theodi/ndl-core-corpus huggingface dataset:
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Victoria Collins:To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what steps she plans to take with probate services to find a solution for cases where there is a chain of representation but the name of the applicant will not match that on the Grant of Probate. \p Sarah Sackman: A chain of representation arises where all the executors of an estate have died before completing the administration of that estate. Under section 7(1) of the Administration of Estates Act 1925 the executor for deceased’s executor becomes the executor for the original incomplete estate as well as the estate they were appointed as executor.

The chain of representation is broken if an executor in the chain has died intestate. In those circumstances a grant of administration de bonis non must be obtained to administer the estate.

HM Courts and Tribunal Service’s probate service will always provide assistance and support in all cases where the chain of representation applies, and where the name of an applicant does not match that on a Grant of Probate.
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Kate Osborne:To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, if she will take steps to identify all people impacted by the collapse of McClure solicitors. \p Sarah Sackman: The legal profession in England and Wales operates independently of government. The responsibility for regulating the sector sits with the approved regulators, overseen by the Legal Services Board. It would therefore not be appropriate for the Ministry of Justice to hold or seek to hold the information on people impacted by the collapse of McClure solicitors.

Given the seriousness of the issue raised, my officials have spoken to the Solicitors Regulation Authority, who has confirmed that it is carrying out an investigation into the former partners of WW& J McClure. There are several routes in place to ensure consumers have access to support in the event of the collapse of their solicitor’s law firm.

The Legal Ombudsman deals with service complaints against regulated legal services providers – including those who are no longer operational. Their website provides information with regards to the different routes available for consumers depending on their personal circumstances: Complaining about closed service providers | Legal Ombudsman.
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Dr Allison Gardner:To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what steps her Department is taking to improve support for people being released from prison. \p Sir Nicholas Dakin: We are committed to ensuring pre-release plans are created for those leaving custody, to ensure their needs are identified early and individual robust plans are in place to address these.

We are working closely with the Ministry for Housing, Communities and Local Government and other Departments on the development of a new cross-government strategy to put us back on track to ending homelessness, as well as delivering our temporary accommodation service (CAS3), so all offenders leaving prison at risk of homelessness who are supervised by probation are offered up to 12 weeks of accommodation to provide a stable base on release.

We are also working with prisons to improve offenders’ access to purposeful activity, including learning, to improve prisoners’ reading, numeracy and vocational training so that more prisoners are prepared for work on release. In addition, we have launched regional Employment Councils, which for the first time will bring businesses together with probation and the Department of Work and Pensions to support offenders in the community.

To support prison leavers with a drug or alcohol need, over 50 Health and Justice Partnership Coordinators nationwide are improving links between prison, probation and treatment providers, and we have secure laptops to enable prisoners to meet with community treatment providers virtually, prior to release.
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Sir John Hayes:To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, how many and what proportion of people convicted for shoplifting offences reoffended within (a) 12 months and (b) two years in each of the last five years. \p Sir Nicholas Dakin: The proven reoffending rate for the adult cohort convicted of shoplifting offences between 2017/18 and 2021/22 (the latest year for which reoffending data is available) can be found in the table below, along with the number of offenders and reoffenders included in this cohort. The proven reoffending rate is calculated using a 12-month follow up period.

Table 1: Rate of reoffending for adults convicted of shoplifting offences in England and Wales in 12-month follow up period, across the past five years

Apr 17 – Mar 18

Apr 18 - Mar 19

Apr 19 -Mar 20

Apr 20 -Mar 21

Apr 21 - Mar 22

Proportion of offenders who reoffend (%)

59.0

58.2

54.8

54.0

60.3

Number of offenders in cohort

41,222

35,159

28,790

16,036

15,358

Number of reoffenders

24,305

20,463

15,774

8,661

9,265

The proven reoffending methodology is complex and based on a one-year reoffending rate. Providing this information for a new 2-year reoffending measure would be of disproportionate cost.
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Joe Morris:To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what steps her Department plans to take through the Victims, Courts and Public Protection Bill to support victims of domestic abuse. \p Alex Davies-Jones: This Government was elected with a landmark mission to halve violence against women and girls (VAWG) in the next decade. We will use every tool within our power to target perpetrators and address the root causes of abuse and violence, including domestic abuse. In November, we launched Domestic Abuse Protection Orders in selected areas to provide more protection for victims, and early this year we will introduce domestic abuse experts in 999 control rooms. These are just some of the first steps we are taking to tackle VAWG and improve the justice system response to domestic abuse across England and Wales.

