Asked by: David Mundell (Conservative - Dumfriesshire, Clydesdale and Tweeddale)
Question to the Department for Science, Innovation & Technology:
To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, how much funding the Government has provided for nutrition research in each of the last five years.
Answered by Feryal Clark
Ministers and official meet regularly with UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) on a range of issues. UKRI funds a broad range of high-quality research relating to nutrition, spanning different research councils.
During the last 5 years UKRI has spent £251 million on nutrition research, with £65 million spent during the most recent financial year for which full data is available (2023-24).
In addition to this, the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) funds research, including on nutrition, through the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR).
NIHR spent £11.8 million on nutrition research in the last year and £23.3 million in the last 5 years across a broad spectrum of areas related to nutrition to inform Government policy to improve patient care and help people stay well for longer.
Asked by: David Mundell (Conservative - Dumfriesshire, Clydesdale and Tweeddale)
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 implications for his sub-Saharan Africa aid policies of the US State Department's decision to halt nearly all foreign assistance funding; and whether the Government plans to take steps to replace any shortfall in HIV/AIDS funding.
Answered by Anneliese Dodds
The UK notes the US decision to pause foreign aid funding for 3 months, pending a review. This is a matter for the US. Progress toward the Sustainable Development Goals requires collective action, and the UK will continue to work with all international partnerships toward that vision. The UK's commitment to supporting both humanitarian aid and development across the world and promoting universal comprehensive Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR) remains steadfast.
Asked by: David Mundell (Conservative - Dumfriesshire, Clydesdale and Tweeddale)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what steps his Department plans to take to ensure the continuity of treatment and prevention services for global HIV/AIDS programs, in the context of the recent US State Department decision to halt nearly all existing foreign assistance funding.
Answered by Anneliese Dodds
The UK notes the US decision to pause foreign aid funding for 3 months, pending a review. This is a matter for the US. Progress toward the Sustainable Development Goals requires collective action, and the UK will continue to work with all international partnerships toward that vision. The UK's commitment to supporting both humanitarian aid and development across the world and promoting universal comprehensive Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR) remains steadfast.
Asked by: David Mundell (Conservative - Dumfriesshire, Clydesdale and Tweeddale)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of the agreement with Mauritius on the sovereignty of the British Indian Ocean Territory on global security.
Answered by Luke Pollard - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)
For decades, Diego Garcia has played a critical role in global security. It is a critical enabler of our ability to respond to crises and counter complex, challenging security threats. This agreement will safeguard the strategic security interests of the United Kingdom, Mauritius, and the United States, as well as our other regional partners, well into the next century.
Asked by: David Mundell (Conservative - Dumfriesshire, Clydesdale and Tweeddale)
Question to the Department for Business and Trade:
To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, how many and what proportion of branches within the Post Office network are provided by mobile services.
Answered by Gareth Thomas
There are over 11,500 post office branches in the UK. The Government-set Access Criteria ensures that however the network changes, services remain within local reach of all citizens.
Due to lack of premises or retailers within particular areas, permanent solutions are however not always possible. In these communities, outreach branches ensure customers are not left behind and can continue to access Post Office services. Post Office's 2023 Annual Network Report shows that 16.5% (1,924) of the total 11,684 branches are outreach branches.
Asked by: David Mundell (Conservative - Dumfriesshire, Clydesdale and Tweeddale)
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 role the Global Fund plays in his Department's broader strategy for international development and global health.
Answered by Anneliese Dodds
Our investments in the Global Fund play a critical role delivering the Government's international development priorities: to create a world free from poverty, on a liveable planet, putting equality at the heart of all we do. This includes strengthening health security, improving preparedness and response and protecting citizens and economies from health and climate threats.
Asked by: David Mundell (Conservative - Dumfriesshire, Clydesdale and Tweeddale)
Question to the Department for Business and Trade:
To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, if he will take steps ensure that second-class Saturday deliveries remain part of the universal service obligation for Royal Mail.
Answered by Justin Madders
Ofcom, as the independent regulator of postal services, is responsible for ensuring the provision of a financially sustainable and efficient universal postal service that meets users’ needs.
Ofcom’s statement of 5 September set out potential reforms to the universal service obligation and its plans to carry out further in-depth research among postal users. Ofcom expects to publish any proposals for public consultation in early 2025, which will provide an opportunity for interested parties (including magazine publishers) to contribute their views. More information is available on Ofcom’s website: www.ofcom.org.uk/post/royal-mail/securing-the-future-of-the-universal-postal-service.
Asked by: David Mundell (Conservative - Dumfriesshire, Clydesdale and Tweeddale)
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 help ensure that funds allocated to the Global Fund is administered (a) effectively and (b) transparently.
Answered by Anneliese Dodds
FCDO's Global Fund contributions are delivered in line with the Programme Operating Framework, which is intended to maximise UK aid's effectiveness and impact. This includes rules on aid transparency, value for money and equity to help reach the vulnerable.
FCDO engages regularly with the Fund to monitor and drive progress against its mission and UK priorities, including regular assessments of performance. We do this through our Board and Committee representation, alongside others, and bilateral strategic and programmatic levers.
5 per cent of UK funding is channelled through the Global Fund Accelerator programme, which acts as an additional lever to deliver UK priorities.
Asked by: David Mundell (Conservative - Dumfriesshire, Clydesdale and Tweeddale)
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 help ensure that the Global Fund’s programmes are (a) inclusive and (b) reach the most vulnerable people.
Answered by Anneliese Dodds
FCDO's Global Fund contributions are delivered in line with the Programme Operating Framework, which is intended to maximise UK aid's effectiveness and impact. This includes rules on aid transparency, value for money and equity to help reach the vulnerable.
FCDO engages regularly with the Fund to monitor and drive progress against its mission and UK priorities, including regular assessments of performance. We do this through our Board and Committee representation, alongside others, and bilateral strategic and programmatic levers.
5 per cent of UK funding is channelled through the Global Fund Accelerator programme, which acts as an additional lever to deliver UK priorities.
Asked by: David Mundell (Conservative - Dumfriesshire, Clydesdale and Tweeddale)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what steps his Department takes with international counterparts to maximise the impact of contributions to the Global Fund.
Answered by Anneliese Dodds
FCDO's Global Fund contributions are delivered in line with the Programme Operating Framework, which is intended to maximise UK aid's effectiveness and impact. This includes rules on aid transparency, value for money and equity to help reach the vulnerable.
FCDO engages regularly with the Fund to monitor and drive progress against its mission and UK priorities, including regular assessments of performance. We do this through our Board and Committee representation, alongside others, and bilateral strategic and programmatic levers.
5 per cent of UK funding is channelled through the Global Fund Accelerator programme, which acts as an additional lever to deliver UK priorities.