Every parliamentary written question tabled by Liz Jarvis this session, with the full answer and department. Back to the MP page.
Showing 1–18 of 18 · Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office
Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what assessment her Department has made of the potential impact of changes to Official Development Assistance funding for the Global Polio Eradication Initiative on (a) global efforts to eradicate polio, (b) child health outcomes in endemic and at-risk countries and (c) the risk of resurgence of poliovirus.
I refer the Hon. Member to the response given to question 126356 on 20 April.
Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether the British ambassador in Washington has had discussions with US officials on (a) the safety and welfare of British nationals attending 2026 FIFA World Cup matches in the context of immigration enforcement activity undertaken by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement and (b) levels of attendance by British supporters.
I refer the Hon Member to the answer provided on 6 January in response to Question 101336.
Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of immigration enforcement activity undertaken by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) during the 2026 FIFA World Cup on (a) the safety and welfare of British nationals attending matches and (b) levels of attendance by British supporters; and what steps her Department is taking to provide guidance and reassurance to UK citizens travelling to the tournament.
I refer the Hon Member to the answer provided on 6 November 2025 in response to Question 87175.
Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what assessment she has made of the impact of changes in UK funding to the World Food Programme since 2024 on efforts to tackle global hunger and food insecurity.
The UK is a longstanding partner of the World Food Programme (WFP) and we are in regular dialogue to monitor the landscape as global funding shifts. As a member of the Global Network Against Food Crises, the UK is also working with WFP to support analysis and reporting to help inform international responses. On levels of UK funding to WFP, I refer the Hon Member to the answer provided on 3 December 2025 in response to Question HL12148.
Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of the security situation in North-East Syria on humanitarian operations; and what steps she is taking to support the delivery of humanitarian assistance.
I refer the Hon Member to my written ministerial statement on 28 January.
Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what steps she is taking with international partners to help ensure access to medical supplies in Gaza.
I refer the Hon Member to: (a) the statement I made to the House on the Middle East on 5 January, and (b) the joint statement on humanitarian access issued by the Foreign Secretary and nine of her international counterparts on 30 December 2025, which can be found here: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/jointstatementon-the-gaza-humanitarian-response.
Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what assessment she has made of the potential implications for her policies of the human rights situation in Eswatini.
Since reopening our High Commission in Eswatini in 2019, the UK has been active in promoting good governance and the rule of law, through engagement with trade unions, political groups and civil society organisations as well as with the three branches of government. The UK supports the Swazi people indirectly through programmes delivered by UN agencies (including the United Nations International Children's Emergency Fund (UNICEF), the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) and the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP)), their implementing partners and the Global Fund, as well as through advocacy and engagement with local Human Rights Defenders and state authorities.
Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what assessment she has made of the adequacy of the level of funding for International Climate Finance to support countries in the Global South in tackling climate change.
I refer the Honourable Member to the answer provided on 21 July to Question 66691.
Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what recent assessment she has made of trends in UK aid spending on (a) water, (b) sanitation and (c) hygiene programmes.
UK bilateral Official Development Assistance (ODA) expenditure on water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) is published annually in the Statistics on International Development. The latest report shows UK bilateral ODA for WASH totalled £37 million in 2023, £45 million in 2022, £78 million in 2021, and £110 million in 2020. Figures for 2024 will be published on the 18th of September 2025.In parallel with this reduction, we have changed our approach to WASH, moving away from the direct delivery of WASH services at scale, to working in partnership with governments to strengthen the systems needed to provide and sustain WASH services. This can also help secure additional resources, including domestic funding, climate finance and private investment, extending our overall impact.
Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what steps his Department is taking to raise public awareness of the post-Brexit passport validity rules.
Since 1 January 2021, British Citizens are treated as third-country nationals under the EU's Schengen Border Code (SBC). This means that their passport issue date must be less than 10 years on entry and must be valid for at least three months after the date they plan to leave.Before travelling overseas, we advise British Citizens to check the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office's (FCDO) travel advice on gov.uk. This includes entry requirements by country and advice on passport validity. Our travel industry partners amplify our travel advice to their customers through their channels.
Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what recent assessment he has made of the adequacy of the Government’s engagement with international partners on the use of the death penalty; and what steps his Department is taking to raise concerns with countries that continue to apply capital punishment.
The UK Government is opposed to the death penalty, in all circumstances, as a matter of principle. We believe that the death penalty's use undermines human dignity, that there is no conclusive evidence of its deterrent value, and that any miscarriage of justice leading to its imposition is irreversible and irreparable.The UK works with our international partners and with NGOs to: increase the number of abolitionist countries, or countries with a moratorium on the use of the death penalty; reduce the numbers of executions and restrict the use of the death penalty in retentionist countries; increase judicial capacity and legal reform through training and partnerships with UK legal expertise, and encourage greater transparency about the use of the death penalty in line with international standards.The UK remains a strong supporter of the UN General Assembly Resolution for the moratorium on the use of the death penalty.
Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what assessment he has made of the adequacy of the Overseas Security and Justice Assistance guidance in the prohibition of UK involvement in (a) torture and (b) the death penalty.
The Overseas Security and Justice Assistance (OSJA) assessment is an essential tool to ensure that the UK's overseas security and justice assistance meets our human rights and international humanitarian law (IHL) obligations, increases respect for the rule of law, and supports UK values.The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) is currently reviewing the Government's guidance for OSJA assessments so that it remains robust, effective and fit for purpose. As part of that review, we have engaged a range of stakeholders - including civil society organisations and Parliamentarians - through structured discussions. We are considering all the feedback received, including country examples that will help to inform the review process.With countries whose practice raises questions about their compliance with international legal obligations, we ensure that our co-operation accords with our own international and domestic obligations; the UK unreservedly condemns the use of torture and is opposed to the death penalty in all circumstances as a matter of principle.
Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what assessment his Department has made of the potential impact of changes in the level of Overseas Development Assistance on projects preventing the spread of malaria.
Detailed decisions on how the Official Development Assistance (ODA) budget will be used are being worked through following the recent Spending Review and through resource allocation processes, informed by internal and external consultation and impact assessments. The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office is focused on ensuring that every pound is spent in the most impactful way.
Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what steps his Department is taking to promote (a) human rights and (b) justice in (i) fragile and (ii) conflict-affected states.
The UK is committed to promoting and advancing human rights and the rule of law internationally, securing accountability for those responsible for atrocity crimes, and protecting those most at risk in situations of conflict and crisis. This includes protecting civilians, refugees, internally displaced persons, and humanitarian workers.Lord Collins, as the Prime Minister's Special Representative on Preventing Sexual Violence in Conflict, has committed to drive international action to support survivors of conflict-related sexual violence and end impunity. Through UK aid, we support justice by building the capacity of national judicial systems, deploying experts and supporting access to justice for victims.
Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether he has produced an impact assessment on the potential impact of reductions in UK Official Development Assistance spending on international programmes that support women and girls.
The UK remains committed to empowering women and girls around the world through our international work. We recognise that supporting women and girls is essential for development and we will continue to do so by using our voice to be a champion for women and girls across the world; working with women's organisations, particularly local organisations; and mainstreaming gender equality to put women and girls at the heart of everything we do.The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) is focused on ensuring that every pound is spent in the most impactful way. Detailed decisions on how the Official Development Assistance (ODA) budget will be used are being worked through as part of the ongoing Spending Review and resource allocation processes. Equality Impact Assessments - which consider impacts on women and girls - are an essential part of how we make decisions on ODA allocations. We intend to publish final 2025/26 ODA programme allocations in the FCDO Annual Report and Accounts this summer.
Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether the UK is on track to meet United Nations Sustainable Development Goals by 2030.
The UK is committed to working with partners at home and abroad to accelerate progress towards the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by 2030.The United Nations (UN) does not measure individual countries' progress towards the SDGs, but the collective global progress. However, there are complimentary reports produced using UN data that assess countries' progress towards achieving the SDGs, such as the Sustainable Development Report, which assessed the UK as ninth out of 166 countries in 2024, with a progress score of 82%. The UK's Voluntary National Review (VNR) in 2019 provided a detailed account of actions being taken to achieve the SDGs across the UK government and other actors. This government has not yet taken a decision on undertaking a second VNR.
Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what steps he is taking to monitor the safety and well-being of family members of individuals who worked with the UK Government in Afghanistan prior to Taliban rule.
We are continuing to support eligible Afghans who worked with us to resettle in UK. His Majesty's Government has welcomed over 31,000 eligible individuals, including family members, to the UK and continue to support relocation of the remaining eligible Afghans through our schemes.
Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what steps his Department is taking to help protect children from the impact of climate change in conflict-affected states.
We are focused on tackling the climate and nature emergencies and global development challenges together with partners, by working for peace and preventing conflict, supporting the most vulnerable people, and promoting the global economic development and growth necessary to deliver opportunity for all. We know that children are disproportionately at risk from the effects of climate change, including in conflict-affected states, and children and young people will be at the forefront of shaping a resilient, sustainable future. The UK-led Glasgow Climate Pact urges Parties and stakeholders to ensure meaningful youth participation and representation in multilateral, national and local decision-making processes.