Information between 29th September 2025 - 9th October 2025
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Select Committee Documents |
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Thursday 2nd October 2025
Attendance statistics - Members' attendance 2024–25 (Foreign Affairs Committee), as at 23 July 2025 Foreign Affairs Committee |
Written Answers |
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Sudan: Armed Conflict
Asked by: Marsha De Cordova (Labour - Battersea) Thursday 2nd October 2025 Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what steps his Department is taking with international partners to end the conflict in Sudan. Answered by Chris Elmore - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office) The conflict in Sudan, now into its third year, remains a priority for the UK and the Foreign Secretary. In the months following the April London Sudan Conference UK Ministers and the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) officials have been working to sustain momentum and ensure Sudan remains in the spotlight. Our efforts have included joining the EU-convened Consultative Group on Sudan in June, alongside key partners, to progress shared aims on ending the violence and improving humanitarian access. In the United Nations Security Council (UNSC), where the UK is penholder on Sudan, we have consistently called for an end to the fighting, the protection of civilians, and unimpeded humanitarian access. On 13 August, with African partners and Guyana, the UK led a UNSC press statement calling for respect of international law and rejecting moves to form parallel governments, which will only prolong the conflict. We will continue to use all diplomatic levers working in concert with international partners to encourage the warring parties to return to the negotiating table and commit to a meaningful, sustainable ceasefire in Sudan. |
Sudan: Food Aid
Asked by: Wendy Morton (Conservative - Aldridge-Brownhills) Thursday 2nd October 2025 Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what aid agencies he is working with to deliver the £120m in food aid for Sudan announced at the London Sudan Conference in April; and what steps he is taking to ensure the safety of those aid workers working in-country. Answered by Chris Elmore - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office) During the London Sudan Conference, the former Foreign Secretary announced a further £120 million towards the crisis which will provide life-saving aid to more than 650,000 people. This funding supports UN agencies such as UNICEF and the World Food Programme to deliver a range of life-saving services including food, nutrition, water, sanitation, and hygiene support. We also support the UN's Sudan Humanitarian Fund, which funds local responders including Emergency Response Rooms to reach hard-to-access areas, such as North Darfur. We continue to use our role as UN Security Council penholder to press all parties to uphold international humanitarian law, ensure the safety of aid workers, and remove bureaucratic barriers to delivery. On 14 August, the UK joined 28 partners in a Joint Donor Statement on El Fasher calling for a pause in fighting to allow urgent unimpeded aid to reach civilians trapped by the Rapid Support Forces' siege and guarantees for the protection of civilians and aid workers. |
Sudan: Conflict Resolution
Asked by: Wendy Morton (Conservative - Aldridge-Brownhills) Thursday 2nd October 2025 Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what steps his Department is taking to help support dialogue between Sudanese (a) civilian and (b) political forces. Answered by Chris Elmore - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office) Throughout the duration of the conflict in Sudan, the UK has continually advocated for a return to a civilian-led government that represents the interests of Sudanese people across the country. In our engagements with the warring parties and their aligned governance structures, we continue to reiterate the importance of engaging with a broad range of civilians to facilitate an inclusive transition that delivers peace and stability. We have also frequently engaged directly with a range of Sudanese civilian actors, notably in the run-up to the London Sudan Conference to ensure that Sudanese views on how to end the crisis were represented. In addition, the UK supports the neutral, anti-war element of the Somoud civilian coalition (formerly known as Taqaddum) with technical facilitation and logistics to help broaden its base and promote a more inclusive and unified civilian vision for Sudan. The UK will continue to champion the importance of Sudanese civilians, especially women and youth, as well as civil society, in any efforts to resolve the conflict and shape the future of Sudan. |
Sudan: Humanitarian Aid
Asked by: Wendy Morton (Conservative - Aldridge-Brownhills) Thursday 2nd October 2025 Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what information his Department holds on the amount of humanitarian aid that reached (a) Chad, (b) South Sudan, (c) Egypt, (d) Ethiopia, (e) the Central African Republic and (f) other neighbouring countries to Sudan for supporting Sudanese refugees in the last 12 months. Answered by Chris Elmore - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office) Sudan is currently experiencing the world's largest displacement crisis, with over 12 million people displaced since the conflict began. As part of the UK's £120 million Official Development Assistance (ODA) commitment this financial year, humanitarian assistance is being provided to Sudanese refugees in neighbouring countries through key UN agencies such as the World Food Programme and UNICEF. In May, Baroness Chapman announced £36 million in support for over 260,000 Sudanese refugees in eastern Chad. The UK also supports Education Cannot Wait, which is delivering safe learning spaces and psychosocial support for 200,000 vulnerable children in refugee and host communities across Chad, Ethiopia, Libya, South Sudan, the Central African Republic, and Uganda. In total, UK aid reached over 700,000 people affected by conflict in Chad, South Sudan, Libya, and Uganda in the last financial year. |
Eritrea: Oppression
Asked by: Iain Duncan Smith (Conservative - Chingford and Woodford Green) Thursday 2nd October 2025 Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what representations she has made to the Eritrean authorities concerning the enforced disappearance and harassment of (a) religious leaders and (b) human rights defenders; and what steps her Department is taking to ensure their protection against transnational repression. Answered by Chris Elmore - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office) We continue to raise the issue of human rights with the Eritrean government, both through our Embassy in Asmara and through multilateral fora. We advocate for the end of all discriminatory detentions based on religion or belief, as we have stated at the UN Human Rights Council, and call for all those unjustly incarcerated to be released, including human rights defenders. The UK supports the work of the UN Special Rapporteur on human rights in Eritrea, voting in favour of his mandate renewal in July 2025. We previously called upon Eritrea to address allegations and concerns surrounding activities which could be identified as transnational repression (TNR), including at the UN Human Rights Council in February 2025. The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) recently took part in a cross-government review of TNR and will continue to monitor this issue. |
Sudan: Sexual Offences
Asked by: Marsha De Cordova (Labour - Battersea) Thursday 2nd October 2025 Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what steps his Department is taking to support victims of sexual (a) violence and (b) torture in Sudan. Answered by Chris Elmore - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office) The UK is a major humanitarian donor to Sudan with £120 million in life-saving aid budgeted this financial year in addition to £235 million allocated in 24/25. The UK's funding to Sudan delivers a range of critical support including protection, prevention, and care services to women and girls in response to rising gender-based and conflict-related sexual violence (CRSV). This year, the UK is also supporting the deployment of a specialist sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV) investigator to the UN Fact-Finding Mission (FFM) in Sudan, delivered through our implementing partner UN Women. This contribution ensures expert input on SGBV to strengthen accountability for conflict-related sexual violence in Sudan. At the UN, the UK has led efforts to spotlight CRSV and other atrocities, including ten Security Council press statements and the renewal of the FFM's mandate. |
