Written questions by Morton.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, pursuant to the Answer of 21 January 2025 to Question 23329 on Red Sea: British Nationals Abroad, what discussions he has had with (a) the Secretary of State for Defence and (b) other Cabinet colleagues on the potential implications of unexploded ordinance in countries bordering the Red Sea on the safety of British nationals in that region.

Ministers are in regular touch about issues in the region. The FCDO-funded Global Mine Action Programme (GMAP) is the Government's main programme for reducing the threats posed to civilians by mines, cluster munitions and other unexploded ordnance. It is currently active in ten countries, including Sudan (where it is funding education about the risks). As for implications on the safety of British Nationals, we regularly update travel advice to ensure British Nationals have the best advice possible, available at all times, for all countries bordering the Red Sea.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, pursuant to the Answer of 21 January 2025 to Question 23329 on Red Sea: British Nationals Abroad, what engagement he has had with the families of victims of recent fatalities in the Red Sea.

The FCDO continues to provide support to those British nationals and families affected by recent tragic incidents in the Red Sea, including the sinking of the Sea Story in November 2024 and the tragic fire on board the Hurricane in June 2023. We remain in contact with the relevant local authorities and our sincere condolences are with all the victims and their families.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what steps he is taking to help facilitate the safe passage of humanitarian aid from (a) UK and (b) international NGOs and partners to the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo.

The UK is deeply concerned by the dire humanitarian impacts of the current situation in North Kivu. At the United Nations Security Council, the UK called on all parties not to obstruct the vital services that humanitarians are providing, and to cease hostilities and uphold the protection of humanitarian workers, as outlined in international humanitarian law. We also urged all parties to consider humanitarian corridors to restore essential services and ensure the safe passage of civilians and aid. The UK remains committed to supporting those most in need, providing £62 million this year in lifesaving humanitarian assistance.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of the British Council on the UK soft power and diplomacy.

The British Council plays a leading role in promoting UK values and interests through its work in arts and culture, education, and promotion of the English language.The British Council's 2023 Global Perceptions report survey demonstrates that cultural relations initiatives are connected to higher levels of trust in the UK Government. The average score for trust in the UK Government given by young people surveyed across the G20 was 54%. However, for those who had participated in a UK cultural initiative, the score was 62%, and where this initiative was produced by the British Council, it was 69%.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, pursuant to the Answer of 21 January 2025 to Question 23329 on Red Sea: British Nationals Abroad, what steps is he taking to provide consular support to British nationals in that region.

The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office stands ready to provide consular support to British nationals abroad 24 hours a day, seven days a week. British nationals requiring consular assistance can contact their nearest Embassy, High Commission or Consulate [https://www.gov.uk/world/embassies].

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, with reference to the oral contribution of the Minister for Development of 23 January 2025 on International Day of Education, Official Report, column 433WH, on what date was the funding for (a) Education Cannot Wait and (b) Global Partnership for Education announced; and in which financial year was the spending commitment transacted.

The UK announced £80 million of funding to Education Cannot Wait (ECW) for their current strategic plan (2023-2026) on 16 February 2023. To date, £27,635,535 has been released over financial years 2023-2024 and 2024-2025. The UK announced a further £14 million of funding to ECW specifically for education in Sudan and for Sudanese refugees on 17 November 2024. This funding was fully released this financial year. The UK announced £430 million for the Global Partnership for Education for their current strategic plan (2021-2025) on 11 June 2021. To date, £365 million has been released over financial years 2022-2023, 2023-2024 and 2024-2025.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what steps his Department is taking to remove (a) help and (b) assistance from (i) internal and (ii) external communications and guidance with respect to UK Official Development Assistance.

The Foreign Secretary has put partnerships, not paternalism, at the centre of the UK's development relationships. I have been leading the focus on modern, mutually beneficial bilateral partnerships. This new model has been clearly communicated to FCDO officials. Partnership does not mean telling others we have the answers; the UK can act as a champion, seeking to bridge the gap between the Global North and Global South. As FCDO officials implement this modern approach to development, they will be treating other countries as equals, as part of resetting the UK's relationship with the Global South.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, pursuant to the Answer of 28 January 2025 to Question 24872 on Nutrition for Growth Summit, whether he has made an assessment of the potential merits of making an (a) financial and (b) policy announcement from the UK at the Nutrition for Growth summit.

