Written questions by McMurdock.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, with reference to her Department’s press release entitled UK Explanation of Vote on the Declaration of the trafficking of enslaved Africans and racialised chattel enslavement of Africans as the gravest crime, published on 25 March 2026, what discussions took place with international partners prior to the vote about the UK’s position on the resolution.

I refer the Hon Member to the press release mentioned in his questions.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, with reference to his Department’s press release entitled UK crackdown on vile scam centres steps up with sanctions on illicit crypto network, published 26 March 2026, what metrics are being used to assess the effectiveness of international cooperation in tackling scam centres.

The UK is working with international partners to tackle the threat of cyber-enabled fraud emanating from scam centres in Cambodia, Myanmar, and elsewhere in Southeast Asia. We have used sanctions to disrupt the networks behind these illicit activities and, where appropriate, we are providing technical assistance to strengthen the capacity of governments and law enforcement to address this issue. Nevertheless, it is important that we continue to go further, which is why strengthening international cooperation is at the heart of the Government's Fraud Strategy for 2026-29, published on 9 March.We are supportive of actions taken by Governments in Southeast Asia to tackle the threat of scam centres, including most recently in Cambodia. We continue to monitor these efforts and regularly review the latest evidence of the threat of cyber-enabled fraud. This includes assessing emerging trends of displacement into other jurisdictions and our ongoing work to address the issue at a regional level. In regards to funds lost by UK victims of fraud linked to foreign-based scam centres, I refer the Hon. member to the answer given to question 21153 on 18 December 2024.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, with reference to his Department’s press release entitled UK crackdown on vile scam centres steps up with sanctions on illicit crypto network, published 26 March 2026, how frequently the Government reviews the level of cooperation from host countries in addressing scam centres.

The UK is working with international partners to tackle the threat of cyber-enabled fraud emanating from scam centres in Cambodia, Myanmar, and elsewhere in Southeast Asia. We have used sanctions to disrupt the networks behind these illicit activities and, where appropriate, we are providing technical assistance to strengthen the capacity of governments and law enforcement to address this issue. Nevertheless, it is important that we continue to go further, which is why strengthening international cooperation is at the heart of the Government's Fraud Strategy for 2026-29, published on 9 March.We are supportive of actions taken by Governments in Southeast Asia to tackle the threat of scam centres, including most recently in Cambodia. We continue to monitor these efforts and regularly review the latest evidence of the threat of cyber-enabled fraud. This includes assessing emerging trends of displacement into other jurisdictions and our ongoing work to address the issue at a regional level. In regards to funds lost by UK victims of fraud linked to foreign-based scam centres, I refer the Hon. member to the answer given to question 21153 on 18 December 2024.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, with reference to her Department’s press release entitled UK Explanation of Vote on the Declaration of the trafficking of enslaved Africans and racialised chattel enslavement of Africans as the gravest crime, published on 25 March 2026, whether the Government considered voting against the resolution.

I refer the Hon Member to the press release mentioned in his questions.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, with reference to his Department’s press release entitled UK crackdown on vile scam centres steps up with sanctions on illicit crypto network, published 26 March 2026, what assessment he has made of the effectiveness of enforcement action taken by host countries against scam centres.

The UK is working with international partners to tackle the threat of cyber-enabled fraud emanating from scam centres in Cambodia, Myanmar, and elsewhere in Southeast Asia. We have used sanctions to disrupt the networks behind these illicit activities and, where appropriate, we are providing technical assistance to strengthen the capacity of governments and law enforcement to address this issue. Nevertheless, it is important that we continue to go further, which is why strengthening international cooperation is at the heart of the Government's Fraud Strategy for 2026-29, published on 9 March.We are supportive of actions taken by Governments in Southeast Asia to tackle the threat of scam centres, including most recently in Cambodia. We continue to monitor these efforts and regularly review the latest evidence of the threat of cyber-enabled fraud. This includes assessing emerging trends of displacement into other jurisdictions and our ongoing work to address the issue at a regional level. In regards to funds lost by UK victims of fraud linked to foreign-based scam centres, I refer the Hon. member to the answer given to question 21153 on 18 December 2024.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, with reference to his Department’s press release entitled UK crackdown on vile scam centres steps up with sanctions on illicit crypto network, published 26 March 2026, how many individuals linked to scam centres targeting UK citizens have been (a) arrested, (b) charged and (c) prosecuted in their host countries.

