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To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what steps his Department is taking to ensure that funding is protected for programmes supporting women who have suffered conflict-related sexual violence in Colombia.
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what steps his Department is taking to ensure that funding is protected for programmes supporting women who have suffered conflict-related sexual violence in Colombia.
The UK is committed to supporting victims of conflict-related sexual violence (CRSV) in Colombia. UK funding has helped advance accountability and support for thousands of survivors of CRSV over the last ten years. This includes support to the transitional justice elements of the 2016 Peace Agreement in documenting cases of sexual violence in conflict. With women's organisations, our support has ensured survivors of sexual violence, including indigenous women, receive justice and support. The UK regularly raises CRSV and violence against vulnerable communities at United Nations (UN) Security Council Sessions on Colombia and supported the launch of Colombia's first Women, Peace and Security National Action Plan. We will continue to work with the Government of Colombia, international partners and civil society on this agenda, in line with the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) Women and Girls Strategy.
I welcome the Foreign Secretary to his new role. He will be aware that none of his recent predecessors were ever short of an angry word or condemnatory statement about Israel’s actions in Gaza or the west bank, but they were woefully short on any meaningful action to back up their supposed outrage. What is happening in the west bank is happening right now, so time is of the essence. When will he spell out exactly the consequences for the state of Israel and for any UK national or UK-based company found to be complicit in this illegal E1 expansion programme?
I welcome the Foreign Secretary to his new role. He will be aware that none of his recent predecessors were ever short of an angry word or condemnatory statement about Israel’s actions in Gaza or the west bank, but they were woefully short on any meaningful action to back up their supposed outrage. What is happening in the west bank is happening right now, so time is of the essence. When will he spell out exactly the consequences for the state of Israel and for any UK national or UK-based company found to be complicit in this illegal E1 expansion programme?
I do want to defend the record of my predecessors for a moment. Recognition of the Palestinian state was a historic decision made by this Government, and action was taken on arms licences. As the Prime Minister has said, we on this side of the House recognise the need for a step change in our approach, given the urgency. As I say, the hon. Gentleman will not have to wait too long.
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what assessment her Department has made of the potential implications for its policies of levels of UK foreign direct investment into Georgia, in the context of reported targeting of journalists and peaceful protesters in the country, and and...
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what assessment her Department has made of the potential implications for its policies of levels of UK foreign direct investment into Georgia, in the context of reported targeting of journalists and peaceful protesters in the country, and and...
The UK remains committed to supporting democracy, human rights and media freedom in Georgia. We continue to monitor developments closely, including reports of violence against peaceful protesters and the imprisonment of journalist Mzia Amaglobeli, whose case we have raised publicly and privately with the Georgian authorities. The UK has consistently made clear that respect for the rule of law, fundamental freedoms and democratic institutions is important for Georgia's long-term prosperity and attractiveness as a destination for international investment. While investment decisions are made by businesses, we regularly assess political and economic developments in Georgia as part of our broader bilateral engagement.
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what assessment she has made of the potential implications for her policies of the report by Viginum entitled Rokh Solis: Analysis of an informational modus operandi that targeted the municipal elections of March 2026, published on 11th June 2026; and...
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what assessment she has made of the potential implications for her policies of the report by Viginum entitled Rokh Solis: Analysis of an informational modus operandi that targeted the municipal elections of March 2026, published on 11th June 2026; and...
The Government is committed to safeguarding the UK's democratic integrity. The Joint Election Security Preparedness Unit (which sits jointly across the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government and the Cabinet Office) is dedicated to electoral security. The designation power under the National Security (State Threats) Bill as currently drafted can be used to designate any body engaged in foreign power threat activity, including private commercial entities. The designation must be necessary to protect the safety or interests of the UK.
Last week Amnesty International published a report entitled “Erasing Anything Palestinian”, which shines a powerful light on Israel’s ethnic cleansing in the west bank. It makes clear that what is happening is not driven by rogue settlers or a few extremist Ministers; rather, it is state sanctioned and state financed. Yet to date the UK’s response has been largely performative and, unfortunately, fairly inconsequential. Do the Government accept that this is state-enabled ethnic cleansing? If they do, should they not be doing much, much more to prevent it and to punish the perpetrator?
