Oral Answers to Questions Debate

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Department: Cabinet Office

Oral Answers to Questions

Polly Billington Excerpts
Thursday 23rd April 2026

(1 day, 14 hours ago)

Commons Chamber
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Darren Jones Portrait Darren Jones
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The House will understand that I am not at liberty to comment on a potential ongoing employment dispute.

Polly Billington Portrait Ms Polly Billington (East Thanet) (Lab)
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I am grateful to my right hon. Friend the Chief Secretary to the Prime Minister for confirming that he will chair a new contingency planning ministerial group to develop resilience to the threats caused as a result of the conflict, which is not, of course, ours, but is having an impact on many other countries across the world, potentially resulting in shortages and inflation. Our resilience is dependent on their resilience. In that light, will my right hon. Friend agree to consider convening a global summit to increase resilience through co-operation and collaboration?

Darren Jones Portrait Darren Jones
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I thank my hon. Friend for her excellent question. I can confirm that the Foreign Office is part of our contingency planning work at the centre of Government. On all issues, we look at the international data available to us, and the Foreign Office will keep that in consideration when trying to support allies and partners, as well as ensuring security and resilience for the UK.