theodi/ndl-core-corpus huggingface dataset:
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Michelle Welsh:To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether her Department has made an assessment on the potential merits of extending eligibility for the zero-rate VAT for charities to include flood defence equipment. \p James Murray: To protect the country from the devastating impacts of flooding, the Government has committed £2.4 billion over the next two years to improve flood resilience by maintaining, repairing and building flood defences.

Through this funding the Government provides direct support to communities facing flooding, and therefore we have no plans to change the VAT treatment of flood defence equipment for charities. VAT is a broad-based tax on consumption and the 20 per cent standard rate applies to most goods and services. VAT is the UK’s second largest tax forecast to raise £171 billion in 2024/25. Taxation is a vital source of revenue that helps to fund vital public services including schools and hospitals.
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Alicia Kearns:To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether she has plans to consult the indoor play sector before future business rates reform. \p James Murray: HM Treasury releases a quarterly record of Minister’s meetings with external individuals and organisations. This can be found online: https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/hmt-ministers-meetings-hospitality-gifts-and-overseas-travel

At the Autumn Budget, the government published the Transforming Business Rates Discussion Paper, which sets out priority areas for reform. This paper invited stakeholders to help co-design a fairer business rates system that supports investment and is fit for the 21st century.

As set out in the Discussion Paper, the government is open to receiving written evidence to xxx@xxx.xx until 31 March 2025.
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Harriet Cross:To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of changes to the Furnished Holiday Let tax regime on rural tourism businesses. \p James Murray: The Government will abolish the Furnished Holiday Lettings (FHLs) tax regime from April 2025. This will equalise the tax treatment of FHL and non-FHL landlords’ income and gains.

The Government wants to support visitor accommodation alongside housing for longer-term residents to rent or buy. Achieving this balance is crucial in supporting the tourism sector and many of the people that work in the sector, who need access to local housing.

Draft legislation to abolish the FHL tax regime was published on 29 July 2024, providing businesses and other parties across the UK - including Scottish stakeholders - an opportunity to share their views on the changes with the Government.
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Alicia Kearns:To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether she has made an assessment of the potential merits of giving a VAT exemption on admissions fees for children under 12 for the indoor play sector. \p James Murray: VAT is a broad-based tax on consumption, and the 20 per cent standard rate applies to most goods and services. Tax breaks reduce the revenue available for vital public services and must represent value for money for the taxpayer.

One of the key considerations when assessing a new VAT relief is whether the cost saving is likely to be passed on to consumers. Evidence suggests that businesses only partially pass on any savings from lower VAT rates. The Government therefore has no plans to zero-rate VAT on admission fees for indoor play facilities.

The Government keeps all taxes under review.
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Claire Hanna:To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, if she will have discussions with (a) HMRC, (b) the Department for Infrastructure in Northern Ireland, (c) the Secretary of State for Transport, (d) Transport Scotland and (e) the Welsh Government on people excluded from the Cycle to Work Scheme. \p James Murray: The Cycle to Work scheme is a benefit-in-kind provided by employers to their employees. A benefit-in-kind is a form of non-cash remuneration provided by employers to their employees. Income tax and National Insurance contribution relief is provided on the scheme to both employers and their employees via salary sacrifice arrangements. The scheme is accessed via salary sacrifice, meaning that those not in employment are not able to access the scheme.

Employees earning at or near the National Minimum Wage (NMW) cannot access salary sacrifice if the arrangement will take their contractual salary below the relevant NMW rate. The Government is not currently considering changing the NMW legislation to apply to an employee’s salary after deductions have been made for salary sacrifice. Although employees on or near the NMW cannot access the tax deduction on the price of a bike via salary sacrifice, they can still lease a bike from their employer and repay the value of the bike from their net pay over many months, interest-free.
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Alex Easton:To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what steps she is taking to help ensure access to banking services in North Down constituency; and if she will make an assessment of the potential implications for her policies of the planned closure of the Halifax branch in Bangor, North Down. \p Emma Reynolds: The Government understands the importance of face-to-face banking to communities and high streets in North Down and across the UK, and is committed to championing sufficient access for all as a priority. This is why the Government is working closely with banks to roll out 350 banking hubs, which will provide individuals and businesses up and down the country with critical cash and banking services.

