Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Topical Questions

Tuesday 2 December 2025 · 15 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 8 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Mr Toby Perkins asked about Britain's commitment to international climate finance, to which the Foreign Secretary confirmed the continuation of support as detailed in the Budget.
  • Andrew Rosindell questioned the Government about a 35 billion deal involving British sovereign territory to Mauritius, to which the Minister stated the cost claims were incorrect and the base is crucial for national security.
  • Greg Smith inquired about discussions between UK and Australian counterparts regarding terror threats, to which the Minister responded that they continue to have strong conversations on state and terror threats and are committed to strengthening laws against such threats.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Toby Perkins Lab Chesterfield
Climate Foreign Affairs
Context

The MP expressed concern about the commitment to international climate finance in light of recent budget changes and weather-related crises.

Question

Following last week’s Budget, will the Foreign Secretary confirm that Britain remains committed to providing £11.6 billion over five years to 2026 for international climate finance and will include inflation increases?

Answer from The Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs (Yvette Cooper)

We will continue to take action on international climate finance and provide support for dealing with these issues. The details for future financial issues were obviously set out as part of the Budget.

Partly answered

How: We Are Committed

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Q2 Andrew Rosindell Reform Romford
Taxation Foreign Affairs
Context

The MP questioned the genuineness of the consultation process regarding the Chagos Islands, citing concerns about external interference and the financial implications of transferring sovereignty.

Question

Will the Minister explain why the Government are pressing ahead with a £35 billion gift of British sovereign territory to Mauritius given last week’s report that the Chancellor had a £4 billion surplus rather than a £20 billion deficit as previously suggested? Does the Minister not agree that scrapping that deal would be a better way to help the Chancellor restore fiscal credibility and save British taxpayers’ money?

Answer from The Minister of State, Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (Stephen Doughty)

No matter how many times the hon. Gentleman repeats his wild claims about the cost of the deal, they are no more correct. I have been clear on multiple occasions about the cost of the deal. We will not scrimp on the national security of this country. The base is crucial for our security and that of our allies.

How: Wild Claims

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Q3 Sureena Brackenridge Lab Wolverhampton North East
Foreign Affairs Religion & Faith
Context

The MP welcomed the Government’s commitment to promoting freedom of religion and asked for further details on how the FCDO supports this globally.

Question

Will the Minister explain how the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office continues to use its diplomatic networks and international partnerships to support all faith and non-faith communities worldwide?

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

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 through targeted interventions in key countries.

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Q4 Greg Smith Con Mid Buckinghamshire
Crime & Law Enforcement Foreign Affairs
Context

The MP asked about discussions between UK and Australian officials regarding the listing of Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps as a state sponsor of terrorism.

Question

What discussions have Ministers had with their Australian counterparts about matching that important action against terror at home and abroad?

Answer from The Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs (Yvette Cooper)

We continue to have many strong conversations with our Five Eyes partners on a range of issues around both state and terror threats. The hon. Gentleman will also know that the Government have committed to strengthening the law so that we have new proscribing tools that can apply to state threats as well as to terrorism threats.

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Q5 James Naish Lab Rushcliffe
Democracy & Elections Foreign Affairs
Context

The MP inquired about measures being taken to counteract the global trend towards democratic erosion, highlighting work by organizations like the Westminster Foundation for Democracy.

Question

What is the FCDO doing to help address the global erosion of democracy?

Answer from The Minister of State, Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (Stephen Doughty)

My hon. Friend raises a crucial point. We work closely with our partners on that issue and support democratic institutions and values, including through the Westminster Foundation for Democracy. We fund election observation, champion media freedom and provide leadership in different fora.

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Q6 Zöe Franklin Lib Dem Guildford
Foreign Affairs
Context

The MP raised concerns over recent US military actions off the coast of Venezuela, calling for a stronger response from Britain to condemn such acts.

Question

Will the Secretary of State now go further, explicitly condemning the actions and ensuring Britain pushes back against that escalation and any further actions outside international law by the Trump Administration?

