Written questions by Jogee.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what recent assessment she has made of the security situation in Nigeria.

I refer the Hon Member to the Written Ministerial Statement of 27 November 2025.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, if she will discuss the adequacy of financial contributions made by member states to the Commonwealth Secretariat with her Maltese counterpart.

The UK is the largest donor to Commonwealth institutions and their programmes. We support reform of the Commonwealth Secretariat to help place the organisation on a more sustainable financial footing and encourage member states to contribute as appropriate to support Commonwealth activity.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, if she will discuss the adequacy of financial contributions made by member states to the Commonwealth Secretariat with her South African counterpart.

The UK is the largest donor to Commonwealth institutions and their programmes. We support reform of the Commonwealth Secretariat to help place the organisation on a more sustainable financial footing and encourage member states to contribute as appropriate to support Commonwealth activity.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, if she will discuss the adequacy of financial contributions made by member states to the Commonwealth Secretariat with her New Zealand counterpart.

The UK is the largest donor to Commonwealth institutions and their programmes. We support reform of the Commonwealth Secretariat to help place the organisation on a more sustainable financial footing and encourage member states to contribute as appropriate to support Commonwealth activity.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what engagement His Majesty’s Government has had with the Nigerian government about the support it may provide to Nigerian efforts to tackle jihadist groups operating in that country.

I refer the Hon Member to the Written Ministerial Statement of 27 November 2025.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what recent assessment she has made of the political situation in St Vincent and the Grenadines.

The UK shares a close, historic relationship with St Vincent and the Grenadines, and we look forward to that relationship continuing under Prime Minister Friday's newly-elected Government.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, if she will discuss the adequacy of financial contributions made by member states to the Commonwealth Secretariat with her Canadian counterpart.

The UK is the largest donor to Commonwealth institutions and their programmes. We support reform of the Commonwealth Secretariat to help place the organisation on a more sustainable financial footing and encourage member states to contribute as appropriate to support Commonwealth activity.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what assessment she has made of the effectiveness and adequacy of British support for the clean up in Jamaica following Hurricane Melissa.

I refer the Hon Member to the written ministerial statement on the Government response to Hurricane Melissa published on 11 December 2025 (HCWS1159).

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, if she will discuss the adequacy of financial contributions made by member states to the Commonwealth Secretariat with her Nigerian counterpart.

The UK is the largest donor to Commonwealth institutions and their programmes. We support reform of the Commonwealth Secretariat to help place the organisation on a more sustainable financial footing and encourage member states to contribute as appropriate to support Commonwealth activity.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what discussions she has had with His Majesty’s Treasury about the potential of increased financial support for the Commonwealth Secretariat.

The UK is the largest donor to Commonwealth institutions and their programmes. We support reform of the Commonwealth Secretariat to help place the organisation on a more sustainable financial footing and encourage member states to contribute as appropriate to support Commonwealth activity.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, if she will discuss the adequacy of financial contributions made by member states to the Commonwealth Secretariat with her Indian counterpart.

The UK is the largest donor to Commonwealth institutions and their programmes. We support reform of the Commonwealth Secretariat to help place the organisation on a more sustainable financial footing and encourage member states to contribute as appropriate to support Commonwealth activity.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what assessment she has made of the adequacy of the financial contributions made by a) Australia, b) New Zealand, c) Canada and d) India to the Commonwealth Secretariat.

The UK is the largest donor to Commonwealth institutions and their programmes. We support reform of the Commonwealth Secretariat to help place the organisation on a more sustainable financial footing and encourage member states to contribute as appropriate to support Commonwealth activity.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, if she will make an assessment of the potential implications for her policies of the potential impact of the death of Begum Khaleda Zia on the a) security, b) political and c) economic situation in Bangladesh.

No such assessment is considered necessary at this time, but our condolences go to the friends and family of the late Khaleda Zia, and to the millions in Bangladesh who are mourning the loss of the country's first female Prime Minister.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what recent assessment she has made of the security situation in Myanmar.

The UK's security assessment for Myanmar is kept up-to-date on the FCDO Travel Advice: https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/myanmar/safety-and-security.On the economic side, poverty rates, food insecurity and forced labour in the country remain significant concerns. Advice to UK business operating in Myanmar can be found here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/overseas-business-risk-myanmar-burma.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what discussions she has had with her European counterparts following the fire in Crans-Montana.

Following the tragic deaths and injuries in Crans-Montana the Foreign Secretary and I contacted our Swiss counterparts to express the UK's condolences and offer assistance, as did the Prime Minister with his counterpart.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what recent assessment she has made of the economic situation in Myanmar.

The UK's security assessment for Myanmar is kept up-to-date on the FCDO Travel Advice: https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/myanmar/safety-and-security.On the economic side, poverty rates, food insecurity and forced labour in the country remain significant concerns. Advice to UK business operating in Myanmar can be found here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/overseas-business-risk-myanmar-burma.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of the Republic of Ghana joining the Francophonie on the work of the Commonwealth.

Ghana's full membership of the International Organisation of La Francophonie was confirmed more than fifteen months ago, and there are no indications that it has had any impact on Ghana's status as a historic and valued partner in the Commonwealth.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether she has considered the potential merits of hosting a stand alone UK-Africa summit in the United Kingdom.

The Government regularly engages with African countries and African regional bodies. Any announcements of future summits to be hosted, or attended by, the UK Government will be made in the normal way in due course.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what recent engagement His Majesty’s Government has had with IGAD about a) food security and b) regional stability in East Africa.

We remain in regular contact with members of IGAD on a range of regional issues, including through the UK's Representative to IGAD based in Djibouti.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what discussions she has had with the Government of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan regarding the imprisonment of former Prime Minister, Imran Khan.

While judicial matters are for Pakistan's courts, the UK has consistently emphasised to its counterparts in Pakistan the need for due process, fair trials, and humane treatment for all, including Mr Imran Khan. I covered these matters during a wide-ranging discussion with Pakistan's Deputy Prime Minister when we met in August 2025.