Asked by: Adam Jogee (Labour - Newcastle-under-Lyme)
Question to the Home Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what steps she has taken to help reduce the number of small boat crossings since her appointment.
Answered by Alex Norris - Minister of State (Home Office)
The Border Security Command (BSC) continues to focus on tackling the organised immigration crime gangs that are facilitating small boat crossings, working with domestic partners such as the National Crime Agency and the OIC Domestic taskforce, and overseas counterparts in a range of countries, to dismantle the gangs and disrupt their supply chains. This work has already led to a number of widely publicised raids and arrests, as well as agreements with France, Germany, Italy, Iraq and other key partners which will increase enforcement activity and cooperation further over the coming months.
The UK-France pilot has also been put into action meaning that anyone entering the UK on a small boat can be detained on arrival and returned to France. So far 42 individuals have been returned to France under this pilot and further flights to France are scheduled to take place over the coming days and weeks. Through our joint working with France, more than 19,000 crossing attempts have been prevented this year.
The BSC is working closely with delivery partners across Whitehall who tackle organised immigration crime, collecting key data across the system such as organised immigration crime disruptions, with the ambition to track long-term impact and support the delivery of operational activity. This will support the BSC’s ability to drive cohesive delivery across the system and ensure a secure and effective border. Working collaboratively in this way will allow us to increase the number of organised immigration crime groups which we break up and subsequently reduce small boat crossings. These numbers will be monitored to ensure we make changes to our approach when needed.
And as most recently as last week, the Home Secretary hosted Interior Ministers in London as part of the Western Balkans Summit. She hosted her ministerial counterparts from Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo, Montenegro, North Macedonia, and Serbia – all of which are key transit countries for people being smuggled illegally to the UK.
Ensuring we have the right legislation in place to take robust, meaningful action to address these challenges is crucial. With this in mind, the UK’s Border Security, Asylum and Immigration Bill, currently going through Parliament, creates new powers for law enforcement through new criminal offences, expanded data-sharing capabilities and an improved intelligence picture to identify, intercept, disrupt and prevent serious and organised crime.
Asked by: Richard Holden (Conservative - Basildon and Billericay)
Question to the Cabinet Office:
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, pursuant to the Answer of 10 July 2025 to Question 64560 on Cabinet Office: Contracts, what venues have been booked through Calder Conferences since 4 July 2024; for what purpose; and at what cost.
Answered by Chris Ward - Parliamentary Secretary (Cabinet Office)
The Cabinet Office’s contract with Calder Conferences Limited to provide Venue Booking Services started in February 2023, under the previous administration.
The below table lists the venues and costs of venues booked by the Cabinet Office through Calder Conferences since 4 July 2024. Of the 223 bookings listed, 198 were commissioned under previous guidance regarding the booking of external venues, and 25 were commissioned following updated guidance issued by this government on 4 April 2025.
To provide further background information on each booking would incur disproportionate costs, but these have included events such as Civil Service Live 2025 and hearings for the Infected Blood Inquiry. These two events account for just over £587,000 of the costs of external venue hires via Calder since 4 April 2025.
This government’s updated guidance on restrictions to booking external venues, issued on 4 April 2025, makes clear that external venues for away days are only to be used when space in government buildings or zero cost venues is unavailable. When it is absolutely necessary to procure an external venue, departments must do so through established procurement routes. Any expenditure related to away days must demonstrate value for money and adhere to reasonable cost expectations.
Bookings commissioned between 04 July 2024 and 4 April 2025
Start Date | End Date | Venue Name | Venue Address | Value (excl. VAT) |
10/07/2024 | 11/07/2024 | Sandy Park Conference and Banqueting Centre Exeter | Exeter EX2 | £7,332.63 |
16/7/2024 | 16/7/2024 | The Great Victoria Hotel | Bradford BD1 | £291.67 |
17/7/2024 | 17/7/2024 | University of Westminster - Marylebone | London NW1 | £192.00 |
22/7/2024 | 22/7/2024 | Leonardo Hotel Manchester Central - Formerly Jurys Inn Manchester | Manchester M1 5 | £284.25 |
30/07/2024 | 30/07/2024 | The Wesley Hotel & Conference Venue | London NW1 | £825.00 |
28/08/2024 | 28/08/2024 | Radisson Blu Hotel Birmingham | Birmingham B1 1 | £345.83 |
29/08/2024 | 29/08/2024 | Townhouse Hotel Manchester | Manchester M1 6 | £938.34 |
09/09/2024 | 10/09/2024 | Park Plaza Leeds | Leeds LS1 | £2,250.00 |
10/09/2024 | 10/09/2024 | Park Plaza County Hall London | London SE1 | £1,675.00 |
11/09/2024 | 11/09/2024 | The Westminster London, Curio Collection by Hilton | London SW1P | £2,206.00 |
13/09/2024 | 13/09/2024 | Chamber Space | Manchester M3 3 | £615.00 |
17/09/2024 | 17/09/2024 | Mary Ward House | London WC1H | £2,445.00 |
17/09/2024 | 17/09/2024 | Radisson Blu Hotel Glasgow | Glasgow G2 8 | £250.00 |
18/09/2024 | 18/09/2024 | Clayton Hotel Glasgow City Centre | Glasgow G1 4 | £3,750.00 |
18/09/2024 | 18/09/2024 | One Great George Street | London SW1P | £3,453.55 |
18/09/2024 | 18/09/2024 | Royal Station Hotel | Newcastle-upon-Tyne NE1 | £2,670.67 |
18/09/2024 | 18/09/2024 | The Principal York | York YO24 | £747.91 |
19/09/2024 | 19/09/2024 | Clayton Hotel Belfast | Belfast BT2 | £166.67 |
21/09/2024 | 21/09/2024 | Hotel Afa | Pristina 1000 Kosovo | £627.70 |
24/09/2024 | 24/09/2024 | Hotel Afa | Pristina 1000 Kosovo | £631.97 |
24/09/2024 | 24/09/2024 | Macdonald Burlington Hotel | Birmingham B2 4 | £2,437.50 |
24/09/2024 | 24/09/2024 | The Chesterfield Mayfair Hotel, Red Carnation Hotels | London W1J | £630.00 |
24/09/2024 | 24/09/2024 | Wellington Hotel by Blue Orchid Hospitality | London SW1P | £396.75 |
25/09/2024 | 25/09/2024 | Crowne Plaza Birmingham City Centre | Birmingham B1 1 | £487.50 |
26/09/2024 | 26/09/2024 | The Kia Oval | London SE11 | £23,147.50 |
29/09/2024 | 02/10/2024 | Modern City Hotel | Tamale C5Q3 | £5,513.02 |
30/09/2024 | 30/09/2024 | Broadway House | London SW1H | £2,250.00 |
01/10/2024 | 01/10/2024 | The Mermaid London | London EC4V | £56,899.00 |
02/10/2024 | 04/10/2024 | Leonardo Royal Hotel Birmingham | Birmingham B1 2 | £1,233.55 |
06/10/2024 | 06/10/2024 | The Royal Senchi | Akosombo 0 Ghana | £14,679.38 |
10/10/2024 | 10/10/2024 | The Royal Horseguards and One Whitehall Place | London SW1A | £16,365.00 |
15/10/2024 | 16/10/2024 | Hilton Podgorica Crna Gora | Podgorica 8100 Montenegro | £616.32 |
17/10/2024 | 17/10/2024 | Manchester Marriott Hotel Piccadilly | Manchester M1 2 | £11,673.17 |
17/10/2024 | 18/10/2024 | Wilton Park Conference Centre | Steyning BN44 | £13,815.35 |
22/10/2024 | 22/10/2024 | Hilton Podgorica Crna Gora | Podgorica 8100 Montenegro | £670.46 |
23/10/2024 | 23/10/2024 | Park Plaza County Hall London | London SE1 | £2,158.00 |
29/10/2024 | 31/10/2024 | Bianca Resort & Spa | Kolasin 8121 Montenegro | £4,500.25 |
30/10/2024 | 30/10/2024 | Novotel Bristol Centre | Bristol BS1 | £770.83 |