Answer from The Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs (Yvette Cooper)

We always support international law and the upholding of it. The UK is not involved in those operations. More widely, the UK does not accept the legitimacy of the Administration put in place by Nicolás Maduro following the 2024 election and we support a negotiated transition in Venezuela.

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Q7 Tom Gordon Lib Dem Harrogate and Knaresborough
Foreign Affairs Religion & Faith
Context

Anoosheh Ashoori's case highlights the continued use of arbitrary detention and state-sponsored kidnapping by Iran, raising concerns about the safety of British nationals.

Question

I met Anoosheh Ashoori and opened his exhibit “Surviving Evin” at a Harrogate district Amnesty International branch event at Ripon cathedral. Given the continued use of arbitrary detention and state-sponsored kidnapping and hostage-taking by Iran, what steps are the Government taking to strengthen protections for British nationals when abroad?

Answer from Hamish Falconer

I am familiar with the case that the hon. Member mentions. On all the other detention cases in Iran, we are working to ensure that those individuals have full access to consular assistance where they need it, as British nationals have across the world.

Partly answered
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Q8 Beccy Cooper Lab Worthing West
Foreign Affairs
Context

The official development assistance budget has been reduced to allow for defence investment, raising concerns about the impact on global health initiatives.

Question

We know that our official development assistance budget is currently reduced to allow for defence investment, but given the continuing need to improve global health, not least to guarantee our own health and security, will the Minister meet me and other concerned colleagues to discuss how best to continue to protect lifesaving health programmes and the work with women and girls that she has rightly prioritised?

Answer from Seema Malhotra

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 target for gender equality, and we will share an update on further measures to strengthen our approach to mainstreaming in due course.

Partly answered
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Q9 Harpreet Uppal Lab Huddersfield
Foreign Affairs
Context

The UN has documented over 1,600 attacks in the West Bank perpetrated by Israeli settlers.

Question

Since the beginning of 2025, the United Nations Office for the Co-ordination of Humanitarian Affairs has documented more than 1,600 attacks in the west bank perpetrated by Israeli settlers. What more can the UK do in terms of sanctions for illegal settler outposts and settlement trade and to hold the Israeli Government to account?

Answer from Hamish Falconer

On 27 November, the UK, France, Germany and Italy collectively condemned the massive increase in settler violence against Palestinian civilians in the west bank. The pace of settlement building in the west bank continues unabated, as my hon. Friend knows well because she has been engaged on these issues for some time. Israel must stop settlement expansion, and it must crack down on settler violence, which has reached record levels. This Government have introduced three waves of sanctions focused on settlements, including against Mr Ben-Gvir.

Partly answered
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Q10 Robin Swann Ulster Unionist Party South Antrim
Foreign Affairs Business & Trade
Context

The Foreign Secretary stated that trade relations with China are in the national interest, raising questions about conversations with Invest Northern Ireland.

Question

In an earlier answer, the Foreign Secretary said that trade relations between China and the UK were “in our national interest”. To that extent, can I ask what conversations her Department had with Invest Northern Ireland prior to its signing a co-operation framework memorandum of understanding with the China Chamber of Commerce in the UK?

Answer from Seema Malhotra

This Government support UK businesses to do business with China while being open-eyed to any risks.

Partly answered
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Q11 Nick Timothy Con West Suffolk
Foreign Affairs
Context

The White House and other foreign governments have expressed concerns about sensitive cables running under Royal Mint Court. The Foreign Office has denied the presence of such cables to both the US Government and the press.

Question

The White House has expressed concerns about sensitive cables that run under Royal Mint Court, as have the Dutch, Swiss and Swedish Governments. I understand that the Foreign Office has denied the presence of such cables to the US Government, and the Cabinet Office has denied it to the press. Will the Foreign Secretary stand up and make it very clear to the House of Commons that no such cables run beneath or near the site—yes or no?

