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To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, for each Arm's Length Body (ALB) their Department sponsors, (a) how many people are employed in the following bands of total earnings, or nearest equivalent, (i) under £25,000, (ii) £ 25,001 to £ 35,000, (iii) £35,001 to £50,270,...
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, for each Arm's Length Body (ALB) their Department sponsors, (a) how many people are employed in the following bands of total earnings, or nearest equivalent, (i) under £25,000, (ii) £ 25,001 to £ 35,000, (iii) £35,001 to £50,270,...
The requested data is not centrally held by the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, and could only be collated and verified for the purposes of answering this question at disproportionate cost.
To ask the Minister for Women and Equalities, pursuant to the answer of 7 July 2026, to Question 14405, on Bank Notes: Design, in what regard is responding to the Bank of England bank notes consultation within the departmental remit of the Office for Equality and Opportunity.
To ask the Minister for Women and Equalities, pursuant to the answer of 7 July 2026, to Question 14405, on Bank Notes: Design, in what regard is responding to the Bank of England bank notes consultation within the departmental remit of the Office for Equality and Opportunity.
The design of bank notes is a matter for the Bank of England, which is independent of the Government. There has been no engagement between Cabinet Office or Equalities Ministers and the Bank of England on banknote design and imagery. Officials in the Office for Equality and Opportunity responded to an email from a Bank of England counterpart in August 2025 in relation to their consultation on this topic as part of normal due process – as they did in 2013 under the previous government during a previous review – in line with their responsibilities under the Guide to Handling Correspondence.
To ask the Minister for Women and Equalities, pursuant to the Answer of 7 July 2026 to Question 14405 on Bank Notes: Design, if she will place in the Library a copy of the substantive reply from the Office for Equality and Opportunity to the Bank of England on the...
To ask the Minister for Women and Equalities, pursuant to the Answer of 7 July 2026 to Question 14405 on Bank Notes: Design, if she will place in the Library a copy of the substantive reply from the Office for Equality and Opportunity to the Bank of England on the...
The design of bank notes is a matter for the Bank of England, which is independent of the Government. There has been no engagement between Cabinet Office or Equalities Ministers and the Bank of England on banknote design and imagery. Officials in the Office for Equality and Opportunity responded to an email from a Bank of England counterpart in August 2025 in relation to their consultation on this topic as part of normal due process – as they did in 2013 under the previous government during a previous review – in line with their responsibilities under the Guide to Handling Correspondence.
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, further to the Part of a Return to an Address of the Honourable the House of Commons dated 4 February 2026 relating to the appointment of Lord Mandelson as HM Ambassador to Washington, Volume 1, HC1774-I, 11 March...
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, further to the Part of a Return to an Address of the Honourable the House of Commons dated 4 February 2026 relating to the appointment of Lord Mandelson as HM Ambassador to Washington, Volume 1, HC1774-I, 11 March...
The settlement agreement between the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) and Peter Mandelson was published as part of the Humble Address.
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, pursuant to the Answer of 16 June 2026 to Question 8067 on FCDO: Industrial Dispute, what is the request or ask of the PCS trade union that is the subject of the industrial dispute on the restructure process;...
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, pursuant to the Answer of 16 June 2026 to Question 8067 on FCDO: Industrial Dispute, what is the request or ask of the PCS trade union that is the subject of the industrial dispute on the restructure process;...
The Public and Commercial Services (PCS) trade union has asked for an unconditional guarantee against compulsory redundancy. The department remains engaged in discussions with PCS regarding the restructuring programme and continues to seek to minimise the need for compulsory redundancies. No further strike dates have been notified beyond what is already announced.
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, how many agency staff were employed by her Department in each of the last three years.
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, how many agency staff were employed by her Department in each of the last three years.
Details of the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office's expenditure on temporary staff are routinely published in the Department's annual report and accounts.
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what was the cost to the public purse of her Department's summer reception held on 1 July 2026; and how much of the total cost was spent on (a) alcohol and (b) catering.
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what was the cost to the public purse of her Department's summer reception held on 1 July 2026; and how much of the total cost was spent on (a) alcohol and (b) catering.
The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office's summer reception is one of the key moments of the year for engagement with overseas diplomats based in the UK, and has been supported by successive governments for several decades. We are grateful to the many UK food and drink companies who offered to showcase their products at this year's reception, helping to reduce the costs of the event for the FCDO.
