Live Debate: Commons Chamber

Urgent Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will make a statement on reports of a serious violent attack in north Belfast involving a foreign national, and the implications for public safety, immigration enforcement and community cohesion.

on reports of a serious violent attack in north Belfast involving a foreign national and the implications for public safety, immigration enforcement and

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community cohesion. Mr. speaker, I'm grateful to the right hon. Gentleman for his question. Shortly after 10:30 p.m.

12:47

Rt Hon Hilary Benn MP, The Secretary of State for Northern Ireland (Leeds South, Labour)

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last night, a man in his 40s was subjected to an horrific, sustained subjected to an horrific, sustained knife attack in a street in north Belfast. He is in hospital in a serious condition, having suffered serious condition, having suffered very severe injuries. I know the thoughts of the whole house will be thoughts of the whole house will be with him and his loved ones at what must be a time of unimaginable distress. The response from the Police Service of Northern Ireland was immediate, and the man in his 30s was arrested on suspicion of attempted murder.

He remains in police custody and the PSNI are continuing to investigate. They have declared it a critical incident. But amidst the horror of what happened, we also saw something extraordinary. When confronted with scenes of terrifying violence, members of the public did not walk on by. Instead, a number of them stepped forward and at immense risk to their own safety, they intervened to pull the assailant away and protect the victim until the police arrived.

To those individuals, I would like to say this. You showed the very best of humanity, and you have the profound gratitude of this entire house. This was a horrific and brutal attack, and the PSNI are seeking to provide support and reassurance to the local community. The Chief Constable, to whom I have spoken twice this morning and his officers have our full and unwavering support as they pursue their inquiries. I would also like to repeat their appeal not to share or repost footage of the attack.

Out of respect for the victim's family. Mr. speaker, I echo the words of the Prime Minister this morning that there is no place for such violence on our streets. All of us have a responsibility now to urge calm and let the police do their job.

12:49

Gavin Robinson Mr. Speaker, can I firstly thank you for granting I firstly thank you for granting this urgent question. The attempted murder in Belfast last night was murder in Belfast last night was chilling. What has been seen by thousands already across the country cannot be unseen. It was merry, evil, the systematic mutilation and attempted slaughter of a citizen of Belfast on our streets. Mr. speaker, my prayers are with the victim and I similarly praise the brave man who, with a hurl in his hand, intervened to save his neighbour's life and this house should praise him to Mr.

Speaker. What occurred last night will have profound implications for community cohesion in this country. This needs to be a time for honesty and openness and truth. Will he confirm that he and his government recognise that uncontrolled immigration needs to end? Will he confirm that the government needs to reassure and protect our population, who for too long have had their concerns ignored, and knowing that he and the Chief Constable and I share a concern that there could be violence and express my wish and our collective desire for calm, that community cohesion lies on the precipice.

Will he confirm that the actions last night in no way reflect or represent the values of our nation? That the victim belongs in Belfast, but the attacker does not. Having abused the privilege of our nation, the perpetrator living in the UK under a five year visa needs to be under a five year visa needs to be convicted and deported on the first flight out on a one way ticket. Yeah.

12:51

Rt Hon Hilary Benn MP, The Secretary of State for Northern Ireland (Leeds South, Labour)

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Well, I would say to the right hon. Gentleman, first of all, the footage that many people have seen is indeed truly horrifying. On his last point, as he will be well aware, any foreign national who abuses the hospitality of this country to commit crimes should be in no doubt of our determination to deport them. We need to allow the criminal justice process to take place. On his question about net migration, as he will know, it is now down 82% from the peak reached under the previous government.

But I would most particularly echo what he has said in appealing for calm, because we have seen previously in Belfast in August 2024 and in Ballymena in 2025. What happens after horrific incidents when there is disorder on the streets? Because it is the communities that suffer. It is innocent people who suffer and whose lives can be put at risk. And that is why all political leaders, all political leaders, have such a solemn responsibility to urge the calm that I have called for in my response to his question today.

12:53

Chris Bloore MP (Redditch, Labour)

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Chris Bloore thank you, Mr. >> Chris Bloore thank you, Mr. Speaker. Can I thank the Secretary of State for his statement? And can I also thank my right hon. Friend I also thank my right hon. Friend for asking the question. As a member of the Northern Ireland Select Committee, I visited Belfast on several occasions and have been struck by the incredible nature of the community spirit and the incredible city. What we witnessed last night is the worst of humanity, but also the best of humanity.

I think it is incredible that bystanders came to the aid of that individual suffering a brutal attack. Can the Secretary of State assure me that the PSNI will be given every resource they need to conduct a swift investigation and ensure that all facts are shared with the public? And can we also ensure that those brave people who rushed to the aid of one of our own countrymen is given the honour and the and the reward that they deserve? For. For representing the best of our humanity.

12:54

Rt Hon Hilary Benn MP, The Secretary of State for Northern Ireland (Leeds South, Labour)

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No mistake. that I know from the conversations I've had with the Chief Constable this morning that the PSNI are treating this, of course, as the treating this, of course, as the House would expect, with the utmost seriousness, and are pursuing their inquiries. We need to let the police investigation and in due course, any criminal justice process take its place. I am in favour of as much information being shared as soon as possible, and I would report to the House, Mr.

Speaker, that the PSNI will be holding a press conference in approximately 5.5 minutes time to provide more information about the incident. I also join my hon. Friend in expressing hope that the bravery that we saw on the streets of North Belfast last night may in due time, be recognised.

12:55

Matt Vickers MP (Stockton West, Conservative)

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Minister Matt Vickers. >> Minister Matt Vickers. >> Thank you. >> Mr. Speaker. I'd like to echo the Secretary of State's comments in condemning this dreadful attack. in condemning this dreadful attack. Last night's attack in North Belfast was horrifying, appalling and deeply disturbing. This was a brutal act of violence that will have sent shockwaves through the local community and caused huge concern across the city. Northern Ireland and the whole of the United Kingdom. My thoughts, and I'm sure those of the whole of the House and with the victim whose condition has been described as serious.

I also want to pay tribute to the PSNI and members of the public who displayed remarkable courage in stepping in to confront the attacker before the police arrived. The Police Service of Northern Ireland must be given the time and space to carry out a full and thorough investigation, and those responsible must face the full force of the law. However, given the understandable public concern surrounding the incident, it is vital that the facts are established and we have the transparency that people deserve.

Can the Secretary of State confirm the immigration status of the attacker? If, as is reported, the attacker is a foreign national, what steps will the Home Office take? Is it. It is urgent. The facts are put on the public record to avoid speculation and prevent an information vacuum, which the independent reviewer of terror legislation has warned about. If there has been failings on our borders, this is yet another reminder that we do need stronger borders. And this is why we believe it is time to leave the ECHR.

I encourage all who have evidence of the attack to come forward and support the PSNI in its investigation. I join the Secretary of State in all communities in condemning this horrific attack.

12:56

Rt Hon Hilary Benn MP, The Secretary of State for Northern Ireland (Leeds South, Labour)

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Jeremy Wright. >> Well, I am grateful to the hon. Gentleman for his comments and for the tone in which he expressed them, because it is, I think, very important that we act responsibly in these circumstances. I agree, as I have already indicated, that information should be made available to the public. The proper procedure in answering his very specific question is for the PSNI to be in contact with the Home Office, which I know they have been doing in order to establish the facts around the individual, and I would anticipate.

As I say, it's proper that the police provide that as they are leading the investigation, and I anticipate that more information will be made available shortly by the PSNI is the right and proper approach. I would have to say, however, I do not agree with what he said about the European Convention of Human Rights. It's very important we have it because it protects the liberty of all of us.

12:57

Dr Al Pinkerton MP (Surrey Heath, Liberal Democrat)

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Scott Arthur Al Pinkerton, Liberal Democrat spokesperson. >> Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The reports from Kinnaird Avenue are indeed deeply distressing. My thoughts are with the victim and thoughts are with the victim and with his family. I pay tribute to the residents who did the extraordinary thing of running towards danger, intervened to restrain the attacker and help protect another person's life. I also thank police officers and paramedics who responded with such speed and professionalism. Their actions almost certainly saved a life yesterday evening.

What I know of North Belfast is that it's a community that has worked hard to build trust across long standing divides, and that residents will be as horrified by this attack as the rest of us. Will the Secretary of State reassure residents that they will be kept safe in the days ahead? Confirm that the PSNI have the support that it needs to maintain a visible presence and make clear that no one should exploit one individual's actions to cast suspicion on a whole community.

12:58

Rt Hon Hilary Benn MP, The Secretary of State for Northern Ireland (Leeds South, Labour)

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Well, I agree with the hon. Gentleman in everything that he said, and I know that the PSNI is working hard to provide reassurance to the local community and to make to the local community and to make arrangements for that reassurance to be visible in the face of those. Let us be frank in this House, who will wish to use this terrible event to stir up trouble, and to seek disorder on the streets of Northern Ireland? And I say that because we have seen it before.

We do not wish to see it again. And that is why all community leaders, politicians and others have such a responsibility to call for the calm that he himself has so eloquently called for.

12:59

Jim Shannon MP (Strangford, Democratic Unionist Party)

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Jim Shannon thank. thank the Secretary of State for his well-chosen words, wise words as well, and for his answers. as well, and for his answers. Tensions are influence are inflamed. And at this moment, I'm aware of planned protests throughout my constituency. Strangford. And I'm also aware that many of those who intend to attend do so, not because they are frightened for their family alone, but but instead feel their fears are ignored when they make a good and grand statement.

So how can the Secretary of State in this government ensure that people from Portavogie to Newtownards know that their right to peacefully protest is respected? But more than this, that their government, my government will make changes for safety reasons as a matter of urgency. Thank you so much.

