theodi/ndl-core-corpus huggingface dataset:
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Martin Rhodes:To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, with reference to the Government response to House of Lords Modern Slavery Act 2015 Committee, Report of Session 2024-25, The Modern Slavery Act 2015: Becoming World-Leading Again, what progress she has made on assessing the best ways to prevent environmental harms, modern slavery and human and labour rights abuses in both private and public sector supply chains, including effective due diligence rules. \p Jess Phillips: In the recently published Trade Strategy, the Government announced a review of its approach to Responsible Business Conduct policy. The review will consider the effectiveness of the current UK regime and alternative means of supporting responsible business practices, including consideration of mandatory human rights and environmental due diligence laws and import controls on goods made by forced labour. The Department for Business and Trade will engage regularly with stakeholders to develop findings and provide updates.

Under Section 54 of the Modern Slavery Act 2015, businesses who operate in the UK and who have a turnover of £36 million or more are required to report annually on how they have prevented slavery in their operations and supply chains. Alongside the broader Responsible Business Conduct policy review, we are considering how we can strengthen Section 54 of the Modern Slavery Act 2015, including: the reporting requirements, the turnover threshold, and penalties for non-compliance. We will set out the next steps more broadly in due course. Significant long-term reform will take time, and in the interim the Home Office published updated Section 54 statutory guidance in March. This new guidance is more comprehensive, practical and ambitious – calling on businesses to go further and faster.
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Laura Kyrke-Smith:To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what steps she is taking to support the integration of refugees. \p Seema Malhotra: The Government is committed to ensuring that refugees can integrate in the UK. The Immigration White Paper introduced reforms designed to improve integration and community cohesion. Further details will be set out in due course.

Ministers across Government, including MHCLG, DWP and DfE, are working closely together to improve outcomes for refugees, the economy and society as a whole.
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Lincoln Jopp:To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what steps her Department is taking to help prevent people residing in asylum hotels from taking up illegal employment. \p Dame Angela Eagle: This Government is determined to tackle illegal working, and since coming to office, we have increased the number of raids, arrests and fines against offenders to their highest level in almost a decade.

We have also secured pledges from delivery firms to increase verification checks on their drivers, and introduced new legislation in the Border Security Bill to make employment checks mandatory in the gig economy. It remains very disappointing that the party opposite chose to vote against those crucial measures.
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Mr Gregory Campbell:To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to the Answers of 30 June to Questions 60413 and 61747 on Asylum: Northern Ireland, whether she plans to purchase (a) tower blocks and (b) student accommodation to house people claiming asylum in Northern Ireland. \p Dame Angela Eagle: I refer the Hon Member to the Answer he received on 23 June 2025 to UIN 60413.
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Mr Andrew Snowden:To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to the Answer of 25 June 2025 to Question 60629 on Undocumented Migrants: Lancashire, if she will make an estimate of the cost of answering that Question. \p Dame Angela Eagle: The Guide to Parliamentary Work, which is published online and available here, sets out that there is an advisory cost limit known as the disproportionate cost threshold. The current disproportionate cost threshold is £850; the limit does not apply to oral questions.
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Mr Will Forster:To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what steps her Department is taking to ensure that asylum interviews are conducted (a) in full and (b) without unnecessary delay. \p Dame Angela Eagle: Asylum interviews are conducted in line with the published guidance available here: Conducting asylum interviews: caseworker guidance - GOV.UK.
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Llinos Medi:To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, in reference to the Migration Advisory Committee report published on 10 June 2025, what assessment she has  made of the potential merits of (a) revising and (b) lowering the family visa financial requirements. \p Seema Malhotra: On 10 June the Migration Advisory Committee (MAC) published their independent review of the financial requirements across the family routes. The report is now under review, and the Home Office will respond in due course.
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Apsana Begum:To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what steps her Department is taking to ensure that people with dual citizenship can obtain e-visas that recognise both nationalities. \p Seema Malhotra: British citizens who are also nationals of another country (excluding Ireland), who hold and use a valid British passport for travel and status checks do not need and are not eligible for an eVisa, since they are exempt from UK immigration control.

