Written questions by Champion.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what steps her Department is taking to help tackle conflict-related sexual violence and sexualised abuse in the West Bank in the context of (a) incidents occurring in the presence of Israeli military forces and contributing to displacement and (b) other incidents; and whether this includes (i) applying UK commitments within the Preventing Sexual Violence in Conflict Initiative and the Women, Peace and Security agenda, including the UK National Action Plan, (ii) not providing assistance in maintaining the situation, including through reviewing (A) trade, (B) arms export licences and (C) security cooperation for compliance with international law and (iii) taking steps in line with the ICJ 2024 Advisory Opinion on the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including in relation to (1) ending Israel’s presence in Occupied Palestine and (2) the removal of settlements.

I refer the Hon Member to the answer provided by the Foreign Secretary to the Member for Tooting at the last session of departmental oral questions on 21 April.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what discussions she has had with her Ethiopian counterpart on evidence published by the Yale School of Public Health’s Humanitarian Research Lab on the use of Ethiopian National Defence Force facilities near Asosa by the Rapid Support Forces as a base from which to launch attacks in the Blue Nile State in Sudan; and what information her Department holds on whether there have been arms shipments to those engaged in fighting in the Darfur region.

The UK continues to monitor the evolving situation between Ethiopia and Sudan closely. Any further escalation would risk destabilising the region and carries a high risk of human rights abuses and atrocities. The Foreign Secretary discussed the conflict with the Ethiopian Prime Minister during her visit to Addis Ababa in February, and the Minister of State for International Development and Africa reiterated these messages in a call with the Ethiopian Foreign Minister on 25 March.During the Foreign Secretary's statement to the United Nations Security Council on 19 February, she made clear that "We urgently need an end to arms flows. Reports into breaches of the UN arms embargo, which we agree should be extended and enforced, must be investigated." We continue to emphasise to all parties the importance of refraining from actions that prolong the conflict and urge those with influence over the warring parties to bring them to the negotiating table to seek a political resolution.We also expect all countries to comply with their obligations under United Nations sanctions regimes, including upholding the UN Arms Embargo on Darfur, and will continue to work closely with Security Council partners and the UN Panel of Experts to support effective monitoring and enforcement.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what assessment she has made of the potential implications for her policies of Greenpeace’s report entitled Equity, Benefit-Sharing and Financial Architecture in the International Seabed Area.

The Government keeps its policies in relation to climate, nature and marine protection under regular review, informed by a wide range of stakeholder views and expert analyses, including those mentioned by the Hon Member.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of the FCDO 2030 restructure on availability of qualified staff at gold, silver and bronze commander level to respond to the situation in the Middle East.

There is no shortage of available staff for the roles required at present, nor do we anticipate there will be after the completion of the FCDO 2030 programme.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, pursuant to the Answer of 19 November 2025 to Question 90695, what further steps she is taking with international partners to support Official Development Assistance programming for sexual health and reproductive rights internationally in the context of the recent broadening of the scope of the US’s Mexico City Policy.

Details of all Official Development Assistance allocations for the period up to 2028/29 will be set out in the coming months, including for programmes related to Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether the Government will be represented at the Gaza Reconstruction Conference in Egypt and at what ministerial level the UK will be represented; and whether the Government will make financial commitments at that Conference.

The level of attendance and nature of UK commitments at any future conference will be decided in due course once the timing and objectives of that conference have been decided.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what proportion of UK bilateral aid was spent on tackling violence against women and girls in the 2024-5 financial year.

The requested figures are not yet available, but on the wider issue raised, I refer the Hon Member to the answer provided on 13 March 2025 to Question 33985.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what steps she is taking with international partners to support (a) access to and (b) legislation protecting sexual and reproductive health and rights internationally, in the context of Official Development Assistance negotiations between the US and (i) low and (ii) middle-income countries.

I refer the Hon. Member to the answer provided in the House of Lords on 23 January 2025 to Question HL3786, which is reproduced below for ease of reference:The empowerment of women and girls is a top priority for the UK government, and sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) are key to this. When women and girls around the world are able to have control over their lives and their own bodies, they can avoid a life of early, multiple and often dangerous pregnancies and births, and instead complete their education, take up better economic opportunities and fulfil their potential. The UK therefore prioritises bodily autonomy and the rights of women and girls in the development of SRHR policies, in line with the Guttmacher-Lancet integrated definition of comprehensive SRHR for all.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what discussions she has had with her international counterparts ahead of the Gaza Reconstruction Conference hosted by Egypt in November 2025; and whether her Department plans to provide funding for the reconstruction of Gaza.

I refer the Hon. Member to the statement on the Middle East made by the Foreign Secretary on 18 November.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what discussion she has had with her counterparts at the UN on the resettlement of Rohingya refugees.

I refer the Hon. Member to the answer provided to question 77966 on 20 October 2025.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what steps her Department is taking with partners to increase access to education for Rohingya refugees in Bangladesh.

The UK Government remains committed to improving the situation of Rohingya refugees in Bangladesh. In September, the Foreign Secretary announced £27 million in new funding, bringing the UK's total support to £447 million. This includes assistance to help refugees access to essential services, including education.We will continue working with the wider international community and our partners to improve access to education and skills training for the Rohingya.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether she has made an assessment of the potential merits of funding (a) civil society and (b) academic institutions to conduct (i) forced labour and (ii) supply chain research on the Uyghur region.