Through the upcoming Victims, Courts and Public Protection Bill, we have committed to strengthening the powers of the Victims’ Commissioner to further empower them to hold the system to account when the needs of victims, including victims of domestic abuse, are not being met.
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Mr Richard Holden:To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, pursuant to the Answer of 11 December 2024 to Question 16510 on Public Sector: Procurement, if he will exempt SMEs from the new National Procurement Policy Statement’s requirements on (a) social value and (b) trade union recognition and access. \p Georgia Gould: The government will publish a new National Procurement Policy Statement shortly. The Procurement Act, due to come into force in February 2025, requires contracting authorities to have regard to the particular barriers facing SMEs, and to consider what can be done to overcome them.
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Mike Wood:To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, with reference to the policy paper entitled Plan for Change, published on 5 December 2024, CP1210, what guidance his Department has issued to ensure cross-departmental alignment. \p Ellie Reeves: Missions are a new way of doing government. The core aim of the missions is to break down silos between departments to achieve specific, long-term outcomes. The Prime Minister has established 5 designated mission boards which bring together Ministers from across government that drive tangible change for the public.
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Mike Wood:To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, with reference to the policy paper entitled Plan for Change, published on 5 December 2024, CP1210, what steps the Government is taking to prevent duplication of efforts across departments involved in delivering the Plan; and if the Government will publish departmental roles and responsibilities for each mission area. \p Ellie Reeves: Mission-led government is about breaking down silos between departments in the delivery of the Plan for Change. Each mission has a Secretary of State who takes responsibility for coordinating the activity of other relevant departments, including by chairing the mission board.
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Mr Tanmanjeet Singh Dhesi:To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what estimate he has made of the number of public sector workers of working age who have become economically inactive in each of the last 10 years. \p Georgia Gould: The information requested falls under the remit of the UK Statistics Authority.

A response to the Hon. Gentleman’s Parliamentary Question of 3 January is attached.

UKSA Letter (pdf, 109.7KB)
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Rupert Lowe:To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, if he will make an assessment of the potential merits of introducing a work experience scheme for Ministers relating to their Department's areas of responsibility. \p Georgia Gould: All ministers receive tailored inductions upon appointment to support them in their ministerial duties.

The Government does not have plans to introduce a work experience scheme for ministers in addition to the inductions already provided.
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Mr Richard Holden:To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, Whether his Department has issued guidance to staff in the (a) Cabinet Office, (b) Office for Equalities and Opportunities and (b) Civil Service People Group on holding in-house Christmas parties. \p Georgia Gould: The position on parties and personal conduct has not changed since the previous administration.

The “Away days, staff days, and celebrations” policy covers any proprietary issues and the approvals required. Additionally, the standards of behaviour which all staff are expected to adhere to and their responsibilities both in and outside of the workplace are outlined in the Civil Service Code, and Cabinet Office “Personal conduct” and “Alcohol, drug misuse and smoking” policies. All internal policies are published on the Cabinet Office intranet and available to all staff.
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Alex Burghart:To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, whether he plans to publish the civil service EDI dataset. \p Georgia Gould: We are considering the Civil Service Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Expenditure Review commissioned by the previous Government.
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Mr Richard Holden:To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, how many staff in his Department have undertaken two consecutive jobs without external competition since 3 July 2024. \p Georgia Gould: The requested information is not centrally held, and complying with this request would incur a disproportionate cost to the department.
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Mr Mark Francois:To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, pursuant to the Answer of 7 January 2025 to Question 20932 on Diego Garcia, what his planned timetable is to publish details of the Prime Minister’s meetings between July and December 2024. \p Ms Abena Oppong-Asare: Details of ministers’ meetings with external individuals and organisations are published quarterly on GOV.UK.
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Mike Wood:To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, how many transactions were referred to his Department under the National Security and Investment Act 2021 have involved organisations with links to the Chinese (a) state and (b) Community Party since 5 July 2024; and how many and what proportion of these transactions were approved. \p Ms Abena Oppong-Asare: The Government publishes an annual report on the National Security and Investment (NSI) Act, with information about the transactions that it has been notified about and those it subsequently called in for a full national security assessment.

