Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Topical Questions

Wednesday 29 January 2020 · 8 questions

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 4 Partly answered 2 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Andrew Jones requested a statement on preparations for COP26 in Glasgow, which the Secretary of State confirmed as a key priority for the Government.
  • Andrew Jones inquired about the UK aid policy regarding overseas fossil fuel expansion, to which the response highlighted UK support for developing countries and referenced a communiqu from a summit.
  • Dan Carden questioned the use of UK aid funds for business-class flights and five-star hotels in the context of climate change, and the response directed him to an earlier statement by the Minister of State, Department for International Development.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Andrew Jones Con
Climate Foreign Affairs
Context

In August, Alok Sharma announced an International Development Infrastructure Commission to mobilise additional private sector funds alongside public money to meet the UN's $2.5 trillion annual requirement for sustainable development goals.

Question

I am concerned about my departmental responsibilities and would like a statement on them. Specifically, I want to know if the Secretary of State can make an update on preparations for COP26 in Glasgow.

Answer from Alok Sharma

A successful delivery of COP26 in November is a key priority for the Government, and cross-departmental work is being co-ordinated through the Cabinet Office. It is vital for current and future generations that all of us around the world step up to the challenge.

Partly answered

Not addressed: No specific preparations or timeline was provided

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Q2 Andrew Jones Con
Climate Foreign Affairs
Context

At the UK-Africa investment summit, almost £2 billion-worth of new energy deals were struck for fossil fuels. The Department disclosed that the event cost more than £15 million of aid money.

Question

I am concerned about the spending of UK aid money on expanding fossil fuels overseas. Can you clarify your Department's policy on this issue?

Answer from Alok Sharma

If the hon. Gentleman had read the communiqué that came out of the summit, he would have seen not only the billions of pounds of investment, but the UK support going to developing countries. He always castigates private investment, but perhaps he ought to read what the UN Secretary-General wrote in November in the Financial Times.

Not addressed: Did not address whether aid money was spent on business-class flights or five-star hotels

How: Changed Subject, Referenced Other Documents

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Q3 Dan Carden Lab Liverpool Walton
Climate Foreign Affairs
Context

At the UK-Africa investment summit, almost £2 billion-worth of new energy deals were struck for fossil fuels. The Department disclosed that the event cost more than £15 million of aid money.

Question

I am concerned about the spending of UK aid money on expanding fossil fuels overseas and want to know if any of the £15 million was spent on business-class flights or five-star hotels, and how can he justify using taxpayers' funds for fossil fuel companies during a climate catastrophe?

Answer from Alok Sharma

I think the answer was given earlier by the Minister of State, Department for International Development, my hon. Friend the Member for Pendle (Andrew Stephenson), in respect of the statement the Prime Minister made at the Africa investment summit.

Not addressed: Did not address whether aid money was spent on business-class flights or five-star hotels

How: Referred To Another Mp

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Q4 Dan Carden Lab Liverpool Walton
Economy Women & Equalities
Context

The UK-Africa investment summit highlighted the UK's distinct offer to support clean growth, and their expertise in low-carbon sectors and green finance.

Question

I am interested in the measures being taken to empower the women's economy in developing countries. Can you provide more information on this?

Answer from Alok Sharma

Women and girls are very much at the heart of our approach to economic development, and I am sure that all colleagues would agree that no society can truly flourish if half the population is held back. At the UK-Africa investment summit, I announced further support for our work and opportunities for women programme, which will help at least 100,000 additional women to achieve better paid and more secure work.

Answered
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Q5 Cherilyn Mackrory
Economy Women & Equalities
Context

The UK has a strategy to empower the women's economy in many developing countries.

Question

I want to know what measures are being taken by his Department to empower the women's economy in many developing countries.

Answer from Alok Sharma

Women and girls are very much at the heart of our approach to economic development, and I am sure that all colleagues would agree that no society can truly flourish if half the population is held back. At the UK-Africa investment summit, I announced further support for our work and opportunities for women programme, which will help at least 100,000 additional women to achieve better paid and more secure work.

Answered
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Q6 Sarah Champion Lab Rotherham
Women & Equalities
Context

The Secretary of State announced further support for the work and opportunities for women programme, which will help at least 100,000 additional women to achieve better paid and more secure work.

Question

Will he confirm that educating and employing women and girls will remain a key strategy for his Department?

Answer from Alok Sharma

Absolutely it will.

Answered
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Q7 Thomas Tugendhat Con Tonbridge
Environment
Context

The UK has a major responsibility for the plastic pollution we see, particularly in developing countries.

Question

What work are the UK Government doing to stop the trade in and export of plastic pollution from the UK?

Answer from Alok Sharma

I set out earlier what we are doing in this particular area. There is a legitimate export market for plastic waste and secondary raw material, but we take firm action against those engaged in the illegal export of contaminated, low-quality and unrecyclable plastic waste.

Answered
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Q8 Neil Gray SNP
Asylum & Refugees
Context

There are issues with the allocation of British funding to the Kurdistan region, which has accommodated more than 1 million refugees and displaced people since 2014.

Question

I want to pay tribute to the region for accommodating more than 1 million refugees and displaced people since 2014. Can you confirm that there are no delays in allocating British funding?

Answer from Andrew Murrison

I most certainly do join my hon. Friend in paying tribute to the Kurdistan Regional Government and other Governments in the area, who are helping. I am not aware of any delays to the allocation to which my hon. Friend refers, but I am happy to look into the matter.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not confirm no delays exist

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