Last week Amnesty International published a report entitled “Erasing Anything Palestinian”, which shines a powerful light on Israel’s ethnic cleansing in the west bank. It makes clear that what is happening is not driven by rogue settlers or a few extremist Ministers; rather, it is state sanctioned and state financed. Yet to date the UK’s response has been largely performative and, unfortunately, fairly inconsequential. Do the Government accept that this is state-enabled ethnic cleansing? If they do, should they not be doing much, much more to prevent it and to punish the perpetrator?
Once again, I point out the strength of the action we have taken; we have brought together countries from across the world—and gone further than most countries. What is being driven here is deeply disturbing: both the level of violence, and the deliberate attempt—with the E1 settlements in particular—to undermine any possibility of a two-state solution. That is a long-term thing, and it has been supported by many people across the Israeli Government. It is a deep challenge for everyone, which is why we need international action. In the autumn, we had the international consensus and energy to deliver the 20-point plan for Gaza, which nobody expected would be achieved. We need to pull that energy together again. That is why I was in Paris on Friday, it is why I discussed this issue with Australia and Canada, as well as European colleagues, and it is why I will go to Egypt—to the middle east, where the energy on many of these things has come from—in order to try to make progress on it again.
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether she has made recent representations to her Vietnamese counterpart on freedom of religion or belief for independent religious communities in that country.
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether she has made recent representations to her Vietnamese counterpart on freedom of religion or belief for independent religious communities in that country.
The UK regularly raises concerns with the Government of Vietnam about freedom of religion or belief for independent religious communities. Vietnam is a focus country in the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office's Freedom of Religion and Belief (FoRB) Strategy, launched in July 2025, and we raise the issue on a regular basis with the Government of Vietnam. We will continue to urge Vietnam to meet its international human rights obligations. We continue to highlight FoRB violations and abuses on the international stage, through our position at the UN and as an active member of the Article 18 Alliance, ensuring joint international action on FoRB.
What steps he is taking with Cabinet colleagues to help reduce the cost of living in Scotland.
What steps he is taking with Cabinet colleagues to help reduce the cost of living in Scotland.
This Government is taking real action to help Scottish families with the cost of living.
We have delivered the biggest upgrade to workers’ rights in a decade, extended the fuel duty freeze, increased the State Pension and Universal Credit, and are delivering cut price summer activities for families. Some 220,000 of the lowest paid Scottish workers got a direct pay rise thanks to an increase in the National Living Wage. And the energy cap is saving households in Scotland an average of £117 a year, with an additional £150 for the most vulnerable household.
And by continuing to grow the economy we will help more Scots access better-paid, good-quality jobs.
That this House notes the sad passing of former Argyll and Bute councillor Donnie MacMillan who has died at the age of 98; recognises the immense contribution Donnie made to Mid Argyll in a political career which spanned five decades and several reorganisations of local government; acknowledges that his near half century of dedicated service to the people of Lochgilphead, Ardrishaig, and the villages of Mid Argyll was rewarded by his receiving the British Empire Medal in The Queen’s New Year Honours List in 2019, and in being given the Freedom of Argyll and Bute on his retirement from the council in 2022, at the age of 94; and sends its deepest condolences to Donnie’s family.
That this House notes the sad passing of former Argyll and Bute councillor Donnie MacMillan who has died at the age of 98; recognises the immense contribution Donnie made to Mid Argyll in a political career which spanned five decades and several reorganisations of local government; acknowledges that his near...
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether the Government will support a facilitated departure of students from Gaza with fully funded scholarships to universities in Scotland and across the UK this year.
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether the Government will support a facilitated departure of students from Gaza with fully funded scholarships to universities in Scotland and across the UK this year.
Further to my answer of 12 January in response to Question 103313, a total of eight cohorts of students and qualifying dependants have so far been supported to leave Gaza to take up their university places in the UK for the 2025/26 academic year. The future nature of this support will be announced to Parliament in the normal way in due course.