The reports include the percentage of accepted notifications, call-in notices issued, final notifications issued and the number of withdrawals from a called in acquisition and final orders issued by origin of investment.

The NSI Annual Report 2023-24 was published on 10 September 2024. The period from 1 April 2024 to 31 March 2025 will be covered in the next annual report, which will be published later this year.
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Alex Burghart:To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, if he will make it his policy that the Civil Service Commission should be informed of recent political donations from people appointed to the Civil Service by exception. \p Georgia Gould: The Civil Service Commission’s prior approval is required for appointments by exception at SCS PB2 or above. Individual Civil Service departments and organisations have delegated authority to appoint by exception at grades below SCS PB2.

For appointments by exception delegated to departments, the department is responsible for both carrying out background checks on individuals who may be appointed, and addressing any potential propriety matters.
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Alex Burghart:To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, whether his Department plans to issue Outcome Delivery Plans. \p Georgia Gould: The Government has published its Plan for Change, which sets out clear and ambitious milestones to reach over this Parliament from each of the Government’s national missions. Detail on wider government commitments will continue to be provided by relevant departments.
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Nick Timothy:To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what estimate he has made of the average cost, as a percentage of the total paybill, of trade union facility time in the (a) public sector and (b) private sector in the latest period for which data is available. \p Georgia Gould: Under the Trade Union (Facility Time Publication Requirements) Regulations 2017, relevant public sector authorities are required to publish certain information annually on facility time usage in their organisation.

The most recently available data, for 2022/23, is published on gov.uk. It provides data on the total cost of facility time for public sector organisations, including as a percentage of total pay.

The Cabinet Office does not hold information on the cost of facility time within the private sector. The Department for Business and Trade (DBT) has made impact assessments relating to the Employment Rights Bill, which have been published on .gov.uk
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Lee Anderson:To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what steps his Department is taking to enhance the vetting and monitoring processes of Chinese businesses operating in the UK. \p Catherine West: As an open economy, the Government welcomes foreign trade and investment where it supports growth and jobs in the UK, meets our stringent legal and regulatory requirements, and does not compromise our national security. Legislation including the country-agnostic National Security and Investment (NSI) Act gives the Government powers to scrutinise and potentially intervene in acquisitions of control over entities and assets in or linked to the UK that may pose national security risks.
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Wendy Morton:To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, with reference to the oral contribution of the Minister for Development of 28 November 2024 on UK Leadership on Sudan, Official Report, column 945, what discussions he has had with his international counterparts on the Jeddah process; and if he will make an assessment of the effectiveness of those discussions for making progress to a sustainable end to the conflict in Gaza. \p Mr Hamish Falconer: The Foreign Secretary has discussed the situation in Sudan with both his US and Saudi counterparts this past week. The UK has consistently called upon the warring parties to fully implement the commitments made in the Jeddah Declaration and commit in good faith to mediation talks, including through the UN Security Council resolution we co-penned with Sierra Leone, which was cynically vetoed by Russia in November. We will continue to pursue all diplomatic avenues, including as UN Security Council penholder on Sudan, to maintain collective pressure on both sides to protect civilians, allow unrestricted humanitarian access, and commit to a sustained and meaningful peace process.

