David Lammy Portrait

David Lammy

Labour - Tottenham

First elected: 22nd June 2000

Shadow Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs

(since November 2021)

European Scrutiny Committee
2nd Mar 2020 - 27th Jun 2022
Shadow Lord Chancellor and Shadow Secretary of State for Justice
6th Apr 2020 - 29th Nov 2021
Ecclesiastical Committee (Joint Committee)
31st Oct 2017 - 6th Nov 2019
Speaker's Advisory Committee on Works of Art
12th Dec 2017 - 6th Nov 2019
Ecclesiastical Committee (Joint Committee)
28th Oct 2015 - 3rd May 2017
Speaker's Advisory Committee on Works of Art
1st Jul 2015 - 3rd May 2017
Speaker's Advisory Committee on Works of Art
18th Nov 2010 - 30th Mar 2015
Ecclesiastical Committee (Joint Committee)
26th Oct 2010 - 30th Mar 2015
Draft Defamation Bill (Joint Committee)
24th Mar 2011 - 12th Oct 2011
Shadow Minister (Higher Education and Intellectual Property)
12th May 2010 - 8th Oct 2010
Minister of State (Department for Business, Innovation and Skills) (Higher Education and Intellectual Property)
9th Jun 2009 - 6th May 2010
Minister of State (Department for Innovation, Universities and Skills) (Higher Education & Intellectual Property)
5th Oct 2008 - 5th Jun 2009
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Innovation, Universities and Skills) (Skills)
29th Jun 2007 - 5th Oct 2008
Minister of State (Department for Culture, Media and Sport) (Culture)
10th May 2005 - 28th Jun 2007
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Constitutional Affairs)
13th Jun 2003 - 10th May 2005
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health)
29th May 2002 - 13th Jun 2003
Public Administration Committee
5th Mar 2001 - 11th May 2001
Procedure Committee
25th Jan 2001 - 11th May 2001


Division Voting information

During the current Parliament, David Lammy has voted in 507 divisions, and never against the majority of their Party.
View All David Lammy Division Votes

Debates during the 2019 Parliament

Speeches made during Parliamentary debates are recorded in Hansard. For ease of browsing we have grouped debates into individual, departmental and legislative categories.

Sparring Partners
Robert Buckland (Conservative)
(51 debate interactions)
Lindsay Hoyle (Speaker)
(40 debate interactions)
Andrew Mitchell (Conservative)
Minister of State (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office) (Minister for Development)
(21 debate interactions)
View All Sparring Partners
Department Debates
Ministry of Justice
(79 debate contributions)
Home Office
(16 debate contributions)
Cabinet Office
(15 debate contributions)
View All Department Debates
View all David Lammy's debates

Tottenham Petitions

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).

David Lammy has not participated in any petition debates

Latest EDMs signed by David Lammy

14th January 2021
David Lammy signed this EDM on Monday 18th January 2021

Godfrey Colin Cameron

Tabled by: Chris Stephens (Scottish National Party - Glasgow South West)
That this House is deeply saddened by news of the death of Godfrey Colin Cameron, a hardworking member of Parliamentary security staff and member of the PCS trade union who passed away aged just 55 after contracting covid-19; extends our sincere condolences to his devoted wife Hyacinth, children Leon and …
139 signatures
(Most recent: 8 Feb 2021)
Signatures by party:
Labour: 113
Scottish National Party: 15
Independent: 6
Plaid Cymru: 3
Alba Party: 1
Democratic Unionist Party: 1
6th July 2020
David Lammy signed this EDM as a sponsor on Monday 6th July 2020

Enforcement

Tabled by: Keir Starmer (Labour - Holborn and St Pancras)
That an humble Address be presented to Her Majesty, praying that the Taking Control of Goods and Certification of Enforcement Agents (Amendment) (No. 2) (Coronavirus) Regulations 2020 (S.I., 2020, No. 614), dated 19 June 2020, a copy of which was laid before this House on 19 June 2020, be annulled.
18 signatures
(Most recent: 15 Sep 2020)
Signatures by party:
Labour: 16
Independent: 2
View All David Lammy's signed Early Day Motions

Commons initiatives

These initiatives were driven by David Lammy, and are more likely to reflect personal policy preferences.

MPs who are act as Ministers or Shadow Ministers are generally restricted from performing Commons initiatives other than Urgent Questions.



Latest 50 Written Questions

(View all written questions)
Written Questions can be tabled by MPs and Lords to request specific information information on the work, policy and activities of a Government Department
12th Nov 2020
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, when he plans to respond to the letter from the hon. Member for Tottenham of 2 October 2020 on school funding.

