As I [Minister Cleverly] discussed with the APPG on 7 December, there is much to welcome in the APPG's report on the bilateral relationship between the UK and the Kurdistan Region of Iraq. During my [Minister Cleverly] December visit to Erbil, I [Minister Cleverly] discussed the mutual desire to deepen our partnership with the leadership of the Kurdistan Regional Government. The UK will continue to work closely with both the Government of Iraq and the Kurdistan Regional Government to urge a sustainable budget settlement, increase business cooperation, and to support economic reform that delivers for all Iraqis.

Since 2006, 95 Royal Naval Reservists (RNR) and seven Royal Marine Reservists (RMR) have served on operations in Iraq and since 2005, 180 RNR and 330 RMR have served on operations in Afghanistan.

As you know, Reservists bring valuable skills from their civilian employment and their contribution to operations is fully understood and appreciated. This year, Maritime Reserves have used their civilian skills on numerous occasions as part of the Defence contribution to the UK's Government COVID-19 campaign, providing niche expertise, including pandemic statistical modelling, chemistry and pharmaceutical expertise, communications, logistics supply and contract management.

The temporary cessation of some in-year Maritimes Reserves activity may result in disappointment for individual Reservists during the short period that it remains in force, but the current measure will not impact on any Royal Navy operational tasking. Activity undertaken by those on FTRS or Additional Duties Commitments will continue as normal; as will some Transformation projects that are deemed critical to meeting future Royal Navy and Defence outputs.

The World Bank estimates that the collapse in oil revenues will force a 9.0% contraction in growth, a 19% fiscal deficit and over 40% of the population into poverty. The UK continues to work closely with the Government of Iraq (GoI) and international community to stabilise and reform the economy in order to create opportunities for all Iraqis. In 2018 the UK was a founding donor to the World Bank's Iraq Reform, Recovery and Reconstruction Trust Fund which supports reconstruction and economic stabilisation in Iraq. In October the UK launched the Iraq Economic Contact Group in London, to bring together the GoI, international partners and financial institutions to monitor risks and coordinate resources to support implementation of reforms and macro-economic stability. The UK will continue to support Iraq as it undertakes bold economic reforms.

The UK works closely with the Government of Iraq, Kurdistan Regional Government and international partners on the removal of exploded ordnance in Iraq, including in Mosul. This includes close collaboration and continuous assessment of the level of unexploded ordnance. The UK funds UN Mine Action Service (UNMAS) demining efforts in Iraq and is the third largest donor, having provided over £24.75 million since 2015. This funding provides Explosive Hazard Management (EHM) response in support of humanitarian and stabilisation efforts, delivers risk education at the community level and national/regional level, and enhances Government entities' capacity to manage, regulate and coordinate an EHM response through training and mentoring programmes.

The UK has discussed the need for ongoing dialogue with the Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Government of Iraq and the Kurdistan Regional Government. We will continue to raise the need for cooperation between Iraq and Turkey to combat terrorism, ensure regional security and protect civilians.

The UK is concerned by the recent short-notice closures of displacement camps in Iraq, which has affected 26,300 people to date out of a total population of 110,000 in federal Iraq. The speed of camp closures and lack of coordination with the UN, NGOs and donors risks forcing vulnerable people to return to areas without adequate shelter, infrastructure, or services. The UK is coordinating advocacy efforts with international partners to slow the rate of unplanned camp closures.

Since 2014 the UK has provided £272 million in humanitarian support to millions of vulnerable Iraqis displaced by the Daesh conflict including providing food to over 500,000 people and life saving healthcare services to 4.3 million people. The UK will continue to work with the Government of Iraq, UN and partners to ensure that the conditions for voluntary and safe returns are met.

The UK was proud to partner with the Government of Iraq, international partners and international financial institutions to launch the Iraq Economic Contact Group (IECG) on 22 October 2020. Partners agreed to work with the Government to develop an implementation plan and establish a delivery unit to support reforms to stabilise the economy. The IECG will convene quarterly to assess risks and coordinate international resources behind reform delivery.

The UK closely monitors the security situation in Iraq, and regularly engages with the Government of Iraq and international partners in order to support stability in Iraq and the wider region. The Prime Minister was pleased to welcome Prime Minister Kadhimi to the UK on 22 October. During this visit, the Prime Minister underlined the UK's commitment to supporting the Government of Iraq in countering the threat from Daesh through the Global Coalition, and the need to ensure the security of all foreign and diplomatic personnel in Iraq.

The UK closely monitors the security situation in Iraq, and regularly engages with the Government of Iraq and international partners in order to support stability in Iraq and the wider region. The Prime Minister was pleased to welcome Prime Minister Kadhimi to the UK on 22 October. During this visit, the Prime Minister underlined the UK's commitment to supporting the Government of Iraq in countering the threat from Daesh through the Global Coalition, and the need to ensure the security of all foreign and diplomatic personnel in Iraq.

The UK supports the Government of Iraq's efforts to resolve the file on Kuwait and third-country nationals pursuant to UN Security Council resolution 2107. We welcome continued bilateral dialogue between the Governments of Iraq and Kuwait in progressing this issue.

The UK is concerned by the recent consolidation and closure of camps for internally displaced people in Iraq. The speed of these camp closures makes it very challenging to ensure people are able to return home voluntarily, safely and in a sustainable manner. These challenges are exacerbated by the winter, COVID-19, and the economic crisis.

The UK is coordinating advocacy efforts with international partners to raise our concerns at the highest levels with the Government of Iraq and slow the rate of unplanned camp closures. Since 2014 the UK has provided £272 million in humanitarian support to millions of vulnerable Iraqis including shelter kits, upgrades to camps and household items. The UK is also the largest donor to the Iraq Humanitarian Fund which will respond to the most urgent needs including both shelter and COVID related support for displaced persons as they face harsh winter conditions.

The UK continues to work closely with both the Government of Iraq (GoI) and Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) in order to support ongoing political, economic, and security cooperation. The UK has frequent Ministerial and official engagement with GoI and KRG leadership on this matter. Most recently, the UK's Defence Senior Advisor for the Middle East and HM Ambassador to Iraq met with both GoI and KRG leadership on 18-19 November to discuss the need for ongoing security and economic cooperation.

The UK maintains frequent engagement with all levels of Iraqi political leadership, both in London and through our Embassy in Baghdad. The Prime Minister, Foreign Secretary and Prince of Wales were pleased to welcome Prime Minister Kadhimi and members of his Government to the UK in October 2020. During PM Kadhimi's visit, the UK was proud to partner with the international community and financial institutions in launching the Iraq Economic Contact Group to support the Iraqi Government in implementing vital economic reforms. This continued engagement is critical to ensuring that the UK and Iraq work together to support the safety, security and prosperity of all Iraqis.

The safety and security of all our personnel is of paramount importance. The Ministry of Defence keeps operational risk for both Afghanistan and Iraq under constant review, and we adjust our force protection arrangements in accordance with the circumstances. We have regular discussions with the US and other Allies about our approach to both countries, which we do not discuss publicly.