The appalling civil war in Syria is undoubtedly one of the worst humanitarian crises in recent years. This terrible conflict has claimed at least 400,000 lives and driven 11 million people from their homes.

It is my firm belief that the Assad regime bears overwhelming responsibility for the suffering of the Syrian people. Its oppression has caused untold human suffering, fuelled extremism and created the space for Daesh.

I therefore believe there needs to be a transition away from Assad to a government that can protect the rights of all Syrians, unite the country and end the conflict. In my view, however, it is vital that Syrians themselves decide how that happens as part of a Syrian-led transition process.

I am confident that the Government will continue to use all its diplomatic tools to work for a political solution to this terrible conflict. The Government is using both the UK's role in the UN Security Council and the International Syria Support Group to push for the protection of civilians from harm, and for unfettered access to aid.

I am incredibly proud of the UK's humanitarian response. The UK has committed more than £2.4 billion for those affected by the conflict, our largest ever response to a humanitarian crisis. I fully acknowledge, however, that aid by itself is not enough. I reiterate that the Assad regime is the main perpetrator of the suffering and there can be no peace for as long as it remains in power.

I have written to the Rt Hon Alistair Burt MP, Minister of State for the Middle East at the Foreign & Commonwealth Office to express your horror at the ongoing tragedy in Syria and to establish what more the Government can do to protect innocent civilians.