I can confirm that a response to the letter dated 2 October 2020 has been sent to the hon. Member for Tottenham.

23rd Jan 2020
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what proportion of teachers employed by the state sector are non-UK EU nationals.

The Migration Advisory Committee’s report, ‘A full review of the Shortage Occupation List (May 2019)’, estimated that around 4% of secondary school teachers and around 2% of primary and nursery school teachers were born in the EEA (excluding the UK).

The Department publishes data on the nationality of Initial Teacher Training (ITT) trainees. In 2019-20, there were 28,859 postgraduate new entrants to ITT whose nationality was known (98% of all postgraduate new entrants). Of these, 5% (1,484) were EEA nationals (excluding the UK). This is the same proportion as in academic years 2018-19, 2017-18, and 2016-17.

23rd Jan 2020
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what effect the end of the transition period will have on UK students studying at universities in EU member states.

​The UK Government has negotiated a deal which allows us to leave the EU without disruption on 31 January 2020. Under the Withdrawal Agreement, EU rules and regulations will continue to apply in the UK during the transition period until 31 December 2020. Throughout the duration of the transition period UK students studying in the EU will be able to continue their studies as they do now.

Our future relationship with the EU will be negotiated during this transition period. Protecting the rights of both UK Nationals in the EU and EU citizens in the UK is an absolute priority for this government, and it is of mutual interest to both the UK and the EU to agree a future partnership that helps to create a new generation of globally mobile, culturally agile people who can succeed in an increasingly global marketplace.

This is supported by the new Political Agreement, published in October 2019, which makes clear that the UK remains committed to exploring ongoing cooperation with the EU on education, science and innovation.

29th Mar 2022
To ask the Secretary of State for International Trade, what assessment her Department has made of the economic impact of sanctions on (a) Russia’s GDP, (b) UK foreign direct investment in Russia and (c) the value of UK trade in goods and services with Russia in FY2022-23.

In coordination with her allies, Britain is introducing the most severe economic sanctions that Russia has ever faced. The expected impacts of trade sanctions imposed to date are available on GOV.UK. We do not speculate on future sanctions.

23rd Jan 2020
To ask the Secretary of State for International Trade, how many bilateral trade deals the Government will be able to sign on 1 February 2020.

We have an ambitious programme to maximise the opportunities of leaving the EU on the 31 January, including Free Trade Agreements (FTAs), championing the WTO and rules-based system, and securing market access wins. The government has a manifesto commitment to have free trade agreements with countries covering 80% of UK trade within 3 years of leaving the EU. This includes negotiating FTAs with the US, Australia, New Zealand and Japan in parallel to negotiations with the EU. We are planning to launch rest of world trade negotiations as soon as possible after we leave the EU.

23rd Jan 2020
To ask the Secretary of State for International Trade, how many trade negotiators are employed by her Department.

I refer the Rt Hon Member for Tottenham to the answer I gave to the Hon Member for Dundee East on 23 January 2020, UIN: 5362.

22nd Sep 2020
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, if he will meet the hon. Member for Tottenham to discuss (a) the funding of the Tottenham Hale link bridge and (b) correspondence from that hon, Member dated (i) 27 February and (ii) 25 June 2020.

My door is always open for the Hon Gentleman and my office will hopefully have contacted his to arrange such a meeting before this answer is published.

Chris Heaton-Harris
Secretary of State for Northern Ireland
9th Nov 2021
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, for what reason the processing time for National Insurance number applications is 16 weeks; and what steps her Department is taking to reduce that processing time.

The National Insurance Number (NINo) interviewing service was suspended from 17th of March 2020 as a result of COVID-19. Since fully re-opening on 28th April 2021, we have been experiencing high demand for the NINo Service.

Additional staff have been recruited and trained in the NINo process to reduce backlogs.

Whilst we are advising applicants it may take up to 16 weeks to process their application, the majority are being dealt with in around 4-6 weeks, however some may take longer if additional checks are required.

Guy Opperman
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
9th Nov 2021
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, when she plans to respond to the email of 9 November 2021, reference ZA54061, from the hon. Member for Tottenham regarding the waiting time for National Insurance number applications.

The email in question was dated 5 November 2021 and a response was sent on 9 November 2021.

Guy Opperman
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
30th Nov 2020
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, how much NHS trusts have spent on legal representation, preparation and counsel for coroner's inquests in each year since 2013.

