We pursue our national interests and project the UK as a force for good in the world. We promote the interests of British citizens, safeguard the UK’s security, defend our values, reduce poverty and tackle global challenges with our international partners.
Although China is the UK’s fifth largest trading partner, the UK Government has, in recent years, described China as an …
Oral Answers to Questions is a regularly scheduled appearance where the Secretary of State and junior minister will answer at the Dispatch Box questions from backbench MPs
Other Commons Chamber appearances can be:Westminster Hall debates are performed in response to backbench MPs or e-petitions asking for a Minister to address a detailed issue
Written Statements are made when a current event is not sufficiently significant to require an Oral Statement, but the House is required to be informed.
Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office does not have Bills currently before Parliament
A Bill to make provision for and in connection with the implementation by the United Kingdom of the Agreement under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea on the Conservation and Sustainable Use of Marine Biological Diversity of Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction.
This Bill received Royal Assent on 12th February 2026 and was enacted into law.
e-Petitions are administered by Parliament and allow members of the public to express support for a particular issue.
If an e-petition reaches 10,000 signatures the Government will issue a written response.
If an e-petition reaches 100,000 signatures the petition becomes eligible for a Parliamentary debate (usually Monday 4.30pm in Westminster Hall).
Urgently fulfil humanitarian obligations to Gaza
Gov Responded - 8 Aug 2025 Debated on - 24 Nov 2025Act to ensure deliverer of fuel, food, aid, life saving services etc. We think this shouldn't be dependant/on condition of Israeli facilitation as the Knesset voted against UNWRA access to Gaza. We think if military delivery of aid, airdrops, peacekeepers etc, are needed, then all be considered.
Commons Select Committees are a formally established cross-party group of backbench MPs tasked with holding a Government department to account.
At any time there will be number of ongoing investigations into the work of the Department, or issues which fall within the oversight of the Department. Witnesses can be summoned from within the Government and outside to assist in these inquiries.
Select Committee findings are reported to the Commons, printed, and published on the Parliament website. The government then usually has 60 days to reply to the committee's recommendations.
As part of the FCDO's crisis response, we have been working with the relevant authorities in various countries to request flexibility for people who might overstay their visas due to disrupted travel plans as a result of the crisis in the Middle East. Any British nationals affected in this way should in the first instance speak to their airlines, travel agents or insurance companies about their situation and flight options. FCDO staff are also available 24/7 via our contact centre in the event that consular assistance is required.
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 war crimes, crimes against humanity and genocide, including when committed against children. It also has jurisdiction over specific crimes against children including the forcible transfer of children and the conscription or enlisting of children as soldiers. It is important that we build on work already being done and continue to support the crucial work of the ICC. The UK is committed to achieving justice for those children who have been subject to international crimes.
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, Question 118261 on 16 March, Question HL15369 on 11 March, and Question HL15331 on 20 March, and to the statement made to the House by the Foreign Secretary on 5 February following her visit to the Sudan-Chad border. We will continue to keep the House updated on the actions the UK is taking alongside our international partners to secure a ceasefire in Sudan, and support the humanitarian needs of its people, including continually assessing the impact of those actions.
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, Question 118261 on 16 March, Question HL15369 on 11 March, and Question HL15331 on 20 March, and to the statement made to the House by the Foreign Secretary on 5 February following her visit to the Sudan-Chad border. We will continue to keep the House updated on the actions the UK is taking alongside our international partners to secure a ceasefire in Sudan, and support the humanitarian needs of its people, including continually assessing the impact of those actions.
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, Question 118261 on 16 March, Question HL15369 on 11 March, and Question HL15331 on 20 March, and to the statement made to the House by the Foreign Secretary on 5 February following her visit to the Sudan-Chad border. We will continue to keep the House updated on the actions the UK is taking alongside our international partners to secure a ceasefire in Sudan, and support the humanitarian needs of its people, including continually assessing the impact of those actions.
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, Question 118261 on 16 March, Question HL15369 on 11 March, and Question HL15331 on 20 March, and to the statement made to the House by the Foreign Secretary on 5 February following her visit to the Sudan-Chad border. We will continue to keep the House updated on the actions the UK is taking alongside our international partners to secure a ceasefire in Sudan, and support the humanitarian needs of its people, including continually assessing the impact of those actions.