Sudan: Human Rights
Asked by: Tanmanjeet Singh Dhesi (Labour - Slough) Thursday 2nd October 2025 Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what steps he has taken with international partners to help prevent human rights abuses in Sudan. Answered by Chris Elmore - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office) On 13 August, the former Foreign Secretary issued a statement condemning the Rapid Support Force's (RSF) latest assault on El Fasher and the nearby Abu Shouk camp for internally displaced persons (IDPs), and on 14 August, the UK joined 28 partners in a Joint Donor Statement on El Fasher calling for a humanitarian pause and protection of civilians, including humanitarian operations. We stand united in urging both the RSF and Sudanese Armed Forces to uphold their commitments under the Jeddah Declaration and UN Security Council Resolution 2736 (2024), and to allow immediate, unconditional humanitarian access and safe passage for civilians. As penholder at the UN Security Council, we have successfully led ten Council statements calling for an end to hostilities, most recently in a co-penned statement with African partners and Guyana pressing for protection of civilians and improved humanitarian access with respect to international law. On the UN Human Rights Council, we led the establishment and renewal of the UN Fact-Finding Mission to impartially investigate human rights violations and abuses committed by the warring parties. We also support the International Criminal Court's ongoing investigation in Sudan into alleged war crimes committed since April 2023, and the Sudan Witness Project, which gathers open-source evidence of atrocities. |
South Sudan: Humanitarian Situation
Asked by: Andrew Gwynne (Independent - Gorton and Denton) Thursday 2nd October 2025 Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what recent assessment he has made of the potential implications for his policies of the (a) financial and (b) humanitarian situation in South Sudan. Answered by Chris Elmore - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office) South Sudan faces a humanitarian crisis driven by conflict, climate shocks, and economic instability. Despite resumed oil exports, previously accounting for 90 per cent of government revenue, its financial situation remains fragile. The UK urges reforms in public financial management, legislation, and budget execution aligned with development priorities. While UK Official Development Assistance (ODA) supports essential services, we continue to press for improved domestic resource allocation. We remain a leading donor to the humanitarian response in South Sudan, providing £103 million of aid funding for this financial year, in addition to £137 million last year, to programmes supporting the people of South Sudan, including humanitarian assistance, peacebuilding initiatives, and girls' education. A further £24.5 million of Sudan's allocation has been assigned to support refugees and returnees who have fled the conflict into South Sudan. The UK also advocates for the full implementation of the 2018 Peace Agreement, prioritising civilian protection and unhindered humanitarian access. We have consistently delivered these messages to the Government of South Sudan, including in a joint statement with Troika and other likeminded partners on 6 August. |
Sudan: Food Aid
Asked by: Wendy Morton (Conservative - Aldridge-Brownhills) Thursday 2nd October 2025 Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what steps he is taking to ensure that the £120m in food aid for Sudan announced at the London Sudan Conference in April is reaching people who need it most. Answered by Chris Elmore - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office) During the London Sudan Conference, the former Foreign Secretary announced a further £120 million towards the crisis which will provide life-saving aid to more than 650,000 people. This funding supports UN agencies such as UNICEF and the World Food Programme to deliver a range of life-saving services including food, nutrition, water, sanitation, and hygiene support. We also support the UN's Sudan Humanitarian Fund, which funds local responders including Emergency Response Rooms to reach hard-to-access areas, such as North Darfur. We continue to use our role as UN Security Council penholder to press all parties to uphold international humanitarian law, ensure the safety of aid workers, and remove bureaucratic barriers to delivery. On 14 August, the UK joined 28 partners in a Joint Donor Statement on El Fasher calling for a pause in fighting to allow urgent unimpeded aid to reach civilians trapped by the Rapid Support Forces' siege and guarantees for the protection of civilians and aid workers. |
Sudan: Water Supply
Asked by: Anneliese Dodds (Labour (Co-op) - Oxford East) Thursday 2nd October 2025 Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what discussions his Department has had with international aid organisations on the potential impact of the availability of clean water not affected by cholera in conflict-affected areas of Sudan on levels of insecurity for women and girls in that country. Answered by Chris Elmore - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office) There are over 96,700 confirmed cases of cholera across 17 states in Sudan, with the true number likely to be significantly higher. The UK Government is working with international partners - including UNICEF, WHO, SFPA, and UNFPA - to help coordinate an effective response. This includes issuing targeted guidance on managing cholera among vulnerable groups, particularly women, girls, and malnourished children, through the Sudan Free of Female Genital Mutilation 2 (SFFGM2) and Women's Integrated Sexual Health 2 (WISH2) programmes. In addition, we have recently match-funded an extra £3.75 million of Kuwaiti support to UNICEF, supplementing UK resources already allocated to combat the outbreak. We continue to urge the UN to scale up its response and ensure that aid reaches those most in need. |
Democratic Republic of Congo: Armed Conflict
Asked by: Tanmanjeet Singh Dhesi (Labour - Slough) Thursday 2nd October 2025 Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what steps he has taken with international partners to help end the (a) recruitment and (b) exploitation of children by armed groups operating in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Answered by Chris Elmore - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office) The UK is deeply concerned about the reported increase in human rights violations against children resulting from the conflict in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), including the recruitment and use of children by armed groups. We have been clear, including at the UN Human Rights Council on 16 June, that this practice is unacceptable, and we continue to call for all such children to be handed over to child protection actors. All parties to the conflict have an obligation under international law to protect children. We work with the UN and others to promote human rights in DRC, and our Ambassador in Kinshasa and Ministers regularly raise human rights issues with the DRC government. UK humanitarian programming in eastern DRC delivers life-saving emergency assistance, strengthens community resilience, especially for women and girls, and provides essential nutritional support to children. |
Sudan: Armed Conflict
Asked by: Tanmanjeet Singh Dhesi (Labour - Slough) Thursday 2nd October 2025 Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what steps his Department has taken with international partners to (a) end and (b) assist victims of sexual violence in conflict-affected areas of Sudan. Answered by Chris Elmore - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office) The UK is a major humanitarian donor to Sudan. We provided over £235 million last financial year, and a further £120 million this year. We support women and girls through the Sudan Free of Female Genital Mutilation 2 programme. This provides protection, prevention, and care services in response to rising gender-based and conflict-related sexual violence (CRSV). We also support the Women's Integrated Sexual Health programme and fund local responders via the Sudan Humanitarian Fund and the Mercy Corps-led Cash Consortium. This year, the UK PSVI Team is supporting the deployment of a specialist sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV) investigator to the UN Fact-Finding Mission (FFM) in Sudan, delivered through our implementing partner UN Women. This contribution supports the UK offer to the FFM and ensures expert input on SGBV to strengthen accountability for conflict-related sexual violence in Sudan. At the UN, the UK has led efforts to spotlight CRSV and other atrocities, including ten Security Council press statements and the renewal of the FFM's mandate. |
