Written questions by McDonnell.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what discussions she is having with relevant trade unions on her Department’s reorganisation proposals; and if she will make a statement.

The FCDO2030 reform programme is designed to ensure the department is able to rise to the challenges of a rapidly changing world, and a constrained fiscal environment. This is an unprecedented transformation, driven by the objective to become a more agile, technologically enabled organisation, focused on the UK's strategic priorities, including peace, stability and security in the Middle East. The FCDO remains in regular consultations with the Trade Union side on its reform proposals.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what assessment she has made of the effectiveness of proposed staff cuts of staff employed as research analysts in the Middle East, in the context of the developing situation in the countries impacted; and if she will make a statement.

The FCDO2030 reform programme is designed to ensure the department is able to rise to the challenges of a rapidly changing world, and a constrained fiscal environment. This is an unprecedented transformation, driven by the objective to become a more agile, technologically enabled organisation, focused on the UK's strategic priorities, including peace, stability and security in the Middle East. The FCDO remains in regular consultations with the Trade Union side on its reform proposals.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what assessment she has made of the adequacy of Pakistan’s compliance with its obligations under international human rights conventions, particularly in relation to enforced disappearances.

I refer the Hon Member to the answer provided on 6 February to question 107345.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether her Department is monitoring far right activity by British citizens in France.

The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office does not have any specific remit in that regard.The UK government cooperates on a regular basis with our close ally and partner France on a range of security issues.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, if she will have discussions with her counterpart in Pakistan about the abduction of Women in Balochistan.

The UK remains deeply concerned by reports of human rights abuses in Pakistan, including in Balochistan. Advocating for civil and political rights is a core part of the UK's diplomatic engagement with Pakistan. To that end, I raised human rights issues on several occasions with Pakistan's Interior and Human Rights Ministers and Deputy Prime Minister last year. Our High Commission in Islamabad also regularly engages on these issues with the Government of Pakistan at the highest levels, as well as supporting a variety of UK-funded programmes promoting human rights in Pakistan. We will continue to urge the Government of Pakistan to guarantee the rights of all people in Pakistan in accordance with its constitution and international standards.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether she has made recent representations to her Pakistani counterparts on reports of escalating human rights violations in Balochistan.

I refer the Rt Hon. Member to the answer given on 2 June to Question 51410.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, if she will undertake a review of the (a) due diligence, (b) selection and (c) security protocols for staff at the British Embassy in Tel Aviv; and if she will make it her policy to publish the findings of the review.

It has been the longstanding policy under successive governments not to comment on personnel and security matters in relation to individual members of staff.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, if she will publish the (a) due diligence and (b) vetting reports produced for the appointment of members of staff at the British Embassy in Tel Aviv.

It has been the longstanding policy under successive governments not to comment on personnel and security matters in relation to individual members of staff.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, if she will conduct an urgent inquiry into the continued employment of Gila Ben-Yakov Phillips at the British Embassy in Tel Aviv; and if she will publish the findings of the inquiry.

It has been the longstanding policy under successive governments not to comment on personnel and security matters in relation to individual members of staff.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what her Department's policy is on the employment of staff at (a) the British Embassy in Tel Aviv and (b) other government missions that reside in illegal Israeli settlements in occupied Palestinian Territory.

It has been the longstanding policy under successive governments not to comment on personnel and security matters in relation to individual members of staff.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether the (a) vetting and (b) due diligence carried out for employees of the British Embassy in Tel Aviv includes assessments of whether they (i) reside in illegal settlements in the occupied West Bank and (ii) have (A) membership of and (B) ties to Israeli settler organisations; and what her Department's policy is on the employment of people in sensitive roles with conflicts of interest.

It has been the longstanding policy under successive governments not to comment on personnel and security matters in relation to individual members of staff.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, pursuant to the Answer of 9 June 2025 to Question 55524 on Gaza: Genocide, if he will make an assessment of the potential impact of this policy on Government decision making.

Our policy remains as set out in the answer to which the Right Hon Gentleman refers.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether the Prime Minister has had discussions with US president Donald Trump on the proscription of Palestine Action.

I refer the Hon Member to my answer of 16 July 2025, Official Report, PQ 66037.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, if he will bring forward legislative proposals to ban financial donations by UK citizens to the war efforts of other countries.

As the Charity Commission has made clear, providing aid or military supplies to any foreign armed force is not a charitable purpose, and no charity can legally undertake such activity.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, if he will make an assessment of the potential impact of proposed reductions to the Official Development Assistance budget on women and girls.

Decisions on how the Official Development Assistance (ODA) budget will be used are being worked through as part of the ongoing Spending Review, based on various factors including impact assessments. Equality Impact Assessments - which consider impacts on women and girls - are an essential part of how we make decisions on ODA allocations.The UK is committed to empowering women and girls around the world through our international work.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, if he will increase development funding for sexual and reproductive health and rights.

Official Development Assistance (ODA) allocations are being worked through as part of the ongoing Spending Review and resource allocation process, following the decision to reduce UK ODA from 0.5 per cent of gross national income to 0.3 per cent in 2027. Decisions on individual programmes and thematic areas will be based on various factors including equality impact assessments.The UK is committed to promoting and defending universal and comprehensive sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) including safe abortion. The evidence shows that supporting comprehensive SRHR through proven evidence-based public health interventions saves lives and supports prosperity. The UK's commitment to defending and promoting SRHR has never just been about aid. We will use multiple levers: working to influence policy, through health and development diplomacy, as well as using our ODA budget, to advance SRHR for all.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what steps he plans to take to help ensure that official development assistance will be used to support the most vulnerable people from the 2027-28 financial year.

The Prime Minister has set out a new strategic vision for government spending on defence and security, and Official Development Assistance (ODA). Detailed decisions on how the ODA budget will be used will be worked through as part of the ongoing Spending Review based on a renewed approach.We will continue to play a key humanitarian role in Sudan, in Ukraine and in Gaza, tackling climate change, supporting multinational efforts on global health and challenges like vaccination.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, if he will (a) uphold funding commitments for (i) the Women’s Integrated Health Services programme and (ii) other sexual and reproductive health and rights programmes and (b) ensure that funding reaches grassroots (A) women, (B) girls and (C) youth-led organisations.

Official Development Assistance (ODA) allocations are being worked through as part of the ongoing Spending Review, following the decision to reduce UK ODA from 0.5 per cent or gross national income to 0.3 per cent in 2027. Decisions on individual programmes and thematic areas will be based on various factors including equality impact assessments.Considerations will also take into account the vital role played by grassroots and women, girl and youth-led organisations to protect and advance sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR).

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, if he will maintain funding for the Choices Reproductive Health Supplies programme through a multi-year commitment of £400million from 2025-2030.

Following the decision to reduce the UK aid budget to 0.3 per cent of gross national income (GNI) by 2027, implications for individual programmes are still being worked through. The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office's Official Development Assistance allocations will be considered over the coming months and will be published in the summer.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, pursuant to the Answer of 21 November 2024 to Question 14622 on Alaa Abd El-Fattah, whether the Prime Minister made representations to his Egyptian counterpart on the case of Alaa Abd El-Fattah at the G20 summit in November 2024.

The UK Government remains committed to securing the release of Alaa Abd El-Fattah. We continue to raise Mr El-Fattah's case at the highest levels with the Egyptian Government. The Prime Minister did not raise the case with President Sisi at the G20 summit. The Prime Minister last raised Mr El-Fattah's case with President Sisi on 8 August 2024. Most recently, the Foreign Secretary raised Mr El-Fattah's case with Egyptian Foreign Minister Abdelatty on 25 November.