Written questions by McMurdock.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what recent discussions she has had with international partners on hybrid threats from Russia.

I refer the Hon Member to the Foreign Secretary's Locarno Centenary speech on 7 December, and to the evidence I gave to the Foreign Affairs Committee on 6 January, links to both of which can be found below:https://www.gov.uk/government/speeches/the-foreign-secretarys-locarno-centenary-speechhttps://committees.parliament.uk/event/26037/formal-meeting-oral-evidence-session/

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what assessment her Department has made of the potential impact of the UK-Italy Young Leaders Programme on the level of UK-Italy trade in the next five years.

The Young Leaders Programme was launched in 2023 and aims to strengthen ties between the UK and Italy, the third largest economy in the EU, the UK's 9th largest trading partner, and a key NATO ally. The programme promotes collaboration between young UK and Italian professionals, including in trade and commercial fields, and its 26 participants to date have been evenly split between citizens of the two countries. The UK allocated £20,000 to the programme in both 2023/24 and 2024/25, our selection process is still open for 25/26 and we have allocated £46,500 in 2025/26 to reflect the increasing number of participants and the activities of the alumni network for past participants.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, how many British citizens have participated in the UK-Italy Young Leaders Programme.

The Young Leaders Programme was launched in 2023 and aims to strengthen ties between the UK and Italy, the third largest economy in the EU, the UK's 9th largest trading partner, and a key NATO ally. The programme promotes collaboration between young UK and Italian professionals, including in trade and commercial fields, and its 26 participants to date have been evenly split between citizens of the two countries. The UK allocated £20,000 to the programme in both 2023/24 and 2024/25, our selection process is still open for 25/26 and we have allocated £46,500 in 2025/26 to reflect the increasing number of participants and the activities of the alumni network for past participants.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, how she a) identifies and b) conducts due diligence on third-party contractors used to distribute UK financial aid.

The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) conducts background checks and risk assessment of the UK's aid partners, and continually monitors all funding programmes to make sure money is spent as intended. The Independent Commission for Aid Impact reviewed the FCDO's system for managing aid in 2023, including the mandatory rules for FCDO programmes, calling it a credible and appropriate framework.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what steps she is taking to ensure that financial aid to a) Yemen, b) Nigeria, c) Sudan and d) Palestine is not provided to proscribed terrorist organisations.

The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) conducts background checks and risk assessment of the UK's aid partners, and continually monitors all funding programmes to make sure money is spent as intended. The Independent Commission for Aid Impact reviewed the FCDO's system for managing aid in 2023, including the mandatory rules for FCDO programmes, calling it a credible and appropriate framework.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what proportion of UK financial aid is distributed via Cash and Voucher Assistance.

The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) conducts background checks and risk assessment of the UK's aid partners, and continually monitors all funding programmes to make sure money is spent as intended. The Independent Commission for Aid Impact reviewed the FCDO's system for managing aid in 2023, including the mandatory rules for FCDO programmes, calling it a credible and appropriate framework.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what assessment she has made of the threat posed by the Russian Federation’s hybrid activities against the United Kingdom.

I refer the Hon Member to the Foreign Secretary's Locarno Centenary speech on 7 December, and to the evidence I gave to the Foreign Affairs Committee on 6 January, links to both of which can be found below:https://www.gov.uk/government/speeches/the-foreign-secretarys-locarno-centenary-speechhttps://committees.parliament.uk/event/26037/formal-meeting-oral-evidence-session/

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what the annual cost is to the public purse of the UK-Italy Young Leaders Programme.

The Young Leaders Programme was launched in 2023 and aims to strengthen ties between the UK and Italy, the third largest economy in the EU, the UK's 9th largest trading partner, and a key NATO ally. The programme promotes collaboration between young UK and Italian professionals, including in trade and commercial fields, and its 26 participants to date have been evenly split between citizens of the two countries. The UK allocated £20,000 to the programme in both 2023/24 and 2024/25, our selection process is still open for 25/26 and we have allocated £46,500 in 2025/26 to reflect the increasing number of participants and the activities of the alumni network for past participants.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what assessment she had made of the potential impact of the proposed UK-Spain treaty on Gibraltar on British citizens visiting Gibraltar.

I refer the Hon Member to the answer provided on 27 June 2025 to Question 60853.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what estimate she has made of UK financial aid distributed via Cash and Voucher Assistance by recipient country.

The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) conducts background checks and risk assessment of the UK's aid partners, and continually monitors all funding programmes to make sure money is spent as intended. The Independent Commission for Aid Impact reviewed the FCDO's system for managing aid in 2023, including the mandatory rules for FCDO programmes, calling it a credible and appropriate framework.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what assessment she has made of the effectiveness of the UK’s previous diplomatic responses to the Russian Federation’s hybrid activities.

I refer the Hon Member to the Foreign Secretary's Locarno Centenary speech on 7 December, and to the evidence I gave to the Foreign Affairs Committee on 6 January, links to both of which can be found below:https://www.gov.uk/government/speeches/the-foreign-secretarys-locarno-centenary-speechhttps://committees.parliament.uk/event/26037/formal-meeting-oral-evidence-session/

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what mechanisms she uses to monitor and evaluate the return on investment generated by British International Investment.

