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1222794

registered interest
date	10/07/2020
answering body	Department for International Development
answering dept id	20
answering dept short name	International Development
answering dept sort name	International Development
hansard heading	Developing Countries: Remittances
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, what assessment her Department has made of (a) the implications for her policies of the statement by the World Bank that the single most important factor leading to high remittance prices is a lack of transparency in the market and (b) the effectiveness of the World Bank's methodology for calculating the (a) cost of remittances and (b) exchange rate margin as calculated from a publicly available interbank rate.
tabling member constituency	Milton Keynes North
tabling member printed	Ben Everitt
uin	72278
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 22/07/2020 answer text <p>In May, the UK and Swiss Governments, with the support of the World Bank and other partners, launched a global Call to Action on remittances. This called on policymakers, regulators and remittance service providers to take action to keep remittances flowing during the crisis.</p><p>The Government has taken steps to support remittance service providers in the UK, including enabling them to remain open through lockdown by including them on the list of essential businesses.</p><p>Remittance prices are high for many reasons, including underdeveloped financial infrastructure in some countries, limited competition, regulatory obstacles, lack of access to the banking sector by remittance senders and/or receivers, and difficulties for migrants to obtain the necessary identification documentation to enter the financial mainstream.</p><p>The Government recognises that transparency is an important factor leading to high remittances prices. We are working to improve price transparency for consumers with the Treasury, the FCA and the industry.</p><p>In the remittances market, the total cost might not always be clear to customers as there are a number of variable factors including: the transaction fee, the exchange rate applied and the margin and speed of the service. We are working on ways to support increasing transparency of data so it is clear for the remitter and receiver how the total cost is calculated.</p><p>The World Bank Remittances Prices Worldwide (RPW) reports uses example transactions of $200 and $500 to illustrate the overall charge for sending this money in percentage terms. However, capturing this cost can be challenging as some costs can be hidden, especially where host country’s currencies are not directly convertible into the recipient’s country’s currency.</p><p>The World Bank methodology uses the inter-bank rate that is published by central banks as a reference point and this is generally a reliable data point for exchange rates. However, some countries have multiple exchange range windows which may not be captured by the inter-bank rates.</p><p>We find the World Bank’s methodology adequate and their data informative, however we recognise that some remittance service providers do not consider this an accurate representation of their charges. This could be due to several factors. We are working with the industry to improve data accuracy.</p> answering member constituency Rochford and Southend East answering member printed James Duddridge question first answered 22/07/2020 15:56:32 answering member 1559 label Biography information for Sir James Duddridge
tabling member	4836 label Biography information for Ben Everitt

1222816

registered interest
date	10/07/2020
answering body	Department for International Development
answering dept id	20
answering dept short name	International Development
answering dept sort name	International Development
hansard heading	Department for International Development: Data Protection
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, how many data breaches her Department has reported to the Information Commissioner in each of the last five years.
tabling member constituency	Kingston and Surbiton
tabling member printed	Sir Edward Davey
uin	72164
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 15/07/2020 answer text <p>DFID has not reported any data breaches to the Information Commission in each of the last five years.</p> answering member constituency Aldridge-Brownhills answering member printed Wendy Morton question first answered 15/07/2020 15:48:57 answering member 4358 label Biography information for Wendy Morton
tabling member	188 label Biography information for Ed Davey

1222858

registered interest
date	10/07/2020
answering body	Department for International Development
answering dept id	20
answering dept short name	International Development
answering dept sort name	International Development
hansard heading	Yemen: Development Aid
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, what assessment she has made on the effect of the proposed reductions in Official Development Assistance on the UK’s contribution to multilateral agencies operating in Yemen, including the (a) UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, (b) UN International Children’s Fund and (c) World Food Programme.
tabling member constituency	Dundee West
tabling member printed	Chris Law
uin	72212
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 15/07/2020 answer text <p>Yemen remains a key priority for the UK Government. The UK’s £160 million pledge made at the 2020 Yemen Humanitarian Pledging Conference on June 2nd was the third largest by any country and brings our total commitment to Yemen to nearly £1 billion since the conflict started in 2015. The UK remains committed to honouring this pledge and supporting various multilateral agencies operating in Yemen.</p><p>Our funding will help UN agencies provide support to at least 300,000 vulnerable people each month to help them buy food and household essentials, treat 40,000 children for malnutrition and provide 1 million people with improved water supply and basic sanitation.</p> answering member constituency Braintree answering member printed James Cleverly question first answered 15/07/2020 15:39:15 answering member 4366 label Biography information for James Cleverly
tabling member	4403 label Biography information for Chris Law