13:00

Rt Hon Hilary Benn MP, The Secretary of State for Northern Ireland (Leeds South, Labour)

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Well, I join with the hon. Member in reasserting the right of Member in reasserting the right of every citizen of our country to protest peacefully. But we have seen in the past that there are those provoked by others who have sought to use that opportunity to then promote violence and disorder. And I, I join with him in saying peaceful protest. Of course, everyone has the right to express their view, but in the end, if we want to support the PSNI, the last thing people should be doing is stretching their resources across Northern Ireland to deal with protests that aren't going to help anyone and are not going to assist in the furtherance of this investigation so the perpetrator can be brought to face justice.

That is the way we do things in our country. Is it Jim?

13:01

Jim Allister KC MP (North Antrim, Traditional Unionist Voice)

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Allison? >> Allison? >> Thank you, Mr. Speaker. We are all shocked by the sheer savagery all shocked by the sheer savagery of this attack, and indeed, the only bright spot in this orgy of violence was the brave intervention of local citizens, whose courage we salute. But what I want to know, and what I know my constituents want to hear, is what will be done to stop the importation of an alien culture that thinks it's appropriate to try and behead someone in the United Kingdom.

And on the immigration status of this person. Did they hold a visa before they came to the United Kingdom? Did they obtain a visa having come illegally to the United Kingdom? I think we're entitled to know. And I do say to the Secretary of State, this House should be getting its information from the Secretary of State, not from the press conference of a chief Constable. And I think the House is entitled to know, because there's truth and transparency, which is the greatest antidote to rising tensions.

So can we have the answers?

13:02

Rt Hon Hilary Benn MP, The Secretary of State for Northern Ireland (Leeds South, Labour)

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So state. >> So state. >> Well, I would say I'm sorry that the hon. Gentleman used the word the hon. Gentleman used the word alien culture, because what exactly is he referring to? What the British people have had enough of, what the British people have had enough of, or anyone from wherever they come, whatever their background, who seeks to commit violence on citizens of the United Kingdom. That is what we together are strongly opposed to. There is a proper procedure that needs to be followed in relation to the release of information.

It is a live investigation. I think it is right and proper that the police lead on that, and that is why it is the police who have been in touch with the Home Office and will provide further information. And as soon as I am also able to update update the House, I will do so. I am also in favour of as much information as possible being provided. Once process has been followed to make sure that it can be confirmed.

13:03

Rt Hon Sir Julian Lewis MP (New Forest East, Conservative)

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Julian Lewis. >> Julian Lewis. >> Whilst I agree with virtually everything the Secretary of State said in his opening response, I said in his opening response, I really am baffled by his refusal to share with the House a piece of simple information. Did this person come legally into this country and has a five year visa because he came legally, or was he given this visa after entering the country illegally? This information will come out sooner or later. And what we have learned from similar terrible incidents like this is the longer it is withheld, the worse the rumour mill goes into action.

Well, I do understand the last point that the right hon. Gentleman makes, but it is very important in

13:04

Rt Hon Hilary Benn MP, The Secretary of State for Northern Ireland (Leeds South, Labour)

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these circumstances to be absolutely sure about the facts absolutely sure about the facts before they are released. And the proper vehicle for doing that is the PSNI being in touch with the the PSNI being in touch with the Home Office, which is what has been happening this morning. As the happening this morning. As the right hon. Gentleman may be aware, the police originally said they believed him to be of one believed him to be of one nationality may well turn out that he, in fact of another nationality, which does demonstrate the point I'm trying to put to the House that it is important that the police lead on that so that the full facts

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can come out, and then they can be made available to the House and to the country. They understand. Thank you, Mr.

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They understand. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Of course, the Secretary of State will know the answer to this question. Did the assailant enter the United Kingdom as an

13:04

Lee Anderson MP (Ashfield, Reform UK)

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enter the United Kingdom as an illegal migrant stroke asylum seeker? Yes. >> Well, until I am in a position

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Well, until I am in a position by talking to the. But the the hon. Gentleman has asked me a question.

13:05

Rt Hon Hilary Benn MP, The Secretary of State for Northern Ireland (Leeds South, Labour)

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Will he do me the courtesy of allowing me to answer it until I am in a position to have that confirmed? I cannot confirm it to the House as soon as I can I will, but as I've already explained, it is the PSNI that is leading on answering the very legitimate question that he has asked.

13:05

Robin Swann MP (South Antrim, Ulster Unionist Party)

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Robin Swann thank you very. described this incident as medieval. It wasn't just medieval, it was pure evil. When we saw what pure evil. When we saw what happened on the streets of the United Kingdom, and while tribute has been paid for those members of the general public who stepped in and the emergency services that responded, can I also seek reassurance from the Secretary of State that those members of the general public who stepped in will actually be recognised and not be persecuted or prosecuted for the actions that they actually took in regards to attacking that individual? And can I also encourage the Secretary of State to come forward and fill the vacuum of information that's out there, because he does know more than I think he is telling the House that this minute in time in regards to this incident.

13:06

Rt Hon Hilary Benn MP, The Secretary of State for Northern Ireland (Leeds South, Labour)

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I it was an act of pure evil. I agree with the hon. Gentleman in agree with the hon. Gentleman in saying that. I'm surprised that he suggests there's any possibility of. Those who came to the aid of the victim should be at risk of prosecution because they were trying. Well, they were trying to save him when the a judging by the footage, when the attacker was trying to inflict great harm upon him, and my judgement, having looked at that is what they did was proportionate and fair.

But that is for others to judge. It is important that they are recognised. I've already indicated the House. As soon as I have information there is confirmed and which I can be sure of, I will inform the House. Speaker.

13:07

Mr Gregory Campbell MP (East Londonderry, Democratic Unionist Party)

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Tens of thousands of people are >> Tens of thousands of people are horrified at the circulation. >> Online of the video that the Secretary of State has alluded to, and while he quite rightly congratulates the members of the public who intervened and they did, whether it was a bat or a cricket bat, they took action. But what we need to see now, as tension rises, we need to see government action to restrict and inhibit people arriving in this country illegally, some of which carry out the actions that we saw in the streets of Belfast last night.

13:07

Rt Hon Hilary Benn MP, The Secretary of State for Northern Ireland (Leeds South, Labour)

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Well, the hon. Gentleman will be well aware of the action that the government is taking to deal with illegal migration. And I've also made clear to the House the steps made clear to the House the steps we take, if anyone, however, they came to the country or whether they are from this country, commits a criminal offence, they will face due process and any foreign national. Regardless of how they came, who abuses our hospitality and commits crimes can expect to be sentence.

13:08

Carla Lockhart MP (Upper Bann, Democratic Unionist Party)

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Carla Lockhart thank you. >> Carla Lockhart thank you. >> Mr. Speaker. My thoughts are very much with the victim of this horrific attack last night, and I horrific attack last night, and I want to also echo the calls for calm in our communities. Communities in Northern Ireland are angry. They are demanding answers and they deserve answers. Sadly, today I don't feel they're getting those answers and it's not lost on the people of North Belfast who is in this place today speaking up for working class communities who are very concerned about uncontrolled immigration and the fact that many houses now that mayors won't even tell how many houses they have full of immigrants.

So my question is, was this individual known to the authorities? How many other from the same country are currently being accommodated in Northern Ireland? How did they enter the UK and what action this government is taking to prevent abuse of our immigration system, including via the land border within the Republic of Ireland?

13:09

Rt Hon Hilary Benn MP, The Secretary of State for Northern Ireland (Leeds South, Labour)

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Well, I, I say to the hon. Member that the the public are Member that the the public are right to be angry about what they witnessed in that appalling video witnessed in that appalling video and what they have heard about the attack that took place, as I've already indicated to the House. I mean, some of the questions that she's asked, I will endeavour to come back to her on. Others will be provided in due course once the facts have been checked. It's really important that the facts are checked before information is given to the House, because I don't want to stand here and say one thing, and it turns out that is not the case.

So checking that thoroughly is a responsibility on me before I inform the House. And that is what I intend to do.

13:09

Ayoub Khan MP (Birmingham Perry Barr, Independent)

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Ayoub Khan thank you, Mr. >> Ayoub Khan thank you, Mr. Speaker. Can I also echo the sentiments of members in this House in sending my thoughts and prayers in sending my thoughts and prayers to the victim of this horrific attack and in specific. And I also extend my gratitude to the local extend my gratitude to the local community who bravely intervened. What we all must do now is encourage calm at this most troubling time, and stop tension from further being inflamed. And to that end, does the Minister agree that we must not let the heinous actions of one person be taken as an opportunity to taint an entire community, and that we should not and must not attempt to fill the gaps? Whilst the story and the police investigation continues to deliver justice to the victim and their family.

13:10

Rt Hon Hilary Benn MP, The Secretary of State for Northern Ireland (Leeds South, Labour)

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Well, I do agree with the hon. >> Well, I do agree with the hon. Gentleman when he says that. And when I think back to those who were when I think back to those who were attacked in the wake of the terrible events in Southport and then in Ballymena, we know that in Northern Ireland certain of individuals were attacked, had nothing to do with any of this, simply because of the colour of their skin. And that is not what this country is about.

Identify an attacker due process in due course after investigation. Do not cast aspersions on a whole community. Many people from all backgrounds could bring so much to our national life.

13:11

Shockat Adam MP (Leicester South, Independent)

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Shockat Adam thank you, Mr. Speaker. I thank the Secretary of State for that answer. >> And following on, I myself also give my deepest sympathies for the victims and his family and pay tribute to the bystanders who intervene at this horrific case. Does the Secretary of State agree with me as as he has already expressed further, that crime and heroes come in all different hues and colours like we have seen in Cambridgeshire in the train. As as the stabber of the Saudi student in Cambridgeshire in the picturesque street last year.