FCA guidance expects firms to carefully consider the impact of planned branch closures on their customers’ everyday banking and cash access needs and put in place alternatives where reasonable. This seeks to ensure that branch closures are implemented in a way that treats customers fairly.

Alternative options to access everyday banking services can be via telephone banking, through digital means such as mobile or online banking and via the Post Office. The Post Office Banking Framework allows personal and business customers to withdraw and deposit cash, check their balance, pay bills and cash cheques at 11,500 Post Office branches across the UK.
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Pippa Heylings:To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, if she will make an assessment of the potential merits of providing compensation for small shareholders for the loss of shares in Northern Rock Plc. \p Emma Reynolds: An independent valuer determined that Northern Rock shares were of no value immediately prior to the company being taken into public ownership, and therefore no compensation was due. This independent valuation was upheld in the both the Upper Tribunal in 2011 and the Court of Appeal in 2013. HM Treasury considers this matter settled.
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Dr Neil Hudson:To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what steps her Department is taking to support mental health provision in schools. \p Stephen Morgan: This government is committed to improving mental health support for all children and young people. This is critical to high and rising standards in schools and breaking down barriers to opportunity, helping pupils to achieve and thrive in education.

That is why the department has committed to providing access to specialist mental health professionals in every school. We will also be putting in place new Young Futures hubs, including access to mental health support workers, and will recruit an additional 8,500 new mental health staff to treat children and adults.

Mental Health Support Teams (MHSTs) are continuing to roll out in schools and colleges across the country. As of April 2024, MHSTs covered 44% of pupils in schools and learners in further education in England. MHSTs are expected to cover at least 50% of pupils by the end of March 2025.

The department has also provided a resource hub for mental health leads, signposting practical resources and tools to embed effective whole-school approaches. To further help schools identify and embed the most effective targeted support options for their setting, the department also launched a targeted mental wellbeing toolkit. This practical guide and tool covers a range of evidence-based interventions.

On top of this, schools are also able to arrange their own mental health interventions that are best suited to their pupils. The Autumn Budget 2024 confirmed an additional £2.3 billion for the core schools budget for the 2025/26 financial year compared to 2024/25. This means that core schools funding will reach over £63.9 billion in 2025/26.

Schools are also able to spend pupil premium funding on providing mental health support. Schools must use pupil premium in line with the department’s menu of approaches, which can be found on page 13 of the department’s publication ‘Using pupil premium: guidance for school leaders’. The guidance can be found here: https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/65cf69384239310011b7b91f/Using_Pupil_Premium_-_Guidance_for_School_Leaders.pdf.
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Samantha Niblett:To ask the Secretary of State for Education, how much capital funding has been allocated to increase specialist school places for children with special educational needs and disabilities in South Derbyshire constituency. \p Stephen Morgan: Since 2022, Derbyshire has received over £27.6 million in high needs capital funding, which it can use to create new places in special schools and support pupils with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) in a mainstream setting.

The department has now announced £740 million of capital for high needs funding in the 2025/26 financial year. This can be used to deliver new places in mainstream and special schools, as well as other specialist settings. It can also be used to improve the suitability and accessibility of existing buildings.

We understand that local authorities will want certainty about the allocation of the high needs provision capital funding for the 2025/26 financial year as soon as possible in order to develop their approach to supporting children and young people with SEND, or who require alternative provisions in their area. We will confirm allocations for the £740 million funding later in the spring.
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Dr Neil Hudson:To ask the Secretary of State for Education, when she plans to respond to the Review of the RSHE statutory guidance published in 2024. \p Catherine McKinnell: My right hon. Friend, the Secretary of State for Education, has been clear that children’s wellbeing must be at the heart of this guidance for schools. As such, the department is looking carefully at responses to the public consultation conducted last year, considering the relevant evidence and discussing with stakeholders before setting out next steps to make sure the guidance draws from the best available evidence.

