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To ask His Majesty's Government, further to their press release Cheaper travel for millions with a third off fares, published on 22 July, whether any conversations have been held with representatives of nations which were to receive funding through international climate finance where the funding is now being converted into loans; and...
To ask His Majesty's Government, further to their press release Cheaper travel for millions with a third off fares, published on 22 July, whether any conversations have been held with representatives of nations which were to receive funding through international climate finance where the funding is now being converted into loans; and...
The Government is switching £400 million of grant funding set aside for future international climate finance projects into loans, providing more flexible ways to meet the Government’s international climate objectives. Discussions with partner countries on international climate finance take place as part of normal programme development and delivery processes. Any engagement relating to future investments will depend on the design and approval of individual investments.
To ask His Majesty's Government whether they have provided any funding to the Tropical Forests Forever Fund.
To ask His Majesty's Government whether they have provided any funding to the Tropical Forests Forever Fund.
The Tropical Forests Forever Facility (TFFF) represents a critical evolution in forests finance, which is why the Government has been pleased to steadfastly support its development, including by pledging £2.5m to support the establishment of the Fund. Switching funding that had been set aside for international climate finance projects from grants into loans allows DESNZ to make £400m of financial transactions available to support the government's intention to invest in international climate finance projects, which could include projects such as TFFF. I will keep the House updated on the Government’s decision to invest in TFFF.
To ask His Majesty's Government further to their press release Cheaper travel for millions with a third off fares, published on 22 July, to which specific international climate finance projects has the United Kingdom’s contribution been converted to loans.
To ask His Majesty's Government further to their press release Cheaper travel for millions with a third off fares, published on 22 July, to which specific international climate finance projects has the United Kingdom’s contribution been converted to loans.
The Government is reprioritising £454 million from the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero’s budget, including by switching £400 million of grant funding set aside for future international climate finance projects into loans, which could include projects such as the Tropical Forests Forever Facility. This will provide more flexible ways to meet the Government’s international climate objectives. The Government remains committed to spending 0.3% of Gross National Income on Official Development Assistance.
To ask His Majesty's Government, further to their press release Cheaper travel for millions with a third off fares, published on 22 July, whether climate finance grants are being converted into loans to pay for this announcement; and, if so, which grants are being so converted.
To ask His Majesty's Government, further to their press release Cheaper travel for millions with a third off fares, published on 22 July, whether climate finance grants are being converted into loans to pay for this announcement; and, if so, which grants are being so converted.
The Government is reprioritising £454 million from the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero’s budget, including by switching £400 million of grant funding set aside for future international climate finance projects into loans, which could include projects such as the Tropical Forests Forever Facility. This will provide more flexible ways to meet the Government’s international climate objectives. The Government remains committed to spending 0.3% of Gross National Income on Official Development Assistance.
To ask His Majesty's Government, further to their press release Cheaper travel for millions with a third off fares, published on 22 July, what assessment they have made of their ability to claw back funding from the international climate finance projects for which the United Kingdom’s contribution will now take the...
To ask His Majesty's Government, further to their press release Cheaper travel for millions with a third off fares, published on 22 July, what assessment they have made of their ability to claw back funding from the international climate finance projects for which the United Kingdom’s contribution will now take the...
The Government is not clawing back funding from existing international climate finance projects. The £400 million relates to switching grant funding that had been set aside for future international climate finance projects into loans, providing more flexible ways to meet the Government’s international climate objectives. The terms of any loans, including expected repayment arrangements, will depend on the final design of individual investments and will be considered in line with normal value for money and Official Development Assistance requirements.
To ask His Majesty's Government, further to their press release Cheaper travel for millions with a third off fares, published on 22 July, what is the itemised breakdown of the £454 million funding reprioritised from the budget of the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero.
To ask His Majesty's Government, further to their press release Cheaper travel for millions with a third off fares, published on 22 July, what is the itemised breakdown of the £454 million funding reprioritised from the budget of the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero.
