Commons
Oral Questions
2 December 2025
4 contributions
Topical Questions
My hon. Friend is right. In line with our strategy, launched this year, we continue to champion every community’s right to worship, or not, without fear or discrimination. Our special envoy works with partners and alongside our diplomatic network to protect that right via multilateral fora and throu…
I would be very happy to meet my hon. Friend. The UK will continue to centre women and girls in everything that we do internationally, from our diplomacy to our development work. We will mainstream gender across the Department’s work to ensure that we deliver maximum impact. We are retaining our ODA…
+2 more contributions in this session
Commons
Oral Questions
2 December 2025
3 contributions
Jammu and Kashmir
The UK does not currently deliver direct humanitarian assistance in Pakistan-administered Kashmir or India-administered Kashmir, but we continue to monitor the humanitarian situation, as we do elsewhere in the region.
We strongly support individuals’ rights to freedom of assembly and expression, and peaceful political protest. We have consistently emphasised that any human rights violations should be fully investigated in line with international human rights law. We continue to monitor human rights issues and, wh…
+1 more contribution in this session
Commons
Oral Questions
2 December 2025
2 contributions
Hong Kong: Human Rights Violations
The continued erosion of democratic rights and freedoms in Hong Kong is a matter that is deeply concerning to the whole House. In October the Foreign Secretary submitted the Government’s latest six-monthly report on Hong Kong, which details how national security legislation is diminishing Hong Kong’…
We will not tolerate any attempts by foreign Governments to coerce, intimidate, harass or harm their critics in the UK or overseas. UK Ministers have raised directly with Hong Kong and Chinese officials our concerns about what is happening in Hong Kong, and we will continue to do so. Such actions ar…
Commons
Oral Questions
2 December 2025
3 contributions
Modern Slavery: Global Supply Chains
Modern slavery refers to horrific situations in which individuals are exploited through coercion, threats, deception, forced labour and human trafficking. We are determined collectively to do all we can to end it. That is why we work through a range of multilateral bodies, such as the United Nations…
My hon. Friend is right to raise that issue. We are clear that no company in the UK should have forced labour in its supply chain. We work with our partners to promote the role that new technologies can play in reducing forced labour risks in supply chains. That includes developing an interactive to…
+1 more contribution in this session
Commons
Westminster Hall
2 December 2025
Women and Girls: Isle of Wight
It is a pleasure to serve under your chairship, Sir Desmond. I am grateful to my hon. Friend the Member for Isle of Wight West (Mr Quigley) for securing the debate, which has given us the opportunity to hear about the work he is doing and the issues his constituents, particularly the women and girls…
Commons
Westminster Hall
18 November 2025
2 contributions
UNESCO: 80th Anniversary
It is a pleasure to serve under your chairmanship, Mr Dowd, and to have the opportunity to respond to this interesting debate.
I am grateful to my hon. Friend the Member for Mid Derbyshire (Jonathan Davies) for securing the debate and opening it with such a rich introduction to the topic. I pay tri…
I am conscious of time, so I will not give way. My constituency includes schools that embed UNESCO’s values. These UNESCO designations, as we have heard, cover 170 of our constituencies and are a testament to the UK’s rich heritage and global outlook.
I could not be more delighted that Aberystwyth …
Commons
Debate
17 November 2025
11 contributions
Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction Bill
It is a pleasure to serve under your chairship, Madam Chair, and to open this debate in Committee of the whole House on the Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction Bill.
Before turning to the detail of the clauses and of the amendments that stand in my name, I want to underline why it is so impor…
The hon. Member will know from previous conversations that we continue to engage with the fishing industry on all areas of policy. Fishing falls outside the scope of the Bill, but it is important that the Government maintain that dialogue.
+9 more contributions in this session
Commons
Westminster Hall
13 November 2025
2 contributions
Modern Day Slavery: Pakistan
It is a pleasure to serve under your chairship today, Sir Roger, and to respond to this debate. I am grateful to my good friend, the hon. Member for Strangford (Jim Shannon), for securing the debate, and for his work on the issue through the all-party group and by contributing to the cross-party rep…
The hon. Member has raised those issues in the report, and I can come back on a few points.
