Question to the Department for Business and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what discussions he has had with the Chancellor of the Exchequer on the potential impact of the Employment Rights Bill on economic growth.

Answered by Justin Madders - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade)

The Secretary of State, responsible Ministers and policy officials meet regularly with their counterparts in HM Treasury. This includes on discussions related to delivering the biggest upgrade to workers' rights in a generation through the Employment Rights Bill. Our analysis shows the package could have “a positive but small direct impact on economic growth” and will “help to raise living standards across the country and create opportunities for all.”

This represents the best estimate for the likely impacts given the current stage of policy development. We plan to refine our analysis as policy development continues, working closely with external experts, businesses and trade unions.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, pursuant to the Answer of 3 April 2025 to Question 42597 on Packaging: Recycling, whether he has made an assessment of the potential impact of the differential in weight between glass and plastic on glass producers.

Answered by Mary Creagh - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)

In October 2024, the Government published an updated assessment of the impact of introducing the pEPR scheme. This impact assessment included an estimate for pEPR fees per tonne of packaging material. This estimate did not split by packaging material type.

Defra officials have engaged with industry and technical experts, to ensure that the modelling of local authority costs accurately reflect the on the ground reality of waste management. This confirmed that packaging volumes, rather than weight, are accounted for when determining the costs of kerbside dry recycling collections. This is especially important for heavier materials such as glass which would see higher base fees under a weight-based apportionment of these costs. Illustrative base fees for the 8 material categories have now been published.

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 using forecasts of Gross National Income to determine future levels of official development assistance on actual future levels of official development assistance.

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

Official Development Assistance (ODA) budgets from 2025/26 onwards are set in cash terms based on Gross National Income (GNI) forecasts. This change means that the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office's ODA budgets will no longer be exposed to the volatility of ODA spending by other departments, including asylum costs.

As the Minister of State for International Development set out in her 27 March letter to the International Development Committee, this is a significant and positive change to the way the FCDO manages its ODA budget, increasing the predictability of our budgets and allowing us to plan with more certainty.

Question to the Department for Business and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what discussions his Department has had with the West Midlands Combined Authority on increasing levels of Foreign Direct Investment in the West Midlands.

Answered by Gareth Thomas - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade)

My department have and continue to hold discussions on attracting private investment to the West Midlands and across the UK. We work with clients to understand their requirements and to reduce barriers which inform the client’s decision to locate in the region.

The West Midlands region continues to attract FDI across sectors to enhance economic growth and prosperity. My department, as announced, will include the new expanded Office for Investment which will lead the work on attracting investment into our cities and regions.

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 proposed changes to the level of funding for official development assistance on the potential implementation of recommendations within the review of international development undertaken by Baroness Minouche Shafik.

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

The review recommendations are now being considered as part of the Foreign Secretary's wider work to reform the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO), including how the FCDO approaches the reduction in the Official Development Assistance budget.

Question to the Department for Business and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, whether his Department had discussions with the West Midlands Combined Authority prior to the visit to China by the Mayor of the West Midlands.

Answered by Gareth Thomas - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade)

My department, with officials from FCDO, directly supported a number of Combined Authority leaders on this visit to China, which included the Mayor of the West Midlands. The programme focused on strengthening growth across regions to enhance investment and diplomatic relationships. Economic growth and investment remain a fundamental priority for this Government, and we will continue to support regional mayors and our nations to forge global relationships with investors and businesses to promote the UKs investment credentials.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what assessment he has made of the potential implications for his policies of (a) political repression and (b) reports of the disappearance of Anzhelika Melnikava.

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

We are appalled by the repression that the Lukashenko regime conducts against its own people. UK policy on Belarus seeks to support a more open society, democracy, and human rights, directly opposing political repression. In August 2024, the UK announced £2.5 million of funding to support Belarusian human rights and civil society causes in their work against political repression. Additionally, in January, the UK led a joint statement with Australia, Canada, the EU, and New Zealand, condemning the January presidential elections as a sham.

I am concerned by reports of Angelika Melnikava's disappearance. FCDO officials are following the case closely.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what discussions he has had with his counterpart in Poland on reports of the disappearance of Anzhelika Melnikava and her daughters.

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

I am concerned by reports of Angelika Melnikava's disappearance. Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office officials are following the case closely. While the situation remains unclear, we have not raised this with the Polish government.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of planned reductions to the Official Development Assistance budget on the effectiveness of programmes to tackle infectious diseases.

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

Decisions on how the Official Development Assistance (ODA) budget will be used are being worked through as part of the ongoing Spending Review, based on various factors including impact assessments.

We plan to publish final 2025/26 ODA programme allocations in the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office Annual Report & Accounts this summer.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, which development programmes he plans to maintain funding for after the planned reduction of the Official Development Assistance budget is implemented.

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

Decisions on how the Official Development Assistance (ODA) budget will be used are being worked through as part of the ongoing Spending Review, based on various factors including impact assessments.

We plan to publish final 2025/26 ODA programme allocations in the FCDO Annual Report & Accounts this summer.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what assessment he has made of the potential merits of using UK microbiology expertise to build capacity in Ukraine for countering antimicrobial resistance.

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

In February, the Defence Secretary announced that we would double our funding to £40 million for Project Renovator, which draws on the UK's leading defence medical expertise to expand Ukraine's military rehabilitation and medical services. Through a partnership with the Unbroken Rehabilitation Centre, Imperial Healthcare NHS Trust have launched an infection control programme which aims to strengthen capacity and capability of medical personnel in both the UK and Ukraine to manage the healthcare burden created by anti-microbial resistance.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of using the International Finance Facility for immunisation on delivering development projects.

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

The UK is one of the largest donors to Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance. We have committed £1.65 billion to the current strategic period covering 2021-2025, including £590 million through the International Finance Facility for Immunisation (IFFIm). The UK is working to ensure a successful replenishment of Gavi's 2026-2030 programme through our diplomatic and development network. Following the difficult decision to reduce UK Official Development Assistance (ODA) from 0.5 per cent of GNI to 0.3 per cent by 2027 we are taking a rigorous approach to ensure all ODA delivers value for money and we are considering all financial instruments available. Announcements on individual investments will be made following the completion of the Spending Review process.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what assessment he has made of the effectiveness of the UK Soft Power Council at utilising UK science and technology.

Answered by Catherine West - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)

The Soft Power Council is now operational but still in an early phase of developing its work. The Council includes several individuals with expertise spanning science, technology, education and research, in recognition of the importance of these themes to UK foreign policy impact. The Council's geographic working groups are considering how to harness the UK's strengths in science and technology. The contribution of these sectors will also be considered as part of development of the new Government strategy on soft power over the coming months.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what steps he is taking through the Commonwealth to support (a) UK soft power and (b) the soft power of Commonwealth partners.

Answered by Catherine West - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)

Our Commonwealth membership plays an important role in the projection of UK soft power. Shared history means the English language is spoken widely, we have strong cultural links and similar systems of rule of law and parliamentary democracy. The Commonwealth Secretariat provides technical support that reinforces these links and our shared values. In addition to our core financial contributions to the Secretariat, the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office funds human rights advisers and the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association International to strengthen human rights, parliamentary democracy and good governance. We will discuss with the new Secretary-General how to enhance the soft power impact of the Commonwealth.

Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what discussions she has had with the Police and Crime Commissioner for the West Midlands on the number of neighbourhood police officers based in Aldridge-Brownhills constituency.

Answered by Diana Johnson - Minister of State (Home Office)

The Government is committed to strong neighbourhood policing for everyone in England and Wales, no matter where they live.

As the Prime Minister announced on 10 April, by July, every community will have named and contactable officers dedicated to addressing the issues facing their communities as part of the Government’s Neighbourhood Policing Guarantee.

We are providing £200 million to police forces in financial year 2025/26 to kickstart the recruitment of 13,000 more neighbourhood policing personnel across the country.

West Midlands Police has been allocated £12,210,903 for 2025/26. Based on their funding allocation, the projected growth for West Midlands Police over 2025/26 will be 289 police officers (FTE) and 20 Police Community Support Officers (FTE).

Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, when recycling services will be restored in Birmingham; and what estimate she has made of the quantity of recycling material in Birmingham directed to landfill since the suspension of those services.

Answered by Jim McMahon - Minister of State (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

Birmingham City Council plans to restore household recycling collections when the waste dispute is resolved. The City Council has increased the opening hours of its 5 household waste recycling facilities which remain open to households. We understand that no recycling material has been sent to landfill since the suspension of household waste collections.

Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what assessment she has made of the effectiveness of mobile speed camera vans in reducing speeding in (a) the West Midlands and (b) Aldridge-Brownhills constituency.

Answered by Diana Johnson - Minister of State (Home Office)

The use of mobile speed camera vans to enforce speed limits is an operational matter for West Midlands Police.

Excess speed is a major cause of death and serious injury on our roads and anyone who breaks the speed limit should expect to face proper sanction.

Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what discussions she has had with the Coalition to Tackle Knife Crime on knife crime.

Answered by Diana Johnson - Minister of State (Home Office)

The Prime Minister and Home Secretary launched the Coalition to Tackle Knife Crime in September 2024. The Coalition brings together campaign groups, families of those who have tragically lost their lives to knife crime, young people who have been impacted and community leaders, united in their mission to save lives.

The Minister for Crime Prevention and Policing has attended 5 coalition meetings since it was founded, chairing its most recent meeting on 28^th April. The Home Secretary has also met with members of the Coalition.

The Coalition has discussed key issues, including the online sale of knives, child criminal exploitation and the banning of ninja swords.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what diplomatic steps he is encourage democracy and human rights in Belarus; and what recent discussions he has had with his counterparts in Belarus on the disappearance of (a) opposition activists and (b) Anzhelika Melnikava.

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

We are deeply concerned by the ongoing repression that the Lukashenko regime conducts against its own people. The UK works closely with its likeminded partners on the ground in Minsk, in capitals, and in international organisations such as the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe, UN, and International Labour Organization to encourage democracy and human rights in Belarus. In August 2024, the UK announced £2.5 million of funding to support Belarusian human rights and civil society causes.

I am concerned by reports of Angelika Melnikava's disappearance. Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office officials are following the case closely. While the situation remains unclear, I have not raised this with Belarusian counterparts.

Question to the Department for Business and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what assessment his Department has made of the potential impact of the Employment Rights Bill on business confidence and growth.

Answered by Justin Madders - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade)

The Department for Business and Trade has published a set of Impact Assessments that provide a comprehensive analysis on the potential impact of the Employment Rights Bill. This analysis includes con-sideration of impacts on businesses and economic growth and concludes the package could have “a positive but small direct impact on economic growth” and will “help to raise living standards across the country and create opportunities for all.”

This represents the best estimate for the likely impacts given the current stage of policy development. We plan to refine our analysis as policy development continues, working closely with external experts, businesses and trade unions.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, pursuant to the Answer of 10 April 2025 to Question 43886 on Sustainable Farming Incentive, what estimate his Department has made of the number of farmers impacted by the closure of the scheme; and whether they will be prioritised in future schemes.

Answered by Daniel Zeichner - Minister of State (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)

Currently there are over 39, 000 live SFI agreements.

The government will work with the farming and environmental sectors to prioritise funding for future years so we can target SFI actions fairly and effectively, focusing on helping less productive land contribute to our priorities for food, farming and nature.

We will provide further details about the reformed SFI in summer 2025.

Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, whether costs incurred by neighbouring local authorities from assisting Birmingham City Council (BCC) with waste collection will be met by (a) BCC and (b) her Department.

Answered by Jim McMahon - Minister of State (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

This is a local issue and it is right that the response is led by the key public sector partners in Birmingham. We have been clear that if the local leaders on the ground in Birmingham feel tackling these issues goes beyond the resources available to them and they request national support, then we stand ready to consider any such ask. The Department is working with the Council on options to address further costs arising from industrial action.

More widely, the government is under no illusions about the scale of the wider financial challenge facing councils following more than a decade of cuts by successive Conservative governments. The government is therefore supporting the Leader and his team in Birmingham, directly and through the Commissioners, to move the council on from its historic issues. This includes providing an increase in Core Spending Power in Birmingham of up to 9.8%, or £131m for 2025-26, and £39.3 million of the new one-off Recovery Grant that illustrates this Government’s commitment to correcting unfairness in the funding system.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what discussions he has had with his European counterparts on accountability for the actions of the Lukashenko regime.

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

I condemn Belarus' relentless repression, which continues to become ever more draconian and punitive. The UK works closely with our likeminded partners on the ground in Minsk, in capitals, and in international organisations to work to hold the Lukashenko regime to account.

The UK also co-sponsors the UN's accountability mandates and works on accountability measures through the International Accountability Platform for Belarus, which the UK led in establishing in 2021, working alongside Germany, Denmark, and a range of other partners. We also coordinate with our European partners on statements, sanctions, and work in Minsk to hold the regime to account.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether his Department plans to take steps to monitor the potential impact of the Mutual Security treaty between Russia and Belarus on (a) regional security and (b) human rights in Belarus.

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

Across His Majesty's Government we take steps to ensure we stay up to date on relevant developments in Belarus, including on the Russia-Belarus Treaty on Mutual Security Guarantee signed into force by Presidents Putin and Lukashenko in March. Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office officials will continue to monitor the impacts of the Mutual Security Guarantee in all aspects, including on regional security and human rights in Belarus.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what assessment his Department has made of the potential impact of the decision to set annual aid budgets from 2027 in cash terms based on GNI forecasts at the Spending Review.

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

Official Development Assistance (ODA) budgets from 2025/26 onwards are set in cash terms based on Gross National Income (GNI) forecasts. This change means the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office's (FCDO's) ODA budgets will no longer be exposed to the volatility of ODA spending by other departments, including asylum costs.

As The Minister of State for International Development set out in her 27 March letter to the International Development Committee, this is a significant and positive change to the way the FCDO manages its ODA budget, increasing the predictability of our budgets and allowing us to plan with more certainty.

Departmental ODA allocations will be confirmed at the Spending Review.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, pursuant to the Answer of 3 April 2025 to Question 41839 on Ukraine: Overseas Loans, if she will make an assessment of the potential merits of increasing the loan to Ukraine.

Answered by Darren Jones - Chief Secretary to the Treasury

The Government is providing £2.26bn as part of the G7 Extraordinary Revenue Acceleration (ERA) Loans to Ukraine scheme. This will be repaid using profits from immobilised Russian sovereign assets in the EU.

The G7 has assessed and agreed that the ERA can support $50bn of support to Ukraine – the entirety of which has been pledged. Any amendment to the ERA scheme would need to be agreed by the G7.

The UK has committed £15bn in support to Ukraine to date, including £10bn in military support (including our £2.26 billion ERA Loan contribution) and £5bn in non-military support.

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 planned levels of future official development assistance spending on the ability of programmes supporting (a) schools and (b) health facilities to (i) undertake risk assessments and (ii) develop resilience plans for natural disasters.

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

Decisions on how the Official Development Assistance (ODA) budget will be used are being worked through as part of the ongoing Spending Review, based on various factors including impact assessments. We plan to publish final Financial Year 2025/26 ODA programme allocations in The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office Annual Report & Accounts this summer.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what assessment his Department has made of the potential impact of planned changes to the level of future spending on official development assistance on programmes supporting women smallholder farmers.

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

The Government recognises the important role women smallholder farmers play in agrifood systems in developing countries, and that investing in women and girls and breaking down the barriers they face supports inclusive development. Decisions on how the Official Development Assistance (ODA) budget will be used are being worked through as part of the ongoing Spending Review, based on various factors including impact assessments. The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) is focused on ensuring that every pound is spent in the most impactful way.

We plan to publish final Financial Year 2025/26 ODA programme allocations in the FCDO Annual Report & Accounts this summer.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what assessment his Department has made of the potential impact of the decision not to automatically adjust UK Overseas Development Assistance (ODA) spending in line with economic conditions on ODA-funded programmes globally.

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

Official Development Assistance (ODA) budgets from 2025/26 onwards are set in cash terms based on Gross National Income (GNI) forecasts. This change means the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office's (FCDO's) ODA budgets will no longer be exposed to the volatility of ODA spending by other departments, including asylum costs.

As The Minister of State for International Development set out in her 27 March letter to the International Development Committee, this is a significant and positive change to the way the FCDO manages its ODA budget, increasing the predictability of our budgets and allowing us to plan with more certainty.

Departmental ODA allocations will be confirmed at the Spending Review.

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 merits of extending the Voluntary Service Overseas ACTIVE programme in the 2025-26 financial year.

