Every parliamentary written question tabled by Wendy Morton this session, with the full answer and department. See how every department answers, or back to the MP page.
Showing 1,141–1,160 of 1,873 · this parliament
Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what steps he is taking following the London-Sudan Conference on 15 April 2025 to help secure UN Security Council consensus on Sudan.
The UK continues to use its position as penholder on Sudan at the United Nations Security Council to take action to improve humanitarian access, to promote the protection of civilians and to secure an end to the fighting. We will work constructively with Council members in pursuit of these aims.
Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what budget his Department has allocated to the HAVEN programme for 2025-2026; and what assessment he has made of the adequacy of the budget for the rest of the Parliament.
By the end of the last financial year, the UK had provided over £477 million in humanitarian support to Ukraine and the region since the start of the full-scale invasion. This support included funding for the Humanitarian Action through Volunteers, Enablers and Networks (HAVEN) vital work in frontline areas. During a visit to Lviv on 9 May, the Foreign Secretary announced almost £25 million of new humanitarian funding for Ukraine which includes an additional £10 million for the HAVEN consortium, enabling them to continue providing essential frontline assistance this financial year.
Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of the recent earthquake in Myanmar on the balance his Department is striking between working with localised grassroots organisations and multilateral humanitarian agencies.
The UK has announced up to £25 million in life-saving support for people affected by the recent earthquake in Myanmar. The UK diversifies aid delivery through multilateral agencies, and local organisations, with almost 65 per cent of the UK's funding directed to local organisations on the ground in Myanmar.Through our flag-ship humanitarian programme, UK support through local organisations has reached over 201,000 people since the earthquake with essential humanitarian support. Overall, since the earthquake, UK-funded food, water, healthcare, and shelter has supported over 360,000 people so far.
Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what discussions he has had with the (a) science, (b) technology, and (c) research sectors on using his Department's expertise on conflict prevention abroad.
Working closely with the science, technology and research sectors is an integral part of our approach to conflict prevention. Since 2022, the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) has partnered with open-source investigation (OSINT) organisations that use remote technology to identify conflict risks and enable us to act earlier to help protect civilians. In regions where there are risks of violence, the FCDO has funded projects such as the Centre for Information Resilience's (CIR) Witness Project, which uses remote sensing technology to verify events in Sudan for the purposes of early warning of atrocities and to de-bunk denial and disinformation. We regularly engage with academic and research institutions to discuss the challenges and opportunities that technology poses to conflict prevention efforts. Most recently, we discussed Artificial Intelligence (AI) in conflict risk forecasting at a roundtable meeting with researchers from University College London and several other institutions at Chatham House in March 2025.
Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of the UK’s contribution to the Global Fund on lives saved from (a) malaria, (b) tuberculosis and (c) HIV/AIDS.
The Global Fund is a high performing partnership that has saved 65 million lives and reduced combined deaths across HIV, tuberculosis (TB), and malaria by 63 per cent since 2002. The UK is a founding member and committed partner of the Global Fund, investing over £5.5 billion to date. Our current £1bn pledge to the 7th replenishment (2023-25) is expected to save approximately 1.3 million lives and avert 28 million new infections across the three diseases. Amongst other things, this funding is expected to provide antiretroviral therapy for 1.8 million people, provide TB treatment and care for 1.1 million people and distribute 86 million mosquito nets to protect children and families from malaria.
Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what steps his Department is taking to help ensure (a) the International Committee of the Red Cross and (b) other agencies can operate safely in Gaza.
