Written questions by Morton.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what steps is he taking to fund (a) disease diagnostics and (b) primary health care services in developing countries.

The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) supports disease diagnostics through investments in health services, and research and development. We invest in public-private Product Development Partnerships to create diagnostics for diseases like sleeping sickness, malaria, and Tuberculosis. Through our partnership with Institut Pasteur de Dakar we're advancing rapid tests for epidemic diseases such as meningitis, Marburg, and Ebola. Our investment though the Tackling Deadly Diseases in Africa programme (TDDAP) strengthens surveillance and lab systems in Ghana, Kenya, Malawi, Uganda, and DRC, and our investments in the Global Fund support testing, treatment, and prevention in low and middle-income countries, with 335 million malaria tests conducted in 2023. Our investment in Gavi is enabling the vaccination of 300 million children over 2021-2025 and supports diagnostics distribution, with £1.25 billion committed for 2026-2030 as recently announced.On primary health care (PHC), the FCDO uses multilateral and bilateral investments, diplomacy and research to strengthen PHC systems. Multilateral support through Gavi, the Global Fund, WHO, UNICEF, UNITAID, and the World Bank complements bilateral partnerships. In Nigeria, for example, we're contributing £16 million with other investors to scale up PHC delivery for mothers, infants, and children, and to strengthen the health workforce.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what assessment he has made of the adequacy of UK funding for global health data systems supporting future pandemic preparedness.

The UK has a strong record of partnering and supporting others to strengthen global pandemic prevention, preparedness and response, within which strengthening health surveillance and information systems is a core priority. We strengthen these systems through, for example, our support as leading donor to the Global Fund, the World Health Organisation, Gavi and the World Bank; through the deployment of UK expertise under the International Health Regulations Strengthening Programme; and through bilateral support to strengthen health systems in low- and middle-income countries.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what recent steps he has taken with (a) NATO, (b) the United Nations and (c) G7 partners to ensure accountability for senior Russian officials suspected of orchestrating atrocity crimes in Ukraine.

The Foreign Secretary regularly raises the issue of international criminal justice and accountability with partners, including in multilateral fora. The UK is committed to securing accountability for those responsible for atrocity crimes, and any allegations in the context of Russia's war in Ukraine must be thoroughly investigated by competent and independent courts - such as the International Criminal Court (ICC). The ICC's investigation into the situation in Ukraine is ongoing, with several arrest warrants already issued for current or former senior Russian officials.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what steps his Department is taking to help ensure that (a) victims and (b) witnesses of war crimes in Ukraine are protected from reprisals (i) during and (ii) after investigations.

Through our support for the Atrocity Crimes Advisory Group (ACA), the UK has worked to ensure that the Office of the Prosecutor General of Ukraine (OPG) takes a survivor-centred justice response, rooted in international standards, in order to protect the rights of victims and witnesses. This has included supporting the establishment of the Victim and Witness Coordination Centre in the OPG, which has already provided support and protection to 1,500 people engaged in legal proceedings related to atrocity crimes. The UK is also providing capacity-building support through the Preventing Sexual Violence in Conflict team of experts to embed international guidance and best practice on survivor-centred approaches into the work of Ukrainian investigators, prosecutors and judges. In November 2024, the Ukrainian parliament approved a law on the legal and social protection of Conflict Related Sexual Violence victims, the development of which was supported by UK funding.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether his Department has had recent discussions with the Yale University Humanitarian Research Lab on the future of its work monitoring the deportation of Ukrainian children by Russian forces.

Ukraine's Office of the Prosecutor General has confirmed that Yale's data on deported children has been transferred to the Ukrainian government. The data that the Yale Humanitarian Research Lab provided to Ukraine was part of a larger project, not specifically aimed at tracking deported children. We are working closely with the Government of Ukraine to identify which Open-Source Intelligence providers will best meet their needs to provide this data in future. We are supporting political efforts to return and rehabilitate forcibly deported children and, through the Partnership Fund for a Resilient Ukraine, are also funding Ukrainian organisations working to return and rehabilitate children.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether he is providing support to establish a special tribunal for the crime of aggression against Ukraine.

The UK has long supported efforts to establish a Special Tribunal for the Crime of Aggression against Ukraine. This is a manifesto commitment and a personal priority for the Foreign Secretary. UK experts played a key role in discussions within the 'Core Group', which devised the legal basis for the Tribunal. In May, the Foreign Secretary travelled to Lviv and endorsed the legal texts. In June, we welcomed the signing of the bilateral agreement between Ukraine and the Council of Europe. All these steps help bring us closer to making the Special Tribunal a reality. We continue to offer technical, legal and political support as work progresses through the Council of Europe.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, with reference to the speech by the Minister of State for International Development at the Fourth International Conference on Financing for Development in Seville on 2 July, what reforms are required for the UK Government to support a capital increase for the World Bank’s International Bank for Reconstruction and Development.

