Lords
Proceedings
9 July 2026
7 contributions
Venezuela Earthquakes
My Lords, we extend our deepest sympathies to all those affected by the devastating earthquakes in Venezuela. Millions have been affected, with thousands of fatalities and over 16,000 injured. The UK has responded rapidly, mobilising a £5.8 million humanitarian package, including UK international se…
My noble friend is right—this is a truly devastating situation, and its true extent is yet to be revealed. The United Kingdom will, of course, play its part in supporting those who are displaced, those who have been separated from their loved ones and those who are unable to continue with their live…
+5 more contributions in this session
Lords
Proceedings
9 July 2026
10 contributions
Review Conference of the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty
My Lords, the nuclear non-proliferation treaty is the cornerstone of the international nuclear order and the UK remains fully committed to it. It is a treaty that has kept us safe for over half a century, underpinning international security by constraining the spread of nuclear weapons. Although it …
The noble Baroness makes a very good point. I am happy to give her the assurances that she seeks.
+8 more contributions in this session
Lords
Committee Stage
9 July 2026
3 contributions
Women and Girls: Impact of ODA Cuts
My Lords, I am sorry—I know this is unconventional—but that is factually incorrect. That did not happen, and I want to make that clear to the Committee at this point.
I am grateful to the noble Baroness, Lady Sugg, for bringing us together to have this discussion. It is incredibly important that we do so, and it speaks to the level of interest and concern across our House that so many noble Lords have chosen to come and take part in this Committee this afternoon.…
+1 more contribution in this session
Lords
Committee Stage
9 July 2026
Ukraine: Decentralisation and Municipal Partnerships
My Lords, I thank the noble Lord, Lord Risby, for securing this debate. I know that it has not been the biggest draw of the day, as far as Parliament is concerned, but the quality of the contributions has more than made up for that.
The noble Lord, Lord Risby, made some thoughtful suggestions based…
Lords
Proceedings
6 July 2026
8 contributions
West Bank: Purchase of Settlement Land and Property
My Lords, settlements are illegal under international law. We condemn settlement expansion. In June, the Foreign Secretary updated business risk guidance to explicitly advise against economic and financial activity in illegal settlements. The UK’s citizens and businesses should be aware of the clear…
It is not a case of political will. This is about what we can do that would make a practical difference and be enforceable and implementable. Our guidance is clear. We are looking at the small number of countries that are exploring going further and implementing such a restriction, and we will conti…
+6 more contributions in this session
Lords
Proceedings
6 July 2026
13 contributions
International Marine Protected Area: Sargasso Sea
My Lords, the UK recognises the global importance of conserving the Sargasso Sea and has long worked with the Government of Bermuda on science-led conservation, including with the Sargasso Sea Commission. Together, we have been spearheading the Hamilton II Declaration, a political initiative that al…
I will have to take the right reverend Prelate’s word that that is the case. That certainly makes sense to me. As signatories to the agreement, we would hope to work with our partners, wherever they may be, to bring the benefits of this treaty as widely as possible.
+11 more contributions in this session
Lords
Proceedings
30 June 2026
10 contributions
Women’s Representation in Peace Processes
My Lords, the Government are firmly committed to the women, peace and security agenda. We see women’s representation not as an addition to peacebuilding but as central to more effective conflict prevention and resolution. Over the last two years, we have supported women’s safe and meaningful partici…
We fund many such organisations. The right reverend Prelate is right to highlight the significant role that women and women-led organisations play, not just in negotiating. Processes that involve women are also more likely to be successful, and the peace that is secured is more likely to last—there …
+8 more contributions in this session
Lords
Committee Stage
30 June 2026
2 contributions
Ukraine: International Claims Commission Convention
I thank the noble Lord, Lord Johnson of Lainston, for making sure that we are here today to discuss this and to all those who have contributed. I particularly thank the noble and learned Baroness, Lady Prentis—I have always liked her—for her work over many years and as AG. The fact she has continued…
That is my mistake. At the moment, this is for Ukrainian nationals only but, as with other issues that were raised, there is the potential for that to change in the future. But for now, it is for Ukrainian nationals.