The UK is working with international partners to tackle the threat of cyber-enabled fraud emanating from scam centres in Cambodia, Myanmar, and elsewhere in Southeast Asia. We have used sanctions to disrupt the networks behind these illicit activities and, where appropriate, we are providing technical assistance to strengthen the capacity of governments and law enforcement to address this issue. Nevertheless, it is important that we continue to go further, which is why strengthening international cooperation is at the heart of the Government's Fraud Strategy for 2026-29, published on 9 March.We are supportive of actions taken by Governments in Southeast Asia to tackle the threat of scam centres, including most recently in Cambodia. We continue to monitor these efforts and regularly review the latest evidence of the threat of cyber-enabled fraud. This includes assessing emerging trends of displacement into other jurisdictions and our ongoing work to address the issue at a regional level. In regards to funds lost by UK victims of fraud linked to foreign-based scam centres, I refer the Hon. member to the answer given to question 21153 on 18 December 2024.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, with reference to his Department’s press release entitled UK crackdown on vile scam centres steps up with sanctions on illicit crypto network, published 26 March 2026, which host countries, other than Cambodia, have taken enforcement action against individuals or networks linked to scam centres targeted by UK sanctions.

The UK is working with international partners to tackle the threat of cyber-enabled fraud emanating from scam centres in Cambodia, Myanmar, and elsewhere in Southeast Asia. We have used sanctions to disrupt the networks behind these illicit activities and, where appropriate, we are providing technical assistance to strengthen the capacity of governments and law enforcement to address this issue. Nevertheless, it is important that we continue to go further, which is why strengthening international cooperation is at the heart of the Government's Fraud Strategy for 2026-29, published on 9 March.We are supportive of actions taken by Governments in Southeast Asia to tackle the threat of scam centres, including most recently in Cambodia. We continue to monitor these efforts and regularly review the latest evidence of the threat of cyber-enabled fraud. This includes assessing emerging trends of displacement into other jurisdictions and our ongoing work to address the issue at a regional level. In regards to funds lost by UK victims of fraud linked to foreign-based scam centres, I refer the Hon. member to the answer given to question 21153 on 18 December 2024.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, with reference to his Department’s press release entitled UK crackdown on vile scam centres steps up with sanctions on illicit crypto network, published 26 March 2026, what international mechanisms are being used to recover funds lost by UK victims of fraud linked to foreign-based scam centres.

The UK is working with international partners to tackle the threat of cyber-enabled fraud emanating from scam centres in Cambodia, Myanmar, and elsewhere in Southeast Asia. We have used sanctions to disrupt the networks behind these illicit activities and, where appropriate, we are providing technical assistance to strengthen the capacity of governments and law enforcement to address this issue. Nevertheless, it is important that we continue to go further, which is why strengthening international cooperation is at the heart of the Government's Fraud Strategy for 2026-29, published on 9 March.We are supportive of actions taken by Governments in Southeast Asia to tackle the threat of scam centres, including most recently in Cambodia. We continue to monitor these efforts and regularly review the latest evidence of the threat of cyber-enabled fraud. This includes assessing emerging trends of displacement into other jurisdictions and our ongoing work to address the issue at a regional level. In regards to funds lost by UK victims of fraud linked to foreign-based scam centres, I refer the Hon. member to the answer given to question 21153 on 18 December 2024.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, with reference to his Department’s press release entitled UK crackdown on vile scam centres steps up with sanctions on illicit crypto network, published 26 March 2026, which Southeast Asian governments, other than Cambodia’s, have the UK government been working with to combat scam centres.

The UK is working with international partners to tackle the threat of cyber-enabled fraud emanating from scam centres in Cambodia, Myanmar, and elsewhere in Southeast Asia. We have used sanctions to disrupt the networks behind these illicit activities and, where appropriate, we are providing technical assistance to strengthen the capacity of governments and law enforcement to address this issue. Nevertheless, it is important that we continue to go further, which is why strengthening international cooperation is at the heart of the Government's Fraud Strategy for 2026-29, published on 9 March.We are supportive of actions taken by Governments in Southeast Asia to tackle the threat of scam centres, including most recently in Cambodia. We continue to monitor these efforts and regularly review the latest evidence of the threat of cyber-enabled fraud. This includes assessing emerging trends of displacement into other jurisdictions and our ongoing work to address the issue at a regional level. In regards to funds lost by UK victims of fraud linked to foreign-based scam centres, I refer the Hon. member to the answer given to question 21153 on 18 December 2024.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, with reference to his Department’s press release entitled UK crackdown on vile scam centres steps up with sanctions on illicit crypto network, published 26 March 2026, what assessment she has made of the effectiveness of the actions taken by Southeast Asian host countries to investigate and shut down scam centres operating within their territories.

