Written questions by McVey.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what assessment she has made of the potential implications for her Department's policies of the increasing percentage of funding for the World Health Organization coming from (a) specified and (b) non-State donor funding.

The UK recognises the importance of flexible and predictable funding for the World Health Organization (WHO). That is why we prioritise fully flexible funding to ensure the organisation's ability to set independent priorities and respond to emerging global health risks. While specified and non State funding remains part of WHO's financing mix, its reporting shows that the share of flexible funding has increased in recent years. The UK continues to advocate for a balanced funding model to strengthen WHO's effectiveness, independence, and accountability. Member States have also agreed reforms to assessed contributions to increase the amount of flexible funding available.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, how many staff network events took place in his Department in May 2025; and what the names of those events were.

Staff networks are collaborative volunteer networks, organised by staff themselves rather than the department. As a result, events are organised by staff themselves, not the department and the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office does not centrally record these details.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether his Department has updated guidance on the use of single-sex facilities in response to the Supreme Court judgement in the case of For Women Scotland v The Scottish Ministers of 16 April 2025.

We will review and update policy wherever necessary to ensure it complies with the latest legal requirements. We aim to ensure appropriate facilities are available for all staff.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what the total expenditure by his Department is on overseas (a) road repairs, (b) waterways, (c) bridges, (d) highways and (e) canals in each of the last five years.

YearRoad Transport, including road repairs, main roads (highways), and road bridgesWater transport, including waterways and canals2019£37.3m£02020£15.9m£02021£22.5m£02022£24.5m£02023£9.1m£0Source: Statistics on International DevelopmentNB Figures prior to the 2020 Department For International Development (DFID) - Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) merger were for DFID, as FCO at that time was focussed on the Prosperity Fund that was closed soon after the merger.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, how much money has been spent in overseas aid on roads in each of the last five years.

FCDO Official Development Assistance in Road Infrastructure 2020 to 2024YearSpend per Year in £ Million202055.2202155.8202226.7202322.1202411.2Source: FCDO Aid Management Platform.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, if he will take steps to establish a Special Envoy for Freedom of Religion and Belief on a statutory footing.

The Government will champion freedom of religion or belief (FoRB) for all abroad. No one should live in fear because of what they do or do not believe in. Envoy roles will be decided upon in due course. There are currently no plans to legislate on Envoy roles during this parliamentary session. We continue to use the strength of our global diplomatic network, including dedicated staff within the FCDO, to promote and protect FoRB around the world.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, if he will make an assessment of the implications for his policies of calls to establish an international commission of inquiry into religious persecution and violence in (a) Nigeria and (b) other severely affected countries in Sub-Saharan Africa.

The UK continues to champion freedom of religion or belief (FoRB) for all, including in Sub-Saharan Africa. No one should live in fear because of what they do, or do not believe in. We work to uphold the right to FoRB multilaterally, including through our position at the UN, and bilaterally. The UK Government remains committed to supporting Nigeria to address ongoing security challenges, including violent extremism and intercommunal violence, which continue to impinge on the rights of Nigerians to FoRB.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether it is his policy to support the establishment of an international commission of inquiry by the UN on religious persecution in Sub-Saharan Africa.

The UK continues to champion freedom of religion or belief (FoRB) for all, including in Sub-Saharan Africa. No one should live in fear because of what they do, or do not believe in. We work to uphold the right to FoRB multilaterally, including through our position at the UN, and bilaterally. The UK Government remains committed to supporting Nigeria to address ongoing security challenges, including violent extremism and intercommunal violence, which continue to impinge on the rights of Nigerians to FoRB.