The Government is reprioritising £454 million from the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero’s budget, including by switching £400 million of grant funding set aside for future international climate finance projects into loans, which could include projects such as the Tropical Forests Forever Facility. The remaining £54 million savings are expected from underspends in the Department’s budget.
My Lords, I congratulate the noble Lord on his return to the Foreign Office. The whole House thought that he was badly treated by the previous junta, so it is nice to see him back. The Government’s most significant challenge in their recent discussions with Pakistan was their disagreement over the deportation of Shabir Ahmed. Can the Minister update the House on progress in those discussions and what steps the Government will take if Pakistan refuses to allow Shabir Ahmed to be deported?
My Lords, I congratulate the noble Lord on his return to the Foreign Office. The whole House thought that he was badly treated by the previous junta, so it is nice to see him back. The Government’s most significant challenge in their recent discussions with Pakistan was their disagreement over the deportation of Shabir Ahmed. Can the Minister update the House on progress in those discussions and what steps the Government will take if Pakistan refuses to allow Shabir Ahmed to be deported?
First, I confess I take a whole-government approach: I am not in the FCDO at the moment but have some responsibility for government policy. I reassure the noble Lord that, in my new responsibilities at the Home Office, I will take his concerns seriously. We need to be clear about our determination to ensure that the individual to whom he refers is no longer in this country. The crimes he committed were appalling and we take this matter seriously. The dialogue between Pakistan and us is ongoing.
My Lords, one of the greatest issues facing nuclear weapons non-proliferation is that of Iran. Both sides of this House are agreed that Iran must never develop or acquire nuclear weapons. Will the Minister update the House on the Government’s latest assessment of what progress Iran is making towards developing nuclear weapons and the effect of the recent United States strikes on that capacity?
My Lords, one of the greatest issues facing nuclear weapons non-proliferation is that of Iran. Both sides of this House are agreed that Iran must never develop or acquire nuclear weapons. Will the Minister update the House on the Government’s latest assessment of what progress Iran is making towards developing nuclear weapons and the effect of the recent United States strikes on that capacity?
As the noble Lord knows, we are deeply concerned about the behaviour of Iran with regards to its nuclear programme. We are committed to doing what is necessary to prevent Iran ever obtaining the use of nuclear weaponry. As for the current conflict that we have recently seen resumed, we are all concerned about the impact that that is having, and indeed whether or not that is having the effect within Iran that we would all wish to see.
My Lords, we welcome the Government’s response—helping is a good thing—and we also welcome support from the Disasters Emergency Committee. As has been said, the British public have been extremely generous. What assessment has the Minister made of the failures of the Venezuelan state in this matter? It has been truly shocking to see the response of what was the Maduro Government and the hollowing out in these circumstances. There has been a dreadful local response. International partners have stepped in to help. What assessment have the Government made of this?
My Lords, we welcome the Government’s response—helping is a good thing—and we also welcome support from the Disasters Emergency Committee. As has been said, the British public have been extremely generous. What assessment has the Minister made of the failures of the Venezuelan state in this matter? It has been truly shocking to see the response of what was the Maduro Government and the hollowing out in these circumstances. There has been a dreadful local response. International partners have stepped in to help. What assessment have the Government made of this?
I agree with the noble Lord. It has been devastating, dreadful and heartbreaking. A country that should be prosperous and successful and that should provide a good place to live and succeed for its population has been badly led by a corrupt regime. I suspect we agree on much of that analysis. What needs to happen now is the physical rebuilding and the support for the population, but the Venezuelan state really needs to look to itself. It has some serious questions to answer about how it has allowed the impact of this to be more devastating than it could have been, and about what it needs to do next to rebuild its economy, society and the country more generally.
My Lords, we are supportive of the Government doing the right thing and protecting our most biodiverse areas, seas and oceans. On Report of the Diego Garcia military base Bill, the Minister admitted that Mauritius does not have the capabilities to protect the current marine protected area, one of the largest in the world. Can the Minister assure your Lordships’ House that the Government will never again seek to transfer the BIOT to a nation incapable of or unwilling to protect the current marine protected area?
