Wendy Morton MP: written questions 2025
1301 published records · newest first.
Written questions
UK Soft Power CouncilForeign, Commonwealth and Development OfficeTabled 5 Feb 2025AnsweredUIN 28975More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what the criteria were for appointing members of the Soft Power Council; and whether those members will provide declarations of interests for publication.
Answer: Members were identified based on their expertise and real-world experience in soft power and foreign policy domains. As is standard in appointment processes, due diligence and conflicts of interest declarations checks were carried out. These will not be p...
Answered 10 Feb 2025
Original Parliament recordUK Soft Power CouncilForeign, Commonwealth and Development OfficeTabled 5 Feb 2025AnsweredUIN 28974More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, if he will provide an official readout of the recent meeting of the UK Soft Power Council.
Answer: A summary of each meeting will be published on gov.uk. Officials and ministers from the Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office and the Department for Culture Media and Sport have in addition provided proactive briefings to parliamentarians and will c...
Answered 10 Feb 2025
Original Parliament recordUK Soft Power CouncilForeign, Commonwealth and Development OfficeTabled 5 Feb 2025AnsweredUIN 28973More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what performance indicators his Department uses to assess the impact of the UK Soft Power Council.
Answer: The Soft Power Council is just beginning its work. It has so far had one introductory meeting. The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office and the Department for Culture Media and Sport will explore metrics to assess the impact of soft power as part ...
Answered 12 Feb 2025
Original Parliament recordGaza: CeasefiresForeign, Commonwealth and Development OfficeTabled 5 Feb 2025AnsweredUIN 28972More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what recent discussions he has had with international partners on the enforcement of ceasefire agreements in Gaza.
Answer: We welcome the agreement to end the fighting in Gaza. It is the first step in ensuring long-term peace and security for Israelis, Palestinians, and the wider region, bringing much-needed stability, but we have always been clear that an immediate ceasefire...
Answered 12 Feb 2025
Original Parliament recordIsrael: HamasForeign, Commonwealth and Development OfficeTabled 5 Feb 2025AnsweredUIN 28971More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what diplomatic steps his Department is taking to ensure a sustained ceasefire between Israel and Hamas.
Answer: We welcome the agreement to end the fighting in Gaza. It is the first step in ensuring long-term peace and security for Israelis, Palestinians, and the wider region, bringing much-needed stability, but we have always been clear that an immediate ceasefire...
Answered 12 Feb 2025
Original Parliament recordGavi, the Vaccine Alliance: FinanceForeign, Commonwealth and Development OfficeTabled 5 Feb 2025AnsweredUIN 28970More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what progress he has made on the review of funding for Gavi under the spending review; and whether he has made a decision on future contributions.
Answer: The UK is one of the largest donors to Gavi contributing £1.65 billion to Gavi's current "5.1" strategic period covering 2021-2025. As part of the Spending Review (SR) the UK is looking at all global health investments in the round. Announcement...
Answered 17 Feb 2025
Original Parliament recordGavi, the Vaccine AllianceForeign, Commonwealth and Development OfficeTabled 5 Feb 2025AnsweredUIN 28969More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what recent discussions he has had with (a) the United States, (b) France and (c) the European Commission on financial commitments to Gavi’s next strategic period; and if he
Answer: The UK is one of the largest donors to Gavi contributing £1.65 billion to Gavi's current "5.1" strategic period covering 2021-2025. As part of the Spending Review (SR) the UK is looking at all global health investments in the round. Announcement...
Answered 19 Feb 2025
Original Parliament recordGavi, the Vaccine Alliance and International Finance Facility for Immunisation: FinanceForeign, Commonwealth and Development OfficeTabled 5 Feb 2025AnsweredUIN 28968More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what plans he has to provide funds to (a) Gavi and (b) the International Finance Facility for Immunisation for 2026-2037; and what the annual contribution was to those organi
Answer: The UK is one of the largest donors to Gavi and the largest contributor to the International Finance Facility for Immunisation (IFFIm). The UK has committed £1.65 billion to Gavi's current "5.1" strategic period covering 2021-2025 via direct con...
Answered 17 Feb 2025
Original Parliament recordRussia: SubversionForeign, Commonwealth and Development OfficeTabled 5 Feb 2025AnsweredUIN 28967More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what assessment he has made of the potential implications for his policies of recent attempts by Russia to destabilise democracies in the Eastern Caucasian region; and what s
Answer: Countering Russia's efforts to destabilise democracies in the South Caucasus, such as Armenia and Georgia, is a priority for the UK. We have previously supported Georgia in combatting Russian hybrid aggression by helping increase Georgia's cyber resilienc...
Answered 25 Feb 2025
Original Parliament recordBelarus: Political PrisonersForeign, Commonwealth and Development OfficeTabled 5 Feb 2025AnsweredUIN 28966More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what recent representations he has made to his Belarusian counterpart on the release of political prisoners.
