Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office
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.
Shadow Ministers / Spokeperson
Liberal Democrat
Lord Purvis of Tweed (LD - Life peer)Liberal Democrat Lords Spokesperson (Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs)
Calum Miller (LD - Bicester and Woodstock)
Liberal Democrat Spokesperson (Foreign Affairs)
Conservative
Priti Patel (Con - Witham)Shadow Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs
Green Party
Ellie Chowns (Green - North Herefordshire)Green Spokesperson (Foreign Affairs)
Junior Shadow Ministers / Deputy Spokesperson
Conservative
Lord Callanan (Con - Life peer)Shadow Minister (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
Wendy Morton (Con - Aldridge-Brownhills)
Shadow Minister (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
Ministers of State
Stephen Doughty (LAB - Cardiff South and Penarth)Minister of State (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
Parliamentary Under-Secretaries of State
Lord Collins of Highbury (Lab - Life peer)Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
Hamish Falconer (Lab - Lincoln)
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
Seema Malhotra (LAB - Feltham and Heston)
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
Chris Elmore (Lab - Bridgend)
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
Written Statements
Although China is the UK’s fifth largest trading partner, the UK Government has, in recent years, described China as an …
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, pursuant to the Answer of 17 February 2026 …
This Order approves the making of payments on behalf of the Government of the United Kingdom to the Caribbean Development …
A Bill to make provision for and in connection with the implementation by the United Kingdom of the Agreement under …
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Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office Commons Appearances
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:- Urgent Questions where the Speaker has selected a question to which a Minister must reply that day
- Adjornment Debates a 30 minute debate attended by a Minister that concludes the day in Parliament.
- Oral Statements informing the Commons of a significant development, where backbench MP's can then question the Minister making the statement.
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.
Most Recent Commons Appearances by Category
Bills currently before Parliament
Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office does not have Bills currently before Parliament
Acts of Parliament created in the 2024 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.
Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office - Secondary Legislation
Petitions
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).
(2,584 in the last 7 days)
(845 in the last 7 days)
(318 in the last 7 days)
(254 in the last 7 days)
(109 in the last 7 days)
(845 in the last 7 days)
(109 in the last 7 days)
(25 in the last 7 days)
(2,584 in the last 7 days)
(3 in the last 7 days)
Petition Closed
Urgently fulfil humanitarian obligations to Gaza
Gov Responded - 8 Aug 2025 Debated on - 24 Nov 2025closed 8 months ago
Act 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.
Departmental Select Committee
Foreign Affairs Committee
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.
11 Members of the Foreign Affairs Committee
Foreign Affairs Committee Member since 11th September 2024
Foreign Affairs Committee Member since 21st October 2024
Foreign Affairs Committee Member since 21st October 2024
Foreign Affairs Committee Member since 21st October 2024
Foreign Affairs Committee Member since 21st October 2024
Foreign Affairs Committee Member since 21st October 2024
Foreign Affairs Committee Member since 28th October 2024
Foreign Affairs Committee Member since 28th October 2024
Foreign Affairs Committee Member since 16th December 2024
Foreign Affairs Committee Member since 16th December 2024
Foreign Affairs Committee Member since 27th October 2025
Foreign Affairs Committee: Upcoming Events
Disinformation diplomacy: How malign actors are seeking to undermine democracy: follow-up
14 Apr 2026, 10 a.m.
At 10:30am: Oral evidence
Kanishka Narayan MP - Minister for AI and Online Safety at Department for Science, Innovation and Technology
Talitha Rowland - Director for Security and Online Harms at Department for Science, Innovation and Technology
View calendar - Save to Calendar
Foreign Affairs Committee: 17 Current Inquiries
Foreign Affairs Committee: Previous Inquiries
50 most recent Written Questions
(View all written questions)Reports of mistreatment in Hong Kong's prisons are deeply concerning. China's imposition of the National Security Law on Hong Kong has seen opposition stifled and dissent criminalised. The UK has called for the National Security Law to be repealed and for an end to the prosecution of all individuals charged under it. We continue to raise our concerns directly with the Chinese and Hong Kong authorities, as well as engaging with our international partners. The next Six-monthly Report to Parliament will be published in due course.