If someone has dual nationality and neither of those nationalities is British or Irish, they must ensure that they add the passport they will use to travel to their UKVI account. If they have a passport for both nationalities, they can add both to their UKVI account.

Although a person can link more than one ID document to their UKVI account, their eVisa will display a single nationality only. This will be the nationality for the most recent ID document uploaded to their UKVI account and used to log-in to their UKVI account.

If they have already added a second ID document and want their other nationality to appear on their eVisa, they can update this through their UKVI account on GOV.UK. After logging in, they should select ‘Add an identity document’, then choose ‘Yes, my name, nationality or date of birth has changed’, and follow the remaining steps, which include posting their passport to the Home Office. Once the change is approved, the nationality from that ID document will appear on their eVisa and will be used to log in to their UKVI account.

The information requested about the number of people who are dual nationals and have reported issues with their eVisas 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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Zöe Franklin:To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what steps she plans to take with Cabinet colleagues to help ensure that there is adequate (a) capacity and (b) resources for anticipated levels of demand for English-language classes, in the context of proposed requirements for English language proficiency for visa applications. \p Seema Malhotra: I refer the Hon Member to Paragraphs 244-258 of the Immigration White Paper, published on 12 May 2025, which addresses these issues in detail. Further updates will be provided in due course.
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Nick Timothy:To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many visas were issued for workers in the (a) wind and (b) solar industry in each year since 2015. \p Seema Malhotra: Available data relating to work visas is routinely published in the Immigration system statistics release.
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Carla Lockhart:To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether his Department plans to expand (a) Army, (b) Navy, and (c) Air Cadet programmes in Northern Ireland. \p Al Carns: Given the fantastic benefits which can be gained from the Cadet experience this Government is committed to getting more young people to become Cadets. The Strategic Defence Review has recommended an expansion of in-school and community-based Cadet Forces across the country by 30% by 2030.

Expanding the Cadet Forces, which provide skills and qualifications to young people from diverse backgrounds across the country, and support economic growth, will benefit all four nations of the UK including Northern Ireland. Planning for this expansion is currently underway, and more detail will be provided in due course.
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Carla Lockhart:To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to the Answer of 14 May 2005 to Questions 50084 on Defence: Space Technology, what role Northern Ireland will play in the delivery of a refreshed Defence Space Strategy. \p Luke Pollard: As the Strategic Defence Review highlights, Space is critical for the UK’s national infrastructure and central to future defence operations. In line with the Government’s wider industrial strategy, Defence is collaborating closely with partners across Government, industry, academia, and civil society to build a strong and resilient UK space sector.

Northern Ireland contributes significantly to the UK’s space technology sector through its advanced manufacturing and cybersecurity capabilities. These strengths contribute to the UK’s capacity for space innovation, security, and industrial excellence.

The forthcoming Defence Industrial Strategy will highlight capabilities deemed critical to national security, supply chain resilience, and economic growth for the UK more broadly. Space has been identified as an important area of strategic interest to Defence.
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Dr Simon Opher:To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether he plans to review the criteria for which applications to join the British Army are rejected on medical grounds. \p Luke Pollard: This Government inherited a recruitment crisis, with targets being missed every year for the past 14 years, and is taking decisive action to get recruitment back on track. This has included the largest pay rise to personnel in decades and scrapping 100 outdated policies that slow recruitment down.

Defence is committed to a diverse workforce and is seeking to ‘select in’ rather than ‘select out’ and is focused on work to review the current policies for Armed Forces recruiting.

An update to Joint Service Publication (JSP) 950 Leaflet 6-7-7, which outlines the medical entry standard for the Armed Forces, was published in August 2024 following an intensive period of review undertaken by clinical experts, Defence personnel staff and the recruiting agencies. Recent updates to policy include; new regulations for a range of conditions including asthma and eczema, and candidates with Autism Spectrum Disorder may now be able to join the Armed Forces providing they meet certain criteria.
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Paul Holmes:To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, which contracts for drones have been awarded by (a) competitive tender and (b) single source. \p Maria Eagle: In total since January 2024, The Department can identify 48 ‘drone’ related contracts valuing £3.6 billion that have been active within the Ministry of Defence.