Nigeria: Humanitarian Situation
Asked by: Jim Shannon (Democratic Unionist Party - Strangford) Thursday 2nd October 2025 Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what assessment he has made of the humanitarian situation in Nigeria. Answered by Chris Elmore - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office) Humanitarian needs in Nigeria remain high, particularly in the northern states. The protracted humanitarian crisis in Nigeria's North East continues to displace people, disrupt livelihoods and hinder access to essential services. There are an estimated 7.8 million people in need of humanitarian assistance across the Borno, Adamawa and Yobe states. In Nigeria's North West escalating insecurity is worsening the humanitarian situation in the region. Malnutrition remains a significant humanitarian challenge in Nigeria, with four in ten Nigerian children stunted due to malnutrition. In response, the UK's Humanitarian and Resilience Programme (HARP), reaches approximately 1 million people with the most severe humanitarian needs. This includes providing critical assistance in the Lake Chad Basin, one of the world's largest humanitarian crises. |
Sudan: Armed Conflict
Asked by: Marsha De Cordova (Labour - Battersea) Thursday 2nd October 2025 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 identify potential UK links to the business interests of the (a) Rapid Support Forces and (b) Sudanese Armed Forces. Answered by Chris Elmore - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office) The UK maintains robust corporate transparency measures, and we monitor this on an ongoing basis. Since the outbreak of conflict in April 2023, the UK has frozen the assets of nine commercial entities linked to the parties involved in the conflict: five entities linked with the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), and four entities linked with the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF). These sanctions were designed to press the parties to engage in a sustained and meaningful peace process, allow humanitarian access and to commit to a permanent cessation of hostilities. We do not speculate on future designations as doing so would undermine their effectiveness. |
Africa: Development Aid
Asked by: James Naish (Labour - Rushcliffe) Thursday 2nd October 2025 Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what information his Department holds on the number of children expected to be impacted by the planned reductions to Official Development Assistance spending on health programmes in 2025-26 in (a) Democratic Republic of Congo, (b) Mozambique, (c) Zimbabwe and (d) Ethiopia. Answered by Chris Elmore - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office) To assess the impact of decisions on Official Development Assistance (ODA) allocations in 2025/26, the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) conducted an equality impact assessment (EIA). While this did not capture the requested information and the data cannot readily be obtained for the purposes of answering this question, the EIA we have published confirmed we have avoided disproportionate negative impacts on women and girls and people living with disabilities in our 2025/26 ODA allocations. |
Development Aid
Asked by: Aphra Brandreth (Conservative - Chester South and Eddisbury) Thursday 2nd October 2025 Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, how much and what proportion of the overseas aid budget is spent domestically. Answered by Chris Elmore - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office) I refer the Honourable Member to the figures here: https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/statistics-on-international-development-final-uk-oda-spend-2024. |
Development Aid: Climate Change
Asked by: Lee Anderson (Reform UK - Ashfield) Thursday 2nd October 2025 Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what proportion of funding from the international climate finance funding will be allocated to each recipient country. Answered by Stephen Doughty - Minister of State (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office) I refer the Hon Member to the answer I gave on 17 September to Question 71017. |
Development Aid: Climate Change
Asked by: Lee Anderson (Reform UK - Ashfield) Thursday 2nd October 2025 Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, which countries will receive funding from the £11.6 billion international climate finance funding. Answered by Stephen Doughty - Minister of State (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office) I refer the Hon Member to the answer I gave on 17 September to Question 71017. |
Gaza: Humanitarian Aid
Asked by: Rachael Maskell (Independent - York Central) Friday 3rd October 2025 Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether he has had discussions with his Israeli counterpart on allowing the UK to bring aid into Gaza with UN protection. Answered by Hamish Falconer - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office) The Israeli Government's refusal to allow sufficient aid into Gaza has caused a man-made humanitarian catastrophe, and the UK has been clear that the latest military operation in Gaza City will only worsen the humanitarian crisis and endanger the lives of the remaining hostages held by Hamas. We desperately need an immediate ceasefire to enable the delivery of aid at the speed and volume required to address the scale and urgency of the crisis. The Government has raised these issues consistently with our Israeli counterparts, including summoning the Israeli Ambassador in August to express our opposition to expanded military operations in Gaza, and pressing President Herzog on our humanitarian concerns and the need for an immediate ceasefire in his meetings with the Prime Minister and the Foreign Secretary on 10 September. The Foreign Secretary also raised these issues during a call with Foreign Minister Sa'ar on 17 September, and in her statement to the UN Security Council on 23 September. |
Gaza: Internally Displaced People
Asked by: Rachael Maskell (Independent - York Central) Friday 3rd October 2025 Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what discussions he has had with the Israeli Ambassador to the UK on Israel's plans to clear Gaza City. Answered by Hamish Falconer - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office) The Israeli Government's refusal to allow sufficient aid into Gaza has caused a man-made humanitarian catastrophe, and the UK has been clear that the latest military operation in Gaza City will only worsen the humanitarian crisis and endanger the lives of the remaining hostages held by Hamas. We desperately need an immediate ceasefire to enable the delivery of aid at the speed and volume required to address the scale and urgency of the crisis. The Government has raised these issues consistently with our Israeli counterparts, including summoning the Israeli Ambassador in August to express our opposition to expanded military operations in Gaza, and pressing President Herzog on our humanitarian concerns and the need for an immediate ceasefire in his meetings with the Prime Minister and the Foreign Secretary on 10 September. The Foreign Secretary also raised these issues during a call with Foreign Minister Sa'ar on 17 September, and in her statement to the UN Security Council on 23 September. |
Pakistan: Religious Freedom
Asked by: Bob Blackman (Conservative - Harrow East) Friday 3rd October 2025 Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what discussions she has had with her Pakistani counterpart on the use of blasphemy legislation to target religious minorities. Answered by Hamish Falconer - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office) The UK Government remains deeply concerned by the use of blasphemy laws to undermine human rights in Pakistan. We regularly raise this issue at the highest levels, pressing for due process to prevent wrongful convictions and ensure fair trials for those accused, and safety of those released. I (Minister Falconer) raised the rights of religious minorities and blasphemy laws when I met Pakistan's Minister of State for Interior Talal Chaudhry on 31 March 2025. Lord Khan of Burnley raised the misuse of blasphemy laws when he met Pakistan's Minister for Religious Affairs Sardar Muhammad Yousaf on 16 April 2025. The Foreign Secretary looks forward to establishing a relationship and holding wide-ranging discussions with her Pakistani counterpart Ishaq Dar already having met in New York. |