The results of the consultation and the department’s response will be published in due course.
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Neil O'Brien:To ask the Secretary of State for Education, how many and what proportion of staff in her Department are qualified teachers. \p Janet Daby: The information on staff teaching qualifications is not centrally held on the department’s HR system. Seeking the information across the department’s full workforce could only be obtained at disproportionate cost.
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Dave Robertson:To ask the Secretary of State for Education, whether her Department has made an assessment of the potential merits of classing trainee teachers as being in work for the purpose of claiming free childcare. \p Janet Daby: The government is committed to delivering the expansion of the 30 hours free childcare offer, so that from September 2025 eligible working parents in England will be able to access 30 hours of free childcare per week, over 38 weeks of the year, from when the term after their child turns nine months old to when they start school. Accessible and high quality early education and childcare is a crucial part of giving every child the best start in life, boosting children’s life chances and giving parents work choices.

Students who work in addition to their studies and earn the equivalent of at least 16 hours a week at National Minimum Wage (equivalent to £183 per week or £9,518 per year in 2024/2025), and under £100,000 adjusted net income per year, may be eligible for this offer. If they are unable to meet this threshold, they will remain eligible for the universal 15 hours of free early education, which is available to all 3 and 4 year-olds regardless of family circumstances.

The department recognises the value of parents continuing in education and provides a range of support for students in further or higher education to support them with childcare. Support available to full-time students with dependent children includes the Childcare Grant and Parents’ Learning Allowance. Entitlement to these grants is based on a student’s household income.

There are multiple routes into teaching to suit the needs of different candidates. There are postgraduate pathways that can be undertaken as a student, funded through a student loan and, in some subjects, bursaries, or employment-based training where trainees will earn a salary while they train. In September last year, the department launched a new salaried teacher degree apprenticeship which, upon completion, is itself equivalent to a degree.

Get Into Teaching, which is a free information service from the department, supports anyone considering teaching with their journey to entering the classroom. The service can be found here: https://getintoteaching.education.gov.uk/.

Further information on the childcare offers available to parents can be found here: https://www.childcarechoices.gov.uk.
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Dame Harriett Baldwin:To ask the Secretary of State for Education, whether their Department offers its staff shared parental leave from their first working day. \p Janet Daby: To qualify for shared parental leave, an employee must have been in continuous employment with the Civil Service for 26 weeks up to and including the fifteenth week before the week in which their baby is due to be born.

As with any changes to employment legislation, internal policies and processes will be updated as appropriate in preparation for when the Employment Rights Bill 2024 comes into effect.

The Civil Service management code states that, departments and agencies may only grant shared parental leave in accordance with the statutory requirements governing eligibility for this category of leave. However, some staff could qualify for statutory shared parental leave on their first day of service with a department because they already have qualifying service with another department.
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Alicia Kearns:To ask the Secretary of State for Education, if she will make an assessment of the potential impact of the Higher Education (Freedom of Speech) Act 2023 on Confucius Institutes. \p Janet Daby: This government is committed to ensuring our world leading universities remain free from foreign interference.

Any international arrangements English higher education (HE) providers who are registered with the Office for Students (OfS) make, including Confucius Institutes, should be within the law and comply with OfS registration conditions. These include a commitment to the public interest governance principles, which include academic freedom and freedom of speech. The OfS may take regulatory action if HE providers allow foreign governments to interfere in free speech or academic freedom.

The department expects the UK HE sector to be alert to a range of risks when collaborating with international partners and to conduct appropriate due diligence to comply with legislation and consider risks, including potential threats to freedom of speech and academic freedom.