Information on the total spend by National Health Service trusts regarding coroner’s inquests is not collated or held centrally. However, NHS Resolution, which handles clinical negligence claims for NHS bodies in England, has provided the following annual figures for inquest payments it has made on behalf of trusts as part of managing their clinical negligence claims.

Inquest payments

Financial year

Total

2013/14

£907,055

2014/15

£138,879

2015/16

£3,022,924

2016/17

£1,340,977

2017/18

£1,684,258

2018/19

£2,968,153

2019/20

£2,223,580

Grand Total

£12,285,826

Payments were made by NHS Resolution in accordance the rules of the Clinical Negligence Scheme for Trusts to support trusts at inquests and for associated costs to investigate entitlement to compensation. NHS Resolution has no involvement in any arrangements that an individual trust might make outside of the scheme.

29th Sep 2020
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, how many prisoners have been taken to hospital as a result of covid-19; and how many are being ventilated.

We do not hold information in the format requested.

23rd Jan 2020
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, how many patients were able to access medicinal cannabis on the NHS in each month in 2019.

The NHS Business Services Authority does not hold information on the number of patients able to access medicinal cannabis on the National Health Service, and therefore this information is not held centrally.

I refer the hon Member to the answer I gave to the hon. Member for Inverclyde (Ronnie Cowan MP) on 23 January 2020 to Question 3830, which provides data on the number of cannabis-based medicines prescribed on an NHS prescription, dispensed in the community and submitted to the NHS Business Services Authority for reimbursement between January and October 2019 (October 2019 was the most recent dispensing data held at the time of production held the time of answering the question).

Jo Churchill
Minister of State (Department for Work and Pensions)
23rd Jan 2020
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, how many migrants from EU countries have been employed by the NHS in London in each year from 2015 to date.

NHS Digital publishes Hospital and Community Health Services workforce statistics for England. These include staff working in hospital trusts and clinical commissioning groups, but not staff working in primary care, local authorities or other providers.

The following table shows the number of non-United Kingdom European Union nationals employed in the National Health Service in England and London as at September 2019, latest available data and each year since 2015, headcount.

-

September 2015

September 2016

September 2017

September 2018

September 2019

England

52,808

59,796

61,974

63,484

65,992

London

17,732

19,567

20,395

20,782

21,464

Edward Argar
Minister of State (Ministry of Justice)
23rd Jan 2020
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, how many migrants from EU countries have been employed by the NHS in England in each year from 2015 to date.

NHS Digital publishes Hospital and Community Health Services workforce statistics for England. These include staff working in hospital trusts and clinical commissioning groups, but not staff working in primary care, local authorities or other providers.

The following table shows the number of non-United Kingdom European Union nationals employed in the National Health Service in England and London as at September 2019, latest available data and each year since 2015, headcount.

-

September 2015

September 2016

September 2017

September 2018

September 2019

England

52,808

59,796

61,974

63,484

65,992

London

17,732

19,567

20,395

20,782

21,464

Edward Argar
Minister of State (Ministry of Justice)
7th Mar 2024
To ask the Minister of State, Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, with reference to paragraphs 7.16 and 7.17 of the Ministerial Code, on how many occasions Ministers in his Department have informed the Law Officers that they are the defendants in a libel action in (a) their personal capacity, (b) their official position and (c) both since 19 December 2019.

The FCDO are unable to confirm these details in line with paragraph 2.13 of the Ministerial Code which states: "The fact that the Law Officers have advised or have not advised and the content of their advice must not be disclosed outside Government without their authority."

David Rutley
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
15th Jan 2024
To ask the Minister of State, Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, how many discussions he had with his counterpart in the People’s Republic of China in the final quarter of 2023.

The Foreign Secretary had a phone call with Foreign Minister and Director of the Office of the Foreign Affairs Commission Wang Yi on 5 December 2023. During the conversation, the Foreign Secretary and Wang Yi discussed the UK-China relationship, the situation in Israel and Gaza and Russia's illegal invasion of Ukraine.

Anne-Marie Trevelyan
Minister of State (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
15th Jan 2024
To ask the Minister of State, Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, what steps he has taken to help prevent risk of conflict in the Taiwan Strait.

The UK has a clear interest in peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait. We consider the Taiwan issue one to be settled peacefully by the people on both sides of the Taiwan Strait through constructive dialogue, without the threat or use of force or coercion. We have restated the importance of peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait alongside our G7 partners.

Anne-Marie Trevelyan
Minister of State (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
15th Jan 2024
To ask the Minister of State, Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, what assessment he has made of the potential implications for his policies of the increase in Chinese aerial incursions and military activity in the Taiwan Strait.

