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.
In response to the first question, I refer the Hon Member to the answers provided on 10 April in response to Question 123071, and on 28 January in response to Question 106997. In response to the second question, the UK and wider G7 countries have committed to ensuring that Russian sovereign assets remain immobilised across our jurisdictions until Russia ceases its war of aggression and pays for the damage it has caused to Ukraine. We will continue to work with international partners to ensure Ukraine gets the support it needs.
The UK voted for the 2007 UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples and supports its principles, including respect for the rights, autonomy and protection of all indigenous people - including those living in voluntary isolation.
The UK raises the rights of indigenous people through ongoing diplomatic engagement and works bilaterally and through multilateral institutions to encourage states to meet their international human rights commitments, including in countries where uncontacted indigenous people are present.
The UK voted for the 2007 UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples and supports its principles, including respect for the rights, autonomy and protection of all indigenous people - including those living in voluntary isolation.
The UK raises the rights of indigenous people through ongoing diplomatic engagement and works bilaterally and through multilateral institutions to encourage states to meet their international human rights commitments, including in countries where uncontacted indigenous people are present.
The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office keeps its travel advice under constant review, and last updated its advice for Hong Kong on 1 April to reflect its assessment of the situation on the ground.
The UK is concerned about recent restrictions on access to holy sites in Jerusalem. Israel must work with religious communities to facilitate access in line with the status quo, and the right to worship must be protected.
I refer the Rt Hon Member to the answer he received on 5 March in response to Question 114767.
For over ten years, Inter Mediate and the UK Government have successfully partnered to advance peace efforts around the globe. The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) supports a range of civil society and non-governmental organisations through its mediation and conflict resolution programme. Given the sensitive and discreet nature of these efforts, we do not disclose details of the projects supported. This ensures that neither the safety of partners, nor the integrity of ongoing peace efforts are compromised. This is in line with the Freedom of Information Act 2000 and the FCDO's approach to aid transparency, whereby information is excluded from publication where sharing could pose risks to international relations, compromise the security and safety of partners, prejudice national security, or reveal personal data that could infringe on privacy or breach confidentiality.
For over ten years, Inter Mediate and the UK Government have successfully partnered to advance peace efforts around the globe. The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) supports a range of civil society and non-governmental organisations through its mediation and conflict resolution programme. Given the sensitive and discreet nature of these efforts, we do not disclose details of the projects supported. This ensures that neither the safety of partners, nor the integrity of ongoing peace efforts are compromised. This is in line with the Freedom of Information Act 2000 and the FCDO's approach to aid transparency, whereby information is excluded from publication where sharing could pose risks to international relations, compromise the security and safety of partners, prejudice national security, or reveal personal data that could infringe on privacy or breach confidentiality.
In line with the International Development (Official Development Assistance Target) Act 2015, the Government is required to review whether a return to spending 0.7 per cent of gross national income on Official Development Assistance is possible against each new fiscal forecast, and to lay a statement in Parliament in each year when that is not possible. The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office continues to liaise closely with HM Treasury on an ongoing basis in relation to these projections.
Our partnership with Voluntary Service Overseas (VSO) has been extended until March 2027. The Active Citizenship through Inclusive Volunteering and Empowerment (ACTIVE) programme currently operates in 14 countries and works with local civil society groups to strengthen their organisational capacity, leadership, autonomy and sustainability. This reflects our modernised approach to development, delivering value for money for UK taxpayers and transforming our country development partnerships to reflect the changing needs of our partners. We are looking forward to seeing how VSO's work progresses.
Global health remains one of the key priorities of our development work. The UK will continue supporting polio eradication through our flexible core funding to the World Health Organization (WHO). Our £248 million contribution will help sustain essential global health functions, including surveillance and outbreak response, which are vital in the fight against polio. We will also continue contributing to routine polio immunisation through our investment in Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance. The UK is Gavi's largest sovereign donor, supporting routine immunisation worldwide. We will invest £1.25 billion in Gavi between 2026 and 2030 to help immunise up to 500 million children, including against polio.
Global health remains one of the key priorities of our development work. The UK will continue supporting polio eradication through our flexible core funding to the World Health Organization (WHO). Our £248 million contribution will help sustain essential global health functions, including surveillance and outbreak response, which are vital in the fight against polio. We will also continue contributing to routine polio immunisation through our investment in Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance. The UK is Gavi's largest sovereign donor, supporting routine immunisation worldwide. We will invest £1.25 billion in Gavi between 2026 and 2030 to help immunise up to 500 million children, including against polio.