Lords
Proceedings
24 June 2026
11 contributions
Darfur: Atrocities
The Government are deeply concerned by reports of a potential RSF offensive on El Obeid. Last year, unimaginable horrors unfolded in El Fasher. The RSF has moved troops towards El Obeid and sent dozens of drone strikes. The risk of grave atrocities is acute. The UK maintains that genocide should be …
I was at the International Development Committee yesterday, and I thought the evidence provided by the witnesses was compelling and impressive. I did not agree with it all, but I thought that those giving evidence did themselves a great deal of credit. I have asked officials this morning for renewed…
+9 more contributions in this session
Lords
Proceedings
16 June 2026
11 contributions
Official Development Assistance: Bilateral Allocations
The Government are committed to publishing FCDO country ODA allocations in or before the FCDO annual report and accounts 2025-26. The annual report is due to be published in July. Publishing the annual report is in line with previous FCDO practice.
What we are doing to make this better—I appreciate that there is less money—is to give three years’ worth of certainty to our posts. We are also requiring them, rather than submitting for approval programme by programme, to do that as a portfolio, so that we can see how everything fits together. Pos…
+9 more contributions in this session
Lords
Committee Stage
15 June 2026
Russia (Sanctions) (EU Exit) (Amendment) Regulations 2026
My Lords, these regulations amend the Russia (Sanctions) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019. This instrument was laid on 19 May under powers in the Sanctions and Anti-Money Laundering Act 2018. The measures in this instrument, subject to the “made affirmative” parliamentary procedure, entered into force on …
Lords
Proceedings
15 June 2026
15 contributions
Middle East: Iran Conflict
My Lords, the UK welcomes the agreement between the United States and Iran and commends all involved in securing this diplomatic breakthrough. Our priority now is to support the full implementation of the agreement and to reopen the Strait of Hormuz without conditions or restrictions in line with in…
These are great questions, and they are the exact questions we have been asking ourselves in the department. This is a framework agreement that we have at the moment. I echo what the noble Lord said: shukran to Pakistan for the role that it has played in bringing the US and Iran to this point. We ne…
+13 more contributions in this session
Lords
Proceedings
8 June 2026
8 contributions
Russian Attacks on Civilian Infrastructure
I think even the noble Lord knows when he says “appeared to weaken” that the story that was reported was not exactly accurate. We have new sanctions that we are introducing, although they will not be introduced perhaps as quickly as some noble Lords would like, and we can discuss them when they come…
I do share, as I think the noble Lord knows, his deep concerns around the changing nature of warfare and what seems to be happening in many places, as he said, with the deliberate targeting of civilians and infrastructure. We do not comment about future sanctions, as he knows, but we will take robus…
+6 more contributions in this session
Lords
Proceedings
8 June 2026
8 contributions
Lebanon: Israel Defense Forces Operations
My Lords, of course I can assure noble Lords that Israel has the right to defend itself. We have said so consistently. We are extremely disturbed—noble Lords will have noticed this in the language we have used in recent days—about the actions taken in Lebanon. We completely understand the need to de…
First, I commend the noble Lord’s work with women and girls in Lebanon. It is vital that we continue this work, and two weeks ago I was able to meet the Lebanese Minister for social affairs, who is an outstanding woman leader in Lebanon. Our support for the Lebanese army continues, and it is the rig…
+6 more contributions in this session
Lords
Proceedings
2 June 2026
9 contributions
Bosnia and Herzegovina
My Lords, we are working closely with the United States, including through the Quint, the Peace Implementation Council and the United Nations Security Council, to support peace and stability in Bosnia and Herzegovina. The Quint remain firmly committed to Bosnia and Herzegovina’s sovereignty and terr…
I thank the noble and gallant Lord for his service and commend the work of his successor, Dame Karen Pierce, in this absolutely vital role. Yes, I can give him that commitment. My colleague—the MP Stephen Doughty, whom I am sure he knows well—leads on this, as he knows, in the Foreign, Commonwealth …
+7 more contributions in this session
Lords
Proceedings
21 May 2026
King’s Speech
My Lords, on behalf of your Lordships’ House, I thank His Majesty the King for delivering the gracious Speech. I am grateful for the privilege of opening today’s debate on the Motion for an humble Address. As this is a King’s Speech debate, I begin by uniting us all in praise of Their Majesties’ inc…
Lords
Proceedings
21 May 2026
9 contributions
Democratic Republic of the Congo and Uganda: Ebola Outbreak
The Government are closely monitoring the Ebola outbreak in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo. We are working with international partners, including the WHO and Africa CDC, to support a co-ordinated response and to strengthen surveillance, containment and preparedness. We have committed up to…
We have already allocated £1 million, plus we have up to another £20 million through the team in Kinshasa. We are working closely with colleagues in Kampala. There have been two cases. Reassuringly, the other suspected cases have tested negative. We are working closely with the Government in Uganda …
+7 more contributions in this session
Lords
Oral Questions
21 April 2026
8 contributions
Sudan
I thank the noble Baroness for that very helpful Answer and for her personal commitment and engagement on this important issue. Sudan is the greatest humanitarian crisis currently happening in the world, with 33 million in desperate need of humanitarian assistance, including 17 million children, and…
My Lords, in this fourth year of Sudan’s war, will the Minister take the opportunity to underline the link between the 14 million people whom the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees says are displaced in Sudan and the desperate Sudanese people who end up in small boats in the English Chann…
+6 more contributions in this session
Lords
Oral Questions
26 March 2026
Former Prime Minister Imran Khan
My Lords, the debate we were due to hold on the UK’s civil preparedness for war has had to be postponed, because we have run out of time. I take this opportunity to wish all Members, clerks, doorkeepers and our Hansard writers a peaceful and restful Easter Recess.
