Written questions by Ali.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what is her assessment of the potential implications for her policies of a new report by Fortify Rights and Truth Hounds, titled I Was Tricked Into War: The Risk of Human Trafficking and Coerced Recruitment of Bangladeshi Men into Russia’s War in Ukraine, and what steps is the United Kingdom taking to engage with the government of Bangladesh to stop the practice of trafficking and forced recruitment of its citizens into the Russian Armed Forces.

Awaiting answer.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what is her assessment of the scale of forced recruitment and human trafficking of foreign nationals to Russia to fight in the Russian Armed Forces in the war in Ukraine, and what action the United Kingdom is taking to work with other governments, including the government of Ukraine, and with United Nations agencies and anti-trafficking organisations to stop this practice.

Awaiting answer.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what efforts the United Kingdom is making to encourage the government of Ukraine to co-operate with international anti-trafficking organisations to identify and screen potential survivors of human trafficking and other human rights violations among captured foreign fighters held as prisoners of war.

Awaiting answer.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what assessment she has made of the potential implications for her policies of the inauguration of General Min Aung Hlaing as President of Myanmar; and whether the UK recognises (a) his presidency, (b) the government and (c) the parliament.

I refer the Hon Member to the answer provided on 10 April in response to Question HL16049, which - for ease of reference - is reproduced below:The UK continues to use its penholder role at the UN Security Council (UNSC) to shine a spotlight on the Myanmar crisis. We convened four Council meetings in 2025 to spotlight the crisis and one most recently in March this year. We welcome the report of the UN Special Rapporteur, and condemn airstrikes on civilians and civilian infrastructure, as we did at the UK-convened meeting of the UNSC on 22 December 2025. The statement made at that meeting by Ambassador James Kariuki, UK Chargé d'Affaires to the UN, is reproduced below:"This morning, the Security Council will meet privately to discuss the situation in Myanmar. We will hear updates from ASEAN Special Envoy Othman Hashim and the UN Special Envoy Julie Bishop."Nearly five years since the Myanmar military overturned the democratically elected government, the UK remains deeply concerned at the ongoing violence. The military must de-escalate and cease its violence, including airstrikes on civilians. Targeted attacks against civilians and civilian infrastructure must stop. We strongly condemn the recent airstrike on a hospital in Rakhine State this month, which killed more than 30 civilians."The humanitarian situation in Myanmar also remains catastrophic. Over 16 million people will require life-saving assistance in 2026. The UK has provided over $100 million this fiscal year. But financial support can only have real impact if access is granted."Finally, the UK is clear: any meaningful election requires an end to violence and dialogue amongst all parties concerned. And there are no indications that the planned elections will be perceived as free or fair. Elections under current circumstances risk provoking further violence and make a long-term solution more elusive."The UK reiterates our support for ASEAN's central role in pursuit of a solution to the ongoing crisis. We stand in solidarity with the people of Myanmar and their desire for a peaceful, inclusive, and democratic future. We will keep the Myanmar crisis on the Council's agenda."In addition, we continue to consider designations under our sanctions regimes, including the Myanmar Sanctions Regulations, as guided by the evidence. It is the UK's long-standing policy not to speculate about future sanctions designations as to do so could reduce their impact.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, if she will seek a United Nations (a) Security Council and (b) General Assembly discussion of the human rights, humanitarian, political and security situation in Myanmar.