I refer the Hon Member to the oral statement made by the Foreign Secretary on 5 February following her recent visit to the Chad-Sudan border, and her speech to the United Nations on 19 February, available at the link below. Further updates will follow the Berlin Ministerial Conference this week.
https://www.gov.uk/government/speeches/let-this-be-the-time-that-the-world-comes-together-to-end-the-cycle-of-bloodshed-in-sudan-uk-statement-at-the-un-security-council.
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.
In the press release issued to mark the launch of British International Investment (BII) by the former Foreign Secretary Liz Truss in November 2021, the previous government specifically stated: "[This] builds on the Prime Minister's commitments at COP26 to help developing countries take advantage of clean technology and grow their economies sustainably, with the BII delivering billions in climate financing for projects like solar power, sustainable transport and disaster-resilient infrastructure over the next 5 years."
The investment in question will support delivery of a major new electrification project, led by a BII-owned company, which will provide a profitable return for UK investment, while also helping to prevent large-scale deforestation, reduce carbon emissions, and support stability in a conflict affected region. This is consistent with the UK's wider International Climate Finance strategy, established under the previous government.
In the press release issued to mark the launch of British International Investment (BII) by the former Foreign Secretary Liz Truss in November 2021, the previous government specifically stated: "[This] builds on the Prime Minister's commitments at COP26 to help developing countries take advantage of clean technology and grow their economies sustainably, with the BII delivering billions in climate financing for projects like solar power, sustainable transport and disaster-resilient infrastructure over the next 5 years."
The investment in question will support delivery of a major new electrification project, led by a BII-owned company, which will provide a profitable return for UK investment, while also helping to prevent large-scale deforestation, reduce carbon emissions, and support stability in a conflict affected region. This is consistent with the UK's wider International Climate Finance strategy, established under the previous government.
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 him on 17 March 2026 in response to Question 120276.
I refer the Hon Member to the answer provided to him on 17 March 2026 in response to Question 120276.
I refer the Hon Member to the answer provided to him on 17 March 2026 in response to Question 120276.
I refer the Hon Member to the answer provided to him on 17 March 2026 in response to Question 120276.
I refer the Hon Member to the answer provided to him on 17 March 2026 in response to Question 120276.
I refer the Hon Member to the answer provided to him on 17 March 2026 in response to Question 120276.
I refer the Hon Member to the answer provided to him on 17 March 2026 in response to Question 120276.
I refer the Hon Member to the answer provided to him on 17 March 2026 in response to Question 120276.
I refer the Hon Member to the answer provided to him on 17 March 2026 in response to Question 120276.
I refer the Hon Member to the answer provided to him on 17 March 2026 in response to Question 120276.
I refer the Hon Member to the answer provided to him on 17 March 2026 in response to Question 120276.
The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) routes funding for the development of innovative health technologies for use in low and middle income countries through public-private Product Development Partnerships (PDPs) or similar organisations. These organisations work in partnership with academia, the public and private sectors (including not-for-profit) to develop products where commercial markets fail. Our portfolio includes support to the Liverpool based Innovative Vector Control Consortium (IVCC), TB Alliance and the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI). FCDO research funding opportunities, including for new health technologies, are advertised through the usual government procurement channels. PDPs collaborate with numerous UK partner organisations. CEPI alone has over 20 UK partners in academia and industry.
I refer the Hon. Member to the response given to question 126356 on 20 April.
These legal proceedings are a matter for the Mauritian authorities.
None of the issues raised by the Rt Hon Member are matters for the UK Government, and none of them have any bearing on the future status of the Diego Garcia base, or the treaty negotiated with Mauritius.
None of the issues raised by the Rt Hon Member are matters for the UK Government, and none of them have any bearing on the future status of the Diego Garcia base, or the treaty negotiated with Mauritius.
I refer the Hon Member to the answer provided on 10 April in response to Question HL16049, which - for ease of reference - is reproduced below:
The UK continues to use its penholder role at the UN Security Council (UNSC) to shine a spotlight on the Myanmar crisis. We convened four Council meetings in 2025 to spotlight the crisis and one most recently in March this year. 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.
