Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office

Both the UK and the EU allow for visa-free short-term travel in line with their arrangements for Third Country Nationals. The UK allows EU citizens short-term visa-free travel for up to six months. Meanwhile, the Schengen Borders Code allows for Third Country Nationals to travel within the Schengen Area for up to 90 days in any 180-day period; this is standard for third countries travelling to the EU. While we recognise that extending the 90-180 day period is a matter for Member States and the EU, the Government will continue to listen to and advocate for UK nationals abroad.

The UK-African Investment Summit, due to take place in April 2024, was postponed owing to scheduling issues in the international calendar.

The UK is committed to reconnecting with African countries, listening to our African partners and putting trade and growth at the heart of our partnerships. This includes working with South Africa next year under their G20 Presidency.

The Foreign Secretary is putting growth at the heart of our foreign policy making, including improving relationships with the fastest growing markets of the future across the Global South. Trade between Zimbabwe and the UK was worth £633 million in 2023 and increasing economic growth between the UK and Zimbabwe is a top priority for our Embassy in Harare. We are pursuing this through a range of channels, including by supporting UK businesses to enter and navigate the Zimbabwean market and engaging with firms interested in the mining, horticulture, renewable energy and wider sustainability sectors. On 10 July, the UK's development finance institution, British International Investment, signed an agreement to invest $10 million in a Zimbabwean bank, for lending to the agriculture sector.

The UK Government is committed to the Commonwealth and is working closely with Commonwealth partners ahead of this year's Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) in Samoa, the first to take place in a Pacific Small Island Developing State. Ministerial attendance will be confirmed in due course.

The conflict in Sudan has created a manmade humanitarian disaster with 8.5 million people facing emergency or famine conditions, more than Gaza, South Sudan, Mali, Bangladesh, and Afghanistan combined. This financial year, UK bilateral ODA to Sudan will increase to £92 million. UK support is being delivered through the UN and other trusted partners, and is providing nutrition, safe drinking water, medical care and shelter. The UK continues to pursue all diplomatic avenues to press the warring parties into a permanent ceasefire, allow unrestricted humanitarian access, protect civilians and commit to a sustained and meaningful peace process.

This Government supports a moratorium on the granting of exploration licences for deep sea mining projects by the International Seabed Authority (ISA). The UK recognises the impacts of deep sea mining are not fully understood and supports a moratorium on the granting of mining licences by the ISA until sufficient scientific evidence is available to assess the potential impact of deep-sea mining activities on marine ecosystems, and strong, enforceable environmental regulations, standards and guidelines are adopted by the ISA.

The Foreign Secretary called UNRWA Commissioner General Lazzarini on 19 July to discuss the reinstatement of UK funding. Development Minister Anneliese Dodds also met with Lazzarini following the announcement on 19 July. They discussed how the UK's £21 million of new funding will support UNRWA's lifesaving work in Gaza and the provision of basic services in the region. We also condemned the killing of almost 200 UNRWA workers in the conflict. The Foreign Secretary also spoke with UNRWA Gaza Director Scott Anderson on 15 July during his visit to Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territories. They also discussed the need for further protection of civilians in Gaza.

The Government is committed to upholding our international obligations and has raised these with Israeli counterparts. The Foreign Secretary discussed International Humanitarian Law compliance in Gaza with Prime Minister Netanyahu directly during his visit to Israel on 14 July. The protection of civilians is a vital part of this.

FCDO consular staff are currently providing consular assistance in over 1600 cases relating to arrest or detention. Consular staff aim to stay in regular contact with British Nationals in detention and do what they can to support their health and welfare. The UK Government cannot interfere in criminal or civil court proceedings in other countries. However, where there are human rights concerns such as allegations of torture or mistreatment, with the consent of the person affected, we raise these­­ concerns with the local authorities, highlighting the detaining state's obligations under international human rights law.

