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1029393

registered interest
date	20/12/2018
answering body	Department for International Development
answering dept id	20
answering dept short name	International Development
answering dept sort name	International Development
hansard heading	Sub-Saharan Africa: Debts
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, what recent assessment her Department has made of the effect on poverty reduction in sub-Saharan countries of the increasing levels of debt owed by those countries.
tabling member constituency	Coventry South
tabling member printed	Mr Jim Cunningham
uin	204380
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 07/01/2019 answer text <p>We keep debt levels in sub-Saharan African countries under regular review along with other key macroeconomic indicators. Average debt levels in Sub-Saharan Africa have grown from 28% of GDP in 2010 to 48% in 2018 although this is still significantly lower than the 68% of GDP in 2000. As of 1<sup>st</sup> November 2018, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) classify 6 countries in sub-Saharan Africa as being in debt distress with a further 10 as being at “high risk of debt distress”. DFID remains concerned about rising debt levels in Africa and the UK continues to raise the need for action on this issue, both with international institutions such as the World Bank and IMF and international fora such as the G7 and G20. The relationship between debt and poverty reduction is complex. Every country is different, and we work closely with governments, the IMF, World Bank and other development partners to ensure the impact on poverty is factored into decisions relating to public finance.</p> answering member constituency West Worcestershire answering member printed Harriett Baldwin question first answered 07/01/2019 16:54:11 answering member 4107 label Biography information for Dame Harriett Baldwin
tabling member	308 label Biography information for Mr Jim Cunningham

1029552

registered interest
date	20/12/2018
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: Armed Conflict
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 the effect of the conflict in Yemen on that country's economy; and what steps her Department is taking to support economic recovery in that country.
tabling member constituency	Leicester East
tabling member printed	Keith Vaz
uin	204385
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 08/01/2019 answer text <p>As Mark Lowcock, the UN Under Secretary General, explained to the UN Security Council on 23 October, Yemen’s recent economic crisis threatens to tip the country into famine, with the Yemeni Riyal losing over 40% of its value from June to October 2018.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p>The UK led discussions with the US, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates so the Central Bank of Yemen could release $270 million, provided by Saudi Arabia, in letters of credit to support commercial food importers with foreign currency to purchase wheat and other staples for import. These measures have resulted in an appreciation of the Riyal, and prices of staples are starting to decline which means that ordinary Yemenis are more able to buy food that is in the markets.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p>However, much more remains to be done. We welcome the positive outcomes of consultations in Stockholm and continue to encourage further constructive and urgent engagement on the economy. A political settlement is the only way to bring long-term stability to Yemen and to address the worsening humanitarian crisis.</p><p> </p> answering member constituency North East Bedfordshire answering member printed Alistair Burt question first answered 08/01/2019 14:03:57 answering member 1201 label Biography information for Alistair Burt
tabling member	338 label Biography information for Keith Vaz

1028556

registered interest
date	19/12/2018
answering body	Department for International Development
answering dept id	20
answering dept short name	International Development
answering dept sort name	International Development
hansard heading	UNAIDS
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, with reference to the Report on the work of the Independent Expert Panel on prevention of and response to harassment, including sexual harassment, bullying and abuse of power at UNAIDS Secretariat, what recent assessment she has made of the allegations against UNAIDS; and if she will make a statement on the future of the UK's contributions to that agency.
tabling member constituency	Cardiff South and Penarth
tabling member printed	Stephen Doughty
uin	203900
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 07/01/2019 answer text <p>The UK has been a driving force in tackling this issue, galvanising the aid sector to put in place the vital initiatives needed to finally rid it of those who seek to tarnish its reputation. We have been very clear that we will not tolerate practices which do not reach the highest standards in relation to tackling harassment, including sexual harassment, bullying and abuse of power. The UK expects the current Executive Director to step down. This is vital to signal a strong response to this critical issue within and beyond the organisation.</p><p> </p><p>The UK’s next scheduled payment to UNAIDS is not due until later in the year. We will assess progress in implementation of the Panel’s recommendations as part of our regular review of funding.</p><p> </p><p>A statement was issued by the Secretary of State on UNAIDS on Thursday 20 December 2018, reference: HCWS1223.</p> answering member constituency North East Bedfordshire answering member printed Alistair Burt question first answered 07/01/2019 16:56:16 answering member 1201 label Biography information for Alistair Burt
tabling member	4264 label Biography information for Stephen Doughty

