theodi/ndl-core-corpus huggingface dataset:
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-13)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-03-13 conversation_145

Gregory Stafford:To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what estimate she has made of the potential impact of the higher multiplier on properties with RV of £500,000 and above on the food and drink wholesale sector. \p James Murray: To deliver our manifesto pledge, from 2026-27, we intend to introduce permanently lower tax rates for high street retail, hospitality, and leisure (RHL) properties, with rateable values below £500,000. This permanent tax cut will ensure that they benefit from much-needed certainty and support.

This tax cut must be sustainably funded, and so we intend to introduce a higher rate on the most valuable properties on 2026-27 - those with a rateable value of £500,000 and above. These represent less than one per cent of all properties, but cover the majority of large distribution warehouses, including those used by online giants.

Tax policy and legislation is not subject to the Better Regulation Framework Guidance which requires an Impact Assessment to accompany policy decisions. Nevertheless, when the new multipliers are set at Budget 2025 – to take effect in the 2026-27 billing year – HM Treasury intends to publish analysis of the effects of the new multiplier arrangements.

The Government published the ‘Transforming Business Rates’ Discussion Paper at Budget setting out priority areas for reform. This paper invites industry to help co-design a fairer business rates system that supports investment and is fit for the 21st century. Further information regarding the Discussion Paper can be found at: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/transforming-business-rates.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-13)

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Marsha De Cordova:To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what assessment he makes of the potential impact of proposed reductions in official development assistance on future trends in the levels of (a) violence against women and girls and (b) preventable deaths among infants in recipient countries. \p Stephen Doughty: The Prime Minister has set out a new strategic vision for government spending on defence and security, and Official Development Assistance (ODA). Detailed decisions on how the ODA budget will be used will be worked through as part of the ongoing Spending Review.

The UK has placed empowering women and girls at the centre of our international work. We remain committed to tackling violence against women and girls around the world, and to supporting global efforts to end preventable maternal, child and newborn deaths in line with Sustainable Development Goal targets.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-13)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-03-13 conversation_147

Richard Burgon:To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, if he will make an assessment of the potential impact of the reduction in ODA spending on food insecurity in (a) Haiti, (b) Mali and (c) South Sudan. \p Stephen Doughty: The Prime Minister has set out a new strategic vision for government spending on defence and security and Official Development Assistance (ODA). He has been clear that the government will continue to play a key humanitarian role. Detailed decisions on how the ODA budget will be used will be worked through as part of the ongoing Spending Review based on various factors including impact assessments.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-13)

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Mr James Cleverly:To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, how much Official Development Assistance funding has been spent on countering disinformation in Georgia in each of the last five years. \p Stephen Doughty: Over the past five years, we have supported efforts to counter information threats, including disinformation, in Central and Eastern Europe. This includes, where appropriate, supporting projects through Official Development Assistance funding. Due to the risks posed to our partners and beneficiaries of these projects we do not publish detailed information about them.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-13)

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Callum Anderson:To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what steps British International Investment is taking to ensure that investments strengthen commercial relationships between the UK and partner countries. \p Stephen Doughty: British International Investment's (BII) investments are building markets in partner countries that are stimulating economic growth. This also develops future UK trade and investment opportunities.

BII invest in sectors where it can have the most developmental impact. These tend to also align with areas of UK commercial strength, including financial services, clean energy, and digital. Examples of this modern approach to development include BII's partnership with Standard Chartered Bank which has enabled $10 billion in trade volumes across Africa and Asia since 2013 and BII's partnership with Vodafone that has brought down the cost of mobile services by up to 70 per cent in Ethiopia, and a new £100 million Mobilisation Facility to de-risk institutional investors such as those in the City of London to accelerate climate-focussed investments in developing countries. We will continue to work with BII to focus and maximise the impact of its work in line with our missions and the wider geopolitical situation.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-13)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-03-13 conversation_150

Callum Anderson:To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what steps British International Investment is taking to align investment decisions with the Government’s (a) missions and (b) development objectives. \p Stephen Doughty: British International Investment's (BII) investment decisions are taken within a framework agreed and aligned with the Government's mission and development objectives. BII is delivering on the Government's ambitions on growth, accelerating the clean energy transition, and unlocking private capital for development impact. In 2023 alone, BII-backed businesses operating in developing countries provided jobs for over one million people, paid $2.4 billion in taxes in partner countries, and generated 59 TWh of electricity.

