The Overseas Territories: An introduction and relations with the UK
The UK has 14 Overseas Territories. What are they, and what is their relationship with the UK?
On this page
Overview
The UK has 14 Overseas Territories, though four have no permanent British population. They have a population of over 270,000 people, and their marine areas cover around 2% of the world’s ocean surface. The inhabited Territories are mostly self-governing in their internal affairs, with their own governments and parliaments. The UK retains responsibility for their foreign relations, defence, and good governance. As small communities, the Territories often face challenges in accessing overseas markets, and many are vulnerable to natural disasters.
On this page, you can find all Commons Library research on the UK Overseas Territories, including their constitutional relationship with the UK Government and Parliament, the UK’s responsibilities towards them, how they are governed internally, and other issues affecting the Territories.
Constitutional relationships
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Representing the Overseas Territories in the UK Parliament and Government
How does the UK Parliament interact with the UK's Overseas Territories?
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The separation of powers in the UK's Overseas Territories
The paper describes the separation of powers between the executive, legislative and judicial branches of the governments of the UK's Overseas Territories.
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The UK Overseas Territories and their Governors
The paper describes the role of UK-appointed Governors in the Overseas Territories to make law and policy on reserved topics, such as external affairs.
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The Privy Council: history, functions and membership
A briefing paper on the history, functions and membership of the Privy Council
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International treaties and the Overseas Territories
How do international treaties and conventions apply to the UK's inhabited Overseas Territories?
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The UK's Overseas Territories and sanctions against Russia
The UK has imposed sanctions against Russia. This paper describes how these sanctions apply in the UK's Overseas Territories.
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The potential for direct rule in the British Virgin Islands
Alleged corruption has been uncovered in the British Virgin Islands. In June 2022, the UK said it would not impose direct rule at present but would monitor progress.
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The Turks and Caicos Islands
In 2009, the UK Government imposed direct rule in the Turks and Caicos following a corruption investigation. Local ministerial rule was restored in 2012.
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UK Overseas Territories legislatures: Census 2023
Census of the membership, makeup, funding and remuneration arrangements for Overseas Territory legislatures.
The UK's support
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UK aid and the Overseas Territories
The UK has fourteen Overseas Territories. Which are eligible for UK aid, and what assistance does the UK provide?
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The UK Overseas Territories: Climate change and biodiversity
The natural environments of the Overseas Territories are of global significance. This paper describes UK support to help them adapt to climate change.
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Coronavirus: UK support to the Overseas Territories
What support has the UK Government provided to the Overseas Territories to help them respond to the Covid-19 pandemic?
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UK assistance to affected British Overseas Territories after Hurricanes Irma and Maria
Several Territories were badly affected by Hurricanes Irma and Maria in 2017. This paper sets out the UK Government's response and their eligibility for UK aid.
Brexit and challenges to UK sovereignty
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Brexit and the UK’s Overseas Territories
What’s the significance of the UK’s departure from the EU for the UK’s 14 Overseas Territories, in relation to trade, funding, defence, and sovereignty?
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Brexit and Gibraltar
This 2017 paper considers Gibraltar's constitutional status and some of the possible impacts of Brexit.
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British Indian Ocean Territory: UK to negotiate sovereignty 2022/23
Mauritius has disputed the UK's sovereignty, and the removal of local Chagossians by the UK is controversial. Talks are planned to resolve outstanding issues.
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Disputes over the British Indian Ocean Territory: February 2021 update
This paper describes the main developments in the sovereignty dispute between the UK and Mauritius from 2013 to 2021 over the British Indian Ocean Territory.
Social policy
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Crime in the Turks and Caicos Islands 2022
The Turks and Caicos, a UK Overseas Territory, has seen a rise in violent crime. What is the situation and how has the Territory and UK Government responded?
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Same-sex marriage in the UK’s Overseas Territories
The Privy Council ruled the Cayman Islands and Bermuda constitutions do not provide the right for same-sex marriage. What is the situation in other Territories?
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Healthcare in the Overseas Territories and access to UK care
A briefing on healthcare facilities and challenges in the UK's Overseas Territories and the quota system in place enabling access to healthcare in the UK.
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Accessing higher education in the UK’s Overseas Territories
A briefing on higher education provision in the Overseas Territories and access to UK-based institutions.
Further Reading
- Sovereignty since the ceasefire: The Falklands 40 years on – House of Lords Library (parliament.uk)
- The Overseas Territories – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)
- The future of the UK Overseas Territories inquiry – Committees – UK Parliament
- The Status of the UK’s Overseas Territories in the 21 Century – Committees – UK Parliament