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

The Prime Minister has taken the decision to increase spending on defence to 2.5 per cent of GDP from 2027, funded by reducing Official Development Assistance (ODA).

The ODA budget will be gradually reduced to the equivalent of 0.3 per cent of GNI by 2027, to help smooth the transition.

This difficult choice reflects the evolving nature of the threats we face, and the strategic shifts required to meet them, while maintaining economic stability.

We are evaluating all ODA funding to ensure value for money for UK taxpayers and have to work harder than ever to make sure our development work delivers for the British public and our Plan for Change.

Our approach balances the UK's proud tradition of supporting the world's most vulnerable with our fundamental responsibility to protect British interests in an increasingly unstable world.

Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, which Departmental budget will cover the cost of the use of armed forces personnel to support waste collection in Birmingham.

Answered by Jim McMahon - Minister of State (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

This is a local issue and it is right that the response is led by the key public sector partners in Birmingham. We have been clear that if the local leaders on the ground in Birmingham feel tackling these issues goes beyond the resources available to them and they request national support, then we stand ready to consider any such ask. The Department is working with the Council on options to address further costs arising from industrial action.

To date, additional support has included the three office-based military personnel with logistical expertise that were made available to the council to assist with planning. They have now returned to normal duties. We are grateful to our colleagues in the MOD for their support.

More widely, the government is under no illusions about the scale of the wider financial challenge facing councils following more than a decade of cuts by successive Conservative governments. The government is therefore supporting the Leader and his team in Birmingham, directly and through the Commissioners, to move the council on from its historic issues. This includes providing an increase in Core Spending Power in Birmingham of up to 9.8%, or £131m for 2025-26, and £39.3 million of the new one-off Recovery Grant that illustrates this Government’s commitment to correcting unfairness in the funding system.

Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what discussions she has had with (a) Unite, (b) Birmingham City Council and (c) ACAS to encourage parties to reach a negotiated settlement on the ongoing waste dispute in Birmingham.

Answered by Jim McMahon - Minister of State (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

The Secretary of State has engaged with Unite and Birmingham City Council to encourage them to get back around the negotiating table. She has not met with ACAS and the Department has not met with Unite. Any talks to settle the equal pay dispute are solely between the employer (Birmingham City Council) and trade union (Unite).

The decision to allow a small number of military personnel to provide office based operational planning expertise for a short, time limited period to support the council with making sure its response to the ongoing public health risk is as swift as possible was taken in the first week of the major incident, and they were able to add value in that time which was appreciated by the council and the Department.

Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, how many meetings her Department had with Unite between 11 March 2025 and when she decided to use the armed forces to help with waste collection in Birmingham.

Answered by Jim McMahon - Minister of State (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

The Secretary of State has engaged with Unite and Birmingham City Council to encourage them to get back around the negotiating table. She has not met with ACAS and the Department has not met with Unite. Any talks to settle the equal pay dispute are solely between the employer (Birmingham City Council) and trade union (Unite).

The decision to allow a small number of military personnel to provide office based operational planning expertise for a short, time limited period to support the council with making sure its response to the ongoing public health risk is as swift as possible was taken in the first week of the major incident, and they were able to add value in that time which was appreciated by the council and the Department.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of UK soft power on exports by UK companies.

Answered by Hamish Falconer - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)

Our soft power is an important driver for growth; the sectors that contribute to our soft power are the economic backbone of the country and deliver tangible benefits for the people of the UK. Greater coordination of the UK's soft power through the Soft Power Council will contribute to growth for the UK through providing opportunities for investment and trade. Research from the British Council shows that strong soft power results in strong growth outcomes for UK businesses. Exports are supported through strong positive perceptions of the UK globally, including trust, favourability and attractiveness.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what steps he is taking with international partners to establish an African Union-led contact group to convene regional partners to focus on a diplomatic solution to the conflict in Sudan.

Answered by Hamish Falconer - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)

At the London Sudan Conference, co-hosts agreed on a series of next steps, including revitalising existing frameworks such as the African Union Expanded Mechanism to enhance coordination among regional partners. Together with our co-hosts, we also emphasised the importance of strategic coordination and inclusive political dialogue, focusing on aligning efforts to achieve a diplomatic solution to the conflict in Sudan. We continue to engage with our international partners on these efforts.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what steps is he taking to engage with (a) bilateral and (b) multilateral parties to the London Sudan conference on 15 April 2025 who did not sign the co-chairs' joint statement.

Answered by Hamish Falconer - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)

The Foreign Secretary engaged with multiple partners, bilateral and multilateral, in the run-up to the London Sudan Conference and on the day of the conference itself. The conference demonstrated the strong international will to bring the conflict to an end and to ensure aid reaches those most in need. The UK continues to use all diplomatic levers at its disposal in pursuit of these aims.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what steps he plans to take with (a) Cabinet colleagues and (b) international partners to help ensure (a) a cessation in hostilities and (b) an end to conflict in Sudan.

Answered by Hamish Falconer - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)

A key focus of the London Sudan Conference on 15 April was to establish international consensus on how to end the conflict. There was clear consensus on the importance of an immediate and permanent ceasefire and sustainable end to the conflict, as reiterated in the co-chairs' statement. The Foreign Secretary and Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office officials will continue to engage with colleagues across Government as well as international counterparts to maintain momentum and work towards a peaceful future for the Sudanese people.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, how much funding was (a) allocated for and (b) spent on the London Sudan conference on 15 April 2025.

Answered by Hamish Falconer - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)

We are currently collating information on funding allocated to and spent on the London Sudan Conference. We will write to the Honourable Member with a full response in due course.

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 support the work of the OSCE Mission to strengthen inter-ethnic relations in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

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

The UK has consistently supported work with international partners to address ethnic tensions in Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH), including support to the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) on electoral integrity; ensuring effective, fair, and transparent election processes helps to promote trust in the system and peaceful coexistence between communities. Our Embassy in Sarajevo regularly raises issues around inter-ethnic relations with BiH authorities, urging constructive action and underlining our support for an inclusive future, where fundamental rights are respected and all citizens are treated fairly.

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 ensure that Overseas Development Assistance is used effectively to achieve intended outcomes in recipient countries.

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

The Prime Minister has committed to a process to look at all Official Development Assistance (ODA) programming across Government. This is to ensure that it is strategically coherent, delivers UK objectives, whilst providing value for money for the UK taxpayer.

The Foreign Secretary commissioned the Development Review last year, which has also helped us consider value for money and oversight mechanisms for ODA.

The Foreign Secretary will lead the cross-Departmental ODA review as part of the Spending Review process, proposing draft allocations to the Prime Minister, Chancellor and Chief Secretary to the Treasury to inform final departmental settlements within the coming weeks.

The FCDO Programme Operating Framework (PrOF) is the FCDO's handbook for delivery of all programmes, and includes the mandatory ruleset, the roles and responsibilities and governance within which programme teams throughout the network operate. The PrOF ensures that the FCDO delivers good quality programmes and addresses our priorities through a blend of diplomacy and development programming, ensuring that we comply with cross-HMG standards on project delivery. The PrOF rules set out the requirements for programme design and approval - including capturing the intended outcomes of the programme in a suitable results framework. The rules also require a suitable assessment of any partner who is to receive funding, and that sufficient monitoring is in place to provide performance and financial oversight and manage risk. Regular formal reviews are mandatory - annually, as a minimum, and at closure.

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 support the Euro-Atlantic aspirations of Western Balkan countries.

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

We support the Euro-Atlantic aspirations of Western Balkans countries as a route to promote stability and prosperity in the region, to help address threats to European security, and to counter irregular migration and serious organised crime. We work closely with the EU and other international partners, including the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), to support regional cooperation and reforms that drive integration with Euro-Atlantic institutions. We also work together to counter Russian disinformation and economic and political coercion in the region. This year's UK-hosted Berlin Process will support Western Balkans countries' Euro-Atlantic aspirations by focusing on strengthened regional cooperation to tackle irregular migration and serious organised crime, reinforced European security, and unlocking barriers to growth.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of changes to UK Official Development Assistance on UK efforts to promote antimicrobial resistance work globally.

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

The Prime Minister has set out a new strategic vision for government spending on defence and security, and official development assistance. Decisions on how the Official Development Assistance (ODA) budget will be used will be worked through as part of the ongoing Spending Review, based on various factors including impact assessments.

