Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether funding for gender equality will be referenced in the outputs of the Integrated Review of Security, Defence, Development and Foreign Policy.

Advancing gender equality and women and girls' rights are a core part of the UK Government's mission, and Global Britain's role as a force for good in the world, including fulfilling every girl's right to 12 years of quality education. The Government remains steadfast in its commitment to this agenda. The FCDO will work closely with partners across HMG to leverage the best development, diplomatic, defence and trade approaches to achieve maximum impact.

The Integrated Review is expected to conclude later this year and will provide a strong strategic direction for the new Department. In the meantime, we are carefully considering how best to refresh and build on existing strategies such as the Strategic Vision for Gender Equality and National Action Plan on Women Peace and Security. Both the review and the merger are evidence of the Prime Minister's commitment to a unified British foreign and development policy that will maximise our influence around the world, including on gender equality and women's rights. When the Prime Minister launched the Integrated Review, he was clear that it will set out the way in which the UK will be a problem-solving and burden-sharing nation. Our aim continues to be for an ambitious and bold Integrated Review that is guided by the UK's foreign policy, national security and development objectives. Gender equality will remain a core part of the Government's mission and it is at the heart of the new FCDO.