The UK remains committed to meeting its existing Nutrition for Growth (N4G) financial commitment of spending £1.5 billion from 2022 to 2030 on nutrition objectives. For the 2025 Nutrition for Growth summit, the UK will champion the integration of improved nutrition outcomes in other sectors, including health, agriculture, humanitarian, and climate, and is considering further policy commitments. On a further financial commitment, Ministers will consider Official Development Assistance (ODA) allocations for future years as part of the Spending Review, which will conclude in the summer.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, pursuant to the Answer of 13 January 2025 to Question 22620 on Development Aid: Review, which stakeholders were consulted for the review.

A broad range of stakeholders were consulted including from Parliament, academia, the non Governmental organisation sector, and the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office's global network.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, with reference to the oral contribution of the Minister for Development of 23 January 2025 on International Day of Education, Official Report, column 431WH, what discussions he has had with his international counterparts on support for women and girls’ education in Myanmar.

Since the coup in 2021, the UK has been prioritising education support to marginalised and conflict affected children, particularly girls in Myanmar. We are working closely with other partners, including Finland and Australia, to ensure children can continue learning despite the ongoing conflict. In 2024 the UK, with our partners, reached over 347,000 children in Myanmar and trained over 22,000 teachers. We are a core donor to Education Cannot Wait and the Global Partnership for Education to improve coordination efforts and advocate for increased funding for education in Myanmar. We have consistently raised the importance of protecting schools from the conflict and airstrikes, including at the UN Security Council, Human Rights Council and through international statements. This includes calling out destruction of schools in a joint international statement on 1 February 2025.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what plans he has to leverage (a) education and (b) research expertise to achieve his Department's development objectives.

Global education is critical to our vision for a world free from poverty on a liveable planet. Each additional year of learning is associated with a 10 per cent increase in earnings annually. There is, however, a lack of evidence in education to inform cost-effective and equitable decision making on education delivery in low- and middle-income contexts. The UK is therefore funding education research to address evidence gaps, with seven research programmes covering over 25 countries. Our Scaling Learning and Access in Education programme draws on rigorous evidence, including the Global Education Evidence Advisory Panel's Education Smart Buys. This includes supporting the scale-up of evidence-based interventions focused on management expertise, teacher training and in-class support to ensure high quality teaching and learning, and better access for vulnerable children. It will also contribute to the evidence base through rigorous test-learn-adapt pilots in a selection of low- and lower middle-income countries.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, pursuant to the Answer of 24 January 2025 to Question 25237 on Development Aid, when the Official Development Assistance Board first met; how frequently the Board plans to meet; how the meetings will be reported; and what are the terms of reference for the Board.

The first meeting of the re-established Official Development Assistance (ODA) Board took place in February 2025. The Board will meet two times per year, and more frequently if needed. The ODA Board scrutinises ODA spend, driving value for money for the UK taxpayer and a stronger strategic focus for ODA spending across government. Its remit includes managing pressures on the ODA budget and overseeing and monitoring ODA spending across government. There are currently no plans to report on meetings.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what steps he is taking to support the work of the International Committee of the Red Cross.

For many years the UK Government has funded the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) through provision of core unrestricted funding on a multi-year basis, as well as annual bilateral contributions to particular emergency contexts. In 2024, the UK provided over £192 million to the ICRC, of which £48 million was unrestricted funding. Future UK funding for ICRC will be determined as part of the Spending Review process.The Foreign Secretary met with the ICRC's President Mirjana Spoljaric in October 2024 at the UN General Assembly. Ministers within the FCDO have also had several direct engagements with ICRC officials in recent months, both in London and in several humanitarian contexts. Officials from the FCDO meet and coordinate regularly with ICRC officials both in London and Geneva, and in conflict affected countries around the world. The UK is also co-chairing the ICRC Donor Support Group from June 2025.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, with reference to the oral contribution of the Minister for Development of 23 January 2025 on International Day of Education, Official Report, column 434WH, what (a) consideration and (b) priority has been given to UK global education funding in the development review.

