Every parliamentary written question tabled by Wendy Morton this session, with the full answer and department. Back to the MP page.
Showing 321–340 of 792 · Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office
Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what steps his Department is taking to support (a) human rights and (b) civil society organisations operating in Tanzania.
The UK has recently launched the Wajibika programme in Tanzania which aims to empower Tanzanian citizens and promote inclusive and effective civic space, political inclusion and address media freedom and access to information.
Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of the political situation in Tanzania on UK-Tanzania (a) trade, (b) aid, (c) diplomatic engagement and (d) other relations.
The UK continuously keeps bilateral relations and national interests under review with partner countries throughout the world.We are following political developments in Tanzania, and when required, the our High Commission raises specific areas of concern with the Government of Tanzania.
Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether he has had discussions with Commonwealth partners on the potential impact of the situation in Tanzanian on that county's role in the Commonwealth.
The UK continues to engage with members of the international community, including Commonwealth partners, on specific developments in Tanzania, including the detrimental impact a decline in governance would have on mutual growth and prosperity.
Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what his target date is for distributing the proceeds from the sale of Chelsea Football Club; and how he plans to allocate those funds.
The Government is determined to see the proceeds from the sale of Chelsea Football Club reach humanitarian causes in Ukraine, following Russia's illegal full-scale invasion.We are deeply frustrated that it has not been possible to reach agreement on this with Mr Abramovich so far.While the door for negotiations will remain open, we are fully prepared to pursue this matter through the courts if required, to ensure people suffering in Ukraine receive the benefit from these proceeds as soon as possible.
Commonwealth and Development Affairs, with reference to the oral contribution from the Minister of State for Sanctions Implementation and Enforcement on 15 May 2025, Official Report, col 525, when he plans to update the House on how a new joint sanctions intelligence function fit into the existing intelligence framework.
In the conclusions of the sanctions enforcement review, the Government committed to explore options for more effective join up on intelligence, including the merits of a new joint sanctions intelligence function. This scoping will take place during the current financial year. I will keep the House updated on progress in implementing the review conclusions.
Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what discussions he has had with (a) the trustees of Chelsea Football Club, (b) his Portuguese counterpart and (c) the European Commission on the proceeds of the sale of that club.
The Government is determined to see the proceeds from the sale of Chelsea Football Club reach humanitarian causes in Ukraine, following Russia's illegal full-scale invasion.We are deeply frustrated that it has not been possible to reach agreement on this with Mr Abramovich so far.While the door for negotiations will remain open, we are fully prepared to pursue this matter through the courts if required, to ensure people suffering in Ukraine receive the benefit from these proceeds as soon as possible.
Commonwealth and Development Affairs, with reference to the Minister for Europe, North America and Overseas Territories' Oral Statement of 15 May 2025 on Sanctions Implementation and Enforcement, Official Report, columns 524-526, what his planned timetable is for publishing a new enforcement strategy.
In the conclusions of the sanctions enforcement review, the Government committed to publish a government-wide sanctions enforcement strategy. The development of this strategy will take place during the current financial year. I will keep the House updated on progress in implementing the review conclusions.
Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what diplomatic steps he is taking to ensure that Hamas has no role in the future governance of Gaza.
Recovery and reconstruction efforts in Gaza must be based upon a solid political and security framework acceptable to both Israelis and Palestinians, which provides long-term peace and security for both Israelis and Palestinians alike. We are clear that Hamas must neither govern Gaza nor be a threat to Israel anymore. We explicitly support the central role for the Palestinian Authority and the implementation of its reform agenda. To that end we are working with international counterparts to support the Arab Plan for Gaza reconstruction and strengthen the Palestinian Authority.
Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what recent steps his Department has taken to help establish a stable government in Syria.
We are supporting the Syrian Government to work towards an inclusive, representative, and non-sectarian political transition that has respect for human rights and transitional justice at its core. On 25 April, we lifted some sanctions to promote economic recovery and investment, and in May we hosted the first visit by a Syrian Minister in 14 years to the Education World Forum, showcasing the UK's education programmes in Syria, which are a key part of fostering broader stability. We are also encouraging the Syrian Government and Syrian Democratic Forces to implement the agreement they made in March on North-East Syria's future.
Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what steps he is taking to help support the roll-out of UK-made malaria vaccines.
The UK is Gavi's largest investor, committing £1.65 billion to the current strategic period covering 2021-2025. Gavi coordinates the global malaria vaccination (RTS,S and R21) programme, providing essential financial support for the procurement, transport and roll-out of doses. To date, Gavi has supported 20 African countries in integrating the malaria vaccine into routine immunisation programmes. By collaborating with countries and partners, Gavi ensures the delivery of malaria vaccines as part of a comprehensive malaria control strategy. In addition to our support to Gavi the Foreign, Commonwealth, and Development Office and the UK Research and Innovation's Medical Research Council are funding applied research to support the effective rollout of malaria vaccines including how to best combine the vaccines with existing interventions.
Commonwealth and Development Affairs, if he will make an assessment of the potential impact of UK-based research and development into neglected topical diseases on (a) global health security and (b) jobs in the UK.
Investment in UK based neglected diseases research and development (R&D) has led to many groundbreaking innovations which have helped to improve and save many lives around the world. On global health security - work on early candidates for malaria vaccines by scientists at Oxford's Jenner Institute laid the foundations for the development of the Oxford/AstraZeneca vaccine candidate for COVID-19. The successful roll out of this vaccine has helped to save millions of lives and generated significant societal and economic value. Investment in UK based R&D has also delivered multiple economic benefits by catalysing private investments and boosting other economic activity.
Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what assessment he has made of the (a) effectiveness and (b) value for money of Official Development Assistance given to women-led organisations.
Thorough assessments of both the effectiveness and value for money of programmes, including those supporting women-led and women's rights organisations, are an integral part of our programme management process.There is strong evidence showing that women-led and women's rights organisations play a significant role in securing and advancing women's rights as well as providing humanitarian assistance, tackling climate change and promoting and protecting democracy. They provide good value for money as this type of support moves away from short term project funding towards strategic investments which have wider social and economic value which sustains long after funding ends.
Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of Russian disinformation on the ability of humanitarian agencies to function in Ukraine.
Foreign information manipulation and interference, including disinformation, is just one of the growing range of divisive and destabilising tools in Russia's hybrid warfare strategy. Disinformation can undermine perceptions of the neutrality of aid workers and relief operations, damaging community acceptance, restricting humanitarian access, and increasing risks for aid workers.Earlier this year the UK and Ukraine signed a landmark 100 Year Partnership and committed to deeper cooperation to combating foreign information manipulation and interference. The UK also co-sponsored a UN Security Council resolution in May 2024 on the protection of humanitarian personnel worldwide encouraging action against misinformation and disinformation campaigns.
Commonwealth and Development Affairs, if he will make an assessment of the potential implications for his policies of the potential link between extreme weather events and the number of malaria cases.
The UK recognises the important links between extreme weather events, exacerbated by climate change, and the number of malaria cases. The UK has spearheaded global efforts to recognise the impacts of climate change on health, through the UN Climate Change Conference of the Parties (COP), and to build stronger, climate resilient health systems that are better placed to respond to malaria in the context of extreme weather events through the Climate Resilient and Sustainable Health Systems Programme and Climate and Health Research Programme. We are also a leading donor in the fight against malaria through our support to the Global Fund and Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance.
Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what steps he is taking to help support diagnostic testing of fevers in countries in Sub-Saharan Africa.
The UK Government through the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office is a long-term supporter of Product Development Partnerships to develop novel health technologies for diseases where commercial markets fail. This support has led to the development of diagnostics for sleeping sickness, malaria, tuberculosis and COVID-19. Additionally, the UK's current £1 billion pledge to the Global Fund supports testing, treatment, and prevention initiatives across Sub-Saharan Africa and strengthens health systems, helping countries prevent, prepare for, and respond to pandemics. Programmes supported by the Global Fund performed 335 million malaria tests in 2023. Through our £1.65 billion investment in Gavi, the vaccine alliance from 2021-25, the UK is supporting the vaccination of 300 million children, and the procurement and distribution of yellow fever and cholera diagnostic tests. Finally, our £95 million Tackling Deadly Diseases in Africa programme (TDDAP) is strengthening national public health surveillance and laboratory systems to better detect and respond to public health threats and outbreaks in Ghana, Kenya, Malawi, Uganda and DRC.
Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what steps he is taking to help support community health initiatives in Botswana.
UK investment in the Global Fund continues to support community health initiatives in Botswana. The UK pledged £1 billion towards the Global Fund at the last replenishment cycle in 2022 and continues to invest in other multilateral funding essential to Botswana's community health responses. Botswana received circa $25 million from the current Global Fund cycle - which goes towards HIV, Tuberculosis, and Malaria response. The funding is also strengthening community health systems for effective responses to communicable and non-communicable diseases. Calvin Bailey MP, as Trade Envoy for Southern Africa, met with Botswana's Health Minister in May to discuss the UK-Botswana partnership in eliminating Malaria and the upcoming Global Fund replenishment.
Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what recent estimate he has made of the number of (a) groups and (b) militias operating in Syria.
The situation in Syria is extremely fluid and, as such, we are not in a position to provide numbers of militias or other groups operating in Syria. We will continue to work with the Government of Syria and international partners to support security and stability in Syria.
Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what criteria he plans to use to assess the effectiveness of the Syria (Sanctions) (EU Exit) (Amendment) Regulations 2025.
The amendments to the Syria Sanctions Regulations are intended to help Syrian economic recovery and support the flow of essential investment. This is vital for building stability in Syria and the wider region. We will continue to closely monitor the situation in Syria and engage with the Syrian Government, civil society, and our international partners on the impact of sanctions amendments. We will keep our Syria sanctions regime under review.
Commonwealth and Development Affairs, pursuant to the Answer of 12 May 2025 to Question 49361 on Sudan: Development Aid, whether the £120 million of food aid is the only funding allocated to Sudan for the 2025-26 financial year.
The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office are determining whether more funding for financial year 2025/26, in addition to the £120 million announced at the London Sudan Conference in April, will be allocated and further information will be provided in due course. Unfortunately, the spending review is still under review, and we will endeavour to update once we have the information.
Commonwealth and Development Affairs, pursuant to the Answer of 1 May 2025 to Question 47676 on Anzhalika Melnikava, what discussions he has had with his counterparts in (a) Europe and (b) elsewhere on reports of the disappearance of Anzhelika Melnikava and her daughters.
As I have previously noted, Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office officials continue to follow the case of the disappearance of Angelika Melnikova. Our understanding is that her daughters are currently in Belarus with their father. I have not raised this with European counterparts, nor elsewhere. As circumstances of Ms Melnikava's disappearance remain unclear, it would be inappropriate to comment further.