You asked about three cases:

• The UK government continues to raise Mr Alaa Abd El-Fattah's case at the highest levels with the Egyptian government. We have been consistently clear in calling for his release and continue to press for urgent consular access.
• We remain committed to pushing the Government of India for faster progress to resolve Jagtar Singh Johal's case. The Foreign Secretary raised Mr Johal's case this week (24 July) during a bilateral meeting with the Indian Minister of External Affairs, during his first official visit to India as Foreign Secretary.
• We call on the Hong Kong authorities to end their politically motivated prosecution and immediately release British national Jimmy Lai.

We are clear that International Humanitarian Law must be upheld, and we are following the necessary processes.

As soon as the Foreign Secretary took office, he tasked officials with a comprehensive review of Israel's compliance with International Humanitarian Law, and that process is now under way. We will update the House again once the process is complete.

When the Foreign Secretary announced the resumption of funding on 19 July 2024, he said that UNRWA had taken serious action in response to the appalling allegations that UNRWA staff were involved in the 7 October attack against Israel.

The Government is confident that UNRWA is now taking action to ensure it meets the highest standards of neutrality and strengthening its procedures. £1 million of the £21 million of new UK funding will be earmarked to support UNRWA to implement the management reforms recommended by the independent Colonna review. Together with other donors, we will continue to monitor UNRWA's progress to implement the action plan. The FCDO will also continue to conduct our own annual assessment of UK funding to UNRWA.

The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office has indicated that it will not be possible to answer this question within the usual time period. An answer is being prepared and will be provided as soon as it is available.

Sanctions are at their most effective when countries work together. We continue to work closely with G7 and other partners to ensure our sanctions have the maximum impact on Russia, including by restricting the energy revenues fuelling its war machine. The Government has already taken action to that end.

At the recent European Political Community Summit, the UK secured the agreement of 44 European countries plus the European Union to work together to disrupt and deter Russia's 'shadow fleet', which is undermining our sanctions and poses environmental and security threats. We continue to explore a range of options to deepen our sanctions regime, and enforcement, including in the energy sector.

Hurricane Beryl passed through the Caribbean at the beginning of July, devastating several islands in the Grenadines, including Union. On 5th July, the Foreign Secretary responded by increasing available UK response funding up to £500,000. This money has allowed us to send emergency shelter kits (capable of supporting up to 4,000 people) and freshwater storage solutions (for over 1,600 families) to affected islands, which included Union Island. The UK also supported the deployment of Caribbean Disaster Emergency Management Agency (CDEMA) emergency response teams to assess needs and assist with relief, logistics and telecoms. St Vincent and the Grenadines also received US$1.86 million from the Caribbean Catastrophe Risk Insurance Facility (CCRIF), to which the UK was a founder donor.

Financial secrecy facilitates illicit finance including money laundering as well as tax and sanctions evasion. It enables serious and organised crime, undermines our national security by supporting kleptocracies around the world, and it diverts resources needed for vital public services.

Tackling illicit finance in the UK, as well as in our Overseas Territories and the Crown Dependencies, is a priority for the new Government.

We will be working closely with the UK Overseas Territories and Crown Dependencies to increase transparency, including through publicly accessible registers of company beneficial ownership. We note the progress made in a number of jurisdictions, but will be looking to work with UKOTs and CDs to urgently accelerate progress in others.

Colombia is an important partner for the UK, with our shared priorities including the environment and security. We are working with the Colombian Government and others on implementation of the 2016 Peace Agreement. President Petro is committed to implementing the 2016 Agreement as well as establishing dialogues with other armed groups - what he terms 'Paz Total' (Total Peace). The UK remains committed to supporting Colombia in establishing long term conditions for stability in the country. We will also work with Colombia on the climate and nature emergency - as they host the important Biodiversity Conference of the Parties meeting later this year.

The limited access environment and ongoing internet and telecommunication disruptions in Sudan means that reporting on the ground is extremely restricted, so there is no accurate estimate of the number of people killed or injured. We know people are in desperate need. With an estimated 7.7 million people internally displaced and a further 2.3 million having fled to neighbouring countries, Sudan is now the world's largest displacement crisis. We urge both the Sudanese Armed Forces and the Rapid Support Forces to agree to a sustainable ceasefire and ensure that it is upheld. The UK engages regularly with Ramtane Lamamra, the UN Secretary-General Personal Envoy on Sudan to push for coordinated mediation tracks and efforts to press the warring parties to agree a sustained and meaningful peace process.

