Written questions by Morton.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what assessment he has made of the potential merits of providing funding for the Nutrition for Growth replenishment campaign before the pledging event in Paris in 2025.

The UK is looking forward to the upcoming 2025 Nutrition for Growth summit and FCDO officials have been working closely with French counterparts to build momentum ahead of the summit. The FCDO has published an assessment of progress with the commitments that the previous government made at the Tokyo Nutrition for Growth Summit in 2021. We will review this as we finalise our approach to N4G 2025. Despite the challenges posed by the current fiscal situation, which the spending review will address, the UK is committed to protecting the world's most vulnerable, including through the use of lifesaving nutrition interventions.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what steps he has taken with the Secretary of State for Defence to progress the AUKUS agreement since July 2024.

The Foreign Secretary works closely with the Defence Secretary to progress AUKUS. Since July 2024, this government has signed a trilateral agreement to enable the sharing of critical submarine technology and information, secured a landmark exemption to the US International Traffic in Arms Regulations, and appointed Sir Stephen Lovegrove as the UK's AUKUS Adviser, whose report will help maximise the benefits and opportunities of the partnership.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what steps he is taking to ensure UK humanitarian aid reaches civilians in Syria.

The UK continues to monitor the humanitarian situation in Syria. Most border crossings remain open for humanitarian aid, enabling assistance to be delivered throughout Syria, except where active conflict is constraining this. We continue to call for unhindered access for and facilitation of humanitarian operations.The UK has announced a further £61 million in humanitarian assistance to support vulnerable Syrians inside Syria and across the region. Through NGO and UN organisations, we are providing food, healthcare, protection and other life-saving assistance. We remain in regular contact with those organisations to assess aid access and how they are managing delivery risks.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what assessment he has made of the potential implications for his policies of (a) the parliamentary election, (b) the inauguration of a new president and (c) other recent events in Georgia.

In response to recent events in Georgia, the Foreign Secretary announced on 9 December that the UK would suspend all programme support to the Georgian government, restricted defence cooperation, and limited engagement with representatives of Georgian Dream. On 16 December I spoke to Georgian Dream representative, Foreign Minister Bochorishvili, and on 23 December the Foreign Secretary spoke to the Georgian President, Zourabichvili. Both the Foreign Secretary and I expressed our concerns at the instability we were seeing in Georgia. I was clear that Georgia's negative democratic trajectory, including violence targeting peaceful demonstrators, opposition figures and journalists was unacceptable. On 19 December, the UK implemented sanctions against the Minister and Deputy Minister of Internal affairs and three police officials responsible for these violent actions. We will continue to keep our policies under close review.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what the (a) terms of reference and (b) timeline is for Baroness Shafik's review of international development.

As the Foreign Secretary said in his keynote speech on 9 January, he set in train three reviews upon his appointment, is grateful to Martin Donnelly, to Ngaire Woods and to Minouche Shafik for all their work into the FCDO's role and capabilities, looking particularly at our economic capability in this department, and at our global impact in this department, and our fusion of development and diplomacy as well as our development capability and capacity. The next step will be to consider how best to present the recommendations of all three reviews. In each case we are asking how we can ensure that the tools at our disposal provide maximum benefits to our goals not least UK prosperity and security.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether he plans an audit of the UK’s relationship with China.

Work on the audit is underway, due to conclude in spring 2025. The China audit will examine the UK's interests with respect to China. This will improve our ability to understand and respond to the challenges and opportunities China poses. Parliament will be informed of the findings once the audit has concluded.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, pursuant to the Answer of 19 December 2024 to Question 19310 on Syria: Religious Freedom, what recent discussions he has had with his Syrian counterparts on protecting freedom of religion or belief in that country.

The Foreign Secretary underlined the importance of an inclusive political process with interim Foreign Minister Al Shaybani during a meeting in Riyadh on 12 January. In December, senior Foreign Office officials met with the leader of Hayat Tahrir al-Sham and the interim Foreign Minister. They highlighted the need to protect the rights of all civilians, including religious minorities. We are closely monitoring the treatment of ethnic and religious minorities. No one should live in fear because of what they do or do not believe in. We will continue to advocate for the right of Freedom of Religion or Belief in Syria and for an inclusive political transition.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, pursuant to the Answer of 24 December 2024 to Question 19309 on Syria: Women, what recent discussions he has had with (a) women's rights activists, (b) women-led organisations and (c) women involved in the political process in Syria.

