Written questions by Morton.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether his Department plans to take steps to monitor the potential impact of the Mutual Security treaty between Russia and Belarus on (a) regional security and (b) human rights in Belarus.

Across His Majesty's Government we take steps to ensure we stay up to date on relevant developments in Belarus, including on the Russia-Belarus Treaty on Mutual Security Guarantee signed into force by Presidents Putin and Lukashenko in March. Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office officials will continue to monitor the impacts of the Mutual Security Guarantee in all aspects, including on regional security and human rights in Belarus.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what assessment his Department has made of the potential impact of planned changes to the level of future spending on official development assistance on programmes supporting women smallholder farmers.

The Government recognises the important role women smallholder farmers play in agrifood systems in developing countries, and that investing in women and girls and breaking down the barriers they face supports inclusive development. Decisions on how the Official Development Assistance (ODA) budget will be used are being worked through as part of the ongoing Spending Review, based on various factors including impact assessments. The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) is focused on ensuring that every pound is spent in the most impactful way.We plan to publish final Financial Year 2025/26 ODA programme allocations in the FCDO Annual Report & Accounts this summer.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, pursuant to the Answer of 31 March to Question 39447 on Israel and Occupied Territories: Development Aid, whether the funding levels for the years 2025-26 and 2026-27 will remain unchanged.

In financial year 2025-26, the UK will provide £101 million for the Occupied Palestinian Territories, which will prioritise humanitarian relief, support for Palestinian economic development, and strengthening Palestinian Authority governance and reform. We cannot yet confirm funding allocations for the financial year 2026-27 as these are subject to Spending Review processes. On 25 February, the Prime Minister made clear in the House that this Government is proud of the UK's pioneering record on overseas development, and we will continue to play a key humanitarian role in Gaza.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what assessment he has made of the adequacy of the FCDO’s crisis response fund for 2025-26.

The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) maintains the Humanitarian Crisis Reserve (HCR) fund, which has the primary benefit of enabling flexible and rapid response to new humanitarian crises (e.g. earthquakes, floods, cyclones). Decisions about allocations are made by the Minister for Development and can be used in Official Development Assistance eligible countries only. The UK's commitment to supporting humanitarian aid across the world and responding flexibly remains a priority.Moreover, the FCDO Crisis Management Department has been allocated £227,500 for routine crisis management in Financial Year 25/26. This is used to meet the additional costs of responding to international crises, such as deploying Rapid Deployment Teams to affected areas, staffing and running the London crisis centre, and emergent procurement, i.e. chartering aircraft for an evacuation. If a single crisis response is projected to cost the FCDO more than £150,000, we will ask HM Treasury for additional funding from the Emergency Disaster Response Fund.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, with reference to his Department’s policy paper entitled London Sudan Conference, 15 April 2025: co-chairs' statement, published on 15 April 2025, what the UK’s comparative advantage is in international efforts to resolve the conflict in Sudan.

As penholder on Sudan at the UN Security Council, leader of the core group on Sudan at the UN Human Rights Council and as a major humanitarian donor, the UK occupies a unique position to keep international attention on the conflict. On 15 April, the London Sudan Conference demonstrated the UK's convening power, as Foreign Ministers and high-level Representatives from 21 countries and multilateral bodies gathered to discuss how to make progress on shared goals of ending the conflict and alleviating the suffering of the Sudanese people. As detailed in the co-chairs' statement, this is not the end but the start of a process; the UK remains committed to working with the international community to bring an end to the conflict in Sudan and see vital humanitarian aid reaching those most in need.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether he has had discussions with the Chancellor of the Exchequer on any potential reallocation of savings from in-donor refugee costs to the FCDO’s ODA budget.

The UK Government has taken measures to reduce the asylum backlog and reform the asylum accommodation system to help end the use of expensive accommodation in the next Spending Review period to ensure more of our Official Development Assistance (ODA) budget is spent on our development priorities overseas.The aid spent in the UK on refugee and asylum costs fell by a third last year and we are working to bring it down further as we continue to deliver on our election promise to slash asylum costs.Departmental ODA allocations will be confirmed at the Spending Review.The Foreign Secretary has regular discussions with the Chancellor.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether he plans to reallocate reductions in in-donor refugee costs to other official development assistance programmes from the 2025-26 financial year.

