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Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office
Supporting developing countries to tackle unsustainable debt is a key development priority of this government. The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) works closely with the Treasury to support countries facing high debt burdens and struggling to finance their development…
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I refer the Hon Member to the statement made to the House by the Foreign Secretary on 19 March outlining the UK's Official Development Assistance (ODA) allocations for the period up to 2028-29, and the accompanying documentation setting out the impact of those allocation decisions. I also refer him…
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British International Investment operates under a publicly available remuneration framework that sets out how salaries are determined and governed, which is agreed with the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office and considered to be consistent with best practice.
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I refer the Hon Member to the answer provided on 26 March in response to Question 122018.At the heart of the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office's future health programming is a clear commitment to strengthening health systems, and raising the overall level of primary healthcare provision…
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British International Investment complies fully with UK employment law, including all statutory rights regarding trade union recognition or membership. There is no detriment for staff who join a union, support recognition of a union, or take part in union activity.
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I refer the Hon Member to the statement made to the House by the Foreign Secretary on 19 March outlining the UK's Official Development Assistance (ODA) allocations for the period up to 2028-29, and to the accompanying documents setting out the detail of those allocations. I also refer him to the…
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The UK is deeply concerned by the deteriorating security situation in Burkina Faso, including regular attacks by terrorist groups. This year, the UK provided £173 million to support programmes across the Sahel, including to alleviate the root causes of conflict, help those displaced by it and…
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I refer the Hon Member to the statement made to the House by the Foreign Secretary on 19 March outlining the UK's Official Development Assistance (ODA) allocations for the period up to 2028-29, and to the accompanying documents setting out the impact of those allocation decisions. I also refer him…
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The Official Development Assistance (ODA) allocations announced by the Foreign Secretary on 19 March take a strategic, multi‑year approach, which will provide greater predictability and support effective planning by our partners, including multilateral organisations such as the Global Fund to…
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The issues raised in the Hon Member's questions are all key priorities for the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO), and our work in these areas cannot adequately be summarised in a single answer. However, he can find regular updates about that work by following the FCDO news feed on…
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The BBC is editorially and operationally independent. The BBC World Service is bound by the same requirements of impartiality and accuracy as all other parts of the BBC, as set out in the organisation's editorial guidelines, available here: https://www.bbc.com/editorialguidelines/guidelines/
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The UK recognises the vital role that improving access to clean water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) in healthcare facilities plays in preventing maternal and infant deaths, tackling antimicrobial resistance, and safeguarding women and girls.We work with a range of international partners on this…
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Ministers and officials continue to meet on a regular basis with a wide range of Sudanese civil society and diaspora groups in the UK and across the region to listen to their concerns, gain their valuable insights, and help to build an inclusive, united approach for transitioning to a civilian-led…
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Ministers and officials continue to meet on a regular basis with a wide range of Sudanese civil society and diaspora groups in the UK and across the region to listen to their concerns, gain their valuable insights, and help to build an inclusive, united approach for transitioning to a civilian-led…
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I can confirm that 79 Sudanese nationals were awarded Chevening Scholarships in the years 2021-25.
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The High-Level Meeting comes at a critical moment for the global HIV response and offers an opportunity to reaffirm international commitments to end AIDS for good. The UK has endorsed the Global AIDS Strategy 2026-2031 and will work to ensure the political declaration upholds its ambitions,…
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Full details of the announcements made, and issues discussed, during the Foreign Secretary's visit to Ethiopia were set out on GOV.UK on 2 February at the link below: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/foreign-secretary-sets-out-new-cooperation-on-illegal-migration.
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I refer the Hon Member to the statement made by the Foreign Secretary on 5 February following her recent visit to the Chad-Sudan border.
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I refer the Rt Hon Member to the statement made to the House by the Foreign Secretary on 19 March setting out the Official Development Assistance allocations for the period up to 2028-29, and to the accompanying documents detailing the forecast impact of those allocations, and the ways in which…
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I refer the Rt Hon Member to the statement made to the House by the Foreign Secretary on 19 March setting out the Official Development Assistance allocations for the period up to 2028-29, and to the accompanying documents detailing the forecast impact of those allocations, and the ways in which…
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Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office Ministers have committed to a new project on Preventing Technology-Facilitated Violence against Women and Girls to be launched this year. Final budget allocations for this and other work in the VAWG portfolio will be set out in due course.