The Government regularly works with civil society and academic institutions to fund a variety of research, including topics such as forced labour. We keep under review how we can best tackle forced labour in supply chains, by working across government departments, with businesses and international partners.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, if he will respond to the report of the European Parliamentary Forum for Sexual & Reproductive Rights entitled The Next Wave: How Religious Extremism Is Regaining Power, published on 27 June 2025.

We are aware of the European Parliamentary Forum for Sexual & Reproductive Rights report entitled 'The Next Wave: How Religious Extremism Is Regaining Power', and the issues it raises in relation to the rollback on rights.The UK has a long history as a well-respected and influential global leader on SRHR and in defending and championing these fundamental rights. The UK continues to work with likeminded Member States, NGOs, and Civil Society Organisations to defend, promote and support SRHR.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what assessment he has made of the potential implications for his policies of levels of availability of fuel in Gaza; and what assessment he has made of the potential impact of levels of fuel availability on water desalination plants in Gaza.

The humanitarian situation in Gaza remains dire. We remain deeply concerned at the lack of fuel supply in Gaza, which puts vital services such as water desalination at risk. On 18 July, the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (UN OCHA) described the deepening fuel crisis in Gaza, including the impact on solid waste collection and availability of clean water supplies and health services. We highlighted the impact of the lack of fuel on water supplies and hospitals and the critical situation for Gaza's children at a session of the UN Security Council which we co-called on 16 July, and at the International Development Committee on 16 July.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what representations he has made support an independent UN investigation into the Chemmani site in Sri Lanka, which includes (a) exhumations, (b) forensic analysis, and (c) victim centred consultations.

The UK Government is deeply concerned by the recent discovery of the mass grave in Chemmani. We remain committed to supporting accountability for human rights violations and we regularly meet the Government of Sri Lanka to discuss reconciliation and accountability and to press for tangible progress, particularly on cases of enforced disappearances. In January, I visited Sri Lanka and met a range of stakeholders including the Prime Minister, Foreign Minister, civil society organisations, as well as political leaders in the north of Sri Lanka to discuss human rights. Officials at our High Commission in Colombo maintain close contact with families of the disappeared from across the country, working to ensure their voices are heard, and have raised this issue with the Government of Sri Lanka. We continue to lead international efforts such as at the UN Human Rights Council alongside the Core Group to ensure perpetrators are held to account.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what steps he is taking to uphold International Humanitarian Law.

The UK is a champion of International Humanitarian Law and committed to promoting compliance. Where the UK is involved in military action, this is conducted in full accordance with UK and international law. If we see signs that violations of International Humanitarian Law may occur, we raise the alarm – directly with the countries involved, with nearby nations, and through international organisations. It is the UK government’s long-standing position that determinations of breaches of International Humanitarian Law are a matter for courts, and not for governments.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of reductions in Official Development Assistance spending on (a) internal structuring and (b) staffing levels in his Department.

The Foreign Secretary has been clear about the reform needed in the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) to ensure it is fit for the future and is delivering for the British people. The FCDO will consider the size and shape of its workforce in the context of the wider Spending Review settlement, to ensure that it remains affordable. The Foreign Secretary is working closely with the Treasury to ensure our diplomatic, intelligence and development footprint will align with our priorities. We expect the department to become smaller as a result but will retain its experience.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, which staffing grades in his Department have been most impacted by reductions in Official Development Assistance spending; and what steps he is taking to ensure that levels of expertise are maintained in those areas.

The Foreign Secretary has been clear that the reduction in the Official Development Assistance (ODA) budget does not automatically lead to staffing reductions. Our development capability and expertise will continue to have an important role to play in our partnerships with developing countries.The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) is investing in its development capability through our expert advisory cadres, the in-house Development Faculty, a stronger programme management offer through cross-government accreditation to the Government Project Delivery Profession and mandatory pre-posting training for Heads of Missions. We are increasing our programme management and technical expertise through a new Project Delivery Support Unit and a Central Advisory Hub.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether he has had discussions with his US counterpart on the Guttmacher Institute's publication entitled Family planning impact of the Trump foreign assistance freeze, published on 29 January 2025.

The Foreign Secretary has not had direct discussions with his US counterpart specifically regarding the Guttmacher Institute's publication on the impact of cuts to US foreign assistance funding on Family Planning initiatives. However, the UK is actively assessing the broader implications of the US funding cuts across various development sectors.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether he has made an assessment of the potential impact of the planned reduction of Official Development Assistance on the number of women at risk of preventable death in pregnancy and childbirth.

Official Development Assistance (ODA) allocations and the impact on programmes are being worked through, following the decision to reduce UK ODA from 0.5 per cent or gross national income to 0.3 per cent in 2027. We will be taking a rigorous approach to ensure that all ODA delivers value for money, including by considering the impact on women and girls in accordance with the public sector equality duty.The UK remains unequivocally committed to supporting global efforts to end preventable maternal, child, and newborn deaths in line with Sustainable Development Goal targets. This month the UK delegation to the UN Commission on Population and Development committed to protect and progress sexual and reproductive health and rights, including maternal and newborn health by cosponsoring the launch of the Global Midwifery Accelerator. The UK continues to work closely with partners and provides strong political leadership on maternal health, to end preventable deaths.