Speeches made during Parliamentary debates are recorded in Hansard. For ease of browsing we have grouped debates into individual, departmental and legislative categories.
These initiatives were driven by Earl of Dundee, and are more likely to reflect personal policy preferences.
A Bill to make provision in relation to introducing an international element and greater course choice in higher education and research in the United Kingdom; and for connected purposes.
Earl of Dundee has not co-sponsored any Bills in the current parliamentary sitting
The Government is committed to protecting cultural property and preventing the illicit trade in cultural property. The UK has a strong record of identifying stolen and unlawfully removed cultural property and returning it to its rightful owners. Existing UK law provides an effective framework within which to do so.
We have no current plans to sign the Council of Europe Convention on Offences Relating to Cultural Property.
The assessment of qualifications in England is managed differently depending on the sector.
As autonomous institutions, higher education (HE) providers are responsible for determining the content of their courses and the manner in which they are taught, supervised, assessed and awarded including determining how online methods are used.
All registered providers in England must meet all the Office for Students’ (OfS) revised registration conditions in relation to the quality and standards of HE, including on course design and delivery, and assessment and award, regardless of how or where teaching is delivered.
The department has made its expectation clear to HE providers in England that all students should be receiving a comparable amount of face-to-face teaching as before the COVID-19 pandemic. While virtual learning is a fantastic innovation, we are clear that it should only be used to complement and enhance a student’s learning experience, not detract from it, nor should not it be used as a cost cutting exercise.
In March 2022, my right hon. Friend, the Secretary of State for Education, announced he wanted to start carefully considering the potential opportunities greater digital assessment could bring in the qualifications regulated by Ofqual, the independent regulator of qualifications, examinations, and assessments in England.
Ofqual published a report into online assessment in 2020, which included reviewing international examples and identified the key barriers to greater adoption of online and on-screen assessments in high stakes qualifications such as GSCEs and A Levels. Ofqual has also recently announced it will look at whether greater use of technology in qualifications could deliver benefits for students and apprentices in the long term. Ofqual has said it will undertake research into a number of areas as part of its new corporate plan.
The department believes technology has the potential to deliver a range of benefits in the classroom and we plan to work closely with Ofqual as this early exploratory work is undertaken.
The Education Endowment Fund's (EEF) metacognition and self-regulation guidance report includes 'Socratic talk' as a common teaching strategy. This can be accessed here: https://educationendowmentfoundation.org.uk/education-evidence/teaching-learning-toolkit/metacognition-and-self-regulation.
The EEF's teaching and learning toolkit highlights that for metacognition and self-regulation, "Studies that use digital technology, for example, intelligent tutoring systems that scaffold learning show particularly high impacts on pupil outcomes." This is based on the EEF's digital technology evidence review (2019), which can be accessed here: https://educationendowmentfoundation.org.uk/education-evidence/evidence-reviews/digital-technology-2019.
The department does not actively support or mandate individual digital products as we believe that it is up to schools and colleges to decide what technology they need to meet their requirements. Meta-analysis from the EEF shows that digital technologies have the best possible impact when embedded in good pedagogy. This can be accessed here: https://educationendowmentfoundation.org.uk/education-evidence/teaching-learning-toolkit.
Technology in education has been essential for continuing to teach remotely during the COVID-19 outbreak and subsequent school and college closures. Technology also has the potential to support teacher workload reductions, flexible working, cost savings, effective teaching and improved pupil outcomes. We are building on the department’s significant investment in devices, platforms, training and digital services to develop a sustainable strategy for digital technology in education.
The department launched the first phase of the EdTech Demonstrator programme in April 2020. The Demonstrators are a network of schools and colleges which were initially funded in the 2020/21 financial year to provide peer-to-peer support on making the best use of technology to support remote teaching during the COVID-19 outbreak.
During phase one of the programme, the Demonstrator network provided bespoke support, meeting the individual training needs of over 4,000 schools and colleges, with over 11,000 more accessing live weekly webinars and tutorials.
The programme will continue into the 2021/22 financial year and will include support to schools and colleges to develop a sustainable digital strategy that supports wider school and college improvement drives. Schools and colleges can request support from the demonstrators via the programme website: https://edtechdemo.ucst.uk/.
From September 2021, we continue to expect schools to provide remote education for pupils whose attendance would be contrary to government guidance or legislation around COVID-19. Schools should, therefore, maintain their capabilities to deliver high quality remote education for next academic year.