To enable us to deliver this change effectively, we are prioritising meeting legally binding commitments and delivering work already underway while maximising the Foreign, Commonwealth, Development Office's flexibility in 2025/26 before finalising ODA allocations and setting out our future budgets following the conclusion of the Spending Review.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, pursuant to the Answer of 2 April 2025 to Question 41094 on Aid Workers: Armed Conflict, what assessment his Department has made of the effectiveness of UN Security Council Resolution 2730 in protecting those Humanitarian Aid workers in areas of conflict and instability.

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

The scale and severity of threats to humanitarian aid workers is alarming. The UK co-sponsored UN Security Council Resolution (UNSCR) 2730 to draw attention to the protection of humanitarian aid workers, including protection for national personnel who often face higher risks, and to request the UN Secretary General to update the UN Security Council (UNSC) annually on progress to protect humanitarian personnel.

Under the auspices of UNSCR 2730, in November 2024 the UK invited the Aid Worker Security Database founder to brief the council on the scale of the issue. In April 2025, the UK called for investigations into the tragic deaths of Palestinian Red Crescent Society staff and called on Israel to support the search for a missing staff member.

We also use our seat at the UNSC to condemn specific incidents, including: the attack on Zamzam refugee camp in Sudan; the tragic deaths of World Central Kitchen staff in Gaza; and incidents in Ukraine.

The UK has also joined an Australian-led Foreign Ministers' initiative to develop a political declaration to enhance protection for humanitarian personnel and complement UNSCR 2730 by galvanising collective action.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what steps he is taking with other signatories to the Dayton Peace Agreement to help ensure that it remains fit for purpose.

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

The UK remains committed to the Dayton Peace Agreement (DPA) and its instruments for maintaining peace in Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH). We work through the Peace Implementation Council to bolster domestic institutions to respond to threats to the DPA. The UK supports the High Representative's role, and should the situation require it, the use of executive powers to protect BiH's constitutional framework, stability and institutions. The Foreign Secretary, the Special Envoy and I continue to engage closely with leaders in BiH and the region, urging them to influence positively and refrain from actions which would undermine BiH's constitution. I reiterated these messages to BiH Foreign Minister Elmedin Konaković and the High Representative of BiH when we met on 12 April, as did the Foreign Secretary when he spoke to BiH President Denis Bećirović on 29 April.

Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what estimate she has made of the number of named neighbourhood police officers in Aldridge-Brownhills constituency.

Answered by Diana Johnson - Minister of State (Home Office)

The Government is committed to strong neighbourhood policing for everyone in England and Wales, no matter where they live.

As the Prime Minister announced on 10 April, by July, every community will have named and contactable officers dedicated to addressing the issues facing their communities as part of the Government's Neighbourhood Policing Guarantee.

We are providing £200 million to police forces in financial year 2025/26 to kickstart the recruitment of 13,000 more neighbourhood policing personnel across the country.

West Midlands Police has been allocated £12,210,903 for 2025/26. Based on their funding allocation, the projected growth for West Midlands Police over 2025/26 will be 289 police officers (FTE) and 20 Police Community Support Officers (FTE).

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what steps his Department is taking to support community-driven development initiatives in overseas aid projects.

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

Partnering with local actors with roots in their communities is crucial to deliver aid that is culturally relevant, contextually appropriate, and impactful. Local partners offer insights into communities' culture and needs and understand local coordination structures and challenges. The evidence shows that local organisations are particularly effective at driving social accountability and enhancing public services for marginalised groups, including women and girls. By focusing on capacity building, acting as conveners to amplify local voices, and investing in the long-term sustainability of local partners, the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office and its delivery partners, such as international non-governmental organisations, can provide substantial value beyond mere financial support.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, if he plans to publish (a) the conclusions of the Independent Development Review and (b) his response.

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

The review's reports take the form of unpublished independent advice to the Foreign Secretary. The review recommendations are now being considered as part of the Foreign Secretary's wider work to reform the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office. A decision on how best to communicate the independent reviews' findings will be taken in due course by the Foreign Secretary.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what assessment he has made of the potential implications for his policies of the policy paper entitled International development in a contested world: ending extreme poverty and tackling climate change, a white paper on international development, published in 20 November 2023.

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

The White Paper entitled International Development in a Contested World published by the previous government provided a diagnosis of global challenges, and examples of how the UK can respond to these. The Foreign Secretary's Development Review went further, considering areas of focus for the UK's development effort in a constrained resource environment, based on the UK's specific strengths and the strengths of our partners, and building on the wide-ranging development consultations conducted in 2023.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what steps his Department is taking to encourage (a) local leadership and (b) community involvement in the (i) planning and (ii) implementation of UK-funded development programmes.

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

Promoting the resilience and local legitimacy of local civil society and mutual aid groups helps to protect civic space and support open societies and human rights. There is strong evidence that local organisations are particularly effective at driving social accountability and improvements to public services for marginalised groups, including women and girls. Examples include our innovative £60 million partnership with Comic Relief to build the capacity of Southern civil society organisations, and the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office's programmes to support local Disabled People's Organisations and local Women's Rights Organisations. We are working to support the network to take a locally led approach that strengthens the leadership and resilience of local institutions, organisations, and communities. Delivery, leadership, and decision-making by local people is often the best solution, particularly in times of crisis and in complex contexts.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what preparations he is making for the potential impact of conflict abroad on the NHS.

Answered by Ashley Dalton - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)

The Department of Health and Social Care works closely with NHS England and the Ministry of Defence to understand the impacts of international conflict on domestic healthcare delivery. This includes exercising existing plans such as the Reception Arrangements for Ministry of Defence Patients, which supports the return of injured personnel for treatment by the National Health Service. We also actively monitor the wider impacts of conflicts including emerging threats to medical supply resilience. We work in partnership with industry and the wider health system to support robust planning to mitigate these risks. The Department of Health and Social Care has established processes in place to manage disruption to the NHS.

The Department also provides medical aid to conflict-affected areas to reduce the impact of humanitarian crises in the region and beyond. For example, in 2023 the Department assisted with coordinating aid for displaced civilians in Gaza. Essential supplies included 76,800 surplus trauma kits, 1,350 water filters, and 2,560 solar lights.

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 strengthen partnerships with (a) local governments and (b) non-governmental organisations to improve the effectiveness of UK-funded development projects.

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

The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) values local authorities and civil society as an essential element for delivering UK aid, as well as a policy partner and further recognises that stronger, more inclusive engagement with such partners and local organisations can better empower those that development and humanitarian efforts are designed to serve. Delivery, leadership, and decision-making by local people is often the best solution, particularly in times of crisis and in complex contexts. We are working to support the network to take a locally led approach that strengthens the leadership and resilience of local institutions, organisations and communities.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether he plans to make a financial commitment for Gavi’s 8th replenishment on 25 June 2025.

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

The UK is one of the largest donors to Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance. We have committed £1.65 billion to the current strategic period covering 2021-2025. Following the difficult decision to reduce UK Official Development Assistance (ODA) from 0.5 per cent of Gross National Income to 0.3 per cent by 2027 we are taking a rigorous approach to ensure all ODA delivers value for money. Announcements on individual investments will be made following the completion of the Spending Review process.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of a delay in pledging for Gavi’s 8th replenishment on 25 June 2025 on (a) the UK’s international reputation and (b) other donor countries making pledges.

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

The UK is one of the largest donors to Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance. We have committed £1.65 billion to the current strategic period covering 2021-2025. The UK is working with all partners, including other donors, to support a successful replenishment of Gavi. The UK has been clear about the reasons for the difficult decision to reduce UK Official Development Assistance from 0.5 per cent of Gross National Income to 0.3 per cent by 2027. Announcements on individual investments will be made following the completion of the Spending Review process.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of US tariffs on the Falkland Islands economy.

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

The UK Government is working closely with the Falkland Islands Government to understand the impact of the US tariffs, this includes engaging and meeting with experts in the Department for Business and Trade and the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office. I spoke to the Chair of the Legislative Assembly on 3 April on this issue, and discussed it again with the full Legislative Assembly and Governor on 23 April.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether he has made an assessment of the potential merits of providing long-term funding for de-mining (a) organisations and (b) programmes between 2026 and 2029.

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

Decisions on how the Official Development Assistance (ODA) budget will be used from 2025-2029 are being worked through as part of the ongoing Spending Review, based on various factors including impact assessments.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, pursuant to the Answer of 4 April 2025 to Question 41877 on Ukraine: Drug Resistance, which (a) projects and (b) work streams are focusing on tackling AMR.