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, pursuant to the Answer of 3 July 2026 to Question 13197 on Sanctuary Counsel, if she will provide relevant hyperlinks and reference numbers to each of the payments made to Sanctuary Counsel; and if she will publish the...
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, pursuant to the Answer of 3 July 2026 to Question 13197 on Sanctuary Counsel, if she will provide relevant hyperlinks and reference numbers to each of the payments made to Sanctuary Counsel; and if she will publish the...
Details of Government contracts are routinely published on the Contracts Finder and Find-a-Tender Service websites. Details of payments over £25,000 made by Government departments are routinely published via transparency releases on GOV.UK. The information the Hon Member is seeking can be found online, and the Hon Member may wish to carry out subsequent research. All relevant information is currently available, or will be made available in future, via those sources.
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether her Department has held discussions on the Epstein files released by the United States Department of Justice prior to their publication.
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether her Department has held discussions on the Epstein files released by the United States Department of Justice prior to their publication.
We are not aware of any such discussions.
To ask the Minister for Women and Equalities, pursuant to the Answer of 30 June 2026, to Question 9614, on Equality: Impact Assessments, whether her Department plans to publish new guidance on the issue.
To ask the Minister for Women and Equalities, pursuant to the Answer of 30 June 2026, to Question 9614, on Equality: Impact Assessments, whether her Department plans to publish new guidance on the issue.
The Government has committed to speeding up decision making and delivery for the British people. As part of this, a proportionate approach is being taken to equalities impact assessments, so that they improve policy and outcomes. Guidance for public authorities is already available at https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/public-sector-equality-duty-guidance-for-public-authorities/public-sector-equality-duty-guidance-for-public-authorities.
To ask the Minister for Women and Equalities, whether the Office for Equality and Opportunity has undertaken any expenditure on branded goods since the Government Chief Commercial Officer letter.
To ask the Minister for Women and Equalities, whether the Office for Equality and Opportunity has undertaken any expenditure on branded goods since the Government Chief Commercial Officer letter.
The Office for Equality and Opportunity (OEO) has spent nothing on branded merchandise since April 2025, adhering strictly to guidelines that limit procurement to essential, value-for-money operational items.
The Social Mobility Commission, which is an advisory non-departmental public body within the OEO family, spent £1,152.69 in 2025 on the following one-off items to update its branding for its symposium:
- 9 roller banners
- 1 lectern cover
These items will be reused for future events.
To ask the Minister for Women and Equalities, pursuant to the Answer of 30 June 2026, to Question 9890, on Equality, whether she plans to undertake a public consultation on the statutory guidance on the socio-economic duty.
To ask the Minister for Women and Equalities, pursuant to the Answer of 30 June 2026, to Question 9890, on Equality, whether she plans to undertake a public consultation on the statutory guidance on the socio-economic duty.
This Government is committed to commencing the socio-economic duty. We are currently working towards commencement, which includes drafting statutory guidance that will clarify how the duty can be applied effectively. As part of this process and to maintain pace, we are engaging directly with listed public bodies to ensure the guidance supports them effectively.
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what steps the Department is taking to increase knowledge in artificial intelligence, semiconductors and quantum technologies in the diplomatic network.
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what steps the Department is taking to increase knowledge in artificial intelligence, semiconductors and quantum technologies in the diplomatic network.
The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) is strengthening knowledge of artificial intelligence, semiconductors and quantum technologies across the diplomatic network through targeted training, specialist resources, and expert engagement, building on the core capabilities of the Science and Technology Network, active in 65 locations worldwide and co-sponsored with the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology. A technology policy curriculum is available to all staff, supported by a dedicated knowledge hub, regular events and expert-led talks and discussions. The FCDO also delivers specialist learning programmes with external partners on AI policy, governance and other critical technologies, helping staff in the UK and overseas to engage effectively on these issues. These activities complement wider Civil Service AI skills programmes and Departmental guidance on the safe and effective use of AI.
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, other than special advisers if her Department has appointed anyone from outside the civil service since July 2024.
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, other than special advisers if her Department has appointed anyone from outside the civil service since July 2024.