On the conflict in Gaza, this government has been clear; we are committed to pursuing a lasting solution to the Israeli/Palestinian Conflict, including through achieving a two-state solution. We continue to support efforts to this end through our aid programmes, which assist civil society in Israel and Palestine on a range of issues, including peacebuilding and conflict resolution.
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Jim Shannon: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 China's treatment of Falun Gong practitioners. \p Catherine West: The environment for freedom of religion or belief across China is restrictive, which includes the persecution of Falun Gong practitioners.

This Government champions freedom of religion or belief for all abroad. We work to uphold the right to freedom of religion or belief through our position at the UN, G7 and other multilateral fora, and through bilateral engagement. For example, the Prime Minister and Foreign Secretary both raised human rights recently with their counterparts (President Xi and Foreign Minister Wang).
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Priti Patel:To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what assessment he has made of the potential implications for his policies of the proposals from Brazil during their Presidency of the G20 for an 18th Sustainable Development Goal. \p Catherine West: The UK is a long-standing supporter of the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) as agreed in 2015, including Goal 10: Reducing Inequality, which covers racial inequalities.

The UK and Brazil share an ambition to break down barriers to opportunity and tackle inequality. As set out in the King's Speech in July 2024, the Government will introduce a draft Equality (Race and Disability) Bill, which will enshrine in law the full right to equal pay on the basis of race or disability, amongst other measures to tackle racial discrimination. There are no plans for the UK to adopt any additional SDGs.
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Fabian Hamilton:To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what steps he is taking to support mine clearance programmes in Sri Lanka. \p Catherine West: The UK has funded landmine clearance programmes that make land safe since 2002. This supports livelihoods and encourages a return to normalcy for citizens in conflict-affected areas of Sri Lanka. Since 2016, our delivery partners at the HALO Trust and Mines Advisory Group have collectively cleared 3,361,647 square metres of land which is now used for agriculture, collection of natural resources, infrastructure, public services and residential purposes. The UK is one of the founding signatories of the Mine Ban Treaty, and these projects demonstrate the UK's continued leadership with others to make Sri Lanka landmine-free.
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Wendy Morton:To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what the (a) terms of reference and (b) timeline is for Baroness Shafik's review of international development. \p Anneliese Dodds: As the Foreign Secretary said in his keynote speech on 9 January, he set in train three reviews upon his appointment, is grateful to Martin Donnelly, to Ngaire Woods and to Minouche Shafik for all their work into the FCDO's role and capabilities, looking particularly at our economic capability in this department, and at our global impact in this department, and our fusion of development and diplomacy as well as our development capability and capacity. The next step will be to consider how best to present the recommendations of all three reviews. In each case we are asking how we can ensure that the tools at our disposal provide maximum benefits to our goals not least UK prosperity and security.
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Priti Patel:To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what representations he has made to the (a) Chinese Government and (b) authorities in Hong Kong on reports of the Hong Kong Police offering rewards for the arrests of pro-democracy activists residing in the UK and Canada; what discussions he has had with his Canadian counterpart on such reports; and what steps he is taking to protect people affected living in the UK. \p Catherine West: The Foreign Secretary issued a statement on 24 December condemning the Hong Kong police's latest arrest warrants and calling on Beijing to repeal the National Security Law. Senior British diplomats have raised these concerns directly with the Hong Kong and Beijing authorities. FCDO officials have discussed the matter with the Canadian government at working level.

The UK Government will not tolerate any attempts by foreign governments to coerce, intimidate, harass, or harm their critics overseas, especially in the UK. The Government will continue to stand with and support members of the Hong Kong community who have relocated to the UK.
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Nadia Whittome:To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether he has had discussions with international allies on efforts to help secure the release of Alaa Abd el-Fattah in Egypt. \p Mr Hamish Falconer: The UK Government remains committed to securing the release of Alaa Abd El-Fattah. We continue to raise Mr El-Fattah's case at the highest levels of the Egyptian Government.

