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)
Written Statements
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 the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what role the UK is playing through the …
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 …
21:53
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
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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.
At 3:30pm: Oral evidence
Pavel Fischer - Foreign Committee Chairman at Czech Senate
Agnieszka Pomaska - Chair of the EU Affairs Committee at Polish Parliament
Heikki Autto - Chair of the Defence Committee at Finnish Parliament
Ivanna Klympush-Tsintsadze - Chair of the Parliamentary Committee on Integration of Ukraine to the EU at Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine
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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 responses I gave during the Urgent Question debate on Gaza in the House of Commons on 29 October.
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
I refer the Hon. Member to the responses I gave during the Urgent Question debate on Gaza in the House of Commons on 29 October.
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
I refer the Noble Lord to HLWS887 made on 22 July 2025, published alongside the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office's (FCDO) Annual Report & Accounts 2024-25. If, when published, the FCDO annual report and accounts for 2025-26 shows that the 0.7 per cent target has not been met in calendar year 2025, the government will make the relevant statement as set out in the International Development Act 2015.
Minister of State (Development)
The UK has a zero-tolerance approach to fraud and robust controls against the diversion of aid. We select our partners for the strong safeguards they have in place, which reduce delivery risks and will ensure the maximum impact of UK aid for Palestinians.
Minister of State (Development)
I refer the Hon. Member to the responses I gave during the Urgent Question debate on Gaza in the House of Commons on 29 October, Official Report, vol. 774, cols. 311-325.
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
It has been the longstanding policy under successive governments not to comment on personnel and security matters in relation to individual members of staff.
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
It has been the longstanding policy under successive governments not to comment on personnel and security matters in relation to individual members of staff.
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
It has been the longstanding policy under successive governments not to comment on personnel and security matters in relation to individual members of staff.
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
It has been the longstanding policy under successive governments not to comment on personnel and security matters in relation to individual members of staff.
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
James McMurdock
(Independent - South Basildon and East Thurrock)
I refer the Hon. Member to the answer provided on 6 May 2025 in response to Question 48105.
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
James McMurdock
(Independent - South Basildon and East Thurrock)
I refer the Hon. Member to the answer provided on 6 May 2025 in response to Question 48105.
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
James McMurdock
(Independent - South Basildon and East Thurrock)
I refer the Hon. Member to the answer provided on 6 May 2025 in response to Question 48105.
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
I refer the Hon. Member to the answer of 20 October given to question 80764.
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
The information requested is not held by the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office.
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
We are working closely with the EU, G7 and other partners through the Ukraine Donor Platform to align donor assistance with Ukraine's urgent needs, support recovery planning, and support Ukraine's reform ambitions, including progress towards EU accession. We play a leading role on meeting Ukraine's financing needs and strengthening private sector engagement.
At the Ukraine Recovery Conference 2025 in Rome, the international community pledged €10 billion in support and agreed over 200 business deals spanning defence and reconstruction. The UK committed up to £283 million in bilateral assistance for 2025/2026 to fund humanitarian, energy, stabilisation, recovery and reconstruction programmes.
Minister of State (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
We are working closely with the EU, G7 and other partners through the Ukraine Donor Platform to align donor assistance with Ukraine's urgent needs, support recovery planning, and support Ukraine's reform ambitions, including progress towards EU accession. We play a leading role on meeting Ukraine's financing needs and strengthening private sector engagement.
At the Ukraine Recovery Conference 2025 in Rome, the international community pledged €10 billion in support and agreed over 200 business deals spanning defence and reconstruction. The UK committed up to £283 million in bilateral assistance for 2025/2026 to fund humanitarian, energy, stabilisation, recovery and reconstruction programmes.
Minister of State (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
I refer the Rt Hon Member to the written evidence provided by the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) to the inquiry by the International Development Committee into the FCDO's Approach to Value for Money in Official Development Assistance, which can be found here: https://committees.parliament.uk/writtenevidence/142772/default/.
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
I refer the Hon. Member to the answer provided on 6 November in response to Question 85799.
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
The Minister of State for International Development and Africa is responsible for ensuring cross-government Official Development Assistance (ODA) spending is coherent with our modernised development approach and chairs the refreshed Ministerial ODA Delivery and Impact Board. This will drive coherence and effectiveness of the UK's development work and value for money in ODA spending across government.
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
The UK Government takes all allegations of human rights violations and due process concerns very seriously including raising with local authorities where appropriate. We assess what action is appropriate to take on the specific facts of the case. The UK Government has raised Mr Kanu's case with the Nigerian authorities on multiple occasions, most recently on 11 November 2025 when Baroness Chapman, Minister for Africa met with Nigerian Foreign Minister Yusuf Tuggar. Consular officials visit Mr Kanu and attend his trial hearings on a regular basis and remain in contact with his family and legal representatives.
The UK respects the territorial integrity of Nigeria. We encourage dialogue between the many ethnic groups and communities that make up and contribute to the strength and diversity of Nigeria. The UK supports and respects the Nigerian Government's commitment to work for a secure and prosperous Nigeria for all its citizens and is committed to working with Nigeria in support of this objective.
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
The UK Government takes all allegations of human rights violations and due process concerns very seriously including raising with local authorities where appropriate. We assess what action is appropriate to take on the specific facts of the case. The UK Government has raised Mr Kanu's case with the Nigerian authorities on multiple occasions, most recently on 11 November 2025 when Baroness Chapman, Minister for Africa met with Nigerian Foreign Minister Yusuf Tuggar. Consular officials visit Mr Kanu and attend his trial hearings on a regular basis and remain in contact with his family and legal representatives.
The UK respects the territorial integrity of Nigeria. We encourage dialogue between the many ethnic groups and communities that make up and contribute to the strength and diversity of Nigeria. The UK supports and respects the Nigerian Government's commitment to work for a secure and prosperous Nigeria for all its citizens and is committed to working with Nigeria in support of this objective.
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
The UK Government takes all allegations of human rights violations and due process concerns very seriously including raising with local authorities where appropriate. We assess what action is appropriate to take on the specific facts of the case. The UK Government has raised Mr Kanu's case with the Nigerian authorities on multiple occasions, most recently on 11 November 2025 when Baroness Chapman, Minister for Africa met with Nigerian Foreign Minister Yusuf Tuggar. Consular officials visit Mr Kanu and attend his trial hearings on a regular basis and remain in contact with his family and legal representatives.
The UK respects the territorial integrity of Nigeria. We encourage dialogue between the many ethnic groups and communities that make up and contribute to the strength and diversity of Nigeria. The UK supports and respects the Nigerian Government's commitment to work for a secure and prosperous Nigeria for all its citizens and is committed to working with Nigeria in support of this objective.
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
I refer the Hon. Member to the answer provided in the House of Lords on 23 January 2025 to Question HL3786, which is reproduced below for ease of reference:
The empowerment of women and girls is a top priority for the UK government, and sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) are key to this. When women and girls around the world are able to have control over their lives and their own bodies, they can avoid a life of early, multiple and often dangerous pregnancies and births, and instead complete their education, take up better economic opportunities and fulfil their potential. The UK therefore prioritises bodily autonomy and the rights of women and girls in the development of SRHR policies, in line with the Guttmacher-Lancet integrated definition of comprehensive SRHR for all.
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
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)
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)
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)