Every parliamentary written question tabled by Chris Law this session, with the full answer and department. See how every department answers, or back to the MP page.
Showing 261–278 of 278 · this parliament
Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what recent discussions he has had with his Azerbaijani counterpart on the detention of Dr Gubad Ibadoghlu in Baku.
Since Dr Gubad Ibadoghlu's arrest in July 2023, the UK has consistently advocated for appropriate medical access and treatment, and the right to a fair legal process. Following his arrest, the UK released a joint statement with the US, France and Germany ...
Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether his Department has taken recent steps to secure the release of Dr Gubad Ibadoghlu from detention in Azerbaijan.
Since Dr Gubad Ibadoghlu's arrest in July 2023, the UK has consistently advocated for appropriate medical access and treatment, and the right to a fair legal process. Following his arrest, the UK released a joint statement with the US, France and Germany ...
Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what recent assessment his Department has made of the Azerbaijani government’s (a) human rights record and (b) treatment of political dissidents.
Along with our international partners, we continue to urge Azerbaijan to improve human rights protections for all its citizens. Azerbaijan's hosting of COP29 in November provides the country with an opportunity to demonstrate meaningful action in this reg...
Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what steps he is taking with his international counterparts to help safeguard human rights defenders in Azerbaijan (a) before, (b) during and (c) after COP29.
Along with our international partners, we continue to urge Azerbaijan to improve human rights protections for all its citizens. Azerbaijan's hosting of COP29 in November provides the country with an opportunity to demonstrate meaningful action in this reg...
With reference to the Labour Party's publication entitled Labour’s plan to make work pay: Delivering a new deal for working people, published in May 2024, whether she plans to incorporate (a) that plan
This Government is committed to delivering the Plan to Make Work Pay in full and updating Britain's employment protections, so they are fit for our modern economy and the future of work. As set out in the Plan to Make to Work Pay we are committed to stren...
What steps he plans to take through new employment rights legislation to help tackle challenges for people with (a) multiple sclerosis and (b) other fluctuating conditions in the workplace.
The Government has been clear that it will consult extensively with a wide range of stakeholders when developing new employment rights legislation. That will include those representing people with multiple sclerosis. The Government has set out its immedia...
What steps he plans to take with Cabinet colleagues to (a) engage and (b) consult with people with multiple sclerosis when developing new employment rights legislation.
The Government has been clear that it will consult extensively with a wide range of stakeholders when developing new employment rights legislation. That will include those representing people with multiple sclerosis. The Government has set out its immedia...
Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what steps his Department is taking to help (a) support the safety of and (b) increase accountability for attacks on humanitarian workers.
The FCDO supports the safety of humanitarian workers by investing in protective measures that our partners need to safely work, championing International Humanitarian Law, and using UK seats at key multilateral fora to raise awareness and promote accounta...
Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what recent assessment his Department has made of the potential implications for his policies of (a) arbitrary detainment of prisoners in Azerbaijan and (b) reports of human
The UK government remains concerned by reports of serious allegations of severe acts of ill-treatment and torture in prisons in Azerbaijan. In line with international human rights law, we continue to urge the authorities to ensure those in detention are: ...
Commonwealth and Development Affairs, with reference to the report entitled The state of food security and nutrition in the world 2024 by the Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations, published in August 2024, what assessment he has made of the potential implications for his policies of the estimate that 582 million people will be chronically food insecure in 2030.
The UK, the UN and other states use the findings of the State of Food Security and Nutrition in the World report extensively. The persisting high levels of food insecurity and malnutrition are concerning. We are committed to addressing these, working alongside partners to provide immediate humanitarian support, tackle the causes of food insecurity and malnutrition, and leverage UK-funded science and technology expertise for more climate-resilient food systems. At the G20 Development Ministers Meeting in July, I announced the UK would join the Global Alliance against Hunger and Poverty to lift ambition, ensure better international coordination, and unlock much-needed finance.
Commonwealth and Development Affairs, with reference to the report entitled The state of food security and nutrition in the world 2024 by the Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations, published in August 2024, what steps his Department plans to take to support initiatives to close the financing gap for food security and nutrition.
We are harnessing more and better-deployed finance for food, agriculture and nutrition. At the G20 Development Ministers Meeting in July, I announced the UK would join the Global Alliance against Hunger and Poverty to work in partnership to unlock much needed finance. We also support the G7 Apulia Food Systems Initiative which seeks to improve public and private funding for food security. We work to unlock climate finance, push multilateral development banks to stretch their balance sheets, provide technical assistance and finance to bring in more private sector investment, and support the reform of subsidies for more sustainable agriculture.