Nine of these are marked as having a primary supplier address outside the UK.

24 of these contracts were competitively tendered, 23 were single source tenders and one unknown.
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Neil Duncan-Jordan:To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what his planned timeline is for manufacturing 12 new F-35 A jets. \p Maria Eagle: The UK will purchase 12 new F-35A fighter jets and join NATO’s dual capable aircraft nuclear mission in a major boost for national security. The Secretary of State for Defence has said he expects those F-35As to start being delivered before the end of the decade.
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Josh Babarinde:To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what steps his Department is taking to support veterans in (a) Eastbourne and (b) the South East. \p Al Carns: This is a Government of service that will always stand up for those who serve our country, no matter which community they are based in. Across the country, including in Eastbourne and across the South East, a wide range of support is available for Armed Forces personnel as they transition into civilian life. The Veterans Welfare Service is a first port of call for veterans and their families if they are facing challenges and provides support on a wide range of issues.

For support with employment, the Career Transition Partnership is the initial point of provision for those leaving military Service and Op ASCEND is the employment pathway for veterans. Across England, Op RESTORE and Op COURAGE provide physical and mental health specialist services. Housing support is available across the United Kingdom via Op FORTITUDE, a single referral pathway connecting veterans with support.

We recently announced VALOUR, a new commitment to establish the first-ever UK-wide approach to veteran support, which will ensure easier access to essential care and support for veterans across the country. A new regional approach, based on a network of VALOUR recognised support centres and regional field officers, will help to ensure that services are designed to meet the needs of their local communities. Further details on VALOUR will be announced in due course and more information can be found at the following link:  https://www.gov.uk/guidance/valour-information-and-next-steps
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Carla Lockhart:To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what steps his Department is taking to improve housing options for veterans in Northern Ireland. \p Al Carns: On 26 June 2025, I was delighted to announce £300,000 of funding for wraparound housing support for veterans in Northern Ireland. This will sit alongside VALOUR, the Government's new UK-wide initiative to ensure easier access to essential care and support. This regional approach, based on a network of VALOUR support centres providing multiple services in one place, together with regional field officers coordinating the provision of local services, will ensure that services are designed to meet the needs of their local communities.
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Amanda Martin:To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, if he will make an assessment of the potential merits of increasing funding for support for education professionals working with armed forces children; and what steps he is taking to ensure that funding in this area is (a) informed by research, (b) supported by evaluation and (c) aligned with improving outcomes for armed forces families. \p Al Carns: Understanding that education is a devolved matter, the Secretary of State for Defence does not issue core funding to educational settings for Service children.

However, the Ministry of Defence’s (MOD) Armed Forces Families Fund provides additional funding opportunities for schools and local authorities across the UK. Since 2023, £4.5 million has supported the Service Pupil Support Programme (SPSP) in schools and local authorities across the UK. The sub themes of the SPSP align with the aims of the Armed Forces Families Strategy and include elements focusing upon the educational outcomes of Service children and supporting Service children with additional learning needs. The SPSP is evaluated externally and is also presently funding three university research projects in areas of specific interest.

In England the Department for Education continues to allocate additional funding in the form of the Service Pupil Premium (SPP) to state funded schools with Service children among their pupils. Service Pupil Premium funding helps schools to provide pastoral and academic support to current and former Service children. Schools are allocated SPP funding for each pupil aged 5 to 16 who is currently recorded as a Service child in the autumn school census or who has held this status in the last six years via ‘Ever 6’, or who receives a child pension from the MOD. The SPP is now worth £350 per eligible pupil annually. For example, more than £26 million has been paid to schools in the financial year 2023 to 2024, benefiting more than 78,000 pupils.
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Amanda Martin:To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what steps he is planning to take to improve the (a) quality and (b) availability of data on the educational (i) outcomes and (ii) experiences of armed forces children; and if he will make it his policy to develop a national dataset to help inform evidence-based (A) policy and (B) practice in this area. \p Al Carns: We are committed with counterparts in Government to maintaining robust data around the educational outcomes of all children to inform future strategic and policy development. It is important to remember that education is a devolved matter, and caution should be applied in considering the feasibility of a UK-wide dataset, where very different education systems would be compared. The Ministry of Defence (MOD) recognises the importance of the devolved administrations maintaining their own datasets to inform where their resources should be targeted.

