Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office

The UK remains committed to championing freedom of religion or belief (FoRB) for all around the world, including in the West Bank and Jerusalem. The UK Special Envoy for FoRB discussed the issue of access to holy sites during his visit to the Holy See in March 2026. We condemn the record levels of settler violence in the West Bank, and we are carefully monitoring restrictions on movement and access that affect holy sites.

The UK remains committed to championing freedom of religion or belief (FoRB) for all around the world, including in the West Bank and Jerusalem. The UK Special Envoy for FoRB discussed the issue of access to holy sites during his visit to the Holy See in March 2026. We condemn the record levels of settler violence in the West Bank, and we are carefully monitoring restrictions on movement and access that affect holy sites.

The UK remains committed to championing freedom of religion or belief (FoRB) for all around the world, including in the West Bank and Jerusalem. The UK Special Envoy for FoRB discussed the issue of access to holy sites during his visit to the Holy See in March 2026. We condemn the record levels of settler violence in the West Bank, and we are carefully monitoring restrictions on movement and access that affect holy sites.

The UK remains committed to championing freedom of religion or belief (FoRB) for all around the world, including in the West Bank and Jerusalem. The UK Special Envoy for FoRB discussed the issue of access to holy sites during his visit to the Holy See in March 2026. We condemn the record levels of settler violence in the West Bank, and we are carefully monitoring restrictions on movement and access that affect holy sites.

The UK remains committed to championing freedom of religion or belief (FoRB) for all around the world, including in the West Bank and Jerusalem. The UK Special Envoy for FoRB discussed the issue of access to holy sites during his visit to the Holy See in March 2026. We condemn the record levels of settler violence in the West Bank, and we are carefully monitoring restrictions on movement and access that affect holy sites.

The Foreign Secretary and her Ministerial colleagues engage regularly with US counterparts across the breadth of our shared interests and priorities. USAID funding is a matter for the US Government.

I refer the Hon Member to the answer provided on 14 April in response to Questions 124030-34.

The UK is concerned by the recent escalation between Pakistan and Afghanistan and the resulting impact on civilians. We continue to urge dialogue and de-escalation, building on the Eid ceasefire and the recent talks in Urumqi, China.

The UK was clear from the outset of the conflict with Iran that we did not want to see it escalate and spread to other countries in the region, including Yemen, where more than 22 million people are already in need in of humanitarian assistance and 18.3 million are acutely food insecure. The UK remains firmly committed to supporting a UN‑led political process in Yemen, and working towards a lasting political settlement, peace and stability.

The UK has maintained the position over several decades that all parties in all conflicts should comply with International Humanitarian Law and take every possible step to minimise harm to civilians. We continue to support the remit and independence of the established bodies who monitor compliance with these principles.

The Government is aware of the Human Rights Watch report and takes all reported violations of international humanitarian law extremely seriously. The UK does not export any bombs or ammunition for use in Israeli military operations in Lebanon.

I refer the Hon Member to the detailed answer on this issue provided by Lord Hanson on 19 March in response to Question HL15182.

We condemn the decision to expand land registration requirements in Area C of the West Bank, and other recent Israeli Security Cabinet decisions that extend Israel's control over the West Bank, and accelerate illegal settlement activity.

Ministers and officials in the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office continue to work closely with their South African counterparts on a wide range of issues.

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.

Work is progressing in the normal way and further details will be confirmed in due course.

I refer the Hon Member to the government statement on this subject issued in December 2025, which said: "There are no specific talks with Argentina about the UK relaxing its arms export controls, but more broadly, we look forward to deepening our co-operation with Argentina across areas including trade, science and culture to deliver growth for the British people."

The Government shares the Hon Member's concern regarding the threat from Russian interference. The UK will not tolerate attempts to interfere in our politics from any foreign actor and we will take all measures necessary to defend our democracy.

I would refer the Hon Member to the statement made on 25 March by the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government on Foreign Financial Influence and Interference in UK Politics.

We continue to work closely with the Council of Europe on a number of Ukraine-related initiatives, including the proposed establishment of the Claims Commission for Ukraine and the Special Tribunal on Crimes of Aggression Against Ukraine. Since Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine, the UK has consistently raised Russia's aggression and its consequences within the Council of Europe, including at the Committee of Ministers and through engagement with the Secretary General.

