The Security and Defence Partnership agreed with the European Union on 19 May is an example of this Government delivering on our manifesto commitments to strengthen European security, support growth and reinforce NATO.

Implementation is progressing. Since May, the Defence Secretary has held discussions with the European Commissioner for Defence and Space, Andrius Kubilius, where they discussed our ambition to explore the potential for enhanced UK-EU cooperation under SAFE. The Foreign Secretary has also held talks with the High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Kaja Kallas on the geopolitical challenges that face our continent. We look forward to the foreign and security policy dialogue between the High Representative, the Foreign Secretary and the Defence Secretary this autumn.

In addition, officials from across Government continue to hold consultations with their EU counterparts on a range of issues, including but not limited to Iran, Russia-Ukraine, and tackling irregular migration.

As the Defence Secretary has previously said to this House, he will ensure that any UK commitment– whether financial or non-financial – provides value for the UK taxpayer and supports our defence goals. We will continue to prioritise engagement and cooperation on the issues that are most important in helping to safeguard European security and prosperity – all in support of this government’s NATO First defence policy.

The Defence Secretary and I look forward to continuing to update the House on developments. The Defence Secretary’s offer still stands that he is happy to arrange a discussion with the Member of Parliament for South Suffolk who has shown such interest in these topics.

The UK and Canada's deep and broad relationship is strengthened by the large diaspora of each nation's citizens present in both countries. The existing UK immigration offer supports migration through a variety of different routes which enable Canadian individuals to live, work and study in the UK. Canadian visa applications will be considered on a case-by-case basis as long as they meet the specific visa requirements and eligibility requirements for the route. However, the migration of UK citizens to Canada is a matter for the Canadian government.

The Government is committed to playing its part in eradicating all forms of modern slavery, forced labour and human trafficking. Envoy appointments are considered on a rolling basis, based on their contribution to delivering the government's international priorities. We continue to use the strength of our global diplomatic network, including dedicated staff within the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, to address modern slavery and promote business and human rights around the world. The title of the former Migration and Modern Slavery Envoy role was revised when a Modern Slavery Envoy was appointed in 2023.

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.

No assessment has been made on the impact of the Spanish government’s migration strategy on economic growth in Spain.

The Government is committed to ensuring the UK border is secure and has a properly controlled, functioning and managed asylum system. Our new approach is expected to reduce asylum spending in the UK by over £4 billion across 2024/25 and 2025/26

The information requested falls under the remit of the UK Statistics Authority.

A response to the Hon gentleman’s Parliamentary Question of 19th March is attached.

Tackling irregular migration is a key focus for this government and we regularly research and review the drivers behind it to inform our response. National security, including security at our border, is of the highest importance which is why the Border Security Command was launched and works with colleagues across government and with a range of international partners to disrupt the activity of criminal smuggling gangs.

Through the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office's Africa Food Trade and Resilience programme, we have been working with the Africa Union Commission on the Comprehensive African Agriculture Development Programme (CAADP) process that led to the Kampala Declaration, including supporting the delivery of the Summit itself in January.

This collaboration has been through our engagement in the Development Partners Coordination Group (DPCG) as well as working with African institutions to support the continent's food systems transformation. We will continue to strengthen our long term partnerships by working with African nations and institutions to progress their implementation of the Kampala Declaration and its objective to unlock growth through a stronger and more resilient African food and agriculture sector, that is also critical for our own and global supply chain security.

Russian proxies such as Africa Corps contribute to conflict and instability in parts of Africa, increasing displacement of local populations.

The UK is working with African and international partners to strengthen regional security, build resilience and address the long-term drivers of insecurity. In November 2024, we announced sanctions on those linked to Russian-backed mercenary groups operating in Libya, Mali and the Central African Republic. We are also disrupting irregular migration through our irregular migration sanctions regime, action with partners to reduce its drivers and enablers, and safely and respectfully returning those individuals with no right to remain in the UK.