The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) and BII ensure this strategic alignment through governance arrangements that follow best practice guidance from Cabinet Office and HM Treasury with robust lines of accountability between FCDO and BII. We will continue to work with BII to focus and maximise the impact of its work in line with our missions and the wider geopolitical situation.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-13)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-03-13 conversation_151

Mr James Cleverly:To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, when he plans to restore Official Development Assistance to 0.7 percent of gross national income. \p Stephen Doughty: The Government remains committed to returning to spending 0.7% of Gross National Income (GNI) on Official Development Assistance (ODA) when fiscal circumstances allow, in line with the International Development Act 2015. Reducing ODA now is a difficult but necessary decision to respond to the pressing security challenges.

The Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR's) latest forecast shows that the ODA fiscal tests are not due to be met within the Parliament. The government will continue to monitor future forecasts closely, and each year will review and confirm, in accordance with the International Development (Official Development Assistance Target) Act 2015, whether a return to spending 0.7% GNI on ODA is possible against the latest fiscal forecast.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-13)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-03-13 conversation_152

Josh Fenton-Glynn:To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, how many social media accounts their Department operates; and how much their Department spent on social media (a) subscriptions and (b) advertisements on each social media platform in each of the last three years. \p Catherine West: The Government communicates across a range of media channels to reach its target audience effectively. Channels are selected based on whether they will reach the intended audience on a specific issue to have the most impact.

Social media is an essential part of government communication and is used to inform the public directly about matters which may affect their lives or interests.

The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) central communication team operates 15 active social media accounts for the department including foreign language and travel advice. We will spend £293.77 on subscription to X Premium+ in 2025. We report no spend on social media subscriptions in the preceding two years.

The below table captures social media advertising spend in support of key campaigns run by the FCDO central communication team from 2022 - 2025, broken down by platform.

Year

Meta

LinkedIn

Snapchat

YouTube

Reddit

Pinterest

Total

2022

£7,588.16

£7,588.16

2023

£129,940.59

£22,554.69

£102,625.31

£23,970.91

£59,940.06

£339,031.55

2024

£983,847.59

£717,368.33

£39,331.73

£52,648.02

£9,989.19

£9,990.01

£1,813,174.88

2025

£123,000.00

£111,999.76

£234,999.76

Total

£1,244,376.34

£851,922.78

£141,957.05

£76,618.92

£9,989.19

£69,930.07

£2,394,794.35

Our global network operates their own social media accounts, subscriptions and advertising locally to support bilateral relationships and international delivery of the Government's missions. Some FCDO policy teams also use social media to engage their audiences.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-13)

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Wendy Morton:To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what steps is he taking to engage philanthropic organisations in (a) global nutrition and (b) food security investments. \p Stephen Doughty: The UK Government works closely with philanthropic organisations on food security investments and to deliver global nutrition outcomes.

On global nutrition, we partner with the Gates Foundation and the Children's Investment Fund Foundation, via the Child Nutrition Fund. The Foreign, Commonwealth, and Development Office co-chairs the Action Review Panel on Child Wasting which includes philanthropic organisations, to take action on acute malnutrition.

On food security investments, the UK co-funds agricultural research with the Gates Foundation. Over the last 15 years this collaboration, drawing on UK science and expertise, has led to significant impacts including climate resilient nutritious crops and livestock vaccines for smallholder farmers.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-13)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-03-13 conversation_154

Steve Darling:To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, with reference to reports that around 20,000 Ukrainian children have been forcibly deported or transferred into Russia or Russian-held territories, what steps his Department is taking to help Ukraine reunite children with their families. \p Stephen Doughty: The UK continues to track Russia's deportation of Ukrainian children. Our efforts focus on communications, sanctions, and accountability. We have raised this issue at the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE), the UN and the Human Rights Council. The UK participated in the most recent meeting of the International Coalition for the Return of Ukrainian Children in October 2024 and continues to work closely with the Ukrainian government. In November 2024, we announced a third round of sanctions targeting those attempting to forcibly deport and indoctrinate Ukrainian children. We were pleased to see another group of children returned via Qatari mediation in September 2024, and are grateful for Qatar's continued engagement.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-13)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-03-13 conversation_155

