HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) is responsible for the collection and publication of data on imports and exports of goods to and from the UK. HMRC releases imports and exports information monthly, as an Accredited Official Statistic called the Overseas Trade in Goods Statistics (OTS), which is available via their dedicated website (www.uktradeinfo.com).

From this website, it is possible to build your own data tables based upon bespoke search criteria. To use the tables, you will need the commodity codes for coffee, fish and fish products. These codes are publicly available from the UK Trade Tariff at https://www.gov.uk/trade-tariff. Coffee is classified to Chapter 09 of the Tariff, fish are classified to Chapter 03 and fish products are classified within Chapter 16.

The data on the website will, within limitations, tell you the total value of imports and exports of these products into and out of the UK. It includes the value and weight (kg) of imports and exports. However, it will not identify individual items as this could identify individual importers or exporters. This would be in conflict with Section 18 of the Commissioners for Revenue and Customs Act 2005 (CRCA). CRCA restricts the information that HMRC may disclose publicly on persons making imports and exports.

It will not be possible to distinguish imports and exports specifically from or to Saint Helena because for trade statistics purposes the territory of “St Helena” includes imports from and exports to Saint Helena, Tristan da Cunha and other islands in this area.

If you need help or support in constructing a table from the data on uktradeinfo, please contact uktradeinfo@hmrc.gov.uk.

HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) is responsible for the collection and publication of data on imports and exports of goods to and from the UK.

HMRC releases imports and exports information monthly, as an Accredited Official Statistic called the Overseas Trade in Goods Statistics (OTS), which is available via their dedicated website (www.uktradeinfo.com).

From this website, it is possible to build your own data tables based upon bespoke search criteria. To use the tables you will need the commodity codes for coffee, fish, and fish products. These codes are publicly available from the UK Trade Tariff at https://www.gov.uk/trade-tariff. Commodity codes for fish and seafood are classified within Chapter 03 of the Tariff and coffee within Chapter 09.

The data on the website will, within limitations, tell you the total value of imports of these products into the UK from Saint Helena and Tristan Da Cuhna. It includes value and weight (kg) of imports. However, it will not identify individual items as this could identify individual importers. This would be in conflict with Section 18 of the Commissioners for Revenue and Customs Act 2005 (CRCA). CRCA restricts the information that HMRC may disclose publicly on persons making imports and exports.

Unfortunately, it will not be possible to distinguish between imports from Saint Helena and Tristan Da Cunha because for trade statistics purposes the territory of “St Helena” includes imports from Saint Helena, Tristan da Cunha and other islands in this area.

If you need help or support in constructing a table from the data on uktradeinfo, please contact uktradeinfo@hmrc.gov.uk.

The UK is actively providing assistance, working in partnership with the St Helena Government and Governor. I have been in contact with the St Helena Chief Minister to underline our support and met the St Helena Health Minister and London Representative on 11 February. The St Helena airport now has approval to accept small aircraft, including medical evacuation flights from the island in the case of emergencies. We will work together at pace to urgently ensure a return to full operations at the airport.

The UK is actively providing assistance, working in partnership with the St Helena Government and Governor. I have been in contact with the St Helena Chief Minister to underline our support and met the St Helena Health Minister and London Representative on 11 February. The St Helena airport now has approval to accept small aircraft, including medical evacuation flights from the island in the case of emergencies. We will work together at pace to urgently ensure a return to full operations at the airport.

The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) is working together with the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) to address the complex considerations concerning the unfreezing of pensions for St Helena. I have recently met ministerial colleagues to discuss this issue again, and look forward to meeting the new Chief Minister soon to update them. We will update on progress in the usual way in due course.

Foreign, Commonwealth, and Development Office officials are engaging closely with the new Government of St Helena on the issue of pensions, alongside other issues. I look forward to welcoming the new Chief Minister to the UK-Overseas Territories Joint Ministerial Council in London in November 2025, and discussing our priorities for the partnership between the United Kingdom and St Helena.

This legislation is currently subject to an ongoing judicial review. The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office does not comment on ongoing legal proceedings. The role of the Governor of St Helena in relation to legislation is set out in the St Helena Constitution.