The UK government supports a capital increase for the World Bank's International Bank for Reconstruction and Development subject to reforms in three areas. Firstly, implementation of reforms aimed at boosting lending from the Bank's existing resources. Secondly, implementation of reforms to improve the Bank's efficiency, agility, shock-responsiveness and operations in fragile settings. Thirdly, reforms to make the Bank more responsive to the voice of the lowest income and most vulnerable countries, ensuring it can support their climate and development needs.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what assessment he has made of the (a) adequacy and (b) effectiveness of the funding provided in December 2024 to help support Ukraine’s capacity to (i) investigate and (ii) prosecute war crimes.

The UK has been at the forefront of international efforts to develop Ukraine's capacity to investigate and prosecute atrocity crimes resulting from Russia's illegal invasion. Our coordinated approach with US and EU partners through the establishment of the Atrocity Crimes Advisory Group has ensured that support from international donors is efficiently coordinated and streamlined in close cooperation with the Office of the Prosecutor General of Ukraine. We continue to review and refine our support, to ensure it is meeting Ukraine's needs.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, if he will make an assessment of the adequacy of the legal options available for (a) sanctioning and (b) prosecuting Russian officials involved in the forced (i) abduction and (ii) deportation of Ukrainian children.

We are playing our full part in international efforts to reunite these children with their families. On 3 September 2025, we announced a fourth round of sanctions targeting those attempting to forcibly deport and indoctrinate Ukrainian children. We do not comment on any potential future designations as to do so could lessen their impact. We welcome the progress the International Criminal Court is making in its active investigation, including the issuing of arrest warrants for individuals connected to the forced deportation of children. Legal action alone will not bring Ukrainian children home. We are also supporting efforts to return and rehabilitate forcibly deported children.I have regularly discussed this issue with ministerial counterparts most recently with European counterparts at the Gymnich in Copenhagen on 29 and 30 August. We also welcome the strong emphasis the United States has placed on this issue including the efforts of the First Lady.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what discussions the Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Africa has had with trade unions on women’s empowerment; and on what dates those discussions were held.

The Minister for Africa had two official engagements on the topic of women's empowerment during the UN Commission on the Status of Women. Firstly, a meeting with a senior delegation from the International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC) on 12 March 2025, comprising Paola Simonetti, Director of the ITUC, Siobhan Vipond from the ITUC Canada and Dur e Shawar from the Pakistan Workers Party. Secondly, a meeting with Christina McAnea, General Secretary of UNISON, on 13 March 2025.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, if he will publish a timetable for announcing a UK pledge for the Global Fund’s upcoming replenishment for the 2026-28 period.

The UK has long been a strong supporter of the Global Fund and we are proud to be co-hosting the 8th replenishment this year in partnership with South Africa. Over the coming months, we will work through decisions on how the Official Development Assistance budget will be used and then discuss the timing of our pledge announcement with the Global Fund and our co-hosts South Africa.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, when he plans to publish the refreshed National Action Plan on Women, Peace and Security.

The UK remains firmly committed to the Women, Peace and Security (WPS) agenda as reflected in the UK's fifth WPS National Action Plan. The Government intends to build on this ambition through a refreshed National Action Plan, advancing implementation and aligning to emerging priorities.While we have not yet set a publication date for the refreshed National Action Plan, we have already begun consultations with civil society and academics. This included a first round of consultation on 11 July to hear their expert views.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what steps he is taking to have discussions with (a) NGOs, (b) parliamentarians, and (c) women and girls before his refresh of the National Action Plan on Women, Peace and Security.

The UK remains committed to advancing the Women, Peace and Security (WPS) agenda through implementation of the fifth WPS National Action Plan.This government is committed to engaging widely ahead of refreshing the National Action Plan. We held our first round of consultation with civil society organisations and academics on 11 July to hear their views and expertise. The Minister for Africa, the Minister responsible for WPS, also met with the WPS All Party Parliamentary Group on 3 July where he heard from civil society organisations and parliamentarians on national and international work in this area.We will continue to engage with women and girls, NGOs and parliamentarians throughout the development of the refreshed plan.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, if he will make an assessment of the potential impact of maintaining the UK’s level of support for the Global Fund for the 2026-28 period on global health security.

The UK remains committed to tackling global health challenges and will continue to work with all international partners towards the collective goal of a healthier, safer and more prosperous world. Over the coming months, we will work through decisions on how the Official Development Assistance budget will be used, and the impact on specific programmes, informed by internal and external consultation and impact assessments.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether he has made an assessment of the potential merits of taking steps with his with African counterparts to support the use of (a) Lenacapavir and (b) other long-lasting HIV prevention drugs among high-risk populations.

