Written questions by Patel.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, which (a) international treaties and (b) obligations will apply to (i) the Chagos Archipelago and (ii) Diego Garcia as a result of the transfer of sovereignty to Mauritius; and if he has undertaken an assessment of the potential impact of those obligations on (A) the Chagos Archipelago and (B) Diego Garcia.

The Treaty ensures that its terms are compatible with the other international obligations of the Parties, current and future. The United Kingdom will ensure all operations on Diego Garcia comply with its obligations under applicable international law.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, with reference to his letter to the Foreign Affairs Committee, dated 16 June 2025, If he will publish the details of the FCDO2030 change programme.

We face a generational challenge to the UK's national interests. Our FCDO2030 change programme rises to this challenge, ensuring that the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office's (FCDO) people, resources and action deliver the greatest possible international impact for the benefit of the British people. Updates on this programme will continue to be shared.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, with reference to the UK/Mauritius Agreement concerning the Chagos Archipelago (CS Mauritius No.1/2025), whether Mauritius can permit (a) vessels, (b) submarines and (c) facilities provided by other countries for research purposes to be (i) established and (ii) based in the Chagos Archipelago; and whether Mauritius can undertake joint research operations with other countries in the Chagos Archipelago.

I refer the Right Honourable Member to the answer of 2 July 2025 to question 62645.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, with reference to the UK/Mauritius Agreement concerning the Chagos Archipelago (CS Mauritius No.1/2025), whether there is an agreed definition between the UK and Mauritius of what is an artificial island.

The term "artificial island" will be interpreted in accordance with the rules of international law on the interpretation of treaties.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what information his Department holds on assistance provided to Russia by (a) China and (b) Iran to resource military action against Ukraine.

Chinese companies continue to provide military and dual-use goods to Russia's military industrial complex. This is enabling Putin's invasion of Ukraine. We have repeatedly urged China to take all measures to investigate and to prevent Chinese companies from supplying Russia's military, including when the Foreign Secretary last spoke with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi on 22 April. To date, the UK has sanctioned 35 China-based entities for supplying Russia's defence industry under the Russia sanctions regulations.Iran has supported Russia through its large-scale supply of drones, munitions, and ballistic missiles. In response to Iran's supply of ballistic missiles, the UK and its partners took actions including terminating our air services agreement with Iran Air and implementing new sanctions.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, how much bilateral aid he plans to make available to Ukraine in 2025-26.

We are proud of our fast, flexible, and responsive support to Ukrainians living through Russia's invasion. The UK has provided £5 billion of non-military support to Ukraine since the start of the full-scale invasion. The Prime Minister has said in Parliament that we will continue to support Ukraine, including for humanitarian purposes. On 9 May, the Foreign Secretary announced almost £25 million in new funding to support local Ukrainian organisations to protect the most vulnerable who continue to suffer from Russia's ongoing aggression. This forms part of our funding for 2025-2026 - final funding allocation decisions for the current financial year are ongoing and will prioritise support for those most in need.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what medical facilities he plans to make available to Ukrainians injured in the war with Russia.

The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office has supported medical practitioners and the provision of medical services through funding partners, such as the World Health Organization, in Ukraine. We have supported the strengthening of Ukrainian rehabilitation systems through training and capacity building of Ukrainian healthcare staff; the provision of rehabilitation equipment to facilities across Ukraine; and support on health and social policy. Last year, the UK contributed to £320,000 of funding to the Superhumans War Trauma Centre in Ukraine. The clinic provides innovative rehabilitation services to people who have been impacted by war, including training surgeons on prosthetics. In addition, the Ukraine Red Cross Society, funded by UK assistance channelled through the British Red Cross, provides specialised training at the Burns Unit in Kyiv.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what assessment he has made of the potential implications for his policies of public statements from representatives of (a) China, (b) Russia and (c) Iran supporting the agreement with Mauritius on the Chagos Islands.

The agreement has been backed by key allies and international partners, including the US and all of our 5 EYES allies. India, Japan and South Korea have all also made clear their support for the deal. As US Defence Secretary Hegseth said, the UK's "very important deal with Mauritius secures the operational capabilities of the base and key US national security interests in the region. We are confident the base is protected for many years ahead."

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, how many (a) British and (b) British dual nationals are impacted by the closure of airspace in the Middle East by country; and what plans he has to support the repatriation of British nationals in the region.

It is not mandatory for British nationals to report incidents to the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, or one of its diplomatic missions. The data we provide only cover incidents where we have offered consular assistance. We therefore cannot provide accurate reporting on the number of British nationals affected by closure of airspace in the Middle East. Two charter flights for UK nationals wishing to leave Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territories have departed from Tel Aviv and landed safely in the UK. Further flights are being considered, taking into account the demand from British nationals. We advise British Nationals in countries affected by airspace closures to check the travel advice of the country they are in as well as any countries they plan to cross the border into.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what recent discussions he has had with his Polish counterpart on threats to European security from Russia.