FCDO officials speak regularly with likeminded partners on how to enhance international cooperation and end the practice of arbitrary arrest, detention or sentencing.

The Prime Minister wrote to President Sisi to raise Mr El-Fattah's case on 26 December. The Foreign Secretary also raised the case with Egyptian Foreign Minister Abdelatty most recently on 20 December 2024. The National Security Adviser, Jonathan Powell raised this with the Foreign Minister on 2 January 2025.
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Priti Patel:To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what contacts his Department has had with Hayat Tahrir al-Sham in Syria. \p Mr Hamish Falconer: The Foreign Secretary met the interim Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad Shaibani in Riyadh on 12 January, where he discussed the importance of an inclusive political transition and regional security. Senior Foreign Office officials have recently travelled to Damascus in December to meet with the leader of Hayat Tahrir al-Sham and the interim Minister for Foreign Affairs, to underline the UK's support for the Syrian people and discuss the pathway towards a more hopeful, representative and peaceful future for Syria. The UK stands with the Syrian people in building a more stable, free and prosperous future.
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Marsha De Cordova:To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what further steps he plans to take to encourage the Egyptian authorities to release Alaa Abd El-Fattah. \p Mr Hamish Falconer: The UK Government remains committed to securing the release of Alaa Abd El-Fattah. We continue to raise Mr El-Fattah's case at the highest levels with the Egyptian Government. The Prime Minister wrote to President Sisi on the case on 26 December. The Foreign Secretary raised Mr El-Fattah's case with Egyptian Foreign Minister Abdelatty most recently on 20 December 2024. The National Security Advisor, Jonathan Powell raised this with the Foreign Minister on 2 January 2025. I raised Mr El-Fattah's case with Foreign Minister Abdelatty on 15 October 2024.
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Tracy Gilbert:To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what assessment he has made of the potential implications for his policies of the banning of windows overlooking places used by women in Afghanistan. \p Mr Hamish Falconer: We condemn the appalling erosion of human rights in Afghanistan, particularly for women and girls, including the most recent ridiculous ban on windows overlooking spaces used by women. As the Foreign Secretary has said, the exclusion of women from all aspects of public life is another tragic setback for Afghanistan. FCDO officials regularly press the Taliban to reverse their inhuman restrictions, including during a visit to Kabul in December. We also condemned the Taliban's actions against women and girls in a joint statement with the G7+ in December. We are discussing with international partners ways to hold the Taliban accountable for their actions.
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Priti Patel:To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, pursuant to the Answers of 6 December 2024 to Question 16721 and of 9 December 2024 to Question 16720 on British Indian Ocean Territory: Sovereignty, for what reason he was unable to provide the information requested; and when he plans to make a decision on publishing such details associated with that appointment. \p Stephen Doughty: Discussions between the UK and Mauritius on the future exercise of sovereignty over the British Indian Ocean Territory remain ongoing. It is not appropriate to provide a running commentary on engagement between UK and Mauritian officials. As set out in the joint statements on 20 December and 13 January, we will continue to work closely with Mauritius to conclude a deal that is in both sides' shared interests. It remains our intention to decide on publication of costs associated with Jonathan Powell's role as the PM's BIOT Envoy at a later date.
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Adam Jogee:To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what steps the Government has taken to help stop the loss of life in Gaza since 19 December 2024. \p Mr Hamish Falconer: We have raised protection of civilians and the destruction of health infrastructure repeatedly with the Israeli government, most recently on 3 January. The UK has announced £112 million for the Occupied Palestinian Territories (OPTs) so far this financial year, including £41million for UNWRA, providing vital services to civilians in Gaza and the West Bank, and to Palestinians across the region.  In July, we announced £5.5m in funding to UK-Med for operating their field hospitals. UK-Med have now provided vital care to over 300,000 Gazans since the start of the conflict.