My Lords, we are supportive of the Government doing the right thing and protecting our most biodiverse areas, seas and oceans. On Report of the Diego Garcia military base Bill, the Minister admitted that Mauritius does not have the capabilities to protect the current marine protected area, one of the largest in the world. Can the Minister assure your Lordships’ House that the Government will never again seek to transfer the BIOT to a nation incapable of or unwilling to protect the current marine protected area?
To say that Mauritius is unwilling is a bit harsh—it is very willing and it has committed to do this. We have committed to work alongside it to make sure that the waters around the archipelago are protected.
My Lords, we do not criminalise British citizens for buying property in disputed territories anywhere else in the world. Why should the West Bank be singled out, particularly when such a measure could even extend to Area C, which is under full Israeli
control under the Oslo accords, and would criminalise British Jews for purchasing a home in the Jewish Quarter of the Old City of Jerusalem? Is not the status of disputed territory ultimately a matter for states and international law rather than something to be determined through domestic criminal law applied to individual purchases?
My Lords, we do not criminalise British citizens for buying property in disputed territories anywhere else in the world. Why should the West Bank be singled out, particularly when such a measure could even extend to Area C, which is under full Israeli
control under the Oslo accords, and would criminalise British Jews for purchasing a home in the Jewish Quarter of the Old City of Jerusalem? Is not the status of disputed territory ultimately a matter for states and international law rather than something to be determined through domestic criminal law applied to individual purchases?
I think the implementation of international law in this circumstance would be a very good thing. We are not telling people what they have to do; we are pointing out that there is a risk of engaging in business or financial activity that may well support illegal actions. We are very clear that there should be a two-state solution that includes a secure, viable, prosperous, safe and successful Israel alongside the same for Palestine.
My Lords, earlier the noble Baroness referred to the importance of strong, women-led organisations. We on our Benches are very proud of our record of having strong women leaders in charge of our organisation. We are now on our fourth, so we well know the impact that women can make at the
very top of politics. What role is the Government playing in encouraging our international partners to recognise the unique contribution that women can make in leadership roles?
My Lords, earlier the noble Baroness referred to the importance of strong, women-led organisations. We on our Benches are very proud of our record of having strong women leaders in charge of our organisation. We are now on our fourth, so we well know the impact that women can make at the
very top of politics. What role is the Government playing in encouraging our international partners to recognise the unique contribution that women can make in leadership roles?
As a woman who has worked in politics for longer than I care to admit, I welcome the noble Lord’s sisterly solidarity. What are we doing? We fund many women-led organisations. We insist at the Security Council—when we are able to—that women’s participation is embedded in resolutions. We participate fully in multilateral organisations that are supporting the work of women in this context.
To ask His Majesty's Government whether the draft UK-EU agreement in respect of Gibraltar will require the enactment of UK primary legislation prior to its ratification.
To ask His Majesty's Government whether the draft UK-EU agreement in respect of Gibraltar will require the enactment of UK primary legislation prior to its ratification.
No primary legislation is required, but the final version of the Treaty will be laid in Parliament for scrutiny in accordance with the Constitutional Reform and Governance Act 2010.
To ask His Majesty's Government when the UK Soft Power Council will next meet.
To ask His Majesty's Government when the UK Soft Power Council will next meet.
The UK Soft Power Council continues to play an important role in informing the Government's approach to the promotion of the UK's soft power overseas, and in championing different sectors and organisations that help to achieve that goal. Its next meeting is due to take place in the coming weeks.
To ask His Majesty's Government why the UK Soft Power Council did not meet during the first five months of 2026.
To ask His Majesty's Government why the UK Soft Power Council did not meet during the first five months of 2026.
The UK Soft Power Council continues to play an important role in informing the Government's approach to the promotion of the UK's soft power overseas, and in championing different sectors and organisations that help to achieve that goal. Its next meeting is due to take place in the coming weeks.
To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the achievements of the UK Soft Power Council following the four meetings of the Council held in 2025.
To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the achievements of the UK Soft Power Council following the four meetings of the Council held in 2025.