A comprehensive package of support continues to be available to schools and further education institutions to help them meet our expectations for remote education, accessible at: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/get-help-with-remote-education.
To support the hard work of schools in delivering remote education, Oak National Academy was very quickly brought together by over 40 teachers, their schools and other education organisations. The department has made £4.84 million available for Oak National Academy both for the summer term of the academic year 2019/20, and then for the 2020/21 academic year, to provide video lessons in a broad range of subjects for Reception up to year 11. Specialist content for pupils with special educational needs and disabilities is also available. Since the start of the spring term 2021, over 98 million Oak National Academy lessons have been viewed.
The department has now committed a further £2.1 million to Oak National Academy, enabling it to operate from the start of the next academic year through to Easter 2022.
My right hon. Friend, the Minister of State for School Standards, has agreed to meet overseas education ministers attending the Global Education Partnership Summit to share policy experience and best practice in raising standards, and discuss approaches for education recovery. These meetings will provide an opportunity to highlight the department’s work such as Oak National Academy, and we expect overseas ministers, particularly from developing countries, to be interested in learning more about our approach.
The UK has no plans to join the EU’s Association Agreement with Mercosur as our approach is to negotiate our own trade agreements using our freedom outside of the EU.
We are monitoring the progress of EU-Mercosur talks. They reached agreement in principle on a deal in 2019 but the agreement is not yet ratified.
The Mercosur countries are important markets for the UK and we are committed to strengthening our trading relationship.
A recent demonstration of that commitment was the signing of a Double Taxation Agreement with Brazil in November. When ratified, the agreement will dramatically reduce tax uncertainty in cross-border trade.
My department is working tirelessly to ensure that the demand for UK expertise in South America’s clean energy transition and infrastructure development is capitalised on.
Recently, the Government supported the development of regulatory frameworks for offshore wind projects in Brazil and Colombia; signed three government-to-government public infrastructure contracts worth £2.5 billion in Peru; and, through UK Export Finance, supported hospital construction and aerospace projects in Brazil and Guyana.
UK businesses working on these projects and more enjoy preferential access under the UK-Andean Countries Free Trade Agreement and UK-Chile Association Agreement, which also benefit those pursuing new opportunities.
The UK is committed to enhancing our bilateral trading partnership with Brazil, an important partner for the UK with whom we traded £6.5bn in the 12 months ending June 2022[1].
For example, the signing of the UK-Brazil Double Taxation Agreement in November 2022 represents a significant step in enhancing our trading relationship across all sectors. When ratified, it will dramatically reduce tax uncertainty in cross-border trade.
We will work with the new administration to agree the best way to progress our relationship, including in areas of shared interest like Digital trade.
[1] GOV.UK. (2022) Trade and Investment Factsheets: Brazil.
Available at https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/trade-and-investment-factsheets-partner-names-beginning-with-a-or-b
(Accessed: 23 December 2022).
The Government has signed Trade, Partnership and Cooperation Agreements with Serbia, North Macedonia, Kosovo and Albania, supporting jobs and economic growth, allowing us to build on our trade and investment relationships. UK Export Finance is also an important part of our offer to the region, providing competitive financing for large infrastructure projects.
With Bosnia and Herzegovina, we are working to secure a Partnership, Trade and Cooperation Agreement that will ensure preferential terms of trade between the UK and Bosnia and Herzegovina and promote stability and prosperity in the region. We are keen to conclude this as soon as possible.
The Department for International Trade develops and maintains close links across the United Kingdom on trade and investment objectives. We support businesses to seize opportunities worldwide through our network of British High Commissions, Embassies and Consulates in countries that are members of the Council of Europe.
In addition, we seek to identify and remove market access barriers, drive inward investment, and implement the United Kingdom’s trade agreements to promote and enable bilateral trade with countries around the globe, including with members of the Council of Europe.
The Renewable Transport Fuel Obligation scheme was amended in 2015, to reward biomethane used in transport and non-road mobile machinery, on the basis of its energy content rather than volume. As a consequence, biomethane is eligible to receive 1.9 Renewable Transport Fuel Certificates (RTFCs) per kilogram, an increase on 1 RTFCs per kilogram, and double that number when produced from wastes such as manure.