Lords
Oral Questions
26 March 2026
9 contributions
Antisemitism in International Human Rights Bodies
My Lords, I am sorry that two Questions this morning have to deal with antisemitism—I never thought it would come to this. Unfortunately, the United Nations and other bodies, such as Amnesty International and the United Nations Human Rights Council, treat Israel—and have done for a long time—as the …
My Lords, I associate myself totally with the Minister’s remarks about the fight against antisemitism, both in the UK and internationally. On specific action with international partners, she will know that the previous Government, in 2023, together with the United Arab Emirates, passed Resolution 26…
+7 more contributions in this session
Lords
Oral Questions
25 March 2026
10 contributions
Media Freedom Coalition
My Lords, in extending the reach of the work of the Media Freedom Coalition, of which the Government are co-chair, what progress do Ministers expect to make with regard to securing the safety of journalists who are working in conflict-torn Sudan and also the Iranian journalists who are in exile, som…
My Lords, is it not the case that right-wing ownership of newspapers is one of our biggest threats, not just in this country but across Europe? Do we not need to make sure that we do not let more of our media outlets be controlled by right-wing zealots?
+8 more contributions in this session
Lords
Oral Questions
23 March 2026
10 contributions
Ukraine: Reparation
My Lords, the United Kingdom’s support package for Ukraine must include financial reparation for survivors of human rights abuses. Frozen Russian assets must be utilised to support this objective. The Government must continue to work with the G7 and the European Union. The Ukraine Facility provides …
My Lords, as of late 2024, Ukraine’s Ministry of Culture has recorded at least 2,000 instances of damage to and looting of cultural sites and infrastructure—museums, libraries, religious sites, historical buildings and so on. Does the Minister agree that this wanton destruction of cultural heritage …
+8 more contributions in this session
Lords
Oral Questions
18 March 2026
9 contributions
Strait of Hormuz
I thank my noble friend for that Answer. The House knows how the closure of the Strait of Hormuz poses a real risk to the world economy, not only because one-fifth of global oil supplies cannot be moved but because of the growing risk of fertiliser shortages and the effects on food supply and food a…
My Lords, those of us who were privileged to hear President Zelensky yesterday were not only inspired by his courage but immensely impressed by Ukraine’s resilience and the development of digital technology which has put IT and inexpensive drones at the forefront of warfare. How do the United Kingdo…
+7 more contributions in this session
Lords
Oral Questions
17 March 2026
10 contributions
BBC World Service: Sustainability
I am grateful to my noble friend for that Answer, and I am delighted that the settlement has been announced. The BBC World Service is one of the greatest instruments of soft power that we have. It is a lifeline to many in our difficult and divided world, including those in Iran, and I pay tribute to…
My Lords, in a few years, we will be celebrating the centenary of one of the UK’s many great inventions, the BBC World Service, which now reaches a remarkable 400 million people each week. It is the most trusted news service on the planet and a significant contributor to promoting British values acr…
+8 more contributions in this session
Lords
Committee Stage
16 March 2026
3 contributions
Treaty Scrutiny in Westminster (International Agreements Committee Report)
My Lords, I am sorry that I did not manage to conclude what was left of my speech before the Division Bells rang, slightly earlier than we expected. There is an important debate on media to follow, so I will not take too much longer.
The Government believe that the Constitutional Reform and Governa…
Before the noble Baroness sits down, do the Government still consider themselves bound by the Ponsonby rule?
+1 more contribution in this session