I refer the Noble Lord to the statement issued by the Prime Minister's Office on 31 March, which - for ease of access - is reproduced below:
The Prime Minister met the President of Syria, Ahmed al-Sharaa, in Downing Street this morning. The leaders agreed that this was an important moment for the UK-Syria relationship.
On the ongoing conflict in the Middle East, they both affirmed the importance of avoiding further escalation and restoring stability in the region. They discussed the need for a viable plan to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, in the face of the severe economic impact of prolonged closure, and agreed to work with others to restore freedom of navigation.
The Prime Minister welcomed the Syrian Government's action against Da'esh to date and the progress made on cooperation between the UK and Syria on counter-terrorism. He set out how he hoped to make further progress on the issue of migration, including closer work together on returns, on border security, and on tackling people smuggling networks.
They agreed that regeneration of infrastructure would be vital for Syria's economic transition, and discussed opportunities for British businesses across several sectors to play a role in this.
They agreed to keep in touch.
I refer the Noble Lord to the answers provided on 12 February to Questions HL13863 and HL13920, and on the work of UNITAD, I refer him to the answers he was provided on 19 September 2024 in response to Questions HL838 and HL839.
I refer the Noble Lord to the answers provided on 12 February to Questions HL13863 and HL13920, and on the work of UNITAD, I refer him to the answers he was provided on 19 September 2024 in response to Questions HL838 and HL839.
I refer the Noble Lord to the answers provided on 12 February to Questions HL13863 and HL13920, and on the work of UNITAD, I refer him to the answers he was provided on 19 September 2024 in response to Questions HL838 and HL839.
I refer the Noble Lord to the answers provided on 12 February to Questions HL13863 and HL13920, and on the work of UNITAD, I refer him to the answers he was provided on 19 September 2024 in response to Questions HL838 and HL839.
I refer the Noble Lord to the statements made by the Foreign Secretary and myself - UIN HLWS1431 - 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. Funding for specific organisations over the period in question will be confirmed in due course.
The State Visit will of course include components marking the crucial economic ties between the UK and US as well as trade and investment focused engagements. Separately, in May 2026, the UK will host Greater Together LA, an unprecedented gathering of 500 British and American businesses, investors, industry representatives and political leaders, designed to promote enhanced UK-US trade, investment, tourism and education partnerships.
Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office ministers speak to their US counterparts on a regular basis on a range of issues, including the implementation of the Gaza Peace Plan.
The UK strongly opposes the hunting of cetaceans other than limited activities by indigenous people for defined subsistence needs. UK ministers and officials continue to advocate for the end of cetacean hunts in the Faroe Islands at every appropriate opportunity, most recently during formal UK-Faroes bilateral fisheries negotiations in November 2025, and I raised this with the Faroese Prime Minister Aksel V. Johannesen when I hosted him in London last year. We also use our role as Chair of the International Whaling Commission's Conservation Committee to raise the profile of small cetaceans, including encouraging more work to improve their protection and address welfare concerns.
I refer the Hon Member to (a) the answer I provided on 28 October 2025 in response to question 906060, (b) the oral evidence provided to the Foreign Affairs Committee on 9 December 2025 by the Permanent Under-Secretary to the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, and on 16 December 2025 by the Foreign Secretary, and (c) the Written Ministerial Statement I made on 26 March 2026 (Statement UIN HCWS1470), where these issues were addressed at length.
I refer the Hon Member to (a) the answer I provided on 28 October 2025 in response to question 906060, (b) the oral evidence provided to the Foreign Affairs Committee on 9 December 2025 by the Permanent Under-Secretary to the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, and on 16 December 2025 by the Foreign Secretary, and (c) the Written Ministerial Statement I made on 26 March 2026 (Statement UIN HCWS1470), where these issues were addressed at length.
I refer the Hon Member to (a) the answer I provided on 28 October 2025 in response to question 906060, (b) the oral evidence provided to the Foreign Affairs Committee on 9 December 2025 by the Permanent Under-Secretary to the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, and on 16 December 2025 by the Foreign Secretary, and (c) the Written Ministerial Statement I made on 26 March 2026 (Statement UIN HCWS1470), where these issues were addressed at length.
I refer the Hon Member to the answer he was provided on 11 March in response to Question 118062.