The UK has a clear interest in peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait. We consider the Taiwan issue one to be settled peacefully by the people on both sides of the Taiwan Strait through constructive dialogue, without the threat or use of force or coercion. China's continued military flights near Taiwan are part of an ongoing pattern of escalatory activity and are not conducive to peace and stability. We do not support any unilateral attempts to change the status quo, including increased Chinese assertiveness towards Taiwan. We have restated the importance of peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait alongside our G7 partners.

Anne-Marie Trevelyan
Minister of State (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
15th Jan 2024
To ask the Minister of State, Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, what recent discussions he has had with his international counterparts on the adequacy of aid to Ukraine.

On his 12 January visit to Kyiv, the Prime Minister reiterated the UK's unwavering support for Ukraine as he announced increased UK military funding of £2.5 billion for next financial year and signed an historic UK-Ukraine Agreement on Security Cooperation. We are in constant contact with international partners ensuring Ukraine receives the diplomatic support it needs. The Foreign Secretary set out the high level of UK ambition with counterparts at several recent meetings, including during NATO and the Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe gatherings in November, as well as during December travel to Washington, Paris, Rome, Amman and Cairo. He did so again this week at the World Economic Forum Annual Meeting in Davos.

Leo Docherty
Minister of State (Ministry of Defence) (Minister for the Armed Forces)
15th Jan 2024
To ask the Minister of State, Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, what steps he has taken to collaborate with the People’s Republic of China on climate change.

The UK is committed to working with China on climate change, as part of the "engage" pillar of our policy towards China. China is the largest emitter of carbon and the largest investor in sustainable energy. The choices that China makes will be critical to our collective ability to tackle climate change.

The UK and China have over a decade of engagement on climate and clean energy, including our bilateral Clean Energy Partnership and UK-China Energy Dialogue. Climate has been a regular subject on the agenda for high-level bilateral engagement, including when we hosted COP26 and when the former Foreign Secretary visited Beijing in August 2023.

Anne-Marie Trevelyan
Minister of State (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
12th Jan 2024
To ask the Minister of State, Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, what assessment he has made of the implications for his policies of Russia’s escalating air attacks on Ukraine.

Russia's latest bombardment has come at vast cost - and significantly depleted their stockpiles - with limited strategic military effect. We deplore the recent attacks which have resulted in over 90 civilian casualties, including children. We are sending hundreds more air defence missiles to restock highly effective British-developed air defence systems, to protect civilians and infrastructure from Putin's barbaric bombing campaign. On 12 January, the Prime Minister announced £2.5 billion in military support for 2024/25. This includes £200 million to procure and produce thousands of military drones, giving Ukraine cutting edge, battle-tested capabilities to defend their citizens. We also announced a further £18 million in aid for Ukraine, including for humanitarian aid on the frontline and to fortify Ukraine's energy infrastructure against further Russian attacks.

Leo Docherty
Minister of State (Ministry of Defence) (Minister for the Armed Forces)
12th Jan 2024
To ask the Minister of State, Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, what steps he has taken to help prevent the supply of Democratic People's Republic of Korea ammunitions to Russia.

The UK strongly condemns the Democratic People's Republic of Korea's (DPRK) export and Russia's procurement of DPRK ballistic missiles, and Russia's decision to use DPRK-supplied missiles in recent attacks against Ukraine. The transfer of these weapons increases the suffering of the Ukrainian people, supports Russia's war of aggression, and undermines the global non-proliferation regime. It also violates multiple UN Security Council Resolutions (UNSCRs), which Russia itself voted for, and highlights Putin's desperation and isolation on the global stage. On 12 January, the UK issued a joint statement with other Foreign Ministers calling for all UN Member States to condemn Russia and the DPRK's UNSCR violations. The DPRK is subject to a robust sanctions regime and the UK will continue to work with our partners to influence and to hold the DPRK to account for supporting Russia's illegal war in Ukraine.

Leo Docherty
Minister of State (Ministry of Defence) (Minister for the Armed Forces)
12th Jan 2024
To ask the Minister of State, Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, what steps he has taken to help prevent the supply of Iranian drones to Russia.

The UK strongly condemns Iran's provision of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) to Russia, which have been used to kill Ukrainian civilians and attack critical infrastructure. We continue to expose this desperate alliance and hold Iran to account for its support of Russia's illegal war, including by providing evidence at the UN. Since October 2022, we have sanctioned 24 Iranian individuals and entities involved in the manufacture and transfer of UAVs, adding to our existing extensive sanctions on the Iranian drone programme. In December 2023, the new Iran sanctions regime came into force, including new trade restrictions on components used by Iran to manufacture UAVs.