The department’s proposals regarding the Higher Education (Freedom of Speech) Act 2023 have reinforced our clear expectations that HE providers must uphold the principles of freedom of speech and academic freedom. The OfS can request information from HE providers registered with them about overseas arrangements, including financial transactions, if they believe registration conditions may have been breached. The measures we are now implementing through the Act will further strengthen opportunities for the OfS, by providing a new focused way for complaints about foreign interference on academic freedom to be escalated.

The department is also carrying out a full and comprehensive audit on the breadth of the UK’s relationship with China. This government, through the ongoing China audit, will take a consistent, long term and strategic approach to managing the UK’s relations with China, rooted in the UK’s and global interests. We will co-operate where we can, compete where we need to and challenge where we must.
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Richard Tice:To ask the Secretary of State for Education, how much her Department has spent on measures to achieve net zero targets in the last five years. \p Janet Daby: High and rising school standards are at the heart of this government’s mission to break down barriers to opportunity and give every child the best start in life. Ensuring schools have the high quality and sustainable buildings they need is a key part of that.

The department has a critical role to play in all aspects of sustainability, including the drive to achieve net zero and supporting the delivery of the government’s 25 Year Environment Plan and Net Zero Strategy.

Since November 2021, the department has required that all new department-delivered schools will be designed to be net zero carbon in operation, alongside investment to increase green infrastructure and sustainable water management on school sites.

Capital funding is allocated to the school sector each year for improving the condition of the estate and to keep schools safe and operational. Funding can also support projects that improve the energy efficiency, sustainability and resilience to climate change of school buildings. Decisions on which projects to prioritise are primarily taken at a local level.

The department allocated an additional £447 million of capital funding in 2022/23 for schools and sixth form colleges for capital improvements to buildings and facilities, prioritising energy efficiency and supported by guidance for schools on effective approaches.

To make sure that the department is tackling the most urgent need in the school estate, we have committed to rebuilding or significantly refurbishing buildings at 518 schools through the School Rebuilding Programme. New buildings delivered through the programme are designed to be net zero carbon in operation and more resilient to the effects of climate change.

In 2022/23, further education (FE) colleges were allocated £53 million to improve facilities, prioritising energy efficiency. All condition improvement projects receiving departmental grant funding and delivered by FE colleges have been required to consider the 2021 FE Output Specification, which advises how to achieve net zero in operation. FE colleges have also been able to support condition improvement projects that support energy efficiency and sustainability and keep colleges safe and operational.

Schools, as other public bodies, have also been able to access funding from the Public Sector Decarbonisation Scheme, which is run by the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero.
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Ben Obese-Jecty:To ask the Secretary of State for Education, whether she plans to take steps to decolonise the national curriculum. \p Catherine McKinnell: The government has established an independent Curriculum and Assessment Review, covering ages 5 to 18, chaired by Professor Becky Francis CBE.

The terms of reference, which do not mention decolonisation, can be accessed here: https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/66d196b7d107658faec7e3db/Curriculum_and_assessment_review_-_aims_terms_of_reference_and_working_principles.pdf.

The review group will publish an interim report in early spring and a final report, including recommendations, will be published this autumn. We will take decisions on what changes to make to the curriculum in light of these recommendations.
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Natasha Irons:To ask the Secretary of State for Education, how much Croydon council will receive for family hubs in this financial year. \p Janet Daby: In 2024/25, Croydon Council were allocated £1.619 million for the delivery of Family Hubs and Start for Life programme.