The UK reaffirms our support for the International Red Cross/Crescent Movement (ICRC) as the only humanitarian actor with the experience, capability, independence and mandate to carry out their important responsibilities in Gaza. Last year, we provided £5 million to support the International Red Cross/Crescent Movement's vital work in Gaza.In May, in an oral intervention at the International Court of Justice the UK called Israel's block on aid "unjustifiable" and urged ICRC access to detainees. In a written submission, the UK emphasised the ICRC's "special position" to be "recognised and protected at all times".At least 430 aid workers have been killed in Gaza. In April with France and Germany we called on Israel to protect humanitarians. We also called for full and transparent investigations into the attacks on the Palestinian Red Crescent Society and we expect those responsible to be meaningfully held accountable. On 13 May at the United Nations Security Council, the UK called a meeting on the humanitarian situation in Gaza and expressed outrage at the killing of Palestinian Red Crescent workers and the strikes on a United Nations Office for Project Services compound in March. I spoke with the Israeli Ambassador on 20 May to make clear that the UK stands firmly against Israel's resumption of military action in Gaza, its wholly inadequate plan for aid delivery and to demand that a full and unhindered resumption in the flow of aid into Gaza takes place immediately.
Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what steps he is taking to help protect humanitarian workers in Sudan.
Sudan remains an extremely perilous context for humanitarian personnel. Nearly 100 humanitarian aid workers have been killed since the conflict started in April 2023. To protect civilians including aid workers, the UK continues to advocate that parties to the conflict uphold international humanitarian and human rights obligations as applicable, whilst calling for the implementation of relevant UN Security Council resolutions, including UNSCR 2736 (2024) on El Fasher, Darfur. On 24 April, the Foreign Secretary also issued a statement following renewed attacks in El Fasher, calling for security guarantees in order to deliver aid rapidly and safely.
Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what assessment he has made of the implications for his Department’s policies of aid blocking by the warring parties in Sudan.
Impediments to aid delivery imposed by the warring parties in Sudan are having a devastating impact on civilians. UK Ministers and diplomats are doing all they can to improve access. During last month's London Sudan Conference, chaired by the Foreign Secretary, attendees agreed to use their influence with the parties, and urge them to lift all impediments, and guarantee safe, rapid, and unimpeded access throughout Sudan for humanitarian supplies and personnel. At the conference the Foreign Secretary announced a further £120 million in UK funding which will provide life-saving aid to more than 650,000 people.
Commonwealth and Development Affairs, if he will make an assessment of the adequacy of security arrangements for humanitarian workers in Sudan.
Sudan remains an extremely perilous context for humanitarian personnel. Nearly 100 humanitarian aid workers have been killed since the conflict started in April 2023. To protect civilians including aid workers, the UK continues to advocate that parties to the conflict uphold international humanitarian and human rights obligations as applicable, whilst calling for the implementation of relevant UN Security Council resolutions, including UNSCR 2736 (2024) on El Fasher, Darfur. On 24 April, the Foreign Secretary also issued a statement following renewed attacks in El Fasher, calling for security guarantees in order to deliver aid rapidly and safely.
Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether he plans to make an assessment of the impact of Official Development Assistance reductions on women and girls before decisions on reductions are made.
Decisions on how the Official Development Assistance (ODA) budget will be used are being worked through as part of the ongoing Spending Review, based on various factors including impact assessments. Equality Impact Assessments - which consider impacts on women and girls - are an essential part of how we make decisions on ODA allocations.The UK is committed to empowering women and girls around the world through our international work.
Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what consultation his Department has conducted with women's rights or women-led organisations on the decision to reduce Official Development Assistance.
At this time of profound change, with conflicts overseas undermining security and prosperity at home, the Prime Minister has taken the decision to increase defence spending to 2.5 per cent of gross domestic product from 2027, funded by reducing Official Development Assistance to 0.3 per cent of gross national income.We are currently working through the details of the Prime Minister's announcement, including engagement with a range of stakeholders.
Commonwealth and Development Affairs, pursuant to the Answer of 28 April 2025 to Question 47234 on Anzhelika Melnikava, whether he has had recent discussions with his international counterparts on the reported disappearance of Anzhelika Melnikava and her daughters.
As previously stated, I am concerned by reports of Angelika Melnikova's disappearance. Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office officials continue to follow the case closely. Our understanding is that her daughters are currently in Belarus with their father. As the situation regarding the circumstances of Ms Melnikova's disappearance remain unclear, I have not raised this with international counterparts.
Food and Rural Affairs, what steps his Department is taking to help support the Falkland Islands government to preserve its (a) marine biodiversity, (b) sustainable fishing practices and (c) other aspects of its ecological environment.