Commonwealth and Development Affairs, if he will make an assessment of the potential implications for his policies of the Knesset's decision not to recognise a Palestinian state.
The UK's position remains the same, we are committed to recognising a Palestinian state as a key step in the path to a two-state solution. Palestinian statehood is the inalienable right of the Palestinian people. It is not in the gift of any neighbour and is also essential to the long-term security of Israel. We will recognise a Palestinian State as a contribution to a peace process to deliver a two-state solution, with a safe and secure Israel alongside a viable and sovereign Palestinian state.
Commonwealth and Development Affairs, if he will publish his Department's legal advice on Israel's compliance with international humanitarian law.
The Foreign Secretary has committed to being transparent when making decisions on IHL assessments. As soon as the Foreign Secretary took office, he commissioned new advice on Israel's compliance with IHL, in the context of the war in Gaza. This decision on IHL, and the Government's decision on the related issue of arms exports, will be made public when the process is complete.
Commonwealth and Development Affairs, if he will make an assessment of the potential implications for his policies of the Oxfam report entitled Water War Crimes, published on 18 July 2024.
International Humanitarian Law provides for the protection of civilians and civilian objects, which includes water supply. Israel must take steps working with humanitarian agencies to fully restore water supplies and to significantly increase the flow of aid into and through Gaza. We have consistently raised water supplies and the opening of vital water lines with Israel throughout the conflict. During the Foreign Secretary's visit to Israel on 14-15 July, he made clear to Prime Minister Netanyahu and other interlocutors that Israel must meet its commitment to "flood Gaza with aid".
Commonwealth and Development Affairs, if he will make representations to the Israeli Government on increasing the flow of water to Gaza through the Mekorot water supply lines.
International Humanitarian Law provides for the protection of civilians and civilian objects, which includes water supply. Israel must take steps working with humanitarian agencies to fully restore water supplies and to significantly increase the flow of aid into and through Gaza. We have consistently raised water supplies and the opening of vital water lines with Israel throughout the conflict. During the Foreign Secretary's visit to Israel on 14-15 July, he made clear to Prime Minister Netanyahu and other interlocutors that Israel must meet its commitment to "flood Gaza with aid".
Commonwealth and Development Affairs, with reference to the findings of the Oxfam report of 18 July 2024 entitled Water War Crimes, whether his Department plans to review Government legal advice on arms sales to Israel.
We have been clear that the government must uphold both our domestic and international legal obligations when it comes to arms exports as set out in the Strategic Export Licensing Criteria. As soon as the Foreign Secretary took office he commissioned a review of International Humanitarian Law in relation to operations in Gaza. That review process is underway and requires careful consideration. The Foreign Secretary will make public his decision on Israel's compliance as soon as that process is complete.
Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what estimate he has made of the financial cost to UK-funded aid programmes in the Occupied Palestinian Territories as a result of having been destroyed or seized by Israeli forces (a) since 7 October 2023, (b) over the last 12 months, (c) over the last five years.
The FCDO does not routinely make estimates of this information over these timescales. We are aware, however, of a number of aid organisations based in Gaza whose operations have been curtailed or damaged by Israeli military action since 7 October, including 57 organisation that had been given grants by the UK for a total amount of £600,000 through the FCDO Private Sector Support Programme.Since 7 October the UK has also provided £19,750,000 to the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) Occupied Palestinian Territories pooled fund, which is used to support critical responses to emerging needs through UN agencies, INGOs and NGOs. OCHA has published data (which is publicly available) on demolitions, evictions, confiscations, and other related incidents since 2009.
Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what recent estimate he has made of the number of UK-funded aid programmes in the Occupied Palestinian Territories that have been destroyed or seized by Israeli forces (a) since 7 October 2023, (b) over the last 12 months and (c) over the last five years.
The FCDO does not routinely make estimates of this information over these timescales. We are aware, however, of a number of aid organisations based in Gaza whose operations have been curtailed or damaged by Israeli military action since 7 October, including 57 organisation that had been given grants by the UK for a total amount of £600,000 through the FCDO Private Sector Support Programme.Since 7 October the UK has also provided £19,750,000 to the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) Occupied Palestinian Territories pooled fund, which is used to support critical responses to emerging needs through UN agencies, INGOs and NGOs. OCHA has published data (which is publicly available) on demolitions, evictions, confiscations, and other related incidents since 2009.