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

We are funding the Ukrainian Red Cross (URCS) who are treating people, including some which have these infections. However, our humanitarian support does not specifically involve or target the particular issue of anti-microbial resistance (AMR). The URCS have funded UK-based surgeons and nurses to provide expertise to the burns unit in Kyiv. This unit supports people who have been injured through shelling, attacks, and debris, as well as household accidents. The medical staff coming to Kyiv help with best practice sharing; improving current procedures including infection prevention and control to help prevent infection which result in AMR. Through a partnership with the Unbroken Rehabilitation Centre, Imperial Healthcare NHS Trust have launched an infection control programme which aims to strengthen capacity and capability of medical personnel in both the UK and Ukraine to manage the healthcare burden created by AMR.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what estimate he has made of the potential impact of the recent changes to the ODA's budget on nutrition-related spend.

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

The Foreign, Commonwealth, and Development Office (FCDO) is awaiting the outcome of the ongoing Spending Review to determine how the Official Development Assistance (ODA) budget will be used. The FCDO remains committed to integrating nutrition, delivering nutrition objectives alongside successes in other sectors.

The FCDO's nutrition-related spend is reported as part of the Nutrition Accountability Report. The 2022 Report was published in August 2024 with nutrition-related spend for 2022 totalling £366.4 million. The FCDO is currently reviewing nutrition-related spend for calendar year 2023.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what proportion of Official Development Assistance spending will be on domestic (a) administrative and (b) staffing costs in 2025-26.

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

The Department estimates that the proportion of Official Development Assistance spending on domestic (a) administrative and (b) staffing costs in 2025-26 will be approximately 3 per cent and 1 per cent respectively. The staffing costs are part of the total administrative costs. These figures are indicative estimates only.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether he plans to reduce in-donor refugee costs to meet Official Development Assistance budget allocations for (a) 2026-27 and (b) 2027-28.

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

The Government is committed to ensuring that asylum costs fall and has already acted. The Government has taken measures to reduce the asylum backlog, reform the asylum accommodation system to help end the use of expensive accommodation in the next Spending Review (SR) period and increase detention capacity to facilitate more asylum removals. Whilst there will always be volatility in asylum forecasts, we expect these decisions to drive down overall in-donor refugee costs over the next multi-year SR (2026/27- 2028/2029).

Departmental Official Development Assistance allocations will be confirmed at the next Spending Review.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what assessment he has made of the potential implications for his policies of the Independent Development Review in the context of changes changes to Official Development Assistance.

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

The review recommendations are now being considered as part of the Foreign Secretary's wider work to reform the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO), including how the FCDO approaches the reduction in the Official Development Assistance budget.

Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, if she will make an assessment of the accuracy of her Department’s impact assessment on the decision to remove the winter fuel payment.

Answered by Torsten Bell - Parliamentary Secretary (HM Treasury)

In line with the requirements of the Public Sector Equality Duty, an Equality Analysis was produced and considered as part of the ministerial decision-making process. This was published on 13 September and is available online: Equality Impact Assessments produced for targeting Winter Fuel Payment - GOV.UK. The Department will continue to monitor outcomes for pensioners.

Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, pursuant to the Answer of 7 April 2025 to Question 43065 on Pension Credit, if she will make an assessment of the accuracy of her Department’s impact assessment on the decision to remove the winter fuel payment.

Answered by Torsten Bell - Parliamentary Secretary (HM Treasury)

In line with the requirements of the Public Sector Equality Duty, an Equality Analysis was produced and considered as part of the ministerial decision-making process. This was published on 13 September and is available online: Equality Impact Assessments produced for targeting Winter Fuel Payment - GOV.UK . The Department will continue to monitor outcomes for pensioners.

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 support objective 5 of the Global Compact on Nutrition Integration.

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

The Foreign, Commonwealth, and Development Office (FCDO) is seeking to improve finance for nutrition, which is the focus of objective 5 of the Global Compact on Nutrition Integration, which we have developed and led by working with partners in different sectors to integrate nutrition objectives in their policies and programmes. The Coalition which will take forward the Global Compact on Nutrition Integration, provides a platform for engagement dialogue and lesson learning, between partner governments, civil society organisations and existing as well as new funding partners. This includes among others' representatives from multilateral development banks, investors, philanthropy, global health and climate funds. To date, over 80 governments and organisations have expressed their support for the Compact, representing a diverse range of stakeholder groups and sectors.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what (a) accountability and (b) reporting arrangements his Department has put in place to monitor progress against the Global Nutrition Integration Compact.

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

The Global Compact on Nutrition Integration relies on existing accountability and reporting mechanisms with regards to the integration commitments of its members, notably the Global Nutrition Report's (GNR) Nutrition Accountability Framework (NAF). Accountability for nutrition integration therefore rests with each individual organisation. Compact members, including the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO), are responsible for reporting progress against their commitments listed in the NAF, with the GNR monitoring overall progress.

In addition, FCDO reports information on nutrition integration across its programmes in the annual Nutrition Accountability Report, this is published on the GNR website.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what discussions he has had with Cabinet colleagues on the provision of funding for (a) science and (b) evidence-based solutions to support work on nutrition.

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

The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) applies a science and evidence-based approach to ensure that our policy and programming maximise value for money and impact. This includes our work on nutrition. This approach also underpins cabinet ministerial discussions and decisions on how to allocate funding for nutrition in the context of the ongoing Spending Review. Nutrition is included in discussions on global health policy and programmes with other government departments. The FCDO will be able to share further details once the Spending Review is concluded.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, with reference to the launch of the Global Compact on Nutrition Integration at Nutrition For Growth in Paris, what steps his Department is taking to integrate nutrition objectives into its policies.

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

The Foreign, Commonwealth, and Development Office (FCDO) continues to integrate nutrition objectives across its international development policies and programming. This includes application of the OECD Development Assistance Committee Nutrition Policy Marker and the provision of advice and assistance to colleagues across The FCDO's network to strengthen our capability to integrate nutrition in our Official Development Assistance programmes. Progress is assessed by independent experts and published in the FCDO's annual Nutrition Accountability Report. The FCDO will publish the next iteration of the report around June 2025.

Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, pursuant to the Answer of 7 April 2025 to Question 42592 on Councillors: Planning, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of the Planning and Infrastructure Bill on the role of councillors' (a) openness, (b) accountability and (c) scrutiny in the planning process.

Answered by Matthew Pennycook - Minister of State (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

The Planning and Infrastructure Bill includes a regulation-making power to issue statutory guidance on a national scheme of delegation.

The government intend to formally consult on proposals relating to the delegation of planning decisions in England alongside the Bill’s passage.

Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, with reference to the Planning and Infrastructure Bill, what assessment she has made of the potential impact on local democratic oversight of replacing individual local authority schemes with a national scheme for when planning committees should delegate decisions to planning officers.

Answered by Matthew Pennycook - Minister of State (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

The Planning and Infrastructure Bill includes a regulation-making power to issue statutory guidance on a national scheme of delegation.

The government intend to formally consult on proposals relating to the delegation of planning decisions in England alongside the Bill’s passage.

Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, pursuant to the Answer of 7 April 2025 to Question 42592 on Councillors: Planning, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of councillors on the planning process.

Answered by Matthew Pennycook - Minister of State (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

The Planning and Infrastructure Bill includes a regulation-making power to issue statutory guidance on a national scheme of delegation.

The government intend to formally consult on proposals relating to the delegation of planning decisions in England alongside the Bill’s passage.

Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, with reference to the Planning and Infrastructure Bill, what her planned timetable is for publishing national guidance on when local planning committees should delegate decisions to planning officers.

Answered by Matthew Pennycook - Minister of State (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

The Planning and Infrastructure Bill includes a regulation-making power to issue statutory guidance on a national scheme of delegation.

The government intend to formally consult on proposals relating to the delegation of planning decisions in England alongside the Bill’s passage.

Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what her planned timeline is for publishing details of national guidance on when local planning committees should delegate decisions to planning officers.

Answered by Matthew Pennycook - Minister of State (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to Question UIN 48951 on 7 May 2025.

Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what plans she has to reduce the size of local authority planning committees.

Answered by Matthew Pennycook - Minister of State (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to Question UIN 48951 on 7 May 2025.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, how many full-time-equivalent staff in her Department are employed in communications and public relations roles.

Answered by James Murray - Exchequer Secretary (HM Treasury)

In the central HM Treasury communications team, there are a total of 40.9 Full Time Equivalent Government Communication Service professionals.

