Asked by: Jerome Mayhew (Conservative - Broadland)
Question to the Department for Science, Innovation & Technology:
To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what recent discussions she has had with Cabinet colleagues on encouraging Qatari investment in UK research and development.
Answered by Andrew Griffith - Minister of State (Department for Science, Innovation and Technology)
Through all our global partnerships, including those in the Gulf, government is delivering on the UK’s Science and Technology Framework and strengthening UK R&D.
Qatar is an important friend to the UK and our bilateral relationship includes cooperation across many areas. The UK-Qatar Strategic Investment Partnership, signed in May 2022, signalled Qatar’s intention to deploy a further £10bn investment in key UK sectors, such as life science, zero-emissions vehicles and fintech over the next 5 years.
The UK’s new research MoU with Saudi Arabia, which I signed last month, is another example of where we are driving forward partnerships in the region to support UK R&D.
Asked by: Lord Alton of Liverpool (Crossbench - Life peer)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask His Majesty's Government what is their assessment of modern-day slavery in (1) the United Arab Emirates, (2) Saudi Arabia, (3) Kuwait, (4) Oman, (5) Qatar, and (6) Jordan, particularly in relation to the kafala system.
Answered by Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon - Minister of State (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
The 'kafala' system (sponsorship) has been the source of many allegations of human rights abuses in the Gulf states and Middle East. We have seen some progress in recent years to address these issues. Qatar introduced legislation protecting labour rights particularly for migrant workers in 2020. Saudi Arabia introduced a Domestic Workers Regulation that will be enacted from September 2024. Jordan and Kuwait signed the 'Prime Ministers Call for Action to end forced labour, modern slavery and human trafficking in 2017', whilst Oman joined the Arab Charter on Human Rights in 2022. We remain committed to supporting efforts to implement these changes and improve labour rights in the Gulf States and Middle East.
Mentions:
1: None We welcome the intensive international co-operation, including efforts from Qatar and the USA, which - Speech Link
2: Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon (Con - Life peer) and will be engaging on all aspects of this crisis.On the issue of the hostages, I am travelling to Qatar - Speech Link
3: Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon (Con - Life peer) not just with other UN agencies but with those on the ground, including key partners such as Egypt—Qatar - Speech Link
Jan. 25 2024
Source Page: UK announces new aid support for Gaza on Foreign Secretary visit to Middle EastFound: The Foreign Secretary has announced that the UK and Qatar are working together to get more aid into
Mentions:
1: None The Foreign Secretary visited Israel, the Occupied Palestinian Territories, Qatar and Turkey, meeting - Speech Link
2: None He announced work with Qatar to get more aid into Gaza, with our joint consignment containing 17 tonnes - Speech Link
3: None I am travelling to Qatar next week. We will continue to drive progress towards a lasting solution. - Speech Link
4: Lord Benyon (Con - Life peer) I pay tribute to the Government of Qatar for their support and great expertise in achieving this. - Speech Link
Mentions:
1: Andrew Mitchell (Con - Sutton Coldfield) In the last week, family tents provided by the UK and Qatar have arrived in Rafah, and on Wednesday the - Speech Link
Written Evidence Apr. 16 2024
Inquiry: Electronic border management systemsFound: the UK much less competitive.We are already witnessing the impact of the ETA policy: transfers on Qatar