Asked by: Mike Martin (Liberal Democrat - Tunbridge Wells)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, if he will make an estimate of the cost of (a) military and (b) humanitarian aid for Ukraine in 2025 for each taxpayer.
Answered by Stephen Doughty - Minister of State (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
Russia's illegal invasion of Ukraine poses a serious threat to UK prosperity and security. We are proud to provide vital support to Ukraine. The UK will deliver £3 billion of military aid to Ukraine this year - our largest ever package - and every year until the end of the decade, or as long as it takes. The UK is also speeding up vital military support. The UK will provide £2.26 billion in additional support to Ukraine as part of the G7 loan scheme to be repaid from the windfall profits on immobilised Russian sovereign assets.
We are also providing at least £120 million in humanitarian assistance through to the end of financial year 2024 to 2025. The UK's military and humanitarian support to Ukraine is delivered through a coordinated system to provide the most value for both the Ukrainian people and the British taxpayer.
Asked by: Mike Martin (Liberal Democrat - Tunbridge Wells)
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 Egyptian counterpart on the release of Alaa Abd el-Fattah.
Answered by Hamish Falconer - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
The UK remains committed to securing Alaa Abd El-Fattah's release so he can be reunited with his family. The Foreign Secretary raised Mr El-Fattah's case with the Egyptian Foreign Minister most recently during his visit to Egypt on 23 January. The Prime Minister wrote to President Sisi to raise Mr El-Fattah's case on 8 January. The National Security Adviser, Jonathan Powell, raised with the Foreign Minister on 2 January.
Asked by: Mike Martin (Liberal Democrat - Tunbridge Wells)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, if he will make an assessment of the potential impact of continuation of the conflict in Sudan on the number of Sudanese refugees seeking asylum in the United Kingdom.
Answered by Anneliese Dodds
Over 3.6 million people have fled Sudan since the current conflict began in April 2023; many more (8.8 million people) have been internally displaced. Those fleeing Sudan in need of international protection should claim asylum in the first safe country they reach - that is the fastest route to safety. The UK continues to use all diplomatic means possible to bring the warring parties to the table to end this conflict - the surest way to ensure people can stay safely in Sudan. The UK continues to provide significant support to those fleeing Sudan, most recently with the Foreign Secretary announcing a major aid increase of £113 million on 17 November 2024 to support people affected by the conflict, including in neighbouring countries, such as Chad and South Sudan. The Minister for International Development and HRH The Duchess of Edinburgh witnessed the impact of the crisis on people in neighbouring countries first-hand during their respective visits to South Sudan and Chad last year.
Asked by: Mike Martin (Liberal Democrat - Tunbridge Wells)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what steps his Department has taken to raise the UN Working Group on Arbitrary Detention's ruling that the United Arab Emirates has unlawfully detained Ryan Cornelius with the government of that country.
Answered by Hamish Falconer - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
The FCDO takes the opinions of the UN Working Group on Arbitrary Detention seriously. We continue to provide consular assistance to Mr Cornelius and his case has been raised at senior levels, highlighting the Government's support for his appeal for clemency.
Asked by: Mike Martin (Liberal Democrat - Tunbridge Wells)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what diplomatic steps his Department is taking to help protect human rights in the Balochistan region of Pakistan.
Answered by Hamish Falconer - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
The UK is deeply concerned about reports of human rights abuses and violations in Pakistan, including in Balochistan province. The British High Commission regularly raises these issues with the Government of Pakistan at a senior level, including the need to address allegations of enforced disappearances and extra-judicial killings. I discussed our human rights concerns with Pakistan's Human Rights Minister, Azam Tarar, on 4 September and 19 November. The UK will continue to urge the Government of Pakistan to guarantee individuals' rights as laid down in Pakistan's Constitution and in accordance with international standards.
Asked by: Mike Martin (Liberal Democrat - Tunbridge Wells)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, if he will take steps with Cabinet colleagues to publish the findings of the Shawcross report on compensation for victims of Libyan-sponsored IRA terrorism.
Answered by Hamish Falconer - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
The UK Government has profound sympathy for UK victims of Qadhafi-sponsored IRA terrorism and indeed for all victims of the Troubles. The Shawcross Report was commissioned by the previous government as an internal report drawing on a series of private and confidential conversations. We will keep decisions on publication regarding the Shawcross Report under review.
Asked by: Mike Martin (Liberal Democrat - Tunbridge Wells)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what his policy is on the ownership of interests in UK oil and gas companies by sanctioned Russians.
Answered by Stephen Doughty - Minister of State (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
If the UK sanctions an individual, their UK assets are frozen. Sanctioned individuals cannot access frozen funds or obtain any financial benefit (including from ownership of interests in UK companies) without HMT/OFSI granting a licence.
Additionally, the National Security and Investment Act allows HMG to intervene in transactions that threaten national security.