1222859

registered interest
date	10/07/2020
answering body	Department for International Development
answering dept id	20
answering dept short name	International Development
answering dept sort name	International Development
hansard heading	Democratic Republic of Congo and Syria: Development Aid
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, what assessment she has made on the effect of the proposed reductions in Official Development Assistance on the UK’S contribution to multilateral funding bodies in (a) Syria and (b) the Democratic Republic of Congo.
tabling member constituency	Dundee West
tabling member printed	Chris Law
uin	72213
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 15/07/2020 answer text <p>The UK is committed to spending 0.7% of Gross National Income (GNI) on Official Development Assistance, which is enshrined in law. This means the aid budget increases when the UK economy grows and decreases if the economy shrinks.</p><p>Given the expected fall in GNI this year, aid spending is under review across all departments. No decision has been taken and we are considering the full range of our work.</p> answering member constituency Braintree answering member printed James Cleverly question first answered 15/07/2020 15:38:21 answering member 4366 label Biography information for James Cleverly
tabling member	4403 label Biography information for Chris Law

1222930

registered interest
date	10/07/2020
answering body	Department for International Development
answering dept id	20
answering dept short name	International Development
answering dept sort name	International Development
hansard heading	Older People
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to ensure that ageing continues to be identified as a ministerial responsibility within an inclusive societies portfolio when the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office is established.
tabling member printed	Baroness Anelay of St Johns
uin	HL6705
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 17/07/2020 answer text <p>The new FCDO’s guiding purpose will be to promote the UK’s national interest around the world. The new organization will take a broad view of national interest, which will be based on values, as well as our core interests of security and prosperity. The UK stands for open societies and democratic values, alongside poverty reduction and supporting the vulnerable, because they are right in themselves and also the best route to lasting stability and growth.</p><p>As the current minister for Inclusive Societies, I recognize that empowering older people is key to achieving poverty reduction. COVID-19 has thrown into sharp relief the vulnerability of older people to shocks and brought to the forefront the important roles they play in society.</p><p>The UK is committed to ensuring that, through all channels of support, our assistance reaches the most marginalized, which will include older people. The new department will continue to prioritise those furthest left behind and champion inclusion of vulnerable groups in our responses.</p> answering member printed Baroness Sugg question first answered 17/07/2020 12:31:51 answering member 4584 label Biography information for Baroness Sugg
tabling member	3474 label Biography information for Baroness Anelay of St Johns

1222949

registered interest
date	10/07/2020
answering body	Department for International Development
answering dept id	20
answering dept short name	International Development
answering dept sort name	International Development
hansard heading	Humanitarian Aid
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to ensure that an inclusive approach, which includes older people, to humanitarian responses will continue to be one of the priorities of the new Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office.
tabling member printed	Baroness Sheehan
uin	HL6724
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 17/07/2020 answer text <p>The UK is committed to ensuring that our assistance reaches the most marginalised and vulnerable people who will be the worst affected by humanitarian crises and most at risk. This includes older people as well as other marginalised groups, such as women and girls, and people with disabilities.</p><p>We are deeply concerned about the significant impact of COVID-19 on older people, people with disabilities, and other marginalised groups. Through £50 million of support to over 29 countries, UK aid is helping to meet the needs of the most vulnerable groups, including older people, through effective communication about personal hygiene, particularly the importance of handwashing. DFID is also engaging internationally to push for greater consideration of vulnerable groups, including older people, across the COVID-19 response.</p><p>Support for the most marginalised and vulnerable populations remains part of this government’s mission. We will continue to prioritise those furthest left behind and champion the inclusion of vulnerable groups in our humanitarian responses.</p> answering member printed Baroness Sugg question first answered 17/07/2020 12:32:33 answering member 4584 label Biography information for Baroness Sugg
tabling member	4548 label Biography information for Baroness Sheehan

1222431

registered interest
date	09/07/2020
answering body	Department for International Development
answering dept id	20
answering dept short name	International Development
answering dept sort name	International Development
hansard heading	Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, what discussions she had with representatives from (a) NGOs, (b) aid recipients and (c) other stakeholders in advance of the decision to merge her Department with the Foreign and Commonwealth Office.
tabling member constituency	Strangford
tabling member printed	Jim Shannon
uin	71769
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 16/07/2020 answer text <p>As with any government change like this, the announcement came first to Parliament. Since then, the DFID Permanent Secretary and Baroness Sugg, who is DFID’s NGO lead, have been meeting with NGOs regularly. The Government will continue to engage closely with interested stakeholders in the weeks and months to come as we work to create the new department, which will unite our development expertise and first class diplomatic service to make the UK a force for good in the world.</p> answering member constituency Berwick-upon-Tweed answering member printed Anne-Marie Trevelyan question first answered 16/07/2020 15:50:01 answering member 4531 label Biography information for Anne-Marie Trevelyan
tabling member	4131 label Biography information for Jim Shannon