I refer the Hon Member to the answer provided on 12 May in response to Question 49375.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, if she will publish data on the use of (a) aid funding and (b) existing assets by British International Investment to generate investment returns in low income countries.

I refer the Hon. Member to the answer provided on 6 May 2025 in response to Question 48105.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, how she (a) monitors and (b) evaluates the return on investment of British International Investment funded projects.

I refer the Hon. Member to the answer provided on 6 May 2025 in response to Question 48105.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what assessment she has made of the value for money of British International Investment’s use of UK aid funding in low income countries.

I refer the Hon. Member to the answer provided on 6 May 2025 in response to Question 48105.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what recent steps she has taken to seek the release of (a) Aung San Suu Kyi and (b) other political prisoners in Myanmar.

On 1 February, the former Foreign Secretary called for Aung San Suu Kyi's release and all those arbitrarily detained. In April, we co-sponsored the UN Human Rights Council Resolution on Myanmar, calling for the immediate and unconditional release of all those who have been arbitrarily detained, including Aung San Suu Kyi. On 19 June, to mark Aung San Suu Kyi's 80th birthday, the former Minister for the Indo-Pacific called for her release and for all those arbitrarily detained. Most recently, this month our Head of Mission in Yangon reiterated these concerns about arbitrary detention, including that of Aung San Suu Kyi, and encouraged the Myanmar military regime to grant access to Aung San Suu Kyi's family.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what recent assessment he has made of the potential implications for his policies of the political situation in Uganda.

The UK works with the Government of Uganda on a range of shared interests including trade, development, and regional security. The Minister for Africa has spoken regularly to Ugandan Ministers, including on areas of cooperation and on issues related to human rights. The UK will continue to pursue shared interests with the Government of Uganda while maintaining diplomatic channels on a range of issues, including governance.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, if he will make an assessment of the potential merits of reducing the UK’s financial contributions to the United Nations and its agencies.

The UN is an important forum to counter those who oppose democracy, human rights, and free economies. It offers the UK a platform with global reach to play a leading role in solving international challenges - including the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and tackling climate change.We want the UN to be as effective, efficient, and accountable as possible. The UK uses its influence to push for greater coherence and impact across the UN system in order to make the system more efficient, more representative and more responsive to those who need it most. The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO), together with colleagues across Government, actively works to ensure UK financial contributions to the United Nations and its agencies represent value for money to the British taxpayer and align with UK national interests. The FCDO rigorously scrutinises all UN budget proposals to ensure the proposed activities are in line with UK priorities and we continue to adjust the UK's engagement across the UN system to ensure the most effective promotion of UK interests.The Chancellor has launched Phase 2 of the Spending Review, covering 2026/27 to 2028/29. This will zero-base all spending, conducting a full line-by-line review of all public spending to assess whether it is a priority for this government and represents value for money for the taxpayer. The Spending Review will conclude on 11 June 2025.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether his Department has made an assessment of the cost-effectiveness of the UK's financial contributions to the United Nations and its agencies.

The UN is an important forum to counter those who oppose democracy, human rights, and free economies. It offers the UK a platform with global reach to play a leading role in solving international challenges - including the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and tackling climate change.We want the UN to be as effective, efficient, and accountable as possible. The UK uses its influence to push for greater coherence and impact across the UN system in order to make the system more efficient, more representative and more responsive to those who need it most. The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO), together with colleagues across Government, actively works to ensure UK financial contributions to the United Nations and its agencies represent value for money to the British taxpayer and align with UK national interests. The FCDO rigorously scrutinises all UN budget proposals to ensure the proposed activities are in line with UK priorities and we continue to adjust the UK's engagement across the UN system to ensure the most effective promotion of UK interests.The Chancellor has launched Phase 2 of the Spending Review, covering 2026/27 to 2028/29. This will zero-base all spending, conducting a full line-by-line review of all public spending to assess whether it is a priority for this government and represents value for money for the taxpayer. The Spending Review will conclude on 11 June 2025.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether he has made an assessment of the potential merits of reviewing the UK's engagement with the United Nations.

The UN is an important forum to counter those who oppose democracy, human rights, and free economies. It offers the UK a platform with global reach to play a leading role in solving international challenges - including the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and tackling climate change.We want the UN to be as effective, efficient, and accountable as possible. The UK uses its influence to push for greater coherence and impact across the UN system in order to make the system more efficient, more representative and more responsive to those who need it most. The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO), together with colleagues across Government, actively works to ensure UK financial contributions to the United Nations and its agencies represent value for money to the British taxpayer and align with UK national interests. The FCDO rigorously scrutinises all UN budget proposals to ensure the proposed activities are in line with UK priorities and we continue to adjust the UK's engagement across the UN system to ensure the most effective promotion of UK interests.The Chancellor has launched Phase 2 of the Spending Review, covering 2026/27 to 2028/29. This will zero-base all spending, conducting a full line-by-line review of all public spending to assess whether it is a priority for this government and represents value for money for the taxpayer. The Spending Review will conclude on 11 June 2025.