Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Minister of State, Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, what assessment his Department has made of the potential security implications for Christian minorities in Sub-Saharan Africa of the withdrawal of French troops from that region.

Answered by Andrew Mitchell - Minister of State (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office) (Minister for Development)

The UK is appalled by the attacks against churches, mosques and local communities in Burkina Faso that took place in late February. As Lord Ahmad said on 26 February, freedom of religion or belief (FoRB) is a fundamental right and must be protected, and those responsible for these heinous attacks must be held to account. We routinely discuss security challenges with the transitional authorities in Burkina Faso and continue to work with partners in the region to promote stability.

The UK is monitoring the threat from terrorist groups in the Sahel and has proscribed the Al-Qaeda associated group Jama'a Nusrat ul-Islam wa al-Muslimin (JNIM). We assess that the terrorist threat in Niger, Mali, Burkina Faso will likely increase as a result of ongoing instability as will the risk of atrocities against people of all faiths by jihadist armed groups. We do not believe that the withdrawal of French troops alone will have direct implications on the safety of Christian minorities due to the often remote regions where these attacks take place, and the multitude of local factors that influence conflict dynamics in Sahel.

The UK signed up to the UN Security Council statement condemning the terrorist attacks in Burkina Faso which was issued on 29 February 2024, and also continues to provide vital humanitarian aid in the Sahel to support those affected by conflict.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Minister of State, Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, whether he has made an assessment of the potential implications for his Department's policies of the attack on a church in Burkina Faso on 25 February 2014.

Answered by Andrew Mitchell - Minister of State (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office) (Minister for Development)

The UK is appalled by the attacks against churches, mosques and local communities in Burkina Faso that took place in late February. As Lord Ahmad said on 26 February, freedom of religion or belief (FoRB) is a fundamental right and must be protected, and those responsible for these heinous attacks must be held to account. We routinely discuss security challenges with the transitional authorities in Burkina Faso and continue to work with partners in the region to promote stability.

The UK is monitoring the threat from terrorist groups in the Sahel and has proscribed the Al-Qaeda associated group Jama'a Nusrat ul-Islam wa al-Muslimin (JNIM). We assess that the terrorist threat in Niger, Mali, Burkina Faso will likely increase as a result of ongoing instability as will the risk of atrocities against people of all faiths by jihadist armed groups. We do not believe that the withdrawal of French troops alone will have direct implications on the safety of Christian minorities due to the often remote regions where these attacks take place, and the multitude of local factors that influence conflict dynamics in Sahel.

The UK signed up to the UN Security Council statement condemning the terrorist attacks in Burkina Faso which was issued on 29 February 2024, and also continues to provide vital humanitarian aid in the Sahel to support those affected by conflict.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Minister of State, Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, what support his Department is providing to Burkina Faso following the recent attack on a Catholic church in that country.

Answered by Andrew Mitchell - Minister of State (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office) (Minister for Development)

The UK is appalled by the attacks against churches, mosques and local communities in Burkina Faso that took place in late February. As Lord Ahmad said on 26 February, freedom of religion or belief (FoRB) is a fundamental right and must be protected, and those responsible for these heinous attacks must be held to account. We routinely discuss security challenges with the transitional authorities in Burkina Faso and continue to work with partners in the region to promote stability.

The UK is monitoring the threat from terrorist groups in the Sahel and has proscribed the Al-Qaeda associated group Jama'a Nusrat ul-Islam wa al-Muslimin (JNIM). We assess that the terrorist threat in Niger, Mali, Burkina Faso will likely increase as a result of ongoing instability as will the risk of atrocities against people of all faiths by jihadist armed groups. We do not believe that the withdrawal of French troops alone will have direct implications on the safety of Christian minorities due to the often remote regions where these attacks take place, and the multitude of local factors that influence conflict dynamics in Sahel.

The UK signed up to the UN Security Council statement condemning the terrorist attacks in Burkina Faso which was issued on 29 February 2024, and also continues to provide vital humanitarian aid in the Sahel to support those affected by conflict.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether he plans to make the assets of non-domiciled UK residents subject to inheritance tax.

Answered by Nigel Huddleston - Financial Secretary (HM Treasury)

From April 2025, the government will abolish the current tax regime for non-UK domiciled individuals, or non-doms, and get rid of the outdated concept of domicile in the tax system, replacing this with a modern, simpler, fairer and competitive residence-based regime.

The government will also move to a residence-based regime for Inheritance Tax (IHT) and will consult in due course on the best way to achieve this. No changes to IHT will take effect before April 2025.

Further information can be found in the published technical note: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/changes-to-the-taxation-of-non-uk-domiciled-individuals.