The Department for Education (DfE) continues to provide the MOD updated datasets on how Service children perform in state schools in England across key measures of academic attainment; this information is published in the Armed Forces Covenant Annual Report. The DfE and the MOD have also recently published joint guidance to schools and local authorities on how best to support Service children in education.

In Scotland, the Additional Support for Learning (ASL) Act places duties on education authorities, who retain the statutory responsibility for the delivery of education in Scotland. These duties require Scottish authorities to identify, provide for and review the additional support needs of pupils. This includes Service children and young people, who may require extra support, short or long term and for whatever the reason. Delivery of ASL is a joint endeavour between the Scottish Government and Scottish Local Authorities.

The Welsh Government are currently exploring the potential to broaden the definition of Service children in Wales to ensure the maximum number of children can benefit from the support available. Linked to this they are considering how they collect data on Service children in Welsh schools to ensure that policy and support is based on robust evidence.
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Blake Stephenson:To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to the Answer of 9 June 2025 to Question 55488 on Military Bases: Closures, whether he has made an assessment of the potential merits of reviewing the site disposal guidelines due to increasing risks to (a) global and (b) national security. \p Maria Eagle: Both global and national security risks are already continually assessed as part of the military requirement for sites that shape the disposal position.
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Blake Stephenson:To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether he has had recent discussions with his US counterpart on spending 5% of gross national income on defence. \p Maria Eagle: The Secretary of State for Defence has regular engagements with the US Secretary of Defense where they discuss a range of topics including defence spending. At the Hague Summit, Allies committed to investing 5% of GDP annually on defence and security, which will build an Alliance that is stronger, fairer and more lethal than ever before.
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Dr Scott Arthur:To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether he has had discussions with the Scottish Government on the withdraw funding for Veterans First Point Lothian. \p Al Carns: I engage regularly with the Scottish Government and with the Scottish Veterans' Commissioner on issues affecting veterans who live in Scotland. Health is a devolved matter, so it is for the Scottish Government to decide on funding allocations.
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Robin Swann:To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how much funding his Department allocated for cadet services in (a) each of the last three financial years, (b) the 2025-26 financial year and (c) the 2026-27 financial year. \p Al Carns: I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave on 30 May 2025 to Question 55117 to the hon. Member for Fylde (Mr Andrew Snowden).

Armed Forces: Cadets (docx, 16.3KB)
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James Cartlidge:To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, when he plans to publish the Defence Housing Strategy. \p Al Carns: The Defence Housing Strategy will be published later this year and will set out wider plans to improve the standard of Service family homes.

The Ministry of Defence is currently undertaking an extensive review of its entire estate, including how the Department will make best use of the properties that have been reacquired from Annington, and which homes and locations can most benefit from investment.
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Sir Julian Lewis:To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to the Written Statement of 30 June 2025 on Nuclear Test Veteran Records Exercise and the Merlin Database, HCWS748, if he will publish the findings gathered from the 43,000 files which have already been reviewed, in the context of the (a) age and (b) infirmity of the remaining Nuclear Test Veterans. \p Al Carns: This Government has reset the relationship with nuclear test veterans and the organisations that support them, and we remain committed to listening to their concerns and working collaboratively to address them.