06/11/2024 | 06/11/2024 | &Meetings - Birmingham | Birmingham B2 5 | £90.00 |
06/11/2024 | 08/11/2024 | Hilton Leeds City | Leeds LS1 | £2,232.96 |
06/11/2024 | 06/11/2024 | The Wesley Hotel & Conference Venue | London NW1 | £3,400.00 |
12/11/2024 | 13/11/2024 | Voco Leicester | Leicester LE2 | £2,100.00 |
13/11/2024 | 14/11/2024 | Central Hall Westminster | London SW1H | £1,176.00 |
14/11/2024 | 14/11/2024 | QEII Centre | London SW1P | £26,253.03 |
14/11/2024 | 14/11/2024 | The Birmingham and Midland Institute | Birmingham B3 3 | £2,210.00 |
15/11/2024 | 15/11/2024 | Fermanagh House | Enniskillen BT74 | £209.00 |
15/11/2024 | 15/11/2024 | Imperial War Museum | London SE1 | £1,380.00 |
19/11/2024 | 19/11/2024 | Radisson Blu Hotel Glasgow | Glasgow G2 8 | £1,099.99 |
20/11/2024 | 21/11/2024 | etc.venues Manchester | Manchester M1 3 | £2,480.00 |
26/11/2024 | 26/11/2024 | Hilton York | York YO1 | £350.76 |
28/11/2024 | 28/11/2024 | Manchester Central | Manchester M2 3 | £26,670.05 |
03/12/2024 | 03/12/2024 | etc.venues County Hall | London SE1 | £1,270.00 |
03/12/2024 | 08/12/2024 | Hilton Podgorica Crna Gora | Podgorica 8100 Montenegro | £4,413.46 |
04/12/2024 | 04/12/2024 | Asia House | London W1G | £3,403.75 |
04/12/2024 | 04/12/2024 | etc.venues Manchester | Manchester M1 3 | £900.00 |
04/12/2024 | 06/12/2024 | Mercure Liverpool Atlantic Tower Hotel | Liverpool L3 9 | £2,700.00 |
04/12/2024 | 04/12/2024 | The Studio Birmingham | Birmingham B2 5 | £1,760.50 |
04/12/2024 | 06/12/2024 | The Birmingham Conference & Events Centre at the Holiday Inn Birmingham City Centre | Birmingham B5 4 | £3,088.33 |
05/12/2024 | 05/12/2024 | Mercure Cardiff Holland House Hotel & Spa | Cardiff CF24 | £250.00 |
5/12/2024 | 5/12/2024 | The Royal Society | London SW1Y | £2,745.00 |
05/12/2024 | 06/12/2024 | Avari Hotel Lahore | Punjab Pakistan | £717.72 |
09/12/2024 | 10/12/2024 | Dunsilly Hotel | Antrim BT41 | £2,225.84 |
09/12/2024 | 09/12/2024 | Pendulum Hotel & Manchester Conference Centre | Manchester M1 3 | £2,383.33 |
10/12/2024 | 11/12/2024 | Glasgow Training Rooms | Glasgow G3 8 | £1,030.00 |
10/12/2024 | 12/12/2024 | Copthorne Tara Hotel London Kensington | London W8 5 | £1,204.17 |
10/12/2024 | 12/12/2024 | Grange Clarendon Hotel | London WC1B | £4,550.00 |
11/12/2024 | 11/12/2024 | IET Birmingham: Austin Court | Birmingham B1 2 | £3,080.00 |
11/12/2024 | 11/12/2024 | Leonardo Royal Hotel London Tower Bridge | London E1 8 | £1,725.00 |
11/12/2024 | 11/12/2024 | Prince Philip House | London SW1Y | £921.60 |
11/12/2024 | 11/12/2024 | Royal Hospital Chelsea | London SW3 | £197.00 |
11/12/2024 | 11/12/2024 | The Royal Horseguards and One Whitehall Place | London SW1A | £7,795.00 |
11/12/2024 | 11/12/2024 | Townhouse Hotel Manchester | Manchester M1 6 | £272.08 |
12/12/2024 | 13/12/2024 | Leonardo Royal Hotel Birmingham | Birmingham B1 2 | £4,715.01 |
12/12/2024 | 12/12/2024 | The Studio Birmingham | Birmingham B2 5 | £1,054.80 |
13/12/2024 | 13/12/2024 | Leonardo Royal Hotel London Tower Bridge | London E1 8 | £1,346.14 |
18/12/2024 | 18/12/2024 | Mercure Bristol Grand Hotel | Bristol BS1 | £3,332.48 |
14/01/2025 | 16/01/2025 | CCT Venues-Smithfield | Smithfield EC1A | £10,327.50 |
14/01/2025 | 14/01/2025 | etc.venues Manchester | Manchester M1 3 | £1,410.00 |
14/01/2025 | 14/01/2025 | IET Birmingham: Austin Court | Birmingham B1 2 | £740.00 |
14/01/2025 | 14/01/2025 | Marlin Waterloo | London SE1 | £445.00 |
15/01/2025 | 15/01/2025 | Church House Westminster | London SW1P | £8,461.50 |
15/01/2025 | 15/01/2025 | Churchill War Rooms | London SW1A | £6,651.15 |
20/01/2025 | 22/01/2025 | Hilton Podgorica Crna Gora | Podgorica 8100 Montenegro | £768.90 |
20/01/2025 | 21/01/2025 | Royal Station Hotel | Newcastle-upon-Tyne NE1 | £1,702.07 |
20/01/2025 | 21/01/2025 | The Hawkhills | Easingwold YO61 | £7,134.17 |
21/01/2025 | 21/01/2025 | etc.venues Manchester | Manchester M1 3 | £2,750.00 |
21/01/2025 | 21/01/2025 | Park Inn by Radisson Aberdeen | Aberdeen AB11 | £270.83 |
22/01/2025 | 22/01/2025 | The Met Hotel, Leeds | Leeds LS1 | £4,691.66 |
23/01/2025 | 23/01/2025 | Church House Westminster | London SW1P | £15,370.00 |
23/01/2025 | 23/01/2025 | Manchester Art Gallery | Manchester M2 3 | £2,496.40 |
27/01/2025 | 30/01/2025 | Radisson Blu Hotel, Edinburgh City Centre | Edinburgh EH1 | £12,012.51 |
27/01/2025 | 29/01/2025 | Stanbrook Abbey Hotel | Worcester WR2 | £3,113.72 |
28/01/2025 | 28/01/2025 | Design Museum | London W8 6 | £10,000.00 |
28/01/2025 | 28/01/2025 | DoubleTree by Hilton London Angel Kings Cross | London N1 9 | £2,245.83 |
29/1/2025 | 29/1/2025 | Design Museum | London W8 6 | £42,000.00 |
30/01/2025 | 30/01/2025 | Broadway House | London SW1H | £679.60 |
30/01/2025 | 30/01/2025 | Crowne Plaza Birmingham City Centre | Birmingham B1 1 | £577.20 |
30/01/2025 | 30/01/2025 | The Union Jack Club | London SE1 | £462.71 |
04/02/2025 | 04/02/2025 | Broadway House | London SW1H | £1,089.00 |
05/02/2025 | 05/02/2025 | Central Hall Westminster | London SW1H | £7,467.58 |
05/02/2025 | 05/02/2025 | The Royal Society | London SW1Y | £30,413.25 |
06/02/2025 | 06/02/2025 | Marlin Waterloo | London SE1 | £445.00 |
06/02/2025 | 06/02/2025 | Townhouse Hotel Manchester | Manchester M1 6 | £428.33 |
10/02/2025 | 10/02/2025 | Broadway House | London SW1H | £823.50 |
10/02/2025 | 10/02/2025 | Broadway House | London SW1H | £1,213.00 |
11/02/2025 | 13/02/2025 | Novotel Manchester Centre | Manchester M1 4 | £416.66 |
11/02/2025 | 11/02/2025 | Townhouse Hotel Manchester | Manchester M1 6 | £385.42 |
12/02/2025 | 14/02/2025 | Crowne Plaza Bandung | Jakarta 4011 Indonesia | £14,580.90 |
12/02/2025 | 12/02/2025 | Hilton Podgorica Crna Gora | Podgorica 8100 Montenegro | £1,891.50 |
12/02/2025 | 12/02/2025 | Royal National Hotel | London WC1H | £6,916.67 |
12/02/2025 | 12/02/2025 | The Wesley Hotel & Conference Venue | London NW1 | £3,141.67 |
13/02/2025 | 13/02/2025 | The Kia Oval | London SE11 | £24,713.76 |
14/02/2025 | 14/02/2025 | One Birdcage Walk | London SW1H | £2,184.60 |
18/02/2025 | 18/02/2025 | Holiday Inn London Bloomsbury | London WC1N | £9,087.50 |
18/02/2025 | 18/02/2025 | Hotel Splendid Conference and Spa Resort | Becici 8531 Montenegro | £1,078.32 |
18/02/2025 | 19/02/2025 | Mercure Manchester Piccadilly Hotel | Manchester M1 4 | £416.67 |
19/02/2025 | 19/02/2025 | Broadway House | London SW1H | £2,400.50 |
19/02/2025 | 21/02/2025 | Park Plaza Leeds | Leeds LS1 | £12,974.16 |
20/02/2025 | 21/02/2025 | Hilton Podgorica Crna Gora | Podgorica 8100 Montenegro | £2,662.51 |
24/02/2025 | 24/02/2025 | Clayton Hotel Birmingham & Conference Centre | Birmingham B5 5 | £650.00 |
24/02/2025 | 26/02/2025 | Mandarin Oriental, Jakarta | Jakarta 1031 Indonesia | £7,264.87 |
25/02/2025 | 25/02/2025 | Thistle London Marble Arch | London W1H | £17,474.99 |
26/02/2025 | 26/02/2025 | Ambassadors Bloomsbury Hotel | London WC1H | £3,932.50 |
27/02/2025 | 28/02/2025 | The Royal Horseguards and One Whitehall Place | London SW1A | £8,481.67 |
04/03/2025 | 04/03/2025 | Broadway House | London SW1H | £2,400.50 |
04/03/2025 | 04/03/2025 | Broadway House | London SW1H | £2,196.00 |
04/03/2025 | 04/03/2025 | Hilton York | York YO1 | £733.33 |
04/03/2025 | 04/03/2025 | Lysses House Hotel | Fareham PO16 | £250.00 |
04/03/2025 | 06/03/2025 | Manchester Marriott Hotel Piccadilly | Manchester M1 2 | £13,509.75 |
05/03/2025 | 05/03/2025 | Mary Ward House | London WC1H | £8,163.80 |
05/03/2025 | 05/03/2025 | National Museums Liverpool | Liverpool L2 2 | £30,384.60 |
11/03/2025 | 11/03/2025 | Bletchley Park | Milton Keynes MK3 | £22,084.00 |
11/03/2025 | 11/03/2025 | Churchill War Rooms | London SW1A | £2,190.00 |
12/03/2025 | 12/03/2025 | etc.venues County Hall | London SE1 | £550.00 |