We note the 2024 Annual Threat Assessment of the US Intelligence Community. We work closely with international partners, including the US, and we continue to support mediation efforts and urge both warring parties to engage constructively to secure a ceasefire and prevent the conflict spreading further.

The UK, and Troika (US, Norway), continue to press for implementation of South Sudan's Peace Agreement and a peaceful transition to democracy. We will continue to support the UN Mission in Sudan, who are mandated to support preparations for elections, including through the provision of technical assistance to electoral institutions.The UK also uses its position as a permanent member in the UN Security Council to express concern about the lack of progress in fulfilling necessary electoral preconditions.

International Humanitarian Law provides for the protection of civilians and civilian objects, which includes water supply. Israel must take steps working with humanitarian agencies to fully restore water supplies and to significantly increase the flow of aid into and through Gaza. We have consistently raised water supplies and the opening of vital water lines with Israel throughout the conflict. During the Foreign Secretary's visit to Israel on 14-15 July, he made clear to Prime Minister Netanyahu and other interlocutors that Israel must meet its commitment to "flood Gaza with aid".

International Humanitarian Law provides for the protection of civilians and civilian objects, which includes water supply. Israel must take steps working with humanitarian agencies to fully restore water supplies and to significantly increase the flow of aid into and through Gaza. We have consistently raised water supplies and the opening of vital water lines with Israel throughout the conflict. During the Foreign Secretary's visit to Israel on 14-15 July, he made clear to Prime Minister Netanyahu and other interlocutors that Israel must meet its commitment to "flood Gaza with aid".

The Government has already begun work to reset the relationship with our European friends to strengthen ties, secure a broad-based security pact and tackle barriers to trade. We want to look forwards by improving our trade and investment relationship with the EU, while recognising there will be no return to the single market, customs union, or freedom of movement.

The Prime Minister and Foreign Secretary met the Mauritian Prime Minister on 23 July and committed to continuing negotiations on the exercise of sovereignty over the British Indian Ocean Territory/Chagos Archipelago. It is too early to speculate on timelines or conclusions, but it is the Government's priority to resolve this long standing and important issue, including ensuring the long-term secure and effective operation of the joint UK/US military base on Diego Garcia and other key issues. As appropriate, we will continue to engage with all relevant parties including the Chagossian diaspora.

Since the flawed elections of 2020, the UK has consistently supported the efforts of the democratic opposition in its peaceful struggle to realise the democratic aspirations of the people of Belarus. On 11 July, the UK, alongside other partners, invoked the OSCE Vienna Mechanism to hold the Belarusian authorities to account over the treatment of political prisoners in Belarus. Most recently, the UK invited Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya, to meet with European leaders, including with the Foreign Secretary and myself [Minister Doughty], in the margins of the European Political Community summit at Blenheim palace on 18 July.

The conflict in Sudan has created a manmade humanitarian disaster with 8.5 million people facing emergency or famine conditions. For the first time, over 755,000 people are projected to be at risk of famine (Integrated Food Security Phase Classification 5). The UK is working with international partners, including the UN, other donors and humanitarian agencies, to improve and increase the delivery of aid into Sudan. The UK is also helping those fleeing to neighbouring countries, with £7.75 million to support existing and new Sudanese refugees as well as vulnerable returnees and host communities in South Sudan, and £15 million to Chad.

The Government is determined to do all we can to help bring the conflict in Gaza to an end and make progress towards long-term peace and security in the Middle East, including through the auspices of the UN. We are pushing for an immediate ceasefire, the release of all hostages, the upholding of international law and protection of civilians, and unfettered humanitarian access to enable a rapid increase of aid into Gaza.

We want a credible and irreversible pathway towards a two-state solution: a safe, secure Israel alongside a viable, sovereign Palestinian state.

