Written questions by Patel.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, pursuant to the Answers of 6 December 2024 to Question 16721 and of 9 December 2024 to Question 16720 on British Indian Ocean Territory: Sovereignty, for what reason he was unable to provide the information requested; and when he plans to make a decision on publishing such details associated with that appointment.

Discussions between the UK and Mauritius on the future exercise of sovereignty over the British Indian Ocean Territory remain ongoing. It is not appropriate to provide a running commentary on engagement between UK and Mauritian officials. As set out in the joint statements on 20 December and 13 January, we will continue to work closely with Mauritius to conclude a deal that is in both sides' shared interests. It remains our intention to decide on publication of costs associated with Jonathan Powell's role as the PM's BIOT Envoy at a later date.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what assessment he has made of the potential implications for his policies of the proposals from Brazil during their Presidency of the G20 for an 18th Sustainable Development Goal.

The UK is a long-standing supporter of the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) as agreed in 2015, including Goal 10: Reducing Inequality, which covers racial inequalities.The UK and Brazil share an ambition to break down barriers to opportunity and tackle inequality. As set out in the King's Speech in July 2024, the Government will introduce a draft Equality (Race and Disability) Bill, which will enshrine in law the full right to equal pay on the basis of race or disability, amongst other measures to tackle racial discrimination. There are no plans for the UK to adopt any additional SDGs.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what representations he has made to the (a) Chinese Government and (b) authorities in Hong Kong on reports of the Hong Kong Police offering rewards for the arrests of pro-democracy activists residing in the UK and Canada; what discussions he has had with his Canadian counterpart on such reports; and what steps he is taking to protect people affected living in the UK.

The Foreign Secretary issued a statement on 24 December condemning the Hong Kong police's latest arrest warrants and calling on Beijing to repeal the National Security Law. Senior British diplomats have raised these concerns directly with the Hong Kong and Beijing authorities. FCDO officials have discussed the matter with the Canadian government at working level.The UK Government will not tolerate any attempts by foreign governments to coerce, intimidate, harass, or harm their critics overseas, especially in the UK. The Government will continue to stand with and support members of the Hong Kong community who have relocated to the UK.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what discussions he has had with his South African counterpart on that country's objectives for the G20 Presidency.

The UK welcomes South Africa's G20 presidency; the first African presidency. During the Foreign Secretary's visit to South Africa in November 2024 to co-chair the UK-South Africa strategic dialogue, he met Foreign Minister Lamola to discuss South Africa's objectives for the Presidency and how the UK and South Africa could work together to achieve them.During my visit to Rio in July, I discussed South Africa's G20 presidency with both my South African and Brazilian counterpart linking the then current and future G20 president countries.The UK looks forward to working closely with South Africa on its themes of solidarity, inequality and sustainability as Ministers across government visit over the coming year. South Africa's G20 presidency will also provide a platform to advance and focus our shared priorities on addressing climate change, promoting economic growth and promoting an open and stable international order.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what third party contracts are scheduled for commissioning from 2025/26; and what estimate he has made of the value of each such contract.

The FCDO publishes a bi-annual pipeline of projects and the most recent one was in October 2024, available here: [https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/fcdo-commercial-pipeline-october-2024]

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, if he will list the meetings (a) he and his Ministers and (b) officials have had with representatives of the Chagossian community since 5 July 2024.

I met members of the Chagossian community on 30 September and 3 October. Officials are also in regular contact with Chagossians on a range of issues. There are a large number of Chagossian groups with a spectrum of views. We will continue efforts to engag...

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what cash levels of Official Development Assistance he plans to provide in each of the next five financial years.

Our mission is to build partnerships to help create a world free from poverty on a liveable planet. The UK's development spending is central to achieving this mission.The FCDO's planned Official Development Assistance (ODA) programme budget, including the...

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what (a) productivity, (b) efficiencies and (c) savings he plans to make to meet the 2% target for departmental productivity, efficiencies and savings; how much of his budget

The Department's 25/26 2 percent productivity, efficiency and savings target applies to the non-ODA RDEL budget of £1,798 million (excluding funding ringfenced for a voluntary exit scheme and funds drawn down from prior year capital receipts). The core FC...

