We do not collect data on the engagement with organisations of persons with disabilities (OPDs) across the FCDO network of overseas Posts. However, Posts are encouraged to promote all equalities issues globally, including disability inclusion, and engage directly with OPDs regularly. Since the merger of FCO and DFID, a substantial new programme of capability building on how to do this has been established, including a 'how to note' on engaging with OPDs specifically.<\/p>
Engagement is increasing but the FCDO has further to go. Recent examples include: the Ambassador in Jakarta has met with OPDs and disability inclusion partners on at least four occasions over the last year; and the High Commissioner in Rwanda, who met a group of local OPD representatives to mark International Day of Persons with Disabilities earlier this month.<\/p>
I have also included meetings with OPDs where possible during my travel schedule, including meeting an organisation of women with disabilities in South Sudan, and visiting OPDs in South Sulawesi, Indonesia who are receiving technical assistance from the FCDO's Disability Capacity Building Programme.<\/p>
We will launch a refreshed version of the FCDO's Inclusion and Rights Strategy at the Global Disability Summit in Berlin in April 2025. The voices and agency of people with disabilities will remain a core focus of the strategy and of our wider work on disability inclusion.<\/p>"} , "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4657", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Anneliese Dodds"} } , "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Oxford East"} , "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Anneliese Dodds"} , "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2024-12-12", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "groupedQuestionUIN" : {"_value" : "18078"} , "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2024-12-12T17:46:38.547Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} ]} , "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "208"} , "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office"} , "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office"} , "date" : {"_value" : "2024-12-04", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Diplomatic Service: Disability"} , "houseId" : {"_value" : "1"} , "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25259", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Commons"} } ], "questionText" : "To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, how many and what proportion of UK Ambassadors have met with Organisations of Persons with Disabilities in the past year.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "tablingMember" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/5344", "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Chelsea and Fulham"} , "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Ben Coleman"} ], "uin" : "18077"} , {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1747104", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Department for Business and Trade"} ], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1747104/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "
The Industrial Strategy Green Paper identified eight growth-driving sectors. All sectors can shape and will benefit from policy reform through the Industrial Strategy\u2019s cross-cutting policies alongside the broader Growth Mission. This will create the pro-business environment for all businesses to invest and employ, with growth that supports high-quality jobs and ensures that the benefits are shared across people, places, and generations.<\/p>
<\/p>
The UK\u2019s agriculture food and drink sector plays a significant part in the UK economy, with £146.7bn contribution to GVA and 4.2m jobs (13% UK total employment). Government is engaging with the food, drink and farming industries regularly on how the sector can grow and invest.<\/p>"} , "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4631", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Sarah Jones"} } , "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Croydon West"} , "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Sarah Jones"} , "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2024-12-12", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2024-12-12T17:45:29.217Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} ]} , "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "214"} , "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Business and Trade"} , "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Business and Trade"} , "date" : {"_value" : "2024-12-04", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Food: Manufacturing Industries"} , "houseId" : {"_value" : "1"} , "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25259", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Commons"} } ], "questionText" : "To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what place food manufacturing will have in the industrial strategy.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "tablingMember" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/5212", "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Edinburgh South West"} , "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Dr Scott Arthur"} ], "uin" : "18004"} , {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1748045", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Department for Business and Trade"} ], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1748045/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "
We inherited a situation which has seen years of entrenched under-investment. That will take time to turn around, but we are determined to do so. We are working at pace to deliver a Steel Strategy that will set out a long-term vision for a bright and sustainable steel sector in the UK, with good highly paid jobs.<\/p>
The Strategy will be supported by up to £2.5bn funding that will be available through the National Wealth Fund and other routes.<\/p>"} , "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4631", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Sarah Jones"} } , "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Croydon West"} , "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Sarah Jones"} , "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2024-12-12", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2024-12-12T17:44:47.39Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} ]} , "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "214"} , "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Business and Trade"} , "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Business and Trade"} , "date" : {"_value" : "2024-12-09", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Iron and Steel: Manufacturing Industries"} , "houseId" : {"_value" : "1"} , "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25259", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Commons"} } ], "questionText" : "To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what steps he is taking to support the steel industry.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4107", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Dame Harriett Baldwin"} } , "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "West Worcestershire"} , "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Dame Harriett Baldwin"} ], "uin" : "18539"} , {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1746947", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Cabinet Office"} ], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1746947/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "
We have reviewed the wide range of studies available on the benefits of hybrid working, which has been used to inform the expectation for 60% office attendance for Civil Servants. This expectation has not changed since the previous administration.<\/p>"} , "answeringMember" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/5305", "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Queen's Park and Maida Vale"} , "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Georgia Gould"} , "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2024-12-12", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2024-12-12T17:44:42.593Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} ]} , "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "53"} , "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Cabinet Office"} , "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Cabinet Office"} , "date" : {"_value" : "2024-12-04", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Civil Servants: Remote Working"} , "houseId" : {"_value" : "1"} , "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25259", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Commons"} } ], "questionText" : "To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, if he will make an assessment of the potential impact of working from home on civil service productivity.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/350", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Sir John Hayes"} } , "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "South Holland and The Deepings"} , "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Sir John Hayes"} ], "uin" : "17764"} , {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1747184", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Ministry of Defence"} ], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1747184/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "
3,444 UK Armed Forces personnel had an initial assessment at a Ministry of Defence Department of Community Mental Health centre between 1 January 2023 and 31 December 2023.<\/p>"} , "answeringMember" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/5235", "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Birmingham Selly Oak"} , "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Al Carns"} , "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2024-12-12", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2024-12-12T17:43:19.637Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} ]} , "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "11"} , "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Defence"} , "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Defence"} , "date" : {"_value" : "2024-12-04", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Armed Forces: Mental Health Services"} , "houseId" : {"_value" : "1"} , "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25259", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Commons"} } ], "questionText" : "To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many service personnel were referred to mental health services in 2023.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "tablingMember" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/5336", "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Epsom and Ewell"} , "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Helen Maguire"} ], "uin" : "18070"} , {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1747011", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Department for Education"} ], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1747011/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "
Too often opportunity for children and young people is defined by their background. The Opportunity Mission will break the link between young people\u2019s background and their success, ensuring family security and providing the best start in life, with all children achieving and thriving and building skills for opportunity and growth.<\/p>
High and rising standards in every school is at the heart of the mission to break down barriers to opportunity and improve the life chances for every child, no matter their background.<\/p>
The department has moved quickly to start driving up school standards by beginning work to recruit an additional 6,500 expert teachers and has launched an independent, expert-led curriculum and assessment review to deliver our ambition for every child and young person to study a curriculum which is rich and broad, inclusive and innovative.<\/p>
From early 2025, our new Regional Improvement for Standards and Excellence (RISE) teams will drive higher standards, supporting all state schools by facilitating networking, sharing best practice and empowering schools to feel they can better access support and learn from one another.<\/p>
At the Autumn Budget 2024, the government announced an additional £2.3 billion for mainstream schools and young people with high needs for the 2025/26 financial year. This means that overall core school funding will total almost £63.9 billion in the 2025/26 financial year.<\/p>
Admission authorities for all mainstream, state-funded schools must comply with the statutory School Admissions Code. The Code is clear that admission authorities must ensure that their admission arrangements are fair, clear and objective, and that they will not disadvantage unfairly, either directly or indirectly, a child from a particular social group. Admission authorities can choose to give priority within their oversubscription criteria to children eligible for pupil premium funding, where this is appropriate in the local circumstances.<\/p>
The government is proposing to legislate on requiring all schools to cooperate with the local authority on school admissions and place planning. As part of this, the department will also consider any wider changes necessary to ensure fair access to school for all. Any changes to the Code will require a statutory process, including a full public consultation and parliamentary approval.<\/p>"} , "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4125", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Catherine McKinnell"} } , "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Newcastle upon Tyne North"} , "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Catherine McKinnell"} , "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2024-12-12", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2024-12-12T17:41:03.573Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} ]} , "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "60"} , "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Education"} , "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Education"} , "date" : {"_value" : "2024-12-04", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Education: Access"} , "houseId" : {"_value" : "1"} , "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25259", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Commons"} } ], "questionText" : "To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what steps her Department is taking to ensure that children from low-income families have the same level of access to (a) high-quality education and (b) a range of options for schools as those from higher-income families.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "tablingMember" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/5361", "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "South Basildon and East Thurrock"} , "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "James McMurdock"} ], "uin" : "18093"} , {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1747085", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Ministry of Defence"} ], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1747085/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "
Security measures in relation to the prison estate are a matter for the Ministry of Justice.<\/p>
<\/p>
The Secretary of State commissioned performance reviews of Capita which were completed March and September 2024.<\/p>"} , "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4682", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Luke Pollard"} } , "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Plymouth Sutton and Devonport"} , "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Luke Pollard"} , "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2024-12-12", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2024-12-12T17:40:43.493Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} ]} , "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "11"} , "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Defence"} , "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Defence"} , "date" : {"_value" : "2024-12-04", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Ministry of Defence: Capita"} , "houseId" : {"_value" : "1"} , "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25259", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Commons"} } ], "questionText" : "To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what assessment he has made of the role Capita's (a) systems and (b) processes played in the security failings that allowed Daniel Khalife to escape; and whether he plans to review Capita's contract with his Department.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/1444", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Mr Mark Francois"} } , "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Rayleigh and Wickford"} , "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Mr Mark Francois"} ], "uin" : "17774"} , {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1748346", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Department for Education"} ], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1748346/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "