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To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, if she will make an assessment of the effectiveness of the Blue Belt Programme Expedition to the Caribbean.
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, if she will make an assessment of the effectiveness of the Blue Belt Programme Expedition to the Caribbean.
The Blue Belt Beyond the Reef Expedition (13 January-28 February) is a pioneering survey of the largely unexplored offshore waters of Anguilla, the Turks and Caicos Islands, and the Cayman Islands. A full assessment of findings will follow the conclusion of the survey and subsequent data analysis.
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether the proposed deal with Mauritius on the Chagos Islands amends the status of (a) the waters of the British Indian Ocean Territory's Water and (b) the Blue Belt Programme.
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether the proposed deal with Mauritius on the Chagos Islands amends the status of (a) the waters of the British Indian Ocean Territory's Water and (b) the Blue Belt Programme.
The agreement will be supported by an enhanced partnership between the UK and Mauritius on conservation. This partnership will prioritise high conservation standards, with the UK supporting Mauritius' ambitions to establish a Marine Protected Area (MPA) that protects the globally significant ecosystems in the Chagos Archipelago.
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, if he will list the project (a) title, (b) code, (c) Overseas Development Assistance value and (d) International Climate Finance value of all Blue Belt Programme expenditure in the (i) 2021-22, (ii) 2022-23, (iii) 2023-24 and (iv) 2024-25...
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, if he will list the project (a) title, (b) code, (c) Overseas Development Assistance value and (d) International Climate Finance value of all Blue Belt Programme expenditure in the (i) 2021-22, (ii) 2022-23, (iii) 2023-24 and (iv) 2024-25...
From Financial Year (FY) 21/22 to FY 24/25, the Blue Belt Programme was funded through the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office's International Programme. For each of these FYs, the budget for the Programme was £8 million, of which £2 million was Overseas Development Assistance. Annual reports, which set out the main activities conducted through the programme, are available on the GOV.UK Blue Belt Programme webpage, with the 24/25 report due to be published in the summer. The Blue Belt Programme does not receive funding from International Climate Finance.
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, pursuant to the Answer of 20 March 2025 to Question 37160 on Blue Belt Programme: Finance, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of reducing funding for the Blue Belt programme on the UK's commitments under...
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, pursuant to the Answer of 20 March 2025 to Question 37160 on Blue Belt Programme: Finance, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of reducing funding for the Blue Belt programme on the UK's commitments under...
The Blue Belt Programme has been instrumental in supporting the UK's global ocean commitments, including the Global Biodiversity Framework, where the Convention on Biological Diversity has been extended to the UK Overseas Territories. Future funding considerations are subject to the ongoing Spending Review.
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, pursuant to the Answer of 19 March 2025 to Question 37762 on British Indian Ocean Territory: Seas and Oceans, whether the Marine Protected Area established by Mauritius under the terms of the agreement between the UK and Mauritius...
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, pursuant to the Answer of 19 March 2025 to Question 37762 on British Indian Ocean Territory: Seas and Oceans, whether the Marine Protected Area established by Mauritius under the terms of the agreement between the UK and Mauritius...
The enhanced partnership will prioritise high conservation standards, with the UK supporting Mauritius' ambitions to establish a Marine Protected Area (MPA) that protects the globally significant ecosystems in the Chagos Archipelago. Further engagement on the details of the MPA will take place as part of the implementation of the Agreement post-signature.
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether he has had recent discussions with the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs on the potential merits of continuing funding for the Blue Belt international marine conservation programme beyond 2025.
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether he has had recent discussions with the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs on the potential merits of continuing funding for the Blue Belt international marine conservation programme beyond 2025.
UK Government Ministers meet regularly through the Overseas Territories Ministerial Group to discuss key priorities, the last was held on 5 March. Territory Governments, Ministers from the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office and the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs discussed Overseas Territories environmental priorities during the annual Joint Ministerial Council (November 2024) where a commitment to the continuation of the Blue Belt Programme was provided in the Joint Communique. The UK Government remains committed to supporting the Blue Belt Programme, which underpins global ocean protection ambition. Future funding for the Programme remains subject to ongoing spending review considerations.
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, how much funding his Department has provided through the Blue Belt Programme to help protect ocean health in the British Indian Ocean Territories since 2022.
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, how much funding his Department has provided through the Blue Belt Programme to help protect ocean health in the British Indian Ocean Territories since 2022.
The Blue Belt Programme, which is funded by the FCDO, has provided £1,230,562 since 1 April 2022 to support the British Indian Ocean Territory manage its Marine Protected Area. This includes measures to prevent illegal fishing through satellite monitoring and joint surveillance with Sri Lanka and India, as well as a coastal monitoring plan.
The blue belt programme supports the protection and sustainable management of 4.3 million sq km of ocean around Britain’s overseas territories.
The blue belt programme supports the protection and sustainable management of 4.3 million sq km of ocean around Britain’s overseas territories.
