Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what assessment he has made with Cabinet colleagues of the potential merits of bringing forward legislative proposals to regulate the use of conflict minerals in UK supply chains.

Answered by Stephen Doughty - Minister of State (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)

The UK is committed to promoting responsible business practice to reduce and prevent human rights abuses. We work through a number of international mechanisms, including supporting the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development's Due Diligence Guidance for Responsible Mineral Supply Chains. This enables business to continue to operate responsibly from conflict-affected and high-risk areas. The UK's new Critical Minerals Strategy will be published this summer and will help secure the supply of critical minerals that are vital for the UK's economic growth and clean energy transition, including tin, tantalum and tungsten, whilst promoting responsible and transparent supply chains.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether he has had discussions with his Swiss counterparts on preventing the international trade in conflict gold illicitly mined in Africa.

Answered by Stephen Doughty - Minister of State (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)

Switzerland is crucial to tackling the illicit gold trade as it is a key global gold refining centre, home to the largest gold refiners in the world, and one of the global leaders in implementing multilateral gold standards. The Foreign Secretary has engaged closely with Swiss Foreign Minister Ignazio Cassis on tackling illicit financial flows and corruption globally, and will hold further discussions to develop areas for strengthened collaboration and partnership.

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 prevent conflict gold from entering UK supply chains.

Answered by Stephen Doughty - Minister of State (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)

The illicit gold trade fuels corruption and conflict, undermining the rule of law and entrenching human rights abuses such as child labour. Russia uses the illicit gold trade to launder money and evade sanctions, in doing so bolstering Putin's war efforts. The UK has sanctioned Russian gold and targeted illicit gold networks abroad, including through further sanctions in December 2024. The UK works with the London Bullion Market Association and World Gold Council to support responsible sourcing of gold and to build resilience to illicit gold flows. The London Bullion Market Association implements the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development's (OECD) industry-leading Due Diligence Guidance for Responsible Supply Chains of Minerals from Conflict-Affected and High-Risk Areas to ensure proper risk identification and mitigation for conflict gold.

Reform of the special educational needs and disabilities system

Found: Watch the meeting Members present: Sarah Champion (Chair); Tracy Gilbert; Monica Harding; Noah Law;

Found: Watch the meeting Members present: Sarah Champion (Chair); Tracy Gilbert; Monica Harding; Noah Law;

Found: Watch the meeting Members present: Sarah Champion (Chair); Tracy Gilbert; Monica Harding; Noah Law;

Found: Debate Pack, Humanitarian situation in Sudan EDM 381 (session 2024 -25) 11 November 2024 Monica Harding

Found: _NC7 Mr Paul Kohler Monica Harding Zöe Franklin .

Found: _NC15 Mr Paul Kohler Monica Harding Zöe Franklin .

Found: _NC15 Mr Paul Kohler Monica Harding Zöe Franklin .

Found: _NC7 Mr Paul Kohler Monica Harding Zöe Franklin .

Found: _NC15 Mr Paul Kohler Monica Harding .

Found: _NC7 Mr Paul Kohler Monica Harding .

Found: _NC15 Mr Paul Kohler Monica Harding .

Found: _NC7 Mr Paul Kohler Monica Harding .

Found: _NC15 Mr Paul Kohler Monica Harding .

Found: _NC7 Mr Paul Kohler Monica Harding .

Found: _NC15 Mr Paul Kohler Monica Harding .

Found: _NC7 Mr Paul Kohler Monica Harding .

Found: REPORT STAGE Tuesday 8 July 2025 4 Not called_NC7 Max Wilkinson Monica Harding .

Submit Evidence (by 25 Aug 2025)

Nigeria was the sixth largest recipient of UK Official Development Assistance in 2023 with over £100m allocated. This was a reduction from third place in 2022 when it received £110m. As of 2024, Nigeria had by far the largest population in Africa and one of the highest population growth rates. Nigeria is the fourth largest economy in Africa and has a diaspora numbering hundreds of thousands living in the UK.