Asked by: Adam Jogee (Labour - Newcastle-under-Lyme)
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 Cabinet colleagues on the 2025 Commonwealth Health Ministers Meeting.
Answered by Stephen Doughty - Minister of State (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office has worked closely with the Department for Health and Social Care in the run up to the 2025 Commonwealth Health Ministers Meeting, attended by the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Public Health and Prevention, on 17 May. This meeting was an opportunity for the UK and our Commonwealth partners to exchange views and strengthen cooperation on shared health challenges. Commonwealth Health Ministers adopted an Outcome Statement outlining commitments to build equitable, resilient and sustainably financed health systems that prioritise vulnerable member countries. The statement focused on a number UK health priorities including cancer, digital health, mental health and antimicrobial resistance.
Asked by: Bell Ribeiro-Addy (Labour - Clapham and Brixton Hill)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what diplomatic steps he is taking with Arctic nations to (a) monitor and (b) help tackle potential (i) security and (ii) environmental challenges from Arctic warming.
Answered by Stephen Doughty - Minister of State (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
On his recent visit to Norway and Iceland, the Foreign Secretary saw first-hand how the Arctic has a direct bearing on the security and resilience of the UK. We are working with allies to better monitor and tackle growing threats in the Arctic including by enhancing patrols and studying the impacts of climate change. The Foreign Secretary announced new funding to use cutting edge AI technology to monitor hostile activity, and to support UK scientific collaboration in the region, while underlining the UK's commitment to the Arctic Council as the leading intergovernmental forum for Arctic cooperation.
I set out the UK's approach to the Arctic during my visit and speech to the Arctic Circle Assembly on 18 October 2024 and have established a new cross-Whitehall Polar Ministerial Group to support the development and implementation of a robust and coordinated UK policy in the Polar Regions, particularly concerning the Arctic.
Asked by: Bell Ribeiro-Addy (Labour - Clapham and Brixton Hill)
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 potential impact of warming in the Arctic on (a) UK national security interests and (b) geopolitical activity in the region.
Answered by Stephen Doughty - Minister of State (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
As it warms, the Arctic is becoming increasingly contested, increasing the threats to UK national security. We collaborate closely with likeminded partners to better understand the impact of climate change in the Arctic, and the Foreign Secretary announced new funding to support UK polar scientific collaboration on his recent visit to the region. The melting ice is attracting growing global interest in the Arctic's economic resources, with implications for the UK's security. The Strategic Defence Review recognises the need to step up its efforts to respond to this in order to defend our national values and interests at home and overseas.
I set out the UK's approach in my visit and speech to the Arctic Circle Assembly on 18 October 2024 and have established a new cross-Whitehall Polar Ministerial Group.
Asked by: Adam Jogee (Labour - Newcastle-under-Lyme)
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 impact of the contributions made by (a) Togo and (b) Gabon on the work of the Commonwealth since their admittance as full members.
Answered by Hamish Falconer - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
The UK values the contribution of all Commonwealth members. Working together we can maximise the impact of the Commonwealth for the benefit of all members.
Togo attended its first Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in Samoa in 2024, represented by Prime Minister Dogbé. The Commonwealth is currently working with Togo to develop a roadmap for technical assistance to support its national priorities. In July 2024, former Commonwealth Secretary-General visited Togo and met with President Gnassingbé.
Gabon is currently partially suspended from the Commonwealth and is therefore unable to fully participate. However, in November 2024, Gabon permitted a Commonwealth Expert Team to observe their constitutional reform referendum and discuss technical support. In April 2025, they also welcomed a Commonwealth Observer Group to monitor their presidential elections. The Group assessed the elections as largely transparent, peaceful and conducted in accordance with the Gabon's legislative framework.
Asked by: Adam Jogee (Labour - Newcastle-under-Lyme)
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) political and (b) security situation in South Korea.
Answered by Catherine West - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
I look forward to the opportunity of working with the newly elected Korean administration to develop our UK-ROK relationship even further. I hope to work together with the new government to build on the strong foundations of the Downing Street Accord and our global strategic partnership across all our shared interests.
Asked by: Matt Vickers (Conservative - Stockton West)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what steps he is taking with his international counterparts to help negotiate a ceasefire in Sudan.
Answered by Hamish Falconer - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
We are engaging with a range of international partners on Sudan including through our role as penholder on Sudan at the UN Security Council. On 15 April, the Foreign Secretary gathered Foreign Ministers and high-level representatives from 21 countries and multilateral bodies at the London Sudan Conference. Discussions focussed on how to make progress on shared goals of ending the conflict, protecting civilians and scaling-up the delivery of humanitarian aid. Participants agreed on the need for an immediate and permanent ceasefire and committed to proactively support efforts to find a peaceful solution. The UK continues to work alongside the international community in the follow-up to the London Sudan Conference to encourage the warring parties to return to the negotiating table and commit to a meaningful, sustainable ceasefire in Sudan.
Asked by: Matt Vickers (Conservative - Stockton West)
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 Chinese counterpart on the proposed new Chinese Embassy.
Answered by Catherine West - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
The Foreign Secretary has met his Chinese counterpart, Wang Yi, on a number of occasions. They have discussed the breadth of priority foreign policy and bilateral issues.
Asked by: Adam Jogee (Labour - Newcastle-under-Lyme)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what recent discussions he has with his Turkish counterpart on increasing humanitarian aid in Gaza.
Answered by Stephen Doughty - Minister of State (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
I refer you to the Foreign Secretary's statement of 20 May on Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territories. The UK remains committed to working with regional partners to address the urgent humanitarian needs in Gaza and to support efforts to increase the flow of aid. The Foreign Secretary regularly speaks to his Turkish counterpart on a range of issues, including humanitarian aid to Gaza. It is the long-standing practice of successive governments not to comment on private diplomatic meetings.
Asked by: Andrew Rosindell (Conservative - Romford)
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 provide (a) financial and (b) technical support to enable the British Overseas Territory of Saint Helena to deliver (i) financial and (ii) banking services to non-residents.
Answered by Stephen Doughty - Minister of State (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) continues to work closely with the Government of St Helena to strengthen its financial sector and banking services, which have been identified as potential growth sectors.
The FCDO provides financial assistance to St Helena through annual financial aid, which supports essential public services and economic development initiatives. This includes funding to help modernise the island's financial infrastructure.
The FCDO has facilitated access to technical expertise across the UK Government to help St Helena improve its financial regulatory framework. This includes support for compliance with international standards and enhancements to the island's banking services.
The FCDO will continue to engage with the Government of St Helena to explore further opportunities for support. The St Helena Financial Services Regulatory Authority is actively involved to ensure robust oversight.
Asked by: Will Forster (Liberal Democrat - Woking)
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 protect British citizens abroad from (a) cybercrime and (b) digital asset theft.
Answered by Stephen Doughty - Minister of State (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) provides country specific travel advice and consular assistance to British nationals abroad. The FCDO also works in partnership with the National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) and other agencies to raise public awareness through guidance and advice on global threats to help individuals, the public sector, and the Government to stay secure online. This guidance is applicable worldwide and addresses a range of cyber risks. If British nationals overseas are affected by cybercrime while overseas, they should contact the local police and, if necessary, seek consular support in line with our published services on gov.uk.