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, Question 118261 on 16 March, Question HL15369 on 11 March, and Question HL15331 on 20 March, and to the statement made to the House by the Foreign Secretary on 5 February following her visit to the Sudan-Chad border. We will continue to keep the House updated on the actions the UK is taking alongside our international partners to secure a ceasefire in Sudan, and support the humanitarian needs of its people, including continually assessing the impact of those actions.
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, Question 118261 on 16 March, Question HL15369 on 11 March, and Question HL15331 on 20 March, and to the statement made to the House by the Foreign Secretary on 5 February following her visit to the Sudan-Chad border. We will continue to keep the House updated on the actions the UK is taking alongside our international partners to secure a ceasefire in Sudan, and support the humanitarian needs of its people, including continually assessing the impact of those actions.
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, Question 118261 on 16 March, Question HL15369 on 11 March, and Question HL15331 on 20 March, and to the statement made to the House by the Foreign Secretary on 5 February following her visit to the Sudan-Chad border. We will continue to keep the House updated on the actions the UK is taking alongside our international partners to secure a ceasefire in Sudan, and support the humanitarian needs of its people, including continually assessing the impact of those actions.
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 stability in Ethiopia, including backing implementation of the African Union-led Cessation of Hostilities Agreement.
During her visit to Addis Ababa in February 2026, the Foreign Secretary discussed these issues with both Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed and the African Union (AU) Commission Chairperson, Mahmoud Ali Youssouf.
I refer the Hon Member to the answer provided to him on 17 March 2026 to Question 120276.
I refer the Hon Member to the answer provided to him on 17 March 2026 to Question 120276.
I refer the Hon Member to the statement I made to the House on 26 February, and related statements in the Gibraltar Parliament. The final text of the treaty will be brought before the House for scrutiny in the usual way in due course.
I refer my Hon Friend to the answer I gave on 10 February in response to Question 109884.
Protecting religious minorities and promoting Freedom of Religion or Belief (FoRB) in any country is a long‑term process that requires a strategic and persistent approach. We continue to track these issues closely and engage wherever possible to promote religious freedom and tolerance. We will continue these efforts and keep the House updated as this work progresses.
Craig and Lindsay Foreman's welfare is a priority for FCDO ministers and officials, and we will continue to support the couple and their family as best we can in the current circumstances, as we also will any other British nationals detained in Iran who request our help. A specialist team from the FCDO is in frequent contact with members of Craig and Lindsay's family, providing regular updates and advice.
Craig and Lindsay Foreman's welfare is a priority for FCDO ministers and officials, and we will continue to support the couple and their family as best we can in the current circumstances, as we also will any other British nationals detained in Iran who request our help. A specialist team from the FCDO is in frequent contact with members of Craig and Lindsay's family, providing regular updates and advice.
I refer the Noble Baroness to the speech made by the Foreign Secretary to the UN Security Council on 19 February, a copy of which has been placed in the House of Lords library, in which she detailed £20 million of funding for a new multi-year programme, which includes assistance to women and girls affected by sexual violence in Sudan.
I also refer the Noble Baroness to the answer provided in the House of Commons on 2 March 2026 in response to Question 114073, which - for ease of reference - is reproduced below:
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) - to which the UK is the second largest donor - and over £21 million to the Mercy Corps-led Cash Consortium who provide significant support to local actors. The SHF channels 30 per cent of its funding to local actors. We have also recently launched two new partnerships totalling £6 million, through Proximity to Humanity and the First Response Fund, through which we can channel funding more directly to local responders. Under our new programme, HELP-S, we will continue increasing our support to local actors, with the aim that at least 30 per cent of programme spend goes to local actors by the end of the programme in 2029.
The UK funds numerous projects in support of the Preventing Sexual Violence in Conflict Initiative (PSVI) through our central programme and posts overseas, including a strong focus on our current PSVI focus countries - Bosnia and Herzegovina, Colombia, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ethiopia, Iraq, South Sudan, and Ukraine - and on current major conflicts in which conflict related sexual violence (CRSV) has become a significant issue. For example, in February, the Foreign Secretary announced £20 million of new UK funding to support survivors of CRSV in Sudan, to be delivered through the British Office Sudan.
We account for all our International Climate Finance (ICF) using internationally agreed OECD guidelines. Programmes (or elements within them) can be counted as ICF if they address the impacts or causes of climate change, and programme teams report against the Rio Markers for adaptation, mitigation, biodiversity, and desertification as appropriate to capture this.
