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.
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 to the evidence provided by the Foreign Secretary and the Minister of State for International Development at the International Development Committee on 24 March, where they addressed questions at length about the Government's ODA policies and allocation decisions.
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 to the evidence provided by the Foreign Secretary and the Minister of State for International Development at the International Development Committee on 24 March, where they addressed questions at length about the Government's ODA policies and allocation decisions.
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 priorities.
The UK plays a leading role in mobilising private finance for development, leveraging the City of London's global strengths and our track record on innovative financial instruments. We are committed to ensuring finance is sustainable, which is why the Chancellor established the London Coalition on Sustainable Sovereign Debt last year. The Chancellor and the Minister for International Development will attend the World Bank/International Monetary Fund (IMF) Spring Meetings and the Minister for International Development will join discussions with borrowing countries on how the London Coalition can help them tackle their debt challenges.
There is no record of Mr Kotecha being granted a period of unpaid leave during his employment with the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO). His work on producing the cookbook and running the pudding competition over the course of 2021-22 was carried out in tandem with his preparations to take up a new post at the consulate in Ekaterinburg.
The FCDO did not hold any staff events on Sunday 15 August 2021, the day that the Taliban captured Kabul. The event to which Mr Kotecha has referred took place on Wednesday 15 September 2021, a month after the fall of Kabul, and almost three weeks after the UK's final evacuation flight from Afghanistan. It was a lunchtime panel discussion organised by the Civil Service Race Forum panel, and held online for staff networks across Whitehall. The FCDO had no involvement in its organisation, and no FCDO staff were featured on the panel.
There is no record of Mr Kotecha being granted a period of unpaid leave during his employment with the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO). His work on producing the cookbook and running the pudding competition over the course of 2021-22 was carried out in tandem with his preparations to take up a new post at the consulate in Ekaterinburg.
The FCDO did not hold any staff events on Sunday 15 August 2021, the day that the Taliban captured Kabul. The event to which Mr Kotecha has referred took place on Wednesday 15 September 2021, a month after the fall of Kabul, and almost three weeks after the UK's final evacuation flight from Afghanistan. It was a lunchtime panel discussion organised by the Civil Service Race Forum panel, and held online for staff networks across Whitehall. The FCDO had no involvement in its organisation, and no FCDO staff were featured on the panel.
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.
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.
The value of the Location Allowance for London-based staff, including senior civil servants, was increased from £3,250 per year to £4,250 in 2013. It has remained unchanged at its current level of £5,000 since April 2018.
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. Consistent with the International Covenants on human rights, the UK recognises the right of self-determination of all peoples, including the people of Cuba.
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 to the evidence provided by the Foreign Secretary and the Minister of State for Development at the International Development Committee on 24 March, where they addressed questions at length about the Government's ODA policies and allocation decisions.
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 promote conflict prevention and stability. We have also been working with regional partners to encourage a joined-up response to what is a trans-national problem.
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 evidence provided by the Foreign Secretary and the Minister of State for International Development at the International Development Committee on 24 March, where they addressed questions at length about the Government's ODA policies and allocation decisions.
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 evidence provided by the Foreign Secretary and the Minister of State for International Development at the International Development Committee on 24 March, where they addressed questions at length about the Government's ODA policies and allocation decisions.
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 evidence provided by the Foreign Secretary and the Minister of State for International Development at the International Development Committee on 24 March, where they addressed questions at length about the Government's ODA policies and allocation decisions.
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 evidence provided by the Foreign Secretary and the Minister of State for International Development at the International Development Committee on 24 March, where they addressed questions at length about the Government's ODA policies and allocation decisions.
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 evidence provided by the Foreign Secretary and the Minister of State for International Development at the International Development Committee on 24 March, where they addressed questions at length about the Government's ODA policies and allocation decisions.
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 evidence provided by the Foreign Secretary and the Minister of State for International Development at the International Development Committee on 24 March, where they addressed questions at length about the Government's ODA policies and allocation decisions.
The UK is committed to putting women and girls at the heart of everything we do, including our development spending. The Foreign Secretary recently announced that women and girls will be a central theme across all the FCDO's work - including development. She also announced a new target that at least 90 per cent of our bilateral Official Development Assistance programmes will have a focus on women and girls by 2030.
The State Visit provided an important opportunity to strengthen the UK-Nigeria Strategic Partnership across growth, security, migration, and foreign policy. As part of the programme, an interfaith serial, attended by President Tinubu and His Majesty the King, was hosted at Vicars Hall in Windsor, demonstrating the shared UK and Nigerian commitment to fostering constructive interfaith dialogue. The UK condemns violence against civilians of all religions in Nigeria. On democratic standards and the 2027 elections, I refer the Noble Lord to the answer provided in the House of Commons on 16th March 2026 in response to Question 118699, reproduced below:
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 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
I refer the Hon Member to the answer provided on 27 January in response to HL13467.
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.
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.
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.
I refer the Hon Member to the answer of 25 September to question 70453.
I refer the Hon Member to the answer of 25 September to question 70453.
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.
The size, grading and remuneration of ministerial office staffing vary depending on the responsibilities of the Minister.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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/.
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.
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.
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.
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.
I refer the Hon Member to the answer he received on 18 March in response to Questions 120607, 120615, 120620 and 120622.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.