Of this total, 19 work in the media discipline which covers press and media responsibilities.

This is the latest available centrally collected data from June 2024.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps he is taking to ensure the UK’s health security against (a) malaria, (b) tuberculosis and (c) HIV/AIDS.

Answered by Ashley Dalton - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)

The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) holds data on all malaria cases diagnosed in the United Kingdom by the Malaria Reference Laboratory (MRL) and Public Health Scotland. The MRL’s extensive service to users in the UK includes: malaria diagnosis; epidemiological data; prophylaxis advice to health professionals; and technical advice on methodology and laboratory procedures. Almost all malaria cases diagnosed in the UK are associated with recent travel to an endemic area, and the UKHSA is working with the African Diaspora Malaria Initiative to reduce the burden of malaria in particularly affected groups. Where cases are identified as having no recent travel history, a full investigation is undertaken by the UKHSA. A standard approach to managing these cases is under development.

Information regarding malaria cases diagnosed in the UK is published on GOV.UK website, with annual reports and statistics on malaria imported to the UK available, respectively, at the following two links:

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/malaria-in-the-uk-annual-report

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/imported-malaria-in-the-uk-statistics

The UKHSA and NHS England’s joint tuberculosis (TB) action plan for England details actions to achieve a 90% reduction in people with TB by 2035, aligned with World Health Organization elimination targets. The plan is available at the following link:

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/tuberculosis-tb-action-plan-for-england/tuberculosis-tb-action-plan-for-england-2021-to-2026#priority-2-prevent-tb.

The UK pre-entry TB screening programme operates in 102 countries, to reduce the importation of TB by screening applicants for long term visas from high TB incidence countries. People are screened in line with the UK Tuberculosis Technical Instructions, which are available at the following link:

https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/5cd18ae5e5274a34ee7f0275/UK_tuberculosis_technical_instructions_version_7.pdf

Active TB can be prevented by identifying, testing, and treating people with TB infection. People who are close contacts of individuals with infectious TB are also tested for infection, so they can be treated before the disease develops.

The NHS England national latent TB testing programme for migrants from high incidence countries operates in 27 of the 42 integrated care board areas in England.

In March 2025, NHS England and The Royal National Orthopaedic Hospital published a Getting it Right First Time review of TB services, which included a series of recommendations to reduce unwarranted variation in clinical practice and improve care, especially to underserved populations. The report is available at the following link:

https://www.england.nhs.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/girft-review-of-tuberculosis-national-report.pdf

The UKHSA, in collaboration with key stakeholders, is leading work to develop a new national action plan for 2026 to 2031, including a call for evidence.

The Government is committed to ending new transmissions of HIV in England by 2030. The Department, the UKHSA, NHS England, and partners are developing the new HIV Action Plan for England, which we aim to publish this year.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether he has made recent representations to his counterpart in Eritrea on releasing prisoners of conscience detained without trial.

Answered by Hamish Falconer - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)

We consistently raise the human rights situation with the Eritrean Government, most recently by way of a statement at the 58th Human Rights Council in February and also during a senior Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) official visit to Asmara in April. We continue to advocate for the end of arbitrary detentions, including detentions based on religion or belief. Eritrea is a priority country in the FCDO Annual Human Rights Report and we support the work of the UN Special Rapporteur on Human Rights in Eritrea, voting in favour of his mandate renewal in July 2024. As we have stated at the Human Rights Council, all those who have been unjustly incarcerated must be released.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what steps the he is taking to help ensure aid reaches Sudan.

Answered by Hamish Falconer - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)

The UK is playing a leading role in response to the crisis in Sudan, including efforts to facilitate more consistent humanitarian access into and within Sudan. During last month's London Sudan Conference, the Foreign Secretary announced a further £120 million towards the crisis which will provide life-saving aid to more than 650,000 people.

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 help ensure humanitarian aid reaches (a) those who need it most and (b) women and girls in Sudan.

Answered by Hamish Falconer - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)

The crisis in Sudan is the largest and most severe globally. Civilians, notably women and girls, are bearing the brunt of the violence. During last month's London Sudan Conference, chaired by the Foreign Secretary, attendees agreed to use their influence with the parties, and urge them to lift all impediments, and guarantee safe, rapid, and unimpeded access throughout Sudan for humanitarian supplies and personnel.  At the conference the Foreign Secretary announced a further £120 million in UK funding which will target over 650,000 people with life-saving aid including support for women and girls which will be delivered through networks of Sudanese responders. Through the Sudan Free of Female Genital Mutilation programme, UK funding will also support work on protection, prevention and care services in response to the increasing rates of gender-based violence and conflict-related sexual violence across Sudan and provide emergency support to survivors of these atrocities.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, pursuant to the Answer of 8 April 2025 to Question 39002 on Sudan: Children, what steps he is taking to help support children back to school in Sudan.

Answered by Hamish Falconer - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)

In late 2024, the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) assessed that nearly 90 per cent of Sudan's school age children (17 million against a population of 19 million) were no longer in school with armed violence a key driver. UK funding to UNICEF, the Global Partnership for Education, and Education Cannot Wait is helping to provide schooling and psychosocial support to Sudanese children affected by the conflict including Sudanese refugees in Chad, Ethiopia, Libya, South Sudan, Central Africa Republic, and Uganda. In addition, UK funding to Emergency Response Rooms and a consortium of international non-governmental organisations is helping to deliver education services across Sudan.

Whilst the conflict continues the provision of schooling remains incredibly challenging. The UK is using all levers at its disposal to bring the fighting to an end.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what UK aid programmes are operating in Ethiopia; and what assessment he has made of the potential impact of changes to Official Development Assistance on these programmes.

Answered by Hamish Falconer - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)

The UK supports eight development programmes in Ethiopia. These programmes provide support focussed on health, nutrition, climate resilient water and sanitation services, emergency cash and education. Specific programmes include our humanitarian programme "Ethiopia: Crises 2 Resilience" (EC2R), development programmes such as 'Strengthening Climate Resilient Systems for Water, Sanitation and Hygiene Services in Ethiopia (SCRS-WaSH), and governance programmes including our Human Rights and Peacebuilding Programme (HARP). Other global and regional Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office programmes also have a footprint in Ethiopia. Decisions on the impact of changes to the Official Development Assistance budget will be determined as part of the ongoing Spending Review.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what recent assessment he has made of the level of humanitarian need in Ethiopia.

Answered by Hamish Falconer - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)

Official needs figures for Ethiopia have not yet been finalised for this year, but the level of humanitarian need remains high. Last year an estimated 21 million people were in need of humanitarian assistance. We continue to work closely with the Government of Ethiopia and other partners to support those most in need of humanitarian assistance.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of Overseas Development Aid changes on the UK-Nigeria Security and Defence Partnership.

Answered by Hamish Falconer - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)

The UK-Nigeria Security and Defence Partnership (SDP) provides a comprehensive framework to coordinate the full spectrum of the UK's partnership with Nigeria in addressing shared security and defence challenges. Part of the UK's Official Development Assistance (ODA) approach in Nigeria is to prevent and reduce the systemic drivers of violent conflict such as weak governance, climate change, food insecurity, intercommunal violence and lack of access to basic healthcare and education. Nigeria was the third largest recipient of UK bilateral ODA in Africa in Financial Year 24/25, with an allocation of £117 million. ODA allocations for forthcoming years are currently being finalised. The SDP will remain a fundamental element of the UK-Nigeria bilateral relationship in the coming years.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what steps he plans to take following the London Sudan conference on 15 April 2025 to support countries neighbouring Sudan to (a) continue to keep their borders open and (b) address increased levels of migration.

Answered by Hamish Falconer - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)

Sudan is now the world's largest displacement crisis, with 8.6 million people estimated to be internally displaced and a further 4 million having fled to neighbouring countries since April 2023. On 15 April, the Foreign Secretary co-hosted the London Sudan Conference alongside the AU, EU, France and Germany. A Co-Chairs' statement following the conference committed to increase the international attention on the human cost of this conflict, including its impact on neighbouring countries. We frequently engage with neighbouring countries, including Egypt, South Sudan and Chad to support and underline the vital role they play in hosting refugees. The Foreign Secretary's visit to Chad in January was an important part of the UK's engagement with neighbouring countries.

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 ensure the additional £120 million in food aid to Sudan pledged by the UK for the 2025-26 financial year reaches (a) civilians and (b) women and girls.

