Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government what steps they will take to support a just energy transition for Africa, particularly for vulnerable communities with limited access to electricity.

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

The UK is strongly committed to promoting access to clean energy in Africa. Investments by British International Investment (BII) currently provide clean energy access to over 26 million people. Our £11.6 billion UK international climate finance also supports clean energy access, along with multilateral initiatives like Mission 300, aiming to connect 300 million people in Africa by 2030. The UK remains a key contributor to the International Development Association (IDA) and the African Development Fund (ADF) concessional windows at the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund (IMF) which will fund much of Mission 300.

Flagship bilateral programmes such as the Transforming Energy Access (TEA) platform and the Modern Energy Cooking Services (MECS) programme also make a contribution. These initiatives received significant funding boosts at COP28 and COP29 to accelerate the adoption of clean energy solutions. We will continue to collaborate with African governments and international partners to deploy innovative technologies and business models, ensuring affordable, clean, and modern energy access in Africa.

Question to the Department for Science, Innovation & Technology:

To ask His Majesty's Government when they will announce a new funding round for the Energy Catalyst programme.

Answered by Lord Vallance of Balham - Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)

DSIT’s departmental-level ODA allocation was confirmed by the Chancellor in June’s Spring Statement. The full detail of DSIT's spending plans from 2026 April are still being considered. We are unable to confirm whether a new funding round will be announced for the Energy Catalyst Programme. We expect to be in a position to provide further information on what activities DSIT’s ODA will support later on this year.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask His Majesty's Government whether they have had discussions with the chair, trustees and chief executive of the Samaritans regarding the implications of their decision to close at least half of their branches in the UK.

Answered by Baroness Merron - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)

We have made no such assessment. The decision to close some of their branches is a matter for Samaritans.

We engage with Samaritans and other voluntary, community, and social enterprise organisations closely and will continue to work with them in their important role in supporting suicide prevention efforts.

Department officials met recently with the Samaritans CEO, who set out this change programme and their plans.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the impact of the proposed closure of at least half of the Samaritans branches on efforts to reduce suicide rates in the UK.

Answered by Baroness Merron - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)

We have made no such assessment. The decision to close some of their branches is a matter for Samaritans.

We engage with Samaritans and other voluntary, community, and social enterprise organisations closely and will continue to work with them in their important role in supporting suicide prevention efforts.

Department officials met recently with the Samaritans CEO, who set out this change programme and their plans.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government whether they have held discussions with the government of Zimbabwe about the security situation in that country following the bomb attack on the home of the opposition politician Job Sikhala.

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

The UK is concerned about the alleged use of explosives to target the home of Zimbabwean opposition politician Job Sikhala on 30 August and is closely monitoring the ongoing police investigation. UK officials have spoken to Mr Sikhala following the incident. The UK is committed to maintaining a constructive dialogue with Zimbabwe; UK ministers and officials regularly engage with the Zimbabwean authorities on a wide range of issues, including the security situation.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government whether they plan to review their relationship with the government of Zimbabwe in the light of the bomb attack on the home of the opposition politician Job Sikhala.

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

The UK is concerned about the alleged use of explosives to target the home of Zimbabwean opposition politician Job Sikhala on 30 August and is closely monitoring the ongoing police investigation. UK officials have spoken to Mr Sikhala following the incident. The UK is committed to maintaining a constructive dialogue with Zimbabwe; UK ministers and officials regularly engage with the Zimbabwean authorities on a wide range of issues, including the security situation.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of whether Zimbabwe state agents were involved in the bomb attack on the home of the opposition politician Job Sikhala.

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

The UK is concerned about the alleged use of explosives to target the home of Zimbabwean opposition politician Job Sikhala on 30 August and is closely monitoring the ongoing police investigation. UK officials have spoken to Mr Sikhala following the incident. The UK is committed to maintaining a constructive dialogue with Zimbabwe; UK ministers and officials regularly engage with the Zimbabwean authorities on a wide range of issues, including the security situation.

Found: Clause 42 BARONESS LUDFORD LORD OATES 142_ Clause 42, page 36, line 27, leave out paragraph (a) and