From 2018 onwards, we will use the payment by results approach with the UN to strengthen accountability to deliver results in some key areas of UN reform and performance. My officials have undertaken a range of outreach opportunities to discuss the \u2018payment by results\u2019 component of the voluntary core funding that DFID contributes to the UN\u2019s humanitarian and development agencies. This has included a number of meetings at Permanent Secretary level with interested donors, formal presentations to EU counterparts at Director General level and a number of informal meetings at a technical level.<\/p>"} , "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/1201", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Alistair Burt"} } , "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "North East Bedfordshire"} , "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Alistair Burt"} , "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2018-07-16", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2018-07-16T14:46:23.89Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} ]} , "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "20"} , "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "International Development"} , "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "International Development"} , "date" : {"_value" : "2018-07-11", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "UN Agencies: Finance"} , "houseId" : {"_value" : "1"} , "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25259", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Commons"} } ], "questionText" : "To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, whether she has had any discussions with her EU counterparts on her proposal to introduce payments by results to funding of UN agencies.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4642", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Mr Paul Sweeney"} } , "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Glasgow North East"} , "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Mr Paul Sweeney"} ], "uin" : "163187"} , {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/938488", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Department for International Development"} ], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/938488/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "
The implementation of Sustainable Development Goal 5 is a priority for DFID discussions with all our partners, including European counterparts. This includes important discussions to drive progress on gender equality at international forums like the G7 and working as part of the EU negotiating block to achieve strong outcomes at the Commission on the Status of Women.<\/p>
<\/p>
The UK has strongly influenced the European Union\u2019s (EU) Gender Action Plan, which will focus collective EU efforts to achieve Goal 5. This includes seconding UK national experts to assist the EU to design the Plan and to monitor progress. The UK regularly participates in discussions with EU counterparts to review implementation.<\/p>"} , "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/1201", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Alistair Burt"} } , "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "North East Bedfordshire"} , "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Alistair Burt"} , "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2018-07-16", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2018-07-16T14:47:38.87Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} ]} , "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "20"} , "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "International Development"} , "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "International Development"} , "date" : {"_value" : "2018-07-11", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Females: Equality"} , "houseId" : {"_value" : "1"} , "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25259", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Commons"} } ], "questionText" : "To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, what discussions her Department has had with its European counterparts on the implementation of Sustainable Development Goal 5.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4642", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Mr Paul Sweeney"} } , "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Glasgow North East"} , "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Mr Paul Sweeney"} ], "uin" : "163188"} , {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/938491", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Department for International Development"} ], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/938491/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "
Work on developing the UK\u2019s 2019 Voluntary National Review is ongoing. We will be drawing on a range of sources, including:<\/p>
We will continue to consult with a range of key stakeholders as we finalise our plans, including launching an online consultation to ensure we capture a wide range of views and inputs.<\/p>"} , "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/1201", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Alistair Burt"} } , "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "North East Bedfordshire"} , "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Alistair Burt"} , "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2018-07-16", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2018-07-16T14:52:32.787Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} ]} , "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "20"} , "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "International Development"} , "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "International Development"} , "date" : {"_value" : "2018-07-11", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Females: Equality"} , "houseId" : {"_value" : "1"} , "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25259", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Commons"} } ], "questionText" : "To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, how she plans to measure progress on Sustainable Development Goal 5 for the Voluntary National Review in 2019.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4642", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Mr Paul Sweeney"} } , "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Glasgow North East"} , "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Mr Paul Sweeney"} ], "uin" : "163189"} , {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/937841", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Department for International Development"} ], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/937841/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "Sudan faces a number of economic challenges. While US economic sanctions were lifted in late 2017, Sudan remains a challenging place to do business. The economic situation has been exacerbated by a shortage of foreign exchange which has resulted in fuel shortages. Sudan is still unable to access international financial assistance, in part due to its arrears to the International Monetary Fund and others and the failure to service its debt. Politically, the UK continues to work with the Government of Sudan to ensure that constitutional and political rights are respected. Sudan remains a Human Rights Priority Country for the Foreign & Commonwealth Office. The UK continues to encourage Sudan to undertake macroeconomic and political reforms, including through the six-monthly Strategic Dialogue with the Government of Sudan."