Gaza: Humanitarian Aid
Asked by: Iqbal Mohamed (Independent - Dewsbury and Batley) Friday 3rd October 2025 Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what steps she is taking to help protect British (a) vessels and (b) civilians when en route to provide humanitarian aid to Gaza. Answered by Hamish Falconer - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office) We remain in close contact with our Israeli counterparts over the status of vessels seeking to deliver humanitarian aid to Gaza, and as the Prime Minister said on 21 September, the UK continues to demand that the Israeli Government permits the full and unhindered resumption of aid into Gaza immediately. By far the most effective way to meet the desperate needs of the Gazan people at the speed and scale that is needed is via overland routes, and we reiterate that Israel must immediately allow the UN and other agencies to deliver lifesaving aid to those in Gaza who so desperately need it. |
Gaza: Children
Asked by: Helen Maguire (Liberal Democrat - Epsom and Ewell) Friday 3rd October 2025 Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what assessment her Department has made of the potential long-term impacts of the conflict in Gaza on children in Gaza's (a) health and (b) education. Answered by Hamish Falconer - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office) Israeli restrictions on aid have created a man-made humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza. Since 1 July, around 400 people have died from malnutrition, including at least 119 children. More than 132,000 children under the age of five are estimated to be at risk of dying from hunger by June of next year. Israel must urgently lift restrictions and facilitate a surge of aid into Gaza to prevent further hunger and malnutrition related deaths. On 21 July, the UK announced £60 million in humanitarian aid, with a further £15 million announced on 1 September, to support healthcare, food and water which includes vital funding to the The United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) and to treat patients at UK-Med field hospitals in Gaza. It is estimated that over 650,000 school-age children have lost two years of in person formal education. UNRWA is continuing to provide learning services in Gaza in Temporary Learning Spaces and through its distance learning initiative. To date, more than 59,000 children, have benefited from learning and recreational activities, established across 67 UNRWA schools-turned-shelters. |
Gaza: Journalism
Asked by: Gareth Thomas (Labour (Co-op) - Harrow West) Friday 3rd October 2025 Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what discussions she has had with international partners on greater protections for journalists in Gaza. Answered by Hamish Falconer - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office) The UK is appalled by the extremely high number of fatalities, arrests and detentions of media workers in the State of Palestine. We have called on all parties to fully uphold International Humanitarian Law and ensure protection of civilians including journalists. In a recent joint statement with 28 other members of the Media Freedom Coalition, we called on the Israeli authorities and all other parties to make every effort to ensure that media workers in Gaza, Israel, the West Bank and East Jerusalem can conduct their work freely and safely. The statement also called for all attacks against media workers to be investigated and for those responsible to be prosecuted in compliance with national and international law. Earlier this year the UK provided funds to United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization's (UNESCO) Special Fund for Gaza, supporting locally based journalists and providing vital equipment. |
Gaza: Health Services
Asked by: Luke Taylor (Liberal Democrat - Sutton and Cheam) Friday 3rd October 2025 Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what representations he has made to the Israeli government on the closure of the Polyclinic in Deir al‑Balah, Gaza. Answered by Hamish Falconer - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office) I refer the Hon Member to the statement made to the House by the former Foreign Secretary on 1 September, and the joint statement on the humanitarian crisis in Gaza made alongside 31 overseas partners on 12 August (https://www.gov.uk/government/news/joint-statement-on-the-humanitarian-situation-in-gaza). |
Jordan: Development Aid
Asked by: Aphra Brandreth (Conservative - Chester South and Eddisbury) Friday 3rd October 2025 Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether her Department has made an assessment of the potential impact of reductions to overseas aid on Jordan. Answered by Hamish Falconer - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office) Jordan is one of the UK's most trusted allies and important humanitarian partners in the region. The Minister for International Development made Jordan her first official visit overseas in her new role in March 2025, and discussed the future UK-Jordan official development assistance budget with her counterpart HE Zeina Toukan, Minister for Planning and International Cooperation during the inaugural UK-Jordan Development and Growth Dialogue in May. While reductions in the UK overseas aid budget for Jordan are consistent with the gradual reduction in the UK official development assistance (ODA) budget over the next few years, we will continue to support stability and self-sufficiency for Jordan and tackle drivers of migration through our development and broader work. |
Isaac Herzog
Asked by: Brendan O'Hara (Scottish National Party - Argyll, Bute and South Lochaber) Friday 3rd October 2025 Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether her Department has granted a Special Mission Immunity certificate to President Isaac Herzog of Israel in advance of his official visit in September 2025; and whether additional assurances of immunity have been provided beyond Head of State Immunity. Answered by Hamish Falconer - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office) The UK Government can confirm that President Isaac Herzog's visit to the UK was conducted under the protections afforded to Heads of State under international law. Special Mission Status was not requested for this visit. |
Members: Correspondence
Asked by: Seamus Logan (Scottish National Party - Aberdeenshire North and Moray East) Friday 3rd October 2025 Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, when she plans to respond to correspondence of 30 June 2025 and 22 August 2025 from the Hon Member for Aberdeenshire North and Moray East with the reference SL02820/dw on Palestine Action Group. Answered by Hamish Falconer - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office) I apologise for the delay in responding to the Hon. Member's correspondence. I issued a response to the Hon. Member on 12 September. |
Pakistan: Floods
Asked by: Nadia Whittome (Labour - Nottingham East) Friday 3rd October 2025 Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what steps his Department is taking to support (a) humanitarian relief, (b) long-term recovery and reconstruction, and (c) engagement with Pakistani diaspora communities in the UK following the recent flooding in Pakistan. Answered by Hamish Falconer - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office) The UK Government is supporting Pakistan in responding to the floods through the Building Resilience and Addressing Vulnerabilities to Emergencies (BRAVE) programme. So far, we have mobilised £2.85 million of support across 25 districts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Punjab, Sindh & Gilgit Baltistan and reached over 459,000 beneficiaries to support search and rescue and provide emergency medical care, food, water, hygiene, and household items. Ministers regularly engage with the Pakistani diaspora on all aspects of the UK relationship with Pakistan. The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) UK-Pakistan Advisory Council, made up of 12 UK based British Pakistani representatives, takes part in regular discussions with the FCDO on development issues in Pakistan, including climate. |
Western Sahara: Property Development