It doesn't matter which background you come from, and it's a responsibility for members in this House to temper the inflammatory remarks. So we do not see actions like we did last week in Southampton, where innocent police officers are having to go into hiding here.

13:12

Rt Hon Hilary Benn MP, The Secretary of State for Northern Ireland (Leeds South, Labour)

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Well, I would say to the hon. >> Well, I would say to the hon. Member, we all have a responsibility by our actions and our words not to inflame, and we all have a responsibility, as I indicated in answering the right hon. Gentleman as original question, to plea for calm in these circumstances, that is the right thing to do on behalf of all the people of Northern Ireland.

13:12

Richard Tice MP (Boston and Skegness, Reform UK)

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Yes. Richard Tice. >> Yes. Richard Tice. >> You, Mr. Speaker. >> Calm is essential. >> After this horrific, horrific,

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After this horrific, horrific, brutal attack. We all know that the Secretary of State has referred to Secretary of State has referred to further information coming out as we speak. Will he therefore commit to returning to this House later today, if possible, to update the House on the important information

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around the suspect and any other information you hear? I'm very happy to say to the

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I'm very happy to say to the hon. Gentleman, I will report to the House in an appropriate form as

13:12

Rt Hon Hilary Benn MP, The Secretary of State for Northern Ireland (Leeds South, Labour)

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the House in an appropriate form as soon as I am able to do so. >> Right. That completes the

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Right. That completes the questions. Let the front benches questions. Let the front benches change over. We now come to the statement Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper.

13:13

Statement: Middle East

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. With permission, I would like to make a statement on the Middle East. First,

13:13

Rt Hon Yvette Cooper MP, Foreign Secretary, Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (Pontefract, Castleford and Knottingley, Labour)

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on the Iran conflict and Lebanon. Second, on the situation in Second, on the situation in Palestine. And can I apologise to the shadow Foreign Secretary and also to the speaker and to the also to the speaker and to the House for the delay in sending across the copy of the statement. Mr. speaker, this weekend we saw worrying and dangerous escalation. Lebanese Hezbollah continuing to Lebanese Hezbollah continuing to fire into northern Israel. Israeli strikes against southern areas of Beirut and the direct exchange of missiles between Iran and Israel, presenting one of the most dangerous moments since the fragile ceasefire was agreed.

Over the last 48 hours, we have made clear the need for urgent de-escalation because a resumption of conflict is in no one's interests. And I spoke to the Iranian foreign Minister on Sunday evening to convey this directly. Both Israel and Iran have indicated that they have ended their strikes, and that is welcome. But there was some reporting before. Just before I entered the chamber of strikes again this morning. It is vital that we have a diplomatic way forward, both to end the conflict in Lebanon, to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, to restore regional stability and prevent Iran ever developing or obtaining a nuclear weapon.

As we have previously made clear in this House, Israel's recent escalation in Lebanon was reckless and disproportionate, and deepened the humanitarian crisis that had already seen more than a million Lebanese people driven from their homes and thousands killed. But we strongly condemn Hezbollah's attacks against Israel, including its northern communities, because, at Iran's instigation, Hezbollah, a proscribed organisation, is dragging Lebanon into a war that is against the interests of its people and its government. It must end this dangerous attacks and disarm.

And the US brokered ceasefire in Lebanon must be properly observed by all parties. We want to see a swift and successful conclusion to the ongoing talks between the US and Iran. We need an agreement that gets the strait fully open with no tolls or charges. And last week I discussed this with Foreign Minister Wang Yi in China and Foreign Minister Jaishankar in India, every country has a stake in freedom of navigation, and the UK will continue to speak up for this.

Across the world and in partnership with France and other countries. We stand ready to play our part once agreement is reached to support demining and provide reassurance to shipping through a multilateral maritime mission. With cost of living pressures at home, we need a lasting settlement which delivers peace and stability in the region and the full restoration of global trade. Let me turn now to Palestine. Nine months ago at the UN General Assembly, I confirmed the UK's historic decision to recognise the state of Palestine, and we did so alongside partners in recognition of the inalienable right of the Palestinian people and to defend the viability of the two state solution.

We did so as part of a wave of international diplomatic energy in support of peace in the Middle East, and it was a crucial moment of hope that we could end the violence and suffering and begin to build a better future of lasting peace and security for Palestine, Israel and the wider region. But today, the situation is bleak, and the viability of the two state solution remains in grave peril. Let me turn first to Gaza. The cease fire remains formally in place, but it is being regularly violated.

Since October, over 900 Palestinians in Gaza have been killed. 1.9 million Palestinians remain displaced and dependent on humanitarian aid, and aid is down this year, not up with 90% of water and sanitation infrastructure destroyed and not rebuilt. Families without shelter a public health crisis with rodent infestations and communicable disease, and currently at barely half the level of the 4200 trucks a week promised in the 20 point plan, Israel's registration law continues to severely restrict international NGO operations while key crossings remain closed, and it is a total moral outrage that children are still going hungry while food they need rots on shelves because aid agencies cannot get in.

Meanwhile, Hamas decommissioning has not yet started and they retain a tight hold on areas of Gaza. And instead of the phased withdrawal of Israeli troops, Gazans are restricted to just 40% of the territory unable to access their land beyond the yellow line. Mr. speaker, we urgently need new international energy, new pressure and new action to resuscitate the 20 point plan for the UK. That means pressure in three priority areas. First, increased age is urgent and must be unconditional.

Despite all the challenges, UK aid is making a difference on the ground. Last year we provided over £80 million of humanitarian and early recovery funding, with funding protected again this year, enabling 650 000 people to receive food and improving access to water, sanitation and hygiene for 300 000 people. UK support for mine clearance has enabled 45 acres of land to be made safe for community use, and helped clear 24 key sites, including medical facilities. And today I can announce another, further £1 million to support these mine clearance efforts.

But some UK aid is still stuck in warehouses, including in Jordan and Egypt, and humanitarian support is a fundamental right. It cannot be bartered against other aspects of the peace plan. So the Netanyahu government must recognise its urgent humanitarian responsibility to open crossings and to end the arbitrary restrictions. So the UN, UNRWA and international NGOs can fulfil their life saving mandates. Second, we continue to press for the decommissioning of Hamas weapons to get underway. Hamas must destroy its terrorist infrastructure and weapons production sites as a first step towards full demilitarisation, and we have offered UK technical expertise to support this.

Meanwhile, Israel must deliver on its commitments to withdraw. And third, we need the practical support and access that was promised for the Transitional Palestine Palestinian National Committee. There are still too many obstacles in its path, and it is still not operating within Gaza itself. That makes it easier for Hamas to retain its hold. We have offered practical support to the committee as they endeavour to fulfil their mandate, and we will lead international calls to support them in coordination with the Palestinian Authority, because Palestine should be run by Palestinians.

Which brings me to the West Bank. Following to the ceasefire agreement, I warned that sustained peace would not be possible without a comparable effort to protect the viability of Palestinian statehood and rights in the West Bank. Instead, we have seen the opposite. Last week, a seven month old baby was killed in his mother's arms. His name was Sam Abu Haykal. After the IDF opened fire on a family car in South Hebron, and the UK supports the calls for an immediate and transparent investigation and robust accountability.

Over the weekend, a gunman opened in Israel, opened fire, with one killed and five injured an attack that shockingly was applauded by Hamas. We have also seen rising and incredibly disturbing settler violence. Palestinian families and communities driven from their homes, brutally beaten while farming their own land. 950 violent incidents this year already in April, settlers shot dead two Palestinians while attacking a school and one was a boy of 14. Mr. speaker, the UK condemns this shocking violence which terrorises Palestinians.

Many Israelis are horrified at what they are seeing from settler extremists. The Netanyahu government has condemned some settler violence, but that rings hollow when there is scant accountability and when the agenda of the hardline settlers has now become intertwined with the approach of this Israeli Cabinet. So let me take out set out today new action this government will take. First, I'm announcing a new wave of sanctions targeting the networks that are supporting this violence. Organisations, including the Farms Association that fundraises for illegal outposts, strongholds for settler aggression, Ahavat Gilad that serves as the Farms Association's financial conduit and arts venue that has fundraised for military equipment for armed settler squads.

This is the fourth package of sanctions under this Labour government against extremist Israeli settlers. We have targeted some of the most notorious individuals, the most significant settler entities, and the extremist figures in the Israeli Cabinet who are inciting these acts. Today's measures mean the UK is second to none among international partners in targeting those facilitating and inciting settler violence. We are also going further. On the 22nd of May, the Prime Minister led a group of other world leaders warning businesses not to bid for construction, tenders for E1 or other settlement developments.

But this is not just about construction contracts. So today, alongside the Department for Business and Trade, I have strengthened our business risk guidance to make it clear and unambiguous. If you are a British citizen or business, you should not conduct any economic and financial activities in illegal Israeli settlements. And today, alongside my right hon. Friend the Culture Secretary, I have written to the Charity Commission for England and Wales requesting that they open an investigation into evidence of UK charities that have links to illegal settlements.

The Minister for the Middle East will meet with the Commission's CEO tomorrow, because no UK charity should be supporting or enabling these

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breaches of international law. Yeah. The principles we are acting on, I believe, are widely supported I believe, are widely supported across this House. We believe that settlements are a fundamental barrier to peace and a flagrant barrier to peace and a flagrant breach of international law. We believe that violent settler groups should not be profiting from the land that they have seized from Palestinians, and we also believe we must continue to distinguish and we must continue to distinguish and protect trade with people and businesses across the state of Israel.

Trade that reflects long standing and important ties between our countries and communities. We will look to continue to coordinate our approach with close allies and look at further concrete steps to counter settlement expansion and promote peace and security. Finally, let me address our support for Palestinian governance. We are keeping up the pressure on the PA, the Palestinian Authority, to deliver its vital reform commitments on education, welfare, payments and elections. We are expanding the direct, practical help to the PA to reform and to deliver effective government for its people.