Leo Docherty
Minister of State (Ministry of Defence) (Minister for the Armed Forces)
12th Jan 2024
To ask the Minister of State, Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, how much official development assistance his Department plans to provide to Ukraine in the (a) 2023-24 and (b) 2024-25 financial years.

The total UK military, humanitarian and economic support committed to Ukraine since the invasion now amounts to almost £12 billion. In 2023/24 the FCDO plans to provide £223.3 million of Official Development Assistance for Ukraine, with a focus on providing support for life-saving humanitarian assistance, energy resilience and early recovery and reconstruction. This includes an uplift of £18m in aid announced by the Prime Minister when he was in Kyiv on the 12th January. For 2024/25 the FCDO currently has an indicative allocation of £155 million of Official Development Assistance, as set out in its 2022-23 Annual report and accounts. We will update the House once the Ukraine allocation has been finalised.

Leo Docherty
Minister of State (Ministry of Defence) (Minister for the Armed Forces)
14th Dec 2023
To ask the Minister of State, Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, whether he has had discussions with his counterpart in Venezuela on the border dispute with Guyana in the last three months.

The UK Government does not recognise the legitimacy of the Maduro regime. The recent steps taken by Venezuela with respect to the Essequibo region of Guyana are unjustified and should cease. The UK supports Guyana's territorial integrity. We are clear that the border was settled in 1899 through international arbitration. The statement by Venezuela in St Vincent confirming that it will refrain from the use of force and any further escalation is welcome and it must be followed by concrete actions. We will continue to work with our partners in the region and internationally to ensure respect for Guyana's sovereignty. I [Minister Rutley] visited Guyana on 18 December to show UK support for the Guyanese people on this vital issue.

David Rutley
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
4th Dec 2023
To ask the Minister of State, Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, how much his Department spent on temporary agency staff in each of the past ten years.

Total temporary agency staff spend for those financial years are in the table below. This information is published in FCDO's Annual Report & Accounts and can be found online.

YEAR

£m

FY2013

7.68

FY2014

8.10

FY2015

5.56

FY2016

5.03

FY2017

6.34

FY2018

4.09

FY2019

6.66

FY2020

12.01

FY2021

25.68

FY2022

39.58

FY2023

12.43

David Rutley
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
4th Dec 2023
To ask the Minister of State, Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, how much his Department has spent on external consultancy fees in each of the last ten years.

FCDO consultancy spend in 2020-21, 2021-22 and 2022-2023 was £2.7 million, £1.4 million and £3.9 million respectively. Total FCO plus DFID spend for years 2019-20, 2018-19, 2017-18, 2016-17 and 2015-16 was £3.0 million, £2.6 milion, £1.3 million, £3.3 million and £2.6 million respectively.

The FCDO's E-sourcing system only goes back to 2016 so we are unable to provide data between 2012-13 and 2014-2015.

David Rutley
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
14th Nov 2023
To ask the Minister of State, Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, what discussions he has had with (a) his international counterparts and (b) Cabinet colleagues on proposals to repurpose Russian state assets since 27 June 2023.

The Government remains committed to ensuring Russia pays for the long-term reconstruction of Ukraine. Working with relevant Departments, we are continuing to pursue all lawful routes to make Russian assets available to support Ukraine's reconstruction. G7 Leaders have made clear that sovereign assets will remain immobilised until Russia pays for the damage it has caused Ukraine. We continue to work closely with our international partners to share experience and expertise.

Anne-Marie Trevelyan
Minister of State (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
14th Nov 2023
To ask the Minister of State, Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, when he last held discussions with his Chinese counterpart on the case of Jimmy Lai.

The former Foreign Secretary raised Mr Lai's case with his counterpart, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, as well as Vice President Han Zheng on 31 August during his visit to China. Senior officials have and will continue to raise cases such as Mr Lai's with the Hong Kong and Chinese authorities, most recently on 2 November with the Deputy Justice Secretary. We also continue to press for consular access to Mr Lai and diplomats at our Consulate-General in Hong Kong attend Mr Lai's court proceedings.

Anne-Marie Trevelyan
Minister of State (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
14th Nov 2023
To ask the Minister of State, Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, what recent steps the Governement has taken to help secure the release of dual national Vladamir Kara-Murza.