I refer the Hon Member to the answer provided on 10 April in response to Question HL16049, which - for ease of reference - is reproduced below:The UK continues to use its penholder role at the UN Security Council (UNSC) to shine a spotlight on the Myanmar crisis. We convened four Council meetings in 2025 to spotlight the crisis and one most recently in March this year. We welcome the report of the UN Special Rapporteur, and condemn airstrikes on civilians and civilian infrastructure, as we did at the UK-convened meeting of the UNSC on 22 December 2025. The statement made at that meeting by Ambassador James Kariuki, UK Chargé d'Affaires to the UN, is reproduced below:"This morning, the Security Council will meet privately to discuss the situation in Myanmar. We will hear updates from ASEAN Special Envoy Othman Hashim and the UN Special Envoy Julie Bishop."Nearly five years since the Myanmar military overturned the democratically elected government, the UK remains deeply concerned at the ongoing violence. The military must de-escalate and cease its violence, including airstrikes on civilians. Targeted attacks against civilians and civilian infrastructure must stop. We strongly condemn the recent airstrike on a hospital in Rakhine State this month, which killed more than 30 civilians."The humanitarian situation in Myanmar also remains catastrophic. Over 16 million people will require life-saving assistance in 2026. The UK has provided over $100 million this fiscal year. But financial support can only have real impact if access is granted."Finally, the UK is clear: any meaningful election requires an end to violence and dialogue amongst all parties concerned. And there are no indications that the planned elections will be perceived as free or fair. Elections under current circumstances risk provoking further violence and make a long-term solution more elusive."The UK reiterates our support for ASEAN's central role in pursuit of a solution to the ongoing crisis. We stand in solidarity with the people of Myanmar and their desire for a peaceful, inclusive, and democratic future. We will keep the Myanmar crisis on the Council's agenda."In addition, we continue to consider designations under our sanctions regimes, including the Myanmar Sanctions Regulations, as guided by the evidence. It is the UK's long-standing policy not to speculate about future sanctions designations as to do so could reduce their impact.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether her Department plans to (a) introduce sanctions and (b) take other steps to help prevent Iran from providing (i) jet fuel and (ii) drones to the Myanmar military.

I refer the Hon Member to the answer provided on 10 April in response to Question HL16049, which - for ease of reference - is reproduced below:The UK continues to use its penholder role at the UN Security Council (UNSC) to shine a spotlight on the Myanmar crisis. We convened four Council meetings in 2025 to spotlight the crisis and one most recently in March this year. We welcome the report of the UN Special Rapporteur, and condemn airstrikes on civilians and civilian infrastructure, as we did at the UK-convened meeting of the UNSC on 22 December 2025. The statement made at that meeting by Ambassador James Kariuki, UK Chargé d'Affaires to the UN, is reproduced below:"This morning, the Security Council will meet privately to discuss the situation in Myanmar. We will hear updates from ASEAN Special Envoy Othman Hashim and the UN Special Envoy Julie Bishop.Nearly five years since the Myanmar military overturned the democratically elected government, the UK remains deeply concerned at the ongoing violence. The military must de-escalate and cease its violence, including airstrikes on civilians. Targeted attacks against civilians and civilian infrastructure must stop. We strongly condemn the recent airstrike on a hospital in Rakhine State this month, which killed more than 30 civilians.The humanitarian situation in Myanmar also remains catastrophic. Over 16 million people will require life-saving assistance in 2026. The UK has provided over $100 million this fiscal year. But financial support can only have real impact if access is granted.Finally, the UK is clear: any meaningful election requires an end to violence and dialogue amongst all parties concerned. And there are no indications that the planned elections will be perceived as free or fair. Elections under current circumstances risk provoking further violence and make a long-term solution more elusive.The UK reiterates our support for ASEAN's central role in pursuit of a solution to the ongoing crisis. We stand in solidarity with the people of Myanmar and their desire for a peaceful, inclusive, and democratic future. We will keep the Myanmar crisis on the Council's agenda."In addition, we continue to consider designations under our sanctions regimes, including the Myanmar Sanctions Regulations, as guided by the evidence. It is the UK's long-standing policy not to speculate about future sanctions designations as to do so could reduce their impact.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what steps her Department has taken in response to the recommendations made by the United Nations Special Rapporteur on Myanmar in his country visit report to the UK in December 2025.

I refer the Hon Member to the answer provided on 10 April in response to Question HL16049, which - for ease of reference - is reproduced below:The UK continues to use its penholder role at the UN Security Council (UNSC) to shine a spotlight on the Myanmar crisis. We convened four Council meetings in 2025 to spotlight the crisis and one most recently in March this year. We welcome the report of the UN Special Rapporteur, and condemn airstrikes on civilians and civilian infrastructure, as we did at the UK-convened meeting of the UNSC on 22 December 2025. The statement made at that meeting by Ambassador James Kariuki, UK Chargé d'Affaires to the UN, is reproduced below:"This morning, the Security Council will meet privately to discuss the situation in Myanmar. We will hear updates from ASEAN Special Envoy Othman Hashim and the UN Special Envoy Julie Bishop.Nearly five years since the Myanmar military overturned the democratically elected government, the UK remains deeply concerned at the ongoing violence. The military must de-escalate and cease its violence, including airstrikes on civilians. Targeted attacks against civilians and civilian infrastructure must stop. We strongly condemn the recent airstrike on a hospital in Rakhine State this month, which killed more than 30 civilians.The humanitarian situation in Myanmar also remains catastrophic. Over 16 million people will require life-saving assistance in 2026. The UK has provided over $100 million this fiscal year. But financial support can only have real impact if access is granted.Finally, the UK is clear: any meaningful election requires an end to violence and dialogue amongst all parties concerned. And there are no indications that the planned elections will be perceived as free or fair. Elections under current circumstances risk provoking further violence and make a long-term solution more elusive.The UK reiterates our support for ASEAN's central role in pursuit of a solution to the ongoing crisis. We stand in solidarity with the people of Myanmar and their desire for a peaceful, inclusive, and democratic future. We will keep the Myanmar crisis on the Council's agenda."In addition, we continue to consider designations under our sanctions regimes, including the Myanmar Sanctions Regulations, as guided by the evidence. It is the UK's long-standing policy not to speculate about future sanctions designations as to do so could reduce their impact.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what diplomatic steps her Department has taken to help prevent violations of international law by the Arakan Army in Myanmar.