Drawing on the deep expertise of the UK envoy for PA governance, Lord Michael Barber. But the PA faces an enormous fiscal and healthcare crisis because the Israeli government has a stranglehold on the Palestinian economy, including withholding $5 billion of Palestinian tax revenue. That means schools and health facilities struggle to stay open for more than 1 or 2 days a week. An effective PA is directly in Israel's interest. It is both utterly wrong and incredibly short sighted for the Netanyahu government to seek to undermine it at every turn.

So the UK has stepped up our efforts in support, alongside the support for reforms. This year we provided PA funding that helped 5300 health workers sustain frontline services. And today I can announce we will provide at least £10 million further to support the PA over 2026 to pay salaries, bolstering the PA's ability to function, helping dedicated health professionals to do their essential work across hospitals, clinics and maternity services. And our focus will be to build more effective, more democratic and more accountable governance, and to reinforce the unity of the West Bank, Gaza and East Jerusalem as inseparable pillars of the State of Palestine.

International pressure and partnership on the ground have been vital over the last 12 months. And so later this week, I will travel to Paris, along with other foreign Ministers, in advance of the Peace Building Conference, which is bringing together Israeli and Palestinian civil society groups alongside international partners dedicated to advancing the two state solution. Because the momentum of last year must be reinvigorated for the sake of peace and security for all. I commend this statement to the House.

secretary.

13:27

Rt Hon Priti Patel MP (Witham, Conservative)

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Mr. speaker. state sponsor of terrorism, and it's now over 100 days since this conflict began. And yet Iran continues to pose the most dangerous and significant threat to the Middle East peace and security, and to the interests of Britain and our allies and friends in the region. In recent days, we have seen the most appalling Iranian attack in Kuwait, causing injury and death at Kuwait International Airport and launched missiles towards Israel. They continue to obstruct the movement of goods through the Straits of Hormuz, seeking to hold us all to ransom.

They refuse to end their nuclear weapons programme. They carry on oppressing their citizens, having butchered thousands already this year, and they continue to sponsor and support terrorist proxies throughout the region, causing bloodshed from Lebanon to Yemen to Gaza. They've shown no interest at all in pursuing peace, and they laugh in the face of sanctions. No one in this House should have any shred of sympathy for the Iranian regime, which has caused so much terror and has blood on its hands. Iran has been the root cause of immense suffering in the Middle East for far too long, in places where it has no business whatsoever.

And as the president of Lebanon has said in recent days, Lebanon is not Iran's country. Mr. speaker, Madam Deputy Speaker, can the Foreign Secretary confirm whether British assets in the region were involved in any interception efforts over the weekend? And what does this latest attack mean for our defence posture in the region? It's all very well for the government to call on Iran to exercise restraint. That has never stopped them from carrying out the hostile attacks that just keep on increasing.

So will there be any material consequences from Iran, from Britain, like a new wave of sanctions to further up and ratchet the pressure on these benches? We've been calling for new sanctions to prevent senior figures in the despotic Iranian regime parking their wealth in London, and to ensure that Britain cannot be a sanctuary for enforcers of repression. If those linked to the regime seek to flee Iran. So will the Foreign Secretary commit to taking both of these actions? And as I said in the House last week, Iran's terrorist proxy Hezbollah must be disarmed.

It has caused immense suffering in both Lebanon and in Israel. We need to see UN Security Council Resolution 1701 implemented in full, and Hezbollah must comply. When I raised this in the House last week, the Minister for the Middle East said in response that it must be the Lebanese government to disarm Hezbollah. And he is absolutely right. But he didn't say what support Britain is actually given to the Lebanese government now, because we all know that they cannot do this on their own.

Is the government going beyond the traditional support Britain has offered the Lebanese armed forces and, for example, offering technical and intelligence assistance? The Foreign Secretary has said nothing in her statement on disarming Hezbollah. So can she tell the House today what the government is doing and more broadly? Madam Deputy Speaker, we hope the cease fires in the region can lead to a sustainable end to the conflict without a resumption in fighting. But clearly, we all know this remains incredibly precarious. Specifically on the Iran ceasefire, can the Foreign Secretary update the House on what involvement, if any, the government is having behind the scenes in mediation mediation efforts? Has she personally seen the outline of the apparently close peace deal, or has had any input into it? And has she discussed this at all with Secretary Rubio? Madam Deputy Speaker, the Foreign Secretary has today announced a package of measures regarding the West Bank, Gaza and the 20 point peace plan.

We all want to see an end to violence and conflict in the West Bank and in Gaza. And in particular, she has made very important points on aid. And the fact that humanitarian aid and support is not getting through. Can she state what else the government has been doing to have critical discussions with the parties involved to see progress in this area? And can the Foreign Secretary tell the House what the changing guidance on change will actually mean? Trade will mean in practice and the practical efforts of these sanctions that have been announced today.

She's mentioned asking the Charity Commission to investigate certain charities. Can she tell us what evidence she has that has prompted this particular request? And will she be asking the Charity Commission to investigate charities in the UK that are supporting Iran and terrorism, and on the Palestinian Authority, is a £10 million announced new money or from existing resources allocated. And can she give an update on the steps being taken to reform the PA and stop the pay to slay mechanisms? Madam Deputy Speaker, Iran.

Iran is not alone and is backed by the authoritarian axis that we all speak about too much in this House. The Foreign Secretary has just been to one of those states, China, in the whole desperate attempt now for economic crumbs to bail out Labour's disastrous handling of the economy. The House is fully aware of China's role in supporting Iran, including providing offensive capabilities. The FCDO press release during her visit states that she stressed the urgency of reopening the Straits of Hormuz without tolls or charges, preventing nuclear proliferation in Iran and maintaining stability in the wider Middle East.

But did China's foreign Minister show any willingness to put pressure on Iran to reopen the Straits and to stop the illegal and reckless attacks that we are seeing? Did she raise with him concerns over China's enabling of Iran's offensive attack?

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And there was no mention in the foreign Secretary statement All the press release from the

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All the press release from the Foreign Office of Jimmy Lai, which raises very significant questions for his family. Did the Foreign Secretary call for his immediate Secretary call for his immediate release and for an end to his politically motivated show trial? Did she threaten consequences if Did she threaten consequences if this did not? Finally, Madam Deputy Speaker, and without wanting to segue too far away from the Middle East, the Foreign Office also claims that the Foreign Secretary urged China to end its economic support of Russia's illegal invasion in Ukraine.

But will any undertakings be forthcoming? China is a critical enabler of Putin's war, and we cannot simply turn a blind eye to this.

13:33

Rt Hon Yvette Cooper MP, Foreign Secretary, Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (Pontefract, Castleford and Knottingley, Labour)

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Yes. >> Yes. >> Foreign Secretary. >> Thank you, Madam Deputy Speaker.

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Thank you, Madam Deputy Speaker. So let me begin with the points that the foreign shadow Foreign that the foreign shadow Foreign Secretary raised on Iran. We agree, I think, on the dangers and risks from Iran. We have seen the the threats and the strikes that unprovoked strikes against the Gulf, against Gulf partners of ours, attacks on civilian infrastructure and energy infrastructure as well, and as well as the operations and attacks through proxies across the region, but also more widely, and including the attacks on Israel as well.

That is why we have extensive sanctions against Iran. It's also why we have always been clear that under no circumstances must be Iran be allowed to get and or develop nuclear weapons. And it is why the UK, along with France and Germany, led the approach to the snapback restoration of sanctions against Iran in the autumn at the United Nations. We have also, because we recognise some of the threats from not just Iran but also other state backed organisations, including threats here in the U.K.

and that is why we have been working intensively, intensively led by the Home Office, to draw up state threats legislation, which we hope will be able to pass swiftly through the House as well. She raised the issues around the the business advice is about being very clear to. So there can be no doubt this is not just about the construction of the E1 settlements as raised by several government leaders, world leaders to discourage any settlement, any involvement of businesses in the construction, but also more widely.

To be clear that the business advice is against any economic or financial activity in those illegal settlements because they undermine the prospects for peace and security for Israel and Palestine alike. She returned to the issue about the straits and the potential for the for an agreement. We desperately want to see an agreement take place. We are keeping in close touch with all of those involved, including with the mediators as well as. I have had many discussions with Secretary of State Rubio.

We are not direct participants in the negotiations. That is directly for the US and Iran and the mediators, but we are doing anything that we can to support that process and to pursue, as well, a settlement that ensures not simply a partial opening of the strait, but the full recognition of the principle of freedom of navigation and the underpinning of international law, and as a maritime trading nation. That principle is one that we should always be championing, and that is why I have directly raised that with in China and in India, and specifically have been discussing with them the importance of maintaining that unconditional support for freedom of navigation.

They have both in the discussions, including in China, recognised the importance of no tolls on the Strait of Hormuz. And I have, of course, urged them to put any pressure they are able to put on Iran in order to comply and to come to this agreement. She raises Jimmy. Yes, of course, I raised Jimmy Lai. We want to see him released urgently and have made that position very clear in this House, made the position very clear again with the Chinese authorities and will continue to do so.

And and I will also be keeping close touch with Jimmy Lai's family on this as well, because we take the case so seriously. And then she also raised the issue around Russia and Ukraine. I have to be honest, we have a difference of view with China on this one. We have strongly been clear about the importance of our total solidarity with Ukraine, with its people, because ultimately, Russia's threat to Ukraine's security is also a threat to Europe's security and is also a threat to the UK's security.

And again, I have made those points very clearly to the Chinese government. And also as part of my visit, I also raised those issues directly with the Indian government as well, who also take a different view to the UK on this crucial issue about Russia and Ukraine. But we will continue to make those points. And I to be honest, I would say to her, I think I think it is really important as part of our security, that we engage with the countries around the world, some of the biggest countries around the world, on those global security issues.