The Government has consistently condemned Vladimir Kara-Murza's politically motivated conviction and called for his release since his arrest. The Prime Minister reiterated this in July following Mr Kara-Murza's failed appeal. We have regularly raised his case both with the Russian authorities and at multilateral fora, including the UN Human Rights Council on 13 November, and continue to do so at every available opportunity. The FCDO sanctioned 11 individuals in response to his sentencing and appeal as well as two individuals involved in his earlier poisoning. Consular officials remain in close contact with Mr Kara-Murza's wife Evgenia, who has met ministers and senior officials on multiple occasions.

Leo Docherty
Minister of State (Ministry of Defence) (Minister for the Armed Forces)
14th Nov 2023
To ask the Minister of State, Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, how many requests for assistance his Department has received from British nationals that have been unable to use the Rafah crossing as of 14 November 2023.

We are working closely with Egypt and Israel to ensure all British nationals who want to leave Gaza can exit via the Rafah crossing or other routes as quickly as possible. Over 200 British nationals and their dependents have crossed into Egypt and we are continuing to offer support to those that are yet to cross. The safety of all British nationals continues to be our utmost priority. We are doing everything we can to support all British nationals in Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territories and are working closely with Israeli counterparts and international partners.

David Rutley
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
14th Nov 2023
To ask the Minister of State, Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, what recent discussions he has had with his (a) international counterparts and (b) Cabinet colleagues to support the release of British hostages in Gaza.

The Government's thoughts are with those families who are facing unimaginable uncertainty and fear because of these despicable attacks and kidnappings. We are not commenting on specific numbers or individual cases. The safety of all British nationals continues to be our utmost priority and we continue to do everything we can to secure the release of all hostages, including working with Israeli counterparts and international partners at the highest levels.

David Rutley
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
14th Nov 2023
To ask the Minister of State, Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, what steps his Department is taking to provide consular support to the families of British nationals held hostage in Gaza.

The Government's thoughts are with those families who are facing unimaginable uncertainty and fear because of these despicable attacks and kidnappings. We are not commenting on specific numbers or individual cases. The safety of all British nationals continues to be our utmost priority and we continue to do everything we can to secure the release of all hostages, including working with Israeli counterparts and international partners at the highest levels.

David Rutley
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
14th Nov 2023
To ask the Minister of State, Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, what recent estimate he has made of the number of British nationals held hostage by Hamas in Gaza as of 14 November 2023.

The Government's thoughts are with those families who are facing unimaginable uncertainty and fear because of these despicable attacks and kidnappings. We are not commenting on specific numbers or individual cases. The safety of all British nationals continues to be our utmost priority and we continue to do everything we can to secure the release of all hostages, including working with Israeli counterparts and international partners at the highest levels.

David Rutley
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
14th Nov 2023
To ask the Minister of State, Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, when his Department last made representations to the Government of India on the case of Jagtar Singh Johal.

The UK Government has raised our concerns about Mr Johal's case, including his allegations of torture, with the Government of India on over 110 occasions and will continue to do so. Mr Johal's case was raised most recently on 13 November by Lord (Tariq) Ahmad of Wimbledon, Minister of State for South Asia, with the Indian External Affairs Minister, Dr Subrahmanyam Jaishankar.

Anne-Marie Trevelyan
Minister of State (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
14th Nov 2023
To ask the Minister of State, Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, what steps his Department is taking to provide support to Afghanistan following the earthquakes in October 2023.

Following the first earthquake on 7 October, FCDO quickly allocated £1 million to the Red Cross to help meet emergency needs, and a further £1 million to the Afghanistan Humanitarian Fund (AHF) in response to further shocks. This support will ensure affected communities receive emergency shelter, food and health assistance. Overall, $10 million has been allocated from the AHF and a further $5 million from the United Nations Central Emergency Response Fund, which the UK supports. We continue to monitor the situation closely.

Leo Docherty
Minister of State (Ministry of Defence) (Minister for the Armed Forces)
14th Nov 2023
To ask the Minister of State, Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, when he last had discussions with his Israeli counterpart on recent increases in violence in the West Bank.

The Foreign Secretary last raised settler violence with his Israeli counterpart on 17 November. Reports of Palestinian civilians being murdered by settlers in Occupied Palestinian Territories are appalling. Whilst we welcome statements from Israeli Ministers including Prime Minister Netanyahu condemning settler violence, we must see tangible action to bring perpetrators to justice.

The UK also condemns attacks against Israel emanating from armed groups in the region. The former Foreign Secretary spoke with the Palestinian Authority, the Government of Jordan and other regional partners about how best to work together to ensure tensions do not escalate further.