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, pursuant to the Answer of 22 November 2024 to Question 14335 on Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office: Staff, if he will make an estimate of the potential impact of ch

The Department does not hold the necessary information to estimate the potential impact on its thousands of suppliers. As previously indicated in the response to PQ 14336, the impact of tax changes would be taken into account along with all other changes ...

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, pursuant to the Answer of 22 November 2024 to Question 14335 on Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office: Staff, if he will publish an estimate of the cost implications f

HM Treasury are assessing the impact of the National Insurance increase on the public sector in 2025/26 and will inform the Department of the support it will receive in due course.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, if he will publish details of the (a) travel and (b) costs associated with Jonathan Powell’s role in the negotiations on the future sovereignty of the British Indian Ocean Te

A decision on publishing details of costs associated with his appointment will be made in accordance with FCDO policy on Direct Ministerial Appointments at a later date. Jonathan Powell has carried out limited overseas engagements in his capacity as envoy...

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what funds he plans to provide to the Trust Fund for the benefit of Chagossians as part of the proposed Treaty with Mauritius on the future sovereignty of the British Indian

Financial obligations arising from this agreement, including departmental budgetary responsibilities, will be managed responsibly within the government's fiscal framework.This government is committed to supporting Chagossians. Further details about UK sup...

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether he expects to conclude negotiations with Mauritius on the future sovereignty of the British Indian Ocean Territory before 20 January 2025.

This agreement is in the shared interests of both Mauritius and the UK, including by ensuring the long-term and effective operation of the joint UK-US base on Diego Garcia. It has been welcomed by our mutual partners the US and India and opens a new era o...

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, when Jonathan Powell has had meetings with (a) him and Ministers in his Department; (b) officials; (c) the Prime Minister; (d) Philippe Sands; (e) members of the Mauritian Go

In his role as BIOT envoy, and with the goal of securing an agreement that protects UK and US security interests, Jonathan Powell has engaged a range of stakeholders, including in the US and Mauritian governments, HMG Ministers and FCDO officials.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, if he will list the occasions he has directly raised the case of Jimmy Lai with his Chinese counterpart.

British national Jimmy Lai's case is a priority for the UK Government. The Foreign Secretary raised his case in his first meeting with China's Foreign Minister Wang Yi at the ASEAN Summit on 26 July, and again during their second meeting in Beijing on 18 ...

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether he has had recent discussions with his international counterparts on the introduction of new sustainable development goals.

The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) were agreed by all UN Member States in 2015 and have a target of being achieved by 2030. At the UN's Summit of the Future this September, the Foreign Secretary reaffirmed the UK's unwavering commitment to achieving...

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what estimate he has made of the cost to the public purse of commitments made by the UK at COP 29 for the new collective quantified goal on climate finance.

The new collective quantified goal on climate finance agreed at COP 29 is a collective goal, including finance from a broad range of sources, public and private. It does not set individual country commitments.The UK will play its part alongside others; ou...

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what provision he has made for the costs associated with the proposed Treaty with Mauritius on the future sovereignty of the British Indian Ocean Territory in his Departmenta

This Agreement will be underpinned by a financial package which will support a new era of economic partnership between the UK and Mauritius and demonstrate the commitment of both parties to support the welfare of Chagossian communities.A financial element...

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what further visits he expects Jonathan Powell to make in his role negotiating the future sovereignty of the British Indian Ocean Territory; and when he expects that role to

Jonathan Powell started his role as National Security Adviser on 2 December. In this role he will continue to engage on matters related to the British Indian Ocean Territory as well as a range of other national security issues, both in the UK and overseas...

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, if he will publish the occasions on which he has directly raised with his Chinese counterpart the impact of the Hong Kong National Security Law on Hong Kongers.

The UK has called for the National Security Law to be repealed and for an end to the prosecution of all individuals charged under it.The Foreign Secretary met Foreign Minister Wang Yi during his visit to Beijing on 18 October where he raised serious conce...