And because this is not simply about economic or trading relationships, this is actually about our security. Our security is strengthened. If we engage with, for example, the China on these issues, whether it be on the street, whether it be on issues around Russia, Ukraine, and we do so in line with our principles, in line with our commitment to international law. And we will raise those differences and disagreements. But we also need to do so in the interests of our security and keeping people safe at home.

13:39

Rt Hon Emily Thornberry MP (Islington South and Finsbury, Labour)

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Chair of the Select Committee, >> Chair of the Select Committee, Dame Emily Thornberry, thanks very much, Madam Deputy Speaker. >> I welcome the Foreign Secretary's statement, and I share the government's condemnation of the illegal settlements that are systematically destroying any prospect of a Palestinian state. And, of course, Madam Deputy Speaker, settlements don't build themselves. They require money and insurance and trade. So I welcome the changing guidance, telling British citizens that they should not conduct any economic or financial activity in the settlements.

But the question really is what happens if they do? Currently, the truth is, is that British companies and our bankrolling annexations one settlement at a time. So surely if the government can recognise that settlements are illegal, then why not just issue a ban on all trade and goods and services with the settlements rather than more guidance? Are we in danger of doing too little, too late?

13:40

Rt Hon Yvette Cooper MP, Foreign Secretary, Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (Pontefract, Castleford and Knottingley, Labour)

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Thank you. Thank you sir. Well, we are. >> Clear that settlements. Are illegal and are undermining peace. We do not want trade with illegal We do not want trade with illegal settlements, and we want to deter support for those settlements. And that includes financial engagement and also includes the charitable organisations who should not be engaging as well. That is why we have set out new sanctions today and stronger business advice. Clearly, of course, we distinguish between illegal settlements and trade with businesses and organisations across Israel, and we will also continue to work with allies across the world on this.

I recognise the points that my hon. Friend has made, and I would say I know that countries who have looked at this have also found it hard to do some of these other further issues in practice, but we will continue to work with allies on what the practical arrangements are that can ensure that we stand up for international law and against these dangerous the illegal settlements that are endangering peace.

13:41

Calum Miller MP (Bicester and Woodstock, Liberal Democrat)

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Democrat spokesperson Calum Miller. >> Thank you, Madam Deputy Speaker, and to the Foreign Secretary for advance sight of her statement. The advance sight of her statement. The steps announced by the government today are important and right. British businesses and charities have to know that engaging with or sustaining settlements in the West Bank is illegal and unacceptable. So the updated business risk guidance is correct, but it is overdue. The Dutch government issued a similar discouragement notice in 2006, 20 years ago.

It is also insufficient. The government should have used this moment to set out specific sanctions on British firms, which enable or finance the expansion of illegal Israeli settlements. So will the government move to review sanctions much more regularly and bring new packages to this House every month? And will the Foreign Secretary finally heed Liberal Democrat calls to ban all trade in goods and services with the illegal settlements? Madam Deputy Speaker, last September, this government took the historic decision to recognise the state of Palestine.

That was the right thing to do, and a step which Liberal Democrats have been advocating for almost a decade. But the Israeli security Cabinet is moving fast to expand legal rights for land purchases in the West Bank, while settler violence towards Palestinians continues. The UK's complicity in enabling the growth of illegal settlements runs deep. This Sunday, the great Israeli real estate event is coming to London. Properties in illegal settlements in Gush Etzion are being marketed alongside properties in Israeli cities.

This is Palestinian land being advertised, bartered and sold on the streets of our capital. So will the government intervene to ban the event unless assurances can be made that no properties in illegal settlements will be advertised. Madam Deputy Speaker, Turning back to the wider region, Hezbollah has continued to strike northern Israel, but the latest exchange of fire between Israel and Iran following Israeli strikes on Beirut shows just how precarious the regional ceasefire is. Talks towards a peace settlement cannot be derailed.

So does the Foreign Secretary agree that IDF actions in Lebanon, directed by Netanyahu, are materially undermining the chances for reaching a wider peace settlement? And what actions are the government taking to address this? Finally, Liberal Democrats have long called for the prescription in the UK of the IRGC. The government has now committed to legislate this session. So will the government engage across the House to see whether this law can be brought forward immediately and fast tracked into legislation?

13:44

Rt Hon Yvette Cooper MP, Foreign Secretary, Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (Pontefract, Castleford and Knottingley, Labour)

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Foreign Secretary. >> Foreign Secretary. >> Can I thank the hon. Member for his comments, including on the importance of the recognition of the State of Palestine, and we should always be clear that the there is no alternative to a two state solution in terms of establishing any peace and security in the region, and that is why it is crucial that we work to maintain the prospects of a two state solution. Now he refers to the sanctions regimes, and we are looking not just to continue to increase sanctions and targeted ones, but also potential ways to strengthen the overall sanctions regime as well.

What I would say to him is we have been leading one of the leading countries in the world on sanctions around the illegal settlements. He will know we were on with a few countries who have actually sanctioned individual Israeli Cabinet Ministers who have been inciting the extremist behaviour and settlements. And where, of course, we saw one of those Cabinet Ministers in the most shameful behaviour around the Gaza flotilla in recent weeks as well, and the treatment of people there.

And he raised the issue more widely about going further in terms of the trade issues. Again, I would say what I said to my hon. Friend, we have been very clear. We do not believe there should be trade with the illegal settlements. We are being clear and extremely strong in the advice that we are giving, and we will continue to work with allies across the world on the most effective way to maintain this. It is also important that we differentiate between illegal settlements and between the betrayed.

With businesses and organisations across Europe on the issues around the threats, obviously from Hezbollah. It is devastating to the people of Lebanon who have seen Hezbollah as a Iran backed proxy their chances of peace. But we have also, including my hon. Friend, the Middle East Minister, has raised in this House as well, our deep concern about the Israeli escalation in Lebanon and the dangerous impact of that on the Lebanese people as well. We want to see the settlement between the US and Israel, sorry, the US and Iran to be swiftly reached, and no one should be undermining or destabilising the prospects for that settlement.

And then finally, on the issues around the state threats in the UK, I can tell him we are moving at a rapid pace. In order to address this, he will know. This is something that I feel personally, very strongly about. Having commissioned the advice from Jonathan Hall last year, which led to the recommendations that we need new legislation to protect us against state threats. We will be bringing it forward swiftly, and we will be seeking to work with other parties to try and get it through Parliament as rapidly as possible.

13:47

Debbie Abrahams MP (Oldham East and Saddleworth, Labour)

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Debbie Abrahams Madam Deputy Speaker. Last week, tenders for the Speaker. Last week, tenders for the expansion of the unlawful E1 settlements were launched. That's for nearly 3500 housing units, directly flouting international law and also putting the viability of a Palestinian state at risk. In addition, as we've heard on in on the 14th in London, there will be a real estate deal which is about marketing the purchase of Palestinian land in the occupational West Bank, including the Gush Etzion settlement.

Again, flouting international law in this city. I welcome this morning's updated and strengthened guidance with warning businesses not to engage. And I welcome the additional sanctions that the Foreign Secretary has has outlined. But what are the consequences of businesses of which we know at least 43 have been previously engaged in the expansion of settlements? What are these businesses? If they decide to ignore this guidance and go ahead and get involved in these illegal expansions of settlements? Foreign Secretary.

Well, I.

13:48

Rt Hon Yvette Cooper MP, Foreign Secretary, Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (Pontefract, Castleford and Knottingley, Labour)

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Would warn any businesses >> Would warn any businesses against associating themselves with potential breaches of international potential breaches of international law and also with becoming involved in a process that is undermining peace and security for the region. The on the issue that the hon. Gentleman also raised from the issue that she raised in terms of the operations within London, we will pursue any issue that we can around anything that might be either in breach of the law or might be issues that we can raise.

But I think the there is a moral responsibility on organisations, whether it be on businesses or other organisations, and particularly on charities where we have additional enforcement powers not to support illegal settlements that are not only in breach of international law, but are also undermining the regional security and peace.

13:49

Rt Hon Sir Edward Leigh MP (Gainsborough, Conservative)

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Sir Edward Leigh. >> Statement. >> And I also agree with the decision of the government, which I supported from day one, to stay out supported from day one, to stay out of this totally counterproductive war. I hope we've all learned our lesson, and we're never going to listen to liberal imperialists or neocons with these endless wars in the Middle East of regime change, all of which have been a disaster. Syria, Libya, Iraq, now Iran. Can I just ask her what influence do we actually have on the Trump administration? Because they're the only people that Netanyahu cares about.

I can see the wonderful Justice Secretary sitting next to her. His. He's supposed to be a good. He's a chum with the vice president when she has conversations with Secretary of State Rubio. Is there any way we can convince the Trump administration that whilst we're not naive about Hezbollah and Hamas, we know they're horrible organisations. At least we can start to detach the Palestinian people from these organisations. If the Trump administration is absolutely firm that the ethnic cleansing of Palestinians in the West Bank has got to stop now.

And we've got to stop the total destruction of Gaza and the appalling suffering. We read about people getting cancer and dying in agony this very day in Gaza. So what influence do we actually have on the Trump administration?

13:51

Rt Hon Yvette Cooper MP, Foreign Secretary, Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (Pontefract, Castleford and Knottingley, Labour)

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Foreign Secretary. Well, look, you hear the hon. Member, the you hear the hon. Member, the Father of the House is right. We did take a different view to the US and to Israel on the start of this conflict. And we did not get drawn into offensive operations against Iran. We did take defensive action for to support Gulf partners when they were under attack from Iran. But we did take a different view on the start of this conflict, and I believe that was the right thing for the UK to do.