} , "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4107", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Dame Harriett Baldwin"} } , "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "West Worcestershire"} , "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Harriett Baldwin"} , "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2018-07-17", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2018-07-17T13:32:00.04Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} ]} , "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "20"} , "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "International Development"} , "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "International Development"} , "date" : {"_value" : "2018-07-10", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Sudan: Politics and Government"} , "houseId" : {"_value" : "1"} , "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25259", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Commons"} } ], "questionText" : "To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, what recent assessment she has made of the political and economic situation in the Sudan.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/252", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Dr David Drew"} } , "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Stroud"} , "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Dr David Drew"} ], "uin" : "162463"} , {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/937843", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Department for International Development"} ], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/937843/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "
The UK continues to encourage Sudan to undertake the macroeconomic reforms necessary to reduce economic risks, support the most vulnerable in society, and attract international investment. The UK has been working with the international community to galvanize support to help Sudan commit to and deliver a series of macroeconomic reforms while simultaneously managing the impact of reform on the poorest.<\/p>
<\/p>
The UK continues to support those in need as a result of economic decline, including £12 million of DFID Sudan\u2019s humanitarian budget which provides food security and livelihoods for over 490,000 vulnerable displaced people in Sudan, with a focus on Darfur. DFID has also allocated an additional £5 million to respond to the urgent needs of nearly 100,000 South Sudanese refugees, with food security and livelihoods the primary focus of support.<\/p>"} , "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4107", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Dame Harriett Baldwin"} } , "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "West Worcestershire"} , "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Harriett Baldwin"} , "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2018-07-16", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2018-07-16T14:56:01.323Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} ]} , "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "20"} , "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "International Development"} , "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "International Development"} , "date" : {"_value" : "2018-07-10", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Sudan: Economic Growth"} , "houseId" : {"_value" : "1"} , "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25259", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Commons"} } ], "questionText" : "To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, if she will increase her Department's support for economic development and growth in Sudan.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/252", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Dr David Drew"} } , "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Stroud"} , "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Dr David Drew"} ], "uin" : "162465"} , {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/937857", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Department for International Development"} ], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/937857/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "
I welcome the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding between the Burmese Government and UN agencies, which recognises that UNHCR should be the lead international agency on refugee returns. It indicates a greater willingness from the Burmese Government to engage with the international community on the Rohingya crisis. However, swift implementation will be key.<\/p>
<\/p>
The UK is continuing to push for access for the UN and others at the scale required to provide humanitarian and development support to all communities. We stand ready to do more once access allows, including exploring options to support the Government to make tangible progress, notably in the education sector. We will continue to look at how we can support creating the right conditions on the ground for credible returns up to international standards. We are also supporting partners who are assisting victims and building evidence, including on sexual violence crimes.<\/p>"} , "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/1201", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Alistair Burt"} } , "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "North East Bedfordshire"} , "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Alistair Burt"} , "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2018-07-16", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2018-07-16T14:54:19.01Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} ]} , "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "20"} , "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "International Development"} , "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "International Development"} , "date" : {"_value" : "2018-07-10", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Burma: Rohingya"} , "houseId" : {"_value" : "1"} , "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25259", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Commons"} } ], "questionText" : "To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, with reference to the Memorandum of Understanding with Myanmar signed by the UNHCR and UNDP to support the creation of conditions for the return of Rohingya refugees currently in Bangladesh, what steps her Department is taking to support that process.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4125", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Catherine McKinnell"} } , "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Newcastle upon Tyne North"} , "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Catherine McKinnell"} ], "uin" : "162554"} , {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/937460", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Department for International Development"} ], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/937460/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "
The UK is concerned at the severity and scale of violations of freedom of religion or belief in the Middle East, and the continuation of violent extremism. We are committed to ensuring that our humanitarian assistance is delivered without discrimination, in accordance with the humanitarian principles, and based on need alone. The situation of minority communities is taken into account by our partners when assessing those most in need of protection and assistance in a given humanitarian context. This includes when a community is being targeted or is otherwise vulnerable because of their faith.<\/p>"} , "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/1201", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Alistair Burt"} } , "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "North East Bedfordshire"} , "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Alistair Burt"} , "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2018-07-12", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2018-07-12T15:21:59.093Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} ]} , "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "20"} , "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "International Development"} , "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "International Development"} , "date" : {"_value" : "2018-07-09", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Syria: Refugees"} , "houseId" : {"_value" : "1"} , "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25259", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Commons"} } ], "questionText" : "To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, what assessment the Government has made of the nature of the challenges and threats facing (a) Yazidi, (b) Christian and (c) other religious or ethnic minority Syrian refugees.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/3958", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Fiona Bruce"} } , "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Congleton"} , "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Fiona Bruce"} ], "uin" : "162049"} , {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/937463", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Department for International Development"} ], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/937463/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "
The Department for International Development work alongside the Home Office on the resettlement of refugees. The UK works in accordance to the humanitarian principles of impartiality and neutrality which means that we do not take into consideration the ethno-religious origins of people requiring assistance as we resettle solely on the basis of needs, identified by UNHCR through their established submission categories.<\/p>
To protect the privacy of those being resettled and to support their recovery and integration, we limit the amount of information made publicly available and therefore do not publish a religious and ethnic breakdown of those who have been resettled.<\/p>
The Home Office are working with UNHCR and other partners to intensify their outreach to groups that might otherwise be reluctant to register for fear of stigma/ discrimination and those who may be unaware of the safe space and options available to them. This includes all religious minorities.<\/p>"} , "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/1201", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Alistair Burt"} } , "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "North East Bedfordshire"} , "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Alistair Burt"} , "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2018-07-16", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2018-07-16T16:35:46.46Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} ]} , "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "20"} , "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "International Development"} , "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "International Development"} , "date" : {"_value" : "2018-07-09", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Syria: Refugees"} , "houseId" : {"_value" : "1"} , "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25259", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Commons"} } ], "questionText" : "To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, what steps her Department is taking to support and resettle (a) Yazidi, (b) Christian and (c) other religious or ethnic minority Syrian refugees.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/3958", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Fiona Bruce"} } , "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Congleton"} , "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Fiona Bruce"} ], "uin" : "162052"} , {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/937469", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Department for International Development"} ], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/937469/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "
DFID is investing in technologies to identify ways to control the spread of banana diseases, including Panama Disease, in Africa and Asia, as part of a global effort to tackle this problem.<\/p>
<\/p>
DFID is major funder of the international research organisation, the Consultative group on International Agricultural Research (CCIAR), which is currently working to address Panama Disease (TR4) as well as other emerging disease and pest threats in developing countries.<\/p>
<\/p>
Although the disease cannot currently be eradicated, this research aims to develop effective control measures and to identify banana varieties that are not susceptible to the disease. These are being tested in countries like Mozambique and Myanmar that are already affected by Panama Disease.<\/p>"} , "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4107", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Dame Harriett Baldwin"} } , "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "West Worcestershire"} , "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Harriett Baldwin"} , "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2018-07-16", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2018-07-16T14:57:44.327Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} ]} , "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "20"} , "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "International Development"} , "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "International Development"} , "date" : {"_value" : "2018-07-09", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Bananas: Conservation"} , "houseId" : {"_value" : "1"} , "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25259", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Commons"} } ], "questionText" : "To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, what steps her Department is taking to help prevent the extinction of the banana plant.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/3996", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Andrew Jones"} } , "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Harrogate and Knaresborough"} , "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Andrew Jones"} ], "uin" : "162060"} , {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/934959", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Department for International Development"} ], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/934959/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "
DFID has no record of any current contracts with the Serco.<\/p>
Details of DFID contracts above the OJEU threshold are published on Contracts Finder. Contracts published prior to 26 February 2015 can be viewed at: https://data.gov.uk/data/contracts-finder-archive<\/a>.<\/p>