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Alongside our international partners, the UK continues to call for tensions or disputes in Ethiopia to be resolved peacefully and diplomatically, and for all parties to avoid actions that would inflame or escalate those tensions. We also continue to support multilateral efforts to promote peace and…
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I thank the Rt Hon Member for her series of questions on Sudan, all of which have been addressed in previous answers to written questions, or in other public and parliamentary statements by ministers. For example, I refer the Rt Hon Member to the answers provided to Question 112956 on 26 February,…
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The UK is a strong supporter of the International Criminal Court (ICC) as the primary international institution for investigating and prosecuting those responsible for the most serious crimes of concern to the international community and achieving justice for victims. The ICC has jurisdiction over…
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I thank the Hon Member for his question. I will deposit in the library the full requested breakdown of Chevening scholarships by year and by country, but as a summary of the top-line findings, the table below sets out the top 20 countries for scholarships over the period…
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I refer the Hon Member to the continuing absence of an apology from the leader of his party for her public attacks on the journalist Nadine White in January 2021, which led to extensive online harassment and abuse directed at Ms White, and which was condemned by organisations including the Society…
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The UK is committed to championing Freedom of Religion or Belief (FoRB) for all. We recognise that every day, people around the world face persecution or discrimination on the basis of their religion or belief, including Christians. The UK's FoRB Strategy, set out by the Special Envoy last July,…
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Religious intolerance has no place in pluralistic, modern societies. The UK is using its position at the UN Security Council and at the Human Rights Council to keep a spotlight on, and take actions in response to, the human rights situation in both Sudan and South Sudan.
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I refer the Rt Hon Member to the answer provided on 10 March 2026 in response to Question 117243.
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Each case reported to the UK Government is assessed on its own merits, and there are no fixed criteria of the type the Hon Member describes.
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I refer the Hon Member to the answer provided on 12 February in response to Question 111609.
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The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office does not provide funding for the Global Equality Fund, which ceased operations in 2025.
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The State Visit will provide an important opportunity to strengthen the UK-Nigeria Strategic Partnership across growth, security, migration, and foreign policy. As the largest democracy in Africa, Nigeria has an important role to play in upholding democratic norms, including ensuring a free, fair…
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The Government is committed to returning to spending 0.7 per cent of Gross National Income on Official Development Assistance as soon as fiscal circumstances allow.
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The UK continues to follow developments in Cuba closely, including the impact of the 29 January US executive order. The UK has maintained a consistent and long-standing position on the US embargo, voting for the annual UN resolution calling for its end every year since 1996.
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The Integrated Security Fund-supported Gender and National Security portfolio has a total budget of £4.85 million in 2025/26, of which approximately £1.6 million (33 per cent) is targeted specifically to tackling Violence against Women and Girls.
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The UK Special Representative for Sudan continues to engage with both warring parties, pressing for unimpeded humanitarian access, a ceasefire and civilian-led transition, and to urge adherence to international law.The Foreign Secretary has consistently condemned the violations of international law…
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I refer the Hon Member to the answer provided on 10 March 2026 in response to Question 117243.
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The State Visit will provide an important opportunity to strengthen the UK-Nigeria Strategic Partnership across growth, security, migration, and foreign policy. As the largest democracy in Africa, Nigeria has an important role to play in upholding democratic norms, including ensuring a free, fair…
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I refer the Hon Member to the answer provided on 17 December 2024 to Question 19695.
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I refer the Hon Member to the answer provided on 28 January to Question 107281.
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I refer the Hon Member to the statement made by the Foreign Secretary on 5 February following her recent visit to the Chad-Sudan border, and to the answer she was provided on 2 March in response to Question 114073.
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An Equalities Impact Assessment was published in September 2025 relating to Official Development Assistance (ODA) allocations in 2025/26. We will soon publish the multi-year ODA allocations for the period from 2026/27 to 2028/29, informed by internal and external consultation and further impact…
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On Stonewall, I refer the Hon Member to the answer provided on 22 April 2025 to Question 44591. On his other question, as far as I am aware, no such flags were flown by the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) in 2025.
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The UK remains a steadfast supporter of the United Nations. As the world continues to grapple with rising levels of conflict and instability, the work of the United Nations remains as vital as ever. The UK remains committed to working with our partners and allies at the UN, including through our…
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The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office is aware of the assault on Professor Lovemore Madhuku and other National Constitutional Assembly activists. Freedom of expression is an essential quality of any functioning democracy. Political parties, civil society and journalists in Zimbabwe…
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I refer the Hon Member to the press release published on GOV.UK on 20 February setting out our plans for the conference: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/global-partnerships-conference-to-build-new-international-coalitions-to-tackle-shared-challenges
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I refer the Hon Member to the answer provided on 25 February in response to Question 114008.