The UK Government has taken measures to reduce the asylum backlog and reform the asylum accommodation system to help end the use of expensive accommodation in the next Spending Review period to ensure more of our Official Development Assistance (ODA) budget is spent on our development priorities overseas.The aid spent in the UK on refugee and asylum costs fell by a third last year and we are working to bring it down further as we continue to deliver on our election promise to slash asylum costs.Departmental ODA allocations will be confirmed at the Spending Review.The Foreign Secretary has regular discussions with the Chancellor.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what assessment he has he made of potential opportunities for the BBC World Service to further support UK soft power.

The Government highly values the World Service, which makes a significant contribution to UK soft power. Soft power indices and perception studies regularly highlight the BBC's soft power attraction. Tapestry Research carried out an international study in 2022, finding that international BBC consumers, particularly 'influential' audiences: have a more positive attitude towards the UK; are more likely to use UK goods and suppliers; and more likely to invest in the UK, and visit the UK for leisure, study, or business.The World Service Licence requires that the World Service provides value for money. The BBC tracks World Service performance against impact and quality metrics compared with global comparators across multiple markets. The World Service continues to outrank other international news providers on trust, reliability and independence. It also rates highest for helping audiences to understand and engage with news topics.The HMG uplift for the World Service in 2025/26 takes our total contribution to £137m. The uplift ensures that the World Service will continue operating all 42 language services. This is a significant increase in an exceptionally tight fiscal situation, clearly demonstrating the value that the Government places on the World Service.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what representations he has made to his Belarussian counterpart on the reported disappearance of Anzhelika Melnikava and her daughters.

I am concerned by reports of Angelika Melnikava's disappearance. Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office officials are following the case closely. We have not raised this with the Belarusian Government.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what assessment he has made of the value for money of the BBC World Service in terms of (a) reach and (b) impact, when compared with spending by other states on comparable services.

The Government highly values the World Service, which makes a significant contribution to UK soft power. Soft power indices and perception studies regularly highlight the BBC's soft power attraction. Tapestry Research carried out an international study in 2022, finding that international BBC consumers, particularly 'influential' audiences: have a more positive attitude towards the UK; are more likely to use UK goods and suppliers; and more likely to invest in the UK, and visit the UK for leisure, study, or business.The World Service Licence requires that the World Service provides value for money. The BBC tracks World Service performance against impact and quality metrics compared with global comparators across multiple markets. The World Service continues to outrank other international news providers on trust, reliability and independence. It also rates highest for helping audiences to understand and engage with news topics.The HMG uplift for the World Service in 2025/26 takes our total contribution to £137m. The uplift ensures that the World Service will continue operating all 42 language services. This is a significant increase in an exceptionally tight fiscal situation, clearly demonstrating the value that the Government places on the World Service.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what assessment he has made of the effectiveness of the UK Soft Power Council at utilising UK science and technology.

The Soft Power Council is now operational but still in an early phase of developing its work. The Council includes several individuals with expertise spanning science, technology, education and research, in recognition of the importance of these themes to UK foreign policy impact. The Council's geographic working groups are considering how to harness the UK's strengths in science and technology. The contribution of these sectors will also be considered as part of development of the new Government strategy on soft power over the coming months.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what steps he is taking through the Commonwealth to support (a) UK soft power and (b) the soft power of Commonwealth partners.

Our Commonwealth membership plays an important role in the projection of UK soft power. Shared history means the English language is spoken widely, we have strong cultural links and similar systems of rule of law and parliamentary democracy. The Commonwealth Secretariat provides technical support that reinforces these links and our shared values. In addition to our core financial contributions to the Secretariat, the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office funds human rights advisers and the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association International to strengthen human rights, parliamentary democracy and good governance. We will discuss with the new Secretary-General how to enhance the soft power impact of the Commonwealth.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of UK soft power on exports by UK companies.

Our soft power is an important driver for growth; the sectors that contribute to our soft power are the economic backbone of the country and deliver tangible benefits for the people of the UK. Greater coordination of the UK's soft power through the Soft Power Council will contribute to growth for the UK through providing opportunities for investment and trade. Research from the British Council shows that strong soft power results in strong growth outcomes for UK businesses. Exports are supported through strong positive perceptions of the UK globally, including trust, favourability and attractiveness.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of reduced Official Development Assistance spending on support for Afghan women and girls.

