Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office
We pursue our national interests and project the UK as a force for good in the world. We promote the interests of British citizens, safeguard the UK’s security, defend our values, reduce poverty and tackle global challenges with our international partners.
Shadow Ministers / Spokeperson
Liberal Democrat
Lord Purvis of Tweed (LD - Life peer)Liberal Democrat Lords Spokesperson (Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs)
Calum Miller (LD - Bicester and Woodstock)
Liberal Democrat Spokesperson (Foreign Affairs)
Conservative
Priti Patel (Con - Witham)Shadow Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs
Green Party
Ellie Chowns (Green - North Herefordshire)Green Spokesperson (Foreign Affairs)
Junior Shadow Ministers / Deputy Spokesperson
Conservative
Lord Callanan (Con - Life peer)Shadow Minister (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
Wendy Morton (Con - Aldridge-Brownhills)
Shadow Minister (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
Junior Shadow Ministers / Deputy Spokesperson
Conservative
Andrew Rosindell (Con - Romford)Shadow Parliamentary Under Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs)
Alec Shelbrooke (Con - Wetherby and Easingwold)
Shadow Parliamentary Under Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs)
Ministers of State
Stephen Doughty (LAB - Cardiff South and Penarth)Minister of State (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
Parliamentary Under-Secretaries of State
Lord Collins of Highbury (Lab - Life peer)Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
Hamish Falconer (Lab - Lincoln)
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
Seema Malhotra (LAB - Feltham and Heston)
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
Chris Elmore (Lab - Bridgend)
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
14:55
Although China is the UK’s fifth largest trading partner, the UK Government has, in recent years, described China as an …
To ask His Majesty's Government, with regard to recent reports about the treatment of Palestinian detainees in places of detention …
These Regulations amend the Iran (Sanctions) (Nuclear) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019 (“the 2019 Regulations”) to reflect the United Nations (“UN”) …
A Bill to make provision for and in connection with the implementation by the United Kingdom of the Agreement under …
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Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office Commons Appearances
Oral Answers to Questions is a regularly scheduled appearance where the Secretary of State and junior minister will answer at the Dispatch Box questions from backbench MPs
Other Commons Chamber appearances can be:- Urgent Questions where the Speaker has selected a question to which a Minister must reply that day
- Adjornment Debates a 30 minute debate attended by a Minister that concludes the day in Parliament.
- Oral Statements informing the Commons of a significant development, where backbench MP's can then question the Minister making the statement.
Westminster Hall debates are performed in response to backbench MPs or e-petitions asking for a Minister to address a detailed issue
Written Statements are made when a current event is not sufficiently significant to require an Oral Statement, but the House is required to be informed.
Most Recent Commons Appearances by Category
Bills currently before Parliament
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Acts of Parliament created in the 2024 Parliament
Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office has not passed any Acts during the 2024 Parliament
Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office - Secondary Legislation
Petitions
e-Petitions are administered by Parliament and allow members of the public to express support for a particular issue.
If an e-petition reaches 10,000 signatures the Government will issue a written response.
If an e-petition reaches 100,000 signatures the petition becomes eligible for a Parliamentary debate (usually Monday 4.30pm in Westminster Hall).
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Departmental Select Committee
Foreign Affairs Committee
Commons Select Committees are a formally established cross-party group of backbench MPs tasked with holding a Government department to account.
At any time there will be number of ongoing investigations into the work of the Department, or issues which fall within the oversight of the Department. Witnesses can be summoned from within the Government and outside to assist in these inquiries.
Select Committee findings are reported to the Commons, printed, and published on the Parliament website. The government then usually has 60 days to reply to the committee's recommendations.
