Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, when Down Syndrome guidance will be published.

Answered by Alison McGovern - Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)

I refer the hon. Member to the answer provided to the hon. Member for Warrington South on 14 July 2026 to Question 16199.

Question

To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, what recent discussions she has had with the Charity Commission on Iran-linked charities operating in the UK.

Answered by Vicky Foxcroft - Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State (Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport)

The Charity Commission takes very seriously concerns about the alleged misuse of charities in the UK to promote the interests of foreign states. The Government’s Social Cohesion Action Plan, published in March, set out our plans to strengthen the Charity Commission’s powers to tackle extremist abuse of charities. We are working with the Charity Commission to develop the necessary legislation.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether his Department prepared for potential legal challenges to the Down Syndrome Guidance upon the passing of the Down Syndrome Act.

Answered by Alison McGovern - Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)

Under the Down Syndrome Act 2022, my Rt Hon. Friend, the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, is required to publish and give guidance to relevant authorities in health, social care, education, and housing services on what they should be doing to meet the needs of people with Down syndrome.   The Department considered potential legal challenges throughout the development of the Down Syndrome Bill and the guidance under the Down Syndrome Act 2022.

The Government is committed to breaking down barriers to opportunity and improving outcomes for disabled people, including those with Down syndrome. The consultation on the Down Syndrome Act draft guidance closed on 30 March 2026, and the Government is carefully considering the responses received to inform the final guidance.

Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, whether there will be ministerial attendance at the 2026 UN Biodiversity Conference (CBD COP 17) in Yerevan, Armenia.

Answered by Jenny Riddell-Carpenter - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)

Discussions to finalise UK representation at CBD COP17 are ongoing. However, Defra Secretary of State Eagle and Minister Riddell-Carpenter currently expect to attend the COP.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, with reference to the UK delegation’s attendance at the UN Convention to Combat Desertification COP17 in Ulaanbaatar in August 2026, what plans his Department has to have discussions with Mongolian counterparts regarding ongoing allegations of corruption in Mongolia.

Answered by Chris Elmore - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)

The UK and Mongolia share a deep commitment to democracy and democratic values. These principles anchor our partnership. Earlier this year my predecessor as Minister for the Indo Pacific visited Mongolia and reaffirmed the importance of such values, including rule of law, for all areas of UK-Mongolia co-operation. The UK also regularly engages Mongolia on how to make the trade and investment environment more attractive to business, including through increased transparency, clear rules and strong safeguards. The UK delegation at COP 17 on Desertification reinforced these messages with Mongolia counterparts at the end of August.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what plans his Department has to ensure British Overseas Territories are the recipients of any increase in international development spending.

Answered by Kirsty McNeill - Minister of State (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)

The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) Official Development Assistance (ODA) programme allocations for the next three years are set out in Annex A of the FCDO's Annual Report & Accounts 2025-26, including fully protected spend for the Overseas Territories. We will continue to ensure that our spending is focused where it can have the greatest impact, support the most vulnerable, and advance our modern development approach.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether decisions on future aid spending will take into account a recipient country’s score on the Transparency International Corruption Perceptions Index including with reference to (a) Turkey; (b) ii. Azerbaijan; and (c) Mongolia.

Answered by Kirsty McNeill - Minister of State (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)

The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office's (FCDO) Official Development Assistance (ODA) programme allocations for the next three years are set out in Annex A of the FCDO's Annual Report & Accounts 2025-26. They are prioritised for humanitarian, global health and climate and nature, underpinned by economic development. We are prioritising support for fragile and conflict affected countries to reach those in greatest need and reduce the harm caused by violence and atrocities. ODA is focused where it can have the greatest impact, supporting the most vulnerable and advancing our modern development approach.

The FCDO applies a robust framework of due diligence, risk assessment, delivery chain mapping, monitoring and assurance to help safeguard programme funds. We require partners to maintain appropriate controls to prevent, detect and report fraud, bribery and corruption, and we investigate allegations and take action where concerns are identified.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether future decisions on international development spending will take into account individual countries’ scores on independent corruption indices.

Answered by Kirsty McNeill - Minister of State (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)

The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office's (FCDO) Official Development Assistance (ODA) programme allocations for the next three years are set out in Annex A of the FCDO's Annual Report & Accounts 2025-26. They are prioritised for humanitarian, global health and climate and nature, underpinned by economic development. We are prioritising support for fragile and conflict affected countries to reach those in greatest need and reduce the harm caused by violence and atrocities. ODA is focused where it can have the greatest impact, supporting the most vulnerable and advancing our modern development approach.

The FCDO applies a robust framework of due diligence, risk assessment, delivery chain mapping, monitoring and assurance to help safeguard programme funds. We require partners to maintain appropriate controls to prevent, detect and report fraud, bribery and corruption, and we investigate allegations and take action where concerns are identified.

Lord Lieutenancy of Surrey transition

Nigel Bevan and Berkshire Scouts

Found: of the Committee during the inquiry: Stephen Flynn (Scottish National Party; Aberdeen South), Jack Rankin

Found: Select Committee Changes or Nominations Resolved, Jack Rankin to be discharged and Douglas Lumsden