Written questions by Morton.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether he has plans to publish the outcomes of his Department's consultation on it's Africa policy.

The Foreign Secretary launched a five-month consultation to inform the UK's new approach to the African continent during his visit to Nigeria and South Africa in November. This follows the manifesto commitment to develop a fundamentally transformed partnership that engages with African countries as equals, promotes our economic growth ambitions and supports migration priorities. The new approach will be informed by the consultation and published later this year.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what steps he is taking to ensure that women's (a) economic participation and (b) access to education are effectively integrated in the International Women and Girls Strategy 2023–2030.

Ensuring all girls have access to quality education is a core part of the UK's work on gender equality. We deliver bilateral education programmes in 18 countries and are the top bilateral donor to the Global Partnership for Education, which provides grant funding to 74 lower income countries. The UK is committed to women's economic empowerment, including through our flagship Work and Opportunities for Women programme, which aims to improve economic opportunities for women working in global value chains. In October 2024, we announced £7.5 million to the World Bank to support high quality evidence on women's economic empowerment.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of the UK-Nigeria strategic partnership on future trends in the level of aid distribution in Nigeria.

The Nigeria-UK Strategic Partnership is intended to provide a comprehensive framework for achieving our shared objectives and further strengthening the bilateral relationship. One of the core pillars of the Strategic Partnership is a modernised development partnership. The UK and Nigeria have committed to work together to enhance good governance, reduce poverty and humanitarian need, and support human capital development. Nigeria and the UK are committed to a partnership that encourages long-term and sustainable development by building local institutional capacity and capability to address needs and priorities. To achieve this, the UK will continue to provide Nigeria with Official Development Assistance (ODA).

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, pursuant to the Answer of 15 January 2025 to Question 22001 on Belarus: Sanctions, what the timescale is for completing the cross-Government review of sanctions enforcement.

I launched the cross-Government review of sanctions at the first Small Ministerial Group on enforcement in October. The review is examining whether we have the right powers, approach, capacity and resourcing on policy, implementation and enforcement, with an urgent focus on strengthening the latter. The objectives are to make our sanctions easier to comply with, increase the deterrent effect of enforcement and maximise the flexibility of our cross-government toolkit. It is being led by the FCDO in collaboration with key sanctions Departments and is expected to conclude in Spring 2025.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what steps he is taking to implement the International Women and Girls Strategy 2023–2030.

This Government has been clear that we will work to advance gender equality and empower women and girls through our international action. The previous government launched the International Women and Girls Strategy (2023-2030) in March 2023 to guide the UK's international action. Our focus is now firmly on delivery. In November, we announced a new £27 million programme to tackle online violence against women and girls. In December, the Prime Minister announced £37 million to expand access to sexual and reproductive health and rights through supporting grassroots civil society organisations and movements.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what plans his Department has to update the International Women and Girls Strategy 2023–2030.

This Government has been clear that we will work to advance gender equality and empower women and girls through our international action. The previous government launched the International Women and Girls Strategy (2023-2030) in March 2023 to guide the UK's international action. Our focus is now firmly on delivery. In November, we announced a new £27 million programme to tackle online violence against women and girls. In December, the Prime Minister announced £37 million to expand access to sexual and reproductive health and rights through supporting grassroots civil society organisations and movements.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what steps he is taking with the Special Envoy for Freedom of Religion or Belief to promote the rights of religious minorities in Bangladesh.

The UK has a long-standing commitment to the promotion and protection of human rights, including Freedom of Religion or Belief (FoRB). Following the student-led protests in July and August 2024, we have been closely monitoring the situation for minorities in Bangladesh. In November 2024, I visited Bangladesh and discussed the importance of the protection of religious minorities with Chief Adviser Yunus. We are providing up to £27 million under the Bangladesh Collaborative, Accountable and Peaceful Politics programme for protecting civic and political space, fostering collaboration, reducing corruption, and mitigating tensions that lead to violence. We look forward to working with David Smith MP on FoRB issues globally.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what discussions the Special Envoy for Freedom of Religion or Belief has had with international partners.

David Smith MP was announced as UK Special Envoy for Freedom of Religion or Belief (FoRB) in December 2024. Since taking up the role in January, he has engaged a range of UK and international partners, individually and collectively through the Article 18 Alliance, to promote FoRB for all.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether he has had discussions with his Bangladeshi counterpart on the recent reports of violence against Hindus in Bangladesh.

The UK has a long-standing commitment to the promotion and protection of human rights, including Freedom of Religion or Belief (FoRB). Following the student-led protests in July and August 2024, we have been closely monitoring the situation for minorities in Bangladesh. In November 2024, I visited Bangladesh and discussed the importance of the protection of religious minorities with Chief Adviser Yunus. We are providing up to £27 million under the Bangladesh Collaborative, Accountable and Peaceful Politics programme for protecting civic and political space, fostering collaboration, reducing corruption, and mitigating tensions that lead to violence. We will continue to engage with the Interim Government of Bangladesh on the importance of FoRB.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what discussions he has had with his international counterparts on the humanitarian situation in Bangladesh since 2 December 2024.