12/03/2025 | 13/03/2025 | The Milner York, formerly The Principal | York YO24 | £8,615.01 |
17/03/2025 | 17/03/2025 | Admirable Crichton | London SE5 | £2,139.46 |
18/03/2025 | 20/03/2025 | CCT Venues-Smithfield | Smithfield EC1A | £10,042.00 |
18/03/2025 | 21/03/2025 | Novotel Leeds Centre | Leeds LS1 | £4,646.66 |
20/03/2025 | 20/03/2025 | 8 Northumberland Avenue | London WC2N | £21,700.00 |
20/03/2025 | 20/03/2025 | Leonardo Royal Hotel Birmingham | Birmingham B1 2 | £5,100.00 |
20/03/2025 | 20/03/2025 | Marlin Waterloo | London SE1 | £495.00 |
20/03/2025 | 20/03/2025 | Radisson Blu Hotel Liverpool | Liverpool L3 9 | £725.00 |
24/03/2025 | 26/03/2025 | Nottingham Venues - The Jubilee Hotel & Conferences | Nottingham NG7 | £23,581.97 |
24/03/2025 | 24/03/2025 | The Royal Society | London SW1Y | £6,653.00 |
25/03/2025 | 26/03/2025 | Broadway House | London SW1H | £2,500.00 |
25/03/2025 | 25/03/2025 | etc.venues Manchester | Manchester M1 3 | £2,785.00 |
25/03/2025 | 25/03/2025 | Novotel London Waterloo | London SE1 | £678.33 |
26/03/2025 | 26/03/2025 | Amplitude Event Solutions Ltd | Shipley BD18 | £7,085.00 |
26/03/2025 | 26/03/2025 | Broadway House | London SW1H | £2,110.00 |
26/03/2025 | 26/03/2025 | Civil Service Club | London SW1A | £1,400.34 |
26/03/2025 | 26/03/2025 | Clayton Hotel Manchester City Centre | Manchester M1 3 | £3,404.16 |
26/03/2025 | 28/03/2025 | Hyatt Place & Hyatt House Leeds | Leeds LS1 | £3,741.66 |
27/03/2025 | 27/03/2025 | Delta Hotels by Marriott Liverpool City Centre. | Liverpool L1 1 | £583.33 |
27/03/2025 | 27/03/2025 | Malmaison York | York YO90 | £4,570.84 |
31/03/2025 | 04/04/2025 | Clayton Hotel Glasgow City Centre | Glasgow G1 4 | £2,666.66 |
31/03/2025 | 31/03/2025 | Marlin Waterloo | London SE1 | £755.00 |
01/04/2025 | 01/04/2025 | Body and Soul Charity | London EC1R | £350.00 |
02/04/2025 | 02/04/2025 | Central Hall Westminster | London SW1H | £12,858.50 |
02/04/2025 | 03/04/2025 | The Midland Hotel - Manchester | Manchester M60 | £1,500.00 |
03/04/2025 | 03/04/2025 | 10-11 Carlton House Terrace | London SW1Y | £1,450.83 |
03/04/2025 | 03/04/2025 | Broadway House | London SW1H | £1,620.00 |
03/04/2025 | 03/04/2025 | MGi London Media & Events | London W1B | £2,050.00 |
03/04/2025 | 05/04/2025 | Wilton Park Conference Centre | Steyning BN44 | £16,434.70 |
22/04/2025 | 23/04/2025 | Crowne Plaza Newcastle - Stephenson Quarter | Newcastle-upon-Tyne NE1 | £1,447.49 |
23/04/2025 | 24/04/2025 | Conference Aston Hotel Birmingham | Birmingham B4 7 | £10,651.41 |
29/04/2025 | 30/04/2025 | Clayton Hotel Manchester City Centre | Manchester M1 3 | £3,946.70 |
29/04/2025 | 29/04/2025 | Radisson Hotel York | York YO1 | £4,179.17 |
30/04/2025 | 30/04/2025 | Cardiff Castle | Cardiff CF10 | £4,550.00 |
30/04/2025 | 30/04/2025 | Park Plaza County Hall London | London SE1 | £2,194.00 |
30/04/2025 | 30/04/2025 | The Birmingham Conference & Events Centre at the Holiday Inn Birmingham City Centre | Birmingham B5 4 | £4,345.00 |
01/05/2025 | 01/05/2025 | QEII Centre | London SW1P | £29,296.45 |
01/05/2025 | 01/05/2025 | The Alan | Manchester M1 4 | £665.00 |
07/05/2025 | 07/05/2025 | etc.venues Manchester | Manchester M1 3 | £2,785.00 |
09/05/2025 | 09/05/2025 | De Vere Grand Connaught Rooms | London WC2B | £7,206.20 |
12/05/2025 | 16/05/2025 | Clayton Hotel Leeds | Leeds LS11 | £5,791.67 |
13/05/2025 | 15/05/2025 | CCT Venues-Smithfield | Smithfield EC1A | £10,042.00 |
13/05/2025 | 14/05/2025 | Radisson Blu Hotel, Sheffield | Sheffield S1 2 | £6,811.67 |
13/05/2025 | 13/05/2025 | RSA House | London WC2N | £6,690.00 |
14/05/2025 | 14/05/2025 | Novotel Manchester Centre | Manchester M1 4 | £1,866.67 |
19/05/2025 | 22/05/2025 | The Met Hotel, Leeds | Leeds LS1 | £8,725.00 |
20/05/2025 | 20/05/2025 | etc.venues Monument | London EC3M | £10,445.00 |
21/05/2025 | 21/05/2025 | De Vere Grand Connaught Rooms | London WC2B | £6,678.33 |
09/06/2025 | 14/06/2025 | Radisson Blu Hotel, Edinburgh City Centre | Edinburgh EH1 | £12,387.50 |
17/06/2025 | 19/06/2025 | Venue Cranfield - Hotel and Conference Centre | Milton Keynes MK43 | £4,097.50 |
23/06/2025 | 23/06/2025 | One Great George Street | London SW1P | £2,702.00 |
24/06/2025 | 25/06/2025 | Utilita Arena Cardiff | Cardiff CF10 | £8,000.00 |
25/06/2025 | 27/06/2025 | Conference Aston Hotel Birmingham | Birmingham B4 7 | £11,428.31 |
30/06/2025 | 03/07/2025 | The Westminster London, Curio Collection by Hilton | London SW1P | £6,225.00 |
01/07/2025 | 03/07/2025 | CCT Venues-Smithfield | Smithfield EC1A | £10,292.50 |
01/07/2025 | 02/07/2025 | Northumbria University | Newcastle-upon-Tyne NE2 | £19,590.00 |
03/07/2025 | 03/07/2025 | Townhouse Hotel Manchester | Manchester M1 6 | £1,225.00 |
04/07/2025 | 04/07/2025 | Royal National Hotel | London WC1H | £18,280.81 |
07/07/2025 | 09/07/2025 | Excel London | London E16 | £123,843.72 |
14/07/2025 | 15/07/2025 | ACC Liverpool | Liverpool L3 4 | £86,770.00 |
15/07/2025 | 17/07/2025 | The Hawkhills | Easingwold YO61 | £3,420.00 |
16/07/2025 | 17/07/2025 | Sandy Park Conference and Banqueting Centre Exeter | Exeter EX2 | £22,846.67 |
09/09/2025 | 09/09/2025 | RSA House | London WC2N | £15,323.25 |
17/09/2025 | 17/09/2025 | Marlin Waterloo | London SE1 | £653.33 |
TOTAL | £1,364,221.74 | |||
Bookings commissioned after 4 April 2025
06/05/2025 | 09/05/2025 | Church House Westminster | London SW1P | £163,505.00 |
08/05/2025 | 08/05/2025 | Glasgow Argyle Hotel, Signature Collection by Best Western | Glasgow G3 8 | £395.83 |
12/05/2025 | 12/05/2025 | Broadway House | London SW1H | £1,215.00 |
14/05/2025 | 14/05/2025 | 110 Rochester Row | London SW1P | £4,524.50 |
16/05/2025 | 16/05/2025 | Holiday Inn Cardiff City Centre | Cardiff CF10 | £867.51 |
21/05/2025 | 22/05/2025 | Dynamic Earth | Edinburgh EH8 | £18,336.40 |
21/05/2025 | 22/05/2025 | Manchester Central | Manchester M2 3 | £81,010.43 |
29/05/2025 | 29/05/2025 | The Old Ship Hotel | Brighton BN1 | £494.67 |
04/06/2025 | 04/06/2025 | RSA House | London WC2N | £8,654.00 |
09/06/2025 | 10/06/2025 | Scottish Event Campus (SEC) | Glasgow G3 8 | £53,743.00 |
11/06/2025 | 12/06/2025 | ICC Belfast - Waterfront Hall | Belfast BT1 | £31,499.11 |
11/06/2025 | 11/06/2025 | Mercure Glasgow City Hotel | Glasgow G1 1 | £923.33 |
16/06/2025 | 17/06/2025 | Crowne Plaza Newcastle-Stephenson Quarter | Newcastle-upon-Tyne NE1 | £1,346.17 |
24/06/2025 | 24/06/2025 | Leonardo Hotel Manchester Central | Manchester M1 5 | £127.50 |
01/07/2025 | 03/07/2025 | Venue Cranfield - Hotel and Conference Centre | Milton Keynes MK43 | £2,134.13 |
07/07/2025 | 10/07/2025 | Courtyard by Marriott Oxford City Centre | Oxford OX1 | £28,220.00 |
09/07/2025 | 10/07/2025 | Linton Lodge Hotel, BW Signature Collection | Oxford OX2 | £687.50 |
09/07/2025 | 09/07/2025 | Westminster Chapel | London SW1E | £23,565.66 |
16/07/2025 | 16/07/2025 | Leonardo Royal Hotel Birmingham | Birmingham B1 2 | £812.50 |
16/07/2025 | 16/07/2025 | Leonardo Royal Hotel London Tower Bridge | London E1 8 | £29,226.67 |
22/07/2025 | 22/07/2025 | Mercure Manchester Piccadilly Hotel | Manchester M1 4 | £208.33 |
28/07/2025 | 28/07/2025 | Radisson Blu Hotel Cardiff | Cardiff CF10 | £250.00 |
15/09/2025 | 16/09/2025 | Manchester Hall | Manchester M3 3 | £10,475.00 |
07/10/2025 | 08/10/2025 | Wilton Park Conference Centre | Steyning BN44 | £59,260.00 |
13/11/2025 | 13/11/2025 | St Mary's Marylebone | London W1H | £7,000.00 |
TOTAL | £791,679.26 | |||
Asked by: Alex Burghart (Conservative - Brentwood and Ongar)
Question to the Cabinet Office:
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, pursuant to the Answer of 29 August 2025 to Question 62335 on Senior Civil Service: Training, if he will list the external venues that have been authorised for hire since 4 April 2025; and the cost for each hire.