What recent assessment he has made of the impact of the Blue Belt Programme on ocean health.
The blue belt programme, directly funded by the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, is a fantastic way not only to help with climate change but to improve our environment. One of the biggest threats to oceans is plastics, so will the Government consider strengthening the UN global plastics treaty in the upcoming negotiations?
The blue belt programme, directly funded by the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, is a fantastic way not only to help with climate change but to improve our environment. One of the biggest threats to oceans is plastics, so will the Government consider strengthening the UN global plastics treaty in the upcoming negotiations?
My hon. Friend is absolutely right. It is interesting to note that 85% of plastic pollution in the Pacific and Indian oceans comes from just six rivers, and therefore an international treaty really matters. The point he makes is a good one, and it is at the centre of negotiations, which the Under-Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, my hon. Friend the Member for Taunton Deane (Rebecca Pow), was talking about last week in Ottawa.
My hon. Friend is absolutely right. It is interesting to note that 85% of plastic pollution in the Pacific and Indian oceans comes from just six rivers, and therefore an international treaty really matters. The point he makes is a good one, and it is at the centre of negotiations, which the Under-Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, my hon. Friend the Member for Taunton Deane (Rebecca Pow), was talking about last week in Ottawa.
My hon. Friend is absolutely right. It is interesting to note that 85% of plastic pollution in the Pacific and Indian oceans comes from just six rivers, and therefore an international treaty really matters. The point he makes is a good one, and it is at the centre of negotiations, which the Under-Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, my hon. Friend the Member for Taunton Deane (Rebecca Pow), was talking about last week in Ottawa.
The blue belt programme, directly funded by the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, is a fantastic way not only to help with climate change but to improve our environment. One of the biggest threats to oceans is plastics, so will the Government consider strengthening the UN global plastics treaty in the upcoming negotiations?
I refer the House to my entry in the Register of Members’ Financial Interests. The Deputy Foreign Secretary will be aware that over 90% of the UK’s biodiversity is within the overseas territories. I was privileged last summer to visit St Helena in the Atlantic ocean, where I was amazed by the natural biodiversity both on the island and in the seas around it. What more help are the British Government giving to the overseas territories Governments to ensure that their biodiversity can be enhanced and maintained?
I refer the House to my entry in the Register of Members’ Financial Interests. The Deputy Foreign Secretary will be aware that over 90% of the UK’s biodiversity is within the overseas territories. I was privileged last summer to visit St Helena in the Atlantic ocean, where I was amazed by the natural biodiversity both on the island and in the seas around it. What more help are the British Government giving to the overseas territories Governments to ensure that their biodiversity can be enhanced and maintained?
I am glad that the hon. Gentleman has had a chance to visit St Helena—as have I in the past. It is one of the most remarkable places on Earth. On the issue of cleaning up the ocean and plastics, I can tell him that the UK is a founding member of the high ambition coalition to end plastic pollution, which is a group of 60 countries whose central aim is to stop
plastic flowing into the environment by 2040. The overseas territories are not suppliers of plastic but they are receivers of a lot of it, and that is why this is so important.
I am glad that the hon. Gentleman has had a chance to visit St Helena—as have I in the past. It is one of the most remarkable places on Earth. On the issue of cleaning up the ocean and plastics, I can tell him that the UK is a founding member of the high ambition coalition to end plastic pollution, which is a group of 60 countries whose central aim is to stop
plastic flowing into the environment by 2040. The overseas territories are not suppliers of plastic but they are receivers of a lot of it, and that is why this is so important.
I am glad that the hon. Gentleman has had a chance to visit St Helena—as have I in the past. It is one of the most remarkable places on Earth. On the issue of cleaning up the ocean and plastics, I can tell him that the UK is a founding member of the high ambition coalition to end plastic pollution, which is a group of 60 countries whose central aim is to stop
plastic flowing into the environment by 2040. The overseas territories are not suppliers of plastic but they are receivers of a lot of it, and that is why this is so important.
I refer the House to my entry in the Register of Members’ Financial Interests. The Deputy Foreign Secretary will be aware that over 90% of the UK’s biodiversity is within the overseas territories. I was privileged last summer to visit St Helena in the Atlantic ocean, where I was amazed by the natural biodiversity both on the island and in the seas around it. What more help are the British Government giving to the overseas territories Governments to ensure that their biodiversity can be enhanced and maintained?
The recent Environmental Audit Committee reports—on the Arctic and the current one on the Antarctic, both of which I chair—have called attention to the excellent blue belt programme and how very important it is in the Arctic and the Southern ocean. One of our recommendations was that the programme would work properly only if all the Ministers responsible for the Arctic in different Departments got together on a reasonably regular basis to discuss it. Can the Deputy Foreign Secretary please advise on whether that committee has met or what plans he has to call the meeting?