Poland is one of our closest partners and we consult frequently on countering the Russian threat. The Foreign Secretary met his Polish counterpart on 7 May while in Warsaw to join an informal meeting of EU Foreign Ministers, and at the North Atlantic Treaty Organization Foreign Ministers meeting on 3 April, and in London on 20 March where they discussed the threat to European security from Russia and our commitment to work together for the security of our continent.I attended the Belvedere Forum in Warsaw on 16 June where I met several Polish Ministers to discuss continuing cooperation with Poland in tackling the Russian threat and supporting Ukraine. I met Foreign Minister Sikorsky in Rome at the Weimar+ meeting on 12 June where we discussed Euro-Atlantic security and Russian aggression in Ukraine.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, with reference to his Statement on Gibraltar on 12 June 2025, Official Report, col 1130, if he will publish the draft of the sovereignty clause.

All parties are committed to finalising the text of the UK-EU Treaty in respect of Gibraltar as soon as possible. The final text will then be brought before the House for ratification in the normal way pursuant to the Constitutional Reform and Governance Act 2010.This Government is fully committed to the double lock: we will never enter into arrangements under which the people of Gibraltar would pass under the sovereignty of another State against their freely and democratically expressed wishes. And we will never enter into a process of sovereignty negotiations with which Gibraltar is not content.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, with reference to his Statement on Gibraltar on 12 June 2025, Official Report, col 1130, what steps he is taking to ensure the compatibility of the sovereignty clause with the section of the UK-EU Agreement in Respect of Gibraltar: Joint statement, published 11 June 2025, on the future Agreement being without prejudice to the respective legal positions of Spain and the United Kingdom with regard to sovereignty and jurisdiction.

The sovereignty clause is fully compatible with the Joint Statement published on 11 June 2025.This Government is fully committed to the double lock: we will never enter into arrangements under which the people of Gibraltar would pass under the sovereignty of another State against their freely and democratically expressed wishes. And we will never enter into a process of sovereignty negotiations with which Gibraltar is not content.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, with reference to his Statement on Gibraltar on 12 June 2025, what estimate he has made of the number of UK nationals who will enter Gibraltar each year who are (a) eligible for entry to Gibraltar under Gibraltarian controls and also (b) ineligible to enter the Schengen area.

As today, there is no automatic right of entry to Gibraltar for non-resident British nationals. Under the agreement announced on 11 June, immigration and entry to Gibraltar will remain the responsibility of the Gibraltarian authorities. Spain, on behalf of the EU, will be responsible for granting or refusing entry to the Schengen area. The Government of Gibraltar have taken the decision to mutually recognise decisions taken by Spain to refuse entry to Schengen. As is the case today when UK nationals arrive at either a Gibraltar or a Schengen checkpoint, we expect the overwhelming majority of travellers to proceed without difficulty through the checks, which are carried out in the mutual public safety interest. British nationals who are resident in Gibraltar will not be refused entry to Gibraltar.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, with reference to his Statement on Gibraltar on 12 June 2025, what estimate he has made of the annual number of UK nationals who could be stopped at the airport as a result of Schengen checks.

As is the case today when UK nationals arrive at either a Gibraltar or a Schengen checkpoint, we expect the overwhelming majority of travellers to proceed without difficulty through the checks, which are carried out in the mutual public safety interest. British nationals who are resident in Gibraltar will not be refused entry to Gibraltar. As a result of the agreement announced on 11 June, we expect the number of passport checks in Gibraltar to reduce from approximately 10 million to 250,000. This model of dual checks is specific to the situation in Gibraltar and agreed by its Government. It will unlock the significant benefits of a fluid border.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what assessment he has made of the potential implications for his policies of levels of support that (a) Russia and (b) China provide to Iran's (i) nuclear programme and (ii) military (A) in last year, (B) since 13 June 2025 and (C) over the next 12 months.

We have long been concerned about the deepening relationship between Iran and Russia. Last year, Iran's supply of ballistic missiles to Russia was a significant escalation of Iran's support for Russia's illegal war in Ukraine. Alongside partners, we responded with significant measures including sanctioning Iran Air. We are deeply concerned about Iran's nuclear escalation. We call on all parties to deescalate and pursue a diplomatic solution. We will continue to assess Russia's relationship with Iran over the next 12 months. As a signatory to the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action, and P5 member of the United Nations Security Council, we will continue to coordinate with China and all other stakeholders as we try to find a diplomatic path to resolve the Iran nuclear issue.

With reference to the Written Ministerial Statement of 17 June 2025 on Dart Charge, HCWS708, what estimate she has made of the number of vehicles using the Dartford to Thurrock Crossing in (a) 2022-23, (b) 2023-24, (c) 2024-25, (d) 2025-26, (e) 2026-27 and (f) each of the next five years.

