2 Jan 2026·Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office·Answered
AskedCommonwealth and Development Affairs, if she will discuss the adequacy of financial contributions made by member states to the Commonwealth Secretariat with her Canadian counterpart.
ReplyThe UK is the largest donor to Commonwealth institutions and their programmes. We support reform of the Commonwealth Secretariat to help place the organisation on a more sustainable financial footing and encourage member states to contribute as appropriate to support Commonwealth activity.
2 Jan 2026·Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office·Answered
AskedCommonwealth and Development Affairs, what assessment she has made of the effectiveness and adequacy of British support for the clean up in Jamaica following Hurricane Melissa.
ReplyI refer the Hon Member to the written ministerial statement on the Government response to Hurricane Melissa published on 11 December 2025 (HCWS1159).
2 Jan 2026·Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office·Answered
AskedCommonwealth and Development Affairs, if she will discuss the adequacy of financial contributions made by member states to the Commonwealth Secretariat with her Nigerian counterpart.
ReplyThe UK is the largest donor to Commonwealth institutions and their programmes. We support reform of the Commonwealth Secretariat to help place the organisation on a more sustainable financial footing and encourage member states to contribute as appropriate to support Commonwealth activity.
2 Jan 2026·Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office·Answered
AskedCommonwealth and Development Affairs, what discussions she has had with His Majesty’s Treasury about the potential of increased financial support for the Commonwealth Secretariat.
ReplyThe UK is the largest donor to Commonwealth institutions and their programmes. We support reform of the Commonwealth Secretariat to help place the organisation on a more sustainable financial footing and encourage member states to contribute as appropriate to support Commonwealth activity.
2 Jan 2026·Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office·Answered
AskedCommonwealth and Development Affairs, if she will discuss the adequacy of financial contributions made by member states to the Commonwealth Secretariat with her Indian counterpart.
ReplyThe UK is the largest donor to Commonwealth institutions and their programmes. We support reform of the Commonwealth Secretariat to help place the organisation on a more sustainable financial footing and encourage member states to contribute as appropriate to support Commonwealth activity.
2 Jan 2026·Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office·Answered
AskedCommonwealth and Development Affairs, what assessment she has made of the adequacy of the financial contributions made by a) Australia, b) New Zealand, c) Canada and d) India to the Commonwealth Secretariat.
ReplyThe UK is the largest donor to Commonwealth institutions and their programmes. We support reform of the Commonwealth Secretariat to help place the organisation on a more sustainable financial footing and encourage member states to contribute as appropriate to support Commonwealth activity.
2 Jan 2026·Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office·Answered
AskedCommonwealth and Development Affairs, if she will make an assessment of the potential implications for her policies of the potential impact of the death of Begum Khaleda Zia on the a) security, b) political and c) economic situation in Bangladesh.
ReplyNo such assessment is considered necessary at this time, but our condolences go to the friends and family of the late Khaleda Zia, and to the millions in Bangladesh who are mourning the loss of the country's first female Prime Minister.
2 Jan 2026·Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office·Answered
AskedCommonwealth and Development Affairs, what recent assessment she has made of the security situation in Myanmar.
ReplyThe UK's security assessment for Myanmar is kept up-to-date on the FCDO Travel Advice: https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/myanmar/safety-and-security.On the economic side, poverty rates, food insecurity and forced labour in the country remain significant concerns. Advice to UK business operating in Myanmar can be found here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/overseas-business-risk-myanmar-burma.
2 Jan 2026·Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office·Answered
AskedCommonwealth and Development Affairs, what discussions she has had with her European counterparts following the fire in Crans-Montana.
ReplyFollowing the tragic deaths and injuries in Crans-Montana the Foreign Secretary and I contacted our Swiss counterparts to express the UK's condolences and offer assistance, as did the Prime Minister with his counterpart.
2 Jan 2026·Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office·Answered
AskedCommonwealth and Development Affairs, what recent assessment she has made of the economic situation in Myanmar.