Wendy Morton:To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what funding has been allocated from the Official Development Assistance budget for conservation projects in the Falkland Islands. \p Stephen Doughty: The Falkland Islands are financially self-sufficient and do not receive Official Development Assistance. The UK Government has partnered with the Falkland Islands on several conservation projects including those supported through Defra's Darwin Plus programme. These include projects to restore native habitats, strengthen marine mammal management, and build capacity to respond to the threat of wildfires.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-13)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-03-13 conversation_156

Alicia Kearns:To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what recent assessment he has made of the implications of the Budapest Memorandum for his policies. \p Stephen Doughty: In the 1994 Budapest Memorandum, in return for Ukraine giving up its nuclear weapons, Russia committed to "refrain from the threat or use of force against the territorial integrity or political independence of Ukraine." Russia has clearly breached those commitments. When the war ends Ukraine will need robust security guarantees to ensure Russia is never able to invade again. The UK is ready to play a leading role in accelerating work on security guarantees, as well as further support for Ukraine's military.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-13)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-03-13 conversation_157

Wendy Morton:To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what steps his Department plans to take to support the integration of greener practices in (a) global healthcare and (b) the surgical sector to meet net-zero emissions targets while improving patient outcomes. \p Mr Hamish Falconer: Since COP26, the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) has promoted climate-resilient and sustainable health systems, including in the surgical sector. We co-founded the Alliance for Transformative Action on Climate and Health, with over 90 country members to drive implementation through best practice exchange and collective action. We have showcased UK practice and research, e.g. actions to meet NHS net-zero targets, including supply chains.

Our diplomatic efforts supported "climate and health" resolutions and declarations at World Health Assemblies and COPs. Through bilateral projects and the World Bank Health Systems Fund, we help partners undertake diagnostics, develop plans, and mobilise resources for resilient and sustainable health systems.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-13)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-03-13 conversation_158

Martin Wrigley:To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, if he will make an assessment of the potential impact of Elon Musk's business interests in connection with his role as head of the US Department of Government Efficiency on UK national security. \p Stephen Doughty: The appointment of US officials is a matter for the US and not one in which we have a role. We have no plans to make an assessment along the lines proposed. The UK-US relationship has been the cornerstone of our security and prosperity for over a century. When the Prime Minister visited the White House on 27 February 2025, he discussed with President Trump the depth of the special relationship and their commitment to shared security and prosperity.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-13)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-03-13 conversation_159

Helen Maguire:To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what support his Department is providing for Ukrainian rehabilitation organisations. \p Stephen Doughty: The UK supports the strengthening of Ukrainian rehabilitation systems in various ways, including training and capacity building of Ukrainian healthcare staff; provision of rehabilitation equipment to facilities across Ukraine; and support on health and social policy. We support home-based care and rehabilitation services through our assistance to the Ukrainian Red Cross Society and funding via the Partnership Fund for a Resilient Ukraine for the Superhumans clinic, which provides innovative rehabilitation services to people who have been impacted by war.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-13)

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Mr James Cleverly:To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of the reduction in Overseas Development Assistance on the Commonwealth realms; and what steps he is taking to help mitigate that impact. \p Stephen Doughty: The Prime Minister has set out a new strategic vision for government spending on defence and security and Official Development Assistance (ODA). Detailed decisions on how the ODA budget will be used will be worked through as part of the ongoing Spending Review based on various factors including impact assessments.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-13)

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Mr James Cleverly:To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what the projected level of overseas development aid (ODA) expenditure on asylum accommodation is over the next three years; and whether he plans to ring-fence the amount of ODA available for that purpose. \p Stephen Doughty: The Government is committed to ensuring that asylum costs fall and has already acted. The Government has taken measures to reduce the asylum backlog, reform the asylum accommodation system to end the use of expensive accommodation in the next Spending Review (SR) period and increase detention capacity to facilitate more asylum removals.

Whilst there will always be volatility in asylum forecasts, we expect these decisions to drive down overall in-donor refugee costs over the next SR.

