Asked by: Derek Twigg (Labour - Halton)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what information his Department holds on the number of SMEs in the defence sector that have been denied (a) banking facilities and (b) other forms of finance because of environmental, social and governance policies since 2020.
Answered by Bim Afolami - Economic Secretary (HM Treasury)
The Government recognises the vital role small and medium-sized enterprises play in fuelling economic growth, and it is important they can access the banking services they need. Last year the Chancellor asked the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) to collect evidence to help us understand where account closures and refusals are happening and why. The FCA published their initial findings on 19 September, and are doing further work with firms to verify the data and to better understand the reasons behind account refusals. In addition, HM Treasury is continuing to engage with industry to understand any existing or emerging issues regarding bank account access for businesses.
The Government welcomes steps that the financial services sector is taking to improve understanding of how firms can access financial services. In December, guidance specifically aimed at businesses operating in the defence and security sectors was published by UK Finance, the trade association for the banking and finance industry, and ADS, the trade association for the UK’s aerospace, defence, security and space sectors. This work was supported by the Department for Business and Trade.
The Government has been clear that it does not support the exclusion of defence companies from access to debt and equity capital on the basis of Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) considerations. This was made evident in a Written Ministerial Statement made by the Secretary of State for Defence, in conjunction with HM Treasury, that stated “the important values within ESG should not undermine capabilities developed to help us preserve peace and security, without which sustaining those values would not be possible”. In addition, HM Treasury has recently consulted on a potential regulatory framework for ESG ratings providers which would aim to improve transparency and promote good conduct, which will help address some of the issues which defence companies have raised.
Asked by: Lord Godson (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask His Majesty's Government whether they will place in the Library of the House a copy of the different presentations given to civil servants on the Issues in Countering Terrorism course by the Centre for Defence Studies at King's College London, redacted as necessary for national security and public safety.
Answered by Lord Benyon - Minister of State (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
The FCDO does not own the Intellectual Property Rights for the presentations given on the course and cannot place them in the Library of the House.
Asked by: Lyn Brown (Labour - West Ham)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Minister of State, Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, what steps he is taking to engage with Mauritania on security issues following the formal withdrawal of Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger from the G5 Sahel; and what steps he is taking with international partners to address the impact of those withdrawals on the (a) Sahel Coalition and (b) Alliance Sahel.
Answered by Andrew Mitchell - Minister of State (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office) (Minister for Development)
The UK is engaging closely with Mauritania, the G5 Sahel Presidency, on the recent withdrawal of Niger and Burkina Faso. We continue to discuss the impacts of the withdrawals on the Sahel Coalition and the Alliance Sahel with partners, with a meeting of the Coalition planned for 14 December. The UK stands with the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) in calling for the restoration of democracy in Niger. Mauritania remains an important regional partner and we are working with NATO partners on a Defence Capacity Building programme for the country. I met with the Mauritanian Ambassador in London on 11 December.
Asked by: Henry Smith (Conservative - Crawley)
Question to the Cabinet Office:
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what recent steps his Department is taking to strengthen national security.
Answered by Alex Burghart - Parliamentary Secretary (Cabinet Office)
The Cabinet Office leads on, and coordinates across government, key elements of the UK’s national security policy. This includes the development and implementation of the Integrated Review Refresh. Published in March, the Refresh updated the government’s security, defence, development and foreign policy priorities to reflect changes in the global context since the Integrated Review 2021. Flowing from this, the Cabinet Office has played a key role in developing and overseeing the National Cyber Strategy, National Security and Investment Programme, and the Biological Security Strategy. The department is taking essential steps to ensure delivery of these and other issues.
Specific recent outcomes include the launch of the National Security and Investment Act call for evidence, and the leading role the department has played in coordinating the government’s response to several international and domestic crises.
Asked by: Tom Hunt (Conservative - Ipswich)
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 strengthen relations with the Republic of Cyprus.
Answered by Leo Docherty - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence) (Minister for the Armed Forces)
The bilateral relationship between the UK and Cyprus has never been stronger. Our shared commitment to working together on a wide range of priority areas is underlined in the 2019 Defence and Security Co-operation Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) and the comprehensive bilateral MoU signed last year. In June the Foreign Secretary hosted Foreign Minister Kombos for wide-ranging discussions. They discussed multiple bilateral initiatives, including the UK's recent technical support for Cyprus in refreshing its approach to sanctions enforcement, and re-affirmed our commitment to accelerate implementation of other issues covered in the MoU.