The Foreign Secretary and I have been engaging intensively with international and regional partners to support an inclusive political transition. The UK signed a joint statement with G7 leaders and another following the Aqaba Joint Contact Group ministerial meeting on Syria affirming that we stand ready to support a transition process that leads to credible, inclusive and non-sectarian governance with respect for human rights, including for women and minorities. Support to women and girls will continue to be at the heart of the UK's policy and programmes in Syria, including through active engagement with women's rights activists, women-led organisations and women involved in the political process.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, pursuant to the Answer of 19 December 2024 to Question 19311 on Syria: Development Aid, what discussions his Department has had at official level to support the transition process.

Senior officials, including the UK Special Representative for Syria, have been engaging intensively and widely with international and regional partners. Senior Foreign Office officials travelled to Damascus in December to underline the UK's support for the Syrian people and discuss the pathway towards a more hopeful, representative and peaceful future for Syria with the new interim Syrian authorities and civil society. They discussed the importance of an inclusive transitional political process, protecting the rights of all Syrians and preventing further instability.  The UK will continue to stand with the Syrian people in building a more stable, free and prosperous future.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what discussions he has had with his international counterparts on the provision of weapons to Sudan.

The Foreign Secretary regularly raises the Sudan conflict with his international counterparts, including UK concern over violations of the UN arms embargo. We have regularly condemned, including in the UN Security Council, the flow of external arms into Sudan and urged those who have influence over the parties to use it to bring them to the negotiating table to seek a political resolution to the conflict.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what discussions he has had with his Georgian counterpart since the parliamentary election in that country.

In response to recent events in Georgia, the Foreign Secretary announced on 9 December that the UK would suspend all programme support to the Georgian government, restricted defence cooperation, and limited engagement with representatives of Georgian Dream. On 16 December I spoke to Georgian Dream representative, Foreign Minister Bochorishvili, and on 23 December the Foreign Secretary spoke to the Georgian President, Zourabichvili. Both the Foreign Secretary and I expressed our concerns at the instability we were seeing in Georgia. I was clear that Georgia's negative democratic trajectory, including violence targeting peaceful demonstrators, opposition figures and journalists was unacceptable. On 19 December, the UK implemented sanctions against the Minister and Deputy Minister of Internal affairs and three police officials responsible for these violent actions. We will continue to keep our policies under close review.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what percentage of humanitarian aid spending on Sudan was spent on refugees outside of Sudan in the last 12 months.

100 per cent of our bilateral humanitarian ODA allocation to Sudan is spent in Sudan.Additionally, the UK continues to provide significant support to those fleeing Sudan, most recently with the Foreign Secretary announcing a major aid increase on 17 November to support people affected by the conflict, including in neighbouring countries, such as Chad and South Sudan.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what steps he is taking to help protect UK nationals in Europe from Dengue.

FCDO Travel Advice provides information to British nationals travelling overseas, including any health risks. Country Travel Advice pages link to the National Travel Health Network and Centre (NaTHNaC)'s Travel Health Pro website [https://travelhealthpro.org.uk/countries], which offers comprehensive health advice and country-specific advice to travellers on a full range of health issues, including dengue where appropriate. NaTHNaC is commissioned by the UK Health Security Agency to provide travel health advice to the British public. Travel Advice pages are kept under regular review.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what assessment he has made of the potential implications of the recent (a) Georgian parliamentary election and (b) presidential inauguration on UK-Georgia relations.

I made clear on 3 December that Georgia's continued steps away from democratic norms and freedoms will only serve to harm its international reputation, and risk fundamentally damaging relations with Georgia's friends and partners. In response to recent events in Georgia, the Foreign Secretary announced on 9 December that the UK would suspend all programme support to the Georgian government, restricted defence cooperation, and limited engagement with representatives of Georgian Dream. On 19 December the UK, in co-ordination with the USA, implemented sanctions against the Minister and Deputy Minister of Internal affairs and three police officials responsible for violent attacks against journalists and peaceful protestors in Georgia. The UK continues to work closely with NATO, European and American partners to support the Euro-Atlantic will of the Georgian People.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what assessment he has made of the potential implications of the recent (a) Georgian parliamentary election and (b) presidential inauguration on Georgia’s relationship with (i) the EU, (ii) the United States and (iii) NATO.