All UK Official Development Assistance (ODA) spending is consistent with the international rules agreed by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD's) Development Assistance Committee. This includes ODA spent on in-donor refugee costs.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-13)

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Marsha De Cordova:To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether he has made an assessment of the potential impact of proposed reductions in official development assistance on future trends in the level of preventable sight loss in recipient countries. \p Stephen Doughty: The Prime Minister has set out a new strategic vision for government spending on defence and security, and Official Development Assistance. Detailed decisions on how the ODA budget will be used will be worked through as part of the ongoing Spending Review on the basis of various factors including impact assessments.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-13)

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Ben Obese-Jecty:To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether the UK’s right to extend the 99-year lease on the Chagos Islands was renegotiated with the government of Mauritius in the period between his Oral Statement of 7 October 2024 on British Indian Ocean Territory: Negotiations, Official Report, column 45, and the Answer of 30 January 2025 to Question 25391 on Diego Garcia: Military Bases. \p Stephen Doughty: As we and Mauritius have repeatedly said, including in joint statements on 20 December and on 13 January, both sides remain committed to concluding a deal on the future of the Chagos Archipelago which protects the long-term effective operation of the joint UK-US base on Diego Garcia. The Treaty will last for an initial 99 years and may be extended for a further 40 years (and beyond) by agreement between the UK and Mauritius - after 99 years, the UK will also have the right to first refusal on the use of Diego Garcia which, if exercised, would prevent the use of the base by any other party. We continue to engage with Mauritius and are not going to provide a running commentary on the details.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-13)

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Ben Obese-Jecty:To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what steps he is taking to resolve the dispute between the Republic of the Maldives’s Economic Exclusion Zone and the British Indian Ocean Territory’s (a) Fisheries Conservation and Management Zone and (b) Environment (Protection and Preservation) Zone in negotiations with the Government of Mauritius. \p Stephen Doughty: As we outlined in our joint statement of 3 October 2024, following two years of negotiation with the intention of resolving all outstanding issues between the UK and Mauritius concerning the Chagos Archipelago, the UK and Mauritius reached political agreement which is subject to the finalisation in a treaty and connected legal instruments. The agreement will be supported by an enhanced partnership between the UK and Mauritius under which the UK will support Mauritius' ambitions to establish a Marine Protected Area (MPA) that protects the globally significant ecosystems in the Chagos Archipelago. The UK was not a party to the 2021 International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea case between Mauritius and Maldives.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-13)

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Andrew Rosindell:To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether his Department is taking steps to help support the Commissioner for South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands following the grounding of iceberg A23a. \p Stephen Doughty: The Commissioner for South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands (SGSSI) has not requested any support from the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) at this stage following the recent grounding of iceberg A23a off the island of South Georgia. The current assessment remains that the iceberg is unlikely to significantly affect the wildlife, and Southern Ocean shipping operators are currently easily able to avoid the iceberg as it hasn't yet started to break up. The FCDO will remain in close contact with the Commissioner for SGSSI and the British Antarctic Survey (BAS) about A23a to identify any support required as it starts to break up and melt. The Ministry of Defence are also seeking to monitor the grounding site when conditions allow.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-13)

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Wendy Morton:To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what steps he is taking to enhance the safety and security of aid workers in conflict zones. \p Stephen Doughty: We recognise the vital role that aid workers play in conflicts, and the risks they face. In May 2024, the UK co-sponsored UN Security Resolution 2730. The resolution establishes a regular reporting mechanism to highlight the safety and security of all humanitarian personnel at the Security Council and provide recommendations on measures to protect and enhance the safety and security of humanitarian personnel, assets and premises and ensure accountability.

As a permanent Member at the UN Security Council, we will continue to use our position to protect aid workers, champion compliance with International Humanitarian Law and seek accountability for violations.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-13)

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Wendy Morton:To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether he plans to undertake further consultation with stakeholders following the completion of Baroness Shafik’s Independent Development Review. \p Stephen Doughty: As my Rt Hon Friend the Member for Oxford East wrote in response to question 28558, the Foreign Secretary is considering his response to the three reviews he commissioned into the UK's Global Impact, Development and Economic Diplomacy. The Foreign Secretary and Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) Ministers will continue to meet key stakeholders on a wide range of issues, including international development, in the course of their duties, and as part of a commitment to harnessing a wide range of perspectives and integrating them into the FCDO's policy and strategy.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-13)

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Richard Burgon:To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, how much funding his Department plans to provide for programmes to help tackle global hunger in each of the next five financial years. \p Stephen Doughty: The impact of the reduction in UK Official Development Assistance from 0.5 per cent to 0.3 per cent in 2027 is being worked through. Announcements on allocations will be made following the completion of the ongoing Spending Review and departmental resource allocation processes. We will continue to advocate for action on global hunger, including through multilateral forums such as the G7, the G20, and as vice-chair of the Global Alliance against Hunger and Poverty.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-13)