1028592

registered interest
date	19/12/2018
answering body	Department for International Development
answering dept id	20
answering dept short name	International Development
answering dept sort name	International Development
hansard heading	Middle East: Minority Groups
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, whether her Department plans to collect disaggregated population data on minority groups in the Middle East region to establish whether UK aid reaches those groups.
tabling member constituency	Romford
tabling member printed	Andrew Rosindell
uin	203809
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 07/01/2019 answer text <p>The UK is firmly committed to ensuring aid reaches the most vulnerable, including those from religious minorities, where they constitute part of that category. We conduct regular assessments through a range of sources to ensure assistance is provided in conformity with the international humanitarian principles of neutrality and impartiality.</p><p> </p><p>UK funding is distributed on the basis of need to ensure that civilians are not discriminated against on the grounds of race, religion or ethnicity. DFID does not identify or record beneficiaries by their religion and ethnicity and does not plan to collect disaggregated population data on minority groups. Our partners carry out comprehensive vulnerability assessments to ensure aid is reaching those most in need, and we are confident that minorities, including faith communities, are not overlooked in this process.</p> answering member constituency North East Bedfordshire answering member printed Alistair Burt question first answered 07/01/2019 17:03:47 answering member 1201 label Biography information for Alistair Burt
tabling member	1447 label Biography information for Andrew Rosindell

1029132

registered interest
date	19/12/2018
answering body	Department for International Development
answering dept id	20
answering dept short name	International Development
answering dept sort name	International Development
hansard heading	Global Compact for Migration
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Lord Bates on 17 December (HL12096), whether the adoption of the UN Global Compact for Safe, Orderly and Regular Migration would not make any criticism of immigration a criminal offence; and if so, what plans they have to mitigate any such impact on freedom of speech.
tabling member printed	Lord Vinson
uin	HL12480
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 07/01/2019 answer text <p>The UK Government is supportive of the United Nations’ Global Compact for Safe, Orderly and Regular Migration, both as a step forward in international co-operation to tackle irregular migration and as a framework to help us deliver our commitments under the Sustainable Development Goals. The Secretary of State announced the UK’s support for the Migration Compact at the United Nations General Assembly in September 2018, and Minister Burt attended the intergovernmental launch event in Marrakesh in December 2018.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p>Well-managed migration is in everyone’s interests. But uncontrolled migration erodes public confidence, damages economies, and places people on the move in situations of great vulnerability. The UK is taking significant steps to tackle uncontrolled migration both in our domestic policy work and in our ODA-funded programmes by:</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><ul><li>Addressing factors that may force people to migrate irregularly, through our targeted assistance for livelihoods, healthcare, and education and driving economic development;</li><li>Tackling modern slavery and organised immigration crime;</li><li>Supporting enhanced border management;</li><li>Providing critical humanitarian support and protection for vulnerable migrants, as well as offering voluntary return and vital reintegration support to those wishing to return home; and</li><li>Supporting refugees to stay in a first safe country through our humanitarian and development work in Africa, the Middle East and Asia.</li></ul><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p>The Global Compact for Migration supports delivery of these efforts within the international system and enhances cooperation between states without affecting the sovereignty of all countries to control their own borders. The Compact will not in any way create legal obligations for States, nor does it seek to establish international customary law or further interpret existing treaties or national obligations. It does not establish a ‘human right to migrate’ or create any new legal categories of migrant. The GCM emphasises that migrants are entitled to the same universal human rights as any human being and does not create any new ‘rights’ for migrants.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p>The Compact commits to protecting freedom of expression for the press and public. The freedom of the media to debate all issues of importance to society, including the issue of migration in all its aspects, is fundamental to a liberal society and the UK Government attaches the highest importance to this. The UK reiterated the importance of this when the UN adopted the Global Compact in December 2018.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p>It also includes proposals which will help the UK make a strong contribution to the delivery of the global Sustainable Development Goals. This includes those relating to orderly, safe, regular and responsible migration and mobility of people; and those intended to eradicate forced labour, modern slavery and human trafficking, and child labour.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p>The final draft of the Compact is available online at:</p><p> </p><p><a target="_blank">https://refugeesmigrants.un.org/sites/default/files/180711_final_draft_0.pdf</a></p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p> answering member printed Lord Bates question first answered 07/01/2019 17:18:34 answering member 1091 label Biography information for Lord Bates
tabling member	1807 label Biography information for Lord Vinson

1027570

registered interest
date	18/12/2018
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: Migrant Workers
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 potential merits of her Department paying the £65 application fee for settled or pre-settled status for EU nationals (a) employed by and (b) working as an outsourced worker in her Department; what estimate she has made of the total cost to her Department of paying those fees; and what assessment she has made of the risks that the EU Settlement Scheme poses to the retention of EU nationals (i) employed by or (ii) working as an outsourced worker in her Department.
tabling member constituency	Brighton, Pavilion
tabling member printed	Caroline Lucas
uin	203344
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 21/12/2018 answer text <p>The UK Government currently does not plan to pay application fees to Home Civil Servants (HCS) for Settled Status. Outsourced workers are not DFID employees, and this will be the decision of their employers.</p><p> </p><p>As at 31 October 2018, 107 Home Civil Servants (HCS) have declared their nationality as non-UK EU nationals, although this information is provided on a voluntary basis. The estimated costs to DFID of paying settled status application fees would equate to £6,955, based on this voluntary declaration.</p><p> </p><p>DFID values the significant contribution made by EU citizens working for the department and we want these colleagues to continue to play a full role in the work of the Civil Service. We are committed to supporting our EU citizen employees across the Civil Service and the important engagement with EU national networks across government will continue over the coming months.</p> answering member constituency North East Bedfordshire answering member printed Alistair Burt question first answered 21/12/2018 15:27:54 answering member 1201 label Biography information for Alistair Burt
tabling member	3930 label Biography information for Caroline Lucas