The recent Environmental Audit Committee reports—on the Arctic and the current one on the Antarctic, both of which I chair—have called attention to the excellent blue belt programme and how very important it is in the Arctic and the Southern ocean. One of our recommendations was that the programme would work properly only if all the Ministers responsible for the Arctic in different Departments got together on a reasonably regular basis to discuss it. Can the Deputy Foreign Secretary please advise on whether that committee has met or what plans he has to call the meeting?
My hon. Friend makes an important point, and I am advised that the meeting is, I think, today.
My hon. Friend makes an important point, and I am advised that the meeting is, I think, today.
My hon. Friend makes an important point, and I am advised that the meeting is, I think, today.
The recent Environmental Audit Committee reports—on the Arctic and the current one on the Antarctic, both of which I chair—have called attention to the excellent blue belt programme and how very important it is in the Arctic and the Southern ocean. One of our recommendations was that the programme would work properly only if all the Ministers responsible for the Arctic in different Departments got together on a reasonably regular basis to discuss it. Can the Deputy Foreign Secretary please advise on whether that committee has met or what plans he has to call the meeting?
Many of my constituents have written to me concerned that the UK is delaying its ratification of the global ocean treaty, which could limit human activity in what would be known as sanctuary areas in order to protect valuable marine life. Has a Minister made an assessment of how that could work with the blue belt programme to ensure that our overseas territories have the highest possible protection for their water and their biodiversity?
Many of my constituents have written to me concerned that the UK is delaying its ratification of the global ocean treaty, which could limit human activity in what would be known as sanctuary areas in order to protect valuable marine life. Has a Minister made an assessment of how that could work with the blue belt programme to ensure that our overseas territories have the highest possible protection for their water and their biodiversity?
The hon. Lady makes a good point. The Government are extremely well joined up on that—I made the point earlier about the DEFRA Minister working closely with the Foreign Office on these matters—so I think she can reassure her constituents that that matter is very much in hand.
The hon. Lady makes a good point. The Government are extremely well joined up on that—I made the point earlier about the DEFRA Minister working closely with the Foreign Office on these matters—so I think she can reassure her constituents that that matter is very much in hand.
The hon. Lady makes a good point. The Government are extremely well joined up on that—I made the point earlier about the DEFRA Minister working closely with the Foreign Office on these matters—so I think she can reassure her constituents that that matter is very much in hand.
Many of my constituents have written to me concerned that the UK is delaying its ratification of the global ocean treaty, which could limit human activity in what would be known as sanctuary areas in order to protect valuable marine life. Has a Minister made an assessment of how that could work with the blue belt programme to ensure that our overseas territories have the highest possible protection for their water and their biodiversity?
What recent assessment he has made of the impact of the Blue Belt Programme on ocean health.
What recent assessment he has made of the impact of the Blue Belt Programme on ocean health.
The blue belt programme supports the protection and sustainable management of 4.3 million sq km of ocean around Britain’s overseas territories.
To ask the Minister of State, Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, what steps he is taking with Cabinet colleagues to improve the Blue Belt Programme in the South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands.
To ask the Minister of State, Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, what steps he is taking with Cabinet colleagues to improve the Blue Belt Programme in the South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands.
The FCDO's Blue Belt Programme provides the UK Overseas Territories (OTs) with support, training and technical expertise to protect species and habitats within their waters. Each OT is unique, therefore the management and protective measures are Territory specific. The Blue Belt Programme is currently supporting the Government of South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands to undertake the second 5-year review of its Marine Protected Area. The results of this review are due to be published in the new year.
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether he is taking steps with Cabinet colleagues to amend the Blue Belt Programme to (a) increase protections for endangered bird species, (b) conserve fishing stocks and (c) protect the ocean floor.
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether he is taking steps with Cabinet colleagues to amend the Blue Belt Programme to (a) increase protections for endangered bird species, (b) conserve fishing stocks and (c) protect the ocean floor.
The FCDO's Blue Belt Programme provides the UK Overseas Territories (OTs) with support, training and technical expertise to protect species and habitats within their waters. Each OT is unique, therefore the management and protective measures are Territory specific. For example, OTs have put in place measures to protect sea-bird species; established sustainable and precautionary fishing practices to conserve fish stocks and have banned damaging fishing practices (such as benthic trawlers) and hydrocarbon removal to protect the ocean floor. The Programme will continue to support OTs with the protection and sustainable management of their marine environment.
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what cost-benefit analysis has been conducted of departmental funding for the Blue Belt programme since its creation in 2012.
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what cost-benefit analysis has been conducted of departmental funding for the Blue Belt programme since its creation in 2012.
The Blue Belt initiative was launched in 2016 and has invested over £40 million in enhancing the protection of waters around the UK's Overseas Territories (OT). Over 4.3m square kilometres is designated as protected waters and the Blue Belt supports the OTs on management, monitoring, surveillance and enforcement - less than £10 per protected square kilometre to date. The Blue Belt programme has also raised awareness of the value and global significance of OT waters and contributes to the delivery of the global target to protect 30% of the world's ocean by 2030.