Answer: Despite the pardoning of over 250 political prisoners since July 2024, arrests and political repression continue and more than 1,200 political prisoners remain unjustly detained.We continue to take every opportunity, both publicly and privately, to urge t...
Answered 17 Feb 2025
Original Parliament recordBelarus: SanctionsForeign, Commonwealth and Development OfficeTabled 5 Feb 2025AnsweredUIN 28965More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what assessment he has made of the effectiveness of sanctions relating to (a) finance, (b) trade, (c) aircraft, (d) shipping and (e) immigration on Belarus.
Answer: Sanctions are carefully targeted to increase pressure over time, and we regularly review our sanctions to maintain effectiveness and apply increasing pressure. We therefore reserve the right to introduce further measures so that the Lukashenko regime cont...
Answered 17 Feb 2025
Original Parliament recordBelarus: ElectionsForeign, Commonwealth and Development OfficeTabled 5 Feb 2025AnsweredUIN 28964More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what assessment he has made of the potential implications for UK foreign policy of potential irregularities in the recent elections in Belarus.
Answer: The UK condemns the sham presidential election in Belarus on 26 January. In a joint statement alongside Australia, Canada, the EU and New Zealand, the UK denounced the election and called for fresh elections which meet international standards.The UK will ...
Answered 17 Feb 2025
Original Parliament recordDevelopment AidForeign, Commonwealth and Development OfficeTabled 4 Feb 2025AnsweredUIN 28566More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, 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 Developm
Answer: 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 off...
Answered 18 Feb 2025
Original Parliament recordBritish CouncilForeign, Commonwealth and Development OfficeTabled 4 Feb 2025AnsweredUIN 28565More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of the British Council on the UK soft power and diplomacy.
Answer: 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 rel...
Answered 11 Feb 2025
Original Parliament recordForeign, Commonwealth and Development Office: International Committee of the Red CrossForeign, Commonwealth and Development OfficeTabled 4 Feb 2025AnsweredUIN 28564More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, 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 Interna
Answer: 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 ...
Answered 21 Feb 2025
Original Parliament recordInternational Committee of the Red CrossForeign, Commonwealth and Development OfficeTabled 4 Feb 2025AnsweredUIN 28563More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what steps he is taking to support the work of the International Committee of the Red Cross.
Answer: 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 ...
Answered 21 Feb 2025
Original Parliament recordDemocratic Republic of Congo: Humanitarian AidForeign, Commonwealth and Development OfficeTabled 4 Feb 2025AnsweredUIN 28562More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, 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 Cong
Answer: 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 host...
Answered 11 Feb 2025
Original Parliament recordDevelopment Aid: Education and ResearchForeign, Commonwealth and Development OfficeTabled 4 Feb 2025AnsweredUIN 28561More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what plans he has to leverage (a) education and (b) research expertise to achieve his Department's development objectives.
Answer: 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 co...
Answered 14 Feb 2025
Original Parliament recordInternational Day of EducationForeign, Commonwealth and Development OfficeTabled 4 Feb 2025AnsweredUIN 28560More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, 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
Answer: 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 conti...
Answered 14 Feb 2025
Original Parliament recordInternational Day of EducationForeign, Commonwealth and Development OfficeTabled 4 Feb 2025AnsweredUIN 28559More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, 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) consider
Answer: 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...
Answered 19 Feb 2025
Original Parliament recordInternational Day of EducationForeign, Commonwealth and Development OfficeTabled 4 Feb 2025AnsweredUIN 28558More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, 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
Answer: 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.
Answered 27 Feb 2025
Original Parliament recordInternational Day of EducationForeign, Commonwealth and Development OfficeTabled 4 Feb 2025AnsweredUIN 28557More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, 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, what steps he is
Answer: UK officials work closely with partners on the ground to ensure programmes delivered with UK funding are designed to focus on the most marginalised people, including women and girls. Implementing Partners provide the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development ...
Answered 12 Feb 2025
Original Parliament recordInternational Day of EducationForeign, Commonwealth and Development OfficeTabled 4 Feb 2025AnsweredUIN 28556More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, 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
Answer: 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 mi...
Answered 14 Feb 2025
Original Parliament recordNutrition for Growth SummitForeign, Commonwealth and Development OfficeTabled 4 Feb 2025AnsweredUIN 28555More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, 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) financi
Answer: 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...
Answered 17 Feb 2025
Original Parliament recordDevelopment Aid: ReviewsForeign, Commonwealth and Development OfficeTabled 4 Feb 2025AnsweredUIN 28548More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, 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.
Answer: 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.
Answered 17 Feb 2025
Original Parliament record
Published records only — not a full account of an MP’s work. How we work →