Answered by Chris Ward - Parliamentary Secretary (Cabinet Office)
The Cabinet Office’s contract with Calder Conferences Limited to provide Venue Booking Services started in February 2023, under the previous administration.
The below table lists the venues and costs of venues booked by the Cabinet Office through Calder Conferences since 4 July 2024. Of the 223 bookings listed, 198 were commissioned under previous guidance regarding the booking of external venues, and 25 were commissioned following updated guidance issued by this government on 4 April 2025.
To provide further background information on each booking would incur disproportionate costs, but these have included events such as Civil Service Live 2025 and hearings for the Infected Blood Inquiry. These two events account for just over £587,000 of the costs of external venue hires via Calder since 4 April 2025.
This government’s updated guidance on restrictions to booking external venues, issued on 4 April 2025, makes clear that external venues for away days are only to be used when space in government buildings or zero cost venues is unavailable. When it is absolutely necessary to procure an external venue, departments must do so through established procurement routes. Any expenditure related to away days must demonstrate value for money and adhere to reasonable cost expectations.
Bookings commissioned between 04 July 2024 and 4 April 2025
Start Date | End Date | Venue Name | Venue Address | Value (excl. VAT) |
10/07/2024 | 11/07/2024 | Sandy Park Conference and Banqueting Centre Exeter | Exeter EX2 | £7,332.63 |
16/7/2024 | 16/7/2024 | The Great Victoria Hotel | Bradford BD1 | £291.67 |
17/7/2024 | 17/7/2024 | University of Westminster - Marylebone | London NW1 | £192.00 |
22/7/2024 | 22/7/2024 | Leonardo Hotel Manchester Central - Formerly Jurys Inn Manchester | Manchester M1 5 | £284.25 |
30/07/2024 | 30/07/2024 | The Wesley Hotel & Conference Venue | London NW1 | £825.00 |
28/08/2024 | 28/08/2024 | Radisson Blu Hotel Birmingham | Birmingham B1 1 | £345.83 |
29/08/2024 | 29/08/2024 | Townhouse Hotel Manchester | Manchester M1 6 | £938.34 |
09/09/2024 | 10/09/2024 | Park Plaza Leeds | Leeds LS1 | £2,250.00 |
10/09/2024 | 10/09/2024 | Park Plaza County Hall London | London SE1 | £1,675.00 |
11/09/2024 | 11/09/2024 | The Westminster London, Curio Collection by Hilton | London SW1P | £2,206.00 |
13/09/2024 | 13/09/2024 | Chamber Space | Manchester M3 3 | £615.00 |
17/09/2024 | 17/09/2024 | Mary Ward House | London WC1H | £2,445.00 |
17/09/2024 | 17/09/2024 | Radisson Blu Hotel Glasgow | Glasgow G2 8 | £250.00 |
18/09/2024 | 18/09/2024 | Clayton Hotel Glasgow City Centre | Glasgow G1 4 | £3,750.00 |
18/09/2024 | 18/09/2024 | One Great George Street | London SW1P | £3,453.55 |
18/09/2024 | 18/09/2024 | Royal Station Hotel | Newcastle-upon-Tyne NE1 | £2,670.67 |
18/09/2024 | 18/09/2024 | The Principal York | York YO24 | £747.91 |
19/09/2024 | 19/09/2024 | Clayton Hotel Belfast | Belfast BT2 | £166.67 |
21/09/2024 | 21/09/2024 | Hotel Afa | Pristina 1000 Kosovo | £627.70 |
24/09/2024 | 24/09/2024 | Hotel Afa | Pristina 1000 Kosovo | £631.97 |
24/09/2024 | 24/09/2024 | Macdonald Burlington Hotel | Birmingham B2 4 | £2,437.50 |
24/09/2024 | 24/09/2024 | The Chesterfield Mayfair Hotel, Red Carnation Hotels | London W1J | £630.00 |
24/09/2024 | 24/09/2024 | Wellington Hotel by Blue Orchid Hospitality | London SW1P | £396.75 |
25/09/2024 | 25/09/2024 | Crowne Plaza Birmingham City Centre | Birmingham B1 1 | £487.50 |
26/09/2024 | 26/09/2024 | The Kia Oval | London SE11 | £23,147.50 |
29/09/2024 | 02/10/2024 | Modern City Hotel | Tamale C5Q3 | £5,513.02 |
30/09/2024 | 30/09/2024 | Broadway House | London SW1H | £2,250.00 |
01/10/2024 | 01/10/2024 | The Mermaid London | London EC4V | £56,899.00 |
02/10/2024 | 04/10/2024 | Leonardo Royal Hotel Birmingham | Birmingham B1 2 | £1,233.55 |
06/10/2024 | 06/10/2024 | The Royal Senchi | Akosombo 0 Ghana | £14,679.38 |
10/10/2024 | 10/10/2024 | The Royal Horseguards and One Whitehall Place | London SW1A | £16,365.00 |
15/10/2024 | 16/10/2024 | Hilton Podgorica Crna Gora | Podgorica 8100 Montenegro | £616.32 |
17/10/2024 | 17/10/2024 | Manchester Marriott Hotel Piccadilly | Manchester M1 2 | £11,673.17 |
17/10/2024 | 18/10/2024 | Wilton Park Conference Centre | Steyning BN44 | £13,815.35 |
22/10/2024 | 22/10/2024 | Hilton Podgorica Crna Gora | Podgorica 8100 Montenegro | £670.46 |
23/10/2024 | 23/10/2024 | Park Plaza County Hall London | London SE1 | £2,158.00 |
29/10/2024 | 31/10/2024 | Bianca Resort & Spa | Kolasin 8121 Montenegro | £4,500.25 |
30/10/2024 | 30/10/2024 | Novotel Bristol Centre | Bristol BS1 | £770.83 |
06/11/2024 | 06/11/2024 | &Meetings - Birmingham | Birmingham B2 5 | £90.00 |
06/11/2024 | 08/11/2024 | Hilton Leeds City | Leeds LS1 | £2,232.96 |
06/11/2024 | 06/11/2024 | The Wesley Hotel & Conference Venue | London NW1 | £3,400.00 |
12/11/2024 | 13/11/2024 | Voco Leicester | Leicester LE2 | £2,100.00 |
13/11/2024 | 14/11/2024 | Central Hall Westminster | London SW1H | £1,176.00 |
14/11/2024 | 14/11/2024 | QEII Centre | London SW1P | £26,253.03 |
14/11/2024 | 14/11/2024 | The Birmingham and Midland Institute | Birmingham B3 3 | £2,210.00 |
15/11/2024 | 15/11/2024 | Fermanagh House | Enniskillen BT74 | £209.00 |
15/11/2024 | 15/11/2024 | Imperial War Museum | London SE1 | £1,380.00 |
19/11/2024 | 19/11/2024 | Radisson Blu Hotel Glasgow | Glasgow G2 8 | £1,099.99 |
20/11/2024 | 21/11/2024 | etc.venues Manchester | Manchester M1 3 | £2,480.00 |
26/11/2024 | 26/11/2024 | Hilton York | York YO1 | £350.76 |
28/11/2024 | 28/11/2024 | Manchester Central | Manchester M2 3 | £26,670.05 |
03/12/2024 | 03/12/2024 | etc.venues County Hall | London SE1 | £1,270.00 |
03/12/2024 | 08/12/2024 | Hilton Podgorica Crna Gora | Podgorica 8100 Montenegro | £4,413.46 |
04/12/2024 | 04/12/2024 | Asia House | London W1G | £3,403.75 |
04/12/2024 | 04/12/2024 | etc.venues Manchester | Manchester M1 3 | £900.00 |
04/12/2024 | 06/12/2024 | Mercure Liverpool Atlantic Tower Hotel | Liverpool L3 9 | £2,700.00 |
04/12/2024 | 04/12/2024 | The Studio Birmingham | Birmingham B2 5 | £1,760.50 |
04/12/2024 | 06/12/2024 | The Birmingham Conference & Events Centre at the Holiday Inn Birmingham City Centre | Birmingham B5 4 | £3,088.33 |
05/12/2024 | 05/12/2024 | Mercure Cardiff Holland House Hotel & Spa | Cardiff CF24 | £250.00 |
5/12/2024 | 5/12/2024 | The Royal Society | London SW1Y | £2,745.00 |
05/12/2024 | 06/12/2024 | Avari Hotel Lahore | Punjab Pakistan | £717.72 |
09/12/2024 | 10/12/2024 | Dunsilly Hotel | Antrim BT41 | £2,225.84 |
09/12/2024 | 09/12/2024 | Pendulum Hotel & Manchester Conference Centre | Manchester M1 3 | £2,383.33 |