I met the Premier and the Governor of Bermuda and other representatives during my visit to Bermuda in September. I look forward to welcoming the elected leaders and representatives of the Overseas Territories to the Joint Ministerial Council in London in November, including representatives of the new Government of St Helena formed following their general election last month. My officials and I continue to work in close partnership with the Governments of Bermuda and St Helena, as with all the Overseas Territories.

Each Overseas Territory's constitution is unique. In relation to the 2021 amendment to the Constitution of Saint Helena, the Governor, in concert with the Legislative Council, commissioned an independent review of governance arrangements by the Westminster Foundation of Democracy. The findings are now with the Legislative Council for consideration and to determine if further constitutional amendment is required.

The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) continues to support the St Helena Government to help strengthen its financial and banking sectors. This includes assistance to modernise financial infrastructure, enhance regulatory frameworks, and ensure compliance with international standards.

The provision of banking and financial services to non-residents is a matter for the St Helena Government. UK Government support has been designed to help St Helena ensure any expansion of services is carefully managed to mitigate reputational and financial crime risks. The FCDO remains engaged with the St Helena Government and the St Helena Financial Services Regulatory Authority to explore opportunities that support the goal of greater economic self-sufficiency, including through the responsible development of its financial services sector.

Poor weather including cloud cover, high winds and wind shear has on occasion caused delays to scheduled flight services to St Helena Airport. Prior to the airport's construction, the initial expert advice provided to the former Department for International Development (DFID) assessed the risk of wind shear as low. Challenges with turbulence and wind shear were subsequently identified during a series of test flights into the airport in 2016, contributing to the airport's classification as a Category C airport. The FCDO pursued litigation in relation to some of the initial expert advice received, and reached a settlement in January 2019. I cannot comment on the detail of decisions made by the 2010-15 Conservative government.

St Helena does not have a Public Service Commission. The Governor works closely with the St Helena Government on public service appointments and in accordance with the St Helena Constitution.

The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) continues to work closely with the Government of St Helena to strengthen its financial sector and banking services, which have been identified as potential growth sectors.

The FCDO provides financial assistance to St Helena through annual financial aid, which supports essential public services and economic development initiatives. This includes funding to help modernise the island's financial infrastructure.

The FCDO has facilitated access to technical expertise across the UK Government to help St Helena improve its financial regulatory framework. This includes support for compliance with international standards and enhancements to the island's banking services.

The FCDO will continue to engage with the Government of St Helena to explore further opportunities for support. The St Helena Financial Services Regulatory Authority is actively involved to ensure robust oversight.

The national average salary provided in response to Question 49724 did not include salaries for Technical Cooperation Officers (TCO). The St Helena Government sets TCO salaries to compete with the overseas job market and secure candidates with the advanced experience and broader skill sets not yet available locally. In line with The Royal St Helena Police Service's five-year plan, TCOs help build the capacity of local police officers by investing their expertise and providing bespoke training.

The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) is providing £35.79 million in financial aid to St Helena for the 2025/26 fiscal year. The St Helena Government (SHG) allocates a portion of this funding to advance its policy objectives, including attracting investment and increasing revenue. The FCDO also funds the £30 million Economic Development and Investment Programme which supports economic development of St Helena through infrastructure development.  Prioritised jointly with St Helena Government, this will fund projects such as new port facilities in Rupert's Valley, which, when completed, will open the waterfront for new economic activities and opportunities. The funding also supports the St Helena Government's aim to increase the use of renewable energy to help underpin the island's future financial self-sustainability. Other FCDO programmes, including the Overseas Territories Fund, support a range of initiatives, including on climate, essential equipment and technical support which all contribute to St Helena's economic growth.

The budget for all Technical Cooperation Officers (TCO) is set by Saint Helena Government Ministers. The St Helena Government's Technical Cooperation Monitoring Group oversees the budget and TCO appointments. In line with St Helena's Constitution, the Chief of Police reports to the Governor for operational policing matters, and to the Minister for Safety, Security, and Home Affairs for all other matters. TCO bids related to operational policing require the Governor's approval.