Our UK aid is delivered in Pakistan via trusted partners with rigorous safeguards. Our programmes focus on systemic change, strengthening child protection systems, improving birth registration and supporting…
Commons
Oral Questions
Women and Equalities
5 November 2025
3 contributions
STEM Industries: Female Workforce
Across Government, we are supporting a number of initiatives to increase the number of women in science, technology, engineering and maths. We have a target of 35% women’s participation in the advanced manufacturing sector. We are investing £18.2 million to ensure under-represented groups get the ma…
My hon. Friend speaks from experience in education, and he is absolutely right. We are investing £187 million in our TechFirst programme to bring digital skills and AI learning into classrooms and communities, while 7.5 million workers are set to gain essential AI skills through our industry partner…
+1 more contribution in this session
Commons
Proceedings
4 November 2025
7 contributions
Sudan: Government Support
I am very grateful to the hon. Member for Melksham and Devizes (Brian Mathew) for securing this debate at such a critical moment for Sudan, which I know will be a matter of concern not only to this House and to his constituents, but to all our constituents across the country. I also thank him for hi…
I thank the hon. Member for her contribution. Perhaps I can reassure her by saying that the UK remains extremely concerned about the persecution of individuals on the basis of their religion or belief, a point that has also been made by the hon. Member for Strangford (Jim Shannon) during the debate.…
+5 more contributions in this session
Commons
Westminster Hall
4 November 2025
5 contributions
Official Development Assistance Reductions
It is a pleasure to serve under your chairship, Sir Desmond, and to respond to an incredibly thoughtful and important debate. I am grateful to the hon. Member for West Dorset (Edward Morello) for securing this debate, and I thank him for his work on the Foreign Affairs Committee and multiple APPGs.
…
I am conscious of time, so I will make some progress.
+3 more contributions in this session
Commons
Oral Questions
Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office
28 October 2025
Topical Questions
I thank my hon. Friend for her letter, and I am very happy to meet her to discuss this matter.
Commons
Oral Questions
Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office
28 October 2025
3 contributions
Hong Kong: Human Rights Violations
The continued erosion of democratic rights and freedoms in Hong Kong is deeply concerning. Last week, the Foreign Secretary submitted to this House the Government’s latest six-monthly report on Hong Kong, which details how national security legislation is diminishing Hong Kong’s political autonomy. …
Indeed, we agree that any attempts by foreign Governments to coerce, intimidate, harass or harm their critics or others abroad, especially in the UK, will not be tolerated. The Government are also strengthening efforts to tackle transnational repression, including through the introduction of dedicat…
+1 more contribution in this session
Commons
Debate
23 October 2025
7 contributions
Black History Month
I beg to move,
That this House has considered Black History Month.
I am honoured to open this debate on Black History Month, which, for the second year running, is being held in Government time. It is a chance to honour those who came before us, to celebrate their lives and their courage, and to r…
I thank the hon. Gentleman for his comments. He describes powerfully the contribution to his community and our country of those from all backgrounds and nations.
+5 more contributions in this session
Commons
Debate
16 October 2025
3 contributions
Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction Bill
I thank the shadow Ministers and hon. and right hon. Members across the House for their thoughtful and constructive contributions to the debate. It has been encouraging to hear the broad support for this important piece of legislation, and to hear the expertise, both from Members’ life experience pr…
I reiterate what I said: both the UK and Mauritius attach great importance to the need to protect marine biodiversity. Indeed, the UK will still have responsibility for managing environmental protection on Diego Garcia and the surrounding 12 nautical miles, and discussions are ongoing in relation to…
+1 more contribution in this session
Commons
Westminster Hall
10 September 2025
3 contributions
Equality Act 2010: Impact on British Society
It is a pleasure to serve under your chairship, Dr Allin-Khan, and to respond to the debate, and I thank the hon. Member for Romford (Andrew Rosindell) for securing it. It is important that we discuss these issues in this place and have a debate about what evidence we use in these debates, whether s…
Let me make a couple of remarks in response to the right hon. Lady’s challenge. It is important that our legislation is used in a way that follows the letter and spirit of the law. I do not want to see debates like this become culture wars. We want to be led by the evidence.
The right hon. Lady rai…
+1 more contribution in this session
Commons
Debate
21 July 2025
8 contributions
Extending the Ukraine Permission Extension Scheme
I am grateful to the hon. Member for Newton Abbot (Martin Wrigley) for securing this debate on what is an important topic for us all. I know that he is a committed advocate for Ukrainians who have sought sanctuary in the UK, particularly in his constituency. I am also grateful to Members from across…
I am conscious of time; I will try to make some progress before taking an intervention shortly.