Asked by: Dan Jarvis (Labour - Barnsley Central)
Question to the Home Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether she has held recent discussions with Cabinet colleagues on helping more people who have been accepted by the Afghan Relocations and Assistance Policy scheme and are living in hotels in Islamabad to move to the UK.
Answered by Robert Jenrick
The UK made an ambitious and generous commitment to help resettle those fleeing persecution and those who served the UK. Since June 2021, we have brought 24,500 people to safety to the UK.
Any current or former staff directly employed by, or for, the UK Government and assessed to be at serious risk of threat to life are eligible to apply for the ARAP. The Ministry of Defence first consider all applications under the Afghan Relocations and Assistance Policy (ARAP). Afghan citizens and their family members assessed as eligible for relocation will then be referred to the Home Office for permission to enter the UK. This is subject to the enrolment of biometrics and security checks.
The Government will honour its commitments to bring eligible people to the UK and will arrange and pay for travel to our country when suitable UK accommodation has been secured. The Government is working intensively with local authorities and other partners to ensure suitable accommodation is secured.
The Department of Levelling Up Housing and Communities is also considering further options to help identify suitable accommodation, so we can welcome more Afghans in third countries. This includes learning the lessons from sponsorship schemes like Homes for Ukraine. We continue to work, including with likeminded partners and countries neighbouring Afghanistan, on resettlement issues and to support safe passage for eligible Afghans.
Asked by: Lord Browne of Ladyton (Labour - Life peer)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made (1) of the resilience of current human rights protections in India, and (2) how human rights issues may affect current and future strategic and security partnerships with India as part of their “Indo-Pacific Tilt”.
Answered by Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon - Minister of State (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
The British High Commission in New Delhi consistently monitors human rights across India. The UK Government has a broad and deep partnership with the Government of India and we discuss all elements of our relationship, including human rights, and raise issues where we have them. Both our countries are committed to transforming defence and security cooperation and to enhancing engagements in support of a free, open and secure Indo-Pacific.
Asked by: Tanmanjeet Singh Dhesi (Labour - Slough)
Question to the Cabinet Office:
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, whether his Department co-ordinates a cross-Government strategy on China; and if he will make a statement.
Answered by Jeremy Quin
As the Honourable Gentleman will be aware, the Cabinet Office is responsible for coordinating cross-Government strategy across a range of issues including China.
The Integrated Review Refresh sets out the Government’s approach to our security, defence, and foreign policy priorities. It remains the case that we do not publish National Security strategies on China or other issues.
Asked by: Andrew Rosindell (Conservative - Romford)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what discussions he has had with his New Zealand counterpart on defence cooperation in the Pacific region between the UK and New Zealand.
Answered by James Heappey
New Zealand is one of our closest partners in the Indo Pacific region and a staunch supporter of Ukraine. My right hon. Friend speaks regularly to his New Zealand counterpart on a whole range of issues including Pacific security, resilience and defence cooperation between our two countries. They last spoke in Singapore in June 2023.
Asked by: Marquess of Lothian (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the Amnesty International public statement, ‘Israel/OPT: Investigate Possible War Crimes During Israel’s Military Offensive on Gaza in May 2023’, issued on 13 June; and what plans they have, if any, to take action with international partners in relation to Amnesty’s statement.
Answered by Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon - Minister of State (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
The UK draws on a wide range of sources when assessing human rights issues in the Occupied Palestinian Territories (OPTs). We regularly raise the issue of the numbers of Palestinians killed and injured by Israeli Defence Forces in the West Bank and Gaza with the Israeli authorities. Whenever there have been accusations of excessive use of force, we raise these matters with the Israeli Government and the need for swift, transparent, and thorough investigations and, if wrongdoing is found, that those responsible be held to account. We make it clear to Israel that it is important that the security forces provide appropriate protection to the Palestinian civilian population, particularly the need to protect children, and urge restraint in the use of live fire. The Foreign Secretary contacted his Israeli counterpart at the time of the military action alluded to in the Amnesty report to urge that all actions taken were proportionate, calibrated to avoid civilian casualties, and in line with international humanitarian law. He also called for the facilitation of humanitarian access.