Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Minister of State, Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, what steps his Department is taking to help support good governance in the British Virgin Islands.

In 2021, the UK Government supported the then Governor's decision to launch an independent Commission of Inquiry (COI) into governance in the BVI and provided £2.7 million to cover the costs of the Inquiry.

Since the publication of the COI Report in April 2022, the FCDO have been working to support the elected BVI government and the Governor as they deliver a comprehensive governance reform programme based on the Report's recommendations.

In addition to funding extra staff in the Governor's Office to support this work, we are also providing £1.2 million of support and technical assistance. I [Minister Rutley] visited BVI from 4-6 February for discussions with the Premier and others to press the need to accelerate delivery and meet agreed deadlines.