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Written Question
British Council: Commonwealth
Wednesday 20th May 2026

Asked by: Paulette Hamilton (Labour - Birmingham Erdington)

Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what role the British Council plays in delivering the UK’s International Education Strategy in Commonwealth countries.

Answered by Josh MacAlister - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Education)

The ambitions in the UK’s International Education Strategy will be delivered in close collaboration between government, the sector, the UK’s International Education Champion and key partners including the British Council.

The reformed Education Sector Action Group (ESAG), chaired by Ministers, brings together industry, government, and representative bodies from across the education sector to tackle key concerns and identify opportunities for partnerships. Each core member representative will lead on a sector action plan outlining how their members will support delivery of the strategy. As an adviser member of ESAG, British Council will have a key role in supporting the sector action plans across each of the education sectors, reflecting their broad and deep education expertise.

As the International Education Champion, Sir Steve Smith will continue to remove barriers to education partnerships by engaging with Commonwealth countries and others.


Division Vote (Commons)
19 May 2026 - Energy Security - View Vote Context
Paulette Hamilton (Lab) voted No - in line with the party majority and in line with the House
One of 309 Labour No votes vs 1 Labour Aye votes
Vote Tally: Ayes - 108 Noes - 323
Division Vote (Commons)
28 Apr 2026 - Business without Debate - View Vote Context
Paulette Hamilton (Lab) voted Aye - in line with the party majority and in line with the House
One of 297 Labour Aye votes vs 6 Labour No votes
Vote Tally: Ayes - 304 Noes - 28
Division Vote (Commons)
28 Apr 2026 - Courts and Tribunals Bill (Twelfth sitting) - View Vote Context
Paulette Hamilton (Lab) voted No - in line with the party majority and in line with the House
One of 9 Labour No votes vs 0 Labour Aye votes
Vote Tally: Ayes - 4 Noes - 9
Division Vote (Commons)
28 Apr 2026 - Courts and Tribunals Bill (Twelfth sitting) - View Vote Context
Paulette Hamilton (Lab) voted No - in line with the party majority and in line with the House
One of 9 Labour No votes vs 0 Labour Aye votes
Vote Tally: Ayes - 6 Noes - 9
Division Vote (Commons)
28 Apr 2026 - Courts and Tribunals Bill (Twelfth sitting) - View Vote Context
Paulette Hamilton (Lab) voted No - in line with the party majority and in line with the House
One of 9 Labour No votes vs 0 Labour Aye votes
Vote Tally: Ayes - 5 Noes - 9
Division Vote (Commons)
28 Apr 2026 - Courts and Tribunals Bill (Twelfth sitting) - View Vote Context
Paulette Hamilton (Lab) voted No - in line with the party majority and in line with the House
One of 9 Labour No votes vs 0 Labour Aye votes
Vote Tally: Ayes - 6 Noes - 9
Division Vote (Commons)
28 Apr 2026 - Courts and Tribunals Bill (Twelfth sitting) - View Vote Context
Paulette Hamilton (Lab) voted No - in line with the party majority and in line with the House
One of 9 Labour No votes vs 0 Labour Aye votes
Vote Tally: Ayes - 6 Noes - 9
Division Vote (Commons)
28 Apr 2026 - Courts and Tribunals Bill (Twelfth sitting) - View Vote Context
Paulette Hamilton (Lab) voted No - in line with the party majority and in line with the House
One of 9 Labour No votes vs 0 Labour Aye votes
Vote Tally: Ayes - 6 Noes - 9
Division Vote (Commons)
28 Apr 2026 - Courts and Tribunals Bill (Twelfth sitting) - View Vote Context
Paulette Hamilton (Lab) voted No - in line with the party majority and in line with the House
One of 9 Labour No votes vs 0 Labour Aye votes
Vote Tally: Ayes - 6 Noes - 9