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UK ministers and officials maintain regular contact with their Argentine counterparts, discussing a range of issues including economic growth, support for Ukraine in the face of Russian aggression, and the South Atlantic. The Foreign Secretary last spoke to her counterpart, Foreign Minister Pablo…
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The issues raised in the Hon Member's question are among the most important priorities for the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO), and our work in these areas cannot adequately be summarised in the answer to one parliamentary question. However, he can find regular updates about…
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The UK respects the independence of the International Criminal Court (ICC) and does not support sanctioning individuals or organisations associated with the Court. We are in touch with the ICC about this matter, and have also raised our concerns with the US Administration.
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I refer the Hon Member to the answer provided on 17 December 2024 to Question 19695.
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The Department assesses the effectiveness and value for money of UK-funded projects in the areas mentioned through its business case process, quarterly progress reports, annual reviews and Project Completion Reviews, including checks on financial performance, risk management and delivery against…
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The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) was made aware of the Government Statistical Service's public consultation on the harmonised standard for ethnicity data collection in the UK. The FCDO did not submit a response given the domestic focus of the consultation.
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The official portrait of His Majesty The King resides in the reception area of the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office headquarters. On portraits that are part of the Government Art Collection, I refer the Hon Member to the answer provided on 21 May 2025 in response to Question 52692.
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The Foreign Secretary has made clear that advancing the rights and safety of women and girls around the world will be a top priority for the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office over the coming years. We are refreshing our international strategic approach on Women and Girls and will set…
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The British Council plays a crucial role supporting the UK's interests around the world, supported by its work on UK education, as well its work to promote UK arts and culture, and the English language. The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office is providing over £160 million…
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We are closely monitoring preparations for Nigeria's 2027 presidential elections. Our High Commission in Abuja will, as in previous elections, deploy observation teams across the country, working alongside international partners and Nigerian civil society organisations.We will continue to engage…
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We are deeply concerned by reports of escalating violence and constrained humanitarian access in South Sudan. Alongside international partners, we remain in constant engagement with the Transitional Government to press for de-escalation, sustained aid access, and an inclusive political dialogue,…
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The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) has funded disability inclusion activities in the Commonwealth through the Commonwealth Disabled People's Forum (CDPF) since 2019, and provided around £2 million to support disabled people's organisations in the Commonwealth through the…
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The UK is working with partner governments to improve early warning for disasters, including through the Met Office. We are also pushing the humanitarian system, including the UN, to better anticipate and act ahead of crises to reduce humanitarian need, including through our contributions to the UN…
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As part of the Foreign Secretary's focus on preventing violence against women and girls, we continue to prioritise support to survivors of gender-based violence in humanitarian settings. From April 2023 to March 2024, 3.21 million people were reached with gender-based violence prevention or…
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I refer the Hon Member to my letter to the Chair of the Foreign Affairs Committee on 6 March, in response to her letter of 23 January on this issue.This Government remains firmly committed to the protection and promotion of human rights globally, and to reporting transparently on our actions. We…
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The issues raised in the Hon Member's questions are among the most important priorities for the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO), and our work in these areas cannot adequately be summarised in the answer to one parliamentary question. However, he can find regular updates about…
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I refer the Hon Member to the statement made by the Foreign Secretary on 5 February following her recent visit to the Chad-Sudan border.
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I refer the Hon Member to the statement made by the Foreign Secretary on 5 February following her recent visit to the Chad-Sudan border.
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I refer the Hon Member to the statement made by the Foreign Secretary on 5 February following her recent visit to the Chad-Sudan border.
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I refer the Hon Member to the speech and accompanying statement made by the Foreign Secretary to the UN Security Council on 19 February, links to which can be found…
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I refer the Hon Member to the response provided on 4 March 2025 to Question 33140.
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The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) is working across Government and with sporting bodies to support UK fans travelling to matches for the FIFA World Cup in 2026. Our Embassy in Mexico remains in regular contact with the Mexican Federal and State Governments. We are closely…
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NHS medical equipment is owned and managed by individual NHS trusts and organisations, which are responsible for decisions on reuse, disposal or donation under their own governance, safety and regulatory arrangements. Where equipment is donated overseas, this is typically undertaken on a…
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As stated in previous answers, the Government does not provide core funding for BBC Monitoring which is a matter for the BBC. However, when specific pieces of work are commissioned by Government, they are fully funded.