David Rutley
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
14th Nov 2023
To ask the Minister of State, Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, what recent discussions he has had with his (a) Israeli and (b) Palestinian counterparts on the recent escalation of violence in the West Bank.

The Foreign Secretary last raised settler violence with his Israeli counterpart on 17 November. Reports of Palestinian civilians being murdered by settlers in Occupied Palestinian Territories are appalling. Whilst we welcome statements from Israeli Ministers including Prime Minister Netanyahu condemning settler violence, we must see tangible action to bring perpetrators to justice.

The UK also condemns attacks against Israel emanating from armed groups in the region. The former Foreign Secretary spoke with the Palestinian Authority, the Government of Jordan and other regional partners about how best to work together to ensure tensions do not escalate further.

David Rutley
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
14th Nov 2023
To ask the Minister of State, Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, what discussions he has had with his (a) Egyptian and (b) Israeli counterparts on ensuring British nationals fleeing Gaza are not separated from their families.

As the Prime Minister and former Foreign Secretary have said, the safety of British nationals remains our top priority. We are working closely with the Egyptian and Israeli authorities round the clock to ensure our British nationals can leave Gaza as soon as possible. Humanitarian pauses are helping British nationals to leave Gaza and we are urging Israel to adhere to International Humanitarian Law. The UK has a team at the Rafah crossing to ensure we can provide the necessary consular and administrative support needed to British nationals when they cross. We are providing support for British nationals to get from Rafah to Cairo, where we have set up a reception centre and have arranged temporary accommodation. Additional Consular and Border Force staff are in country to support this work, as is an FCDO Rapid Deployment Team and a team of British Red Cross psychological support experts. More than 200 British nationals and their dependants have left Gaza so far; this is well over half of those who registered with the FCDO initially.

David Rutley
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
14th Nov 2023
To ask the Minister of State, Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, what assessment he has made of the implications for his policies of the security situation in Western Sahara; and what steps he is taking with his international counterparts to help promote a peaceful solution to the conflict.

The UK supported United Nations Security Council Resolution 2703 on 30 October, which renewed the United Nations Mission for the Referendum in Western Sahara (MINURSO) mandate for 12 months. The UK supports UN-led efforts to reach a just, lasting, and mutually acceptable political solution, based on compromise, which will provide for the self-determination of the people of Western Sahara. We strongly support the work of Staffan de Mistura, Personal Envoy of the UN Secretary-General and welcome the recent efforts of all concerned to engage with the Envoy and to facilitate his recent visits to the region, including to Western Sahara. We will continue to engage key partners to encourage constructive engagement with the political process.

David Rutley
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
14th Nov 2023
To ask the Minister of State, Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, when he last held discussions with his Egyptian counterpart on the case of Alaa Abdel Fattah.

Ministers and officials continue to raise Mr El-Fattah's case at the highest levels with the Egyptian Government and have been consistently clear in our calls for his release, whilst continuing to press the need for urgent consular access. The Prime Minister raised Mr El-Fattah's case with President Sisi on 20 October. The former Foreign Secretary has raised Mr El-Fattah's case on several occasions with Egyptian Foreign Minister Shoukry, most recently on 18 September. The Minister of State for Development and Africa, Rt Hon. Andrew Mitchell, has also raised the case with the Egyptian authorities, most recently on 15 November during his visit to Cairo. The Minister of State for the Middle East, Lord (Tariq) Ahmad of Wimbledon, continues to raise his case with the Egyptian Ambassador and with Egyptian Foreign Minister Shoukry.

David Rutley
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
5th Sep 2023
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, how much his Department spent on temporary staff in the last three financial years in support of the FCDO Integration programme following the merger of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office and Department for International Development.

The creation of the FCDO brought together our development and diplomatic expertise to deliver greater impact for the UK internationally. The merger has required all FCDO staff across the department to work in different ways. Spend on temporary staff within the FCDO is largely driven by the nature of the projects being undertaken and the expertise required. At a high level, temporary staff costs over the last three financial years are associated to IT and digital activity, priority programmes and merger activity where temporary and specialist expertise has been needed to ensure delivery. These costs are set out in the FCDO Annual Reports for the previous three financial years:

2022-23

2021-22

2020-21

Temporary staff costs

49,105,281

£39,575,855

£25,679,267

David Rutley
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
5th Sep 2023
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, how much his Department has spent on temporary staff in each of the last five years.