As of 30 June 2025, officials have reviewed over 43,000 files, including files from the Merlin Database, as part of the exercise that is looking at concerns raised with me about some Nuclear Test Veterans' medical records. The contents of the Merlin database will be transferred to The National Archives (TNA) as formal public records under the Public Records Act. Records will be held in perpetuity and made available via the public facing online catalogue at TNA called "Discovery". As the records are digital they will be free to download and there will be no limit on the number that can be downloaded.

I will update the House when I am in a position to share the findings of the exercise that is looking at concerns raised with me about some Nuclear Test Veterans' medical records.
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Sir Julian Lewis:To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to the Written Statement of 30 June 2025 on Nuclear Test Veteran Records Exercise and the Merlin Database, HCWS748, for what reason the Individual Medical Records of military personnel who participated in the nuclear testing programme are not being examined as part of the search for relevant medical data. \p Al Carns: This Government has reset our relationship with nuclear test veterans and the organisations that support them, and we remain committed to listening to their concerns and working collaboratively to address them.

I understand that many are eager for an update on progress on the records exercise. Our focus has been to start by reviewing all surviving policy records and instructions related to blood and urine testing, as well as policies relating to the retention of these records. We have begun with the policy files to ensure there is an understanding of the policy procedures and instructions for medical tests that were given at the time. Doing this first helps us to understand whether policies and instructions were followed. The Ministry of Defence has begun the process of looking at Nuclear Test Veterans' service and medical records.

I will update the House when I am in a position to share the findings of this exercise.
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Nesil Caliskan:To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what diplomatic steps his Department is taking to support a political solution in Cyprus . \p Stephen Doughty: The UK is fully committed to supporting ongoing UN efforts to reach a Cyprus Settlement. I represented the UK at the informal talks in Geneva in March chaired by the UN Secretary General, where I encouraged all sides to engage constructively towards a Settlement. I welcome the outcomes of the Geneva meeting, notably the Secretary General's appointment of a Personal Envoy on Cyprus and the agreement to six initiatives to build trust between the two communities. Ahead of the New York meeting, I am continuing to encourage all sides to engage constructively. I am in regular contact with the Republic of Cyprus' Foreign Minister Constantinos Kombos. I also both met Turkish Cypriot leader Ersin Tatar and spoke to opposition leader Tufan Erhürman on 25 June. On 1 July, I met the Secretary General's Personal Envoy, María Ángela Holguín Cuéllar, and we discussed how the UK can best support her efforts to bring progress towards a Settlement. The UK also continues to contribute to peace and stability in Cyprus through our deployment of military personnel to the UN Peacekeeping Force in Cyprus (UNFICYP).
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Andrew Gwynne:To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, if he will take steps with Cabinet colleagues to help reduce the prevalence of infectious diseases in developing nations through (a) vaccinations, (b) antiretroviral therapy and (c) other measures. \p Stephen Doughty: The government is committed to global health. It is one of our top priorities in our modernised approach to international development.

Our partnership with Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, is an essential part of that. On 25 June at the Gavi Replenishment Summit, the Foreign Secretary announced a new investment which will support the immunisation of 62.5 million children and save 1.25 million lives. Our partnership with Gavi - £1.25 billion from 2026 to 2030 - will support the UK's health security and jobs in research and development.