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether she has had discussions with the Home Office and Department for Education on establishing and funding a safe, facilitated departure scheme for the 2026 cohort of students from Gaza with fully funded scholarships to universities in Scotland...
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether she has had discussions with the Home Office and Department for Education on establishing and funding a safe, facilitated departure scheme for the 2026 cohort of students from Gaza with fully funded scholarships to universities in Scotland...
Further to my answer of 12 January in response to Question 103313, a total of eight cohorts of students and qualifying dependants have so far been supported to leave Gaza to take up their university places in the UK for the 2025/26 academic year. The future nature of this support will be announced to Parliament in the normal way in due course.
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, with reference to the report by the Independent Delegation of International Lawyers to Honduras published in April 2026, what representations her Department has made to the government of Honduras on the protection of Indigenous leaders, campesino communities and...
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, with reference to the report by the Independent Delegation of International Lawyers to Honduras published in April 2026, what representations her Department has made to the government of Honduras on the protection of Indigenous leaders, campesino communities and...
On 28 April, the Minister of State for International Development met with Peace Brigades International and Honduran human rights defenders in London to discuss the report in question, and she reinforced the UK's calls for stronger protections for human rights defenders and indigenous groups in Honduras.
All UK companies operating overseas, including those with investments, direct operations, and supply chain links in Honduras, are expected to respect human rights in line with the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights and the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises.
Through the Trade Strategy, the Government is reviewing its approach to responsible business conduct, including options to strengthen human rights and environmental due diligence in global supply chains. The Department for Business and Trade will update the House in due course.
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, with reference to the report by the Independent Delegation of International Lawyers to Honduras, entitled "Our Determination Outweighs Our Fear": Agrarian conflict and the criminalisation of Indigenous and campesino communities, published in April 2026, what steps her Department...
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, with reference to the report by the Independent Delegation of International Lawyers to Honduras, entitled "Our Determination Outweighs Our Fear": Agrarian conflict and the criminalisation of Indigenous and campesino communities, published in April 2026, what steps her Department...
On 28 April, the Minister of State for International Development met with Peace Brigades International and Honduran human rights defenders in London to discuss the report in question, and she reinforced the UK's calls for stronger protections for human rights defenders and indigenous groups in Honduras.
All UK companies operating overseas, including those with investments, direct operations, and supply chain links in Honduras, are expected to respect human rights in line with the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights and the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises.
Through the Trade Strategy, the Government is reviewing its approach to responsible business conduct, including options to strengthen human rights and environmental due diligence in global supply chains. The Department for Business and Trade will update the House in due course.
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, with reference to the Six-Monthly Report on Hong Kong published on 26 March 2026, what diplomatic steps she is taking to secure the release of Jimmy Lai following reports that he will not appeal his conviction under Hong...
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, with reference to the Six-Monthly Report on Hong Kong published on 26 March 2026, what diplomatic steps she is taking to secure the release of Jimmy Lai following reports that he will not appeal his conviction under Hong...
I refer the Hon Member to the answer provided on 21 April in response to Question 127084.
That this House congratulates Martin O’Neill, his coaching staff, particularly Shaun Maloney and Mark Fotheringham, and all the players of Celtic Football Club on securing the SPFL title following a 3-1 victory over Heart of Midlothian in a thrilling final day title decider at Celtic Park; recognises that although this is a record-breaking 56th time in its illustrious history that Celtic Football Club has been crowned champions of Scotland, few if any, of those previous titles have been won in more dramatic circumstances, coming as it did in the final few minutes of the last match of the season; believes that this success would not have been possible without the remarkable managerial skills of Martin O’Neill who has on two occasions, stepped in to cover the managerial vacancy at Celtic Park in what has been a particularly tumultuous season for the club both on and off the field; and finally acknowledges the immense contribution made to this season’s SPFL competition by Heart of Midlothian FC who led the league for most of the campaign only to lose out on a dramatic final day.