ReplyThe UK's security assessment for Myanmar is kept up-to-date on the FCDO Travel Advice: https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/myanmar/safety-and-security.On the economic side, poverty rates, food insecurity and forced labour in the country remain significant concerns. Advice to UK business operating in Myanmar can be found here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/overseas-business-risk-myanmar-burma.
2 Jan 2026·Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office·Answered
AskedCommonwealth and Development Affairs, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of the Republic of Ghana joining the Francophonie on the work of the Commonwealth.
ReplyGhana's full membership of the International Organisation of La Francophonie was confirmed more than fifteen months ago, and there are no indications that it has had any impact on Ghana's status as a historic and valued partner in the Commonwealth.
2 Jan 2026·Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office·Answered
AskedCommonwealth and Development Affairs, whether she has considered the potential merits of hosting a stand alone UK-Africa summit in the United Kingdom.
ReplyThe Government regularly engages with African countries and African regional bodies. Any announcements of future summits to be hosted, or attended by, the UK Government will be made in the normal way in due course.
2 Jan 2026·Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office·Answered
AskedCommonwealth and Development Affairs, what recent engagement His Majesty’s Government has had with IGAD about a) food security and b) regional stability in East Africa.
ReplyWe remain in regular contact with members of IGAD on a range of regional issues, including through the UK's Representative to IGAD based in Djibouti.
2 Dec 2025·Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office·Answered
AskedCommonwealth and Development Affairs, what discussions she has had with the Government of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan regarding the imprisonment of former Prime Minister, Imran Khan.
ReplyWhile judicial matters are for Pakistan's courts, the UK has consistently emphasised to its counterparts in Pakistan the need for due process, fair trials, and humane treatment for all, including Mr Imran Khan. I covered these matters during a wide-ranging discussion with Pakistan's Deputy Prime Minister when we met in August 2025.
24 Nov 2025·Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office·Answered
AskedCommonwealth and Development Affairs, whether she has had discussions with her counterparts in sub-Saharan Southern Africa on economic growth.
ReplyThe promotion of economic growth, investment and trade is a key priority for the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office and forms a regular and essential part of our engagement with counterparts across the world, including in Europe, sub-Saharan Africa, Australia and Canada.
24 Nov 2025·Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office·Answered
AskedCommonwealth and Development Affairs, what diplomatic engagement she has had with her European colleagues on helping encourage economic growth in the United Kingdom.
ReplyThe promotion of economic growth, investment and trade is a key priority for the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office and forms a regular and essential part of our engagement with counterparts across the world, including in Europe, sub-Saharan Africa, Australia and Canada.
24 Nov 2025·Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office·Answered
AskedCommonwealth and Development Affairs, whether she has had discussions with her Australian counterpart on economic growth.
ReplyThe promotion of economic growth, investment and trade is a key priority for the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office and forms a regular and essential part of our engagement with counterparts across the world, including in Europe, sub-Saharan Africa, Australia and Canada.
24 Nov 2025·Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office·Answered
AskedCommonwealth and Development Affairs, whether she has had discussions with her Canadian counterpart on economic growth.
ReplyThe promotion of economic growth, investment and trade is a key priority for the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office and forms a regular and essential part of our engagement with counterparts across the world, including in Europe, sub-Saharan Africa, Australia and Canada.
24 Nov 2025·Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office·Answered
AskedCommonwealth and Development Affairs, what recent discussions she has had with Tunisian authorities on the recent crackdown on human rights organisations.
ReplyI refer the Hon Member to the answer provided on 18 September to Question 70304.
24 Nov 2025·Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office·Answered
AskedCommonwealth and Development Affairs, what steps she is taking with the Southern African Development Community to help tackle violence against women and girls.
ReplyTackling violence against women and girls is a key priority for the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office and forms a regular and essential part of our engagement with counterparts across the world, including in the Southern African Development Community.