As the Foreign Secretary announced on 19 July, UNRWA is absolutely central to humanitarian efforts on Gaza. It also plays a critical role in the wider region in providing essential services, including healthcare and education, to Palestinian refugees. The UK is committed to supporting UNRWA's lifesaving work, and will resume funding, releasing £21 million new funding for its work in Gaza and the region.

The UK's position on settlements is clear. They are illegal under international law, present an obstacle to peace, and threaten the physical viability of a two-state solution. The Foreign Secretary raised this with Prime Minister Netanyahu and President Herzog during his visit to Israel and the OPTs on 14-15 July.

He stressed the UK's ambition and commitment to play its full diplomatic role in securing a ceasefire deal and creating the space for a credible and irreversible pathway towards a two-state solution. Central to lasting peace and stability is an end to expanding illegal Israeli settlements and rising settler violence in the West Bank.

The UK is committed to getting humanitarian aid to the people in Gaza who desperately need it. The Foreign Secretary announced on 19 July that we will restart funding to UNRWA, releasing £21 million for Gaza and the region. We have also announced an additional £5.5. million to UK NGO UK-Med so they can continue their work in Gaza saving lives and delivering emergency medical care to those most in need.

During the Foreign Secretary's visit to Israel on 14-15 July he made clear to Prime Minister Netanyahu and other interlocutors that Israel must meet its commitment to "flood Gaza with aid".

The people of Gaza face a humanitarian catastrophe. There is a high risk of famine across Gaza and more than 4 in every 5 people have been forced to flee their homes. During the Foreign Secretary's visit to Israel on 14-15 July he made clear to Prime Minister Netanyahu and other interlocutors that Israel must meet its commitment to "flood Gaza with aid". To further help those in need, the Foreign Secretary announced on 19 July that the UK will restart funding to UNRWA, and provide £21 million to support lifesaving work, including the provision of emergency food.

This Government is determined to do all we can to help bring the conflict in Gaza to an end and make progress towards long-term peace and security in the Middle East. We are pushing for an immediate ceasefire, the release of all hostages, the upholding of international law and protection of civilians, and unfettered humanitarian access to enable a rapid increase of aid into Gaza.

During the Foreign Secretary's visit to Israel and the OPTs on 14-15 July he met with Prime Minister Netanyahu, President Herzog, and Prime Minister Mustafa amongst others. The Prime Minister also spoke to Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu and President Abbas of the Palestinian Authority on Sunday 7 July. The Foreign Secretary has also discussed the situation in Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territories, including the need for an immediate ceasefire, with regional and international partners.

We want a credible and irreversible pathway towards a two-state solution: a safe, secure Israel alongside a viable, sovereign Palestinian state.

UK funding is delivered mainly through trusted international partners on the ground. Humanitarian actors can only operate effectively if they have access to the whole of Gaza and it is safe for them to work there.

That is why we are calling for unfettered access for humanitarian organisations alongside an immediate ceasefire, the protection of civilians, the release of all hostages and a credible and irreversible pathway towards a two-state solution.

The Foreign Secretary called UNRWA Commissioner General Lazzarini on 19 July to discuss the reinstatement of UK funding. Development Minister Anneliese Dodds also met with Lazzarini following the announcement on 19 July. They discussed how the UK's £21 million of new funding will support UNRWA's lifesaving work in Gaza and the provision of basic services in the region. We also condemned the killing of almost 200 UNRWA workers in the conflict. The Foreign Secretary also spoke with UNRWA Gaza Director Scott Anderson on 15 July during his visit to Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territories. They discussed the above, and the need for the protection of civilians in Gaza.

This Government is determined to do all we can to help bring the conflict in Gaza to an end and make progress towards long-term peace and security in the Middle East. We are pushing for an immediate ceasefire, the release of all hostages, the protection of civilians and unfettered humanitarian access to enable a rapid increase of aid into Gaza. We want a credible and irreversible pathway towards a two-state solution: a safe, secure Israel alongside a viable, sovereign Palestinian state.