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Harpreet Uppal:To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, which (a) sectors and (b) regions he plans to prioritise following changes to Official Development Assistance. \p Stephen Doughty: The Prime Minister has set out a new strategic vision for government spending on defence and security and Official Development Assistance (ODA). Detailed decisions on how the ODA budget will be used will be worked through as part of the ongoing Spending Review based on various factors.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-13)

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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 timely aid delivery to vulnerable populations; and what steps he is taking with international partners to remove barriers to that delivery. \p Stephen Doughty: The Foreign Secretary has been clear that the UK is committed to protecting the most at risk in situations of conflict and crisis, including civilians, refugees, internally displaced people, women and girls, and people with disabilities.

We work closely with international partners to remove barriers to delivery, both through diplomatic initiatives and in the way that we select delivery partners and approaches. This includes using our seat at the UN Security Council to promote access to aid and the protection of aid workers.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-13)

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Mr Angus MacDonald:To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what assessment his Department has made of the potential impact of the reduction in ODA spending on the UK's position on the United Nations Security Council. \p Stephen Doughty: The Prime Minister has set out a new strategic vision for government spending on defence and security and Official Development Assistance (ODA). Detailed decisions on how the ODA budget will be used will be worked through as part of the ongoing Spending Review based on various factors including impact assessments.

As a permanent member of the UN Security Council, the UK will continue to use its seat on the Council to advance our objectives on matters of international peace and security.
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Anneliese Midgley:To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether an impact assessment was carried out on the impact of cuts to Official Development Assistance. \p Stephen Doughty: The Prime Minister has set out a new strategic vision for government spending on defence and security, and official development assistance. Detailed decisions on how the Official Development Assistance (ODA) budget will be used will be worked through as part of the ongoing Spending Review on the basis of various factors including impact assessments.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-13)

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Jim Shannon:To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether his Department holds statistics on the number of educational (a) placements and (b) scholarships the UK has offered to Afghani women over the last twelve months. \p Stephen Doughty: The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) does not hold records on the number of non-government placements and scholarships given to Afghan women. In 2024, the FCDO awarded 13 Chevening scholarships to Afghan nationals to study in the UK. Out of the 13, four awards went to women.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-13)

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Anneliese Midgley:To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, if he will make an assessment of the potential impact of cuts to Official Development Assistance on (a) women and (b) children. \p Stephen Doughty: The Prime Minister has set out a new strategic vision for government spending on defence and security, and Official Development Assistance (ODA). Detailed decisions on how the ODA budget will be used, including our work supporting women and children, will be worked through as part of the ongoing Spending Review based on various factors including impact assessments.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-13)

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Mrs Elsie Blundell:To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, if he will advocate for a Special Tribunal for the Crime of Aggression against (a) President Putin and (b) the political leadership of the Russian Federation. \p Stephen Doughty: The UK continues to support work towards establishing a Special Tribunal on the Crime of Aggression against Ukraine, and is playing an active role in the Core Group established by Ukraine to progress this work. Senior UK legal and policy experts attended the most recent Core Group meeting in February in Brussels, and will attend further meetings this month in Strasbourg. Our focus within the Core Group is to ensure that any legal instruments agreed for the establishment of a Special Tribunal are legally sound and able to attract broad international support.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-13)

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Harpreet Uppal:To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what consultations he plans to hold with (a) humanitarian and (b) international development (i) partners and (ii) stakeholders on changes to Official Development Assistance. \p Stephen Doughty: The Government remains fully committed to the UK playing a globally significant role on development; it is both in our national interest and in the interest of our partners across the globe.

We are currently working through the details of the Prime Minister's announcement, including engagement with a range of stakeholders. We will continue to work with British International Investment to focus and maximise the impact of its work in line with our missions and the wider geopolitical situation.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-13)

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Mr James Cleverly:To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, how much Official Development Assistance funding has been spent on countering disinformation in the Balkans in each of the last five years. \p Stephen Doughty: Over the past five years, we have supported efforts to counter information threats, including disinformation, in the Western Balkans. This includes, where appropriate, supporting projects through Official Development Assistance funding. Due to the risks posed to our partners and beneficiaries of these projects we do not publish detailed information about them.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-13)