The UK Soft Power Council continues to play an important role in informing the Government's approach to the promotion of the UK's soft power overseas, and in championing different sectors and organisations that help to achieve that goal. Its next meeting is due to take place in the coming weeks.
My Lords, more than 100 UNRWA staff are now suspected of having links with Hamas, with many being suspected of being actively involved in the appalling 7 October attacks; 70 employees have been dismissed following these accusations. The UK pays tens of millions of pounds to UNRWA through ODA. Can the noble Baroness say whether Ministers have considered suspending that funding, as we did in government, given the recent revelations about UNRWA staff?
My Lords, more than 100 UNRWA staff are now suspected of having links with Hamas, with many being suspected of being actively involved in the appalling 7 October attacks; 70 employees have been dismissed following these accusations. The UK pays tens of millions of pounds to UNRWA through ODA. Can the noble Baroness say whether Ministers have considered suspending that funding, as we did in government, given the recent revelations about UNRWA staff?
Given that UNRWA is the only agency that can really deliver what is needed at scale in what has become an incredibly challenging and militarised context, it is important that we maintain our funding of UNRWA, and we reinstated it when we came into power. I think that was the right decision and I stand by it. When there are issues and problems of the nature that the noble Lord outlines, the right thing for us to do is to make sure that they are dealt with. UNRWA has done so on occasions in the past. There have been reports and they have been acted on. It is our job to maintain that higher standard and those requirements of UNRWA.
My Lords, the British Council has an important role to play in helping the UK to project its influence as a force for good on the world stage. It is, consequently, a member of the UK Government’s Soft Power Council. That council met four times last year, but it has not met once this year. Could the Minister tell the House why?
My Lords, the British Council has an important role to play in helping the UK to project its influence as a force for good on the world stage. It is, consequently, a member of the UK Government’s Soft Power Council. That council met four times last year, but it has not met once this year. Could the Minister tell the House why?
As the noble Lord knows, soft power extends far beyond the Government, the British Council and, indeed, the BBC World Service to many other sectors—higher education, the creative industries and so on. The Soft Power Council had an independent review under Minister Elmore. Let me be clear that what is needed in the Soft Power Council is better co-ordination and more focus across all the different sectors, not just for the British Council and for the BBC World Service. That is what Minister Elmore will take forward.
My Lords, the outbreak of Ebola in this region is extremely concerning, and we welcome the funding that the Minister has referenced. Can she perhaps say what support is available to any UK citizens who are in the region, notwithstanding the difficulties of access to the eastern region of the DRC, which we all know about? What other consular support is available in these areas to any of our people?
My Lords, the outbreak of Ebola in this region is extremely concerning, and we welcome the funding that the Minister has referenced. Can she perhaps say what support is available to any UK citizens who are in the region, notwithstanding the difficulties of access to the eastern region of the DRC, which we all know about? What other consular support is available in these areas to any of our people?
Our team in Kinshasa is in crisis mode, as noble Lords would expect, and ready to provide any support. There are very few UK nationals in that part of the world because of the danger from the conflict, but there are some UK medics—I have met them—and well-tested protocols are in place should they wish to return to the UK. We know how to do this; we are experienced in doing it and, obviously, our priority is to keep the UK and our citizens safe.
To ask His Majesty's Government, further to the report in the Daily Telegraph, ‘Chagos supply mission ‘thwarted by officials’’ published on 11 April, what role, if any, the Commissioner for the British Indian Ocean Territory had in authorising the prevention of humanitarian items, such as bed linen and mosquito nets, from...
To ask His Majesty's Government, further to the report in the Daily Telegraph, ‘Chagos supply mission ‘thwarted by officials’’ published on 11 April, what role, if any, the Commissioner for the British Indian Ocean Territory had in authorising the prevention of humanitarian items, such as bed linen and mosquito nets, from...
The Commissioner has a constitutional responsibility to discharge the powers conferred on him under the British Indian Ocean Territory (Constitution) Order 2004 and related instruments, and does so with professional diligence. The Commissioner and BIOT Administration is constitutionally and legally separate from the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office.