In 2025/26, the department and the Department of Health and Social Care will provide a £126 million boost to give every child the best start in life and deliver on the Plan for Change. Funding will support local authorities to deliver Family Hubs and Start for Life services in areas with high deprivation, including Croydon, which has provisionally been allocated £1.709 million for the 2025/26 financial year. Final figures will be confirmed in due course.
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Samantha Niblett:To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what steps her Department is taking to reduce the time taken to process Education, Health and Care Plans for children in South Derbyshire constituency. \p Catherine McKinnell: I refer my hon. Friend, the Member for South Derbyshire, to the answer of 5 February 2025 to Question 27930.
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Ellie Chowns:To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, if he will make representations to his Israeli counterparts for an independent investigation to be launched into the killing of two-year-old Palestinian child Laila Mohammad Ayman Khatib. \p Mr Hamish Falconer: We cannot comment on individual cases, but we remain concerned by the situation in the West Bank and reiterate that Israel must ensure that civilians are protected. The Foreign Secretary has raised the situation in the West Bank and issues of international law compliance directly at the highest levels of the Israeli Government. This Government is clear that international law must be upheld, and civilians protected.
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Wendy Morton:To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what estimate he has made of the number of Syrian refugees (a) in the UK and (b) globally who are returning to Syria. \p Mr Hamish Falconer: The Home Office publishes data on asylum seekers and refugees who come to the UK in the 'Immigration System Statistics' quarterly release. The Home Office does not track the addresses of individuals once they have been granted refugee status, and refugees are free to move around or leave the UK.

As of 30 January, the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees estimate that some 237,000 Syrians have returned to Syria since the fall of Assad. These figures include Syrians returning from Turkey, Lebanon, Jordan, Iraq and Egypt, as well those transiting from beyond the region.
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Mike Amesbury:To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what recent assessment he has made of the implications for his policies of the human rights situation in Syria. \p Mr Hamish Falconer: Following the fall of the Assad regime, we continue to monitor the human rights situation closely. Accountability and protection of human rights are critical parts of a sustainable transition, and we continue to advocate for them to be part of the transitional process. As we made clear in our joint statements with G7 leaders, and following the Aqaba contact group meeting on Syria, we stand ready to support a transition process that leads to credible, inclusive and non-sectarian governance with respect for human rights.
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Rachel Gilmour:To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether (a) he and (b) his officials are taking diplomatic steps to ensure that (i) Avinatan Or and (ii) the remains of Yossi Sharabi are returned by Hamas. \p Mr Hamish Falconer: The safe release of all hostages, including those with strong UK-links, is a top priority for the government. The current ceasefire deal must secure their release, protect both Israelis and Palestinians, and allow the safe distribution of aid.

The UK is working with international partners to ensure the stability of the ceasefire agreement, so that it is implemented in full. In doing so, we aim to secure the release of all hostages, including those with strong UK-links: Eli Sharabi, Oded Lifshitz, Avinatan Or. And we also aim to ensure that the remains of Yossi Sharabi are returned to his family.

