Every parliamentary written question tabled by Laurence Turner this session, with the full answer and department. See how every department answers, or back to the MP page.
Showing 1–11 of 11 · Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office
Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what representations she is making to G7 partner nations on the prevention of transnational repression.
I refer the Hon Member to the answer provided on 11 December 2025 in response to Question 97660.
Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what assessment he has made of the potential merits of facilitating repatriation flights for UK nationals in Iran.
The safety and security of British nationals (BNs) is our top priority. We have long advised against all travel to Iran. We have taken the precautionary measure to temporarily withdraw our UK staff from Iran. The embassy will continue to operate remotely. The UK Government will not be able to evacuate or provide face-to-face assistance to BNs. If BNs intend to depart Iran across a land border and consider it safe, they should check the travel advice of the country they intend to enter before travelling to the border, including visa requirements. BNs requiring assistance can contact the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office 24/7.
Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what recent steps he has taken to progress Sustainable Development Goal 4.
With some 250 million children, and growing, out of school globally, it is very unlikely that Sustainable Development Goal 4 (SDG4) will be met by 2030. The UK is working with the humanitarian system, leveraging multilateral institutions' funding, and strategically deploying scarce resources to improve access to quality education through stronger systems.For example, in November 2024, the UK provided £14 million of earmarked support for Sudanese refugees through Education Cannot Wait. This funding supports 200,000 vulnerable displaced children with education interventions in Sudan and reaches Sudanese refugee populations in Central African Republic, Chad, Ethiopia, Libya, South Sudan and Uganda.With a global annual financing gap of $97 billion to deliver SDG4, the UK is working to unlock additional education finance through mechanisms such as the innovative International Finance Facility for Education, which will unlock up to $1 billion in additional and affordable education finance for lower middle-income country governments, providing a seven-fold return on our investment.
Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what recent discussions he has had with his counterpart in Colombia on the potential renewal of the UK-Colombia Bilateral Investment Treaty.
The Government has not been formally approached by the Colombian government about proposals to amend the UK-Colombia Bilateral Investment Treaty (BIT). The Government regards the UK-Colombia BIT as playing an important role in the investment relationship between our two countries. The stock of total investment between the UK and Colombia was £6.8 billion in 2023. Following the UK-Colombia BIT's initial ten-year term, in accordance with the treaty's provisions, it shall remain in force indefinitely unless it is terminated by either Party.
Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what contracts (a) BFS Group Limited and (b) subsidiary companies of BFS Group Limited hold with (i) his Department and (ii) agencies of his Department.
Based on review of available data held centrally, the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) does not have any contracts with the company 'BFS Group Limited' or any of its subsidiaries. There have only been a handful of low-value transitions with the vendor across the FCDO network: totalling less than £15,000 from April 2023 onwards. The FCDO does not hold data on behalf of our agencies and so the member will need to engage with them directly for confirmation.
Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what recent assessment he has made of the impact of (a) UK and (b) other sanctions on Russian economic performance.
Our Russia sanctions are restricting Putin's war machine and degrading his military. Sanctions have deprived Russia of over $400 billion since February 2022, equivalent to four more years of funding for the invasion. We have sanctioned 73 vessels forming ...
Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what recent assessment he has made of the implications for his policies of the humanitarian situation in the north of Gaza.
The humanitarian situation in Gaza is unacceptable. The Foreign Secretary's statement to Parliament underlined our serious concern about northern Gaza. On 16th October I visited Al-Arish and saw the scale of humanitarian aid denied entry into Gaza, Israel...
Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether his Department has made an assessment of the potential implications for its policies of the (a) findings and (b) recommendations of the report entitled Detention in t
As the Foreign Secretary outlined in his statement to the House of Commons on 2 September, the UK's concern about the treatment of detainees was one of the factors determining the UK's decision to suspend certain arms export licences to Israel that could ...
Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what steps he is taking to help (a) reduce hostilities and (b) secure deliveries of humanitarian aid in Darfur.
The UK is pursuing all diplomatic avenues to press the warring parties into a permanent ceasefire, allow unrestricted humanitarian access, protect civilians and commit to a sustained and meaningful peace process. We will continue to support and encourage international mediation efforts by: using our influence on the multilateral stage; direct messaging to the warring parties; and pressing for greater coordination between the different mediation tracks. We welcomed the re-opening of the Adre border on the 15 August. However, the warring parties must remove any unnecessary restrictions on trucks moving through Adre to urgently facilitate unimpeded access to those most in need. The UK called a UN Security Council session on 6 August to urgently discuss the findings by the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC)'s Famine Review Committee that famine is present in Sudan's Zamzam Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) camp in Northern Darfur, and we called on the warring parties to stop the obstruction of aid.
Commonwealth and Development Affairs, pursuant to the Answer of 30 July 2024 to Question 863 on Special Envoy on Freedom of Religion or Belief, when he plans to decide on the special envoy roles.
This Government will champion freedom of religion or belief (FoRB) for all abroad. No one should live in fear because of what they do, or do not, believe in. Envoy roles are under Ministerial consideration and will be decided upon in due course. In the meantime, we will continue to use the strength of our global diplomatic network, including dedicated staff within the FCDO, to promote and protect FoRB around the world.
Commonwealth and Development Affairs, if he will resume funding for the UN Relief and Works Agency.
As the Foreign Secretary announced on 19 July, UNRWA is absolutely central to humanitarian efforts on Gaza. It also plays a critical role in the wider region in providing essential services, including healthcare and education, to Palestinian refugees. The UK is committed to supporting UNRWA's lifesaving work, and will resume funding, releasing £21 million new funding for its work in Gaza and the region.