And in the UK interest, of course, the US remains our close security partner and ally, and I have many conversations with Secretary of State Marco Rubio about a whole range of different issues, including engaging with them on not just issues in the Middle East, but across the world as well. And I suppose I would recognise that the. It was we were involved in many discussions with the US in the run up to the adoption of the 20 point plan and the Gaza peace process last autumn.

And it was US leadership that got that final agreement to the 20 point plan. However, that 20 point plan is really at risk of falling apart right now. And that is why we are engaging not just with the US, but partners across the world. It's why we'll have the Peace Building conference in Paris on Friday, because we need to restore the energy and commitment to that 20 point plan, which is being flouted repeatedly and dangerously across Gaza every single day, and is why we urgently need the humanitarian aid and support for families in Gaza.

But we also need the restoration of energy behind the 20

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point plan. Abtisam Mohamed. Madam Deputy Speaker, I welcome

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Madam Deputy Speaker, I welcome the Foreign Secretary's statement and the measures that she has announced today, but I want to come back to part of the announcement from the Foreign Secretary, where she gives strong advice to businesses that we should not businesses that we should not conduct any economic and financial activities in illegal Israeli settlements, rather than an settlements, rather than an outright ban. We know a ban is possible because we did it for illegally occupied territories in

13:53

Abtisam Mohamed MP (Sheffield Central, Labour)

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Crimea, for Ukraine, and we know it's the right thing to do, because when it comes to trading ivory, when it comes to trading ivory, firearms or narcotics, we ban it outright. And we know that anything outright. And we know that anything less than a total ban risks the UK aiding Israel's repeated violations of international law. So isn't it of international law. So isn't it time to move beyond strong guidance and advice and actually take meaningful action and proportionate action, and have an outright ban?

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action, and have an outright ban? Hear, hear. Well. Look, I think we share the view that the settlements are illegal,

13:53

Rt Hon Yvette Cooper MP, Foreign Secretary, Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (Pontefract, Castleford and Knottingley, Labour)

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that they undermine peace, and that we want to prevent trade with we want to prevent trade with illegal settlements and discourage anyone, including UK businesses, but actually from around the world but actually from around the world from supporting those settlements. And that is why we're using our And that is why we're using our sanctions regime exactly. To target some of the issues around the settlements, and also why we are settlements, and also why we are looking at other ways to be able to strengthen our sanctions regime as well.

We will continue to work with allies across the world on this. There are other countries have also looked at these issues, and what more can be done, and found that some of the practicalities are complex in this area. But we will continue to work with allies.

13:54

Richard Foord MP (Honiton and Sidmouth, Liberal Democrat)

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Richard Foord. >> Deputy speaker. >> President Trump spoke to. >> The BBC yesterday and said his relationship with Prime Minister Netanyahu was such that, quote, if I tell him to do something, he does I tell him to do something, he does it. It's all very well for the British government to. Contingency plan, such as with the multinational planning conference that we saw at the end of April at GHQ Northwood. But this will be mere displacement activity if there is no peace deal.

What is the Foreign Secretary doing to encourage Washington to demand restraint from Tel Aviv, in Lebanon, to help bring about a peace deal and an end to the blockade of the Strait of Hormuz?

13:55

Rt Hon Yvette Cooper MP, Foreign Secretary, Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (Pontefract, Castleford and Knottingley, Labour)

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Secretary so I can tell the hon. Member that we have continual discussions with the US Secretary of State. We have continual of State. We have continual engagement with the US administration on the support for administration on the support for reaching a peace settlement that also includes the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz fully and unconditionally, and, of course, preventing Iran getting a settlement. We have also discussed with the US the importance of the cease fire in Lebanon and not allowing what is happening in Lebanon to destabilise the wider peace agreement.

I've explicitly had those discussions with the US administration, and I think it is noticeable that the US brokered the cease fire in Lebanon, which is not, which continues to be violated, but is essential that that cease fire is respected and holds in order to make it possible to also get the wider settlement in place. And in terms of the multi multinational maritime mission, that is explicitly in order to be able to help restore global shipping as rapidly as possible, it's not a substitute for a peace settlement.

Of course, we need to get the settlement in place and commitments to the reopening of the strait, but then we need the practical measures, including reassurance to shipping and demining, to make sure it opens as well.

13:56

Yasmin Qureshi MP (Bolton South and Walkden, Labour)

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Yasmin Qureshi thank you, Madam Deputy Speaker, Israeli Ministers have reconfirmed what we've all known the intention to settle Jewish settlers in southern Lebanon, Jewish settlers in southern Lebanon, as they've done in West Bank, and are doing so in Gaza and with the E1 project, will bury the idea of Palestinian state forever. This is something many of us known for a long time, and we are seeing in real time ethnic cleansing and war crimes being committed, all part of the Greater Israel project.

And this Sunday, there is a real estate event openly selling land in the illegal West Bank settlement on UK soil. It is really sad that the shadow Foreign Secretary, who in her response talked a lot about Iran but could not bring a word of sympathy for the plight of the Palestinian people. Can I therefore ask the Secretary of State, can we please put an outright ban on trade, stop selling arms to Israel and strengthen the international criminal international ICJ, as their judges are routinely being threatened by the US administration?

13:57

Rt Hon Yvette Cooper MP, Foreign Secretary, Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (Pontefract, Castleford and Knottingley, Labour)

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Well, I would say to my hon. Friend is she will know that this Friend is she will know that this government, in fact, my right hon. Friend brought in new restrictions on arms sales to Israel exactly because of the concerns that we had about ensuring that we will always stand up for international law. And we have also set out we've been the leading one of the leading countries right across the world in terms of introducing sanctions, including on Israeli individual Israeli government Ministers as well.

She referred to some of the concerns about settlements and expanding illegal settlements. And I agree with her about the the dangers of the E1 project, which is clearly illegal and damaging to peace. I have to say, I am also troubled about some of the comments that we have heard, including from Prime Minister Netanyahu around Gaza as well, and the potential discussions and comments about Israel trying to take over 70% of Gaza and having a permanent divide in Gaza as well, that would be fundamentally flouting and overturning the 20 point plan, which Israel signed up to alongside Hamas alongside countries across the world.

It is vital that they respect the 20 point plan and withdraw as part of the agreement from Gaza. And that is why we want the international effort and energy restored to implementing the 20 point plan.

13:59

Rt Hon Sir Desmond Swayne MP (New Forest West, Conservative)

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Sir Desmond Swayne to life. >> In Gaza. >> And scratching an existence in the West Bank merely occupy the West Bank merely occupy different circles within the depths of the inferno. Any relief is dependent upon the policy of Israel, and that, in turn, would require pressure from its principal ally, the United States of America. What is the Secretary of State's estimate that there is any prospect of that.

13:59

Rt Hon Yvette Cooper MP, Foreign Secretary, Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (Pontefract, Castleford and Knottingley, Labour)

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Foreign Secretary? >> Foreign Secretary? >> Well, we do need Israel to lift restrictions on the humanitarian restrictions on the humanitarian aid to Gaza. It is just horrifying that we have families going without food that they desperately need, and medical support that they desperately need. I have discussed this many times, including with the US administration, as well as, of course, directly with Israel as well. And I think at the beginning, immediately after the 20 point plan, there was an increase in aid as a result of the international commitment.

But since the start of this year, that has plummeted again. And that is why I believe we need that international energy restored behind the 20 point plan and behind the commitments that were made as part of it, to get aid back in Andy McDonald.

14:00

Andy McDonald MP (Middlesbrough and Thornaby East, Labour)

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Thank you, Madam Deputy Speaker. I thank the. >> Secretary for her statement, and I want to thank the Minister as well for he agreed with me last week when I referred to the forced week when I referred to the forced displacement of people by Israel as a war crime. And I'm grateful for for that. I also want to commend the hon. Member for Cowdenbeath and Kirkcaldy for the sterling work she's done in regard to raising the issue of charities, and that's reflected in the statement.

But can I press the Foreign Secretary because she talks about the businesses should not conduct any economic or financial activities in illegal Israeli settlements. Well, there's got to be consequences for that. Those activities are criminal. And we we have the architecture in this country around the sanctions and anti-money laundering legislation and the Proceeds of Crime Act. So can I ask the Foreign Secretary, what conversations is she having to ensure that the Solicitors Regulation Authority, the Financial Conduct Authority, are giving guidance to their members, but importantly, the National Crime Agency? Because until such time as those companies are prosecuted and convicted for their crimes, I'm afraid this is not going to bite.

14:02

Rt Hon Yvette Cooper MP, Foreign Secretary, Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (Pontefract, Castleford and Knottingley, Labour)

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Foreign Secretary. >> So we have clearly strengthened and set out the stronger business advice, but also we are strengthening our sanctions regime strengthening our sanctions regime to directly target those organisations, including international organisations, that are deliberately facilitating funnelling resources to some of the illegal settlements where we have seen some of the really disturbing settler violence take place. We are looking at ways to strengthen the sanctions regime that we have, and we will continue to go further in setting out new sanctions and pursuing sanctions enforcement as well.

And we will also continue to work with allies across the world on this, because I think this is an issue where no one country can do this alone, where we do have action that we have been leading across the world. But given the scale of some of this, trade is actually very often about international, then the more that we can build international consensus around this, the more impact we can have.

14:03

Ayoub Khan MP (Birmingham Perry Barr, Independent)

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Ayoub Khan thank. >> You, Madam Deputy Speaker. >> I don't. >> Seek to offend the. >> Foreign Minister.

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But how can we lecture businesses within the United Kingdom about morality when we are Kingdom about morality when we are witnessing a genocide? And this government, even when you consider a risk of a genocide, should take steps to prevent that, such as cutting off all trade. And we still supply components to the F-35 program. We've witnessed five British citizens being tortured and sexually assaulted and dumped in Greece recently. Seven month old child murdered in the hands of his mother.