There are well-established arrangements for ensuring that civil society organisations (CSOs) attending the Commission on the Status of Women (CSW) can help shape the UK's overall approach, including an annual joint UK Government and CSO side event held in the margins of CSW. This year's event focused on accelerating progress on ending violence against women and girls (VAWG).

The UK was proud to support the Agreed Conclusions on women and girls' access to justice. Domestically, we are committed to dismantling the barriers that prevent women from accessing justice and seeking and obtaining legal remedies. Internationally, we are committed to putting women and girls at the heart of everything we do, as reflected in our updated priorities for the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office.

There are well-established arrangements for ensuring that civil society organisations (CSOs) attending the Commission on the Status of Women (CSW) can help shape the UK's overall approach, including an annual joint UK Government and CSO side event held in the margins of CSW. This year's event focused on accelerating progress on ending violence against women and girls (VAWG).

The UK was proud to support the Agreed Conclusions on women and girls' access to justice. Domestically, we are committed to dismantling the barriers that prevent women from accessing justice and seeking and obtaining legal remedies. Internationally, we are committed to putting women and girls at the heart of everything we do, as reflected in our updated priorities for the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office.

I refer the Rt Hon Member to the answer provided to question 89032 on 10 November 2025 regarding the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office's (FCDO) approach to tackling food insecurity and malnutrition around the world.

We will carefully consider the findings and recommendations of the Eleanor Crook Foundation's report, alongside other analysis and research, to inform our future approach to nutrition and food security. We will also continue to support the Child Nutrition Fund, which we proudly co-founded and support as members of the Steering Committee.

Food and nutrition are issues that cut across key FCDO objectives in a range of areas, from humanitarian relief to climate change, and as such, they will not sit within a single Community of Expertise, but be covered by the Communities of Expertise covering those wider themes. Further details will be announced in the coming months.

I refer the Rt Hon Member to the answer provided to question 89032 on 10 November 2025 regarding the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office's (FCDO) approach to tackling food insecurity and malnutrition around the world.

We will carefully consider the findings and recommendations of the Eleanor Crook Foundation's report, alongside other analysis and research, to inform our future approach to nutrition and food security. We will also continue to support the Child Nutrition Fund, which we proudly co-founded and support as members of the Steering Committee.

Food and nutrition are issues that cut across key FCDO objectives in a range of areas, from humanitarian relief to climate change, and as such, they will not sit within a single Community of Expertise, but be covered by the Communities of Expertise covering those wider themes. Further details will be announced in the coming months.

No such assessment is readily available, but the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office publishes regular updates of the work it has done to promote investment and growth in the UK and in partner countries around the world in the Department's annual report and accounts.

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 answer provided to her party leader on 12 January in response to Question 103190, and I would suggest that she resumes talks with him to coordinate their lines of questioning, and avoid duplicating each other's work.

I refer the Hon Member to the answer provided to her party leader on 12 January in response to Question 103190, and I would suggest that she resumes talks with him to coordinate their lines of questioning, and avoid duplicating each other's work.

I refer the Hon Member to the answer provided to her party leader on 12 January in response to Question 103190, and I would suggest that she resumes talks with him to coordinate their lines of questioning, and avoid duplicating each other's work.

I refer the Hon Member to the answer provided to her party leader on 12 January in response to Question 103190, and I would suggest that she resumes talks with him to coordinate their lines of questioning, and avoid duplicating each other's work.

The table below provides the number of Chevening Scholarships awarded to individuals from Sudan, Cameroon, Myanmar and Afghanistan in the last ten years.

I refer the Rt Hon Member to the answer provided on 3 February to Question 109503 on the same issue.

The Government is a strong supporter of the Political Declaration on Explosive Weapons in Populated Areas (EWIPA Declaration) and the UK was an early endorsing state. Officials from the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office and Ministry of Defence participated in the Second International EWIPA Conference in San José, Costa Rica between 19-20 November 2025. We outlined the number of concerning contexts in which EWIPA are being used with little regard for civilians, our leadership on Civilian Harm Mitigation, and our approach to implementing our commitments. We continue to promote the universalisation and implementation of the Declaration and expect all actors to abide by International Humanitarian Law.