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The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office works closely with relevant Ministers across government on the UK's international work to promote human rights and fundamental freedoms, including the protection of LGBT+ people from violence and persecution. The Government is currently reviewing its…
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The Rt Hon Member would not expect me to comment on a live police investigation, but the Government will obviously assist the police in any way they require.
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I refer the Hon Member to the answer provided on 9 December 2025 in response to Question 95975.
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Regarding items of correspondence, the requested information could only be accurately collated and verified for the purposes of answering this question at disproportionate cost.
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Along with several other countries, we have raised concerns about a series of comments made by the Special Rapporteur on the Occupied Palestinian Territories. Ministers have raised these concerns directly with the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, and the UK has asked that the comments of the…
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I refer the Hon Member to the answer given on 24 November 2025 to Question 91527 following elections in Cameroon. Further to this, the UK continues to work with international partners, including through the UN and G7, to encourage the Government of Cameroon to uphold human rights. Through our…
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The UK's Economic Partnership Agreements and Developing Countries Trading Scheme provide West and Central African partners with preferential access to the UK market, supporting growth, employment, and development of resilient agricultural supply chains. This preferential access has enabled West…
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The Government is modernising its approach to development, moving from donors to investors, from delivering services to supporting systems, from providing grants to utilising our expertise, and from international interventions to supporting local solutions.Country-led and community-led partnerships…
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The UK should be proud of the progress made in international development this century. But the world has changed, and so must we. With less money, we must make choices and focus on greater impactThe Global Health Workforce Programme, led by the Department of Health and Social Care and delivered by…
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The UK is one of Somalia's closest and longest standing partners, and remains committed to building a safer, freer, and more secure country. The UK has provided more than £500million in humanitarian and development funding to Somalia since 2021 - all UK funding allocations, including where…
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The UK continues to champion Freedom of Religion or Belief (FoRB) for all, including in Sudan, Mali, Burkina Faso, Maldives, Mauritania, Cuba, Niger, Tajikistan and other countries on the Open Doors' World Watch List where Christians face persecution or discrimination because of their faith. Last…
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I refer the Hon Member to the answer provided on 4 February in response to Question 109820.
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The UK is a longstanding partner of the World Food Programme (WFP) and we are in regular dialogue to monitor the landscape as global funding shifts. As a member of the Global Network Against Food Crises, the UK is also working with WFP to support analysis and reporting to help inform international…
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UK support to channels which provide direct funding to local responders (including through international organisations) totals £55 million from our total £146 million in aid funding for Sudan this financial year. This includes £28 million to the OCHA-led Sudan Humanitarian Fund (SHF)…
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The Hon Member can find details of all projects funded through Official Development Assistance on the Development Tracker website.
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The UK Government's engagement with the Venezuelan authorities is limited and is conducted in line with UK policy. Where necessary, this may include discussions to protect British commercial interests.
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The UK continues to follow developments in Cuba closely, including the impact of the 29 January US executive order. Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office officials engage regularly with UN agencies operating in Cuba, including the UN Children's Fund, the World Food Programme and UN…
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I refer the Hon Member to the answer provided on 15 September 2025 in response to Question 74711.
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I refer the Hon Member to the answer provided on 25 February in response to Question 114008.
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The level of grant funding provided in each financial year from 2004-05 to 2024-25 can most readily be found in the British Council's archive of annual reports and accounts. No assessment is currently available of the real-terms change in the value of those grants over the period in question.
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There are two diplomatic missions on the African continent currently waiting for a permanent Head of Mission to be appointed, in Monrovia and Nairobi.
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Iran put forward the only candidate so there was no vote.
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The trade of illicit gold funds conflict, undermines the rule of law, and perpetuates human rights abuses. Gold extraction and smuggling operations represent a significant loss to Sudan and undermine effective resource governance. The UK Government engages with the gold industry, in particular the…
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The UK is deeply concerned by the financial challenges faced by the UN and we support efforts to put the organisation on a more sustainable financial footing to ensure it can continue to deliver its mandate. The UK stands ready to work with the UN Secretariat to find additional sustainable and…
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I refer the Hon Member to the answer provided on 9 December 2025 in response to Question 95975.