The UK is also a founding member of the Global Fund. It has saved 65 million lives and reduced combined deaths across HIV, TB and malaria by 63 per cent since 2002. The UK's current pledge to the 7th replenishment (2023-25) is expected to save approximately 1.3 million lives and avert 28 million new infections across the three diseases. Amongst other things, this £1 billion funding is expected to provide antiretroviral therapy for 1.8 million people, provide Tuberculosis treatment and care for 1.1 million people and distribute 86 million mosquito nets to protect children and families from malaria.
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Wendy Morton:To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, pursuant to the Answer of 24 June 2025 to Question 59016 on Development Aid: Education, what his target date is for the publication of the Annual Report and Accounts. \p Stephen Doughty: We expect to publish the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office's Annual Report and Accounts on the 21 July.
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Carla Lockhart:To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what steps his Department is taking to raise concerns about the treatment of (a) Christians and (b) other religious minorities in Uzbekistan at the United Nations. \p Stephen Doughty: The UK is committed to championing freedom of religion or belief for all. In Uzbekistan's most recent UN Universal Periodic Review, the UK raised concerns regarding upholding freedom of religion or belief amongst other human rights issues. We continue to seek opportunities to raise concerns at the United Nations and in other international fora where appropriate. Our Embassy in Tashkent also regularly raises human rights with the relevant authorities in Uzbekistan and maintains a dialogue with human rights groups in the region.
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Wendy Morton:To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what assessment he made of the potential impact changes to the level of UK funding for Gavi on vaccine access in low-income countries. \p Stephen Doughty: At the Gavi Summit on 25 June, the Foreign Secretary announced that the UK will invest an additional £1.25 billion in Gavi's 2026 - 2030 programme. This commitment will help deliver Gavi to partner with countries to immunise up to 500 million more children and save up to 8 million more lives. With a smaller aid budget, we are prioritising global health, humanitarian response, and climate and nature - areas where the UK can drive the greatest impact. We are also pushing for multilateral reform to ensure every pound delivers the best outcomes for the world's most vulnerable people.
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Rebecca Long Bailey:To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, how much funding his Department plans to provide to (a) the Media Freedom Coalition and (b) other country-specific programmes to promote (i) media freedom and (ii) the protection of journalists in each of the next four financial years. \p Stephen Doughty: The United Kingdom remains steadfast in its commitment to media freedom internationally, including the protection of journalists. We recognise the vital role journalists play in upholding human rights, supporting effective, accountable and inclusive governance and democratic resilience.

The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) supports media freedom initiatives across the world to foster diverse media landscapes. For the 2025-26 financial year, this includes £114,000 to the Media Freedom Coalition (MFC), to finance its secretariat operations. In October 2024 we launched a new media development programme Public Interest Media and Healthy Information Environments (PIMHIE), which helps local media outlets develop new business models and strengthens wider information environments through support for advocacy and policy initiatives to improve the media eco-system. This programme will be supported with £2.25 million in funding this financial year. The FCDO is currently working through future spending plans, including final allocations for this year. It is not yet possible to clarify the exact amount that will be committed to these initiatives in the next four financial years.

The UK also plays a critical role promoting media freedom and the protection of journalists through our multilateral and bilateral diplomacy. We have negotiated resolutions to protect international standards on media freedom and freedom of expression, including in the Human Rights Council and upholding OSCE commitments. The UK co-founded the MFC which has issued a wide range of public statements highlighting situations of concern, as well as issues such as journalists in conflict and journalists in exile. Journalists are protected under international humanitarian law, and the UK actively promotes adherence to these protections.
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Daisy Cooper:To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what assessment he has made of the potential merits of facilitating repatriation flights for UK nationals in (a) Israel and (b) the Occupied Palestinian Territories, in the context of similar arrangements being make by (i) Czech Republic and (ii) Slovakia. \p Mr Hamish Falconer: The Government has been working around the clock to provide charter flights for those who wished to leave, as soon as it was safe to do so and once airspace reopened. Two charter flights for UK nationals wishing to leave Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territories have departed from Tel Aviv and landed safely in the UK. Further flights are being considered, taking into account the demand from British nationals. We urge British nationals in Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territories to register their presence, follow our travel advice for the latest updates, and follow local authorities' advice.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-07-07)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-07-07 conversation_288

Catherine Fookes:To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what steps his Department is taking to ensure that UK ODA spending supports women and girls internationally. \p Stephen Doughty: The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) is committed to supporting women and girls around the world. We are strengthening the integration of gender equality across the full breadth of FCDO work and will use our convening power and diplomacy to maximise our impact, including through encouraging multilateral organisations to deliver on their commitments to women and girls.