The Green Gas Support Scheme (GGSS) will open to applicants in Autumn 2021 for four years. The GGSS will provide tariff support for biomethane injection into the gas grid, and will encourage the use of waste feedstocks, including agricultural wastes, to produce the biomethane. The scheme will include a payment formula, which allows biomethane producers to split payments between the GGSS and the Department for Transport’s (DfT’s) Renewable Transport Fuel Obligation (RTFO), enabling different consignments of biomethane to receive payments from either the GGSS or the RTFO within the same quarter. To encourage good use of digestate produced during biomethane production, scheme participants will be required to dispose of the digestate using low emission techniques when spreading on land.
Hydrogen is already powering vehicles in use on UK roads, including buses. We will set out its important role across all forms of transport, including trams and trains, in our ambitious Transport Decarbonisation Plan, due to be published this spring. The Renewable Transport Fuel Obligation helps promote a market for a broad range of low carbon fuels, and renewable hydrogen and biomethane are already eligible for support through it for transport. We have made no specific assessment of the use of biomethane as a bridge to future hydrogen transport applications or on the impacts of that on farmers, soil quality or nutrition. The BEIS-led Green Gas Support Scheme (GGSS), will open to applicants in Autumn 2021 for four years and will provide tariff support for biomethane injection into the gas grid as a potential energy source for cities.
Our landmark Environment Bill introduces a duty to set a legally binding target for fine particulate matter, in addition to a further long-term air quality target. Achieving these targets will require action on a wide range of sources, including urban traffic and fossil fuel combustion. Specific measures will depend on what targets are set and ultimately the pathway and approach to achieving the targets. We will be carrying out a public consultation on proposed targets, which is likely to commence in early 2022.
In general, emissions specifically from hydrogen, biomethane and biogas are not estimated when allocating funding for transport infrastructure, as they account for a very small share of the energy used by transport. However, the blending of biofuels in petrol and diesel is accounted for more generally, including in the emission estimates presented in the Department for Transport’s TAG data-book, which is used for transport appraisal. Where the use of these fuels is important, for example funding to support their uptake, estimates of their g/CO2e are based on the latest scientific analysis and evidence, including emissions across the well-to-wheel cycle wherever possible, as well as from indirect land-use.
There are no plans to publish further details on methodologies at this stage, but these will be shared alongside policy proposals where appropriate, and in the event that these were important to funding decisions.
Estimates of kg CO2e/kWH from electricity used in transport are based on emission factors published by BEIS, and presented in the Department for Transport’s TAG data-book.
The Department is considering the next steps and future direction for Light Rail Policy. This includes Mass Rapid Transit, Very Light Rail and other intermediate modes to reflect the wider Government agenda.
Through funding packages to cities, the Government has paid for or underwritten significant investments in light rail in recent years.
Local transport authorities have responsibility for transport planning, including considering bus rapid transit and other such schemes which lie between conventional bus and light rail. These bring the benefits and user experience of light rail to bus corridors at significantly lower cost, as stated in 'Bus Back Better'.
The Government is developing a Transport Decarbonisation Plan (TDP) that puts transport on a path to delivering its contributions to carbon budgets and net zero by 2050. The plan will take a holistic and cross-modal approach to decarbonising the entire transport system for the first time, setting out a credible and ambitious pathway to cut emissions. The Plan will be published in Spring 2021.
The goal of treating type 1 diabetes is to keep blood glucose within a healthy range by providing the body with supplemental insulin. The National Health Service, with the Department’s support, has taken a number of steps to help manage type 1 diabetes.
In line with the commitments in the NHS Long Term Plan, NHS England is driving access to new and existing technologies such as continual glucose monitors. This reflects the essential role that technology plays in allowing individuals with type 1 diabetes to manage their blood sugars correctly and avoid dangerous complications. Furthermore, maternity services across the country are now offering continuous glucose monitors to expectant mothers with type 1 diabetes.
Finally, approximately 72% of children and young people living with type 1 diabetes have registered with the Digibete app, which helps users manage their type 1 diabetes. Over 250,000 unique users have accessed the open access adult website, with over 3,800 education modules undertaken.
The Department has not made any specific predictions.
The NHS Long Term Plan set out the commitments and objectives for the National Health Service for the next 10 years. The plan includes respiratory disease as a national clinical priority, with the overarching objective of improving outcomes for people with respiratory disease, including asthma. This includes early and accurate diagnosis of respiratory conditions like asthma to provide the opportunity for better management which can help prevent exacerbations and avoidable emergency admissions.