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Brendan O'Hara:To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, when the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for the Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan and Pakistan last visited the Middle East. \p Mr Hamish Falconer: I have conducted several visits to the region since my appointment in July 2024, most recently a visit to Ankara on 2-4 March for a UK-Turkey ministerial dialogue focused on the current situation in Syria.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-13)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-03-13 conversation_179

Carla Lockhart:To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether he plans to hold discussions with his counterpart in the Democratic Republic of the Congo on (a) the recent killing of Christians and (b) other ongoing human rights violations in that country. \p Mr Hamish Falconer: Recent attacks by IS-affiliated Allied Democratic Forces (ADF) in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) are alarming and we are deeply saddened by the loss of life. Protection of civilians, promotion of respect between different religious and non-religious groups, and human rights are priorities for the UK. The UK continues to work through UN bodies and other multilateral fora to promote and protect these rights in the DRC. Ministers and senior officials including our Ambassador in Kinshasa regularly raise the importance of civilian protection with the Government of DRC. The UK continues to remind all parties of their obligations under international humanitarian law and make clear that all those who have committed human rights violations and abuses must be held accountable.
wrans/answers2025-03-13 conversation_180
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-13)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-03-13 conversation_180

Wendy Morton:To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what steps he is taking to ensure UK participation with regional partners on the Abraham Accords. \p Mr Hamish Falconer: The United Kingdom warmly welcomed the normalisation agreements between Israel and Arab partners. The Abraham Accords are a historic milestone that bring us closer to the goal of shared prosperity and peace throughout the region. The UK is working with regional partners to ensure the Abraham Accords are an enduring success, and we continue to encourage other countries who have not yet normalised their relations with Israel to do so. We continue to support efforts to ensure normalisation also delivers benefits for the Palestinians.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-13)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-03-13 conversation_181

Priti Patel:To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what plans he has to deliver efficiency savings in his Department in (a) this financial year, (b) 2025-26 and (c) future financial years. \p Catherine West: The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) has made efficiency savings in this financial year through initiatives outlined in the Government Efficiency Framework. This framework was agreed between the FCDO and HMT during the 2021 Spending Review, and set out efficiency targets of £84.8 million to meet by the end of 2024-25. This was increased to £86.8 million during the 2023 Spending Review. The FCDO has met this target.

To help drive out waste and ensure all funding is focused on the Government's priorities, the FCDO plans to achieve future efficiency savings through digital innovation, workforce optimisation and corporate process reform.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-13)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-03-13 conversation_182

Kevin Hollinrake:To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, pursuant to the Answer of 20 January 2025 to Question 24157 on Chinese Embassy: Planning Permission, if he will list the organisations that the Department has received correspondence from. \p Catherine West: The planning application has been called in by the Secretary of State for the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government and she will make this decision independent from the rest of Government corresponding to her quasi-judicial role. As you would expect, the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) has received correspondence relating to the planning application. We have no plans to release a list of the organisations, or individuals, that the FCDO has received correspondence from. The Foreign Secretary and Home Secretary's written representations to the Planning Inquiry are publicly available.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-13)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-03-13 conversation_183

Marsha De Cordova:To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of reductions to overseas aid on the levels of resilience to (a) conflict and (b) climate shocks among civilian populations in recipient countries. \p Stephen Doughty: The Prime Minister has set out a new strategic vision for government spending on defence and security, and Official Development Assistance (ODA). Detailed decisions on how the ODA budget will be used will be worked through as part of the ongoing Spending Review on the basis of various factors including impact assessments.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-13)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-03-13 conversation_184

Mr James Cleverly:To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of the reduction in overseas development assistance on the UK’s (a) shareholding and (b) board membership of the World Bank. \p Stephen Doughty: The UK's shareholding at the World Bank is based on our paid in capital. We do not anticipate any reduction in our shareholding or any changes to our board representation as a result of the decision to reduce UK aid spending.