Our Embassy in Harare continues to monitor closely reports of harassment of individuals and groups expressing opposition to proposed changes to the Constitution. Officials remain in contact with the Government of Zimbabwe, civil society organisations and other stakeholders as part of our ongoing engagement on these matters. Amendment of the Zimbabwean Constitution is a sovereign, legislative matter for Zimbabwe to determine. At the same time, freedom of expression, peaceful assembly and association are fundamental components of any functioning democracy. Political parties, civil society and journalists in Zimbabwe should be able to operate without harassment. We underline the importance of transparent, inclusive and lawful processes, and of ensuring that political space remains open and protected.
I refer the Hon Member to the answer provided on 18 March in response to Question 117286.
I refer the Hon Member to the press statement on Lebanon issued by the Foreign Secretary on 15 March (link provided below), and to her oral statement to the House on 17 March.
https://www.gov.uk/government/news/foreign-secretary-statement-on-the-situation-in-lebanon--2
I refer the Hon Member to the press statement on Lebanon issued by the Foreign Secretary on 15 March (link provided below), and to her oral statement to the House on 17 March.
https://www.gov.uk/government/news/foreign-secretary-statement-on-the-situation-in-lebanon--2
I refer the Hon Member to the press statement on Lebanon issued by the Foreign Secretary on 15 March (link provided below), and to her oral statement to the House on 17 March.
https://www.gov.uk/government/news/foreign-secretary-statement-on-the-situation-in-lebanon--2
I refer the Hon Member to the press statement on Lebanon issued by the Foreign Secretary on 15 March (link provided below), and to her oral statement to the House on 17 March.
https://www.gov.uk/government/news/foreign-secretary-statement-on-the-situation-in-lebanon--2
I refer the Hon Member to the press statement on Lebanon issued by the Foreign Secretary on 15 March (link provided below), and to her oral statement to the House on 17 March.
https://www.gov.uk/government/news/foreign-secretary-statement-on-the-situation-in-lebanon--2
The Government has made its position on the Iranian regime clear, whether in relation to its state threat activity (see the Security Minister's oral statement on 4 March 2025), its repression of human rights protests at the turn of the year (see the Foreign Secretary's oral statement on 13 January), or its attacks on its Gulf neighbours in recent weeks (see the Prime Minister's oral statement on 2 March).
FCDO officials continue to raise all these issues on a regular basis with the Iranian embassy in London, along with a range of other issues affecting UK national interests, such as the cases of British nationals under detention in Iran. That kind of engagement has been maintained ever since the previous government permitted the Iranian embassy to reopen in London in 2015, as the Rt Hon Member can see from the answers of 20 September 2016 to Question 46281, 16 November 2016 to Question HL3001, 21 November 2017 to Question 113527, 22 January 2019 to Question 208787, 10 November 2020 to Question HL9786, 16 June 2021 to Question 14181, 18 and 19 October 2022 to Questions 59952 and 59003, and 25 May 2023 to Question 185892.
Similarly, she will be aware that representatives from the FCDO have regularly attended the Iran National Day event since the Iranian Embassy was re-opened in 2015, including when the Rt Hon Member was the Home Secretary.
I refer the Hon Member to the answer given on 6 March to Question HL14686.
I refer the Hon Member to the answer he references in his question.
I refer the Hon Member to the answer he references in his question.
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 2015-25.
| Brazil | 611 |
| Indonesia | 598 |
| Mexico | 574 |
| Pakistan | 565 |
| India | 523 |
| Nigeria | 489 |
| Egypt | 486 |
| South Africa | 447 |
| Malaysia | 429 |
| Kenya | 347 |
| Syria | 290 |
| Argentina | 283 |
| Philippines | 282 |
| Vietnam | 255 |
| Thailand | 241 |
| Turkey | 236 |
| Ukraine | 226 |
| Ghana | 210 |
| Bangladesh | 179 |
| Mongolia | 142 |
I refer the Hon Member to the answer provided on 17 March to question 120357.
The Government has a wide range of sanctions in place in relation to Iran, including a range of sanctions measures which apply to key figures and entities who have provided funds or economic resources to the Iranian regime. These have resulted in a range of impacts: for example the freezing of UK based assets held by sanctioned individual Ali Ansari, including property.
It would not be appropriate to speculate about potential future sanctions designations as to do so could reduce their impact.