NHS England and NHS Improvement have established 13 respiratory clinical networks across the country, to provide clinical leadership of respiratory services. One of their objectives focuses on improving clinical pathways for asthma. The Quality Outcomes Framework (QOF) ensures all general practitioner (GP) practices establish and maintain a register of patients with an asthma diagnosis in accordance with the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence’s guidance. An update to the GP Contract for 2020/21-2023/24 to be implemented in 2021 includes an improved QOF asthma domain. The content of the asthma review has been amended to incorporate aspects of care positively associated with better patient outcomes and self-management, including a review of inhaler technique and record of exacerbations.
The British Thoracic Society, the Scottish Intercollegiate Guideline Network and the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence are due to start work this year to develop a joint guideline relating to asthma care.
The NHS Long Term Plan set out the commitments and objectives for the National Health Service for the next 10 years. The plan includes respiratory disease as a national clinical priority, with the overarching objective of improving outcomes for people with respiratory disease, including asthma. This includes early and accurate diagnosis of respiratory conditions like asthma to provide the opportunity for better management which can help prevent exacerbations and avoidable emergency admissions.
NHS England and NHS Improvement have established 13 respiratory clinical networks across the country, to provide clinical leadership of respiratory services. One of their objectives focuses on improving clinical pathways for asthma. The Quality Outcomes Framework (QOF) ensures all general practitioner (GP) practices establish and maintain a register of patients with an asthma diagnosis in accordance with the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence’s guidance. An update to the GP Contract for 2020/21-2023/24 to be implemented in 2021 includes an improved QOF asthma domain. The content of the asthma review has been amended to incorporate aspects of care positively associated with better patient outcomes and self-management, including a review of inhaler technique and record of exacerbations.
FCDO is implementing our 2021 Nutrition for Growth commitment to spend at least £1.5 billion between 2022 and 2030 on addressing the nutrition needs of mothers, babies and children, tackling malnutrition in humanitarian emergencies, integrating nutrition into multiple sectors including health, climate and economic development partnerships and making sure nutrition is central to the FCDO's wider work.
The UK encourages governments in countries with a high burden of malnutrition to allocate additional public resources in order to meet the 2025 World Health Assembly and 2030 Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) targets.
FCDO has ongoing discussions with G7 partners as well as multilateral agencies, including the World Food Programme and UNICEF through the Scaling Up Nutrition movement. In addition, Andrew Mitchell, Minister for Development and Africa, co-chairs the Action Review Panel (ARP) on child wasting alongside the United States and UNICEF. The ARP coordinates collective action on reducing severe acute malnutrition.
To move the dial on world hunger, the UK is hosting an event in the Autumn on tackling hunger and malnutrition.
FCDO is implementing our 2021 Nutrition for Growth commitment to spend at least £1.5 billion between 2022 and 2030 on addressing the nutrition needs of mothers, babies and children, tackling malnutrition in humanitarian emergencies, integrating nutrition into multiple sectors including health, climate and economic development partnerships and making sure nutrition is central to the FCDO's wider work.
The UK encourages governments in countries with a high burden of malnutrition to allocate additional public resources in order to meet the 2025 World Health Assembly and 2030 Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) targets.
FCDO has ongoing discussions with G7 partners as well as multilateral agencies, including the World Food Programme and UNICEF through the Scaling Up Nutrition movement. In addition, Andrew Mitchell, Minister for Development and Africa, co-chairs the Action Review Panel (ARP) on child wasting alongside the United States and UNICEF. The ARP coordinates collective action on reducing severe acute malnutrition.
To move the dial on world hunger, the UK is hosting an event in the Autumn on tackling hunger and malnutrition.
FCDO is implementing our 2021 Nutrition for Growth commitment to spend at least £1.5 billion between 2022 and 2030 on addressing the nutrition needs of mothers, babies and children, tackling malnutrition in humanitarian emergencies, integrating nutrition into multiple sectors including health, climate and economic development partnerships and making sure nutrition is central to the FCDO's wider work.
The UK encourages governments in countries with a high burden of malnutrition to allocate additional public resources in order to meet the 2025 World Health Assembly and 2030 Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) targets.