Asked by: Kim Johnson (Labour - Liverpool Riverside) Friday 3rd October 2025 Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, if she will have discussions with her Moroccan counterpart on (a) the coastal development projects that entail large-scale land acquisition, (b) the destruction of private property and (c) the displacement of Saharawi. Answered by Hamish Falconer - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office) The UK is committed to the promotion and protection of human rights worldwide, including in Morocco, and consistently urges all states to uphold international law and international human rights standards. In this context, the UK encourages Morocco to ensure that all projects are implemented in a way that respects the rights of local communities. Regarding activities by UK companies operating, or considering operating, overseas, the UK promotes responsible corporate behaviour. This includes respect for the human rights of the people involved in or affected by their operations. |
Members: Correspondence
Asked by: Martin Wrigley (Liberal Democrat - Newton Abbot) Friday 3rd October 2025 Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, when her Department plans to respond to the correspondence of 25 June 2025 from the hon. Member for Newton Abbot in the name of his constituent L. Clowes. Answered by Hamish Falconer - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office) I apologise for the delay in responding to the Hon. Member's correspondence. I issued a response to the Hon. Member on 9 September. |
Iraq: Minority Groups
Asked by: John Glen (Conservative - Salisbury) Friday 3rd October 2025 Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what recent discussions she has had with her international counterparts to ensure the protection of (a) Yazidis, (b) Christians and (c) other religious and ethnic minority groups in Iraq; and what steps she is taking to ensure aid reaches displaced communities in northern Iraq. Answered by Hamish Falconer - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office) The UK is committed to supporting displaced communities in northern Iraq. We fund quick impact projects and livelihood support activities through the International Organisation for Migration and, through our Building Peace and Stability in Iraq programme, fund the office of the UN Durable Solutions Adviser which leads the UN's strategic coordination efforts. The UK champions freedom of religion or belief (FoRB) for all. On 8 July, the Government publicly set out its approach to FoRB, providing a framework for UK engagement including for countries navigating the impact of conflict, both past and present, such as Iraq, including the Kurdistan region. In July 2025, the former Minister for Human Rights and the UK Special Envoy for FoRB met with Mir Hazem Tahsin Beg, the Prince of the Yazidis. We also raise threats to minority faith communities in regular engagements with the Government of Iraq, the Kurdistan Regional Government, and in multilateral fora. For example, at Iraq's Universal Periodic Review at the UN Human Rights Council in June, we recommended that Iraq upholds the right for minorities to freely practice their religion or belief, without fear of persecution. |
Pakistan: Ahmadiyya
Asked by: Sammy Wilson (Democratic Unionist Party - East Antrim) Friday 3rd October 2025 Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether he has had discussions with his Pakistani counterpart following the assassination of Dr Sheikh Mahmood in Sargodha, Punjab, in May; and what steps he is taking to help ensure the protection of the Ahmadiyya community in Pakistan. Answered by Hamish Falconer - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office) Promoting the rights of religious minorities is a core part of the UK's diplomatic engagement in Pakistan. On 31 March 2025, I discussed the deteriorating situation for Ahmadi Muslims with Pakistan's Minister of State for Interior Talal Chaudhry. On 5 June 2025, ahead of Eid al-Adha, I also raised the need to protect Ahmadis seeking to practise their faith with Pakistan's Human Rights Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar. Our High Commission in Islamabad has raised the tragic killing of Dr Sheikh Mahmood with Minister Tarar and Punjab's Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz, and continues to regularly engage on these issues. We will continue to urge the government of Pakistan to fully investigate incidents of violence, prosecute those responsible and provide justice to victims and their families. |
Western Sahara: Civil Liberties
Asked by: Kim Johnson (Labour - Liverpool Riverside) Friday 3rd October 2025 Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, if she will make representations to her Moroccan counterpart on the restrictions on Saharawis’ rights to freedom of (a) expression, (b) association and (c) peaceful assembly. Answered by Hamish Falconer - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office) The UK Government consistently urges all states to uphold international law, and we continue to encourage constructive engagement with the political process regarding Western Sahara. We have supported language in relevant UN Security Council Resolutions that encourages the parties to continue their efforts to enhance the promotion and protection of human rights in Western Sahara, including the freedoms of expression and association. The UK also shares a bilateral Human Rights Dialogue with Morocco, the third session of which is due to take place in London by the end of the year and will cover a range of topics. |
Gaza: Israel
Asked by: Rachael Maskell (Independent - York Central) Friday 3rd October 2025 Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what steps he is taking to provide safe zones around hospitals and recognised refugee camps in Gaza. Answered by Hamish Falconer - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office) The UK has been clear that hospitals and other essential civilian infrastructure must be protected under International Law. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), nearly all hospitals in Gaza have been partly damaged or destroyed. We have made both private and public representations calling for the protection of healthcare facilities and medical professionals. In his statement to the House of Commons on 1 September, the former Foreign Secretary reminded Israel that International Law requires the protection of healthcare workers, journalists and civilians. |
Palestinians: Recognition of States
Asked by: Rachael Maskell (Independent - York Central) Friday 3rd October 2025 Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what steps he is taking to secure a deal with the Palestinian Authorities which recognises a future Palestine without the presence of Hamas or other terrorist organisations. Answered by Hamish Falconer - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office) I refer the Hon Member to the announcements made by the Prime Minister and Foreign Secretary on 21 September, further details of which can be found here: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/uk-formally-recognises-palestinian-state. |
Israel: Palestinians
Asked by: Rachael Maskell (Independent - York Central) Friday 3rd October 2025 Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what discussions he is having with international partners on protecting Palestinians living in the Occupied Palestinian Territories and East Jerusalem. Answered by Hamish Falconer - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office) I refer the Hon Member to the announcements made by the Prime Minister and Foreign Secretary on 21 September, further details of which can be found here: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/uk-formally-recognises-palestinian-state. |
Gaza: Aid Workers
Asked by: Gareth Thomas (Labour (Co-op) - Harrow West) Friday 3rd October 2025 Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what discussions she has had with international partners on greater protections for humanitarian workers in Gaza. Answered by Hamish Falconer - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office) The UK has repeatedly made both public and private representations to Israel to ensure that humanitarian workers are protected and medical and aid workers can do their jobs safely. At the UN, the UK has worked to enhance the safety of aid workers by co-sponsoring United Nations Security Council Resolution (UNSCR) 2730 on the Protection of Humanitarian Personnel in 2024. Working with our Australian counterparts, we developed the political Declaration for the Protection of Humanitarian Personnel which launched at the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) on September 21 and secured endorsement from 105 states. We will continue our engagement to drive forward implementation. |
Palestinians: Humanitarian Aid
