Asked by: Paul Blomfield (Labour - Sheffield Central)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what steps he is taking with international partners to assess the risk and reduce the effect of climate change (a) globally and (b) on the UK.
Answered by James Duddridge
The Integrated Review which was launched on 16 March by the Prime Minister, states that in 2021 and beyond, Her Majesty's Government will make tackling climate change and biodiversity loss its number one international priority and the Foreign Secretary will take the necessary steps to deliver on this. The UK is working closely with international partners to assess and reduce the risk of climate change both globally and in the UK. The Foreign Secretary and FCDO ministers regularly raise the subject in engagements with international partners. In December the UK co-hosted the Climate Ambition Summit where 75 leaders, as well as businesses pledged new and more ambitious commitments to tackle climate change. On 31 March, COP President-Designate Alok Sharma and the Foreign Secretary will host the Climate Development Ministerial which will bring together countries and partners to identify practical solutions to some of the biggest challenges facing vulnerable countries.
Domestically the Prime Minister's 10 Point Plan accelerates the UK's transition to Net-Zero. On 4 December 2020 we announced an ambitious new Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by at least 68% by 2030 compared to 1990 levels. This target commits the UK to the fastest rate of emissions reductions of any major economy. In 2019, we legislated for net zero emissions by 2050 - the first of the major economies to set such a legally binding target.
Asked by: Paul Blomfield (Labour - Sheffield Central)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what representations he has made to his Israeli counterpart on the demolition of the Musa family home in Al Khader.
Answered by James Cleverly - Home Secretary
Our Ambassador in Tel Aviv raised ongoing demolitions with the Israeli Authorities, in a meeting alongside like-minded partners on 25 February. I called on Israel to stop demolitions on 5 February 2021 and raised my concerns about demolitions of Palestinian homes and structures with the Israeli Ambassador on 29 October 2020. UK officials from the British Consulate in Jerusalem have made regular visits to areas at risk of demolition and eviction to reiterate UK support for those communities. The UK is clear that in all but the most exceptional of circumstances, demolitions are contrary to International Humanitarian Law. The practice causes unnecessary suffering to Palestinians and is harmful to the peace process.
Asked by: Paul Blomfield (Labour - Sheffield Central)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what representations he has made to the Government of Israel on ensuring that the forthcoming Palestinian elections can take place free of interference and obstruction.
Answered by James Cleverly - Home Secretary
We welcome President Abbas' announcement of dates for legislative and Presidential elections in the Occupied Palestinian Territories for the first time since 2006. We encourage the Palestinian leadership to work toward strong, inclusive, accountable and democratic institutions, based on respect for the rule of law and human rights. Free and fair elections are an important and necessary step. The UK will work closely with the Palestinian Authority and international partners to support this. We are supportive of Hamas-Fatah reconciliation attempts, and of the Palestinian Authority returning to resume government functions in Gaza, helping to improve the dire humanitarian and economic situation and restore effective and accountable governance.
Asked by: Paul Blomfield (Labour - Sheffield Central)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what recent steps his Department has taken to support people threatened with famine in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
Answered by James Duddridge
Responding to severe food insecurity is one of the UK's key objectives in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). UK aid has provided access to food for over 1.7 million people since 2017.
The UK is leading a global call to action on the risk of famine. We have appointed Nick Dyer as the UK's first Special Envoy for Famine Prevention and Humanitarian Affairs, and pledged £180 million in 2020 to provide aid to more than 7 million vulnerable people in some of the world's most fragile places, including the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
During my visit to the DRC in November 2020, I discussed with the Government of DRC the need to address the insecurity and conflict in the East which one of the key drivers of the humanitarian crisis. I also met with food insecure people who had fled violence, and visited a hospital where malnourished children were given lifesaving treatment.
Asked by: Paul Blomfield (Labour - Sheffield Central)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what recent assessment he has made of the human rights situation in Rwanda.
Answered by James Duddridge
Rwanda has made huge strides over the past two decades with regards to a positive record on gender equality in its cabinet and parliament, and improvements in healthcare, development and prosperity. However, the UK remains concerned by Rwanda's overall human rights record and regularly raises specific cases of concern with the Rwandan Government. The UK firmly believes that a strong opposition and vibrant civil society is vital for a healthy and well-functioning democracy. Civil society and opposition parties must be able to operate freely, holding the Government of Rwanda to account and contributing to the debate on how Rwanda should be governed.
As a member of the Commonwealth, and future Chair-in-Office, we urge Rwanda to uphold and champion Commonwealth values of democracy, rule of law, and respect for human rights. This was reiterated in the UK's statement on human rights in Rwanda at the 37th Session of the Universal Periodic Review on 25 January. We are clear that Rwanda must mirror its social and economic progress with gains in civil and political rights for its people.
