Written questions by Morton.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, pursuant to the Answer of 15 January 2025 to Question 22001 on Belarus: Sanctions, what the terms of reference are for the cross-Government review of sanctions enforcement.

I launched the cross-Government review of sanctions at the first Small Ministerial Group on enforcement in October. The review is examining whether we have the right powers, approach, capacity and resourcing on policy, implementation and enforcement, with an urgent focus on strengthening the latter. The objectives are to make our sanctions easier to comply with, increase the deterrent effect of enforcement and maximise the flexibility of our cross-government toolkit. It is being led by the FCDO in collaboration with key sanctions Departments and is expected to conclude in Spring 2025.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, pursuant to the Answer of 17 January 2025 to Question 22010 on Sudan: Humanitarian Aid, what estimate he has made of the amount of humanitarian aid being provided by international partners to help those who fled Sudan and are being assisted in the wider region.

The 2024 Sudan Regional Response Plan (RRP), which outlined the financial requirements to provide life-saving aid to refugees and host communities in Sudan's neighbouring countries, sought a total of $1.5 billion but was only 31% funded. The US, EU, and UAE were amongst the Government donors to the RRP in 2024. The 2025 Sudan RRP seeks $1.8 billion with the aim of supporting 5 million people. In November 2024, the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office doubled UK aid to £226.5 million. This uplift is funding the UN and NGOs to provide support to over one million people affected by war in Sudan and displaced by the conflict.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, pursuant to the Answer of 17 January 2025 to Question 22629 on Development Aid: Asylum Hotels, what discussions he has had with the Secretary of State for the Home Department to agree a timeline for the (a) reduction and (b) cessation of the use of asylum hotels.

The Government is committed to ensuring asylum costs fall. This includes taking measures to reduce the asylum backlog and end the use of expensive hotels over time, as part of a reduction in overall asylum accommodation costs. We expect these plans to create more space in the Official Development Assistance (ODA) budget to spend on our international development priorities overseas. The Home Office will be represented at the first meeting of the re-established Ministerial ODA Board which will discuss in-donor refugee costs.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what steps he is taking to ensure that women's (a) economic participation and (b) access to education are effectively integrated in the International Women and Girls Strategy 2023–2030.

Ensuring all girls have access to quality education is a core part of the UK's work on gender equality. We deliver bilateral education programmes in 18 countries and are the top bilateral donor to the Global Partnership for Education, which provides grant funding to 74 lower income countries. The UK is committed to women's economic empowerment, including through our flagship Work and Opportunities for Women programme, which aims to improve economic opportunities for women working in global value chains. In October 2024, we announced £7.5 million to the World Bank to support high quality evidence on women's economic empowerment.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of the UK-Nigeria strategic partnership on future trends in the level of aid distribution in Nigeria.

The Nigeria-UK Strategic Partnership is intended to provide a comprehensive framework for achieving our shared objectives and further strengthening the bilateral relationship. One of the core pillars of the Strategic Partnership is a modernised development partnership. The UK and Nigeria have committed to work together to enhance good governance, reduce poverty and humanitarian need, and support human capital development. Nigeria and the UK are committed to a partnership that encourages long-term and sustainable development by building local institutional capacity and capability to address needs and priorities. To achieve this, the UK will continue to provide Nigeria with Official Development Assistance (ODA).

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, pursuant to the Answer of 15 January 2025 to Question 22001 on Belarus: Sanctions, what the timescale is for completing the cross-Government review of sanctions enforcement.

I launched the cross-Government review of sanctions at the first Small Ministerial Group on enforcement in October. The review is examining whether we have the right powers, approach, capacity and resourcing on policy, implementation and enforcement, with an urgent focus on strengthening the latter. The objectives are to make our sanctions easier to comply with, increase the deterrent effect of enforcement and maximise the flexibility of our cross-government toolkit. It is being led by the FCDO in collaboration with key sanctions Departments and is expected to conclude in Spring 2025.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what steps he is taking to implement the International Women and Girls Strategy 2023–2030.

This Government has been clear that we will work to advance gender equality and empower women and girls through our international action. The previous government launched the International Women and Girls Strategy (2023-2030) in March 2023 to guide the UK's international action. Our focus is now firmly on delivery. In November, we announced a new £27 million programme to tackle online violence against women and girls. In December, the Prime Minister announced £37 million to expand access to sexual and reproductive health and rights through supporting grassroots civil society organisations and movements.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what plans his Department has to update the International Women and Girls Strategy 2023–2030.

This Government has been clear that we will work to advance gender equality and empower women and girls through our international action. The previous government launched the International Women and Girls Strategy (2023-2030) in March 2023 to guide the UK's international action. Our focus is now firmly on delivery. In November, we announced a new £27 million programme to tackle online violence against women and girls. In December, the Prime Minister announced £37 million to expand access to sexual and reproductive health and rights through supporting grassroots civil society organisations and movements.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what discussions he has had with his international counterparts on the humanitarian situation in Bangladesh since 2 December 2024.

The UK has been actively engaged in addressing the humanitarian situation in Bangladesh. The UK has provided £405 million to support the Rohingya and host communities since 2017, including food provision, clean water, healthcare and protection services. I announced £10.3 million of humanitarian funding for Rohingya refugees and for disaster response during my visit to Bangladesh in November 2024. During my visit, I discussed the Rohingya refugee response with the Interim Government of Bangladesh, the United Nations and other international development partners. The UK regularly coordinates with international counterparts on Rohingya issues.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what the UK’s annual spend is on International Climate Finance by country.

