Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the initial public offering market over the past five years in the UK.

Answered by Lord Livermore - Financial Secretary (HM Treasury)

The government has delivered an ambitious programme of reforms that build on the UK market’s strong foundations. Recent changes, including overhauling the Prospectus and Listing regimes, have made it easier for firms to list and raise capital on UK markets.

And at the Budget in November 2025, the Chancellor went further by introducing a three-year UK Listing Relief, supporting firms to achieve higher valuations at IPO and improving their long-term growth prospects.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government what their latest assessment is of the political situation in Cote d'Ivoire.

Answered by Baroness Chapman of Darlington - Minister of State (Development)

The UK welcomes the largely peaceful conduct of Côte d'Ivoire's recent presidential and legislative elections, and the appointment of a new government. We will continue to strengthen our trade and investment partnership, supporting jobs and growth in both our countries, and work with Côte d'Ivoire in addressing regional insecurity.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government what their latest assessment is of the political situation in the Tigray region of Ethiopia.

Answered by Baroness Chapman of Darlington - Minister of State (Development)

The Government remains deeply concerned about the evolving situation in the Tigray region of Ethiopia. We speak to all parties on a regular basis, and we continue to support efforts to implement the African Union-led Cessation of Hostilities Agreement, including through funding for monitoring and compliance mechanisms, and the safe, voluntary and dignified returns of Internally Displaced Peoples.

However, implementation of that agreement remains slow, and preparations for the national elections scheduled for 1 June have been hampered by disagreements over security assessments and the registration status of the Tigray People's Liberation Front. In the last week of January, clashes between Tigrayan Forces and the Ethiopian National Defence Forces occurred in the disputed areas of Western and Southern Tigray. While these appear to have subsided, they contribute to a highly fragile and unpredictable security environment.

The Foreign Secretary raised these issues with the Government of Ethiopia during her recent visit to Addis Ababa.

Question to the Home Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government how many countries have visa-free travel to the UK; and whether visa-free travel to those countries is reciprocated for British passports holders.

Answered by Lord Hanson of Flint - Minister of State (Home Office)

The UK visa system, including the Visa National List, is kept under regular review to ensure to works in the UK national interest. Decisions on which countries are ’non-visa national’ and are not required to apply for a visit visa and can instead apply for an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA), are taken on the basis of a range of factors. These vary globally, but often include security, compliance, returns arrangements and prosperity.

The countries and territories whose nationals are eligible to apply for an ETA prior to travelling to the UK are listed at Appendix ETA National List in the Immigration Rules. Currently, there are 85 locations where nationals can travel to the UK with an ETA rather than a visitor visa. Irish nationals do not require a visitor visa or an ETA to enter the UK. Visitors can usually stay in the UK for up to six months.

Any decision on whether a foreign country requires British passport holders to apply for a visa prior to travel is a sovereign matter for the country concerned. The UK no longer enters into reciprocal agreements with international partners concerning the requirement to obtain a visitor visa or ETA before travel.

Question to the Home Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government what action they are taking to increase the number of countries that offer visa-free travel for British passport holders.

Answered by Lord Hanson of Flint - Minister of State (Home Office)

The UK visa system, including the Visa National List, is kept under regular review to ensure to works in the UK national interest. Decisions on which countries are ’non-visa national’ and are not required to apply for a visit visa and can instead apply for an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA), are taken on the basis of a range of factors. These vary globally, but often include security, compliance, returns arrangements and prosperity.

The countries and territories whose nationals are eligible to apply for an ETA prior to travelling to the UK are listed at Appendix ETA National List in the Immigration Rules. Currently, there are 85 locations where nationals can travel to the UK with an ETA rather than a visitor visa. Irish nationals do not require a visitor visa or an ETA to enter the UK. Visitors can usually stay in the UK for up to six months.

Any decision on whether a foreign country requires British passport holders to apply for a visa prior to travel is a sovereign matter for the country concerned. The UK no longer enters into reciprocal agreements with international partners concerning the requirement to obtain a visitor visa or ETA before travel.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government what discussions they are having with the African Union before their 39th Summit in February.

Answered by Baroness Chapman of Darlington - Minister of State (Development)

Ministers and officials are in regular discussion with the African Union (AU), and with individual member states about a range of shared priorities, including the AU Summit.

Baroness Chapman, the Minister for Development and Africa, attended this year's Summit, and addressed African Heads of State and Government at an event about Africa's Health Security. She is one of only two European Ministers attending the summit and is the first UK Minister to be invited in a decade, a signal of the strength of our relationship.

Found: of Altrincham (Conservative; Life peer) Lord Carter of Haslemere (Crossbench; Life peer) Baroness Kennedy of Cradley

Found: of Altrincham (Conservative; Life peer) Lord Carter of Haslemere (Crossbench; Life peer) Baroness Kennedy of Cradley

Found: of Altrincham (Conservative; Life peer) Lord Carter of Haslemere (Crossbench; Life peer) Baroness Kennedy of Cradley