The Government has a wide range of sanctions in place in relation to Iran, including a range of sanctions measures which apply to key figures and entities who have provided funds or economic resources to the Iranian regime. These have resulted in a range of impacts: for example the freezing of UK based assets held by sanctioned individual Ali Ansari, including property.
It would not be appropriate to speculate about potential future sanctions designations as to do so could reduce their impact.
On 24 February, the UK Special Envoy for Women and Girls, Baroness Harman, met senior German Foreign Ministry officials to discuss coordinated action on atrocity prevention and accountability in Sudan, and ensuring meaningful participation by Sudanese women, and wider civil society voices, at the International Sudan Conference in April in Berlin that Germany is co-hosting with the UK, the African Union, the European Union, France and the US. This meeting also provided a platform for Sudanese women to inform discussions ahead of the Berlin Sudan Conference.
We remain in close discussion with our co-hosts to shape an inclusive and meaningful Conference. We continue to engage with all parties, to urge agreement to a ceasefire, unimpeded humanitarian access, and adherence to international humanitarian law.
On 24 February, the UK Special Envoy for Women and Girls, Baroness Harman, met senior German Foreign Ministry officials to discuss coordinated action on atrocity prevention and accountability in Sudan, and ensuring meaningful participation by Sudanese women, and wider civil society voices, at the International Sudan Conference in April in Berlin that Germany is co-hosting with the UK, the African Union, the European Union, France and the US. This meeting also provided a platform for Sudanese women to inform discussions ahead of the Berlin Sudan Conference.
We remain in close discussion with our co-hosts to shape an inclusive and meaningful Conference. We continue to engage with all parties, to urge agreement to a ceasefire, unimpeded humanitarian access, and adherence to international humanitarian law.
On 24 February, the UK Special Envoy for Women and Girls, Baroness Harman, met senior German Foreign Ministry officials to discuss coordinated action on atrocity prevention and accountability in Sudan, and ensuring meaningful participation by Sudanese women, and wider civil society voices, at the International Sudan Conference in April in Berlin that Germany is co-hosting with the UK, the African Union, the European Union, France and the US. This meeting also provided a platform for Sudanese women to inform discussions ahead of the Berlin Sudan Conference.
We remain in close discussion with our co-hosts to shape an inclusive and meaningful Conference. We continue to engage with all parties, to urge agreement to a ceasefire, unimpeded humanitarian access, and adherence to international humanitarian law.
The number and cost of special severance payments made by the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office in each financial year are routinely published in the department's annual report and accounts. The most recently published annual report and accounts are available here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/fcdo-annual-report-and-accounts-2024-to-2025
I refer the Hon Member to the answer she was provided on 9 March in response to Question 117992.
The Government keeps its policies in relation to climate, nature and marine protection under regular review, informed by a wide range of stakeholder views and expert analyses, including those mentioned by the Hon Member.
Ukraine faces significant reconstruction needs across its energy sector following sustained Russian attacks. Over the past year, the UK has provided emergency assistance to the energy sector, including £87 million announced over the winter for grid repairs, generators, physical protection and power generation.
The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) continues to assess the most effective and accountable mechanisms for delivering this support. Since 2022, the majority of UK emergency energy assistance has been channelled through the Ukraine Energy Support Fund (UESF), established at the request of the Government of Ukraine to ensure donor support aligns with Ukraine's priorities through a single, coordinated mechanism. Pooling UK funding with other donors amplifies impact and enables direct support to priorities set by the Ukrainian Ministry of Energy. The FCDO judges the UESF to be cost‑effective and to follow best practice on procurement and reporting.
UK companies are encouraged to bid for UESF tenders, with government engagement to support industry awareness of procurement opportunities.
We continue to keep the scope of our sanctions under close review, but it would not be appropriate to speculate on any future designations, since doing so could reduce their impact.
Jonathan Powell was appointed in line with standard procedure, and his appointment announced in the usual way.
I refer the Hon Member to the Government's statement and release of information on 11 March, providing an update on the response to the Humble Address. The Government is working to ensure that Parliament's instruction is met with the urgency and transparency that it deserves.
I refer the Hon Member to the response given to question 112773 on 4 March.
I refer the Hon Member to the Government's statement and release of information on 11 March, providing an update on the response to the Humble Address. The Government is working to ensure that Parliament's instruction is met with the urgency and transparency that it deserves.
I refer the Hon Member to the answer provided on 17 March in response to Question 120407.