In line with our international obligations the details of our annual International Climate Finance (ICF) spend are published through the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, including by recipient country or region. Previous data covering 2019 and 2020 ICF spend can be found here: https://unfccc.int/BR5. Supporting data submitted as part of the First Biennial Transparency Report under the Paris Agreement covering 2021 and 2022 is awaiting publication.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what steps he is taking to continue the Preventing Sexual Violence in Conflict Initiative.

This Government's commitment to tackling conflict-related sexual violence (CRSV) is resolute. That is why Lord Collins has been named as the Prime Minister's Special Representative on Preventing Sexual Violence in Conflict (PSVI) and has committed to driving international action to support survivors and bring the perpetrators of these horrific crimes to justice. Ministers remain committed to delivering the PSVI strategy. Through PSVI we are supporting thousands of survivors around the world and have contributed to three recent landmark cases on CRSV as a Crime Against Humanity in Guinea, Kenya and Uganda.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, with reference to Q123 of the evidence given by the Minister of State for Development and Africa to the International Development Committee on 7 January 2025 HC 531Y what the terms of reference are for the Overseas Development Assistance Board.

The Chief Secretary to the Treasury and I will co-chair the re-established Ministerial Official Development Assistance (ODA) Board. The ODA Board scrutinises ODA spend, driving value for money for the UK taxpayer and a stronger strategic focus to ODA spending across government. Its remit includes managing pressures on the ODA budget and overseeing and monitoring ODA spending across government.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what discussions he has had with the Bangladeshi community in the United Kingdom on the situation in Bangladesh.

The UK supports the Bangladesh Interim Government's work to build a more prosperous and democratic future, following student-led protests in July and August 2024. With more than 650,000 people of Bangladeshi heritage across the UK, the situation in Bangladesh impacts communities in the UK. In my responses to letters from the Bangladeshi community in the UK, I have been clear that the UK is supporting the Interim Government's agenda to restore law and order, ensure accountability and promote national reconciliation. The UK remains a steadfast friend of Bangladesh, with a strong focus on building economic, development, trade and climate partnerships.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what recent assessment he has made of the humanitarian situation in Cox's Bazar.

The UK has been actively engaged in addressing the humanitarian situation in Cox's Bazar, and closely monitoring levels of need and insecurity. We are a leading donor to the Rohingya response and have provided £405 million to support the Rohingya and host communities since 2017, including food provision, clean water, healthcare and protection services. During my visit to Bangladesh in November 2024, I announced that £10.3 million of humanitarian funding will go to Rohingya refugees and for disaster response. The UK regularly discusses the Rohingya refugee response with the Interim Government of Bangladesh. This includes ensuring new Rohingya arrivals are registered and can access humanitarian assistance.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what discussions the Special Envoy for Freedom of Religion or Belief has had with international partners.

David Smith MP was announced as UK Special Envoy for Freedom of Religion or Belief (FoRB) in December 2024. Since taking up the role in January, he has engaged a range of UK and international partners, individually and collectively through the Article 18 Alliance, to promote FoRB for all.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether he has had discussions with his Bangladeshi counterpart on the recent reports of violence against Hindus in Bangladesh.

The UK has a long-standing commitment to the promotion and protection of human rights, including Freedom of Religion or Belief (FoRB). Following the student-led protests in July and August 2024, we have been closely monitoring the situation for minorities in Bangladesh. In November 2024, I visited Bangladesh and discussed the importance of the protection of religious minorities with Chief Adviser Yunus. We are providing up to £27 million under the Bangladesh Collaborative, Accountable and Peaceful Politics programme for protecting civic and political space, fostering collaboration, reducing corruption, and mitigating tensions that lead to violence. We will continue to engage with the Interim Government of Bangladesh on the importance of FoRB.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what steps he is taking with the Special Envoy for Freedom of Religion or Belief to promote the rights of religious minorities in Bangladesh.

The UK has a long-standing commitment to the promotion and protection of human rights, including Freedom of Religion or Belief (FoRB). Following the student-led protests in July and August 2024, we have been closely monitoring the situation for minorities in Bangladesh. In November 2024, I visited Bangladesh and discussed the importance of the protection of religious minorities with Chief Adviser Yunus. We are providing up to £27 million under the Bangladesh Collaborative, Accountable and Peaceful Politics programme for protecting civic and political space, fostering collaboration, reducing corruption, and mitigating tensions that lead to violence. We look forward to working with David Smith MP on FoRB issues globally.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what discussions the Minister for International Development has had with Baroness Shafik on evidence submitted to her review of international development.

I have been in communication with Baroness Shafik throughout the review, including discussing review findings.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether he plans to implement the 2030 Strategic framework for international climate and nature action.

This Government is already delivering on many of the aims of the previous 2030 Strategic Framework, while stepping up our ambition. I was proud to join UK Ministers showing leadership at COP29, where the Prime Minister announced our ambitious 2035 emissions reduction target, and the Foreign Secretary reaffirmed our climate commitment including our £11.6 billion climate finance goal. At home, we have already removed the de facto ban on new onshore wind in England, secured a record-breaking number of new renewable electricity projects, and have set out legislation to establish Great British Energy.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what assessment he has made of the potential implications for his policies of the security of energy supplies in (a) Moldova and (b) Transnistria.

The UK is monitoring the situation in Moldova closely. In this financial year, the UK has provided £25.5 million worth of financial support, including a £5 million uplift in humanitarian assistance announced by the Foreign Secretary during his visit to Moldova in November 2024. I saw first-hand during my visit to Moldova in September 2024 how this support is helping Moldova to defend its democracy against Russian hybrid aggression and bolster its energy security. We are considering further measures to bolster our support to Moldova to reduce its dependency on Russian gas and mitigate deteriorating humanitarian conditions in Transnistria.