11 Members of the Foreign Affairs Committee
Foreign Affairs Committee Member since 11th September 2024
Foreign Affairs Committee Member since 21st October 2024
Foreign Affairs Committee Member since 21st October 2024
Foreign Affairs Committee Member since 21st October 2024
Foreign Affairs Committee Member since 21st October 2024
Foreign Affairs Committee Member since 21st October 2024
Foreign Affairs Committee Member since 28th October 2024
Foreign Affairs Committee Member since 28th October 2024
Foreign Affairs Committee Member since 16th December 2024
Foreign Affairs Committee Member since 16th December 2024
Foreign Affairs Committee Member since 27th October 2025
Foreign Affairs Committee: Upcoming Events
24 Nov 2025, 1 p.m.
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Foreign Affairs Committee - Oral evidence
Joint meeting of the UK Foreign Affairs Committee and the Ukrainian Committee on Foreign Policy and Inter-Parliamentary Cooperation’
25 Nov 2025, 3 p.m.
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Foreign Affairs Committee: 17 Current Inquiries
Foreign Affairs Committee: Previous Inquiries
50 most recent Written Questions
(View all written questions)I refer the Hon. Member to the written statement made to the House on 22 July 2025 (UIN HCWS877).
Minister of State (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
The UK strongly condemns the violence that continues to undermine efforts to restore democratic rule in Haiti, and the infliction of human rights abuses by gangs on the Haitian people, including rape and sexual violence against women and children. The UK contributes approximately £28 million per annum to development in Haiti via multilateral bodies including through the UN and its agencies. We have supported expansion of the Human Rights Team within the UN Integrated Office in Haiti (BINUH), with a focus on addressing sexual and gender-based violence. We also funded the creation and implementation of the human rights compliance framework to the Multinational Security Support mission to Haiti and the designation of gang leaders under the UN Sanctions Regime for enabling human rights abuses.
Minister of State (Development)
The UK is committed to championing Freedom of Religion or Belief (FoRB) for all, and we recognise the issue of persecution of Christians globally on account of their faith, alongside recognising the persecution of other groups. The Ugandan constitution promotes freedom of religion, guaranteeing that every person has the right to practice any religion, and a wide range of faith groups practice freely in Uganda. Our High Commission in Kampala engages regularly with religious and cultural leaders.
Minister of State (Development)
The UK supports the mandate of the UN Special Rapporteur and welcomes their report on the situation of human rights in Myanmar. As penholder on Myanmar at the UN Security Council, we have convened three meetings so far this year (2025) to maintain international focus and press for accountability. We also co-sponsored the UN Human Rights Council resolution on Myanmar in April and coordinated a joint statement in May calling for an end to violence.
The UK continues to engage with a range of opposition stakeholders, including the National Unity Government, Myanmar diaspora, and civil society organisations. Since the coup, the UK has provided over £190 million in humanitarian aid, including education and support for civil society in Myanmar. The UK continues to lead efforts to keep Myanmar on the international agenda and advocate for human rights.
Minister of State (Development)
The UK supports the mandate of the UN Special Rapporteur and welcomes their report on the situation of human rights in Myanmar. As penholder on Myanmar at the UN Security Council, we have convened three meetings so far this year (2025) to maintain international focus and press for accountability. We also co-sponsored the UN Human Rights Council resolution on Myanmar in April and coordinated a joint statement in May calling for an end to violence.
The UK continues to engage with a range of opposition stakeholders, including the National Unity Government, Myanmar diaspora, and civil society organisations. Since the coup, the UK has provided over £190 million in humanitarian aid, including education and support for civil society in Myanmar. The UK continues to lead efforts to keep Myanmar on the international agenda and advocate for human rights.
Minister of State (Development)
Since 2011, Syria has seen one of the worst and most protracted humanitarian crises in the world. The annual UN humanitarian appeals have been consistently underfunded and the trend has worsened in recent years, with just 36.6 per cent of the appeal met in 2024. The UK has consistently been one of the biggest contributors to those appeals, but it is clear that humanitarian support overall has not been adequate to address the scale of the crisis.
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
I refer the Rt Hon. Member to the statement made on the Middle East by the Prime Minister on 14 October which addresses these discussions.
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
The Foreign Secretary met with the Palestinian Foreign Minister on 1 November. As part of their conversation they discussed educational reforms. The UK continues to monitor and advance the implementation of the Memorandum of Understanding on strategic cooperation through an annual strategic dialogue. In the meantime, the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, through the British Consulate in Jerusalem, engage regularly with the Palestinian Authority on many areas, including education reform.