Detailed decisions on how the Official Development Assistance (ODA) budget will be used will be worked through as part of the ongoing Spending Review on the basis of various factors including impact assessments. We will set out spending plans following the completion of the Spending Review and departmental resource allocation processes.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-13)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-03-13 conversation_185

Wendy Morton:To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether his Department has undertaken an impact assessment of changes to Official Development Assistance allocations in 2024-25. \p Stephen Doughty: The Prime Minister has set out a new strategic vision for government spending on defence and security and Official Development Assistance (ODA). Detailed decisions on how the ODA budget will be used will be worked through as part of the ongoing Spending Review based on various factors including impact assessments.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-13)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-03-13 conversation_186

Callum Anderson:To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what steps he is taking with Cabinet colleagues to encourage inward investment into the UK. \p Stephen Doughty: The Foreign Secretary has tasked the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) to use its diplomatic influence to champion the UK economy overseas. Our diplomats will be the sales force for UK plc, working with colleagues from across government to ensure we are attracting investment to the UK. This includes directly working with businesses and partner governments, such as a recent Foreign Secretary hosted business roundtable with senior UK representatives from top Japanese firms who have invested in the UK.

In addition, the National Security and Investment Act (NSI) will also aid the UK's growth ambitions by allowing the Government to intervene in transactions that threaten national security.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-13)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-03-13 conversation_187

Dave Doogan:To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what estimate he has made of the number of children globally who will be impacted by the funding cuts to Official Development Assistance. \p Stephen Doughty: The Prime Minister has set out a new strategic vision for government spending on defence and security, and Official Development Assistance (ODA). Detailed decisions on how the ODA budget will be used, including our work supporting children, will be worked through as part of the ongoing Spending Review based on various factors including impact assessments.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-13)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-03-13 conversation_188

Wendy Morton:To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what steps his Department is taking to monitor the effectiveness of the Government's humanitarian aid response in conflict-affected regions receiving Official Development Assistance. \p Stephen Doughty: The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) is committed to independently evaluating the relevance, effectiveness, impact, value for money and sustainability of its Official Development Assistance (ODA) and non-ODA programmes as required in the International Development Act (2015). The FCDO's Programme Operating Framework sets out the mandatory rules for FCDO programme delivery. This requires regular monitoring to provide performance and financial oversight and evaluate performance and impact. The Framework is published on GOV.UK and programme Annual and Closure Reviews are published on DevTracker.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-13)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-03-13 conversation_189

Wendy Morton:To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, if his Department will publish a list of (a) programmes and (b) countries that have had their budgets adjusted since July 2024 including the reasons for each adjustment. \p Stephen Doughty: The former Minister for Development set out the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office's (FCDO) indicative Official Development Assistance (ODA) programme allocations for 2024/25 in a Written Ministerial Statement (HCWS421) on 6 February 2025.

We will publish the FCDO's final ODA programme outturn for 2024/25 in the Annual Report & Accounts in summer 2025.

We will set out our spending plans for future years following the completion of the Spending Review and departmental resource allocation processes.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-13)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-03-13 conversation_190

Martin Wrigley:To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, if he will make an assessment of the potential impact of the proposed reduction in the proportion of gross national income spent on overseas development assistance on the influence of Russia in the countries from which aid would be withdrawn. \p Stephen Doughty: The Prime Minister has set out a new strategic vision for government spending on defence and security, and Official Development Assistance (ODA). Detailed decisions on how the ODA budget will be used will be worked through as part of the ongoing Spending Review based on various factors including impact assessments. This government remains fully committed to a significant role on development.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-13)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-03-13 conversation_191

Mr James Cleverly:To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, if he will spend 80 percent of Official Development Assistance on women and girls. \p Stephen Doughty: The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) is committed to putting women and girls at the heart of everything we do. We continue to work towards our target of at least 80 percent of the FCDO's bilateral aid programmes having a focus on gender equality by 2030. This commitment is measured by the proportion of programmes, rather than by spend, since this reflects our ambition for gender to be mainstreamed across all FCDO programmes.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-13)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-03-13 conversation_192

Stephen Gethins:To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what plans his Department has to work with European partners to support post-conflict stabilisation work in Syria. \p Mr Hamish Falconer: The situation is Syria remains fluid and fragile. We want to see a more stable Syria and are working closely with international partners, including European partners, to this end. Following the Foreign Secretary's public statement on 9 March, I made clear in my Statement to the House on 10 March that the interim authorities have a responsibility to ensure the protection of all Syrian civilians and to make progress towards an inclusive political transition.

Our priorities are to support an inclusive, Syrian-led political transition that leads to a representative and non-sectarian government, tackle security threats, including from Daesh, and support economic recovery. On 6 March, we announced the relaxation of sanctions on some Syrian entities in the transport, energy and finance sectors, as part of our efforts to help the people of Syria to rebuild their country and economy.