FCDO has ongoing discussions with G7 partners as well as multilateral agencies, including the World Food Programme and UNICEF through the Scaling Up Nutrition movement. In addition, Andrew Mitchell, Minister for Development and Africa, co-chairs the Action Review Panel (ARP) on child wasting alongside the United States and UNICEF. The ARP coordinates collective action on reducing severe acute malnutrition.
To move the dial on world hunger, the UK is hosting an event in the Autumn on tackling hunger and malnutrition.
FCDO is implementing our 2021 Nutrition for Growth commitment to spend at least £1.5 billion between 2022 and 2030 on addressing the nutrition needs of mothers, babies and children, tackling malnutrition in humanitarian emergencies, integrating nutrition into multiple sectors including health, climate and economic development partnerships and making sure nutrition is central to the FCDO's wider work.
The UK encourages governments in countries with a high burden of malnutrition to allocate additional public resources in order to meet the 2025 World Health Assembly and 2030 Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) targets.
FCDO has ongoing discussions with G7 partners as well as multilateral agencies, including the World Food Programme and UNICEF through the Scaling Up Nutrition movement. In addition, Andrew Mitchell, Minister for Development and Africa, co-chairs the Action Review Panel (ARP) on child wasting alongside the United States and UNICEF. The ARP coordinates collective action on reducing severe acute malnutrition.
To move the dial on world hunger, the UK is hosting an event in the Autumn on tackling hunger and malnutrition.
FCDO is implementing our 2021 Nutrition for Growth commitment to spend at least £1.5 billion between 2022 and 2030 on addressing the nutrition needs of mothers, babies and children, tackling malnutrition in humanitarian emergencies, integrating nutrition into multiple sectors including health, climate and economic development partnerships and making sure nutrition is central to the FCDO's wider work.
The UK encourages governments in countries with a high burden of malnutrition to allocate additional public resources in order to meet the 2025 World Health Assembly and 2030 Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) targets.
FCDO has ongoing discussions with G7 partners as well as multilateral agencies, including the World Food Programme and UNICEF through the Scaling Up Nutrition movement. In addition, Andrew Mitchell, Minister for Development and Africa, co-chairs the Action Review Panel (ARP) on child wasting alongside the United States and UNICEF. The ARP coordinates collective action on reducing severe acute malnutrition.
To move the dial on world hunger, the UK is hosting an event in the Autumn on tackling hunger and malnutrition.
We are working with the Ukrainian Armed Forces and our international partners and allies to best understand how we can support Ukraine's needs as part of international efforts. Mental health experts from the Ministry of Defence (MOD) have offered advice and support to Ukrainian colleagues on ways to further develop their mental health services.
To support civilians suffering from trauma and stress, the UK has funded the British NGO UK-Med (£300,000) to train 1363 first responders in advanced trauma and psychological first aid. Our funding to UNICEF (£15 million) is supporting them to provide specialist trauma and gender-based violence services.
In response to the Government of Ukraine's requests for assistance, the UK has provided 96 non-armoured ambulances (20 NHS and 76 new). The ambulances selected are in line with the priorities and specifications set out by Ukraine's Ministry of Health in their dialogue with officials in the FCDO.
The UK regularly engages with the Brazilian government, civil society and other partners to talk about and monitor human rights developments and respect for the rule of law in Brazil. This engagement is at official and ministerial levels, including recently by the Foreign Secretary. Ahead of Brazil's Universal Periodic Review in November, the UK asked how Brazil intends to strengthen protections of human rights including of environmental and human rights defenders, as well as women at risk of trafficking and the LGBT+ community. We will continue to raise these issues with the incoming government of President-elect Lula da Silva.
The UK is concerned about deforestation in the Amazon, which is having a detrimental impact on global climate and environmental conservation goals. The Government monitors trends of forest loss across the Amazon region, including Brazil, to inform our efforts.
We have a long-established partnership with Brazil which aims to: 1) improve the capacity of governments to reduce deforestation; ii) incentivise forest protection through results-based payments that are re-invested to protect forests, and boost livelihoods; iii) enable business and communities to grow rural economies sustainable whilst protecting forests.
The UK welcomes the commitment made by President Lula on his recent inauguration to end deforestation in the Brazilian Amazon under his mandate. We stand ready to work closely with the incoming administration in Brazil to achieve this, which the Prime Minister has discussed with President Lula.