The Foreign Secretary discussed these issues with Prime Minister Netanyahu, President Herzog, PM Mustafa and others during his visit to Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territories on 14-15 July. He also met with the families of those murdered and taken hostage by Hamas and assured them that the UK will continue to push for an immediate release of all hostages.

During the Foreign Secretary's visit on 14 July to Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territories he emphasised the need for a credible and irreversible pathway towards a two-state solution in meetings with Prime Minister Netanyahu and Foreign Minister Katz.

Palestinian statehood is the inalienable right of the Palestinian people. The UK is committed to recognising a Palestinian state at a time that is most conducive to the peace process, with a safe and secure Israel alongside a viable and sovereign Palestinian state.

Palestinian statehood is the inalienable right of the Palestinian people. During the Foreign Secretary's visit to Israel and the OPTs on 14 July, he reiterated our commitment to recognising a Palestinian state at a time that is most conducive to the peace process, with a safe and secure Israel alongside a viable and sovereign Palestinian state.

The Foreign Secretary met with President Netanyahu in Israel on 14 July and pushed for an immediate ceasefire, the release of all hostages, the upholding of international law, and a rapid increase of aid into Gaza. This government will uphold our international legal obligations and act in line with the UK’s Strategic Export License Criteria. We have commissioned new advice and will come to a considered decision.

Palestinian statehood is the inalienable right of the Palestinian people. During the Foreign Secretary's visit to Israel and the OPTs on 14 July, he reiterated our commitment to recognising a Palestinian state as a contribution to a peace process to deliver a two state solution, with a safe and secure Israel alongside a viable and sovereign Palestinian state.

As the Foreign Secretary announced in his speech on 19 July, UNRWA is absolutely central to humanitarian efforts in Gaza. It also plays a critical role in the wider region in providing essential services to Palestinian refugees, including healthcare and education. We are confident that UNRWA is taking robust action in response to Catherine Colonna's independent review. Britain is committed to supporting UNRWA's lifesaving work, and will resume funding, releasing £21 million for Gaza and the region.

The UK has repeatedly condemned the attack at Banjska and its destabilising effect in the region. The UK has repeatedly urged Serbia's leaders to help bring those responsible to justice and to take action to stop the illegal flow of weapons into Kosovo. The UK has discussed these issues with Kosovan Ministers and officials on a number of occasions. On 18 July, the Foreign Secretary discussed regional stability and reinforced its importance with both President Osmani and President Vucic at the European Political Community Summit.

We are clear that do not support a major operation in Rafah unless there is a very clear plan for how to protect people and save lives. We have not seen that plan so, in these circumstances, we do not support a major operation in Rafah.

The fastest way to end the conflict is to secure a deal which gets the hostages out and allows for a stop in the fighting in Gaza. We must then work with our international partners to turn that pause into a sustainable, permanent ceasefire.

We must remain focused on a long-term solution to this crisis - a political horizon for the Palestinians, providing a credible and irreversible pathway towards a two-state solution.

We have consistently made these points to Israel, at all levels.

Israel must ensure its campaign is targeted at Hamas leaders and operatives and ensure journalists can carry out their work safely. On 5 December, the UK supported a joint statement of the Media Freedom Coalition expressing concern over the repercussions for the safety of journalists and access to information due to the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas.

I refer the noble Lord to the answer to Question HL2826 given on 13 March 2024, which can be found on the Q&A web pages (https://questions-statements.parliament.uk/written-questions/detail/2024-02-28/hl2826). The Government is working hard to reach an arrangement that delivers this money for humanitarian causes in Ukraine as quickly as possible.

We were saddened to learn of the terrible flooding that has ravaged Rio Grande do Sul. The Minister for the Americas [Minister Rutley] offered our sincere condolences to all those affected by this tragic incident, including the families of those who have so sadly lost their lives. His Majesty's Ambassador to Brazil has also offered condolences to State Governor Eduardo Leite. Through the Start Fund the UK has supported an allocation of £193,000 to provide humanitarian aid in response to the flooding in Brazil. The Start Fund is a pooled fund to which the UK is a major donor.