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
I refer the Hon. Member to the answer given on 18 September to the question 74968.
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
We continue to encourage all countries to engage constructively with UN mechanisms, including Special Rapporteurs, as part of their international commitments. The UK remains committed to supporting progress on human rights.
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
Our High Commission in Kampala will aim to conduct local observation of the election, in consultation with relevant stakeholders, including the Electoral Commission of Uganda. The UK also provides financial support to the African Union via the Electoral Institute for Sustainable Democracy in Africa and to the Commonwealth Secretariat, which can support election observation.
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
We remain concerned about the situation in Oromia, and its impact on civilians, and note the 4 November statement of the Catholic Bishops' Conference of Ethiopia condemning recent attacks on Orthodox, Roman Catholic and Muslim communities across Oromia. We continue to call on all sides to engage in dialogue to address the underlying causes of conflict in the region. Through our Human Rights and Peacebuilding Programme, in Oromia, the UK supports dialogue efforts by local peacemakers, women's groups and the Inter-Religious Council of Ethiopia (IRCE). The UK is also supporting the investigative capacity of Ethiopian Human Rights Commission to follow up on reports of violations affecting civilians in Oromia.
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
The UK is deeply concerned by the high levels of food insecurity around the world, particularly the impact this has on children; nutrition related factors contribute to an estimated 45 per cent of deaths in children under 5 years of age.
The UK established the Child Nutrition Fund, which matches finance for therapeutic foods and aims to reach 320 million children and women annually with life-changing nutrition programmes by 2030. Our work with partners is helping to prevent food crises, which can impact children the hardest, through early action and resilience building. The Resilience and Adaptation Fund is supporting hundreds of thousands of food-insecure households to build resilience to climate and other shocks.
We are also using our global influence, for instance as vice-chair of the Global Alliance against Hunger and Poverty (GAHP). I recently attended the first Summit of the GAHP to reaffirm the UK's commitment to help families find sustainable pathways out of poverty.
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
I refer the Hon Member to the answer provided on 3 November to Question 85661.
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
I refer the Hon. Member to the answer provided on 3 November 2025 to Question 84390.
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
I refer the Hon. Member to the answer provided on 3 November 2025 to Question 84390.
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
I refer the Hon. Member to the answer provided on 3 November 2025 to Question 84390.
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
We are deeply concerned by the levels of settler violence, settlement growth, and demolition of Palestinian homes in the West Bank. In all but the most exceptional cases, demolitions by an occupying power are contrary to international law. We urge Israel to halt demolitions and evictions of Palestinian communities. The UK Government supports Bedouin and Palestinian communities facing demolition or eviction in Area C of the West Bank through access to legal aid programmes and outreach to vulnerable and remote areas. Our officials in Jerusalem will continue to meet communities at risk of demolition and displacement.
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
I refer the Hon. Member back to the answer to which she refers in her question, where the reason for the reduction was explained.
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
I refer the Hon Member to the answer given on 29 October to question 79968.
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
The UK is concerned by reports of evictions of Palestinian families and home demolitions in East Jerusalem, including Silwan. In all but the most exceptional cases, demolitions by an occupying power are contrary to international law.
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
The UK supports the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) both politically and financially, recognising its vital role in delivering humanitarian aid and services in Gaza and the wider region, and the historic mandate it holds for the protection of refugee rights. The Foreign Secretary met with UNRWA Commissioner-General Philippe Lazzarini on 4 November where she emphasised UK support for the agency and the important role that UNRWA plays across the region. In line with the approach taken by most other Member States, the UK has conducted extensive due diligence and are satisfied that UNRWA adequately manage UK funds. We are working very closely with the US and other partners on supporting the transition from the ceasefire to phase two of the peace plan which includes ensuring the urgent and unrestricted flow of aid into Gaza.