I refer the Hon Member to the answer provided on 18 November 2025 in response to Question 89585.

The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office does not hold Civil Service‑wide data on findings of breaches of the Civil Service Code. Oversight of the Civil Service Code, including centrally held information on its application across government departments, sits with the Cabinet Office.

I refer the Hon Member to the answer provided in the House of Lords on 26 November 2025 in response to Question HL11857.

I refer the Hon Member to the answer provided in the House of Lords on 26 November 2025 in response to Question HL11857.

The UK continues to use its penholder role at the UN Security Council (UNSC) to shine a spotlight on the Myanmar crisis. We welcome the report of the UN Special Rapporteur, and condemn airstrikes on civilians and civilian infrastructure, as we did at the UK-convened meeting of the UNSC on 22 December 2025. The statement made at that meeting by Ambassador James Kariuki, UK Chargé d'Affaires to the UN, is reproduced below:

"This morning, the Security Council will meet privately to discuss the situation in Myanmar. We will hear updates from ASEAN Special Envoy Othman Hashim and the UN Special Envoy Julie Bishop.

"Nearly five years since the Myanmar military overturned the democratically elected government, the UK remains deeply concerned at the ongoing violence. The military must de-escalate and cease its violence, including airstrikes on civilians. Targeted attacks against civilians and civilian infrastructure must stop. We strongly condemn the recent airstrike on a hospital in Rakhine State this month, which killed more than 30 civilians.

"The humanitarian situation in Myanmar also remains catastrophic. Over 16 million people will require life-saving assistance in 2026. The UK has provided over $100 million this fiscal year. But financial support can only have real impact if access is granted.

"Finally, the UK is clear: any meaningful election requires an end to violence and dialogue amongst all parties concerned. And there are no indications that the planned elections will be perceived as free or fair. Elections under current circumstances risk provoking further violence and make a long-term solution more elusive.

"The UK reiterates our support for ASEAN's central role in pursuit of a solution to the ongoing crisis. We stand in solidarity with the people of Myanmar and their desire for a peaceful, inclusive, and democratic future. We will keep the Myanmar crisis on the Council's agenda."

In addition, we continue to consider designations under our sanctions regimes, including the Myanmar Sanctions Regulations, as guided by the evidence. It is the UK's long-standing policy not to speculate about future sanctions designations as to do so could reduce their impact.

The UK continues to use its penholder role at the UN Security Council (UNSC) to shine a spotlight on the Myanmar crisis. We welcome the report of the UN Special Rapporteur, and condemn airstrikes on civilians and civilian infrastructure, as we did at the UK-convened meeting of the UNSC on 22 December 2025. The statement made at that meeting by Ambassador James Kariuki, UK Chargé d'Affaires to the UN, is reproduced below:

"This morning, the Security Council will meet privately to discuss the situation in Myanmar. We will hear updates from ASEAN Special Envoy Othman Hashim and the UN Special Envoy Julie Bishop.

"Nearly five years since the Myanmar military overturned the democratically elected government, the UK remains deeply concerned at the ongoing violence. The military must de-escalate and cease its violence, including airstrikes on civilians. Targeted attacks against civilians and civilian infrastructure must stop. We strongly condemn the recent airstrike on a hospital in Rakhine State this month, which killed more than 30 civilians.

"The humanitarian situation in Myanmar also remains catastrophic. Over 16 million people will require life-saving assistance in 2026. The UK has provided over $100 million this fiscal year. But financial support can only have real impact if access is granted.

"Finally, the UK is clear: any meaningful election requires an end to violence and dialogue amongst all parties concerned. And there are no indications that the planned elections will be perceived as free or fair. Elections under current circumstances risk provoking further violence and make a long-term solution more elusive.

"The UK reiterates our support for ASEAN's central role in pursuit of a solution to the ongoing crisis. We stand in solidarity with the people of Myanmar and their desire for a peaceful, inclusive, and democratic future. We will keep the Myanmar crisis on the Council's agenda."

In addition, we continue to consider designations under our sanctions regimes, including the Myanmar Sanctions Regulations, as guided by the evidence. It is the UK's long-standing policy not to speculate about future sanctions designations as to do so could reduce their impact.