The UK has been actively engaged in addressing the humanitarian situation in Bangladesh. The UK has provided £405 million to support the Rohingya and host communities since 2017, including food provision, clean water, healthcare and protection services. I announced £10.3 million of humanitarian funding for Rohingya refugees and for disaster response during my visit to Bangladesh in November 2024. During my visit, I discussed the Rohingya refugee response with the Interim Government of Bangladesh, the United Nations and other international development partners. The UK regularly coordinates with international counterparts on Rohingya issues.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what discussions he has had with the Bangladeshi community in the United Kingdom on the situation in Bangladesh.

The UK supports the Bangladesh Interim Government's work to build a more prosperous and democratic future, following student-led protests in July and August 2024. With more than 650,000 people of Bangladeshi heritage across the UK, the situation in Bangladesh impacts communities in the UK. In my responses to letters from the Bangladeshi community in the UK, I have been clear that the UK is supporting the Interim Government's agenda to restore law and order, ensure accountability and promote national reconciliation. The UK remains a steadfast friend of Bangladesh, with a strong focus on building economic, development, trade and climate partnerships.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, with reference to Q123 of the evidence given by the Minister of State for Development and Africa to the International Development Committee on 7 January 2025 HC 531Y what the terms of reference are for the Overseas Development Assistance Board.

The Chief Secretary to the Treasury and I will co-chair the re-established Ministerial Official Development Assistance (ODA) Board. The ODA Board scrutinises ODA spend, driving value for money for the UK taxpayer and a stronger strategic focus to ODA spending across government. Its remit includes managing pressures on the ODA budget and overseeing and monitoring ODA spending across government.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what steps he is taking to continue the Preventing Sexual Violence in Conflict Initiative.

This Government's commitment to tackling conflict-related sexual violence (CRSV) is resolute. That is why Lord Collins has been named as the Prime Minister's Special Representative on Preventing Sexual Violence in Conflict (PSVI) and has committed to driving international action to support survivors and bring the perpetrators of these horrific crimes to justice. Ministers remain committed to delivering the PSVI strategy. Through PSVI we are supporting thousands of survivors around the world and have contributed to three recent landmark cases on CRSV as a Crime Against Humanity in Guinea, Kenya and Uganda.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what the UK’s annual spend is on International Climate Finance by country.

In line with our international obligations the details of our annual International Climate Finance (ICF) spend are published through the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, including by recipient country or region. Previous data covering 2019 and 2020 ICF spend can be found here: https://unfccc.int/BR5. Supporting data submitted as part of the First Biennial Transparency Report under the Paris Agreement covering 2021 and 2022 is awaiting publication.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what recent assessment he has made of the humanitarian situation in Cox's Bazar.

The UK has been actively engaged in addressing the humanitarian situation in Cox's Bazar, and closely monitoring levels of need and insecurity. We are a leading donor to the Rohingya response and have provided £405 million to support the Rohingya and host communities since 2017, including food provision, clean water, healthcare and protection services. During my visit to Bangladesh in November 2024, I announced that £10.3 million of humanitarian funding will go to Rohingya refugees and for disaster response. The UK regularly discusses the Rohingya refugee response with the Interim Government of Bangladesh. This includes ensuring new Rohingya arrivals are registered and can access humanitarian assistance.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what discussions he has had with the Special Envoy for Freedom of Religion or Belief on his (a) priorities and (b) plans to engage with international counterparts.

David Smith MP was announced as UK Special Envoy for Freedom of Religion or Belief (FoRB) in December 2024. The Envoy works closely with Lord Collins, the Minister responsible for Human Rights, and with other Ministers in the FCDO and, where relevant, other government departments to promote the government's shared priorities on FoRB for all with a range of UK and international partners individually and collectively through the Article 18 Alliance.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, with reference to his Department's International Women and Girls Strategy 2023-2030, published in March 2023, what steps his Department has taken to implement the three Es within the strategy.

The FCDO is committed to putting women and girls at the heart of everything we do. We will continue to support women and girls to access quality education, tackle gender-based violence, and empower women and girls globally and stand up for their health and rights. Last November, I announced a new £27 million programme to tackle technology-facilitated gender-based violence. We have doubled our aid for Sudan, including £14 million for education programmes in Sudan and for Sudanese refugees, the majority of whom are women and children. In December, the Prime Minister pledged £37 million to strengthen grassroots and civil society organisations and expand access to sexual and reproductive health and rights.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what discussions the Minister for International Development has had with Baroness Shafik on evidence submitted to her review of international development.

I have been in communication with Baroness Shafik throughout the review, including discussing review findings.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what steps he is taking to support sexual and reproductive health and rights for women and girls in the Occupied Palestinian Territories.

This ceasefire provides a real opportunity now to halt the suffering in Gaza and the UK is doing all it can to support a sustained surge of aid, including to meet the sexual and reproductive health needs of women and girls. The UK has already announced £112 million of assistance this financial year for the Occupied Palestinian Territories and Palestinian refugees in the region. Additionally, £4.25 million of UK assistance to the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) has supported UNFPA to distribute reproductive health kits and midwifery kits across Gaza.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether he has had discussions with the (a) Chancellor of the Exchequer and (b) Chief Secretary to the Treasury on the Preventing Sexual Violence in Conflict Initiative.

Preventing conflict and empowering women and girls is critical to the delivery of the government's missions, and this Government remains committed to delivering the Preventing Sexual Violence in Conflict Initiative (PSVI). The FCDO works closely with HM Treasury to ensure that spend is directed towards our priorities.