We remain deeply concerned by reports of human rights violations in western Myanmar, and continue to push for accountability for such abuses, wherever they occur. Since 2021, the UK has provided £900,000 to the Independent Investigative Mechanism for Myanmar to support the collection, verification, and preservation of evidence for future prosecution, and established the Myanmar Witness programme to verify open-source evidence of human rights violations.As penholder on Myanmar at the UN Security Council, we convened four Council meetings in 2025 to spotlight the crisis and one most recently in March this year. We also co-sponsored the UN Human Rights Council's recent resolution on the situation in Myanmar, condemning ongoing violations, particularly against ethnic minorities.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether she has plans to impose new sanctions on Myanmar’s military regime.

I refer the Hon Member to the answer provided on 10 April in response to Question HL16049, which - for ease of reference - is reproduced below:The UK continues to use its penholder role at the UN Security Council (UNSC) to shine a spotlight on the Myanmar crisis. We convened four Council meetings in 2025 to spotlight the crisis and one most recently in March this year. We welcome the report of the UN Special Rapporteur, and condemn airstrikes on civilians and civilian infrastructure, as we did at the UK-convened meeting of the UNSC on 22 December 2025. The statement made at that meeting by Ambassador James Kariuki, UK Chargé d'Affaires to the UN, is reproduced below:"This morning, the Security Council will meet privately to discuss the situation in Myanmar. We will hear updates from ASEAN Special Envoy Othman Hashim and the UN Special Envoy Julie Bishop.Nearly five years since the Myanmar military overturned the democratically elected government, the UK remains deeply concerned at the ongoing violence. The military must de-escalate and cease its violence, including airstrikes on civilians. Targeted attacks against civilians and civilian infrastructure must stop. We strongly condemn the recent airstrike on a hospital in Rakhine State this month, which killed more than 30 civilians.The humanitarian situation in Myanmar also remains catastrophic. Over 16 million people will require life-saving assistance in 2026. The UK has provided over $100 million this fiscal year. But financial support can only have real impact if access is granted.Finally, the UK is clear: any meaningful election requires an end to violence and dialogue amongst all parties concerned. And there are no indications that the planned elections will be perceived as free or fair. Elections under current circumstances risk provoking further violence and make a long-term solution more elusive.The UK reiterates our support for ASEAN's central role in pursuit of a solution to the ongoing crisis. We stand in solidarity with the people of Myanmar and their desire for a peaceful, inclusive, and democratic future. We will keep the Myanmar crisis on the Council's agenda."In addition, we continue to consider designations under our sanctions regimes, including the Myanmar Sanctions Regulations, as guided by the evidence. It is the UK's long-standing policy not to speculate about future sanctions designations as to do so could reduce their impact.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, how much official development assistance has been allocated to Myanmar for the 2026-2027 financial year.

The UK continues to be a leading humanitarian donor in Myanmar, having provided over £80 million over the past financial year (2025/26) in life-saving humanitarian assistance, emergency healthcare and support for education and civil society, including £25 million for people affected by the March 2025 earthquake. Over the past year, we have supported over 1.4 million people with humanitarian assistance and provided 1.3 million people with essential health services.We will set out the details of future allocations to Myanmar, and the programmes to be funded, in due course, but we will continue to stand by those in greatest need of lifesaving assistance, as well as reducing drivers of conflict.