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I refer the Hon Member to the answer I provided on 28 October in response to question 906060, and to the oral evidence provided to the Foreign Affairs Committee on 9 December by the Permanent Under-Secretary to the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, and on 16 December by the Secretary of…
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I refer the Hon Member to the answer provided on 17 February in response to Question 111786.
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Grant-in-Aid funding for the next three years for the BBC World Service will be decided through the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office allocations process. The BBC Charter Review, launched in December, is looking at potential World Service funding mechanisms for the longer-term.
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As the Rt Hon Member was told in the response of 10 February 2025 to Question 28444, the Government does not provide any funding to BBC Monitoring. That remains a matter for the BBC itself.
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Grant-in-Aid funding for the next three years for the BBC World Service will be decided through the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office allocations process. We will not speculate in the interim on the impact of those allocations.
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I refer my Hon Friend to the statement made by the Foreign Secretary on 5 February following her recent visit to the Chad-Sudan border.
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I refer the Hon Member to the Urgent Question debate on this issue held on 15 December 2025.
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I refer the Hon Member to the answer provided on 4 December 2025 in response to Question 95190.
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The requested information is held on a number of different systems across the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, and could only be collated for the purpose of answering this question at disproportionate cost.
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The Chevening Scholarships programme (established 1983) and the Commonwealth Scholarships programme (established 1959) are available to citizens from the Overseas Territories. Further information on the programmes including how to apply is available here: https://www.chevening.org/scholarships/ and…
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The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) is currently working through detailed decisions on the organisational and resource changes arising from our FCDO2030 transformation programme. We will make further announcements in the coming months. In the interim, I would refer the Hon…
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Details of all Official Development Assistance allocations for the period up to 2028/29 will be set out in the coming months, including for programmes related to Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights.
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The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office's main humanitarian mine action programme, the Global Mine Action Programme (GMAP), prioritises preventing casualties, increasing access to basic services, and improving livelihoods, including through targeted interventions that benefit children.…
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I refer the Hon Member to the answers provided in the Urgent Question debate on this issue held on 15 December 2025.
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I refer the Hon Member to the answer provided on 3 November 2025 to Question 85308. We share widespread international concern about the suppression of democratic, religious, and other fundamental freedoms in Nicaragua.
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As the Minister responsible, I have had a number of meetings with the leadership team within the British Council, details of which are routinely disclosed in the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office's quarterly publications of ministerial transparency data. My office also deals with a large…
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I refer the Hon Member to the answers provided on 10 September 2025 in response to Questions 70439 and 70440.
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Details of ministerial meetings with external individuals and organisations are routinely published by the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office on a quarterly basis. The requested data on correspondence could only be collated and verified for the purposes of answering this question at…
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I refer the Hon Member to the answer provided on 23 February to question 112516. The top 10 countries in terms of scholar numbers were Indonesia, Brazil, Pakistan, Mexico, India, China, Nigeria, Egypt, South Africa and Malaysia.
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For more than forty years since its establishment under Margaret Thatcher's government, the Chevening Programme has been creating long-lasting relationships with future generations of leaders, decision makers and businesspeople from across the globe. Information about funding and impact is…
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I refer the Hon Member to the answer provided on 13 January in response to Question 104390.
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Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office staff overseas would not normally provide any assistance to non-working Royals on private visits overseas, and we can find no record of any contact between Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor and our overseas network during the period in question.
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The UK has played a leading role on Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs) and remains committed to tackling today's key global health challenges within the framework of a modern development partnership approach. The UK continues to invest in NTD research, including £3 million support to the…
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I refer the Hon Member to the statement made to the House by the Foreign Secretary on 5 February. We keep the impact of all our sanctions designations under constant review.
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I refer the Hon Member to the answer provided on 20 January in response to Question 105072.
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In response to the humanitarian crisis in El Fasher, the Foreign Secretary announced on 1 November a £5 million uplift to UK humanitarian support, including £3 million to the UN-led Sudan Humanitarian Fund and £2 million to the International Rescue Committee. We also mobilised…
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The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) regularly reviews travel advice to reflect the latest public health information. The travel advice for Cape Verde was initially updated on 15 December 2025, and most recently updated on 6 February 2026, following notification from the UK…
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None. The UK-Rwanda Asylum Partnership Agreement agreed by the Rt Hon Member in April 2022 was scrapped in July 2024, having cost the taxpayer £700 million. During the period it was in place, 84,000 people crossed the Channel in small boats, and the only individuals relocated to Kigali were…
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The UK works with the Government of Uganda on a range of important issues, including trade, development, regional security and refugee response. We also regularly raise concerns about infringements of human rights and restrictions on political activity, including on opposition parties and their…
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I refer the Hon Member to the answer provided on 8 January in response to Question 101723.
