Asked by: Lord Alton of Liverpool (Crossbench - Life peer)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask His Majesty's Government, what assessment they have made of continuing airstrikes against civilians, hospitals, schools, churches and other places of worship in Myanmar; and what action they are taking to apply international humanitarian and human rights law in response to the human rights and humanitarian crisis in Myanmar.
Answered by Baroness Chapman of Darlington - Minister of State (Development)
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.
Asked by: Lord Alton of Liverpool (Crossbench - Life peer)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask His Majesty's Government whether they plan to recognise the new parliament in Myanmar resulting from the military-run elections; and what assessment they have made of the legitimacy and credibility of the election process and the parliament or government resulting from that process.
Answered by Baroness Chapman of Darlington - Minister of State (Development)
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.
Asked by: Lord Alton of Liverpool (Crossbench - Life peer)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask His Majesty's Government when they last reviewed UK sanctions against the regime in Myanmar; and whether they plan to (1) update existing sanctions, and (2) implement new sanctions, against individuals and entities associated with the military regime and its proxies.
Answered by Baroness Chapman of Darlington - Minister of State (Development)
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.
Asked by: Lord Alton of Liverpool (Crossbench - Life peer)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the report of the United Nations Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Myanmar, published on 11 March; and what action they plan to take to implement his recommendations.
Answered by Baroness Chapman of Darlington - Minister of State (Development)
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.
Asked by: Lord Alton of Liverpool (Crossbench - Life peer)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of threats made by the Iranian authorities to target locations and infrastructure linked to broadcasts to Iran, especially those of Iran International, and the continuing threats against international journalists, their legal representatives, and others working with them.
Answered by Baroness Chapman of Darlington - Minister of State (Development)
I refer the Noble Lord to the answer provided in the House of Commons on 24 March in response to Question HC120196, which - for ease of reference - is reproduced below:
Iran's threats and intimidation toward journalists and their families, both inside Iran and in the UK, are absolutely unacceptable, and we have consistently raised these issues directly with the Iranian government. We were integral to the delivery of the Iran Human Rights Resolution, adopted by the UN General Assembly in November 2025, which called on Iran to halt threats and intimidation against journalists who are critical of the government, and to investigate and prosecute those responsible for reprisals. In the UK, the National Protective Security Authority and Counter Terrorism Policing also continue to provide protective security advice and support to individuals and organisations threatened by the Iranian regime and its criminal proxies.
Asked by: Lord Alton of Liverpool (Crossbench - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Business and Trade:
To ask His Majesty's Government what action they are taking to protect British steel on the UK market from cheap imports from China, including changes to tariff-free quotas.
Answered by Baroness Lloyd of Effra - Baroness in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)
From 1 July 2026, steel import quotas will be reduced by 60% compared to the steel safeguard, with a 50% tariff on imports exceeding these levels. The measure will apply to imports of steel products that can be made in the UK. To reinforce this, we will in parallel raise our maximum allowed tariff level on steel at the WTO to protect domestic industry in the long-run from the impacts of global overcapacity.
This measure is not targeted at any one country, it is a response to a global problem of steel overcapacity and the threat it poses to our national security. We remain committed to continuing open dialogue with China and to working together where possible to address global challenges, including overcapacity. The UK will also continue to apply 10 anti-dumping measures and 2 countervailing measures against imports of Chinese steel.
Asked by: Lord Alton of Liverpool (Crossbench - Life peer)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the impact of the reduction in regional bilateral aid to the Middle East and North Africa on women and children’s access to lifesaving health services.
Answered by Baroness Chapman of Darlington - Minister of State (Development)
I refer the Noble Lord to the statement made to the House on 19 March (HLWS1431) 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 myself to the International Development Committee on 24 March, where we addressed questions at length about the Government's ODA policies and allocation decisions.
Asked by: Lord Alton of Liverpool (Crossbench - Life peer)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the impact of the reduction in regional bilateral aid to the Middle East and North Africa on the ability of children with disabilities to get to school.
Answered by Baroness Chapman of Darlington - Minister of State (Development)
I refer the Noble Lord to the statement made to the House on 19 March (HLWS1431) 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 myself to the International Development Committee on 24 March, where we addressed questions at length about the Government's ODA policies and allocation decisions.
Asked by: Lord Alton of Liverpool (Crossbench - Life peer)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the impact of cuts to multilateral funds that support global health, including the Pandemic Fund and Global Polio Eradication Initiative.
Answered by Baroness Chapman of Darlington - Minister of State (Development)
I refer the Noble Lord to the statement made to the House on 19 March (HLWS1431) 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 myself to the International Development Committee on 24 March, where we addressed questions at length about the Government's ODA policies and allocation decisions.
Asked by: Lord Alton of Liverpool (Crossbench - Life peer)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of reports of continuing military violence in Mali; and what representations they have made to the government of Mali and international partners, including the UN Office for West Africa and the Sahel, regarding the protection of civilians and the prevention of war crimes.
Answered by Baroness Chapman of Darlington - Minister of State (Development)
The UK remains deeply concerned by the continuing violence in Mali and its impact on civilians. At the Human Rights High Level Week in Geneva on 26 February, the Minister for Multilateral and Human Rights met Mali's Minister for Justice and reiterated the importance of respecting human rights.
This year, the UK provided £173 million to support programmes across the Sahel, including for the promotion of conflict prevention and stability, and £37 million to support programmes in Mali, including a project to provide training in International Humanitarian Law to the Malian Directorate of Military Justice.