Long-acting technologies could be game-changers in the global response to HIV, but only if they reach the countries and communities that need them most, including young women and girls in sub-Saharan Africa and the most vulnerable and marginalised groups everywhere. Promoting choice is an important element of this.We welcome the latest World Health Organisation guidelines announced this week recommending lenacapavir as an additional long-acting HIV prevention tool and long-acting cabotegravir and rilpivirine for long-acting HIV treatment. The UK continues to work closely with global partners to address regulatory, manufacturing, and affordability barriers to improve access to these technologies for those most at risk. This includes our support to Unitaid, the Global Fund, and towards research and development of the dapivirine ring.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, on which dates the Ministerial Women Peace and Security National Action Plan steering board has met since July 2024.

Ministers are unwavering in their commitment to the Women, Peace and Security (WPS) agenda.A robust governance structure is in place to ensure accountability and transparency in delivery of the WPS National Action Plan (NAP). This includes a commitment to quarterly Cross-Whitehall Working Group meetings with civil society and academics (most recent meeting in April 2025), a biannual Cross-Whitehall Deputy Director Shadow Board (most recent meeting in January 2025), an annual Ministerial Steering Board, and a two-yearly update to the WPS All Party Parliamentary Group (APPG). In June 2025, the Minister for Africa and the Minister for the Armed Forces briefed the WPS APPG on the NAP Annual Report. In addition, Ministers engage regularly with civil society organisations on WPS.A Ministerial Steering Board will form a part of the process of refreshing the WPS NAP.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what steps he is taking to help support manufacturing capacity for (a) Lenacapavir and (b) other long-lasting HIV prevention drugs.

Long-acting technologies could be game-changers in the global response to HIV, but only if they reach the countries and communities that need them most, including young women and girls in sub-Saharan Africa and the most vulnerable and marginalised groups everywhere. Promoting choice is an important element of this.We welcome the latest World Health Organisation guidelines announced this week recommending lenacapavir as an additional long-acting HIV prevention tool and long-acting cabotegravir and rilpivirine for long-acting HIV treatment. The UK continues to work closely with global partners to address regulatory, manufacturing, and affordability barriers to improve access to these technologies for those most at risk. This includes our support to Unitaid, the Global Fund, and towards research and development of the dapivirine ring.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, if he will make a comparative assessment of the potential impact of using (a) Lenacapavir, (b) other long-lasting HIV prevention drugs, (c) PrEP and (d) other daily HIV prevention drugs on levels of treatment uptake by (i) rural women and girls and (ii) other marginalised communities in Africa.

Long-acting technologies could be game-changers in the global response to HIV, but only if they reach the countries and communities that need them most, including young women and girls in sub-Saharan Africa and the most vulnerable and marginalised groups everywhere. Promoting choice is an important element of this.We welcome the latest World Health Organisation guidelines announced this week recommending lenacapavir as an additional long-acting HIV prevention tool and long-acting cabotegravir and rilpivirine for long-acting HIV treatment. The UK continues to work closely with global partners to address regulatory, manufacturing, and affordability barriers to improve access to these technologies for those most at risk. This includes our support to Unitaid, the Global Fund, and towards research and development of the dapivirine ring.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether he is taking steps with his international counterparts to provide security to humanitarian agencies in Sudan.

The UK condemns in the strongest terms attacks on aid workers in Sudan. The warring parties are required to uphold international humanitarian and human rights obligations and to implement relevant UN Security Council Resolutions (UNSCR), including UNSCR 2736 (2024) on El Fasher, Darfur. In our recent public statements, we have reiterated the importance of the warring parties acting in accordance with such commitments. In June, the UK signed a joint statement with 30 other donors condemning an attack on a UN aid convoy, calling for the warring parties to comply with their obligations under international humanitarian law.On 24 April, the Foreign Secretary issued a statement following renewed attacks in El Fasher, calling for the warring parties to give humanitarian actors the security guarantees needed to deliver aid rapidly and safely, including through a 72-hour pause in fighting. The UK is also providing financial support to the UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) to enable their human rights monitoring and reporting. In October 2024, we led the renewal of the UN Fact Finding Mission for Sudan's mandate as part of the Sudan 'Core Group' in the Human Rights Council to hold those harming humanitarian agencies to account.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, with reference to the policy paper entitled UK and Palestinian strategic cooperation: memorandum of understanding, published on 28 April 2025, what steps he is taking with his international counterparts to help build capacity in the Palestinian Authority to hold free and fair elections.

The UK supports the Palestinian Authority's (PA) commitment to delivering its ambitious and necessary 'National Program for Development and Reform'. As part of the UK-PA Memorandum of Understanding, the PA committed to convening Presidential and Parliamentary elections within the shortest feasible timeframe. The UK is spending £101 million this financial year in Official Development Assistance to the Occupied Palestinian Territories directed at humanitarian relief, support for Palestinian economic development, and strengthening PA governance and reform. We continue to encourage the PA to work towards genuine and democratic elections within the shortest feasible timeframe.