The UK continues to use its penholder role at the UN Security Council (UNSC) to shine a spotlight on the Myanmar crisis. We welcome the report of the UN Special Rapporteur, and condemn airstrikes on civilians and civilian infrastructure, as we did at the UK-convened meeting of the UNSC on 22 December 2025. The statement made at that meeting by Ambassador James Kariuki, UK Chargé d'Affaires to the UN, is reproduced below:

"This morning, the Security Council will meet privately to discuss the situation in Myanmar. We will hear updates from ASEAN Special Envoy Othman Hashim and the UN Special Envoy Julie Bishop.

"Nearly five years since the Myanmar military overturned the democratically elected government, the UK remains deeply concerned at the ongoing violence. The military must de-escalate and cease its violence, including airstrikes on civilians. Targeted attacks against civilians and civilian infrastructure must stop. We strongly condemn the recent airstrike on a hospital in Rakhine State this month, which killed more than 30 civilians.

"The humanitarian situation in Myanmar also remains catastrophic. Over 16 million people will require life-saving assistance in 2026. The UK has provided over $100 million this fiscal year. But financial support can only have real impact if access is granted.

"Finally, the UK is clear: any meaningful election requires an end to violence and dialogue amongst all parties concerned. And there are no indications that the planned elections will be perceived as free or fair. Elections under current circumstances risk provoking further violence and make a long-term solution more elusive.

"The UK reiterates our support for ASEAN's central role in pursuit of a solution to the ongoing crisis. We stand in solidarity with the people of Myanmar and their desire for a peaceful, inclusive, and democratic future. We will keep the Myanmar crisis on the Council's agenda."

In addition, we continue to consider designations under our sanctions regimes, including the Myanmar Sanctions Regulations, as guided by the evidence. It is the UK's long-standing policy not to speculate about future sanctions designations as to do so could reduce their impact.

The UK continues to use its penholder role at the UN Security Council (UNSC) to shine a spotlight on the Myanmar crisis. We welcome the report of the UN Special Rapporteur, and condemn airstrikes on civilians and civilian infrastructure, as we did at the UK-convened meeting of the UNSC on 22 December 2025. The statement made at that meeting by Ambassador James Kariuki, UK Chargé d'Affaires to the UN, is reproduced below:

"This morning, the Security Council will meet privately to discuss the situation in Myanmar. We will hear updates from ASEAN Special Envoy Othman Hashim and the UN Special Envoy Julie Bishop.

"Nearly five years since the Myanmar military overturned the democratically elected government, the UK remains deeply concerned at the ongoing violence. The military must de-escalate and cease its violence, including airstrikes on civilians. Targeted attacks against civilians and civilian infrastructure must stop. We strongly condemn the recent airstrike on a hospital in Rakhine State this month, which killed more than 30 civilians.

"The humanitarian situation in Myanmar also remains catastrophic. Over 16 million people will require life-saving assistance in 2026. The UK has provided over $100 million this fiscal year. But financial support can only have real impact if access is granted.

"Finally, the UK is clear: any meaningful election requires an end to violence and dialogue amongst all parties concerned. And there are no indications that the planned elections will be perceived as free or fair. Elections under current circumstances risk provoking further violence and make a long-term solution more elusive.

"The UK reiterates our support for ASEAN's central role in pursuit of a solution to the ongoing crisis. We stand in solidarity with the people of Myanmar and their desire for a peaceful, inclusive, and democratic future. We will keep the Myanmar crisis on the Council's agenda."

In addition, we continue to consider designations under our sanctions regimes, including the Myanmar Sanctions Regulations, as guided by the evidence. It is the UK's long-standing policy not to speculate about future sanctions designations as to do so could reduce their impact.

The Government condemns the despicable attacks claimed by Harakat Ashab al Yamin al Islamia, and - while we do not routinely disclose operational details - we continue to work with other governments, including in Belgium and the Netherlands, to exchange information and tackle shared security threats. During the Foreign Secretary's talks with Dutch Foreign Minister Berendsen on 25 March, she conveyed the UK's solidarity with the Jewish community in the Netherlands, following the attacks they have suffered.