Written questions by Morton.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, pursuant to the Answer of 2 April 2025 to Question 41094 on Aid Workers: Armed Conflict, what assessment his Department has made of the effectiveness of UN Security Council Resolution 2730 in protecting those Humanitarian Aid workers in areas of conflict and instability.

The scale and severity of threats to humanitarian aid workers is alarming. The UK co-sponsored UN Security Council Resolution (UNSCR) 2730 to draw attention to the protection of humanitarian aid workers, including protection for national personnel who often face higher risks, and to request the UN Secretary General to update the UN Security Council (UNSC) annually on progress to protect humanitarian personnel.Under the auspices of UNSCR 2730, in November 2024 the UK invited the Aid Worker Security Database founder to brief the council on the scale of the issue. In April 2025, the UK called for investigations into the tragic deaths of Palestinian Red Crescent Society staff and called on Israel to support the search for a missing staff member.We also use our seat at the UNSC to condemn specific incidents, including: the attack on Zamzam refugee camp in Sudan; the tragic deaths of World Central Kitchen staff in Gaza; and incidents in Ukraine.The UK has also joined an Australian-led Foreign Ministers' initiative to develop a political declaration to enhance protection for humanitarian personnel and complement UNSCR 2730 by galvanising collective action.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what diplomatic steps he is encourage democracy and human rights in Belarus; and what recent discussions he has had with his counterparts in Belarus on the disappearance of (a) opposition activists and (b) Anzhelika Melnikava.

We are deeply concerned by the ongoing repression that the Lukashenko regime conducts against its own people. The UK works closely with its likeminded partners on the ground in Minsk, in capitals, and in international organisations such as the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe, UN, and International Labour Organization to encourage democracy and human rights in Belarus. In August 2024, the UK announced £2.5 million of funding to support Belarusian human rights and civil society causes.I am concerned by reports of Angelika Melnikava's disappearance. Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office officials are following the case closely. While the situation remains unclear, I have not raised this with Belarusian counterparts.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what discussions he has had with his counterpart in Poland on reports of the 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. While the situation remains unclear, we have not raised this with the Polish government.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what discussions he has had with his European counterparts on accountability for the actions of the Lukashenko regime.

I condemn Belarus' relentless repression, which continues to become ever more draconian and punitive. The UK works closely with our likeminded partners on the ground in Minsk, in capitals, and in international organisations to work to hold the Lukashenko regime to account.The UK also co-sponsors the UN's accountability mandates and works on accountability measures through the International Accountability Platform for Belarus, which the UK led in establishing in 2021, working alongside Germany, Denmark, and a range of other partners. We also coordinate with our European partners on statements, sanctions, and work in Minsk to hold the regime to account.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what assessment he has made of the potential implications for his policies of (a) political repression and (b) reports of the disappearance of Anzhelika Melnikava.

We are appalled by the repression that the Lukashenko regime conducts against its own people. UK policy on Belarus seeks to support a more open society, democracy, and human rights, directly opposing political repression. In August 2024, the UK announced £2.5 million of funding to support Belarusian human rights and civil society causes in their work against political repression. Additionally, in January, the UK led a joint statement with Australia, Canada, the EU, and New Zealand, condemning the January presidential elections as a sham.I am concerned by reports of Angelika Melnikava's disappearance. FCDO officials are following the case closely.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of planned reductions to the Official Development Assistance budget on the effectiveness of programmes to tackle infectious diseases.

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.We plan to publish final 2025/26 ODA programme allocations in the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office 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, 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, 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, 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 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.

Food and Rural Affairs, pursuant to the Answer of 10 April 2025 to Question 43886 on Sustainable Farming Incentive, what his planned timetable is for the (a) launch date, (b) details, (c) application period, (d) determination and (e) awarding of funding for the replacement scheme.

Defra will be working closely with farmers and industry stakeholders to design a future Sustainable Farming Incentive (SFI) offer that fairly and responsibly directs funding. This future SFI offer will build on what has made SFI effective so far. Further details about the reformed SFI offer will be announced following the spending review in summer 2025.

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 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.

What discussions she has had with the Police and Crime Commissioner for the West Midlands on the number of neighbourhood police officers based in Aldridge-Brownhills constituency.

The Government is committed to strong neighbourhood policing for everyone in England and Wales, no matter where they live.As the Prime Minister announced on 10 April, by July, every community will have named and contactable officers dedicated to addressing the issues facing their communities as part of the Government’s Neighbourhood Policing Guarantee.We are providing £200 million to police forces in financial year 2025/26 to kickstart the recruitment of 13,000 more neighbourhood policing personnel across the country.West Midlands Police has been allocated £12,210,903 for 2025/26. Based on their funding allocation, the projected growth for West Midlands Police over 2025/26 will be 289 police officers (FTE) and 20 Police Community Support Officers (FTE).

What estimate she has made of the number of named neighbourhood police officers in Aldridge-Brownhills constituency.

The Government is committed to strong neighbourhood policing for everyone in England and Wales, no matter where they live.As the Prime Minister announced on 10 April, by July, every community will have named and contactable officers dedicated to addressing the issues facing their communities as part of the Government's Neighbourhood Policing Guarantee.We are providing £200 million to police forces in financial year 2025/26 to kickstart the recruitment of 13,000 more neighbourhood policing personnel across the country.West Midlands Police has been allocated £12,210,903 for 2025/26. Based on their funding allocation, the projected growth for West Midlands Police over 2025/26 will be 289 police officers (FTE) and 20 Police Community Support Officers (FTE).

What assessment she has made of the effectiveness of mobile speed camera vans in reducing speeding in (a) the West Midlands and (b) Aldridge-Brownhills constituency.

The use of mobile speed camera vans to enforce speed limits is an operational matter for West Midlands Police.Excess speed is a major cause of death and serious injury on our roads and anyone who breaks the speed limit should expect to face proper sanction.