At COP26, international donors including the UK announced support of $12 billion to assist forest nations to halt and reverse forest loss by 2030. This included a UK commitment of £300 million to support efforts in the Amazon region. The UK continues to support work with indigenous communities across Brazil, who are central to forest conservation efforts, including through the launch of the Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities Forest Tenure Pledge which aims to help indigenous people secure their land rights.
The UK will host, jointly with Ukraine, the 2023 Ukraine Recovery Conference on 21-22 June in London. Plans for the URC23 are under development, and the size, scope, participants and objectives of the conference are under discussion but it will be a major, high-profile event attended by senior representatives from G7 and other international and multilateral partners, International Finance Institutions, the private sector and Civil Society.
The UK will host, jointly with Ukraine, the 2023 Ukraine Recovery Conference on 21-22 June in London. The date and location of the conference was announced at the G7 Leaders virtual meeting on Monday 12 December.
Plans for the 2023 Ukraine Recovery Conference are under development. It will be a high-profile event co-hosted with the Government of Ukraine, and attended by senior representatives from G7 and other international partners, International Finance Institutions, the private sector and civil society. We expect it will focus on actions to support Ukraine's recovery and economic prosperity as well as build support for the reforms needed to make these a success. We are in discussion with the Government of Ukraine about the shape and objectives of the conference.
Online learning platforms can certainly support children's learning. There are a wide variety of platforms available, and the best one for any context will depend on the availability of infrastructure and, importantly, student, teacher, and content readiness in each country.
Well-informed use of education technology (EdTech) has the potential to transform education systems for the most marginalised. Its use was particularly important during the COVID pandemic, when children and their teachers were forced to move to online education. However, EdTech is not a silver bullet and many interventions, particularly those focused on buying new hardware, have failed because of poor support to teachers and children beyond the hardware or weak fit with the specific context. More robust research is needed on impact, cost-effectiveness, and the equity implications of EdTech. Together with the World Bank and the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, the FCDO supports the EdTech Hub with £22 million of UK aid for research to help decision-makers take evidence-based decisions on EdTech. UK research has already helped over 85 million learners.
While we have not made a formal assessment of education programmes provided by the Ocean group, the Department for Education actively participates in the Council of Europe education programme through its seat on the Council of Europe Education Steering Committee. The Government aims to support all young people to be happy, healthy and safe and to foster respect for other people and for difference. A high quality citizenship education provides a very effective pathway for schools to prepare pupils to play a full and active part in society. As with other areas of the curriculum, the Government does not prescribe how citizenship should be taught, but we expect schools to develop a curriculum that meets the need of their pupils, drawing on the expertise and support of subject associations and other organisations that produce and quality assure resources. This includes important content about human rights, the UK legal system and international law.
The new International Development Strategy and the 2021 Girls' Education Action Plan set out the FCDO's approach to achieving our global targets of 40 million more girls in school, and 20 million more girls reading by age ten, by 2026. This includes using our diplomatic network to scale up efforts to get girls into school and learning; maximising the effectiveness and accountability of international education funds; and delivering high-quality bilateral education programmes. In 2021, as G7 President and hosts of the Global Education Summit and COP26, we led the world in prioritising girls' education in the global COVID recovery.
This year we launched the Girls' Education Skills Partnership with the private sector to provide one million adolescent girls and young women with skills and training. We will use the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in Rwanda in June to encourage more countries to sign the Heads of State declaration on education finance. We are working closely with partners ahead of the UN Secretary General's Transforming Education Summit in September to galvanise action for those most in need. We are building a new Coalition on Learning with like-minded partners to prioritise foundational learning for all as part of COVID recovery, and beyond.
The new International Development Strategy and the 2021 Girls' Education Action Plan set out the FCDO's approach to achieving our global targets of 40 million more girls in school, and 20 million more girls reading by age ten, by 2026. This includes using our diplomatic network to scale up efforts to get girls into school and learning; maximising the effectiveness and accountability of international education funds; and delivering high-quality bilateral education programmes. In 2021, as G7 President and hosts of the Global Education Summit and COP26, we led the world in prioritising girls' education in the global COVID recovery.
This year we launched the Girls' Education Skills Partnership with the private sector to provide one million adolescent girls and young women with skills and training. We will use the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in Rwanda in June to encourage more countries to sign the Heads of State declaration on education finance. We are working closely with partners ahead of the UN Secretary General's Transforming Education Summit in September to galvanise action for those most in need. We are building a new Coalition on Learning with like-minded partners to prioritise foundational learning for all as part of COVID recovery, and beyond.