Following the Spending Review, detailed decisions on how the Official Development Assistance (ODA) budget will be used are being worked through as part of ongoing resource allocation processes. We will publish the FCDO final 2025/26 ODA programme allocations in the Annual Report & Accounts in July.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-07-07)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-07-07 conversation_289

Joe Morris:To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what recent support he has offered to Bosnia and Herzegovina on the rule of law. \p Stephen Doughty: The UK remains committed to peace, stability and the rule of law in Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH). Our embassy in Sarajevo provides support politically and through our programmes to help BiH's domestic institutions deliver their mandates and combat corruption and serious organised crime. In response to actions by Republika Srpska's leadership which undermine the rule of law, we have worked with the High Representative and international partners to bolster domestic institutions against threats to the constitution and independence of the judiciary. I and the Foreign Secretary underlined this commitment to Presidency Members Becirovic and Komsic on 17 June.

I recently convened members of the quint to discuss these issues, and am closely following developments with partners. We look forward to hosting the Berlin Process in the UK later this year, which also provides an opportunity to discuss a range of issues in the Western Balkans with partners.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-07-07)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-07-07 conversation_290

Joe Morris:To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what discussions he has had with the Serbian government on (a) human, (b) civil and (c) political rights in that country. \p Stephen Doughty: The Foreign Secretary and I underlined the UK's strong support for fundamental rights and the rule of law, and the important role of civil society in Serbia during our respective visits to Belgrade earlier this year. In the context of continuing protests, we continue to stress to the Serbian leadership that, in any society, it is important that the rights to peaceful freedom of expression and assembly are respected. We continue to raise these issues via our Ambassador in Belgrade, and discussions with ministerial counterparts.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-07-07)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-07-07 conversation_291

Anna Gelderd:To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what assessment he has made of the effectiveness of his policies to (a) protect global forests, (b) protect and (c) recognise the rights of Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities. \p Catherine West: Globally, rates of forest loss are declining but climate change is making forests more vulnerable to threats from wildfire and pests. The UK is committed to the goals of halting and reversing deforestation and supporting the rights of Indigenous Peoples and local communities (IPLC). Through diplomacy, partnerships and development programming, we are working to improve forest governance, sustainable trade and investment, and to mobilise finance to protect and restore the world's major tropical forest basins.

At the Glasgow Climate Conference (COP26) in 2021, the UK mobilised the $1.7 billion IPLC Forest Tenure Pledge and committed £163 million to advance IPLC tenure rights. UK programmes such as the Amazon Catalyst for Forest Communities (AMCAT) and the Global Land Governance Programme, work with partner governments and IPLCs to strengthen forest governance and national land governance systems. These initiatives have contributed to policy reforms, capacity building, and land registration efforts in multiple countries.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-07-07)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-07-07 conversation_292

Anna Gelderd:To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what discussions he has had with (a) his Brazilian counterpart and (b) Indigenous Brazilian representatives on (i) protecting and (ii) recognising the rights of Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities’ ahead of COP30 in Belem; and what steps he is taking to collaborate with (A) his European counterparts and (B) other donors on this issue. \p Catherine West: On 24 June 2025, the Minister of State for International Development, Latin America and the Caribbean met Brazil's Minister for Indigenous Peoples, Sonia Guajajara. They agreed on the importance of ensuring meaningful inclusion of Indigenous Peoples and local communities (IPLCs) in COP processes. Sonia Guajajara has spoken publicly about the importance of COP30 as a "COP of implementation" and securing concrete benefits for IPLCs. The UK collaborates with European and international partners on this issue through multilateral funds and initiatives such as the Amazon Fund and the REDD+ Early Movers programme, which support IPLC-led forest protection and sustainable livelihoods. Through the Forest and Climate Leaders' Partnership (FCLP), which the UK co-chairs with Guyana, we are working to promote greater recognition of IPLCs as vital stewards of critical forest ecosystems.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-07-07)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-07-07 conversation_293