1222432

registered interest
date	09/07/2020
answering body	Department for International Development
answering dept id	20
answering dept short name	International Development
answering dept sort name	International Development
hansard heading	Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office: Sustainable Development
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, whether the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office plans to make the Sustainable Development Goals a priority for that Office.
tabling member constituency	Strangford
tabling member printed	Jim Shannon
uin	71770
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 15/07/2020 answer text <p>The UK remains committed to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) – and to the underpinning pledge to Leave No One Behind as we strive to achieve them. As the Prime Minister said in his statement to the UN Financing for Development High-Level Event on 28 May, following COVID-19 there is every need for us to work together to advance shared international objectives - including the SDGs.</p> answering member constituency Aldridge-Brownhills answering member printed Wendy Morton question first answered 15/07/2020 15:45:06 answering member 4358 label Biography information for Wendy Morton
tabling member	4131 label Biography information for Jim Shannon

1222466

registered interest
date	09/07/2020
answering body	Department for International Development
answering dept id	20
answering dept short name	International Development
answering dept sort name	International Development
hansard heading	Polio: Disease Control
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, what assessment she has made of the impact of the covid-19 pandemic on the global effort to eradicate polio.
tabling member constituency	Central Suffolk and North Ipswich
tabling member printed	Dr Dan Poulter
uin	71721
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 16/07/2020 answer text <p>The COVID-19 pandemic has impacted essential health services worldwide. Polio eradication is no exception and polio vaccination campaigns were paused in order to ensure the safety of health workers and communities.</p><p>During this pause, the Global Polio Eradication Initiative (GPEI) has pivoted effectively to respond to COVID-19. It has provided personal protective equipment, trained health workers, contributed to COVID-19 surveillance, and informed communities on prevention measures. This is a clear example of how the UK’s investment in the polio programme strengthens global health security systems more broadly.</p><p>GPEI has resumed vaccination campaigns in Africa and is due to start in Asia in the coming weeks. Two million children in Afghanistan and Pakistan are due to receive polio vaccines next week [20th July].</p><p>As a result of the pandemic, there is an increased risk of polio and other infectious disease outbreaks. As such, support for GPEI is more critical than ever. The UK is fully committed to polio eradication.</p> answering member constituency Aldridge-Brownhills answering member printed Wendy Morton question first answered 16/07/2020 15:48:12 answering member 4358 label Biography information for Wendy Morton
tabling member	3932 label Biography information for Dr Dan Poulter

1222483

registered interest
date	09/07/2020
answering body	Department for International Development
answering dept id	20
answering dept short name	International Development
answering dept sort name	International Development
hansard heading	Development Aid: Religion
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, what steps she has taken to ensure that (a) Christians and (b) other religious minorities undertaking the distribution of aid in developing countries do not face discrimination as a result of their faith.
tabling member constituency	Strangford
tabling member printed	Jim Shannon
uin	71771
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 15/07/2020 answer text <p>The UK Government works to ensure that those responsible for the distribution of aid in developing countries, including Christian and other religious minorities, do not face discrimination as a result of their faith. DFID works closely with the FCO to call for rapid and unimpeded access for humanitarian aid workers to those in need and vice versa. We also strongly advocate for compliance with International Humanitarian Law and with the Humanitarian Principles, both of which serve to protect aid workers and those they seek to assist.</p><p>International Humanitarian Law states that parties to a conflict must allow humanitarian relief for civilians in need, which is impartial in character and conducted without any adverse distinction. They must not withhold consent to relief operations arbitrarily. Parties to a conflict must not discriminate against aid agencies and/or their personnel delivering aid of this nature because of their faith. DFID conducts thorough due diligence assessments of its partners to ensure that they have the ability to work in fragile and conflict afflicted states and to implement appropriate safety and security protocols.</p><p>On 8 June, Lord (Tariq) Ahmad of Wimbledon, Minister of State responsible for Human Rights, hosted a roundtable to hear from faith leaders and faith-based development organisations about the specific challenges minority faith communities are facing during this COVID-19 pandemic.</p> answering member constituency Selby and Ainsty answering member printed Nigel Adams question first answered 15/07/2020 15:53:07 answering member 4057 label Biography information for Nigel Adams
tabling member	4131 label Biography information for Jim Shannon