Spend on temporary staff within the FCDO are set out in the FCDO Annual Reports for the previous three financial years:

2022-23

2021-22

2020-21

Temporary staff costs

£49,105,281

£39,575,855

£25,679,267

David Rutley
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
5th Sep 2023
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, how much his Department spent on temporary staff in the last three financial years in support of the Hera programme.

The need for temporary staff within the FCDO is largely driven by the nature of the projects being undertaken and the expertise required. At a high level, costs for temporary staff are associated to IT and digital activity, which includes supporting the implementation of the HERA programme, priority programmes and merger activity where temporary and specialist expertise has been needed to ensure delivery. Information on the cost of temporary staff specifically for the HERA programme is not centrally held and could only be obtained at a disproportionate cost. Overall temporary staff costs are set out in the FCDO Annual Reports for the previous three financial years:[https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/1019938/FCDO_annual_report_and_accounts_2020_to_2021_accessible.pdf][https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/1095304/FCDO_Annual_Report_2021_2022_Accessible_290722.pdf][https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/1170838/Foreign-Commonwealth-and-Development-Office-annual-report-and-accounts-2022-to-2023.pdf]

David Rutley
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
20th Jul 2023
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, pursuant to the Answer of 14 July 2023 to Question 193279 on Economic Activity of Public Bodies (Overseas Matters) Bill, whether his (a) officials or (b) Ministers provided their counterparts in the Department of Levelling Up, Housing and Communities with a departmental view that the Economic Activity of Public Bodies (Overseas Matters) Bill complied with the UK’s obligations under UN Security Council resolution 2334.

Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office officials have been in regular contact with their counterparts at the Department of Levelling Up, Housing and Communities throughout the development of the Economic Activity of Public Bodies (Overseas Matters) Bill. FCDO advice to the DLUHC was that our assessment is that the bill is compliant with our responsibilities under UNSCR 2334.

David Rutley
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
14th Jul 2023
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether his Department has received any legal advice on the compatibility of the Economic Activity of Public Bodies (Overseas Matters) Bill with the UK’s obligations under UN Security Council resolution 2334.

The Foreign Secretary has received advice from officials, including legal advice, on the bill. It is a longstanding convention for governments of all parties not to comment on the contents of government legal advice. The Government's position on the bill was set out by my RHF the Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities during the debate on the second reading of the bill on 3 July. The bill does four things: it honours a manifesto promise to which this Government recommitted in the last Queen's speech; it affirms the important principle that UK foreign policy is a matter for the UK Government; it ensures that local authorities concentrate on serving their residents, not directing resources inefficiently; and, critically, it provides protection for minority communities, especially the Jewish community, against campaigns that harm community cohesion and fuel antisemitism.

David Rutley
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
14th Jul 2023
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what steps his Department is taking to help support peace, stability and security in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

The UK Government fully supports Bosnia and Herzegovina's (BiH) sovereignty and territorial integrity. We are working with political leaders in BiH and our international partners, to ensure BiH is a secure, safe and prosperous country, built on strong foundations of democracy and the rule of law, in line with our strategy across the Western Balkans. In the financial year 2022/23, the UK Government spent just over £47 million on programme activity supporting this vision across the Western Balkans and in April the Foreign Secretary announced an additional £1 million for BiH Armed Forces' defence capacity building.

Leo Docherty
Minister of State (Ministry of Defence) (Minister for the Armed Forces)
14th Jul 2023
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what recent discussions he has had with his G7 counterparts on the (a) seizure and (b) repurposing of Russian state assets.

The Foreign Secretary made clear the UK's continued commitment to ensuring Russia pays for the long-term reconstruction of Ukraine. Alignment on approach is important, given the challenge. The G7 Leaders' made a commitment in May that sovereign assets remain immobilised until Russia pays for the damage it has caused to Ukraine. The G7 and international allies continue to work closely to deliver on this, share expertise and experience. The London Ukraine Recovery Conference in June brought together over 1,000 public and private sector decision makers. They represented 59 countries, 33 international organisations, over 400 businesses and 130 civil society organisations.

Anne-Marie Trevelyan
Minister of State (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
14th Jul 2023
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what assessment he has made of the implications for his policies of the changes to legislation in Canada which allows Russian assets forfeited in that country to be redistributed to Ukraine.

No G7 country has yet seized assets through a new, legally tested mechanism. Canada remains a close partner on our Ukraine response and we continue to engage closely with them on this and many other issues. The UK will remain a credible partner on this by assuring ourselves of the safety, robustness and legality of any asset seizure proposal.

Anne-Marie Trevelyan
Minister of State (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)