Oral Answers to Questions

Rachel Blake Excerpts

Tuesday 21st April 2026 Commons Chamber

[Yvette Cooper]

Obviously, I was the Home Secretary at the time that I understand that took place, so I was not involved and do not know the circumstances. I am, of course, extremely concerned at any suggestion that the permanent secretary or permanent under-secretary of the Foreign Office would be told not to inform the Foreign Secretary. As for the case that the hon. Member raised, I can confirm that it would also not have been an appropriate appointment.

Let me respond to the wider issue. As I said in my opening statement, I pay tribute to the phenomenal dedication of the people who work right across the Foreign Office. They work with me every single day at a time of immense global instability, and they are continuing to work with huge dedication on pursuing UK interests and UK values, because that is what makes us stronger at home.

[Rachel Blake (Cities of London and Westminster) (Lab/Co-op)]

T6. Last week the UK attended the third international conference on the situation in Sudan, with Germany, France, the US, the African Union and the European Union. The Foreign Office reports that 30 million people require humanitarian assistance and that an estimated 130 humanitarian workers have been killed. What did the conference and summit say about humanitarian corridors, which could give us some confidence that there can be humanitarian assistance going forward?

[Yvette Cooper]

I am glad that my hon. Friend raises this issue. In Berlin last week with my German, French, US, EU and African Union co-hosts, we called for an urgent ceasefire, a humanitarian truce and humanitarian access. It is deeply distressing that this conflict is continuing. Participants also pledged over £1 billion to support the humanitarian response, which includes £146 million of UK humanitarian funding this year for Sudan and an increase in the support given to local aid groups. However, it is desperately urgent that we get a ceasefire, because it is the worst humanitarian crisis of the 21st century.