The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office has conducted open recruitment exercises for a large number of posts at all levels since July 2024, which has often meant appointing individuals from outside the civil service.
Motion that this House has considered regional accents and social mobility. Agreed to on question.
Motion that this House has considered regional accents and social mobility. Agreed to on question.
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, how many government residences are allocated to the Foreign Office; and how many of those are occupied by serving or ex ministers of the Department, broken down by property allocated to each minister or former minister.
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, how many government residences are allocated to the Foreign Office; and how many of those are occupied by serving or ex ministers of the Department, broken down by property allocated to each minister or former minister.
I refer the Hon Member to the answer provided on 28 October 2025 in response to Question HL10808. All decisions on the allocation of official residences to ministers are made by the Prime Minister, either on the grounds of security or to allow them to better perform their official duties.
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, if she will make it her policy to reference “sex” rather than “gender” in future departmental publications.
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, if she will make it her policy to reference “sex” rather than “gender” in future departmental publications.
The Department will continue to use the word 'gender' when it is appropriate to do so, as the Hon Member himself has done ever since arriving in Parliament. Indeed, looking back at his past contributions to oral debates, I was struck by the number of issues he has addressed with care and sensitivity over the years while using the word 'gender'.
In 2015, he talked movingly about his ambitions for his own young son and daughter, but said there was "far, far more to do if we are to eliminate the gender pay gap altogether and build the equal society that we all want". The following year, he talked with great moral clarity about the "gender inequalities" and "gender-based violence" facing young women affected by the conflict in Yemen. In 2018 and 2019, he talked again about the "gender pay gap", and in 2022, he praised the "almost identical gender balance" in pub trade employment, an observation he repeated in 2024. Finally, last year, he struck a chord with members across the House when talking about a close colleague and friend who had been affected by illness, stating: "Cancer does not care about politics. It does not care what background we come from, our age or gender, or what party we belong to. It strikes indiscriminately. It takes what it wants, and it leaves devastation in its wake."
In all these cases, the use of the word 'gender' seems perfectly appropriate, and in some instances - such as 'gender inequality', 'gender based violence', and 'gender pay gap' - these are commonly-used and widely-understood terms, which it would make no sense to strike from our collective vocabulary. I would therefore urge the Hon Member to reflect on his proposal, and possibly have a conversation with his former self on the matter.
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, pursuant to the answer of 29 May 2025, to Question 2053, on Treaties: Parliamentary Scrutiny, for what policy reason does the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office not keep a central list of such instruments.
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, pursuant to the answer of 29 May 2025, to Question 2053, on Treaties: Parliamentary Scrutiny, for what policy reason does the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office not keep a central list of such instruments.
The Hon Member's proposal has been rejected by successive governments, due primarily to the impracticality of the exercise, and the bureaucratic burden it would create.
I refer the Hon Member in particular to the then government's response to the Public Administration and Constitutional Affairs Committee, published on 18 April 2024, and to the current government's response to the House of Lords International Agreements Committee, published on 3 December 2025.
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, pursuant to the Answer of 3 June 2026 to Question 3351 on Lord Mandelson, whether Lord Mandelson as Ambassador provided advice in relation to the (a) decision of the Government not to publish the China Audit and (b)...
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, pursuant to the Answer of 3 June 2026 to Question 3351 on Lord Mandelson, whether Lord Mandelson as Ambassador provided advice in relation to the (a) decision of the Government not to publish the China Audit and (b)...
The Government's policy of not commenting on individual personnel matters remains unchanged, but where the Humble Address process required the disclosure of relevant documentation, we have met those requirements. I refer the Hon. Member to the Government's statement and release of information on 1 June. The documents published in the first and second tranches contain the entirety of the documents the Government has available for disclosure, except those being withheld at the request of the Metropolitan Police.
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether Lord Mandelson (a) completed and (b) passed his STRAP clearance process when Ambassador.
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether Lord Mandelson (a) completed and (b) passed his STRAP clearance process when Ambassador.
The Government's policy of not commenting on individual personnel matters remains unchanged, but where the Humble Address process required the disclosure of relevant documentation, we have met those requirements. I refer the Hon. Member to the Government's statement and release of information on 1 June. The documents published in the first and second tranches contain the entirety of the documents the Government has available for disclosure, except those being withheld at the request of the Metropolitan Police.