Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Rights of Women and Girls

Tuesday 24 June 2025 · 3 questions

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

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 1 Partly answered 2 Not answered 0

Key points

  • FCDO is including gender provisions in newly negotiated free trade agreements.
  • Foreign Office will support victims and work to bring people to justice.
  • Minister is committed to ensuring at least 50% of aid reaches women and girls.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Maya Ellis Lab Ribble Valley
Business & Trade Women & Equalities
Context

Yesterday, an ambitious industrial strategy was welcomed which will rely on bold trade deals with countries around the world. Britain has a strong tradition of promoting human rights.

Question

Yesterday, we welcomed an ambitious and much-needed industrial strategy, which will rely on bold trade deals with countries around the world. Britain has a strong tradition of promoting human rights in its work around the world. How is the FCDO ensuring that we uphold our commitment to rights for girls and women as we develop trade deals with other countries?

Answer from The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs (Catherine West)

We are using our influence to unlock the full potential of women to participate in the economy—that includes working to include gender provisions in newly negotiated free trade agreements—and we are supporting women-led businesses to realise the benefits of trade. The developing countries trading scheme provides for 0% tariffs, which disproportionately supports smaller, women-led businesses in low-income countries.

Answered
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Q2 Julia Lopez Con Hornchurch and Upminster
Foreign Affairs Women & Equalities
Context

The Casey report into the gangs scandal last week resulted in promises to deport non-UK nationals who have violently raped children.

Question

What steps is the Foreign Office taking to protect women and girls in this country? Ministers promised that they would do everything they could to deport the men involved. Will the Foreign Secretary confirm that he has already told Pakistan that British aid and diplomatic visas will be withdrawn if convicted rapists are not taken back?

Answer from The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs (Catherine West)

It is probably a question for the Home Office, but we in the Foreign Office will do anything we can to support victims and bring people to justice.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Specific confirmation regarding withdrawing aid and visas was not provided.

How: It Is Probably A Question For The Home Office

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Q3 Wendy Morton Con Aldridge-Brownhills
Education Women & Equalities
Context

The Conservative Government launched the women and girls strategy in 2023, focusing on three Es: education, empowerment, and ending violence.

Question

Education is a basic right, and ensuring quality education for every girl is essential to building a more equitable world. Does the Minister stand by the commitment to ensure that at least 50% of aid reaches women and girls? Most importantly, will she confirm the 2025-26 official development assistance spending for global education following the spending review?

Answer from The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs (Catherine West)

We are committed to supporting women in all that we do. We are supporting, for example, 200,000 displaced children with education interventions in Sudan and reaching Sudanese refugee populations in six countries through £14 million of funding for Education Cannot Wait—was that one of the programmes she cut? UK support through the international finance facility for education will unlock up to $1 billion in additional and affordable education. Our equality impact assessment will be published shortly so that she can analyse the exact pounds and pence.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Specific confirmation regarding 50% of aid reaching women and girls was not provided.

How: Was That One Of The Programmes She Cut?

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