Asked by: Wendy Morton (Conservative - Aldridge-Brownhills) Friday 3rd October 2025 Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, with reference to the Memorandum of Understanding on Strategic Cooperation between the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and the Palestinian Government, published on 28 April 2025, what (a) safeguards and (b) conditionality measures his Department has put in place to ensure aid for education is used to support peace. Answered by Hamish Falconer - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office) 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. |
Occupied Territories: Christianity
Asked by: Rachael Maskell (Independent - York Central) Friday 3rd October 2025 Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what recent discussions he has had with his international counterparts on the protection of the Christian communities in (a) Gaza, (b) the Occupied Palestinian Territories and (c) East Jerusalem. Answered by Hamish Falconer - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office) UK officials continue to meet with Church leaders in Jerusalem, and we carefully monitor reports of activity impacting freedom of religion or belief in Gaza and the West Bank. In July, our Consul General to Jerusalem visited Taybeh in the West Bank with church leaders and international partners to express solidarity with the local community following attacks by settlers on their community. |
Hamas: Guided Weapons
Asked by: Gregory Campbell (Democratic Unionist Party - East Londonderry) Friday 3rd October 2025 Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, pursuant to the Answer of 3 September 2025 to Question 70326 on Hamas: Guided Weapons, if he will make representations to the UN on the need for an independent verifiable assessment of the number of missiles fired by Hamas into Israel on the dates in question, and which does not solely rely on data produced by Israel or Hamas. Answered by Hamish Falconer - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office) The missile attacks in question are completely unacceptable, their source and impact are clear, and they reinforce why Hamas can have no role in the future governance of Gaza. |
Israel: Foreign Relations
Asked by: Kate Osamor (Labour (Co-op) - Edmonton and Winchmore Hill) Friday 3rd October 2025 Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether he has made an assessment of the potential implications for his policies of the post by the Israeli Government’s Arabic-language X account, published on 25 August 2025. Answered by Hamish Falconer - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office) The UK Government remains steadfast in its commitment to promoting and protecting the right to freedom of religion or belief globally. We condemn all instances in which social media is used to incite violence, hatred, or discrimination, including on the basis of religion or belief. |
Israeli Settlements
Asked by: Chris Law (Scottish National Party - Dundee Central) Friday 3rd October 2025 Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what assessment she has made of the potential implications for her policies of the creation of Israeli settlements inside occupied East Jerusalem by Israeli settler organisation Ateret Cohanim. Answered by Hamish Falconer - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office) I refer the Honourable Member to the answer I gave on 3 September to Question 71442. |
Gaza: Humanitarian Aid
Asked by: Richard Burgon (Labour - Leeds East) Friday 3rd October 2025 Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what assessment she has made of the potential impact on (a) disabled and (b) older people in Gaza of (i) delays in, (ii) obstructions of and (iii) the suspension of the delivery of humanitarian aid; and what contingency plans her Department has to respond to such scenarios. Answered by Hamish Falconer - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office) Marginalised groups such as people with disabilities and the elderly are disproportionately impacted by long standing conflicts including the war in Gaza, and by humanitarian provision which only allows those able to carry aid over long distances to secure food. We continue to work, alongside regional partners, including Egypt and Jordan, to enable the UN and non-governmental organisations to ensure aid reaches all those in Gaza, and we continue to urge the Israeli authorities to allow the unrestricted flow of humanitarian aid to alleviate the suffering of older people, and others. |
Gaza: Humanitarian Aid
Asked by: Richard Burgon (Labour - Leeds East) Friday 3rd October 2025 Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what discussions she has had with her Israeli counterpart on the provision of (a) unimpeded and (b) sustained access for humanitarian agencies delivering aid to (i) older people and (ii) others at heightened risk in Gaza. Answered by Hamish Falconer - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office) Marginalised groups such as people with disabilities and the elderly are disproportionately impacted by long standing conflicts including the war in Gaza, and by humanitarian provision which only allows those able to carry aid over long distances to secure food. We continue to work, alongside regional partners, including Egypt and Jordan, to enable the UN and non-governmental organisations to ensure aid reaches all those in Gaza, and we continue to urge the Israeli authorities to allow the unrestricted flow of humanitarian aid to alleviate the suffering of older people, and others. |
Gaza: Humanitarian Aid
Asked by: Richard Burgon (Labour - Leeds East) Friday 3rd October 2025 Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what recent discussions she has had with international humanitarian organisations on the delivery of humanitarian aid to (a) older women with caring responsibilities and (b) older people generally in Gaza. Answered by Hamish Falconer - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office) Marginalised groups such as people with disabilities and the elderly are disproportionately impacted by long standing conflicts including the war in Gaza, and by humanitarian provision which only allows those able to carry aid over long distances to secure food. We continue to work, alongside regional partners, including Egypt and Jordan, to enable the UN and non-governmental organisations to ensure aid reaches all those in Gaza, and we continue to urge the Israeli authorities to allow the unrestricted flow of humanitarian aid to alleviate the suffering of older people, and others. |
International Law: Petitions
Asked by: Bell Ribeiro-Addy (Labour - Clapham and Brixton Hill) Friday 3rd October 2025 Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, with reference to the petition on international law violations by the UK in Palestine between 1917 and 1948 submitted to the Government, dated September 2025, if she will meet the (a) petitioners and (b) legal advisers. Answered by Hamish Falconer - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office) The Government will respond to this petition in the normal way in due course. |
International Law: Petitions
Asked by: Bell Ribeiro-Addy (Labour - Clapham and Brixton Hill) Friday 3rd October 2025 Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, when the Government will respond to a petition on international law violations by the UK in Palestine between 1917 and 1948. Answered by Hamish Falconer - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office) The Government will respond to this petition in the normal way in due course. |
Gaza: Humanitarian Situation
Asked by: Richard Burgon (Labour - Leeds East) Friday 3rd October 2025 Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what discussions she has had with her Israeli counterpart on the potential impact of the conflict in Gaza on older people's (a) mobility, (b) access to healthcare and (c) access to age-appropriate humanitarian assistance. Answered by Hamish Falconer - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office) Marginalised groups such as people with disabilities and the elderly are disproportionately impacted by long standing conflicts including the war in Gaza, and by humanitarian provision which only allows those able to carry aid over long distances to secure food. We continue to work, alongside regional partners, including Egypt and Jordan, to enable the UN and non-governmental organisations to ensure aid reaches all those in Gaza, and we continue to urge the Israeli authorities to allow the unrestricted flow of humanitarian aid to alleviate the suffering of older people, and others. |
Gaza: Humanitarian Aid