No doubt an investigation will probably conclude that that child was a shield. So I ask the Foreign Minister why not sanction the leader, the Prime Minister Netanyahu, and what will this government do to prevent this show business in London on Sunday selling illegal properties here?

14:04

Rt Hon Yvette Cooper MP, Foreign Secretary, Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (Pontefract, Castleford and Knottingley, Labour)

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Yeah. >> Yeah. >> Well, as I have said to my hon. Friend, we will pursue any angle Friend, we will pursue any angle that we can around operations that are taking place here in the UK. We are. I think it is important to be clear, we have very much led the way in terms of the sanctions that we impose. Most countries obviously do not sanction individual members of the Israeli government. We have done so because we were so appalled by the incitement from those individuals.

And one of those Ministers, as he will know, was involved in the shocking flaunting and just just the most disgraceful promoting what were clearly real, disturbing ways of treating human beings that didn't meet the basic standards of humanity. On the flotilla. But of course, he also referred to the case that I referred. I described in my statement where it was really distressing case of just a seven month old baby being killed as well. So that is why we will continue to pursue issues around sanctions.

We will continue to pursue other options with allies across the world. But I do think the other thing that we will need is to build that same sense of international consensus that we had in the autumn, around the 20 point plan for Gaza. It only partially covered a consensus around the West Bank. At that time. We and other countries did obviously recognise the state of Palestine as part of that. And so that was that strong commitment. And part of the 20 point plan does refer to the transition to the Palestinian Authority and the links with the future state of Palestine.

But what we need is to strengthen that international consensus that was built in the autumn much more widely to cover not just Gaza, but also the West Bank, and also a broader regional security framework as well. I've seen we've seen the power that you can have when you get that international consensus together. But individual countries acting alone don't have that impact.

14:06

Andrew Pakes MP (Peterborough, Labour )

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Andrew Pakes thank you, Madam. >> And commitment of the Foreign Secretary and my right hon. Friend the Minister for trying to advance the Minister for trying to advance this issue in line with the will of this House. Only two. Sadly, it is no surprise to many of us that whilst the eyes of the world have been largely focussed on Iran, we've seen abuses continue and get worse within Gaza and the West Bank. Yes, it is a deliberate strategy of the Israeli government.

We talk often about settler violence. This is state supported settler violence. It is not the act of individuals alone. So I welcome the advance package we have put forward today the move for the Charity Commission, but also moving from individuals to groups in terms of our sanctions. But this isn't just about aid coming in. It is also about justice. Justice for Palestinians, justice for the West Bank and building a wider peace. Can I ask the Foreign Secretary what judgement we will make about whether the sanctions go far enough, when she will come back to the House and tell us whether we go further and if she agrees with me.

This is a cause for justice and it's a cause for justice. That's seriously.

14:07

Rt Hon Yvette Cooper MP, Foreign Secretary, Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (Pontefract, Castleford and Knottingley, Labour)

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Ari Secretary. >> Ari Secretary. >> I do agree with my hon. Friend. And effectively, what is going on. And effectively, what is going on. We have seen talk of annexation of parts of the West Bank, and that this is not simply about a a small rogue group that are going against the intentions of the Israeli government. The E1 settlement has been authorised by the Israeli government and promoted by the Israeli government. And yet it is illegal.

It goes against any prospects for peace and security in the region and frankly, is damaging, ultimately for the security of Israel as well as for peace, security and justice for the people of Palestine. So that is why we will continue to pursue this. But I do think we have to combine two things. We have to combine what we can do in terms of our own sanctions regime and working with our closest allies on those sorts of measures and putting pressure on.

But we also need to promote that wider international consensus and energy. We had it briefly in the autumn, but it had built up over many months. We've got to rebuild that now.

14:08

Rt Hon Sir Julian Lewis MP (New Forest East, Conservative)

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So, Julian Lewis. >> Secretary accept. >> That, repeatedly saying that a terrorist group must do something terrorist group must do something doesn't make it happen? So when she says that Hezbollah must end its dangerous attacks and disarm, does she expect this to happen voluntarily? And if not, how does she expect it to be brought about?

14:09

Rt Hon Yvette Cooper MP, Foreign Secretary, Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (Pontefract, Castleford and Knottingley, Labour)

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Foreign Secretary the Hezbollah is a dangerous terrorist organisation. It is undermining organisation. It is undermining security for the people of Lebanon. We support the Lebanese government and the Lebanese armed forces in taking action against Hezbollah, and we are providing them with direct support, including with funding and capabilities support as well, because we believe that they should be able to do this with international support as well. It is hugely important. We also think, frankly, that Iran should be putting pressure on its proxies, rather than using proxies to escalate tensions and to escalate activity.

And so we are also putting pressure on Iran to also put pressure on Hezbollah as well.

14:10

Imran Hussain MP (Bradford East, Labour)

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Imran Hussain thank you very. >> Imran Hussain thank you very. >> Much, Madam Speaker. Frankly, the measures announced today, the measures announced today, whilst necessary, do not go nowhere near far enough. They will not stop the genocide in Gaza. They will not stop the war crimes in Gaza, and they certainly will not stop the continuation of illegal settlements. So I say to the Home Secretary what? Sorry, the Foreign Secretary, what real concrete measures can she announce here today? She stated earlier to a number of colleagues who asked the question that she wants to see an end to trade with illegal settlements.

Well, that's in her gift because she can stand on that Dispatch Box today and announce a ban on trade with all illegal settlements. Why would she not do that?

14:10

Rt Hon Yvette Cooper MP, Foreign Secretary, Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (Pontefract, Castleford and Knottingley, Labour)

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So. >> So. >> As I say to my hon. Friend, it is that we are announcing these sanctions which go further than ever before in targeting the organisations that are effectively facilitating, promoting, encouraging and developing these illegal settlements. And the we want to continue to go further on sanctions and also in looking at ways to strengthen our sanctions regime so that we can also go further to put additional pressure on. But I think look, what I would say to him on this is, look, individual countries can take particular action around things like sanctions in different ways or trade issues that we have discussed and so on as well.

But actually, the biggest impact is going to be building an international coalition and consensus on this. That is what happened in the autumn around Gaza that has now been lost or has been reduced since then. We have to rebuild that again, but we have to this time make sure it includes the West Bank as well as Gaza.

14:12

Anna Sabine MP (Frome and East Somerset, Liberal Democrat)

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Anna Sabine Madam Deputy Speaker. I was recently on a cross-party visit to Israel and Palestine, and visit to Israel and Palestine, and we met with the Norwegian Refugee Council and talked about the issue of dual use items, which is where the Israeli government doesn't let the Israeli government doesn't let certain items into Gaza. If it argues they can be used for terrorist purposes. This includes situations where young children are able to leave Gaza to get hearing implants in countries like Jordan, and are then not allowed back into Gaza because the component parts are considered dual use items.

Can I ask what pressure the government can bring to bear on the Israeli government to prevent the weaponization of this issue against the Gazan people?

14:12

Rt Hon Yvette Cooper MP, Foreign Secretary, Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (Pontefract, Castleford and Knottingley, Labour)

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Foreign Secretary we have raised exactly this issue many times directly with the Israeli directly with the Israeli government, also with the the Cmcc, the Coordinating Committee and with the US administration as well, because she is completely right and we're ending up with basic medical equipment being turned down, because somehow it could be treated as dual use or tent poles for basic shelter being turned down, because somehow it could be dual use. This is deeply damaging. And it's also these are different standards to the ones that apply.

Even 12 months ago, even when there were previous ceasefires, we managed to get a lot more aid through and a lot more support through than have been now. And that is why it is crucial that aid is not weaponized. It is a basic human right, and we will continue to strongly argue for an increase in humanitarian aid.

14:13

Melanie Ward MP (Cowdenbeath and Kirkcaldy, Labour)

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Melanie Ward thank you, Madam Deputy Speaker. the Foreign. >> Secretary has announced today. They are important. And as I raised with government Ministers last week with government Ministers last week and discussed with the Foreign Secretary last night, last week I submitted a formal complaint to the Charity Commission about 32 UK charities, which over the last five years have funnelled some £28 million to illegal Israeli settlements. The research into this was conducted jointly with Israeli human rights organisations. They include UK tournament, which currently has a live donation page to which the Foreign Secretary has just announced sanctions against.

I welcome the fact that she has raised this with the Charity Commission. I would say that they were brought they were made aware of these issues in July 2025 and have done nothing so far. Can she be clear that we're not just looking for an investigation, but a ban on this? And in reference to the letter that myself and 140 other Labour colleagues sent her this week about a ban for a ban on trade with Israeli settlements, can she also now say that we will look to move towards a ban on top of the guidance that she's issued?

14:14

Rt Hon Yvette Cooper MP, Foreign Secretary, Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (Pontefract, Castleford and Knottingley, Labour)

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Foreign Secretary well, can I welcome the work that my hon. welcome the work that my hon. Friend has done on the the abuse of charity systems to funnel support charity systems to funnel support to illegal settlements? She, I think, has rightly raised this not just with me, but also with the Culture Secretary. She's raised this directly with the Charities Commission. I can tell her that my hon. Friend, the Middle East Minister, will be meeting with the Charities Commission CEO tomorrow in order to be able to pursue exactly this issue, to ensure that there is a thorough investigation, but also the some of the evidence suggests that rules are being broken.

We should not be having UK gift aid end up being funnelled to illegal settlements. That is clearly breaches all kind of standards that anybody across the UK would expect. And also the Charity Commission rules as well. So that is why it's essential that this is looked at and on the wider issues around trade. We don't want trade with illegal settlements, and that is why we're going to continue to look at strengthening the sanctions and strengthening the sanctions regime and continuing to work with allies across the world.

14:15

Brendan O'Hara MP (Argyll, Bute and South Lochaber, Scottish National Party)

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Brendan O'Hara thank you, Madam Deputy Speaker. Deputy Speaker. >> With while we welcome these new. >> Sanctions.