The international development review considers how to maximise the impact of the FCDO's integrated development and diplomacy model and how we can improve development capability and assurance within the department. The review scope did not include specific sectoral funding.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what discussions (a) he and (b) officials in his Department have had with (i) the International Committee of the Red Cross and (ii) Chancellor of the Exchequer on the International Committee of the Red Cross's next funding period.

For many years the UK Government has funded the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) through provision of core unrestricted funding on a multi-year basis, as well as annual bilateral contributions to particular emergency contexts. In 2024, the UK provided over £192 million to the ICRC, of which £48 million was unrestricted funding. Future UK funding for ICRC will be determined as part of the Spending Review process.The Foreign Secretary met with the ICRC's President Mirjana Spoljaric in October 2024 at the UN General Assembly. Ministers within the FCDO have also had several direct engagements with ICRC officials in recent months, both in London and in several humanitarian contexts. Officials from the FCDO meet and coordinate regularly with ICRC officials both in London and Geneva, and in conflict affected countries around the world. The UK is also co-chairing the ICRC Donor Support Group from June 2025.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, with reference to the oral contribution of the Minister for Development of 23 January 2025 on International Day of Education, Official Report, column 434WH, whether he plans to consult hon. Members on the findings of the development review.

The Foreign Secretary is considering his response to the three reviews he commissioned into the UK's Global Impact, Development and Economic Diplomacy. He plans to inform Hon. Members of the findings of the reviews and his response in the coming weeks.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, with reference to Q66 of the oral evidence given by the Chief Executive of the British Council to the Foreign Affairs Committee on 13 January 2025, HC 609, if he will make an assessment of the potential impact of the closure of British Council offices in up to 40 countries on the UK's (a) soft power and b) security in Europe.

The British Council is operationally independent from the UK Government. Decisions relating to the size and model of its overseas network are operational matters for the British Council.The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) works with the British Council to ensure strategic alignment between FCDO objectives and British Council activity.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what steps his Department is taking to ensure the continued operation of the British Council in countries where other hostile state actors are present.

The British Council is operationally independent from the UK Government. Decisions relating to the size and model of its overseas network are operational matters for the British Council.The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) works with the British Council to ensure strategic alignment between FCDO objectives and British Council activity.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, if he will make an assessment of the potential merits of increasing multi-year funding to support (a) food-insecure people in Sudan and (b) Sudanese refugees in neighbouring countries.

The UK is committed to addressing the humanitarian catastrophe in Sudan. We are deeply concerned by the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification Famine Review Committee's findings in December 2024 that the famine has spread to at least five areas of Sudan and is projected to expand into at least ten areas by May 2025. In November 2024, the UK announced a further £113 million of aid. With this announcement, the UK has doubled our aid to Sudan and the regional response this year to £226.5 million. During his visit to the Sudan-Chad border at Adré in Janaury, the Foreign Secretary also announced £20 million in additional funding.Ministers will consider Official Development Assistance allocations for 2025/26 over the coming months, and we will publish them in the Annual Report & Accounts in Summer 2025. The next phase of the Spending Review will set departmental budgets from 2026/27 to 2029/30.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what recent diplomatic steps he has taken to help secure guarantees from Sudan’s warring parties that humanitarian assistance will be delivered (a) safely and (b) unimpeded to people affected by conflict.

The UK remains fully committed to ensuring safe and unimpeded humanitarian access in Sudan. In January, the Foreign Secretary visited the Chad-Sudan border at Adré to see first-hand the impact of conflict on Sudanese refugees. He used the visit as an opportunity to call again on warring parties to urgently improve humanitarian access. On 25 November 2024, the Foreign Secretary also chaired a Sudan session during the G7 + Arab Quint Foreign Ministers' meeting to discuss collective action the G7 and Quint could take with the warring parties to push for improved humanitarian access, protection of civilians, and increased aid. In our statements at the United Nations Security Council, including most recently in an open briefing on 6 January, as well as in our engagements with international partners, the UK continues to push for additional aid routes across Sudan and into it, including through South Sudan. The UK Special Representative, Richard Crowder, met the head of the Sudanese Armed Forces, General Burhan, during his first visit to Sudan in December 2024, and pressed him on current impediments to access such as visas.