The number of vehicles using the Dartford Crossing in the years 2022/23-2024/25 is set out below: YearTotalOf which during chargeable hours:2024/2556,691,38549,613,9552023/2457,498,96050,266,5192022/2356,528,52649,098,480 The impact of the charge increase on the number of vehicles using the Dartford crossing will be monitored for the remainder of 2025/26, and subsequent years.My Department does not routinely publish revenue forecasts for individual budget lines such as the income from the Dart Charge.Information about previous revenues for the Dartford Crossing are available in the annual accounts which are published online at: https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/national-highways-annual-reports-and-accounts . For 2022/23 road user charge income was £126.6m and for 2023/24 £130.1m.The Crossing’s full revenue is higher for each year owing to additional income from enforcement, abnormal load fees, and other rental income. This is also shown in the accounts. Accounts for 2024/25 will be published by the end of January 2026.

With reference to the Written Statement of 17 June 2025 on Dart Charge, HCWS708, what estimate she has made of the additional revenues from the increase in charges in each of the next seven financial years, commencing with 2025/26.

The number of vehicles using the Dartford Crossing in the years 2022/23-2024/25 is set out below: YearTotalOf which during chargeable hours:2024/2556,691,38549,613,9552023/2457,498,96050,266,5192022/2356,528,52649,098,480 The impact of the charge increase on the number of vehicles using the Dartford crossing will be monitored for the remainder of 2025/26, and subsequent years.My Department does not routinely publish revenue forecasts for individual budget lines such as the income from the Dart Charge.Information about previous revenues for the Dartford Crossing are available in the annual accounts which are published online at: https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/national-highways-annual-reports-and-accounts . For 2022/23 road user charge income was £126.6m and for 2023/24 £130.1m.The Crossing’s full revenue is higher for each year owing to additional income from enforcement, abnormal load fees, and other rental income. This is also shown in the accounts. Accounts for 2024/25 will be published by the end of January 2026.

With reference to the Written Statement of 17 June 2025 on Dart Charge, HCWS708, what were the total revenues from Dart Charge in (a) 2022/23, (b) 2023/24, and (c) 2024/25; and if she will estimate the total revenues from Dart Charge in each of the next seven financial years, commencing with 2025/26.

The number of vehicles using the Dartford Crossing in the years 2022/23-2024/25 is set out below: YearTotalOf which during chargeable hours:2024/2556,691,38549,613,9552023/2457,498,96050,266,5192022/2356,528,52649,098,480 The impact of the charge increase on the number of vehicles using the Dartford crossing will be monitored for the remainder of 2025/26, and subsequent years.My Department does not routinely publish revenue forecasts for individual budget lines such as the income from the Dart Charge.Information about previous revenues for the Dartford Crossing are available in the annual accounts which are published online at: https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/national-highways-annual-reports-and-accounts . For 2022/23 road user charge income was £126.6m and for 2023/24 £130.1m.The Crossing’s full revenue is higher for each year owing to additional income from enforcement, abnormal load fees, and other rental income. This is also shown in the accounts. Accounts for 2024/25 will be published by the end of January 2026.

With reference to the Spending Review 2025, published on 11 June 2025, and pursuant to the Answers of 12 December 2024 and 26 March 2025 to Questions 18360 and 38989 on Transport: Infrastructure and A12: Repairs and Maintenance, if she will make funding available for the (a) A12 widening scheme and (b) A120 dualling scheme.

As the Chancellor of the Exchequer announced on 11 June 2025, this Government will deliver notable improvements to people’s everyday travel by providing £24 billion of capital funding between 2026-27 and 2029-30 to maintain and improve roads across the country. We will provide updates on specific schemes in due course.

What her planned timetable is for announcing (a) future funding and (b) plans for (i) ticket offices on the Greater Anglia franchise, (ii) implementation of step-free access through redevelopments at (A) Greater Anglia and (B) Marks Tey railway stations and (iii) the redevelopment of Witham railway station, in the context of the Spending Review 2025.

In the context of the Spending Review 2025 there are no plans to make specific announcements in relation to the Greater Anglia rail operator in relation to (a) future funding and (b) plans for (i) ticket offices on the Greater Anglia franchise, (ii) implementation of step-free access through redevelopments at (A) Greater Anglia and (B) Marks Tey railway stations and (iii) the redevelopment of Witham railway station. While some key schemes have already been referenced by the Chancellor, we will now be working to confirm our wider portfolio of rail enhancements, which will be published as part of the government’s commitment to set out its overall infrastructure pipeline. As part of the ongoing Spending Review, a period of business planning is continuing to take place and announcements on individual schemes and projects will be made in due course.