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The Joint Development Agreement announced by the Foreign Secretary marks a major milestone in an investment project by a UK company. It will support the growth of Ethiopia's economy by building new electric transmission lines to support Ethiopia's growth, electrification and further jobs.…
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I refer the Hon Member to Baroness Chapman's appearance before the International Development Committee on 20 January, where she addressed these issues at length.
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The UK is a longstanding supporter of the Global Polio Eradication Initiative (GPEI), having contributed £1.4 billion since 1995. This has enabled GPEI to reduce wild poliovirus cases by over 99 per cent. The UK is also the largest sovereign donor to Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, investing…
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The findings from this and other reviews were used to inform the strategy for the department's FCDO2030 reform programme, as set out in the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office's published annual report.
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The Congo Rainforest Alliance for Forest Training (CRAFT) for Sustainable Development programme is a major milestone in advancing world‑class, locally led scientific research across the Congo Basin. Further details of all FCDO-funded programmes can be found at the Development Tracker website…
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I refer the Rt Hon Member to the answer provided by the Foreign Secretary to her question during Topical Questions on 20 January. The UK continues to use all diplomatic channels to maintain pressure on the warring parties to allow unrestricted humanitarian access. The UK Special Representative to…
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The UK was one of the first countries to step up with lifesaving assistance for Mozambique. We delivered a £2 million increase in humanitarian funding, building on earlier action in 2025 to help communities prepare for increasingly frequent climate-related disasters. This support enabled the…
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We remain concerned about attacks on places of worship in Ethiopia, and their impact on civilians. We note the 4 November statement of the Catholic Bishops' Conference of Ethiopia condemning recent attacks on Orthodox, Roman Catholic and Muslim communities. We continue to call on all parties to…
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I refer the Hon Member to the Minister for International Development's appearance before the International Development Committee on 20 January, where she addressed these issues at length.The Independent Commission for Aid Impact's (ICAI) budget allocation for 2025/26 is £3.97 million. Details…
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In relation to all the questions raised by the Hon Member on 28 January, I refer her to Baroness Chapman's appearance before the International Development Committee on 20 January, where she addressed these issues at length. We will set out any further plans in this area in the context of Official…
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I refer the Hon Member to the Minister for Development's appearance before the International Development Committee on 20 January, where she addressed issues around the future of the Independent Commission for Aid Impact (ICAI) at length. Decisions on how the Official Development Assistance budget…
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If my Hon Friend is seeking a breakdown by country of Official Development Assistance funding allocated by the UK, the latest published data - for Calendar Year 2024 - can be found at this link: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/statistics-on-international-development
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I refer the Rt Hon member to the answer provided for 87707 on 19 November 2025.
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The UK regularly raises concerns with the authorities in Guinea over human rights, democracy, freedom of expression, and the rule of law, including arbitrary detentions, and restrictions on political freedoms, civil society and peaceful protest.Since the December 2025 elections, our Ambassador has…
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The UK continues to champion Freedom of Religion or Belief (FoRB) for all, including in the countries on the Open Doors' World Watch List where Christians face persecution or discrimination because of their faith. Last July, the UK's Special Envoy for Freedom of Religion or Belief, David Smith MP,…
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The timing of any Commonwealth assessment mission is for the Secretary General and the Government of Zimbabwe to agree. Given the time passed since their last reports, we would welcome a Commonwealth assessment mission returning to Zimbabwe to follow up on its recommendations from its last visit…
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It is the UK's long-standing position that the settlement of Somaliland's status is an issue for authorities in Mogadishu and Hargeisa to decide through a consultative process and dialogue, in line with the principles of the UN charter.
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The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) actively monitors and manages fraud, bribery, corruption and error risks across its Official Development Assistance (ODA) portfolio through a range of controls, reporting mechanisms and ongoing risk assessments. Available estimates in this…
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I refer the Hon Member to the answer provided on 21 January in response to Questions 106571-78.
