation fuel.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-18)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-06-18 conversation_268

Sir Iain Duncan Smith:To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what information his Department holds on the extent of (a) financial and (b) military assistance provided to the military regime in Myanmar by (i) China and (ii) Russia; and what steps is he taking to help counter this influence. \p Catherine West: The UK is clear that countries should not sell arms or provide financial assistance to the Myanmar military regime as this will only lead to greater instability and violence. UK sanctions include a comprehensive arms embargo on Myanmar. We note that in resolution 2669 (2022) UN Security Council members, including China and Russia, expressed deep concern at all forms of violence across Myanmar and attacks against civilians and civilian infrastructure. Despite this, we are aware of reports of ongoing support to the military regime. The UK has been clear with partners, in public and in private, that it is unacceptable to sell arms to the Myanmar military.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-18)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-06-18 conversation_269

Wendy Morton:To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, with reference to the Spending Review 2025, published on 11 June 2025, what funding will be provided for the Global Fund for AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria in this spending review period. \p Stephen Doughty: The UK has long been a strong supporter of The Global Fund to Fight Aids, Tuberculosis and Malaria. We have committed £1 billion to the current grant cycle covering 2023-2025. The Spending Review does not finalise detailed Official Development Assistance spending plans at the level of individual countries, institutions, or programmes. Ministers are now considering decisions over the coming months to take effect from April 2026.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-18)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-06-18 conversation_270

Priti Patel:To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what (a) discussions and (b) correspondence he has had with his counterpart in the Maldives on the future sovereignty of the British Indian Ocean Territory. \p Stephen Doughty: The issue of British Indian Ocean Territory sovereignty featured in the Foreign Secretary's meeting with the Maldives Foreign Minister at the Commonwealth Heads of Government meeting on 25 October 2024 and in the Minister for the Indo-Pacific meeting with the Maldives Foreign Minister on 14 October 2024. Our High Commissioner in Male also briefed the Maldivian Ministry of Foreign Affairs on the Treaty when it was signed on 22 May 2025.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-18)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-06-18 conversation_271

Priti Patel:To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether he has made an assessment of the potential risk of claims from third countries in relation to the sovereignty of the British Indian Ocean Territory. \p Stephen Doughty: Mauritius's legal claim of sovereignty over the Chagos Archipelago is supported by a number of international institutions, including the UN General Assembly. If a long-term deal was not reached between the UK and Mauritius, it is highly likely that further wide-ranging litigation would be brought quickly by Mauritius against the UK.
wrans/answers2025-06-18 conversation_272
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-18)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-06-18 conversation_272

Ben Obese-Jecty:To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, pursuant to the Answer of 9 June 2025 to Answer 55083 on British Indian Ocean Territory: Sovereignty, how much of the cost will come from the budget of (a) his Department and (b) the Ministry of Defence. \p Stephen Doughty: I refer the Hon Member to the answer given to his previous question 56674.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-18)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-06-18 conversation_273

Sir John Hayes:To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, when his Department first discussed the matter of Mauritius exercising full sovereignty over the Chagos Islands with (a) his international counterparts and (b) the Government of Mauritius. \p Stephen Doughty: As the then Foreign Secretary's statement of 3 November 2022 describes, negotiations between the UK Government and the Government of the Republic of Mauritius on the exercise of sovereignty over the Chagos Archipelago were started by the previous Conservative government in November 2022. It was the Conservative government which made the key concession of offering to give up sovereignty, from which there was no coming back. Please see the written statement published on Thursday 3 November 2022: [https://hansard.parliament.uk/commons/2022-11-03/debates/22110340000007/ChagosArchipelago]
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-18)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-06-18 conversation_274

James Naish:To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what discussions he has had with the Secretary of State for the Home Department on guaranteeing the long-term continuation of the British National (Overseas) visa scheme for eligible individuals from Hong Kong. \p Catherine West: As the Foreign Secretary said in the latest 6-monthly Report, this Government remains steadfast in our commitment to the British National (Overseas) visa route. The UK provides a welcoming home to Hong Kongers today and it will continue to do so for Hong Kongers tomorrow.

Further details of all measures announced in the Immigration White Paper will be set out in the normal way in due course, and where necessary, will be subject to consultation. As with all matters, the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office is in close communication with the Home Office on how best to deliver the Government's objectives.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-18)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-06-18 conversation_275

Martin Rhodes:To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what steps his Department is taking to ensure that the specific needs of older people are met through the UK’s humanitarian responses. \p Stephen Doughty: Ensuring the inclusion and active participation of marginalised people, and the organisations which represent them, is a core component of the UK's approach to humanitarian and development policy and programming, and we continue to champion inclusion of marginalised people in conflict and crisis settings. This includes people who may face challenges due to their age, gender, disability or other protected characteristics.

The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office 'Humanitarian Response Funding Guidelines for NGOs' set out specific requirements to ensure needs of affected populations are met, including older people. We have also attached robust indicators to our UN core funding on Sex, Age and Disability (SAD) data disaggregation to inform an inclusive approach.