1027583

registered interest
date	18/12/2018
answering body	Department for International Development
answering dept id	20
answering dept short name	International Development
answering dept sort name	International Development
hansard heading	Palestinians: Overseas Aid
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, pursuant to the Answer of 13 December 2018 to Question 200567, if she will place in the Library copies of (a) the separate annual MoUs signed by her Department and the Palestinian Authority since March 2016 and (b) copies of all ministerial correspondence with the Palestinian Authority on those agreements.
tabling member constituency	Dudley North
tabling member printed	Ian Austin
uin	203258
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 07/01/2019 answer text <p>Copies of correspondence relating to the extension of that MoU prior to March 2016 have already been laid in the Commons library. Since then there has been no further written ministerial correspondence with the PA on this matter. I will place copies of the annual MoUs from March 2016 to May 2018 in the Commons library, with redactions relating to personal and commercial information.</p> answering member constituency North East Bedfordshire answering member printed Alistair Burt question first answered 07/01/2019 17:02:35 answering member 1201 label Biography information for Alistair Burt
tabling member	1511 label Biography information for Lord Austin of Dudley

1027613

registered interest
date	18/12/2018
answering body	Department for International Development
answering dept id	20
answering dept short name	International Development
answering dept sort name	International Development
hansard heading	Overseas Aid
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, what steps her Department is taking to measure and monitor the standard and quality of the jobs created by UK development assistance.
tabling member constituency	Coventry South
tabling member printed	Mr Jim Cunningham
uin	203270
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 07/01/2019 answer text <p>No country can eradicate poverty or transition from aid without inclusive economic growth that produces quality jobs. This is a defining development challenge for DFID’s partner countries and is at the heart of building global prosperity and stability that is in the UK’s national interest.</p><p> </p><p>DFID’s 2017 Economic Development Strategy expressly commits us to deliver more and better jobs – seeking to progressively improve job quality and raise standards as countries develop. As developing countries generate better quality jobs, opportunities increase for UK trade and investment that further contribute to poverty reduction and mutual prosperity.</p><p> </p><p>The Department is currently working to improve how it monitors and measures its jobs impacts – including through partnerships with the World Bank and the Office of National Statistics to capture job quality and key elements of decent work.</p> answering member constituency North East Bedfordshire answering member printed Alistair Burt question first answered 07/01/2019 16:58:32 answering member 1201 label Biography information for Alistair Burt
tabling member	308 label Biography information for Mr Jim Cunningham

1027705

registered interest
date	18/12/2018
answering body	Department for International Development
answering dept id	20
answering dept short name	International Development
answering dept sort name	International Development
hansard heading	Rohingya: Refugees
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, what steps her Department is taking to promote a long-term solution for Rohingya refugees.
tabling member constituency	Scunthorpe
tabling member printed	Nic Dakin
uin	203417
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 21/12/2018 answer text <p>The UK has led the international response, including using our role at the UN Security Council to push for international accountability and long-term support for the Rohingya. The UK government is supporting Rohingya in Bangladesh, as well as pushing for improved conditions in Rakhine State in order to allow voluntary, safe and dignified returns, with UNHCR oversight. We have been one of the main donors to the international humanitarian joint response plan and we expect to remain a leading donor.</p> answering member constituency North East Bedfordshire answering member printed Alistair Burt question first answered 21/12/2018 15:29:14 answering member 1201 label Biography information for Alistair Burt
tabling member	4056 label Biography information for Nic Dakin

1027706

registered interest
date	18/12/2018
answering body	Department for International Development
answering dept id	20
answering dept short name	International Development
answering dept sort name	International Development
hansard heading	Bangladesh: Rohingya
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, what discussions her Department has had with the Government of Bangladesh on granting refugee status to the Rohingya.
tabling member constituency	Scunthorpe
tabling member printed	Nic Dakin
uin	203418
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 21/12/2018 answer text <p>We continue to discuss the status of the Rohingya with the government of Bangladesh, which prefers not to formally recognise them as refugees. We maintain that refugee status would help to ensure appropriate support and security for the Rohingya. It would also help with raising the urgent funds needed from the international community.</p> answering member constituency North East Bedfordshire answering member printed Alistair Burt question first answered 21/12/2018 15:29:47 answering member 1201 label Biography information for Alistair Burt
tabling member	4056 label Biography information for Nic Dakin