I made clear on 3 December that Georgia's continued steps away from democratic norms and freedoms will only serve to harm its international reputation, and risk fundamentally damaging relations with Georgia's friends and partners. In response to recent events in Georgia, the Foreign Secretary announced on 9 December that the UK would suspend all programme support to the Georgian government, restricted defence cooperation, and limited engagement with representatives of Georgian Dream. On 19 December the UK, in co-ordination with the USA, implemented sanctions against the Minister and Deputy Minister of Internal affairs and three police officials responsible for violent attacks against journalists and peaceful protestors in Georgia. The UK continues to work closely with NATO, European and American partners to support the Euro-Atlantic will of the Georgian People.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, pursuant to the Answer of 17 December 2024 to Question 19312 on Syria: British Nationals Abroad, what steps is he taking to provide consular support to British nationals in Syria.

Consular support is not available from the UK Government from within Syria as all British Embassy services in Damascus are suspended. This makes it difficult to provide direct assistance to British nationals located there. Nevertheless, each request for consular assistance from Syria is considered on a case-by-case basis, taking into account all relevant circumstances.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, pursuant to the Answer of 10 December 2024 to Question 16959 on Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance: Finance, what discussions he has had with international partners on supporting (a) Gavi and (b) upcoming global health replenishments; and when those discussions took place.

As Minister for Development, I met with both the CEO of Gavi and the Executive Director of the Global Fund last Autumn to discuss upcoming replenishments. The UK is one of the largest donors to both Gavi and the Global Fund and we want to see successful replenishments for both in 2025. UK funding decisions will be taken as part of the ongoing Spending Review and announced following its completion.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what steps his Department has taken to identify potential additional routes for humanitarian aid delivery into Sudan since July 2024.

The UK has continued to push for additional aid routes into Sudan, including through Aweil (from South Sudan to Sudan), to facilitate aid deliveries, particularly into areas held by the Rapid Support Forces; and for existing routes in to be free of bureaucratic and administrative impediments. In addition, the UK continues to press for improved cross-line routes, including into Khartoum. We raised the critical importance of increased humanitarian cross-border and cross-line access at open briefings at the UN Security Council on 19 December 2024 and 6 January 2025 and have engaged directly with the new Emergency Relief Coordinator, Tom Fletcher, on the UN response. On 25 November 2024, the Foreign Secretary chaired a Sudan meeting with G7 and Arab Quint Foreign Ministers to discuss joint steps to improve humanitarian access, protect civilians, and increase aid.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what recent discussions he has had with his Israeli counterparts on their commitments to ensure aid delivery into Gaza.

The UK has made repeatedly clear to the Israeli authorities the need to improve aid delivery and increase the variety and volume of goods reaching Gaza. The Foreign Secretary made this clear in a call with Israeli Foreign Minister Sa'ar on 8 December. I have raised the dire situation in northern Gaza with both the Israeli Deputy Foreign Minister and the Israeli Ambassador to the UK on several occasions, most recently on 3 January. As I made clear to Parliament on 7 January, the scale of human suffering is unimaginable. We have been clear that this is a man-made crisis and Israel must act immediately to address it.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what steps he is taking with international partners to facilitate mediation between parties to reduce conflict in the Middle East.

The UK works closely with regional and international partners to reduce conflict in the Middle East. The UK is at the forefront of the response to fast moving events in Syria, engaging regularly with international partners to support a Syrian-led and Syrian-owned political transition process leading to an inclusive, non-sectarian and representative government and reduced conflict. The UK supports political efforts to achieve a lasting solution to the Israeli/Palestinian conflict. The Foreign Secretary met Israeli Foreign Minister Sa'ar in Israel on 13 January, and stressed to him the urgent need for an immediate ceasefire with all restrictions on aid to Gaza lifted. In Lebanon, UK support to the Lebanese Armed Forces underpins the ceasefire conditions agreed in November 2024 and seeks to implement UNSCR 1701. In Yemen, the UK supports the UN Special Envoy's office work on dialogue and mediation. With Qatar, the UK will host a forum to exchange conflict resolution and mediation expertise to further our joint commitment to peace in the Middle East.