Question to the Scotland Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, whether he has had recent discussions with the Scottish Government on the (a) reasons for which they have appointed and (b) cost of appointing an international development Minister.

Answered by Alister Jack - Secretary of State for Scotland

I have had no discussions with the Scottish Government in regards to the appointment of an international development Minister. Under the devolution settlement, Ministerial appointments, including pay, are a matter for the Scottish Government.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Minister of State, Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, if he will hold discussions with his Armenian counterpart on the protection of Armenian Christian cultural heritage sites in Nagorno-Karabakh; and whether he has made an assessment of the potential implications for his policies of the inclusion of Nagorno-Karabakh in Open Door UK’s World Watch List, published on17 January 2024.

Answered by Leo Docherty - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence) (Minister for the Armed Forces)

We are clear that the preservation of religious and cultural sites in the region is an important issue and we take seriously reports of the destruction of churches and other sites of religious significance in both Armenia and Azerbaijan as a result of their long-running conflict. Ministers and the British Embassies in Yerevan and Baku have raised the need to protect such sites with the Armenian and Azerbaijani Governments consistently and at the most senior levels. Open Door UK's World Watch List provides a sobering account of the extreme difficulties faced by many Christians around the world. We note the report's comments regarding Azerbaijan and regularly raise human rights issues with the Azerbaijani Government.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Minister of State, Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, what discussions he has had with his counterpart in Azerbaijan on the (a) condition and (b) security of Armenian Christian (i) churches and (ii) other heritage sites in Nagorno-Karabakh.

Answered by Leo Docherty - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence) (Minister for the Armed Forces)

The UK Government is clear that the preservation of religious and cultural sites in the region is an important issue and we take seriously reports of the destruction of churches or other sites of religious significance. We are aware of allegations from both Armenia and Azerbaijan that cultural and religious sites have been deliberately damaged over the course of the conflict. UK Ministers and the British Embassy in Baku have raised the topic of religious and cultural destruction with the Azerbaijani government consistently and at the most senior levels.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Minister of State, Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, whether his Department is taking diplomatic steps to help ensure the right of return to Nagorno-Karabakh of Christian Armenians.

Answered by Leo Docherty - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence) (Minister for the Armed Forces)

The UK Government is clear that Azerbaijan must create the conditions for a safe and secure return of ethnic Armenians who were displaced during September's military operation and want to return. We welcomed Azerbaijan's provision of a registration portal, though more work is needed to assist those considering a return. Ministers and officials have discussed these issues with the Azerbaijani Government and encourage Azerbaijan to be proactive in enabling the return of those who wish to do so.

Found: Hughes Mrs Flick Drummond Maggie Throup Derek Thomas Mr Philip Hollobone Sir John Hayes Andrew

Found: Hughes Mrs Flick Drummond Maggie Throup Derek Thomas Mr Philip Hollobone Sir John Hayes Andrew

Found: Hughes Mrs Flick Drummond Maggie Throup Derek Thomas Mr Philip Hollobone Sir John Hayes Andrew

Found: Holloway Marco Longhi [R] Kelly Tolhurst Kevin Foster Craig Whittaker Sir Iain Duncan Smith Andrew

Found: Hughes Mrs Flick Drummond Maggie Throup Derek Thomas Mr Philip Hollobone Sir John Hayes Andrew

Found: Holloway Marco Longhi [R] Kelly Tolhurst Kevin Foster Craig Whittaker Sir Iain Duncan Smith Andrew

Found: Hughes Mrs Flick Drummond Maggie Throup Derek Thomas Mr Philip Hollobone Sir John Hayes Andrew

Found: Holloway Marco Longhi [R] Kelly Tolhurst Kevin Foster Craig Whittaker Sir Iain Duncan Smith Andrew

Found: Hughes Mrs Flick Drummond Maggie Throup Derek Thomas Mr Philip Hollobone Sir John Hayes Andrew

Found: Hughes Mrs Flick Drummond Maggie Throup Derek Thomas Mr Philip Hollobone Sir John Hayes Andrew

Found: Hughes Mrs Flick Drummond Maggie Throup Derek Thomas Mr Philip Hollobone Sir John Hayes Andrew

Found: Hughes Mrs Flick Drummond Maggie Throup Derek Thomas Mr Philip Hollobone Sir John Hayes Andrew

Found: Hughes Mrs Flick Drummond Maggie Throup Derek Thomas Mr Philip Hollobone Sir John Hayes Andrew

Found: Holloway Marco Longhi [R] Kelly Tolhurst Kevin Foster Craig Whittaker Sir Iain Duncan Smith Andrew