10/12/2024 | 11/12/2024 | Glasgow Training Rooms | Glasgow G3 8 | £1,030.00 |
10/12/2024 | 12/12/2024 | Copthorne Tara Hotel London Kensington | London W8 5 | £1,204.17 |
10/12/2024 | 12/12/2024 | Grange Clarendon Hotel | London WC1B | £4,550.00 |
11/12/2024 | 11/12/2024 | IET Birmingham: Austin Court | Birmingham B1 2 | £3,080.00 |
11/12/2024 | 11/12/2024 | Leonardo Royal Hotel London Tower Bridge | London E1 8 | £1,725.00 |
11/12/2024 | 11/12/2024 | Prince Philip House | London SW1Y | £921.60 |
11/12/2024 | 11/12/2024 | Royal Hospital Chelsea | London SW3 | £197.00 |
11/12/2024 | 11/12/2024 | The Royal Horseguards and One Whitehall Place | London SW1A | £7,795.00 |
11/12/2024 | 11/12/2024 | Townhouse Hotel Manchester | Manchester M1 6 | £272.08 |
12/12/2024 | 13/12/2024 | Leonardo Royal Hotel Birmingham | Birmingham B1 2 | £4,715.01 |
12/12/2024 | 12/12/2024 | The Studio Birmingham | Birmingham B2 5 | £1,054.80 |
13/12/2024 | 13/12/2024 | Leonardo Royal Hotel London Tower Bridge | London E1 8 | £1,346.14 |
18/12/2024 | 18/12/2024 | Mercure Bristol Grand Hotel | Bristol BS1 | £3,332.48 |
14/01/2025 | 16/01/2025 | CCT Venues-Smithfield | Smithfield EC1A | £10,327.50 |
14/01/2025 | 14/01/2025 | etc.venues Manchester | Manchester M1 3 | £1,410.00 |
14/01/2025 | 14/01/2025 | IET Birmingham: Austin Court | Birmingham B1 2 | £740.00 |
14/01/2025 | 14/01/2025 | Marlin Waterloo | London SE1 | £445.00 |
15/01/2025 | 15/01/2025 | Church House Westminster | London SW1P | £8,461.50 |
15/01/2025 | 15/01/2025 | Churchill War Rooms | London SW1A | £6,651.15 |
20/01/2025 | 22/01/2025 | Hilton Podgorica Crna Gora | Podgorica 8100 Montenegro | £768.90 |
20/01/2025 | 21/01/2025 | Royal Station Hotel | Newcastle-upon-Tyne NE1 | £1,702.07 |
20/01/2025 | 21/01/2025 | The Hawkhills | Easingwold YO61 | £7,134.17 |
21/01/2025 | 21/01/2025 | etc.venues Manchester | Manchester M1 3 | £2,750.00 |
21/01/2025 | 21/01/2025 | Park Inn by Radisson Aberdeen | Aberdeen AB11 | £270.83 |
22/01/2025 | 22/01/2025 | The Met Hotel, Leeds | Leeds LS1 | £4,691.66 |
23/01/2025 | 23/01/2025 | Church House Westminster | London SW1P | £15,370.00 |
23/01/2025 | 23/01/2025 | Manchester Art Gallery | Manchester M2 3 | £2,496.40 |
27/01/2025 | 30/01/2025 | Radisson Blu Hotel, Edinburgh City Centre | Edinburgh EH1 | £12,012.51 |
27/01/2025 | 29/01/2025 | Stanbrook Abbey Hotel | Worcester WR2 | £3,113.72 |
28/01/2025 | 28/01/2025 | Design Museum | London W8 6 | £10,000.00 |
28/01/2025 | 28/01/2025 | DoubleTree by Hilton London Angel Kings Cross | London N1 9 | £2,245.83 |
29/1/2025 | 29/1/2025 | Design Museum | London W8 6 | £42,000.00 |
30/01/2025 | 30/01/2025 | Broadway House | London SW1H | £679.60 |
30/01/2025 | 30/01/2025 | Crowne Plaza Birmingham City Centre | Birmingham B1 1 | £577.20 |
30/01/2025 | 30/01/2025 | The Union Jack Club | London SE1 | £462.71 |
04/02/2025 | 04/02/2025 | Broadway House | London SW1H | £1,089.00 |
05/02/2025 | 05/02/2025 | Central Hall Westminster | London SW1H | £7,467.58 |
05/02/2025 | 05/02/2025 | The Royal Society | London SW1Y | £30,413.25 |
06/02/2025 | 06/02/2025 | Marlin Waterloo | London SE1 | £445.00 |
06/02/2025 | 06/02/2025 | Townhouse Hotel Manchester | Manchester M1 6 | £428.33 |
10/02/2025 | 10/02/2025 | Broadway House | London SW1H | £823.50 |
10/02/2025 | 10/02/2025 | Broadway House | London SW1H | £1,213.00 |
11/02/2025 | 13/02/2025 | Novotel Manchester Centre | Manchester M1 4 | £416.66 |
11/02/2025 | 11/02/2025 | Townhouse Hotel Manchester | Manchester M1 6 | £385.42 |
12/02/2025 | 14/02/2025 | Crowne Plaza Bandung | Jakarta 4011 Indonesia | £14,580.90 |
12/02/2025 | 12/02/2025 | Hilton Podgorica Crna Gora | Podgorica 8100 Montenegro | £1,891.50 |
12/02/2025 | 12/02/2025 | Royal National Hotel | London WC1H | £6,916.67 |
12/02/2025 | 12/02/2025 | The Wesley Hotel & Conference Venue | London NW1 | £3,141.67 |
13/02/2025 | 13/02/2025 | The Kia Oval | London SE11 | £24,713.76 |
14/02/2025 | 14/02/2025 | One Birdcage Walk | London SW1H | £2,184.60 |
18/02/2025 | 18/02/2025 | Holiday Inn London Bloomsbury | London WC1N | £9,087.50 |
18/02/2025 | 18/02/2025 | Hotel Splendid Conference and Spa Resort | Becici 8531 Montenegro | £1,078.32 |
18/02/2025 | 19/02/2025 | Mercure Manchester Piccadilly Hotel | Manchester M1 4 | £416.67 |
19/02/2025 | 19/02/2025 | Broadway House | London SW1H | £2,400.50 |
19/02/2025 | 21/02/2025 | Park Plaza Leeds | Leeds LS1 | £12,974.16 |
20/02/2025 | 21/02/2025 | Hilton Podgorica Crna Gora | Podgorica 8100 Montenegro | £2,662.51 |
24/02/2025 | 24/02/2025 | Clayton Hotel Birmingham & Conference Centre | Birmingham B5 5 | £650.00 |
24/02/2025 | 26/02/2025 | Mandarin Oriental, Jakarta | Jakarta 1031 Indonesia | £7,264.87 |
25/02/2025 | 25/02/2025 | Thistle London Marble Arch | London W1H | £17,474.99 |
26/02/2025 | 26/02/2025 | Ambassadors Bloomsbury Hotel | London WC1H | £3,932.50 |
27/02/2025 | 28/02/2025 | The Royal Horseguards and One Whitehall Place | London SW1A | £8,481.67 |
04/03/2025 | 04/03/2025 | Broadway House | London SW1H | £2,400.50 |
04/03/2025 | 04/03/2025 | Broadway House | London SW1H | £2,196.00 |
04/03/2025 | 04/03/2025 | Hilton York | York YO1 | £733.33 |
04/03/2025 | 04/03/2025 | Lysses House Hotel | Fareham PO16 | £250.00 |
04/03/2025 | 06/03/2025 | Manchester Marriott Hotel Piccadilly | Manchester M1 2 | £13,509.75 |
05/03/2025 | 05/03/2025 | Mary Ward House | London WC1H | £8,163.80 |
05/03/2025 | 05/03/2025 | National Museums Liverpool | Liverpool L2 2 | £30,384.60 |
11/03/2025 | 11/03/2025 | Bletchley Park | Milton Keynes MK3 | £22,084.00 |
11/03/2025 | 11/03/2025 | Churchill War Rooms | London SW1A | £2,190.00 |
12/03/2025 | 12/03/2025 | etc.venues County Hall | London SE1 | £550.00 |
12/03/2025 | 13/03/2025 | The Milner York, formerly The Principal | York YO24 | £8,615.01 |
17/03/2025 | 17/03/2025 | Admirable Crichton | London SE5 | £2,139.46 |
18/03/2025 | 20/03/2025 | CCT Venues-Smithfield | Smithfield EC1A | £10,042.00 |
18/03/2025 | 21/03/2025 | Novotel Leeds Centre | Leeds LS1 | £4,646.66 |
20/03/2025 | 20/03/2025 | 8 Northumberland Avenue | London WC2N | £21,700.00 |
20/03/2025 | 20/03/2025 | Leonardo Royal Hotel Birmingham | Birmingham B1 2 | £5,100.00 |
20/03/2025 | 20/03/2025 | Marlin Waterloo | London SE1 | £495.00 |
20/03/2025 | 20/03/2025 | Radisson Blu Hotel Liverpool | Liverpool L3 9 | £725.00 |
24/03/2025 | 26/03/2025 | Nottingham Venues - The Jubilee Hotel & Conferences | Nottingham NG7 | £23,581.97 |
24/03/2025 | 24/03/2025 | The Royal Society | London SW1Y | £6,653.00 |
25/03/2025 | 26/03/2025 | Broadway House | London SW1H | £2,500.00 |
25/03/2025 | 25/03/2025 | etc.venues Manchester | Manchester M1 3 | £2,785.00 |