Asked by: Iqbal Mohamed (Independent - Dewsbury and Batley) Friday 3rd October 2025 Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether she has had recent discussions with the (a) United Nations and (b) International Maritime Organisation on the access of the Global Sumed Flotilla into Gaza. Answered by Hamish Falconer - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office) We remain in close contact with our Israeli counterparts over the status of vessels seeking to deliver humanitarian aid to Gaza, and as the Prime Minister said on 21 September, the UK continues to demand that the Israeli Government permits the full and unhindered resumption of aid into Gaza immediately. By far the most effective way to meet the desperate needs of the Gazan people at the speed and scale that is needed is via overland routes, and we reiterate that Israel must immediately allow the UN and other agencies to deliver lifesaving aid to those in Gaza who so desperately need it. |
Gaza: Humanitarian Aid
Asked by: Martin Wrigley (Liberal Democrat - Newton Abbot) Friday 3rd October 2025 Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, pursuant to the Answer of 30 June to Question 59824 on Gaza: Humanitarian Aid, whether his Department has had discussions with the International Maritime Organisation on the reported drone attack on the vessel Conscience. Answered by Hamish Falconer - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office) No. |
Money Laundering: International Cooperation
Asked by: Callum Anderson (Labour - Buckingham and Bletchley) Tuesday 7th October 2025 Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what role UK diplomatic posts in the Gulf region will play in monitoring and supporting implementation of the enhanced partnership with the United Arab Emirates on illicit finance. Answered by Hamish Falconer - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office) The UK-UAE Partnership to Tackle Illicit Financial Flows, chaired by the Home Office, is a cross-governmental effort to strengthen operational cooperation and disrupt financial crime. A senior UAE delegation visited the UK on 2 and 3 September to advance this work. The Financial Action Task Force (FATF) sets and evaluates countries against global standards, which is a separate and technical process. Our bilateral engagement complements implementation of the FATF standards and supports international financial integrity. |
Money Laundering: International Cooperation
Asked by: Callum Anderson (Labour - Buckingham and Bletchley) Tuesday 7th October 2025 Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what assessment her Department has made of how the UK-UAE partnership on illicit finance will interact with multilateral initiatives such as the Financial Action Task Force. Answered by Hamish Falconer - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office) The UK-UAE Partnership to Tackle Illicit Financial Flows, chaired by the Home Office, is a cross-governmental effort to strengthen operational cooperation and disrupt financial crime. A senior UAE delegation visited the UK on 2 and 3 September to advance this work. The Financial Action Task Force (FATF) sets and evaluates countries against global standards, which is a separate and technical process. Our bilateral engagement complements implementation of the FATF standards and supports international financial integrity. |
Sudan: Peace Negotiations
Asked by: Rachael Maskell (Independent - York Central) Tuesday 7th October 2025 Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what steps he has taken to convene the talks to end the war in Sudan since the London Sudan Conference. Answered by Chris Elmore - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office) The Foreign Secretary's speech at the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) confirmed that the UK will continue to use its leadership at the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) to advocate for increased international efforts on Sudan, including pushing the warring parties to implement the humanitarian pause, the wider ceasefire and the political transition that the Sudanese people need. |
Sudan: Armed Conflict
Asked by: Rachael Maskell (Independent - York Central) Tuesday 7th October 2025 Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what discussions he has had with the external actors to the war in Sudan. Answered by Chris Elmore - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office) The Foreign Secretary's speech at the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) confirmed that the UK will continue to use its leadership at the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) to advocate for increased international efforts on Sudan, including pushing the warring parties to implement the humanitarian pause, the wider ceasefire and the political transition that the Sudanese people need. |
Sudan: Ceasefires
Asked by: Rachael Maskell (Independent - York Central) Tuesday 7th October 2025 Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what steps he plans to take at the UN General Assembly to support a ceasefire in Sudan. Answered by Chris Elmore - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office) The Foreign Secretary's speech at the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) confirmed that the UK will continue to use its leadership at the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) to advocate for increased international efforts on Sudan, including pushing the warring parties to implement the humanitarian pause, the wider ceasefire and the political transition that the Sudanese people need. |
Gaza: Genocide Convention
Asked by: Baroness Primarolo (Labour - Life peer) Tuesday 7th October 2025 Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office: To ask His Majesty's Government, further to the remarks by Baroness Chapman of Darlington on 18 September (HL Deb col 2400), whether they will approach the relevant international court to seek a determination as to whether Israel has committed genocide in Gaza. Answered by Baroness Chapman of Darlington - Minister of State (Development) As I told the House of Lords on 18 September, the International Court of Justice is currently considering a case brought under the Genocide Convention in respect of Israel's conduct in Gaza. This case is currently ongoing, and the UK fully respects the independence of the International Court of Justice (ICJ). In the meantime, as I also made clear, our approach to genocide determination does not prevent us from taking action on the situation in the State of Palestine. We have been clear that we strongly oppose the expansion of Israel's operations in Gaza, that Israel must do much more to protect civilians, that Palestinian territory must not be reduced nor subjected to any demographic change and that Israel must immediately lift its restrictions on aid. |
Gaza: Humanitarian Situation
Asked by: Baroness Sheehan (Liberal Democrat - Life peer) Tuesday 7th October 2025 Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office: To ask His Majesty's Government how international organisations of which the UK is a member are documenting and responding to allegations of attacks on civilian infrastructure in Gaza, such as schools and hospitals. Answered by Baroness Chapman of Darlington - Minister of State (Development) We are aware of a number of international organisations who are documenting and responding to allegations of violations during the conflict in Gaza, including agencies of the UN system. We consider all such reports seriously. We are clear that all parties to the conflict must comply with their obligations under International Humanitarian Law, including to protect civilians and civilian infrastructure. |
Refugees
Asked by: Lord Empey (Ulster Unionist Party - Life peer) Tuesday 7th October 2025 Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office: To ask His Majesty's Government whether they have had, or are currently holding, discussions with allies about reviewing the terms of the 1951 Refugee Convention and the European Convention on Human Rights. Answered by Baroness Chapman of Darlington - Minister of State (Development) The Government keeps all aspects of the asylum and immigration system under review, and set out its plans for reform of that system in the Immigration White paper, published in May 2025. |
Palestine: Prisoners
Asked by: Baroness Deech (Crossbench - Life peer) Tuesday 7th October 2025 Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office: To ask His Majesty's Government whether they have made a recent assessment of reports that the Palestinian Authority is making monthly payments to Hamas fighters imprisoned in Israel. Answered by Baroness Chapman of Darlington - Minister of State (Development) I refer my Hon Friend to the answer I gave on 26 September to Question HL10094. |