Asked by: Paul Blomfield (Labour - Sheffield Central)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, pursuant to the Answer of 4 February 2021 on Question HL12460, what recent steps he has taken to support developing countries with procuring and administering covid-19 vaccines.
Answered by Wendy Morton
The UK is committed to rapid equitable access to safe and effective vaccines. The UK has committed £548 million to the COVAX Advance Market Commitment (AMC), the international initiative to support global equitable access to vaccines, of which the UK is one of the largest bilateral donors. Our commitment helped encourage other donors to commit $1 billion by the end of 2020. Our funding will contribute to the supply of at least 1.3 billion doses of COVID-19 vaccines in 2021 for up to 92 developing countries. The Prime Minister has said that the UK will share the majority of future vaccine doses surplus to domestic needs with COVAX.
The COVAX AMC aims to supply fully subsidised doses sufficient to vaccinate up to 20 per cent of country populations, initially prioritising healthcare workers, and then expanding to cover other priority groups. Countries will then be able to procure additional doses, subject to vaccine availability, in order to increase coverage further. COVAX is supporting countries to assess vaccine introduction readiness, and to develop detailed national deployment and vaccination plans, including support needed to strengthen delivery systems. Our network of health advisers in relevant AMC countries are working to support host governments to apply for the COVAX AMC and prepare for vaccine delivery.
Asked by: Paul Blomfield (Labour - Sheffield Central)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what representations he has made to his Ethiopian counterpart on restoring peace and stability in the Tigray region.
Answered by James Duddridge
We are concerned about the continued violence in Tigray region and its impact on regional security. We have consistently urged all parties to end the conflict, prioritise the protection of civilians and allow unfettered humanitarian access. The Foreign Secretary raised these points when he met with Prime Minister Abiy on 22 January and also pressed for a political dialogue to bring a lasting peace to Tigray.
The Foreign Secretary spoke with Prime Minister Abiy after he visited Gondar, in the neighboring Amhara region on 22 January and saw first-hand how £11m of UK Aid is supporting the World Food Programme and NGOs to ensure the delivery of aid to those affected by the conflict.
Asked by: Paul Blomfield (Labour - Sheffield Central)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what representations he has made to the Government of Israel on ensuring that it complies with the Geneva Convention on occupied territories and provides equitable access to vaccines for Palestinians in Gaza and the West Bank.
Answered by James Cleverly - Home Secretary
The UK regularly engages with both the Government of Israel and Palestinian Authority (PA) and will continue to raise timely and appropriate access to COVID-19 vaccines. We welcome steps both parties have taken so far to coordinate the response, including the recent delivery of 2,000 doses of the Moderna vaccine from the Israeli Authorities to the PA for Palestinian health workers. We continue to encourage further cooperation between the two parties.
Asked by: Paul Blomfield (Labour - Sheffield Central)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, what his Department's negotiating policy is on rights for UK-based musicians to tour in EU countries after the end of the transition period.
Answered by Wendy Morton
The Government recognises the importance of touring for UK musicians. For short stays of up to 90 days in any 180 day period, the EU has legislated such that UK nationals will not need a visa when travelling to and within the Schengen Area when performing a limited range of activities (e.g. attending cultural or sports events, business meetings, tourism). Member States have discretion to add activities to this list and UK nationals should check before travelling. For all travel involving work/long-term service provision, a visa and/or work permit may be needed.
As part of the Free Trade Agreement negotiations, we are seeking a reciprocal agreement with the EU on the type of business visitor activities both sides will commit to allowing, to provide long-term certainty for UK and EU travellers.
Asked by: Paul Blomfield (Labour - Sheffield Central)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what recent assessment he has made of the political and security situation in Ethiopia.
Answered by James Duddridge
The UK is concerned by the political and security situation in Ethiopia, including ongoing violence between ethnic groups, and reports of arrests and abuses by security services. I [Minister Duddridge] visited Ethiopia from 27 - 29 July and was able to discuss these issues with the President, Deputy Prime Minister, Foreign Minister and the President of Oromia Region. I [Minister Duddridge] pushed for full and transparent investigations into the violence, and that those detained are afforded due process and their cases heard promptly. I [Minister Duddridge] also expressed the need for more peaceful dialogue between different ethnic groups in Ethiopia and for space to be given for political debate.
The UK welcomes the efforts of the Government of Ethiopia to strengthen accountability. We have provided direct support to public consultations on the new civil society legislation and draft media proclamations. The UK is facilitating capacity building in Ethiopia to ensure that democratic institutions fulfil their constitutional mandate. For instance, we have supported the National Election Board of Ethiopia, contributing over £15 million of funding towards election preparations. We also support civil society organisations in Ethiopia so that they can play an increasing role in monitoring human rights. We will track the situation, raise our concerns at the deaths of civilians, and raise the importance of respect for human rights in meetings with the Government of Ethiopia and regional leaders.