Sanctions Implementation and Enforcement

Viscount Chandos Excerpts

Thursday 15th May 2025 Lords Chamber

[Viscount Chandos (Lab)]

I add my thanks and support for the Statement that my noble friend the Minister made, and raise a specific issue about this prospective use of frozen assets, whether the assets themselves or the income derived from them. A massive reconstruction challenge faces us in Ukraine, but there is also the important issue of sustainable media. I declare my interest as chair of the Thomson Foundation. I was privileged to be at the launch of the FCDO media freedom exhibition presided over by my right honourable friend the Foreign Secretary. I just put in a plea that some part of the assets and the income from them be added to the modest but invaluable budget that there is to support media freedom.

[Baroness Chapman of Darlington (Lab)]

I hear my noble friend, who also wants us to move on frozen assets. It is something on which we all agree. Along with our partners, we have managed to release the $50 billion in the ERA, but I completely hear that noble Lords want us to do more.