Answer from Yvette Cooper

We always make national security considerations a central priority, and we continue to hold a range of discussions on national security issues with the US and other partners. Under the hon. Gentleman’s party, the Defence Secretary was sacked for leaking national security information and the Home Secretary was sacked for national security breaches, and the Conservatives left us with the smallest Army since the time of Napoleon. We will not take any lectures from them.

Not addressed: The question about sensitive cables under Royal Mint Court

How: Changing Subject To Past Conservative Government'S National Security Issues

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Q12 Jessica Morden Lab Newport East
Democracy & Elections Foreign Affairs
Context

Georgia has seen protests against democratic backsliding and crackdowns on political opponents, which are concerning to those with ties to Kutaisi.

Question

We have seen a year of protests in Georgia against democratic backsliding and crackdowns on political opponents, which are deeply concerning, including for those in Newport with strong links to Kutaisi. What more can be done with allies to increase diplomatic pressure?

Answer from Stephen Doughty

We are deeply concerned by the democratic backsliding in Georgia and have issued a number of sanctions, as my hon. Friend will be aware. I have raised concerns directly with Georgian Dream representatives and will continue to follow the situation closely.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Specific diplomatic actions with allies not detailed

How: Acknowledges Concern But Does Not Specify New Measures

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Q13 Oliver Dowden Con Hertsmere
Foreign Affairs
Context

Today is the UAE's National Day, celebrating 54 years since independence. The UK values its partnership with the UAE.

Question

Today is UAE National Day, marking 54 years since its full independence. In that time, it has become one of our nation’s staunchest allies and a key investor, benefiting constituencies up and down the country. Will the Minister join me, as chairman of the all-party parliamentary group, in congratulating the UAE and recommitting to this key strategic relationship?

Answer from Hamish Falconer

I will. I was delighted to see my Emirati counterpart just yesterday. We had a Minister representing the British Government at the Emirati National Day. It is a key partner. I welcome its investment all over the country, and we will take the relationship from strength to strength.

Answered
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Q14 Kim Johnson Lab Liverpool Riverside
Foreign Affairs
Context

The ICJ ruled in July 2024 that Israeli settlements and occupation are illegal, but the UK has not yet responded officially.

Question

In July 2024, the International Court of Justice ruled in its advisory opinion that Israeli settlements and occupation are illegal and needed to be ended and dismantled retrospectively. Can the Minister explain why the UK Government still have not responded to the advisory opinion after 17 months?

Answer from Hamish Falconer

The advisory opinion is an important piece of international legal opinion, so we are taking our time and ensuring that we have an adequate response. But I remind my hon. Friend that it is not like nothing has happened over the course of those 17 months: we have recognised the Palestinian state. That is absolutely central in the deliberations of the advisory opinion, and we have done many other things, too, as have been discussed over the course of this session.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Specific response to ICJ's advisory opinion not detailed

How: Acknowledges Importance But Does Not Provide Specific Timeline Or Measures

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Q15 Ellie Chowns Green North Herefordshire
Foreign Affairs
Context

Israel continues to expand settlements, violating international law and impacting the two-state solution.

Question

What action will the UK Government take as a consequence of Israel’s flagrant violation of international law in establishing and expanding settlements? The lack of action creates a culture of impunity in which Israel feels able to green light the expansion of the E1 settlement, creating division between the west bank and east Jerusalem and putting a nail in the coffin of the two-state solution. Will the Foreign Secretary ban trade with illegal settlements to show that violating international law has consequences?

Answer from Hamish Falconer

We have, from this Dispatch Box, announced three waves of sanctions, including on Mr Ben-Gvir and Mr Smotrich. I have discussed the questions around trade on a number of occasions with the hon. Lady. Any trade with settlements does not benefit from the trade arrangements in place with green line Israel. We continue to take steps to ensure that that regime is enforced in full, and we continue to look at these issues very carefully.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Specific ban on trade with illegal settlements not confirmed

How: Acknowledges Sanctions But Does Not Confirm Specific Trade Ban

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