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I refer the Hon Member to the responses given on 20 January to the identical set of questions asked by his colleague, the Member for South Cambridgeshire, on 12 January (UINs 105089, 105090, 105095 and 105097)
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We are working through detailed decisions on how the Official Development Assistance budget will be used from 2026/27 to 2028/29, informed by internal and external consultation and impact assessments. We plan to publish indicative allocations for the next three years in the coming months.
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The UK reports its Official Development Assistance spend on a calendar year basis in the Statistics on International Development, including the amount spent on in-donor refugee costs.
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I refer the Rt Hon Member to the answer he received on 23 June 2025 in response to Question 57617. We will update the House if there are any new developments.
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I refer the Hon member to the answer provided to question HL6361 on 31 March 2025, a copy of which is reproduced below for ease of reference:The UK does not support international surrogacy involving any form of exploitation and is committed to eradicating all forms of modern slavery, forced labour…
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The central communication team at the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) has spent £722.77 on X Premium since July 2024, to enable the posting of longer-form messages, which can be essential when communicating in crisis situations. There has been no paid advertising on X by…
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Two masterclasses have been delivered using a catalytic model to build local capability, provide targeted expertise, mobilise investment, and support inclusive and sustainable growth. The training cost approximately £18,500 and has already delivered strong results, with one participating…
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I refer the Hon. Member to the responses provided in the Urgent Question debate on the Conflict in Sudan on 5 November 2025, where these issues were discussed at length.
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I refer the Rt Hon Member to the answer provided on 21 January to Questions 106571-78.
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I refer the Rt Hon Member to the statement made to the House by the Foreign Secretary on 18 November 2025, and to the most recent Urgent Question debate on 15 December 2025. The UK Government is working intensively with our international partners in an effort to end the violence in Sudan, secure…
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Details of our plans for the UK's Presidency of the UN Security Council will be set out in the usual way in due course. In the interim, I refer the Hon Member to the Foreign Secretary's speech on 24 November 2025 confirming the importance that this Government attaches to the Women, Peace and…
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I refer the Hon Member to the answer provided on 18 November 2025 to Question 89032, which outlines the work the Child Nutrition Fund (CNF) and Resilience and Adaptation Fund (RAF) are doing to address malnutrition of women and girls. As laid out in the 2025 Foreign, Commonwealth and Development…
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The Rt Hon Member's question refers to an answer originally provided to her in error on 19 November, and subsequently replaced with the correct answer to Question 91353.
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I refer the Hon Member to the answer provided on 7 July 2025 in response to Question 63314.
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I refer the Hon Member to the answer he received on 12 January in response to Question 102520.
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I refer the Hon Member to the written ministerial statement published on 15 December 2025 (HCWS1168).
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I refer the Hon. Member to the answer of 20 October 2025 given to question 80764.
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I refer the Rt Hon Member to the answer provided on 8 December 2025 in response to Question 95683.
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Across our global diplomatic network, missions collaborate with local partners to challenge discriminatory laws and policies that enable violence and discrimination against LGBT+ people, and to mark key moments including Pride, but there is no central recording of each of these activities.In…
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I refer the Hon Member to the responses given on 20 January to the identical set of questions received from the Member for South Cambridgeshire on 12 January (UINs 105089 to 105096).
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As things stand, and in line with the Government's stated policies, we expect spending on Official Development Assistance to be at 0.3 per cent of gross national income in the 2027 calendar year, and stay at that level until fiscal circumstances allow the UK to return to the 0.7 per cent target.
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In the set of questions submitted by the Hon Member on 12 January (UIN 105089-91 and 105093-95), she mentioned a number of important elements of the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office's (FCDO's) humanitarian and development programmes, all of which are key priorities for the Government,…
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The UK's new Approach to Africa sets out how we are building respectful long-term partnerships with African countries to deliver shared priorities. Through our support for the Global Compact on Nutrition Integration, the Child Nutrition Fund, and other initiatives, the UK is continuing to play a…
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The UK champions Freedom of Religion or Belief (FoRB) around the world. On 8 July 2025, the UK's Special Envoy for Freedom of Religion or Belief, David Smith MP, set out the Government's new strategy on FoRB, providing a framework for engagement with other countries, and describing the links…
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I refer the Hon Member to the answer she was provided on 17 November 2025 in response to Question 88261.
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The Government consistently raises human rights with the Eritrean government, including religious freedoms. We advocate for the end of discriminatory detentions based on religion or belief, as we have stated at the UN Human Rights Council. We call for all those unjustly incarcerated to be released.…
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I refer the Hon Member to the Written Ministerial Statement of 27 November 2025.