25/03/2025 | 25/03/2025 | Novotel London Waterloo | London SE1 | £678.33 |
26/03/2025 | 26/03/2025 | Amplitude Event Solutions Ltd | Shipley BD18 | £7,085.00 |
26/03/2025 | 26/03/2025 | Broadway House | London SW1H | £2,110.00 |
26/03/2025 | 26/03/2025 | Civil Service Club | London SW1A | £1,400.34 |
26/03/2025 | 26/03/2025 | Clayton Hotel Manchester City Centre | Manchester M1 3 | £3,404.16 |
26/03/2025 | 28/03/2025 | Hyatt Place & Hyatt House Leeds | Leeds LS1 | £3,741.66 |
27/03/2025 | 27/03/2025 | Delta Hotels by Marriott Liverpool City Centre. | Liverpool L1 1 | £583.33 |
27/03/2025 | 27/03/2025 | Malmaison York | York YO90 | £4,570.84 |
31/03/2025 | 04/04/2025 | Clayton Hotel Glasgow City Centre | Glasgow G1 4 | £2,666.66 |
31/03/2025 | 31/03/2025 | Marlin Waterloo | London SE1 | £755.00 |
01/04/2025 | 01/04/2025 | Body and Soul Charity | London EC1R | £350.00 |
02/04/2025 | 02/04/2025 | Central Hall Westminster | London SW1H | £12,858.50 |
02/04/2025 | 03/04/2025 | The Midland Hotel - Manchester | Manchester M60 | £1,500.00 |
03/04/2025 | 03/04/2025 | 10-11 Carlton House Terrace | London SW1Y | £1,450.83 |
03/04/2025 | 03/04/2025 | Broadway House | London SW1H | £1,620.00 |
03/04/2025 | 03/04/2025 | MGi London Media & Events | London W1B | £2,050.00 |
03/04/2025 | 05/04/2025 | Wilton Park Conference Centre | Steyning BN44 | £16,434.70 |
22/04/2025 | 23/04/2025 | Crowne Plaza Newcastle - Stephenson Quarter | Newcastle-upon-Tyne NE1 | £1,447.49 |
23/04/2025 | 24/04/2025 | Conference Aston Hotel Birmingham | Birmingham B4 7 | £10,651.41 |
29/04/2025 | 30/04/2025 | Clayton Hotel Manchester City Centre | Manchester M1 3 | £3,946.70 |
29/04/2025 | 29/04/2025 | Radisson Hotel York | York YO1 | £4,179.17 |
30/04/2025 | 30/04/2025 | Cardiff Castle | Cardiff CF10 | £4,550.00 |
30/04/2025 | 30/04/2025 | Park Plaza County Hall London | London SE1 | £2,194.00 |
30/04/2025 | 30/04/2025 | The Birmingham Conference & Events Centre at the Holiday Inn Birmingham City Centre | Birmingham B5 4 | £4,345.00 |
01/05/2025 | 01/05/2025 | QEII Centre | London SW1P | £29,296.45 |
01/05/2025 | 01/05/2025 | The Alan | Manchester M1 4 | £665.00 |
07/05/2025 | 07/05/2025 | etc.venues Manchester | Manchester M1 3 | £2,785.00 |
09/05/2025 | 09/05/2025 | De Vere Grand Connaught Rooms | London WC2B | £7,206.20 |
12/05/2025 | 16/05/2025 | Clayton Hotel Leeds | Leeds LS11 | £5,791.67 |
13/05/2025 | 15/05/2025 | CCT Venues-Smithfield | Smithfield EC1A | £10,042.00 |
13/05/2025 | 14/05/2025 | Radisson Blu Hotel, Sheffield | Sheffield S1 2 | £6,811.67 |
13/05/2025 | 13/05/2025 | RSA House | London WC2N | £6,690.00 |
14/05/2025 | 14/05/2025 | Novotel Manchester Centre | Manchester M1 4 | £1,866.67 |
19/05/2025 | 22/05/2025 | The Met Hotel, Leeds | Leeds LS1 | £8,725.00 |
20/05/2025 | 20/05/2025 | etc.venues Monument | London EC3M | £10,445.00 |
21/05/2025 | 21/05/2025 | De Vere Grand Connaught Rooms | London WC2B | £6,678.33 |
09/06/2025 | 14/06/2025 | Radisson Blu Hotel, Edinburgh City Centre | Edinburgh EH1 | £12,387.50 |
17/06/2025 | 19/06/2025 | Venue Cranfield - Hotel and Conference Centre | Milton Keynes MK43 | £4,097.50 |
23/06/2025 | 23/06/2025 | One Great George Street | London SW1P | £2,702.00 |
24/06/2025 | 25/06/2025 | Utilita Arena Cardiff | Cardiff CF10 | £8,000.00 |
25/06/2025 | 27/06/2025 | Conference Aston Hotel Birmingham | Birmingham B4 7 | £11,428.31 |
30/06/2025 | 03/07/2025 | The Westminster London, Curio Collection by Hilton | London SW1P | £6,225.00 |
01/07/2025 | 03/07/2025 | CCT Venues-Smithfield | Smithfield EC1A | £10,292.50 |
01/07/2025 | 02/07/2025 | Northumbria University | Newcastle-upon-Tyne NE2 | £19,590.00 |
03/07/2025 | 03/07/2025 | Townhouse Hotel Manchester | Manchester M1 6 | £1,225.00 |
04/07/2025 | 04/07/2025 | Royal National Hotel | London WC1H | £18,280.81 |
07/07/2025 | 09/07/2025 | Excel London | London E16 | £123,843.72 |
14/07/2025 | 15/07/2025 | ACC Liverpool | Liverpool L3 4 | £86,770.00 |
15/07/2025 | 17/07/2025 | The Hawkhills | Easingwold YO61 | £3,420.00 |
16/07/2025 | 17/07/2025 | Sandy Park Conference and Banqueting Centre Exeter | Exeter EX2 | £22,846.67 |
09/09/2025 | 09/09/2025 | RSA House | London WC2N | £15,323.25 |
17/09/2025 | 17/09/2025 | Marlin Waterloo | London SE1 | £653.33 |
TOTAL | £1,364,221.74 | |||
Bookings commissioned after 4 April 2025
06/05/2025 | 09/05/2025 | Church House Westminster | London SW1P | £163,505.00 |
08/05/2025 | 08/05/2025 | Glasgow Argyle Hotel, Signature Collection by Best Western | Glasgow G3 8 | £395.83 |
12/05/2025 | 12/05/2025 | Broadway House | London SW1H | £1,215.00 |
14/05/2025 | 14/05/2025 | 110 Rochester Row | London SW1P | £4,524.50 |
16/05/2025 | 16/05/2025 | Holiday Inn Cardiff City Centre | Cardiff CF10 | £867.51 |
21/05/2025 | 22/05/2025 | Dynamic Earth | Edinburgh EH8 | £18,336.40 |
21/05/2025 | 22/05/2025 | Manchester Central | Manchester M2 3 | £81,010.43 |
29/05/2025 | 29/05/2025 | The Old Ship Hotel | Brighton BN1 | £494.67 |
04/06/2025 | 04/06/2025 | RSA House | London WC2N | £8,654.00 |
09/06/2025 | 10/06/2025 | Scottish Event Campus (SEC) | Glasgow G3 8 | £53,743.00 |
11/06/2025 | 12/06/2025 | ICC Belfast - Waterfront Hall | Belfast BT1 | £31,499.11 |
11/06/2025 | 11/06/2025 | Mercure Glasgow City Hotel | Glasgow G1 1 | £923.33 |
16/06/2025 | 17/06/2025 | Crowne Plaza Newcastle-Stephenson Quarter | Newcastle-upon-Tyne NE1 | £1,346.17 |
24/06/2025 | 24/06/2025 | Leonardo Hotel Manchester Central | Manchester M1 5 | £127.50 |
01/07/2025 | 03/07/2025 | Venue Cranfield - Hotel and Conference Centre | Milton Keynes MK43 | £2,134.13 |
07/07/2025 | 10/07/2025 | Courtyard by Marriott Oxford City Centre | Oxford OX1 | £28,220.00 |
09/07/2025 | 10/07/2025 | Linton Lodge Hotel, BW Signature Collection | Oxford OX2 | £687.50 |
09/07/2025 | 09/07/2025 | Westminster Chapel | London SW1E | £23,565.66 |
16/07/2025 | 16/07/2025 | Leonardo Royal Hotel Birmingham | Birmingham B1 2 | £812.50 |
16/07/2025 | 16/07/2025 | Leonardo Royal Hotel London Tower Bridge | London E1 8 | £29,226.67 |
22/07/2025 | 22/07/2025 | Mercure Manchester Piccadilly Hotel | Manchester M1 4 | £208.33 |
28/07/2025 | 28/07/2025 | Radisson Blu Hotel Cardiff | Cardiff CF10 | £250.00 |
15/09/2025 | 16/09/2025 | Manchester Hall | Manchester M3 3 | £10,475.00 |
07/10/2025 | 08/10/2025 | Wilton Park Conference Centre | Steyning BN44 | £59,260.00 |
13/11/2025 | 13/11/2025 | St Mary's Marylebone | London W1H | £7,000.00 |
TOTAL | £791,679.26 | |||
Asked by: Angus MacDonald (Liberal Democrat - Inverness, Skye and West Ross-shire)
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 strengthen the UK’s relationship with Montenegro.