Answered by Hamish Falconer - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)

The conflict in Sudan is having a devastating impact on the people of Sudan, particularly women and girls. At the recent London Sudan Conference, the Foreign Secretary announced a package of support budgeted at £120 million which will deliver life-saving services to more than 650,000 people. The UK continues to advocate for safe, rapid, and unimpeded humanitarian access so that the most vulnerable can be reached with aid.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what assessment he has made of the effectiveness of humanitarian aid distribution in (a) Sudan and (b) South Sudan; and what steps he is taking to help improve distribution.

Answered by Hamish Falconer - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)

Sudan is in the grip of the most severe humanitarian crisis globally with 30 million people requiring life-saving aid. The ongoing obfuscation of relief operations by Sudan's warring parties alongside continued fighting are imperilling tens of millions of people. During last month's London Sudan Conference, chaired by the Foreign Secretary, attendees agreed to use their influence with the parties, and urged them to lift all impediments, and guarantee safe, rapid, and unimpeded access throughout Sudan for humanitarian supplies and personnel.  At the conference the Foreign Secretary announced a further £120 million in UK funding.

South Sudan faces a parallel humanitarian crisis compounded by climate and conflict shocks and exacerbated by the over 1.1 million people fleeing Sudan since the onset of conflict in April 2023, including returnees and refugees. In August 2024, the former Minister for Development visited South Sudan and emphasised to senior South Sudanese ministers the need for effective humanitarian aid delivery. We continue to support the UN Mission in South Sudan, and non governmental organisation partners in their delivery of aid, and urge the government to improve the enabling of humanitarian assistance by reducing bureaucratic impediments, preventing aid diversion, ending unwarranted interference in recruitment, and ensuring safe and free movement of aid workers.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, pursuant to the Answer of 7 April 2025 to Question 42598 on Recycling: Packaging, who is on the steering group; and which specific sectors are represented.

Answered by Mary Creagh - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)

The Scheme Administrator Steering Group has an independent chair, UK Government officials, local authority representation, and business and producer representatives. Please see this GOV.UK page for Scheme Administrator Steering Group membership.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, pursuant to the Answer of 8 April 2025 to Question 39012 on Sudan: Refugees, how much and what proportion of official development assistance funding to Sudan will be spent on Sudanese refugees in Chad in the 2025-26 financial year.

Answered by Hamish Falconer - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)

Since the start of the conflict in Sudan, almost one million people have crossed the border into Chad which now has Africa's largest refugee caseload per capita. On average, 200 people each day seek safety in Chad from Sudan. In January, whilst in Chad, the Foreign Secretary announced a doubling of aid to Sudan with an overall allocation of £226.5 million for financial year 2024/25. Last financial year, we provided over £40 million to address humanitarian needs in eastern Chad. This benefitted 300,000 people: both Sudanese refugees and local Chadian host communities.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, pursuant to the Answer of 31 March to Question 39447 on Israel and Occupied Territories: Development Aid, whether the funding levels for the years 2025-26 and 2026-27 will remain unchanged.

Answered by Hamish Falconer - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)

In financial year 2025-26, the UK will provide £101 million for the Occupied Palestinian Territories, which will prioritise humanitarian relief, support for Palestinian economic development, and strengthening Palestinian Authority governance and reform. We cannot yet confirm funding allocations for the financial year 2026-27 as these are subject to Spending Review processes. On 25 February, the Prime Minister made clear in the House that this Government is proud of the UK's pioneering record on overseas development, and we will continue to play a key humanitarian role in Gaza.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, with reference to his Department’s policy paper entitled London Sudan Conference, 15 April 2025: co-chairs' statement, published on 15 April 2025, what the UK’s comparative advantage is in international efforts to resolve the conflict in Sudan.

Answered by Hamish Falconer - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)

As penholder on Sudan at the UN Security Council, leader of the core group on Sudan at the UN Human Rights Council and as a major humanitarian donor, the UK occupies a unique position to keep international attention on the conflict. On 15 April, the London Sudan Conference demonstrated the UK's convening power, as Foreign Ministers and high-level Representatives from 21 countries and multilateral bodies gathered to discuss how to make progress on shared goals of ending the conflict and alleviating the suffering of the Sudanese people. As detailed in the co-chairs' statement, this is not the end but the start of a process; the UK remains committed to working with the international community to bring an end to the conflict in Sudan and see vital humanitarian aid reaching those most in need.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what assessment he has made of the effectiveness of the Strengthening Peace and Resilience in Nigeria funding allocated in 2023 at achieving (a) peace and (b) resilience in the region.

Answered by Hamish Falconer - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)

The UK's Strengthening Peace and Resilience in Nigeria programme (SPRiNG) is working to reduce rural violence in northwest and north-central Nigeria, including by supporting collaboration and productive livelihoods for both farmers and pastoralists, and strengthening conflict early warning, management and response. Whilst SPRiNG is still in the early phases of implementation, its partnership with the Institute For Integrated Transitions (IFIT) has achieved encouraging results already. Mediation efforts in Nasawara State have fostered a negotiated agreement between the Bassa and Egbura People, enabling the return and resettlement of 5000 internally displaced persons (IDPs).

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what diplomatic steps he is taking to (a) build on and (b) strengthen the 2018 power sharing agreement between President Salva Kiir and Vice-President Riek Machar in South Sudan.

Answered by Hamish Falconer - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)

The UK continues to press for implementation of the 2018 power sharing Peace Agreement and a peaceful transition to democracy through peaceful, credible and inclusive elections. On 18 March, we issued a joint statement with likeminded partners offering to facilitate direct dialogue between President Kiir and First Vice President Machar. Following the arrest of First Vice President Machar on 26 March, we joined likeminded partners to call on President Kiir to release First Vice President Machar under house arrest and prevent further escalation on 27 March. We continue to call for all sides to deescalate. The Minister for Development met the South Sudanese Foreign Minister at the Sudan Conference on 16 April and called for the release of First Vice President Machar.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what assessment he has made of the adequacy of the FCDO’s crisis response fund for 2025-26.

Answered by Hamish Falconer - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)

The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) maintains the Humanitarian Crisis Reserve (HCR) fund, which has the primary benefit of enabling flexible and rapid response to new humanitarian crises (e.g. earthquakes, floods, cyclones). Decisions about allocations are made by the Minister for Development and can be used in Official Development Assistance eligible countries only. The UK's commitment to supporting humanitarian aid across the world and responding flexibly remains a priority.

Moreover, the FCDO Crisis Management Department has been allocated £227,500 for routine crisis management in Financial Year 25/26. This is used to meet the additional costs of responding to international crises, such as deploying Rapid Deployment Teams to affected areas, staffing and running the London crisis centre, and emergent procurement, i.e. chartering aircraft for an evacuation. If a single crisis response is projected to cost the FCDO more than £150,000, we will ask HM Treasury for additional funding from the Emergency Disaster Response Fund.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of conflict moving from Sudan to South Sudan on stability in that region.

Answered by Hamish Falconer - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)

The Sudan conflict continues to pose increased risks to South Sudan and the wider region which we are closely monitoring. We will support regional peace and mediation efforts undertaken by the Intergovernmental Authority on Development, the UN and the African Union in both countries.

South Sudan is majorly impacted by the conflict in Sudan with the influx of refugees exacerbating an already challenging humanitarian context. We welcome South Sudan's generosity in hosting significant numbers of refugees. The UK's humanitarian support of £69 million to South Sudan is helping to assist those who have fled violence from Sudan.

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 help open new humanitarian aid routes into Sudan.

Answered by Hamish Falconer - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)

The UK is playing a leading role in response to the crisis in Sudan, including efforts to facilitate more consistent humanitarian access. The UK continues to push for additional cross-border aid routes into Sudan, including through Aweil, Renk and Panakuach, as well as Adré. In addition, the UK continues to press for improved cross-line routes within Sudan. During last month's London Sudan Conference, chaired by the Foreign Secretary, attendees agreed to use their influence with the parties, and urged them to lift all impediments, and guarantee safe, rapid, and unimpeded access throughout Sudan for humanitarian supplies and personnel.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of landmines on the humanitarian situation in north west Syria.

Answered by Hamish Falconer - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)

Explosive ordnance continues to pose a significant threat to civilians and humanitarian workers across Syria.

We provide funding to the mine action sector via the UK-led Aid Fund for Syria, the UK Global Mine Action Programme and the UN Office for the Co-ordination of Humanitarian Affairs.