John Cooper:To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what discussions his Department had with the Scottish Government on the planned visits of the Scottish Government's (a) Minister for Business and Employment to China and Japan in April 2025 and (b) Cabinet Secretary for Health and Social Care to Japan in June 2025. \p Catherine West: The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office and our Embassies in Beijing and Tokyo engaged with Scottish Government officials in support of the visit of the Scottish Government's Minister for Business and Employment to China and the visits of Minister Lochhead and the Cabinet Secretary for Health and Social Care to Japan. Such support is common practice supporting Devolved Government Ministerial visits overseas.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-07-07)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-07-07 conversation_294

Wendy Morton:To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, with reference to paragraphs 2.48 and 2.56 of the Spending Review Departmental Efficiency Plans 2025, what operational reforms will be delivered by the British Council; and what the cost of those reforms will be. \p Catherine West: No decisions have been taken for the British Council's Grant-in-Aid funding for the next three years (2026/27 and beyond). This was not settled in the Spending Review and will be determined in the round, alongside our other Official Development Assistance (ODA) and Non-ODA allocations, in the autumn.

In the Spending Review, the Treasury asked the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) (along with most departments) to identify efficiency savings and model certain budget scenarios. The request we made of the British Council, to model scenarios equivalent to flat cash and a 2 per cent per year budget reduction, was in line with that Treasury request. No decisions on the British Council's global footprint have been taken.

The FCDO is supporting the British Council to deliver a financial turnaround plan to ensure the British Council's finances are returned to a stable footing.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-07-07)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-07-07 conversation_295

Kim Johnson:To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, if he will make it his policy to hold discussions with Polisario on forthcoming discussions on trade agreements that affect Western Sahara. \p Mr Hamish Falconer: The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) and The Department for Business and Trade (DBT) frequently engage on how best to deliver the Government's growth mission, including by supporting UK exports and investment across North Africa. DBT's team in Morocco focuses on the business opportunities that will create the most value for the UK economy. Trade agreements negotiated by the UK are conducted with sovereign states and in accordance with international law. The UK-Morocco Association Agreement, for example, is applied in a manner consistent with the UK's position on the status of Western Sahara. Senior officials meet regularly with Sahrawi representatives to discuss UK policy on Western Sahara, including trade.

On 1 June, the Foreign Secretary endorsed Morocco's autonomy proposal as the most credible, viable and pragmatic basis for a lasting resolution of the Western Sahara conflict. In that context, we continue to support the UN-led process to achieve a just, lasting and mutually acceptable solution, based on compromise, which conforms with the purposes and principles of the UN Charter, including the principle of respect for self-determination.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-07-07)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-07-07 conversation_296

Wendy Chamberlain:To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether the (a) Special Envoy to Afghanistan and (b) Afghanistan department will be located within the Whitehall premises of the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office. \p Mr Hamish Falconer: The Special Envoy to Afghanistan and the Afghanistan department operate from the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office's headquarters in the UK. This arrangement ensures the UK can continue to engage effectively on Afghanistan policy, including with a broad range of Afghan stakeholders, while maintaining flexibility in how and where that engagement takes place.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-07-07)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-07-07 conversation_297

Fabian Hamilton:To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, with reference to to Amnesty International's report entitled No one guarantees my safety: the urgent need to strengthen Mexico’s federal policies for the protection of journalists, published in March 2024, what discussions he has had with his Mexican counterpart on (a) strengthening Mexico’s Protection Mechanism for Human Rights Defenders and Journalists and (b) the need for its effective implementation. \p Catherine West: The UK is committed to Media Freedom, and to championing democracy and human rights around the world. Independent media is essential to a healthy democracy. The danger facing journalists in Mexico is highly concerning and Amnesty International's report rightly raises concerns about the effectiveness of the Federal Protection Mechanism for Human Rights Defenders and Journalists. Our Embassy in Mexico City works closely with the Mexican Government and civil society organisations on understanding and reducing the risks faced by journalists and human rights defenders due to their professions. Representatives from the UK Government and the Mexican Government held their second Multilateral and Human Rights Dialogue on 13-14 May 2025 where both Governments reaffirmed their commitment to human rights. Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office officials met with representatives of Amnesty International on 17 June in London to understand their concerns around the mechanism.