We are deeply concerned by the worsening humanitarian crisis in northern Ethiopia. The conflict is causing appalling suffering to the civilian population, with over 400,000 people in Tigray now living in famine-like conditions and over 25 million in need of urgent humanitarian assistance across the country. The humanitarian response in Tigray is now at standstill owing to the de facto blockade of the region imposed by the Government of Ethiopia since July 2021 and also due to recent military action by Tigrayan Defence Forces along the Tigray-Afar border.
We are working with our international partners and humanitarian agencies so that in the event that access is granted or when there is an easing of the blockade relief can be delivered to Tigray as quickly as possible. UK funding to the crisis in the north has included support to help strengthen humanitarian logistics, to improve the security of the response and to augment civil-military coordination. All parties to the conflict in the north must agree a ceasefire and allow aid to reach people in need.
We are concerned by reports from Tigray on the damage to cultural monuments and artefacts. We have stressed the need for Ethiopia to safeguard its incredible diversity of faith and identity. Respect for cultural heritage is part of this, alongside freedom of expression and freedom of religion and belief.
We remain deeply concerned about reports of human rights abuses and violations in Ethiopia. The Minister for Africa has raised our concerns about ethnically targeted arrests with Minister Redwan in Addis Ababa on 20 January. The protection of all civilians needs to be prioritised, human rights respected and those responsible for human rights abuses and violations held to account. At a special session of the Human Rights Council on 17 December 2021, we backed a resolution that created an International Commission of Experts to investigate allegations of violations in Ethiopia. We urge all parties to engage with this Commission and allow full access to witnesses and sites of concern.
We remain deeply concerned about reports of human rights abuses and violations in Ethiopia. The Minister for Africa has raised our concerns about ethnically targeted arrests with Minister Redwan in Addis Ababa on 20 January. The protection of all civilians needs to be prioritised, human rights respected and those responsible for human rights abuses and violations held to account. At a special session of the Human Rights Council on 17 December 2021, we backed a resolution that created an International Commission of Experts to investigate allegations of violations in Ethiopia. We urge all parties to engage with this Commission and allow full access to witnesses and sites of concern.
The Syria (United Nations Sanctions) (Cultural Property) (EU Exit) Regulations 2020 impose trade sanctions for the purpose of giving effect to the United Kingdom's obligations under United Nations Security Council Resolution 2199 (2015) ('UNSCR 2199'). UNSCR 2199 includes an obligation to take steps to prevent the trade in Syrian cultural property and other items of archaeological, historical, cultural, rare scientific and religious importance illegally removed from Syria since 15 March 2011, thereby allowing for their eventual safe return to the Syrian people.
The Iraq (Sanctions) (EU Exit) Regulations 2020 impose trade prohibitions relating to illegally removed cultural property.
The UK's Global Human Rights sanctions regime gives the UK a powerful tool to hold to account those involved in serious human rights violations or abuses, by imposing targeted asset freezes and travel bans. The rights included are: an individual's right to life; right not to be subjected to torture or cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment; and right to be free from slavery, not to be held in servitude or required to perform forced or compulsory labour. Since establishing the Global Human Rights sanctions regime in July 2020, we have imposed sanctions on 81 individuals and entities involved in serious human rights violations from Russia, Saudi Arabia, Venezuela, Pakistan, Myanmar, North Korea, Belarus, The Gambia, Ukraine and China.
The UK takes seriously talk of secession and other threats to undo the progress of the last twenty-six years in Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH). We have called on those responsible to cease this destabilising and divisive rhetoric. As a UN Security Council and Peace Implementation Council Steering Board member, the UK is committed to upholding the General Framework Agreement for Peace in BiH. The recent appointment of Sir Stuart Peach as the Prime Minister's Special Envoy to the Western Balkans is a clear indication of our commitment. The UK works closely with our partners to support BiH's territorial integrity and to maintain the peace stabilisation force (EUFOR) and the Office of the High Representative in BiH. We work closely with various multinational bodies such as the CoE, NATO, OSCE and UN. Ultimately, the authorities in BiH themselves must make necessary reforms for the good of all citizens, and we call on them to meet their obligations to those who elected them. Discussions of how to support stability in BiH took place at the NATO Foreign Ministers' meeting in Riga, which the Foreign Secretary attended, and at Lancaster House on 13 December, when the Foreign Secretary hosted Western Balkans Foreign Ministers.