The UK will continue to work with Israel, the Palestinian Authority, the US and regional partners to build consensus for a post-conflict Gaza governance and security framework that supports conditions for a permanent and sustainable peace.
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Chris Law:To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what steps he is taking to support the delivery of aid in (a) Gaza and (b) the West Bank after 30 January 2025. \p Mr Hamish Falconer: The UK is investing in the ceasefire, which is why the Minister for Development announced £17 million in humanitarian funding on 28 January to ensure healthcare, food and shelter reaches tens of thousands of civilians, and to rebuild vital infrastructure across the Occupied Palestinian Territories (OPTs). The UK has now announced £129 million for the OPTs this financial year, including £41 million for the United Nations Relief and Work Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA), providing essential services to civilians in Gaza, the West Bank, and Palestinian refugees across the region delivered through partner agencies. We remain opposed to the anti-UNRWA Knesset legislation and reiterate that the vital work of UNRWA must be protected across Gaza, the West Bank and East Jerusalem. The UK continues to lead international action to press for a resolution to this urgent issue. On 31 January, we joined with Germany and France to call on Israel to abide by its international obligations and live up to its responsibility to ensure full, rapid, safe and unhindered humanitarian assistance and the provision of basic services to the civilian population.
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Ellie Chowns:To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what steps the Government is taking to help protect the (a) safety and (b) wellbeing of Palestinian children in the Occupied Palestinian Territories. \p Mr Hamish Falconer: We are alarmed by the impact of the Gaza conflict on children across the Occupied Palestinian Territories (OPTs). The UK has consistently pressed Israel to do more to protect civilians in Gaza, not least children, and for all parties to ensure adherence to international humanitarian law. We led calls on Israel to enable the rollout of the polio vaccine across Gaza and we have supported partners to deliver lifesaving aid to children, as well as educational and psychosocial services. This includes an additional £6 million for United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) to support vulnerable families in Gaza announced in August 2024, and £41 million funding for United Nations Relief and Work Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) this financial year to provide essential services including education across Gaza, the West Bank and Palestinian refugees in the region. £5.8 million of the UK's contribution to the Global Partnership for Education has been earmarked to support essential education service delivery in Gaza and the West Bank. We are also one of the largest donors to the Education Cannot Wait initiative, contributing £1.64 million of its £9.65 million funding to Gaza this financial year.
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Neil Duncan-Jordan:To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether his Department is taking steps to help facilitate media access to Gaza. \p Mr Hamish Falconer: The UK remains committed to media freedom and to championing democracy and human rights around the world. Independent media is essential to a functioning society. We understand this is an incredibly difficult time for journalists who are carrying out crucial work in disseminating accurate and impartial reporting during a time of crisis. Journalists covering conflicts are afforded protection under humanitarian law. This means that all parties must avoid deliberate attacks against them and only detain them on justified security grounds. I supported International Day to End Impunity for Crimes Against Journalists and drew attention to those who risk their lives on the frontline in Gaza and the 100+ journalists and media workers who have been killed since the conflict began.
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Rupert Lowe:To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what estimate he has made of the cost to his Department of the proposed increase in employer National Insurance contributions for financial year 2025-26. \p Catherine West: The Government will provide support for departments and other public sector employers for additional Employer National Insurance Contributions costs only. This funding will be allocated to departments in the usual way, in line with the approach taken under the previous Government's Health and Social Care Levy.
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Wendy Morton:To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what discussions he has had with (a) ASEAN, (b) Five Eyes and (c) Japanese partners on (i) improving humanitarian aid access into Myanmar and (ii) best practice for ensuring aid reaches civilians most in need. \p Catherine West: The UK is deeply concerned about Myanmar's worsening situation and growing humanitarian needs. On 1st February, the UK-led Joint Statement (which included all Five-Eyes as co-signatories), marking four years since the coup, called for the Myanmar military regime to de-escalate violence and ensure safe humanitarian access. At the ASEAN summit in July, the Foreign Secretary emphasised the need for full implementation of ASEAN's Five-Point Consensus to ensure safe humanitarian access across Myanmar. The G7 Foreign Ministers statement in November called on the Myanmar military regime to allow full, safe, and unimpeded humanitarian access in Myanmar. Over 54 per cent of the UK's support to Myanmar is directed through local civil society partners to ensure it reaches those most in need.
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Wendy Morton:To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what the Government’s policy is on the repatriation of British citizens who travelled to Islamic State-led territories to support that group. \p Mr Hamish Falconer: Our priority remains to ensure the safety and security of the UK. We will continue to do whatever is necessary to protect the UK from those who pose a threat to our security.

All requests for consular assistance from Syria are considered on a case-by-case basis, taking into account all relevant circumstances including, but not limited to, national security.
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Wendy Morton:To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what steps his Department is taking to ensure the effectiveness of UK aid distribution at reaching civilians in Syria. \p Mr Hamish Falconer: The UK continues to monitor and respond to the humanitarian situation in Syria. Most border crossings remain open for humanitarian aid, enabling assistance to be delivered, except where conflict is constraining this. We continue to call for unhindered access and the facilitation of humanitarian operations.