Answered by Stephen Doughty - Minister of State (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
The UK maintains a strong relationship with Montenegro. We work closely together bilaterally as North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) allies and look forward to hosting the Government of Montenegro this autumn at the Berlin Process summit. On 28 May we signed a Joint Declaration on a Strategic Partnership between Montenegro and the UK. This Declaration enhances future cooperation between the two countries across a wide range of areas, including security, serious and organised crime, economic development, the rule of law, migration, education, and culture. In May the UK Special Envoy to the Western Balkans, Karen Pierce, visited Montenegro. The Permanent Under Secretary of the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office and I also visited Montenegro this year to further our bilateral relationship.
Asked by: John Hayes (Conservative - South Holland and The Deepings)
Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many UK nationals resident in Montenegro have claimed unemployment benefits in each year since 2020.
Answered by Stephen Timms - Minister of State (Department for Work and Pensions)
The UK does not pay a UK Unemployment Benefit to people resident in the Balkan region, and the UK has no information about UK nationals resident in those countries receiving benefits administered by those countries.
Asked by: Baroness Helic (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask His Majesty's Government what recent discussions they have had with American and European counterparts regarding reports of a deepening security crisis in the Western Balkans; and what assessment they have made of the implications for UK and European security.
Answered by Baroness Chapman of Darlington - Minister of State (Development)
Stability in the Western Balkans is important for UK and European security. Minister Doughty visited Montenegro and Serbia in January, where he discussed developments in the region with leaders. We continue to cooperate closely with our European and American partners. The UK hosted a meeting of 'Quint' (UK, US, France, Germany, Italy plus the European External Action Service (EEAS), European Commission and NATO) representatives in London on 26-27 February 2025 and discussions included the security implications of recent developments in the Western Balkans. The appointment of Dame Karen Pierce as the new Special Envoy and the UK hosting of the Berlin Process will be important opportunities to expand cooperation with our partners in the Western Balkans to help drive regional economic growth and tackle the common challenge of irregular migration.
Asked by: Rupert Lowe (Independent - Great Yarmouth)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, if he will publish a breakdown of the (a) cost to the public purse and (b) recipients by nationality of the Chevening Scholarship in each of the last five years.
Answered by Anneliese Dodds
Chevening Scholarships provide fully-funded postgraduate masters awards at UK universities for future global leaders from approximately 140 eligible countries and territories.
Chevening Programme Expenditure
Financial year | Total programme expenditure |
2019 - 2020 | £57,744,779.51 |
2020 - 2021 | £50,397,000.00 |
2021 - 2022 | £59,233,000.00 |
2022 - 2023 | £58,994,000.00 |
2023 - 2024 | £59,330,000.00 |
Annual costs for Chevening Scholarships can be found in the FCDO Annual Reports and Accounts on GOV.UK. The cost for each Chevening scholar varies between individuals, depending on factors including the cost of tuition fees, accommodation and flights.
Breakdown of recipients by nationality of the Chevening Scholarship for the last 5 years:
Country/Territory | Awards made in 2019 (incl. full/part partner funded awards) | Awards made in 2020 (incl. full/part partner funded awards) | Awards made in 2021 (incl. full/part partner funded awards) | Awards made in 2022 (incl. full/part partner funded awards) | Awards made in 2023 (incl. full/part partner funded awards) | Awards made in 2024 (incl. full/part partner funded awards) |
Afghanistan | 15 | 23 | 29 | 18 | 21 | 13 |
Albania | 16 | 6 | 14 | 11 | 11 | 10 |
Algeria | 8 | 9 | 9 | 8 | 7 | 7 |
Angola | 9 | 4 | 7 | 8 | 8 | 7 |
Anguilla | 2 | 2 | 3 | 5 | 6 | 5 |
Antigua and Barbuda | 2 | 3 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 2 |
Argentina | 25 | 19 | 24 | 21 | 15 | 30 |
Armenia | 9 | 3 | 9 | 7 | 4 | 4 |
Australia | 3 | 3 | 0 | 2 | 3 | 4 |
Azerbaijan | 9 | 8 | 11 | 9 | 6 | 5 |
Bahamas | 2 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 4 | 5 |
Bangladesh | 13 | 14 | 20 | 15 | 21 | 22 |
Barbados | 3 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 1 |
Belize | 5 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 5 | 5 |
Benin | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
Bermuda | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Bhutan | 3 | 4 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 6 |
Bolivia | 7 | 5 | 9 | 8 | 4 | 6 |
Bosnia and Herzegovina | 13 | 5 | 9 | 8 | 4 | 5 |
Botswana | 9 | 5 | 7 | 4 | 4 | 6 |
Brazil | 57 | 46 | 53 | 47 | 46 | 36 |
Brunei Darussalam | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 3 |
Burkina Faso |
|
|
|
|
| 2 |
Burundi | 5 | 5 | 5 | 4 | 4 | 5 |
Cambodia | 17 | 9 | 13 | 11 | 12 | 9 |
Cameroon | 15 | 12 | 10 | 5 | 8 | 8 |
Canada | 2 | 1 | 4 | 1 | 2 | 3 |
Cape Verde | 0 | 4 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 |
Cayman Islands | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Chad | 0 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 |
Chile | 7 | 2 | 5 | 4 | 4 | 4 |
China | 60 | 37 | 41 | 33 | 30 | 17 |
Colombia | 25 | 14 | 16 | 14 | 14 | 14 |
Congo, Republic of | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
Congo, The Democratic Republic Of The | 7 | 8 | 9 | 2 | 4 | 8 |
Costa Rica | 5 | 3 | 9 | 4 | 5 | 6 |
Côte d’Ivoire | 6 | 7 | 6 | 8 | 4 | 8 |
Cuba | 12 | 11 | 11 | 6 | 8 | 8 |
Djibouti | 3 | 2 | 2 | 4 | 0 | 1 |
Dominica | 0 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 3 |
Dominican Republic | 11 | 10 | 14 | 11 | 10 | 8 |
Ecuador | 9 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 4 | 6 |
Egypt | 45 | 33 | 39 | 32 | 31 | 29 |
El Salvador | 6 | 2 | 3 | 2 | 2 | 3 |
Equatorial Guinea | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
Eritrea | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 |
Ethiopia | 16 | 24 | 21 | 13 | 18 | 17 |
Falkland Islands | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Fiji | 2 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 6 | 7 |
Gabon | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Georgia | 13 | 9 | 15 | 15 | 13 | 10 |
Ghana | 22 | 21 | 19 | 16 | 17 | 14 |
Greece | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Grenada | 0 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 4 | 3 |
Guatemala | 4 | 3 | 5 | 3 | 4 | 1 |
Guinea | 1 | 6 | 6 | 1 | 4 | 4 |
Guyana | 10 | 6 | 5 | 5 | 4 | 4 |
Haiti | 4 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 4 |
Honduras | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 2 | 2 |
Hong Kong | 2 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 2 |
Iceland | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
India | 47 | 38 | 41 | 46 | 38 | 36 |
Indonesia | 60 | 50 | 58 | 45 | 42 | 39 |
Iraq | 22 | 21 | 26 | 22 | 19 | 18 |
Israel | 2 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 |
Jamaica | 18 | 14 | 17 | 16 | 14 | 13 |
Japan | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 3 |
Jordan | 15 | 12 | 16 | 11 | 7 | 10 |
Kazakhstan | 8 | 8 | 8 | 6 | 9 | 12 |
Kenya | 33 | 39 | 38 | 37 | 36 | 30 |
Kingdom of Eswatini | 9 | 6 | 4 | 3 | 3 | 4 |
Kiribati | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
Kosovo | 5 | 11 | 10 | 9 | 5 | 6 |
Kyrgyzstan | 6 | 4 | 5 | 2 | 4 | 6 |
Lao People's Democratic Republic | 8 | 7 | 9 | 8 | 8 | 8 |
Lebanon | 9 | 6 | 11 | 9 | 10 | 10 |
Lesotho | 5 | 3 | 5 | 3 | 6 | 6 |
Liberia | 6 | 3 | 3 | 1 | 4 | 6 |