Securing an immediate ceasefire, the safe release of all hostages and urgent action to address the humanitarian crisis remains the UK's top priority.
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Adam Jogee:To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what steps the Government has taken to help secure the release of the remaining hostages in Gaza since 19 December 2024. \p Mr Hamish Falconer: Securing an immediate ceasefire and the safe release of all hostages, including Emily Damari and three other hostages with strong links to the UK, remains the UK's top priority. We have continuously supported hostage talks, and we continue to work alongside our allies and partners in the region, exercising every possible diplomatic lever to see them immediately released. Since 19 December 2024, the Foreign Secretary has talked to several of his counterparts from across the region. On 6 January, the Foreign Secretary spoke to the Prime Minister of Qatar, Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani, offered UK support for negotiations, and stressed the importance of securing a ceasefire to enable the safe return of Emily Damari and the three other UK-linked hostages and see an end to the war in Gaza.
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Dr Simon Opher:To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what discussions he has had with his Israeli counterpart about Dr Hussam Abu Safiya. \p Mr Hamish Falconer: We are concerned by the reports of the IDF operation at Kamal Adwan hospital, and the reported detention of Dr Hussam Abu Safiya and others. In recent weeks, I have raised this case with both Israel's Ambassador to the UK, and Israeli Deputy Foreign Minister Haskel. Israel must allow medical staff to carry out their work unimpeded, and to travel around Gaza as needed. On 27 December I underlined to Israel's government that the situation in Northern Gaza cannot continue and raised our serious concern about repeated strikes on Kamal Adwan hospital, and the safety of civilians and medical workers there.
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Wendy Morton:To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, pursuant to the Answer of 19 December 2024 to Question 19313 on BBC World Service: Foreign Relations, what discussions he has had with the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport on the Soft Power Council. \p Mr Hamish Falconer: The Foreign Secretary and Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport have agreed to co-chair the Soft Power Council, and will host its first meeting on 15 January. A Written Ministerial Statement will be issued, setting out the Council's remit and membership.
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Chris Law:To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether the Minister for Development met representatives of the Israeli Government during her visit to Israel in December 2024. \p Anneliese Dodds: I met Israeli Deputy Foreign Minister Sharren Haskel and Yuli Edelstein, Chair of Israel's Foreign Affairs and Defence Committee, during my official visit to Israel in December 2024.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-01-13)

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Adam Jogee:To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what discussions he has had with the (a) Southern African Development Community and (b) African Union on the political situation in Mozambique. \p Anneliese Dodds: The UK has discussed the political situation in Mozambique with key partners, including the Southern African Development Community and the African Union. The UK and partners continue to support the peaceful resolution of current unrest in Mozambique. Promoting political dialogue is central to our approach, as well as urging all parties to show restraint while respecting the rule of law and human rights. Lord Collins also recently emphasised the importance of de-escalation and an inclusive transition with representatives of the Mozambican government, and will discuss the situation with the Executive Secretary of SADC when visiting Botswana from 14-16 January.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-01-13)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-01-13 conversation_164

Wendy Morton:To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what steps his Department has taken to identify potential additional routes for humanitarian aid delivery into Sudan since July 2024. \p Anneliese Dodds: The UK has continued to push for additional aid routes into Sudan, including through Aweil (from South Sudan to Sudan), to facilitate aid deliveries, particularly into areas held by the Rapid Support Forces; and for existing routes in to be free of bureaucratic and administrative impediments. In addition, the UK continues to press for improved cross-line routes, including into Khartoum. We raised the critical importance of increased humanitarian cross-border and cross-line access at open briefings at the UN Security Council on 19 December 2024 and 6 January 2025 and have engaged directly with the new Emergency Relief Coordinator, Tom Fletcher, on the UN response. On 25 November 2024, the Foreign Secretary chaired a Sudan meeting with G7 and Arab Quint Foreign Ministers to discuss joint steps to improve humanitarian access, protect civilians, and increase aid.
wrans/answers2025-01-13 conversation_165
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-01-13)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-01-13 conversation_165