The UK has announced a further £61 million to support vulnerable Syrians inside Syria and across the region. Through the UN, and international, and Syrian non-governmental organisations, we are providing food, healthcare, protection and other life-saving assistance. We remain in regular contact with those organisations to assess aid access and how they are managing delivery risks.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-02-06)

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Luke Taylor:To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, if he will take diplomatic steps to encourage the Japanese government to formally (a) acknowledge and (b) apologise for the sinking of the SS Tilawa in 1942. \p Catherine West: The sinking of the S.S. Tilawa is a tragedy which has touched the lives of so many. Alongside the Prime Minister, I reiterate my heartfelt condolences to all the victims and families affected. The Government of Japan has apologised several times for its wartime actions in recent decades. Since the Second World War, the UK and Japan have worked hard to promote our shared values and respect for human rights, in the hope that we never see a repeat of these events anywhere in the world. I will continue to champion these efforts.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-02-06)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-02-06 conversation_175

Preet Kaur Gill:To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether he plans to develop an Africa strategy. \p Anneliese Dodds: The Foreign Secretary launched a five-month consultation to inform the UK's new approach to the African continent during his visit to Nigeria and South Africa in November 2024. This follows the manifesto commitment to develop a fundamentally transformed partnership that engages with African countries as equals, promotes our economic growth and supports migration priorities. In recent weeks, the Foreign Secretary and the Minister for Africa met with African Ambassadors, High Commissioners, civil society, and African experts to discuss opportunities for building a long-term mutually beneficial UK relationship with African countries.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-02-06)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-02-06 conversation_176

Ruth Jones:To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, when he last made representations to his Chinese counterpart on the persecution of Uyghur Muslims. \p Catherine West: This Government stands firm on human rights, including in Xinjiang, where China continues to persecute and arbitrarily detain Uyghurs and other predominantly Muslim minorities. The Foreign Secretary has raised this in every meeting with his Chinese counterpart Foreign Minister Wang Yi, including during his visit to China on 18 October. The Prime Minister and Chancellor similarly raised human rights with their counterparts (President Xi and Vice Premier He respectively).
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-02-06)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-02-06 conversation_177

Mark Pritchard:To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what steps he is taking to support (a) peace and (b) stability in the Democratic Republic of Congo. \p Anneliese Dodds: The UK is committed to supporting peace and stability in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC).

The UK condemns M23 and Rwandan Defence Forces (RDF) advances in Eastern DRC as an unacceptable breach of DRC's sovereignty and calls for the immediate withdrawal of all RDF from Congolese territory.

The UK has provided £62 million in humanitarian assistance this financial year, delivering vital services such as clean water, malnutrition treatment, and support for survivors of sexual violence. We will continue to engage with regional leaders to support African-led peace efforts by urging all sides to engage in good faith in finding a political solution.

The Foreign Secretary has spoken to Rwandan President Kagame, South African Foreign Minister Lamola and DRC President Tshisekedi. Lord Collins has spoken to the Rwandan, DRC and Angolan Foreign Ministers.

The UK calls on all parties to immediately cease hostilities, facilitate humanitarian access, and return to inclusive diplomatic talks, particularly through the Luanda process. Engagement in good faith in African-led processes will be key. There can be no military solution. We are actively considering next steps, alongside international partners, including the possibility of a review of all UK support to Rwanda.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-02-06)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-02-06 conversation_178

Sarah Champion:To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, how many British UNRWA workers were expelled as a result of the Israeli legislation enforced on 30 January 2025. \p Mr Hamish Falconer: The United Nations Relief and Work Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) has not released data on the nationality of international staff members who left the Occupied Palestinian Territories as a result of Israeli legislation which came into force on 30 January. The UK remains opposed to the legislation; the vital work of UNRWA in ensuring that Palestinians have access to education and healthcare must be protected in Gaza as well as the West Bank and East Jerusalem. The UK continues to lead international action to press for a resolution to this urgent issue. On 31 January we joined with Germany and France to call on Israel to abide by its international obligations and live up to its responsibility to ensure full, rapid, safe and unhindered humanitarian assistance and the provision of basic services to the civilian population.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-02-06)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-02-06 conversation_179