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
The UK supports the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) both politically and financially, recognising its vital role in delivering humanitarian aid and services in Gaza and the wider region, and the historic mandate it holds for the protection of refugee rights. The Foreign Secretary met with UNRWA Commissioner-General Philippe Lazzarini on 4 November where she emphasised UK support for the agency and the important role that UNRWA plays across the region. In line with the approach taken by most other Member States, the UK has conducted extensive due diligence and are satisfied that UNRWA adequately manage UK funds. We are working very closely with the US and other partners on supporting the transition from the ceasefire to phase two of the peace plan which includes ensuring the urgent and unrestricted flow of aid into Gaza.
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
I refer the Hon Member to the answer I provided on 15 October 2025 to Question 77510.
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
I refer the Rt Hon Member to the answer given on 20 October to question 81835.
Minister of State (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office are closely monitoring the impact of Typhoon Kalmaegi in Vietnam. Current assessments indicate significant disruption to affected communities, including six confirmed fatalities and extensive damage to homes, public infrastructure, and livelihoods, particularly in coastal and low-lying areas.
In October, the UK allocated £500,000 in humanitarian assistance to Vietnam to address the devastating impact of typhoons Bualoi and Matmo. We continue to engage with international partners and local authorities to monitor evolving requirements and to ensure that assistance is delivered effectively to those in greatest need.
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
Neil O'Brien
(Conservative - Harborough, Oadby and Wigston)
The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office's total staff headcount is approximately 17,500 employees, working in hundreds of different locations around the world, many with locally-managed HR arrangements and procedures. The requested information could therefore only be collated and verified for the purposes of answering this question at disproportionate cost.
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
Neil O'Brien
(Conservative - Harborough, Oadby and Wigston)
The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office's total staff headcount is approximately 17,500 employees, working in hundreds of different locations around the world, many with locally-managed HR arrangements and procedures. The requested information could therefore only be collated and verified for the purposes of answering this question at disproportionate cost.
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
I refer the Hon. Member to the latest edition of the six monthly update on the implementation of the Sino-British Joint Declaration on Hong Kong, published on 23 October 2025.
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
I refer the Hon. Member to the latest edition of the six monthly update on the implementation of the Sino-British Joint Declaration on Hong Kong, published on 23 October 2025.
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
I refer the Hon. Member to the latest edition of the six monthly update on the implementation of the Sino-British Joint Declaration on Hong Kong, published on 23 October 2025.
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
We are deeply concerned by reports of the mistreatment and sexual violence against detainees. We unequivocally condemn sexual violence in Palestine, in Israel, and wherever it occurs in the world. The UK has consistently called for all reports to be fully investigated to ensure justice for victims and survivors. We have repeatedly made private and public representations on the treatment of detainees with our Israeli counterparts. The UK continues to reiterate calls for Israel to allow the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) unfettered and immediate access to detention facilities. We believe it is critical that the ICRC is given regular access to detainees to deliver on their independent visiting role, as enshrined within the 1949 Geneva Conventions.
Minister of State (Development)
We are deeply concerned by reports of the mistreatment and sexual violence against detainees. We unequivocally condemn sexual violence in Palestine, in Israel, and wherever it occurs in the world. The UK has consistently called for all reports to be fully investigated to ensure justice for victims and survivors. We have repeatedly made private and public representations on the treatment of detainees with our Israeli counterparts. The UK continues to reiterate calls for Israel to allow the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) unfettered and immediate access to detention facilities. We believe it is critical that the ICRC is given regular access to detainees to deliver on their independent visiting role, as enshrined within the 1949 Geneva Conventions.
Minister of State (Development)
We are deeply concerned by reports of the mistreatment and sexual violence against detainees. We unequivocally condemn sexual violence in Palestine, in Israel, and wherever it occurs in the world. The UK has consistently called for all reports to be fully investigated to ensure justice for victims and survivors. We have repeatedly made private and public representations on the treatment of detainees with our Israeli counterparts. The UK continues to reiterate calls for Israel to allow the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) unfettered and immediate access to detention facilities. We believe it is critical that the ICRC is given regular access to detainees to deliver on their independent visiting role, as enshrined within the 1949 Geneva Conventions.