Adam Jogee:To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, how many times Ministers in his Department have met with the leadership of the African Union since 5 July 2024. \p Anneliese Dodds: FCDO Ministers regularly engage with the leadership of the African Union (AU). Lord Collins spoke with the AU Commissioners for Political Affairs and Trade and Industry immediately following his appointment in July. Lord Collins and I both met AU Commissioners in Addis Ababa during visits in August, and Lord Collins subsequently met with AU Commission Chairperson Faki at the UN General Assembly in September. I met with the Commissioner for Agriculture, Rural Development, Blue Economy and Sustainable Environment during COP29 in November.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-01-13)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-01-13 conversation_166

Wendy Morton:To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, pursuant to the Answer of 19 December 2024 to Question 19316 on Development Aid: Reviews, when he received the Development Review. \p Anneliese Dodds: The Development Review was submitted to the Foreign Secretary alongside the Global Impact and Economic Diplomacy reviews at the end of 2024. Once the Foreign Secretary has considered their recommendations, he will consider how best to communicate the independent reviews' findings.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-01-13)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-01-13 conversation_167

Wendy Morton:To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what assessment he has made of the potential merits of providing funding for the Nutrition for Growth replenishment campaign before the pledging event in Paris in 2025. \p Anneliese Dodds: The UK is looking forward to the upcoming 2025 Nutrition for Growth summit and FCDO officials have been working closely with French counterparts to build momentum ahead of the summit. The FCDO has published an assessment of progress with the commitments that the previous government made at the Tokyo Nutrition for Growth Summit in 2021. We will review this as we finalise our approach to N4G 2025. Despite the challenges posed by the current fiscal situation, which the spending review will address, the UK is committed to protecting the world's most vulnerable, including through the use of lifesaving nutrition interventions.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-01-13)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-01-13 conversation_168

Wendy Morton:To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, pursuant to the Answer of 10 December 2024 to Question xx-xxxx-xxxx on Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance: Finance, whether he plans to announce a commitment in relation to the Gavi, The Vaccine Alliance’s replenishment campaign for the 2026-2030 strategic period ahead of the High Level Pledging Summit in Brussels in 2025. \p Anneliese Dodds: The United Kingdom is one of the largest contributors to Gavi and aims to see a successful replenishment in 2025. Funding decisions will be made as part of the ongoing Spending Review and announced upon its conclusion.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-01-13)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-01-13 conversation_169

Priti Patel:To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what assessment he has made of the adequacy of the progress on delivery of each of the Sustainable Development Goals by (a) the UK and (b) other governments. \p Anneliese Dodds: Despite significant international development gains over the last 40 years, the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) 2024 Report found that globally only 17 per cent of the SDG targets with assessable data were on track to be achieved by 2030.

As the Prime Minister and Foreign Secretary set out at the UN General Assembly in September, the UK is committed to working with partners at home and internationally to accelerate progress towards the SDGs by 2030. Relevant UK government departments report their contribution to the domestic delivery of the SDGs in their Annual Reports and Accounts published on gov.uk.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-01-13)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-01-13 conversation_170

Priti Patel:To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what steps his Department has taken to implement the measures agreed in the Leaders’ Statement and Samoa Communique at the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting on 26 October 2024. \p Stephen Doughty: The Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting Leaders' Statement and Communique focused on the need to build societal, democratic, environmental and economic resilience across the Commonwealth. The UK is taking these commitments forward, including by working with partners to bolster human rights and democratic governance. We have pledged further support to the Commonwealth Climate Finance Access Hub, which helps vulnerable member states access funding to tackle the impacts of climate change. We are taking forward the establishment of the UK Trade Centre for Expertise, as well as the Commonwealth Investment Plan of Action to mobilise increased trade and investment across the Commonwealth.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-01-13)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-01-13 conversation_171

Anna Sabine:To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what assessment he has made of the potential merits of UK support for a UN convention on the rights of older persons. \p Stephen Doughty: The UK Government is committed to equality and opportunity for all, with a particular focus on those most likely to be marginalised and discriminated against, including on the grounds of their age. We are open in principle to the idea of a multilateral instrument dedicated to the human rights of older people and will continue to play a constructive role in discussions on this issue at the UN and other relevant fora.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-01-13)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-01-13 conversation_172