Detailed decisions on how the Official Development Assistance (ODA) budget will be used will be worked through as part of the ongoing Spending Review process. We intend to publish final 2025/26 ODA programme allocations in the FCDO Annual Report and Accounts this summer. The FCDO is focused on ensuring that every pound is spent in the most impactful way. Equality Impact Assessments - which consider impacts on women and girls - are an essential part of how we make decisions, including on ODA allocations. The UK remains committed to playing a significant role in international development.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of Overseas Development Aid changes on the UK-Nigeria Security and Defence Partnership.

The UK-Nigeria Security and Defence Partnership (SDP) provides a comprehensive framework to coordinate the full spectrum of the UK's partnership with Nigeria in addressing shared security and defence challenges. Part of the UK's Official Development Assistance (ODA) approach in Nigeria is to prevent and reduce the systemic drivers of violent conflict such as weak governance, climate change, food insecurity, intercommunal violence and lack of access to basic healthcare and education. Nigeria was the third largest recipient of UK bilateral ODA in Africa in Financial Year 24/25, with an allocation of £117 million. ODA allocations for forthcoming years are currently being finalised. The SDP will remain a fundamental element of the UK-Nigeria bilateral relationship in the coming years.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what steps he plans to take following the London Sudan conference on 15 April 2025 to support countries neighbouring Sudan to (a) continue to keep their borders open and (b) address increased levels of migration.

Sudan is now the world's largest displacement crisis, with 8.6 million people estimated to be internally displaced and a further 4 million having fled to neighbouring countries since April 2023. On 15 April, the Foreign Secretary co-hosted the London Sudan Conference alongside the AU, EU, France and Germany. A Co-Chairs' statement following the conference committed to increase the international attention on the human cost of this conflict, including its impact on neighbouring countries. We frequently engage with neighbouring countries, including Egypt, South Sudan and Chad to support and underline the vital role they play in hosting refugees. The Foreign Secretary's visit to Chad in January was an important part of the UK's engagement with neighbouring countries.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what steps he is taking to ensure the additional £120 million in food aid to Sudan pledged by the UK for the 2025-26 financial year reaches (a) civilians and (b) women and girls.

The conflict in Sudan is having a devastating impact on the people of Sudan, particularly women and girls. At the recent London Sudan Conference, the Foreign Secretary announced a package of support budgeted at £120 million which will deliver life-saving services to more than 650,000 people. The UK continues to advocate for safe, rapid, and unimpeded humanitarian access so that the most vulnerable can be reached with aid.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what assessment he has made of the effectiveness of the Strengthening Peace and Resilience in Nigeria funding allocated in 2023 at achieving (a) peace and (b) resilience in the region.

The UK's Strengthening Peace and Resilience in Nigeria programme (SPRiNG) is working to reduce rural violence in northwest and north-central Nigeria, including by supporting collaboration and productive livelihoods for both farmers and pastoralists, and strengthening conflict early warning, management and response. Whilst SPRiNG is still in the early phases of implementation, its partnership with the Institute For Integrated Transitions (IFIT) has achieved encouraging results already. Mediation efforts in Nasawara State have fostered a negotiated agreement between the Bassa and Egbura People, enabling the return and resettlement of 5000 internally displaced persons (IDPs).

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what steps he plans to take with (a) Cabinet colleagues and (b) international partners to help ensure (a) a cessation in hostilities and (b) an end to conflict in Sudan.

A key focus of the London Sudan Conference on 15 April was to establish international consensus on how to end the conflict. There was clear consensus on the importance of an immediate and permanent ceasefire and sustainable end to the conflict, as reiterated in the co-chairs' statement. The Foreign Secretary and Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office officials will continue to engage with colleagues across Government as well as international counterparts to maintain momentum and work towards a peaceful future for the Sudanese people.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, how much funding was (a) allocated for and (b) spent on the London Sudan conference on 15 April 2025.

We are currently collating information on funding allocated to and spent on the London Sudan Conference. We will write to the Honourable Member with a full response in due course.