Secondary Legislation |
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Iran (Sanctions) (Nuclear) (EU Exit) (Amendment) Regulations 2025 These Regulations amend the Iran (Sanctions) (Nuclear) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019 (“the 2019 Regulations”) to reflect the United Nations (“UN”) obligations imposed in relation to Iran by virtue of paragraph 12 of UN Security Council Resolution 2231 (2015). Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office Parliamentary Status - Text of Legislation - Made negative Laid: Tuesday 30th September - In Force: 1 Oct 2025 |
Petitions |
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Stop all overseas spending including foreign aid Petition Open - 460 SignaturesSign this petition 30 Mar 2026 closes in 5 months The UK has a massive debt and we believe it is in decline, with a very high tax burden on its citizens. We think it is the duty of the UK government to put its citizens and the UK first and it is irresponsible to spend taxpayer's money on any overseas project. |
Suspend flights between UK & Israel until progress made on a two-state solution Petition Open - 65 SignaturesSign this petition 30 Mar 2026 closes in 5 months We want the government to suspend all commercial flights between the UK and Israel until such time as the Israeli Government enter into meaningful negotiations concerning a two state solution. |
Leave the United Nations Petition Open - 71 SignaturesSign this petition 8 Apr 2026 closes in 5 months, 2 weeks I believe that government should withdraw the UK from the United Nations, it doesn't work as a peacekeeping force and the only way to inspire it to change is for a key nation to leave and we should pioneer the change. |
Introduce UK-led humanitarian aid sea corridor for navy-escorted aid to Gaza Petition Open - 141 SignaturesSign this petition 2 Apr 2026 closes in 5 months, 1 week We call on the UK Government to lead a Navy-escorted humanitarian sea corridor to deliver food and aid directly to Gaza, where famine is confirmed by the IPC. Britain should act with an international coalition, as we believe history will remember inaction that caused preventable deaths. |
Ban UK companies shipping and insuring all Russian Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) Petition Open - 152 SignaturesSign this petition 1 Apr 2026 closes in 5 months, 1 week Russia is helping finance its illegal invasion of Ukraine by oil and gas exports, including LNG. The UK sanctions all imports of Russian oil and gas. It also sanctions the shipping and insurance of Russian oil sold above a cap. It must now sanction the shipping and insurance of all Russian LNG. |
Department Publications - Statistics |
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Monday 6th October 2025
Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office Source Page: UK humanitarian aid and spend in Syria factsheet 2024 to 2025 Document: UK humanitarian aid and spend in Syria factsheet 2024 to 2025 (webpage) |
Tuesday 30th September 2025
Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office Source Page: Women and agribusiness in Mauritania Document: Women and agribusiness in Mauritania (webpage) |
Tuesday 30th September 2025
Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office Source Page: Women and agribusiness in Mauritania Document: (webpage) |
Select Committee Documents |
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Monday 29th September 2025
Formal Minutes - Formal Minutes 2024-26 Environmental Audit Committee Found: ESH0099] Governing the marine environment Correspondence from the Minister for the Indo-Pacific, FCDO |
Parliamentary Research |
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The UK Sanctions Framework - CBP-10346
Oct. 02 2025 Found: Generally, the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) designs and implements sanctions |
Department Publications - Statistics |
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Monday 6th October 2025
Department for Energy Security & Net Zero Source Page: Clean Energy Superpower Mission areas of research interest Document: (PDF) Found: Government (MHCLG) Housing, local delivery and planning Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO |
Non-Departmental Publications - News and Communications |
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Oct. 02 2025
Advisory Committee on Business Appointments Source Page: Johnston, Paul - British Ambassador to Ireland, Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office - ACOBA advice Document: (PDF) News and Communications Found: The FCDO has no departmental relationship with the Irish 1 This application for advice was considered |
Non-Departmental Publications - Transparency |
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Oct. 01 2025
Marshall Aid Commemoration Commission Source Page: Marshall Aid Commemoration Commission: 71st annual report, year ending September 2024 Document: (PDF) Transparency Found: followed by the annual joint farewell reception for all Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO |
Oct. 01 2025
Marshall Aid Commemoration Commission Source Page: Marshall Aid Commemoration Commission: 71st annual report, year ending September 2024 Document: Marshall Aid Commemoration Commission: 71st annual report, year ending September 2024 (webpage) Transparency Found: These are funded by the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office and administered in the UK by the |
Oct. 01 2025
Marshall Aid Commemoration Commission Source Page: Marshall Aid Commemoration Commission: 71st annual report, year ending September 2024 Document: (PDF) Transparency Found: In particular, we welcomed its commitment to increasing the Grant-in-Aid funding provided by the FCDO |
Oct. 01 2025
Marshall Aid Commemoration Commission Source Page: Marshall Aid Commemoration Commission accounts 2024 to 2025 Document: (PDF) Transparency Found: outlining its strategic objectives and annual priorities, which are reviewed by the Commission and FCDO |
Oct. 01 2025
Marshall Aid Commemoration Commission Source Page: Marshall Aid Commemoration Commission accounts 2024 to 2025 Document: Marshall Aid Commemoration Commission accounts 2024 to 2025 (webpage) Transparency Found: These are funded by the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office and administered in the UK by the |
Sep. 30 2025
FCDO Services Source Page: FOI release: Potential call-off contracts awarded by the FCDO Document: (webpage) Transparency Found: FOI release: Potential call-off contracts awarded by the FCDO |
Sep. 30 2025
FCDO Services Source Page: FOI release: Potential call-off contracts awarded by the FCDO Document: FOI release: Potential call-off contracts awarded by the FCDO (webpage) Transparency Found: FOI release: Potential call-off contracts awarded by the FCDO |
Sep. 30 2025
FCDO Services Source Page: FOI release: Potential call-off contracts awarded by the FCDO Document: View online (webpage) Transparency Found: FOI release: Potential call-off contracts awarded by the FCDO |
Sep. 29 2025
FCDO Services Source Page: FCDO Services spend over £25,000, August 2025 Document: (webpage) Transparency Found: FCDO Services spend over £25,000, August 2025 |
Sep. 29 2025
FCDO Services Source Page: FCDO Services spend over £25,000, August 2025 Document: FCDO Services spend over £25,000, August 2025 (webpage) Transparency Found: FCDO Services spend over £25,000, August 2025 |
Sep. 29 2025
FCDO Services Source Page: FCDO Services spend over £25,000, August 2025 Document: View online (webpage) Transparency Found: FCDO Services spend over £25,000, August 2025 |
Sep. 29 2025
FCDO Services Source Page: FCDO Services spending over £500, August 2025 Document: (webpage) Transparency Found: FCDO Services spending over £500, August 2025 |
Sep. 29 2025
FCDO Services Source Page: FCDO Services spending over £500, August 2025 Document: FCDO Services spending over £500, August 2025 (webpage) Transparency Found: FCDO Services spending over £500, August 2025 |
Sep. 29 2025
FCDO Services Source Page: FCDO Services spending over £500, August 2025 Document: View online (webpage) Transparency Found: FCDO Services spending over £500, August 2025 |
Non-Departmental Publications - Guidance and Regulation |
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Sep. 30 2025
UK Space Agency Source Page: Unlocking Space - GovBridge resources Document: (PDF) Guidance and Regulation Found: Technology • Space operations, and security thereof involves a number of government players; MoD, FCDO |