Committee publication · Correspondence · 23 July 2025
Letter from the Minister of State from Trade Policy and Economic Security relating to questions raised on the session of 9 July, 21 July 2025
From: Business and Trade Sub-Committee on Economic Security, Arms and Export Controls
Inquiry: UK economic security
Summary
Minister Douglas Alexander responds to the Sub-Committee's oral evidence questions (9 and 21 July 2025) on UK economic security policy. He clarifies the UK's arms embargo enforcement for Sudan and South Sudan, confirms no military licences were granted to Sudan in 2024, addresses concerns about UAE diversion risks, outlines action on illicit gold financing of the conflict, and explains the UK-GCC FTA negotiation stance on human rights.
Key findings
- No military or dual-use export licences were granted to Sudan in 2024; three licences for South Sudan involved only helmets, body armour, and bomb disposal equipment for international organisations and NGOs.
- UK assesses all export licence applications against both UN/EU/UK sanctions and Strategic Export Licensing Criteria; all applicants sign undertakings prohibiting re-export to embargoed destinations.
- UK is not aware of any UK military equipment licensed for export to the UAE being diverted to Sudan and has not refused or revoked UAE licences on this basis, but keeps all licences under close review.
- Government has frozen assets of nine commercial entities linked to warring parties in Sudan, including two gold mining companies, and sanctioned three Russian-linked gold mining entities operating in Sudan in 2023.
- UK-GCC FTA negotiations (ongoing since June 2022) are framed as enhancing UK influence to raise human rights concerns through diplomatic channels; treaty text is being coordinated with FCDO to ensure consistency with UK sanctions legislation.
Tone
FactualTopics
Key actors
Douglas Alexander, Liam Byrne, UK Foreign Secretary, Department for Business and Trade, UN Security Council, Gulf Cooperation Council
Notable line
“Sudan remains a priority for this Government. The UK is doing all it can to end the conflict in Sudan, working with all partners to achieve that.”
Key Quotes
“In 2024, no export licences were granted for any (military or dual use) equipment to Sudan.”
“… we are not aware of any UK military equipment licensed for export to the UAE being diverted to Sudan. Accordingly, we have not refused or revoked any licences to the UAE related to this issue.”
“We are clear that the trade of illicit gold funds conflict, undermines the rule of law, and perpetuates human rights abuses.”
“A closer trading relationship with the GCC can increase UK influence and help us to have open conversations on a range of issues, including human rights.”
Source · parliament.uk record ↗