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
Reports of mistreatment in Hong Kong's prisons are deeply concerning. China's imposition of the National Security Law on Hong Kong has seen opposition stifled and dissent criminalised. The UK has called for the National Security Law to be repealed and for an end to the prosecution of all individuals charged under it. We continue to raise our concerns directly with the Chinese and Hong Kong authorities, as well as engaging with our international partners. The next Six-monthly Report to Parliament will be published in due course.
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
Reports of mistreatment in Hong Kong's prisons are deeply concerning. China's imposition of the National Security Law on Hong Kong has seen opposition stifled and dissent criminalised. The UK has called for the National Security Law to be repealed and for an end to the prosecution of all individuals charged under it. We continue to raise our concerns directly with the Chinese and Hong Kong authorities, as well as engaging with our international partners. The next Six-monthly Report to Parliament will be published in due course.
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
Reports of mistreatment in Hong Kong's prisons are deeply concerning. China's imposition of the National Security Law on Hong Kong has seen opposition stifled and dissent criminalised. The UK has called for the National Security Law to be repealed and for an end to the prosecution of all individuals charged under it. We continue to raise our concerns directly with the Chinese and Hong Kong authorities, as well as engaging with our international partners. The next Six-monthly Report to Parliament will be published in due course.
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
Reports of mistreatment in Hong Kong's prisons are deeply concerning. China's imposition of the National Security Law on Hong Kong has seen opposition stifled and dissent criminalised. The UK has called for the National Security Law to be repealed and for an end to the prosecution of all individuals charged under it. We continue to raise our concerns directly with the Chinese and Hong Kong authorities, as well as engaging with our international partners. The next Six-monthly Report to Parliament will be published in due course.
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
The texts of treaties that have been signed since July 2024 and laid before Parliament for scrutiny can be found on GOV.UK, including details of any termination provisions.
Minister of State (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
Monica Harding
(Liberal Democrat - Esher and Walton)
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 Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria, which the UK continues to back as a high‑impact institution delivering strong results. These allocations were considered in the round alongside other multilateral commitments and priorities, within a highly constrained overall ODA settlement.
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
All UK Based staff working overseas for the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office pay UK income tax and National Insurance (for the first 52 weeks' service overseas) on their base salary. Cost of Living Addition (COLA) and Diplomatic Service Compensation Allowance (DSA) are both exempt from UK income tax and National Insurance deductions.
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
I refer the Hon Member to the answer of 25 September to question 70453.
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
I refer the Hon Member to the answer of 25 September to question 70453.
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
Peter Mandelson's appointment was announced on 20 December 2024 and he commenced his role as Ambassador to the United States of America on 10 February 2025.
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
Tanmanjeet Singh Dhesi
(Labour - Slough)
The size, grading and remuneration of ministerial office staffing vary depending on the responsibilities of the Minister.
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
Vietnam is a focus country in the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office's Freedom of Religion and Belief Strategy, launched in July 2025, and we raise the issue on a regular basis with the Government of Vietnam. We also regularly raise concerns about the treatment of political prisoners, including access to appropriate medical care, through bilateral engagement and also jointly with the support of other diplomatic missions.
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
For over ten years, successive UK governments have partnered with Inter Mediate to advance peace efforts in conflicts around the globe. The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office funds a number of different civil society and non-governmental organisations for its mediation and conflict resolution work. We do not share details of the individual projects funded.
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
I refer the Noble Baroness to the Government's statement (Official Report, vol. 854, cols. 769-783) 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.
Minister of State (Development)
I refer the Noble Baroness to the Government's statement (Official Report, vol. 854, cols. 769-783) 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.
Minister of State (Development)
I refer the Noble Lord to the statement Lord Collins made to the House on 19 March (Official Report, vol. 854, cols. 1121-1124), where he provided the latest details on our consular support to British nationals in the region.