The UK is working with international partners to tackle the threat of cyber-enabled fraud emanating from scam centres in Cambodia, Myanmar, and elsewhere in Southeast Asia. We have used sanctions to disrupt the networks behind these illicit activities and, where appropriate, we are providing technical assistance to strengthen the capacity of governments and law enforcement to address this issue. Nevertheless, it is important that we continue to go further, which is why strengthening international cooperation is at the heart of the Government's Fraud Strategy for 2026-29, published on 9 March.We are supportive of actions taken by Governments in Southeast Asia to tackle the threat of scam centres, including most recently in Cambodia. We continue to monitor these efforts and regularly review the latest evidence of the threat of cyber-enabled fraud. This includes assessing emerging trends of displacement into other jurisdictions and our ongoing work to address the issue at a regional level. In regards to funds lost by UK victims of fraud linked to foreign-based scam centres, I refer the Hon. member to the answer given to question 21153 on 18 December 2024.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, with reference to her Department’s press release entitled Science training strengthens reporting by journalists from Ghana and Nigeria, published on 9 April 2026, whether her Department plans to publish an evaluation of the programme’s effectiveness.

I refer the Hon Member to the answer provided to him on 17 March 2026 in response to Question 120276.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, with reference to her Department’s press release entitled Science training strengthens reporting by journalists from Ghana and Nigeria, published on 9 April 2026, what the total cost to the public purse was of delivering the programme.

I refer the Hon Member to the answer provided to him on 17 March 2026 in response to Question 120276.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, with reference to her Department’s press release entitled Science training strengthens reporting by journalists from Ghana and Nigeria, published on 9 April 2026, what estimate she has made of the value for money of funding overseas journalism training initiatives.

I refer the Hon Member to the answer provided to him on 17 March 2026 in response to Question 120276.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, with reference to her Department’s press release entitled Science training strengthens reporting by journalists from Ghana and Nigeria, published on 9 April 2026, what proportion of programme funding was spent in (a) the UK, (b) Ghana, and (c) Nigeria.

I refer the Hon Member to the answer provided to him on 17 March 2026 in response to Question 120276.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, with reference to her Department’s press release entitled Science training strengthens reporting by journalists from Ghana and Nigeria, published on 9 April 2026, how the programme contributes to the UK’s foreign policy objectives in West Africa.

I refer the Hon Member to the answer provided to him on 17 March 2026 in response to Question 120276.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, with reference to her Department’s press release entitled Science training strengthens reporting by journalists from Ghana and Nigeria, published on 9 April 2026, whether her Department plans to expand similar training programmes to other countries.

I refer the Hon Member to the answer provided to him on 17 March 2026 in response to Question 120276.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, with reference to her Department’s press release entitled Science training strengthens reporting by journalists from Ghana and Nigeria, published on 9 April 2026, whether she plans to provide follow-up support to journalists who completed the programme.

I refer the Hon Member to the answer provided to him on 17 March 2026 in response to Question 120276.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, with reference to her Department’s press release entitled Science training strengthens reporting by journalists from Ghana and Nigeria, published on 9 April 2026, what assessment she has made of the effectiveness of the science journalism training programme delivered at Imperial College London.

I refer the Hon Member to the answer provided to him on 17 March 2026 in response to Question 120276.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, with reference to her Department’s press release entitled Science training strengthens reporting by journalists from Ghana and Nigeria, published on 9 April 2026, how many journalists participated in the programme and how they were selected.

I refer the Hon Member to the answer provided to him on 17 March 2026 in response to Question 120276.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, with reference to her Department’s press release entitled Science training strengthens reporting by journalists from Ghana and Nigeria, published on 9 April 2026, what metrics her Department will use to evaluate the potential impact of the programme on science reporting in participating countries.

I refer the Hon Member to the answer provided to him on 17 March 2026 in response to Question 120276.