Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask Her Majesty's Government how they will ensure that gender equality is taken into account in the outputs and policies of the Integrated Review of Security, Defence, Development and Foreign Policy.

The UK remains fully committed to advancing gender equality and women's rights, including every girl's right to 12 years of quality education. The UK International Development (Gender Equality) Act makes consideration of gender equality in all UK Official Development Assistance (ODA) a legal requirement.

The Government paused its Integrated Review of Security, Defence, Development and Foreign Policy in April due to the pressing need to focus on COVID-19. We have formally recommenced the Review, building on the work done since February, and it is expected to conclude later in the year. Both the Review and the merger of Foreign and Commonwealth Office and the Department for International Development are evidence of the Prime Minister's commitment to a unified British foreign policy that will maximise our influence around the world, including on gender equality and women's empowerment. Our aim continues to be for an ambitious and bold Integrated Review that is guided by the UK's foreign policy, national security and development objectives.