Wendy Morton:To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what recent discussions he has had with (a) the Secretary of State for Defence, (b) his Australian counterpart and (c) his US counterpart on the AUKUS agreement. \p Stephen Doughty: The Foreign Secretary engages regularly on AUKUS with the Defence Secretary, and his Australian and US counterparts. Most recently, the Foreign and Defence Secretaries hosted the Australian Foreign Minister and Deputy Prime Minister for the Australia-UK Ministerial Consultations (AUKMIN) in December 2024, where they reaffirmed their enduring commitment to the partnership and welcomed strong progress made across both Pillars.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-01-13)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-01-13 conversation_173

Victoria Collins:To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what progress his Department has made on the ratification of the Global Oceans Treaty. \p Anneliese Dodds: The Government is completely committed to ratification of the Agreement under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea on the Conservation and Sustainable Use of Marine Biological Diversity of Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ Agreement, also known as the "High Seas Treaty" or "Global Oceans Treaty"), which is in line with our determination to reinvigorate the UK's wider international leadership on climate and nature. Work is in hand on the measures needed to implement the detailed and complex provisions of the Agreement before the UK can ratify.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-01-13)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-01-13 conversation_174

Wendy Morton:To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what steps he has taken with the Secretary of State for Defence to progress the AUKUS agreement since July 2024. \p Stephen Doughty: The Foreign Secretary works closely with the Defence Secretary to progress AUKUS. Since July 2024, this government has signed a trilateral agreement to enable the sharing of critical submarine technology and information, secured a landmark exemption to the US International Traffic in Arms Regulations, and appointed Sir Stephen Lovegrove as the UK's AUKUS Adviser, whose report will help maximise the benefits and opportunities of the partnership.
wrans/answers2025-01-13 conversation_175
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-01-13)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-01-13 conversation_175

Wendy Morton:To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what assessment has he made of the potential merits of an international investigation into the recent Azerbaijan Airlines crash. \p Stephen Doughty: Our thoughts are with all those affected by this incident, including the family and friends of those who have died. We support Brazil, Azerbaijan and Kazakhstan in their work to ensure a comprehensive and independent investigation into the tragedy. My officials remain in close contact with officials in Azerbaijan and Kazakhstan.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-01-13)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-01-13 conversation_176

Ian Byrne:To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what steps he is taking to promote freedom of religion and belief internationally. \p Anneliese Dodds: The UK remains strongly committed to freedom of religion or belief (FoRB) for all abroad. It is our firm opinion that no one should live in fear because of what they do or do not believe in. We are championing the right to FoRB and promoting tolerance and mutual respect through our engagement in multilateral fora, our bilateral work, and our programme funding, including the FCDO John Bunyan Fund, a designated programme for FoRB-focused overseas projects. The appointment of David Smith MP as the Special Envoy for FoRB is a clear signal of the UK's ongoing commitment to these efforts.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-01-13)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-01-13 conversation_177

Bell Ribeiro-Addy:To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what steps his Department has taken to review the adequacy of revenue raising mechanisms for climate reparations ahead of COP30 in Belem. \p Anneliese Dodds: Countries in the Global South are disproportionately affected by the impacts of climate change, and we are committed to partnering with these countries to address the climate and nature crisis and accelerate the clean energy transition.

We are committed to helping deliver global climate finance, including the New Collective Quantified Goal agreed at COP29 of at least $300 billion per year to developing countries by 2035, and responding to the wider call on all actors to increase climate finance to developing countries to £1.3 trillion per year. As part of that effort, we consider specific revenue raising mechanisms on a case-by-case basis, and we are pressing for faster and more ambitious reforms to the global financial system to deliver much more and higher quality climate and development finance. This is not about reparations. The UK government's position on reparations has not changed.