Defra officials work closely with the Falkland Islands Government to ensure that Falkland Island interests are represented in international fisheries meetings at the UN and FAO, and that challenges in ensuring sustainable management of high seas fisheries in the South West Atlantic are addressed. Defra primarily supports the UK Overseas Territories, including the Falkland Islands, to protect their unique biodiversity and natural environments through the Darwin Plus programme. In the past 5 years, Darwin Plus has awarded funding to 28 projects of benefit to the Falkland Islands worth over £4 million, including 8 worth over £2 million dedicated to marine conservation. Projects have been working to:Strengthen protection for marine mammals and predators, such as seals, whales, dolphins, porpoises, and seabirds;Restore breeding habitat for Magellanic penguins;Solve why fur seal bycatch by commercial fisheries has been increasing and inform prevention measures; andPredict the impact of climate change on key species to support fishery and ecosystem resilience.
Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what steps he is taking to help ensure that the warring parties in Sudan implement United Nations Security Council Resolution 2736.
The UK continues to use all diplomatic levers at its disposal to press all parties in Sudan to comply with UN Security Council Resolution (UNSCR) 2736. Despite the disgraceful Russian veto in November 2024 of a UK-Sierra Leone led resolution to build on UNSCR 2736, the UK has continued to work with UNSC partners to galvanise Council action on Sudan. This has included securing a UNSC press statement on 17 April which called for the end of hostilities around El Fasher and full implementation of Resolution 2736.
Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what steps he is taking to support civilians in (a) Zamzam IDP camp and (b) El Fasher in Sudan to reach safety.
The UK is appalled by the continued violence in and around El Fasher and the Zamzam Internally Displaced Person camp. On 24 April, the Foreign Secretary issued a statement highlighting the unacceptable levels of civilian harm and called on the warring parties to urgently de-escalate. The Foreign Secretary also stated that the UK will continue to use all tools available to hold those responsible for atrocities to account. Through our ongoing humanitarian programme in Sudan the UK is supporting Emergency Response Rooms who play an integral role in identifying safe areas and exit routes for civilians from combat zones and coordinating their transportation options.
What steps she is taking to ensure businesses are aware of National Insurance contributions relief for employers with apprentices under 25.
HMRC maintains comprehensive Gov.uk guidance to help employers understand the Class 1 NICs relief for apprentices under the age of 25, which has been in place since 2016. It can be found here: Paying employer National Insurance contributions for apprentices under 25 - GOV.UK. Beyond the NICs relief, the Government is committed to supporting apprenticeships as a key component of its growth mission to achieve growth. The Autumn Budget provided £40 million to help to deliver new foundation and shorter apprenticeships in key sectors.
Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment he has made of the potential merits of publishing a local authority league table for incidences of fly-tipping.
This Government has not made an assessment of the potential merits of publishing a local authority league table for incidences of fly-tipping. Local authorities in England are required to report fly-tipping incidents and actions to Defra, which are published annually at https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/fly-tipping-in-england. In assessing the figures local authorities should not be classified as ‘good’ or ‘poor’ performers based purely on numbers of fly-tips and comparisons between local authorities should be made with care.
What assessment she has made of the potential merits of ringfencing the skills levy for funding apprenticeships.
I refer the hon. Member for Aldridge-Brownhills to the answer of 7 April 2025 to Question 40142.
What steps she is taking to encourage SMEs to participate in the apprenticeships scheme.
I refer the hon. Member for Aldridge-Brownhills to the answer of 19 March 2025 to Question 37179.
What estimate she made of the number of apprenticeship starts in Aldridge-Brownhills constituency in (a) 2024-25 and (b) 2023-24.
The number of apprenticeship starts in the Aldridge-Brownhills constituency are published in the apprenticeships accredited official statistics publication: https://explore-education-statistics.service.gov.uk/data-tables/permalink/2d7a8365-ec14-40eb-96d3-08dd85738b16.These were last published in March 2025. They include full year figures for the 2023/24 academic year, and year to date figures for the 2024/25 academic year.