That this House congratulates Martin O’Neill, his coaching staff, particularly Shaun Maloney and Mark Fotheringham, and all the players of Celtic Football Club on securing the SPFL title following a 3-1 victory over Heart of Midlothian in a thrilling final day title decider at Celtic Park; recognises that although this...
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what steps she is taking to support religious minorities displaced by conflict in Myanmar, including Rohingya Muslims and Christian communities in Chin State.
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what steps she is taking to support religious minorities displaced by conflict in Myanmar, including Rohingya Muslims and Christian communities in Chin State.
To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what assessment his Department has made of the potential impact of investor–state dispute settlement provisions in the Colombia–UK Bilateral Investment Treaty on Colombia’s ability to implement climate policies aimed at phasing-out fossil fuels.
To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what assessment his Department has made of the potential impact of investor–state dispute settlement provisions in the Colombia–UK Bilateral Investment Treaty on Colombia’s ability to implement climate policies aimed at phasing-out fossil fuels.
The Government values the role played by the UK-Colombia Bilateral Investment Treaty (BIT) in the investment relationship between our countries. Investor-State Dispute Settlement (ISDS) provides an independent means to resolve disputes with states where investors believe they have experienced arbitrary, discriminatory or unfair treatment or expropriation without compensation.
ISDS does not remove a government’s right to regulate in the public interest, nor its obligations to comply with other commitments, including with respect to the environment.
To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, how the Government aligns its climate commitments with continued support for investor–state dispute settlement provisions in bilateral investment treaties where such provisions may affect fossil fuel transition policies in partner countries.
To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, how the Government aligns its climate commitments with continued support for investor–state dispute settlement provisions in bilateral investment treaties where such provisions may affect fossil fuel transition policies in partner countries.
The UK draws on the full range of investment commitments and international best practice in our international investment agreements to promote growth, deliver our clean energy goals, and continue to uphold the UK’s right to regulate.
Investor-State Dispute Settlement (ISDS) provides an independent means to resolve disputes with states where investors believe they have experienced arbitrary, discriminatory or unfair treatment or expropriation without compensation. ISDS does not remove governments’ right to regulate in the public interest, including with respect to the environment.
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, whether the Government plans to support international efforts on addressing legal mechanisms that may hinder fossil fuel phase-out policies, in advance of the International Conference on a Just Transition Away from Fossil Fuels.
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, whether the Government plans to support international efforts on addressing legal mechanisms that may hinder fossil fuel phase-out policies, in advance of the International Conference on a Just Transition Away from Fossil Fuels.
The UK is fully committed to the transition away from fossil fuels, both domestically and working with partners internationally. Recent events have underlined once more the risks of being exposed to volatile international fossil fuel markets.
The UK delegation, led by the UK's Special Representative for Climate, will engage in discussions on a variety of barriers and solutions to the transition away from fossil fuels.
What assessment her Department has made of the potential implications for its policies of recent Israeli legislation introducing the death penalty.
What assessment her Department has made of the potential implications for its policies of recent Israeli legislation introducing the death penalty.
The UK opposes capital punishment in all circumstances, and we have raised our concerns directly with the Israeli Government about the recently-passed Death Penalty Bill.
In a joint statement with Australia, France, Germany, Italy and New Zealand on 29 March, we highlighted the discriminatory character of the bill, and urged the Government of Israel to abandon it.
And on 30 March, the Foreign Secretary raised the bill in a call with Foreign Minister Sa’ar, and highlighted Israel’s obligations under international humanitarian law.
Would the UK consider a state to be a democracy and would it continue normal diplomatic relations with that state were it to introduce a differential death penalty based on ethnicity?
Would the UK consider a state to be a democracy and would it continue normal diplomatic relations with that state were it to introduce a differential death penalty based on ethnicity?
I think the hon. Member refers to the legislation passed in the Israeli Knesset. We oppose the death penalty everywhere. On 29 March, we joined many of our friends across the world to condemn that specific measure, and the Foreign Secretary has raised it specifically with the Israeli Foreign Minister. I can leave the House in no doubt about our opposition to the measures.