Libya | 18 | 15 | 17 | 18 | 12 | 11 |
Madagascar | 11 | 8 | 3 | 9 | 5 | 6 |
Malawi | 13 | 8 | 9 | 8 | 6 | 7 |
Malaysia | 38 | 37 | 40 | 38 | 34 | 31 |
Maldives | 4 | 5 | 6 | 6 | 7 | 8 |
Mali | 0 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 4 |
Mauritania | 1 | 3 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 5 |
Mauritius | 9 | 8 | 7 | 6 | 6 | 5 |
Mexico | 53 | 39 | 40 | 39 | 37 | 33 |
Moldova, Republic Of | 7 | 6 | 5 | 7 | 6 | 5 |
Mongolia | 7 | 12 | 8 | 11 | 13 | 16 |
Montenegro | 9 | 6 | 8 | 7 | 4 | 5 |
Montserrat | 4 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 3 |
Morocco | 11 | 11 | 13 | 9 | 10 | 10 |
Mozambique | 8 | 8 | 11 | 11 | 9 | 9 |
Myanmar | 12 | 9 | 16 | 8 | 10 | 10 |
Namibia | 9 | 14 | 15 | 11 | 13 | 11 |
Nauru | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 |
Nepal | 11 | 12 | 17 | 10 | 12 | 13 |
New Zealand | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 3 |
Nicaragua | 4 | 3 | 5 | 4 | 2 | 1 |
Niger | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 4 |
Nigeria | 56 | 46 | 46 | 44 | 44 | 30 |
North Macedonia | 7 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 6 | 6 |
Oman | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Pakistan | 49 | 34 | 51 | 47 | 46 | 43 |
Palestinian Territory, Occupied | 26 | 20 | 23 | 14 | 13 | 10 |
Panama | 7 | 4 | 11 | 5 | 5 | 5 |
Papua New Guinea | 3 | 2 | 3 | 5 | 8 | 3 |
Paraguay | 15 | 13 | 13 | 14 | 16 | 16 |
Peru | 18 | 7 | 15 | 12 | 9 | 10 |
Philippines | 28 | 16 | 34 | 23 | 22 | 21 |
Republic of Korea | 24 | 21 | 13 | 12 | 18 | 12 |
Rwanda | 19 | 10 | 9 | 8 | 5 | 5 |
Saint Helena | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
Saint Kitts and Nevis | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
Saint Lucia | 3 | 1 | 5 | 4 | 4 | 3 |
Saint Vincent and The Grenadines | 2 | 1 | 2 | 4 | 3 | 3 |
Samoa | 2 | 2 | 1 | 3 | 3 | 4 |
Sao Tome And Principe | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 |
Senegal | 8 | 5 | 6 | 5 | 4 | 6 |
Serbia | 15 | 10 | 10 | 6 | 7 | 10 |
Seychelles | 3 | 2 | 3 | 2 | 2 | 3 |
Sierra Leone | 6 | 5 | 4 | 6 | 5 | 6 |
Singapore | 4 | 2 | 4 | 3 | 5 | 3 |
Solomon Islands | 4 | 0 | 3 | 6 | 3 | 7 |
Somalia | 11 | 10 | 11 | 11 | 14 | 16 |
South Africa | 44 | 33 | 46 | 35 | 42 | 28 |
South Caucasus | 3 | 2 | 4 | 3 | 0 | 2 |
South Sudan | 6 | 5 | 5 | 6 | 5 | 6 |
Sri Lanka | 6 | 7 | 13 | 8 | 9 | 10 |
Sudan | 16 | 17 | 18 | 17 | 17 | 16 |
Suriname | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 |
Syrian Arab Republic | 22 | 21 | 24 | 22 | 20 | 19 |
Taiwan (Republic of China) | 4 | 6 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 5 |
Tajikistan | 4 | 3 | 3 | 4 | 3 | 5 |
Tanzania | 18 | 15 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 9 |
Thailand | 24 | 15 | 22 | 17 | 22 | 21 |
The Gambia | 10 | 9 | 8 | 5 | 5 | 6 |
Timor-Leste | 4 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 2 |
Tonga | 2 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 |
Trinidad and Tobago | 3 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 |
Tunisia | 14 | 11 | 11 | 8 | 6 | 7 |
Turkey | 24 | 21 | 23 | 18 | 22 | 23 |
Turkmenistan | 4 | 1 | 0 | 6 | 2 | 1 |
Turks and Caicos Islands | 1 | 0 | 3 | 1 | 2 | 4 |
Tuvalu | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
Uganda | 16 | 16 | 24 | 18 | 24 | 17 |
Ukraine | 21 | 20 | 19 | 42 | 26 | 23 |
Uruguay | 9 | 7 | 9 | 8 | 10 | 9 |
Uzbekistan | 9 | 8 | 8 | 5 | 6 | 15 |
Vanuatu | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 1 | 2 |
Venezuela | 10 | 7 | 9 | 7 | 7 | 6 |
Vietnam | 24 | 19 | 25 | 19 | 23 | 22 |
Virgin Islands (British) | 0 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 0 |
Yemen | 9 | 6 | 14 | 8 | 5 | 9 |
Zambia | 23 | 14 | 14 | 12 | 13 | 12 |
Zimbabwe | 30 | 10 | 12 | 7 | 6 | 8 |
We are withholding some country specific information under Section 38 (Health and Safety) exemption (1) (a) and (b) of the Freedom of Information Act, which provides that information is exempt if disclosure would or would be likely to endanger the physical or mental health of any individual or endanger the safety of any individual.
Asked by: Paula Barker (Labour - Liverpool Wavertree)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what steps the Government is taking to fulfil its (a) duty to prevent and (b) other obligations under the Genocide Convention with respect to Gaza, with reference to (i) the International Court of Justice’s order of provisional measures in South Africa v Israel (2023), (ii) paragraph 431 of the International Court of Justice's judgment in Bosnia and Herzegovina v. Serbia and Montenegro (2007) and (iii) the Articles on Responsibility of States for Internationally Wrongful Acts (2001).
Answered by Hamish Falconer - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
It is the UK's long-standing policy that any determination as to whether genocide has occurred is a matter for a competent national or international court, and not for governments or non-judicial bodies. This approach ensures that any determination is above politics, lobbying, and individual or national interest. The Government is clear in our commitment to international law. This includes our obligations under the Genocide Convention and the Arms Trade Treaty. This Government is profoundly concerned about the deteriorating humanitarian situation in Gaza. The Foreign Secretary has raised our grave concerns with Israeli Minister Dermer and Minister Katz in his recent bilateral meetings. At a multilateral level, the UK is using its presidency of the United Nations Security Council, to call for an immediate ceasefire, the immediate release of all hostages held since 7 October 2023, and urgent action to address the humanitarian crisis. On 2 September 2024, the Foreign Secretary announced the decision to suspend export licences for items that could be used in military operations in Gaza, exempting the F-35 components.
Asked by: Alicia Kearns (Conservative - Rutland and Stamford)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, if he will place sanctions on the (a) Montenegro based company International Business Corporation Bar and (b) Serbia based company Ventrade DOO for supplying Russia with advanced technology and equipment for its invasion of Ukraine.
Answered by Stephen Doughty - Minister of State (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
The UK remains steadfast in our support to Ukraine. Together with our international partners, we have implemented the most severe package of sanctions ever imposed on a major economy. The UK alone has sanctioned more than 2,000 individuals and entities under the Russia sanctions regime. Whilst we do not comment on future or individual designations, the Foreign Secretary underlined the importance of tackling third-country support to Russia's military-industrial complex at the EU Foreign Affairs Council on 22 October. I [Minister Doughty] regularly raise third-country circumvention and the Common High Priority Items list with counterparts. We have sanctioned several entities in third countries involved in supporting Russia's war machine.
Asked by: Baroness Helic (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask His Majesty's Government whether they consider the Declaration on the Protection of National and Political Rights and the Common Future of the Serbian People of June 2024 to represent a threat to the sovereignty of (1) Bosnia and Herzegovina, (2) Kosovo, or (3) Montenegro.
Answered by Baroness Chapman of Darlington - Minister of State (Development)
The UK is committed to supporting the sovereignty, territorial integrity and multi-ethnic character of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo and Montenegro. The UK assesses that elements of the language used in the Declaration risk undermining those principles. In engagement with political leaders in the Western Balkans, the UK consistently promotes the need for constructive regional relationships and cautions against actions or statements that risk increasing tensions or stoking division.