The UK remains committed to ensuring peace and upholding international law in Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH). Slovenia is a member of EUFOR, has personnel at NATO HQ in Sarajevo, and contributes to NATO's KFOR mission in Kosovo. Croatia also has military personnel in KFOR. In recent weeks, there have been a range of productive discussions on the Western Balkans in multilateral fora, including at the NATO Foreign Ministers' meeting in Riga, which the Foreign Secretary attended.
Decisions on EU enlargement are for EU Member States to make. We will continue to support all countries of the Western Balkans in their sovereign choice to pursue Euro-Atlantic integration.
The importance of the General Framework Agreement for Peace in Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH), which brought an end to the 1990s conflicts, cannot be overstated. However, it was worded to enable local actors to make changes in the future. As Lord Ashdown said, "Dayton is the floor, not the ceiling". The United Kingdom remains committed to BiH's security, democracy and prosperity. The international community will offer support, but it is essential that the authorities in BiH themselves make reforms based on broad consensus and for the greater good of all citizens.
In November, the UK worked with partners in the United Nations Security Council to secure the EUFOR stabilisation force's mandate for a further 12 months. Although the UK no longer participates in EUFOR following our withdrawal from the European Union, we liaise closely with Commander EUFOR and his team. We also support the NATO HQ in Sarajevo including though the secondment of UK staff officers, who are building the capacity of the Bosnia and Herzegovina Armed Forces. At the NATO Foreign Minister's Meeting in Riga, the Foreign Secretary called on Allies to enhance NATO's engagement on BiH.
The UK places great value on the role of the Council of Europe (CoE) in advancing work on human rights, democracy and the rule of law across Europe. International partnerships provide a significant contribution towards this objective and the UK Government welcomes such activity. Examples of partnerships between the UK and France and Italy were shared in answers to PQs HL479 and HL430. There are plans to work with local authorities to promote business in Germany. In Poland, we are seeking to work with cities, regional and local authorities on a number of economic issues, including trade and investment and climate change. Additionally, the British Embassy in Dublin's "Joining the Dots" programme, launched in November 2018, promotes economic links between regions of the UK and the South West and West of Ireland.
The "France-United Kingdom: for strengthened cooperation between our local authorities" competition launched in 2019, reflecting the UK's support for local cooperation with France. The relationship between our two countries goes far beyond London and Paris, spanning a wide range of issues from trade to science and culture. That is why, following the first UK France Mayors Summit in 2019, the British Embassy in Paris made available £22,000 to fund three innovative and impactful projects (four others were funded by the French government).
The UK fund supported:
· A workshop between Greater Manchester and Montpellier. A delegation from Greater Manchester local authority visited and met Montpellier's local elected officials to combine their international expertise on health innovation, particularly for an ageing community. The visit led to further exchanges between the municipal teams.
· A partnership between Glasgow and Marseille. The project was led by Theatrum Mundi, a London-based professional network of urbanists and artists. The project aimed to build links between Glasgow and Marseille around shared challenges in the way culture is supported by urban planning. The project led to the publication of a report collecting their findings following a two-week research project in both cities.
· A partnership between Kent County Council and Pas de Calais department. This project launched a new interregional committee led by the two local authorities to support resilience and prosperity in the areas surrounding Calais and Dover. It was the first major regional cross-border cooperation event. The project led to the creation of a this new platform to discuss shared issues, challenges and areas of further cooperation.
The UK places great value on the role of the Council of Europe (CoE) in advancing work on human rights, democracy and the rule of law across Europe. As set out in the Integrated Review our plans to encourage our international partners to establish partnerships with different communities and areas go much wider than the CoE member states. The UK will work with allies, including CoE member states and civil society worldwide, to protect democratic values as part of our force for good agenda. In many instances, this will involve working bilaterally with countries to strengthen their domestic governance. In doing so, the UK government will focus its efforts primarily in the wider European neighbourhood, East Africa and the Indo-Pacific, tailoring our approach to meet local needs and combining our diplomacy, development, trade, security and other tools accordingly. To promote robust democratic institutions, the UK will support strong, transparent and accountable political processes and institutions overseas (including parliaments and political parties) through the Westminster Foundation for Democracy and other institutions. This work will be bolstered by a new UK capability to support election observation and activity to strengthen existing multilateral efforts.