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The UK has been a long-standing supporter of disability rights around the world, and our global programmes are supporting disability inclusion in health, education and employment, as well as access to innovative assistive technology.As well as building disability inclusion into the work we are…
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Protecting the Freedom of Religion or Belief is an important objective for the UK all over the world. As part of our efforts to press for a peaceful, democratic transition in Venezuela, we will reinforce the importance of ensuring that the rights of all Venezuelans are upheld, including members of…
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I thank the Rt Hon Member for her series of questions on the situation in Venezuela. For the most recent statement of the UK's position, I refer the Rt Hon Member to the Foreign Secretary's statement on 5 January, and her responses in the subsequent debate. We will keep the House updated on…
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I refer the Hon Member to the statement to the House made by the Foreign Secretary on 5 January, and her responses to questions raised in that debate.
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The ongoing conflict in Amhara has led to significant humanitarian needs, and widespread conflict-related human rights violations and abuses. In Tigray, there are an estimated 500,000 to 700,000 internally displaced persons (IDPs).UK Official Development Assistance to Ethiopia in 2025/26 is…
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I refer the Hon Member to the statement made to the House by the Foreign Secretary on 18 November 2025, and to the most recent Urgent Question debate on 15 December 2025.
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I refer the Hon Member to the statement made to the House by the Foreign Secretary on 18 November 2025, and to the most recent Urgent Question debate on 15 December 2025.
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Equality Impact Assessments (EIAs) are an essential part of how we make decisions on Official Development Assistance (ODA) programme allocations. The 2025/26 EIA, as published on gov.uk captures the impacts on children where these were reported at programme level. We will continue to track spend on…
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The Government regularly engages with African countries and African regional bodies. Any announcements of future summits to be hosted, or attended by, the UK Government will be made in the normal way in due course.
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We remain in regular contact with members of IGAD on a range of regional issues, including through the UK's Representative to IGAD based in Djibouti.
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The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office has sought to maintain a constructive dialogue with senior figures in the Venezuelan opposition in recent years, including Maria Corina Machado, and as the Foreign Secretary said in her statement to the House on 5 January, she spoke to Ms Machado in…
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I refer the Hon Member to the statement made to the House by the Foreign Secretary on 5 January, and her responses to the questions raised in that debate.
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I refer the Hon Member to the Foreign Secretary's statement to the House on 5 January, and her responses to questions raised in that debate.
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I refer the Hon Member to the responses provided in the Urgent Question debate on 3 December.
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The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office regularly engages with the Somali authorities, political parties and civil society, as well as the Somaliland Office in London.Decisions on Israeli diplomatic recognition are a matter for the Government of Israel. The Foreign Secretary has had no…
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I refer the Hon Member to the statement made to the House by the Foreign Secretary on 5 January, and her responses to questions raised in that debate.
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There is no record of any such discussions.
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The costs of State Visits have historically been shared across a number of departments and agencies. The allocation of costs for visits hosted at Windsor Castle is currently under review, and we will keep the Hon Member informed on the outcome.
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I refer the Rt Hon Member to the answer provided on 12 January 2026 to Question 103712.
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I refer the Hon Member to the statement made to the House by the Foreign Secretary on 5 January, and her responses to questions raised in that debate. Furthermore, let me point out the Essequibo border was settled more than 125 years ago, through international arbitration. The UK's support for…
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The UK keeps all such matters under regular review alongside our international partners.
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It has been the long-standing policy under successive governments not to comment on intelligence matters. But as the Foreign Secretary made clear in her statement to the House on 5 January, the UK Government had no advance knowledge of the operations to which she refers.
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I refer the Hon Member to the answer provided on 15 May 2025 to Question 50066. He can find details of all programmes supported in Venezuela on the GOV.UK Development Tracker (https://devtracker.fcdo.gov.uk/).
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The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) conducts background checks and risk assessment of the UK's aid partners, and continually monitors all funding programmes to make sure money is spent as intended. The Independent Commission for Aid Impact reviewed the FCDO's system for managing…
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The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) published an Equalities Impact Assessment related to Official Development Assistance (ODA) in September 2025. The UK's future commitments to both the Global Partnership for Education (GPE) and Education Cannot Wait are being determined as part…
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The Government regularly engages with major British businesses about their global operations, through different departments, at various levels, and in multiple countries. We do not hold a central register of all the issues discussed.
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There is no record of any such discussions.
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