Minister of State (Development)
I refer the Hon Member to the answer provided on 21 July 2025 to Question 66922.
Minister of State (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
I refer the Hon Member to the answer provided on 21 July 2025 to Question 66922.
Minister of State (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
I refer the Hon Member to the answer provided on 21 July 2025 to Question 66922.
Minister of State (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
I refer the Hon Member to the answer provided on 21 July 2025 to Question 66922.
Minister of State (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
I refer the Hon Member to the answer provided on 21 July 2025 to Question 66922.
Minister of State (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
I refer the Hon Member to the explanatory notes and impact assessments published alongside the Bill, as well as the debates that he has taken part in during its passage to date, where these issues and many others have been addressed. Further guidance about the requirements imposed by the Bill, including in relation to Section 2(3), will be published in due course, and post-legislative evaluation will also take place in the normal way. In terms of pre- and post-collection notification, this will only require one notification per research cruise. Engagement with scientific stakeholders indicates that this is unlikely to be a significant burden, and that differentiated reporting requirements are not required.
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
I refer the Hon Member to the explanatory notes and impact assessments published alongside the Bill, as well as the debates that he has taken part in during its passage to date, where these issues and many others have been addressed. Further guidance about the requirements imposed by the Bill, including in relation to Section 2(3), will be published in due course, and post-legislative evaluation will also take place in the normal way. In terms of pre- and post-collection notification, this will only require one notification per research cruise. Engagement with scientific stakeholders indicates that this is unlikely to be a significant burden, and that differentiated reporting requirements are not required.
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
I refer the Hon Member to the explanatory notes and impact assessments published alongside the Bill, as well as the debates that he has taken part in during its passage to date, where these issues and many others have been addressed. Further guidance about the requirements imposed by the Bill, including in relation to Section 2(3), will be published in due course, and post-legislative evaluation will also take place in the normal way. In terms of pre- and post-collection notification, this will only require one notification per research cruise. Engagement with scientific stakeholders indicates that this is unlikely to be a significant burden, and that differentiated reporting requirements are not required.
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
I refer the Hon Member to the explanatory notes and impact assessments published alongside the Bill, as well as the debates that he has taken part in during its passage to date, where these issues and many others have been addressed. Further guidance about the requirements imposed by the Bill, including in relation to Section 2(3), will be published in due course, and post-legislative evaluation will also take place in the normal way. In terms of pre- and post-collection notification, this will only require one notification per research cruise. Engagement with scientific stakeholders indicates that this is unlikely to be a significant burden, and that differentiated reporting requirements are not required.
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
Section 2(2) of the Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ) Bill requires pre-collection information to be provided to the Secretary of State seven months in advance. This is to ensure that the UK can make a submission to the Clearing-House Mechanism established by the BBNJ Agreement within the timeframe of six months set out in the Agreement. These pre-cruise notification requirements mirror to a large extent the information that researchers are already required to provide as part of an application for consent to conduct research within the territorial sea or Exclusive Economic Zone of a State, including the six-month timeframe.
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
Residency in the EU is primarily a matter for individual Member States, but ministers and officials frequently engage with a range of Member State counterparts to advocate for the rights and interests of British citizens living and working across the EU.
Minister of State (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
Further to the answer I gave on 29 October to Question 83265, we are concerned by Morteza Faghanpour Sassi's case and we continue to monitor the situation for Christians in Iran.
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
Further to the answer I gave on 29 October to Question 83265, we are concerned by Aida Najaflou's case and we continue to monitor the situation for Christians in Iran.
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
John Hayes
(Conservative - South Holland and The Deepings)
I will be glad to schedule an opportunity for the Rt Hon Member to come into the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office's King Charles Street offices and count the number of toilets if he considers that a sensible and appropriate use of his time. He will find that there has been no change to the provision of facilities to that in place under the previous government.
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
I refer the Hon. Member to the answer provided on 17 November to Question 89121, which sets out the Government's position on this matter.
Minister of State (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)