Preet Kaur Gill:To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what steps he is taking to improve development cooperation with the European Union. \p Anneliese Dodds: We are committed to working closely with partners, including the EU, to deliver our new approach to development. The Foreign Secretary and then High Representative for Foreign Affairs agreed at the October EU Foreign Affairs Council to strengthen their co-operation on international issues. I discussed this ambition again with the EU Commissioner for International Partnerships on 5 February. As a practical example of UK-EU collaboration, the EU confirmed through a 'Pillar Assessment' last autumn that the UK is eligible to manage EU funds on the EU's behalf.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-02-06)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-02-06 conversation_180

Sarah Champion:To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether he has had discussions with the World Bank on steps to ensure construction businesses in Gaza benefit from recently announced funding towards the restoration of critical water and energy infrastructure. \p Mr Hamish Falconer: The UK has committed an additional £2 million of funding through the World Bank to support the construction and restoration of critical energy and water infrastructure in the Occupied Palestinian Territories, including Gaza. This will compliment our diplomatic advocacy alongside the Office of the Quartet and funding efforts to support the resumption of basic services in Gaza as well as other enabling conditions for early recovery efforts in Gaza.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-02-06)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-02-06 conversation_181

Chris Law:To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what recent representations he has made to his Israeli counterparts on the detention of Dr Hussam Abu Safiya. \p Mr Hamish Falconer: We are concerned by the reports of the 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. Whilst we don't comment on specific non UK national cases, the government does raise international humanitarian law compliance regularly with Israel.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-02-06)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-02-06 conversation_182

John Cooper:To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, how much (a) his Department and (b) each of its Arm’s Length Bodies has spent on external public relations since 5 July 2024; and which firms that funding went to. \p Catherine West: Public relations activity is a subset of communication spend. As such, this data is not held. The Government Communication Service encourages the prioritisation of low and no cost public relations activities wherever possible. It is recommended that all external communications support should be procured through approved government frameworks [https://www.crowncommercial.gov.uk/agreements/RM6125], with strict controls in place to ensure cost-effectiveness.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-02-06)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-02-06 conversation_183

Chris Law:To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what recent discussions he has had with his Israeli counterpart on UNRWA’s operations in (a) Gaza and (b) the West Bank. \p Mr Hamish Falconer: The UK remains opposed to the Israeli Knesset legislation suspending UNRWA operations, which came in to force on 30 January. The vital work of UNRWA in ensuring that Palestinians have access to education, healthcare and other essential services must be protected across Gaza, the West Bank and East Jerusalem. On 31 January, we joined with Germany and France to call on Israel to abide by its international obligations and live up to its responsibility to ensure full, rapid, safe and unhindered humanitarian assistance and the provision of basic services to the civilian population. The Foreign Secretary also raised this on 13 January with Foreign Minister Sa'ar, during his visit to the region. The Minister for Development set out our concerns with Israeli Deputy Foreign Minister Haskel on 4 December, while the Foreign Secretary's Representative for Humanitarian Affairs in the Occupied Palestinian Territories raised this with the Israeli Minister for Strategic Affairs on 23 January.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-02-06)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-02-06 conversation_184

Wendy Morton:To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether he has plans to publish the outcomes of his Department's consultation on it's Africa policy. \p Anneliese Dodds: The Foreign Secretary launched a five-month consultation to inform the UK's new approach to the African continent during his visit to Nigeria and South Africa in November. This follows the manifesto commitment to develop a fundamentally transformed partnership that engages with African countries as equals, promotes our economic growth ambitions and supports migration priorities. The new approach will be informed by the consultation and published later this year.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-02-06)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-02-06 conversation_185

Wendy Morton:To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what steps he is taking to support UK research into neglected tropical diseases. \p Anneliese Dodds: The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) is supporting the Drugs for Neglected Diseases initiative (DNDi), a Product Development Partnership that develops novel medicines for Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs). DNDi partners with over 40 academic partners in the UK for its vital research. In addition, the FCDO is in the process of finalising an agreement to support a UK academic institution with the development of novel health technologies for NTDs.

The FCDO also supports UK research capability via our partnership with the Medical Research Council (MRC). This includes research on NTDs led by the Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine on the design of a community-based intervention for snakebite prevention funded through the FCDO/MRC Concordat.