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 the Chancellor of the Exchequer on any potential reallocation of savings from in-donor refugee costs to the FCDO’s ODA budget.

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

The UK Government has taken measures to reduce the asylum backlog and reform the asylum accommodation system to help end the use of expensive accommodation in the next Spending Review period to ensure more of our Official Development Assistance (ODA) budget is spent on our development priorities overseas.

The aid spent in the UK on refugee and asylum costs fell by a third last year and we are working to bring it down further as we continue to deliver on our election promise to slash asylum costs.

Departmental ODA allocations will be confirmed at the Spending Review.

The Foreign Secretary has regular discussions with the Chancellor.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of reduced Official Development Assistance spending on support for Afghan women and girls.

Answered by Hamish Falconer - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)

Detailed decisions on how the Official Development Assistance (ODA) budget will be used will be worked through as part of the ongoing Spending Review process. We intend to publish final 2025/26 ODA programme allocations in the FCDO Annual Report and Accounts this summer. The FCDO is focused on ensuring that every pound is spent in the most impactful way. Equality Impact Assessments - which consider impacts on women and girls - are an essential part of how we make decisions, including on ODA allocations. The UK remains committed to playing a significant role in international development.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what assessment he has made of the fluctuations in the levels of humanitarian aid that has reached Darfur over the last 6 months.

Answered by Hamish Falconer - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)

Aid flows into and across Darfur over the last six months have been wholly inadequate. Armed violence and access constraints imposed by the warring parties have had unacceptable impacts on relief operations. The UK remains fully committed to ensuring safe and unimpeded humanitarian access throughout Sudan in order to alleviate the unprecedented levels of suffering. We are using all levers at our disposal to raise the profile of the humanitarian situation and to improve the operating context for aid agencies.

On 15 April, following the Sudan London Conference, the co-chairs' statement called on relevant parties to allow and facilitate rapid, safe and unimpeded humanitarian access to all areas of need through all necessary routes in adherence with their obligations under international humanitarian law. In addition, the UK supported Canada's efforts as Chair of the G7 to issue a joint statement expressing concern about reports of the use of starvation of civilians as a method of warfare in Sudan and calling on warring parties to facilitate unimpeded humanitarian access.

During April's London Sudan Conference the Foreign Secretary announced a further £120 million towards the crisis which will provide life-saving aid to more than 650,000 people.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what criteria he uses to assess whether to withdraw funding from Official Development Assistance programmes in Sudan.

Answered by Hamish Falconer - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)

The UK has been a longstanding and major humanitarian donor to Sudan with £226.5 million allocated in the financial year of 2024/25 towards the crisis. The UK also committed a further £120 million in funding which will target over 650,000 people. In his statement to Parliament on Defence and Official Development Assistance spend, the Prime Minister made clear that Sudan would remain a humanitarian priority. The Prime Minister is committed to returning 0.7 per cent spending when fiscal conditions allow. The ongoing obfuscation of relief operations by Sudan's warring parties is imperilling tens of millions of people. More funding is required from across the international community. However, without a step change in access the already dire situation will drastically deteriorate.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what steps he plans to take to help tackle the humanitarian situation in (a) Sudan and (b) countries neighbouring Sudan.

Answered by Hamish Falconer - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)

The UK is committed to addressing Sudan's humanitarian crisis and its regional impacts. On 15 April, the Foreign Secretary announced £120 million of new life-saving aid for this year. This includes 670,000 people to be reached with food assistance for 3 months, 205,000 people to benefit from financial assistance and 600,000 people who will receive nutrition, water and sanitation support. The UK continues its work to ensure aid reaches those most in need, including through access corridors such as the Adré crossing from Chad. Crucially, we also provide aid to those neighbouring countries hosting large numbers of refugees from Sudan, including Chad, South Sudan and Uganda to help manage the effects of the crisis.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether he plans to reallocate reductions in in-donor refugee costs to other official development assistance programmes from the 2025-26 financial year.

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

The UK Government has taken measures to reduce the asylum backlog and reform the asylum accommodation system to help end the use of expensive accommodation in the next Spending Review period to ensure more of our Official Development Assistance (ODA) budget is spent on our development priorities overseas.

The aid spent in the UK on refugee and asylum costs fell by a third last year and we are working to bring it down further as we continue to deliver on our election promise to slash asylum costs.

Departmental ODA allocations will be confirmed at the Spending Review.

The Foreign Secretary has regular discussions with the Chancellor.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of the (a) withdrawal and (b) closure of international partners’ diplomatic missions in (i) Sudan and (ii) South Sudan on stability in that region.

Answered by Hamish Falconer - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)

The safety of our staff and British Nationals is our priority. The UK like others, had no choice but to withdraw our diplomatic presence in Khartoum when armed violence commenced in April 2023. The UK remains committed to finding a solution to end the conflict in Sudan. On the two-year point of the conflict, on 15 April, the Foreign Secretary hosted international partners and stakeholders at the London Sudan Conference, which focussed on spotlighting the dire human cost of the conflict, achieving progress on humanitarian access and building consensus among the international community behind a regionally led process.

We continue to maintain a diplomatic presence in Juba, South Sudan. We are keeping the situation under regular review. We are deeply concerned by the increasingly fragile security situation and have urged President Kiir and all those with influence over armed groups, to de-escalate, to release First Vice President Machar and to implement the 2018 peace agreement.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, pursuant to the Answer of 3 April 2025 to Question 41879 on European Political Community, whether (a) staff and (b) Ministers from his Department attended; and what the cost was of participation by his Department.

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

The next European Political Community summit will take place in Tirana on 16 May. We will be able to share further information about the Summit after it takes place.

Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what assessment she has made of the challenges faced by the Ukrainian community in securing employment opportunities as a result of their immigration status.

Answered by Seema Malhotra - Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State (Department for Education) (Equalities)

The Home Office will continue engaging with our stakeholders and partners to ensure employers are fully informed and can continue to support Ukrainians. We have also updated the online guidance for employers with details of the Ukraine Permission Extension (UPE) Scheme, which is available on Gov.uk.

UPE provides the same rights and entitlements to access work as well as benefits, healthcare and education as the current Ukraine schemes. Where an in-time UPE application is made and the application is not decided before the person’s existing leave expires, section 3C of the Immigration Act 1971 extends the person’s existing leave, together with any existing rights (including a right to work), until the application has been determined.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what steps he will take to ensure UK (a) health and (b) health security is not adversely impacted by changes to (i) Official Development Assistance and (ii) the global health budget.

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

Decisions on how the Official Development Assistance (ODA) budget will be used are being worked through as part of the ongoing Spending Review, based on various factors including impact assessments. We plan to publish final 2025/26 ODA programme allocations in the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office Annual Report & Accounts this summer.

We continue to work across Government to strengthen global health security and to protect the health of our people in the UK. The UK's role in helping secure agreement to a Pandemic Accord at the World Health Organization last month is a good example of that collective effort.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, pursuant to the Answer of 17 February 2025 to Question 28555 on Nutrition for Growth Summit, whether it remains his policy to spend £1.5 billion on nutrition objectives by 2030.

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

The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) remains committed to supporting nutrition in our development work. The FCDO will be able to share further details once the Spending Review is concluded.

The Minister of State for International Development, Latin America and the Caribbean, led the UK's delegation to the recent Nutrition for Growth Summit, and reiterated our commitments to nutrition objectives particularly integrating nutrition into our wider programming.

The FCDO continues to report progress against our financial commitments through its annual Nutrition Accountability Report, as well as through updates to the Global Nutrition Report's Nutrition Accountability Framework.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what steps his Department will be taking to integrate improved nutrition outcomes in the (a) health, (b) agriculture and (c) humanitarian sectors.

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

The Foreign, Commonwealth, and Development Office (FCDO) continues to implement its Nutrition for Growth (N4G) commitment to integrate nutrition across its programme portfolio, including in health, agriculture, and humanitarian sectors. This includes measures to further increase the proportion of programmes that include nutrition objectives, related activities and indicators: 1) application of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development's (OECD) Development Assistance Committee (DAC) Nutrition Policy Marker (NPM), 2) internal assurance processes to ensure adoption and accurate application of the NPM, and 3) the provision of advice and assistance to colleagues to integrate nutrition objectives. Health, agriculture, and humanitarian sectors have been key areas where nutrition advice has been given.

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