Contributions
3,506 recent contributions in Hansard
HANSARDEconomy: RemittancesI assure the noble Lord that I will do just that.04 Feb 2021HANSARDEconomy: RemittancesMy Lords, we are committed to working with the World Bank. It is noticeable that the World Bank has talked about the challenge of the decline in remittances. Across the key…04 Feb 2021HANSARDEconomy: RemittancesOn the noble Lord’s first point, I can give him that assurance. The cost of transactions for remittances in Q4 2020 stood at 6.48%, which is beyond the SDG target. We will use our…04 Feb 2021HANSARDEconomy: RemittancesOf course, I look forward to meeting the noble Lord on that last point. We are looking at particular processes, especially in countries such as Ghana, Nigeria and Somalia, and I…04 Feb 2021HANSARDEconomy: RemittancesMy Lords, remittances are a significant source of funds for developing economies and have a positive impact on the UK economy. Money service businesses trade around £1.8 trillion…04 Feb 2021HANSARDEconomy: RemittancesMy Lords, on the noble Lord’s last point, we have had various discussions on the announcement made on the reduction in ODA. As I have said before from the Dispatch Box, we will…04 Feb 2021HANSARDEconomy: RemittancesMy Lords, I agree with my noble friend. The UK supports the Financial Stability Board’s work to enhance cross-border payments, and we will work through the ambitions set at the…04 Feb 2021HANSARDEconomy: RemittancesMy Lords, I share the noble Lord’s opinion. Indeed, in my own family, when my father first arrived in the early 1950s, remittances were an important part of supporting his family…04 Feb 2021HANSARDEconomy: RemittancesMy Lords, I pay tribute to my noble friend’s work in this area. The action group last met in person in 2019. Its current membership and format are under review, and I will, of…04 Feb 2021HANSARDBurma: Military CoupMy Lords, I shall not comment on all the questions raised by the noble Lord. I agree with him, but I also believe that it is important we have a UN Security Council debate on this.02 Feb 2021HANSARDBurma: Military CoupMy Lords, we wholeheartedly condemn this coup. The military seizure of power, detention of the State Counsellor and other political and civil society leaders, and attempts to…02 Feb 2021HANSARDBurma: Military CoupMy Lords, on the noble Lord’s final point, he will be aware that the UK, along with other European partners, led on the sanctions that were imposed. Indeed, the current head of…02 Feb 2021HANSARDBurma: Military CoupMy Lords, let me assure the noble Baroness that we are working closely with our allies, including the United States, in this respect. I have already outlined the first action that…02 Feb 2021HANSARDBurma: Military CoupMy Lords, on the noble Baroness’s final point, of course we are very supportive of the action at the ICJ, and we are looking at the situation of a formal intervention. Myanmar was…02 Feb 2021HANSARDBurma: Military CoupMy Lords, I can assure my noble friend that we are working as he has suggested. Among those that exert the greatest control over the military authorities in Myanmar is China, and…02 Feb 2021HANSARDBurma: Military CoupMy Lords, the noble Baroness and I have often spoken about these important issues. In light of the coup, the Foreign Secretary has today announced a review of all support,…02 Feb 2021HANSARDBurma: Military CoupMy Lords, on the issue that the right reverend Prelate raises of freedom of religion or belief in Myanmar, the situation is, frankly and very candidly, dire—there is no other word…02 Feb 2021HANSARDBurma: Military CoupMy Lords, I can assure the noble Lord that we are working closely with our allies in this respect. We will look at a range of measures, with the aim of ensuring that the wishes of…02 Feb 2021HANSARDBurma: Military CoupMy Lords, on the noble Lord’s last point, there is already concerted European action—specific sanctions on both the general and his deputy. On the wider point on Aung San Suu Kyi,…02 Feb 2021HANSARDBurma: Military CoupMy Lords, my noble friend’s personal insights are valuable. Indeed, I recall visiting Myanmar just after the first election and what he talks about—the lack of governance, the…02 Feb 2021