Minister of State (Development)
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, HLWS1431, and the accompanying documentation setting out the impact of those allocation decisions. I also refer him to the evidence provided by the Foreign Secretary and I to the International Development Committee on 24 March, where we addressed questions at length about the Government's ODA policies and allocation decision: https://committees.parliament.uk/event/26907/formal-meeting-oral-evidence-session/.
Minister of State (Development)
I refer the Noble Lord to the statement made by the Minister of State for Europe, North America and Overseas Territories to the House on 26 February, repeated in the House of Lords on 3 March (Official Report, Volume 853, column. 1150-1160), and the draft treaty documents published on the same day. The Noble Lord will have ample opportunity to scrutinise the final text when it is brought before the House in due course. I note that on 4 March the Parliament of Gibraltar unanimously voted to support a motion calling on the UK to ratify the Treaty.
Minister of State (Development)
I refer the right reverend Prelate to the public and parliamentary statements made by the Prime Minister on 28 February, 1 March, 2 March (repeated in the House of Lords, Official Report, Volume 853, Column. 1076) and 5 March, where he set out in depth the UK's position on this conflict.
Minister of State (Development)
I refer the Noble Baroness to the Government's statement (Official Report, vol. 782, cols. 359-374) 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.
Minister of State (Development)
I refer the Noble Baroness to the Government's statement (Official Report, vol. 782, cols. 359-374) 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.
Minister of State (Development)
I refer the Hon Member to the answer he received on 18 March in response to Questions 120607, 120615, 120620 and 120622.
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
I refer the Hon Member to the Government's statement and release of information on 11th 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.
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
I refer the Hon Member to the Government's statement and release of information on 11th 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.
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
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 GOV.UK, or continuing to attend sessions of FCDO departmental questions.
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
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 GOV.UK, or continuing to attend sessions of FCDO departmental questions.
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
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 GOV.UK, or continuing to attend sessions of FCDO departmental questions.
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
Contracts Finder is used for the publication of commercial contracts, rather than government grants, such as the Accountable Grant Agreements typically used by the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office to administer partnerships with NGOs.
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
Caroline Johnson
(Conservative - Sleaford and North Hykeham)
Under the long-standing arrangements for continuity of education, 237 officers received Continuity of Education Allowance (CEA) in academic year 2024-25. This figure represents approximately 11 per cent of officers posted overseas. Eligibility for CEA is based on a range of factors that vary over time, so the Department does not hold a centrally maintained figure for the total number of overseas staff who may be eligible for CEA at any given point.
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
Caroline Johnson
(Conservative - Sleaford and North Hykeham)
Under the long-standing arrangements for continuity of education, 237 officers received Continuity of Education Allowance (CEA) in academic year 2024-25. This figure represents approximately 11 per cent of officers posted overseas. Eligibility for CEA is based on a range of factors that vary over time, so the Department does not hold a centrally maintained figure for the total number of overseas staff who may be eligible for CEA at any given point.
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
Caroline Johnson
(Conservative - Sleaford and North Hykeham)
Under the long-standing arrangements for continuity of education, 237 officers received Continuity of Education Allowance (CEA) in academic year 2024-25. This figure represents approximately 11 per cent of officers posted overseas. Eligibility for CEA is based on a range of factors that vary over time, so the Department does not hold a centrally maintained figure for the total number of overseas staff who may be eligible for CEA at any given point.
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
I refer the Rt Hon Member to the answers she received on 13 February in response to Question 110763, and on 12 November 2025 in response to Question 88232.
Minister of State (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
I refer the Rt Hon Member to the answers she received on 13 February in response to Question 110763, and on 12 November 2025 in response to Question 88232.
Minister of State (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
I refer the Rt Hon Member to the answers she received on 13 February in response to Question 110763, and on 12 November 2025 in response to Question 88232.
Minister of State (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
I refer the Rt Hon Member to the answers she received on 13 February in response to Question 110763, and on 12 November 2025 in response to Question 88232.
Minister of State (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
Gregory Campbell
(Democratic Unionist Party - East Londonderry)
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/
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
Peter Bedford
(Conservative - Mid Leicestershire)
I refer the Hon Member to the answer provided on 19 March in response to Question 120757.
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
This Government is providing a non-Official Development Assistance (ODA) uplift of £40 million across the Spending Review period (2026/27 to 2028/29) to the British Council. This supports our objective of a financially sustainable British Council for the long-term.
Minister of State (Development)
The UK ceased all direct government-to-government aid to China in 2011. I am unable to comment on funding allocations made under a previous government. All decisions on the release of material under the Freedom of Information Act are taken by officials in line with the requirements and exemptions laid down in law.
Minister of State (Development)
The UK ceased all direct government-to-government aid to China in 2011. I am unable to comment on funding allocations made under a previous government. All decisions on the release of material under the Freedom of Information Act are taken by officials in line with the requirements and exemptions laid down in law.
Minister of State (Development)
The UK stands firm on human rights in China and we are concerned by recent reports of Christians being detained in China. We continue to monitor the situation closely and the Prime Minister raised human rights with President Xi when they met in January. To support our wider efforts to champion freedom of religion or belief (FoRB), David Smith MP was appointed Special Envoy for FoRB in December 2024, and the UK hosted a Geneva event in July 2025 reaffirming the universal right to freedom of religion or belief.
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
The UK stands firm on human rights in China and we are concerned by recent reports of Christians being detained in China. We continue to monitor the situation closely and the Prime Minister raised human rights with President Xi when they met in January. To support our wider efforts to champion freedom of religion or belief (FoRB), David Smith MP was appointed Special Envoy for FoRB in December 2024, and the UK hosted a Geneva event in July 2025 reaffirming the universal right to freedom of religion or belief.
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
I refer the Noble Baroness to the answer provided on 9 March in response to Questions HL14828-30.
Minister of State (Development)
The State Visit provided 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 and credible Presidential election in 2027.The UK is supporting key legislative and institutional reform processes in the Nigerian National Assembly, with the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), the Judiciary and other key institutions to strengthen Nigeria's democracy. On the issue of violence against Christian communities, I refer the Hon Member to the written ministerial statement published on 27 November 2025 (HCWS1105).
Minister of State (Development)
The State Visit provided 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 and credible Presidential election in 2027.The UK is supporting key legislative and institutional reform processes in the Nigerian National Assembly, with the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), the Judiciary and other key institutions to strengthen Nigeria's democracy. On the issue of violence against Christian communities, I refer the Hon Member to the written ministerial statement published on 27 November 2025 (HCWS1105).
Minister of State (Development)
Work to refresh the UK's approach to preventing sexual violence in conflict is underway. External consultation to inform that process has been conducted with the preventing sexual violence Initiative's (PSVI) Survivor Advisory Group, key civil society and academic partners, and former PSVI Special Representatives, and there will be further such consultation - including with parliamentary stakeholders - before the refreshed approach is finalised.
Minister of State (Development)
The FCDO2030 reform programme is designed to ensure the department is able to rise to the challenges of a rapidly changing world, and a constrained fiscal environment. This is an unprecedented transformation, driven by the objective to become a more agile, technologically enabled organisation, focused on the UK's strategic priorities, including peace, stability and security in the Middle East. The FCDO remains in regular consultations with the Trade Union side on its reform proposals.
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
John McDonnell
(Labour - Hayes and Harlington)
The FCDO2030 reform programme is designed to ensure the department is able to rise to the challenges of a rapidly changing world, and a constrained fiscal environment. This is an unprecedented transformation, driven by the objective to become a more agile, technologically enabled organisation, focused on the UK's strategic priorities, including peace, stability and security in the Middle East. The FCDO remains in regular consultations with the Trade Union side on its reform proposals.
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)