Since their launch, the Ukrainian schemes have offered or extended sanctuary to more than 300,000 Ukrainians and their families. This is an outstanding response, and one that underlines the deep sympathy…
+6 more contributions in this session
Commons
Westminster Hall
15 July 2025
2 contributions
British Nationality (Irish Citizens) Act 2024
It is a pleasure to serve under your chairship, Dr Murrison.
I thank the hon. Member for East Londonderry (Mr Campbell) for securing this debate about the British Nationality (Irish Citizens) Act 2024. I am grateful to him and to others who have campaigned on this issue, notably Lord Hay of Ballyor…
I thank the hon. Member for that contribution. Indeed, he shared that when we met earlier this year. That was a helpful discussion, filling in the legislative and debate history as well as the personal history that contributed to where we have reached.
Hon. Members may be aware that the total cost …
Commons
Oral Questions
7 July 2025
Topical Questions
That is an important issue. I am working closely with the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, my hon. Friend the Member for Lincoln (Mr Falconer), and the Israeli, Jordanian and Egyptian authorities to identify safe routes by which British nationals and other …
Commons
Oral Questions
7 July 2025
3 contributions
British National Overseas Visas: Settlement Rules
This Government are firmly committed to supporting existing members of the Hong Kong community in the United Kingdom and those who may come here in future. The new rules on earned settlement will be subject to consultation. Following that consultation we will outline the way in which the new rules w…
My hon. Friend is a strong and powerful advocate for members of the Hong Kong community in his constituency and throughout the UK. We recognise those concerns, and we are taking steps to ensure that BNO visa holders have an opportunity to share their views during the consultation on the new earned s…
+1 more contribution in this session
Commons
Oral Questions
7 July 2025
2 contributions
Temporary Worker Visas: Fish Processing Sector
The seasonal worker route is designed to support the horticulture and poultry sectors, both of which have short-term seasonal production peaks. I discussed these issues with the Scottish Minister during my visit to Peterhead fish market in February. There is not the same evidence of seasonal pattern…
As the hon. Gentleman will know, we work closely on this issue with the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, but we must also focus on addressing the underlying causes of recruitment problems. We recognise the position in which some of our fishing communities find themselves in relati…
Commons
Oral Questions
7 July 2025
3 contributions
Qualifying Period for Settlement: Impact on NHS Staffing
This Government recognise and value the contribution that NHS staff make to our country. That is why, under the settlement proposals in the immigration White Paper, we have made it clear that individuals will be able to reduce the standard 10-year period based on their contributions to the UK’s econ…
I understand the concerns raised by my hon. Friend’s constituents about the impact of the proposals. They are important changes, which is why we will consult on the proposals and lay out more details later in the year, including on any transitional arrangements. We understand the importance of clari…
+1 more contribution in this session
Commons
Debate
4 July 2025
Licensing Hours Extensions Bill
I am grateful to my hon. Friend the Member for Watford (Matt Turmaine) and to others who spoke in the debate, including my hon. Friend the Member for Portsmouth North (Amanda Martin), for their contributions. I thank my hon. Friend the Member for Watford for speaking on behalf of my hon. Friend the …
Commons
Westminster Hall
1 July 2025
2 contributions
Refugee Citizenship Rights
It is a pleasure to serve under your chairmanship, Ms Butler, and to respond to the debate.
First, I will respond to some of the points made by the Opposition spokesperson, the hon. Member for Stockton West (Matt Vickers). I feel as though, once again, the Conservative party is in a state of amnesi…
I will not, actually, because I want to respond to all the points that have been made in the debate. I also remind the hon. Gentleman that, of the 30,000 returns made between the election and the middle of May, almost 8,000 were enforced returns. That is a staggering 23% increase in enforced returns…
Commons
Westminster Hall
26 June 2025
Legislative Scrutiny: Border Security, Asylum and Immigration Bill
It is a pleasure to make a brief comment. I thank my hon. Friend for his statement and for applying to make it. I also thank the Committee for its work on the report. I assure him that the report is being read in detail and that the Government will respond in due course.