**** Possible New Speaker ****

Sanctions. The issue of the illegality goes much deeper than those now sanctioned organisations. The illegal settlements in the West Bank are state sponsored, they're state financed and they're state protected. And which is also the case for the settler violence, which inevitably follows and is carried out with almost complete impunity. So why is the government chosen to sanction those particular organisations, but has decided not to take further action against the Netanyahu regime in the face of what is state sponsored illegal settlement policy?

14:16

Rt Hon Yvette Cooper MP, Foreign Secretary, Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (Pontefract, Castleford and Knottingley, Labour)

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Secretary well, as I set out >> Secretary well, as I set out earlier, the UK has introduced sanctions against individual sanctions against individual members of the Netanyahu government, something that actually very few countries across the world have countries across the world have done, but we believe it is the right thing to do because of the seriousness of what they have done and the seriousness of the situation around the illegal settlements. He is also right that this is about international law more widely, but also specifically, it's about the peace and security of the Middle East, where we know that there is no alternative to the two state solution, but ultimately to make progress, as we did for a brief period in the in the autumn around Gaza, we need to build that international consensus up as well, and not just look for what individual countries should do.

14:17

Richard Burgon MP (Leeds East, Labour)

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Richard Burgon thank you. >> Richard Burgon thank you. >> Madam Deputy Speaker. Let's just imagine. >> If this. >> Weekend in our capital city,

**** Possible New Speaker ****

Weekend in our capital city, there were. A great Russian real there were. A great Russian real estate event selling off Ukrainian land. Quite rightly, without hesitation, the government would move to ban such an illegal event this weekend in London. There is a great Israeli real estate event openly advertising the illegal sale of land in illegally occupied Palestinian territories. The government has rightly recognised the state of Palestine. Surely, given that we should now move to ban this event, selling off land illegally in Palestine in our capital city this weekend.

Hear, hear.

14:18

Rt Hon Yvette Cooper MP, Foreign Secretary, Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (Pontefract, Castleford and Knottingley, Labour)

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Foreign Secretary? >> Foreign Secretary? >> Well, we are. >> Pursuing this particular event. And also, if there are any cases And also, if there are any cases where we find that there are breaches of UK law, we will also pursue those issues as well. But look, there is a wider issue here, which is that nobody should be advertising in the UK illegal settlements. Nobody should be pursuing those illegal settlements, no businesses, no organisations should be getting involved in them.

And we have shown our willingness and determination to impose sanctions on organisations that do. Just as we have set out today, we will continue to do further sanctions where we have the opportunity to do so, because support for illegal settlements is wrong.

14:19

Rt Hon Kit Malthouse MP (North West Hampshire, Conservative)

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Kit Malthouse Madam. depressing things about these statements is the profound damage that they do to the British national interest and our standing in the world through their pathetic delusion on Gaza. Could she please confirm that she's aware that just in the last two weeks, Israeli Ministers have made clear their desire for mass emigration of Palestinians from the territory and that we should see the stranglehold they've imposed on the territory in that context, and, secondly, on sanctions. Could she also confirm that the sanctions, the meagre sanctions that the government has imposed so far, both governments have imposed so far have had absolutely no impact on the conduct of anybody in Israel, let alone the Israeli government, and that this current wave of what she's calling sanctions are not actually sanctions, they're asset freezes, which means that unless these organisations or individuals have assets in the UK, they will have no impact.

And in fact, the regime she's chosen to bring them in under does not even include goods and services. So we're all still free to sell them bricks and mortar and corrugated iron and insurance. And so they're unlikely to have any impact whatsoever on what's going on in the West Bank.

14:20

Rt Hon Yvette Cooper MP, Foreign Secretary, Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (Pontefract, Castleford and Knottingley, Labour)

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Foreign Secretary. the we have been clear that having an impact on what happens in Gaza and the West Bank depends on building international consensus, but also depends on taking multiple actions. And he wants to to stand there and complain about what the government has done. Just consider for a second the things that this government has done that his government previously refused to do. We have restored and increased funding to UNRWA. We have suspended arms licences for use in Gaza.

We have dropped the challenge to the ICC jurisdiction. We have suspended trade negotiations with this Israeli government. We have introduced four packages of sanctions on violent settlers, including sanctioning Minister Smotrich and Ben-Gvir, leading the first group of countries in the world to do so. We have led diplomatic efforts at the UN, launched a medevac scheme for sick Gaza children and their families, helping to get students into the UK. We have supported UK field hospitals in Gaza, treating hundreds and thousands of Gazans.

We are funding mine clearance, mine clearance operations and providing more than £129 million in humanitarian assistance this year, and then protecting that each year of the spending review. And most importantly of all, we took the historic decision that his government for years refused to take to recognise the state of Palestine as part of the invaluable right of the Palestinian people. I think that was the right thing to do.

14:21

Rachael Maskell MP (York Central, Labour )

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Rachael Maskell thank you, Madam Deputy Speaker, and I thank the Deputy Speaker, and I thank the Foreign Secretary for her statement. We know that 20/20 000 children We know that 20/20 000 children have been. Killed in Gaza, 21 have had life changing injuries, and we made a commitment for those that will bring around 300 children to the UK to have urgent surgery to aid them on their way. Last week I met with two of those children. They had a specific plea, first of all, that we expand that scheme and bring those children.

Over 4000 children are waiting and they need our medical care. The. Secondly, that only can bring one parent. They want both their parents to be with them. Having their family around them will help with their healing. Can we ensure that their families can come to. To ensure that those children are safe mentally as well as physically as they get the support they need?

14:22

Rt Hon Yvette Cooper MP, Foreign Secretary, Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (Pontefract, Castleford and Knottingley, Labour)

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And can I thank the hon. Member, including for her representations around the medevac scheme, which around the medevac scheme, which I've strongly supported? No, and I have personally looked at cases where children have been able to bring more family members than that. So if she has individual cases, do by all means raise them. But it's certainly been I know there are many cases where children have come with both parents from Gaza. We will make further announcements in due course around the medevac scheme, but I think we also have to make sure, because there are also many children who may not have the most life threatening of conditions, but may desperately need some kind of medical treatment and support that they are not getting in Gaza.

And that actually one of the greatest priorities is being able to rebuild healthcare facilities in Gaza to treat as many children as possible.

14:23

Rt Hon Jeremy Corbyn MP (Islington North, Independent)

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Jeremy Corbyn. >> Thank you, Madam Deputy Speaker. The moment. >> Palestinian people are only allowed to occupy 40% of the Gaza Strip, and that figure is going to go down to 30% next month if go down to 30% next month if Netanyahu has his way. Israel is bombarding through settlers and their own violence. The people of the West Bank and Israel is now occupying a large part of southern Lebanon. I think the House needs to know exactly what is the nature of the security relationship between Britain and Israel, what information is shared, what weapons are supplied, and why are we still supplying parts for F-35 jets, knowing full well that those planes are used as acts of genocide against the Palestinian people?

14:24

Rt Hon Yvette Cooper MP, Foreign Secretary, Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (Pontefract, Castleford and Knottingley, Labour)

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Yes. >> Yes. >> Well, I can say to him, we will know that we introduced after the know that we introduced after the election new strong arms export controls to cover any operations and anything that could be used in either in Gaza and including anything that might breach international law. And we have been very clear about that. But he raises the issue about the yellow line in Gaza. I am deeply troubled about this. We have heard Prime Minister Netanyahu talking about trying to seek 70% control of Gaza, when in fact the 20 point plan involved withdrawal, full withdrawal from Gaza as part of that 20 point plan.

And I am very worried that there are attempts underway to try and make that yellow line permanent and to condense the land available for the Palestinian people in Gaza to be ever smaller area within Gaza. That goes fundamentally against the agreements in the 20 point plan that were endorsed by Hamas, by Israel and by countries right across the world. And is that 20 point plan that needs to be upheld? And that does include the withdrawal of the IDF from Gaza as part of the implementation of that plan.

Deputy.

14:25

Paula Barker MP (Liverpool Wavertree, Labour)

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Speaker, and I'd like to thank >> Speaker, and I'd like to thank the Foreign Secretary for her statement and confirming that she's strengthened our business risk strengthened our business risk guidance to make it more clear. And unambiguous. But to Labour the point that the hon. Member for Sheffield Central stated, we know settlements are illegal. So why is the government only publishing guidance to businesses? Because we don't simply issue guidance to stop businesses trading in ivory, in illegal firearms or narcotics.

We ban them as we have banned businesses from trading with illegally, illegally occupied Crimea. The Foreign Secretary stated that it is complex, so why is the guidance enough when it comes to illegally occupied Palestinian land, but not illegally occupied Ukrainian land? Can the Foreign Secretary be clear and unambiguous in her response? Please. So we.

14:26

Rt Hon Yvette Cooper MP, Foreign Secretary, Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (Pontefract, Castleford and Knottingley, Labour)

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Are clear as part of the what we are doing with this package of additional sanctions that we are targeting businesses and organisations that are facilitating the operations in the illegal settlements. We believe that the sanctions regime needs to be strengthened to allow us to go further in different areas, and we also think that we need to work with other countries on this. This is an area where other countries have there is obviously important to be able to distinguish between the.

What is happening in the illegal settlements and trade with Israel and right across Israel. So there is a specific issue we are targeting about settlement goods and Israel and the illegal Israeli settlements. Other countries have been looking at this and have found some of the practicalities challenging. So I understand the point that she has made, and I understand the the concerns being raised around this. All I would say to her is we continue to look at all of these issues, what more can be done, and continue to work with international partners.

14:27

Rt Hon Dr Andrew Murrison MP (South West Wiltshire, Conservative)

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Scott Arthur Andrew Murrison. >> Deputy Speaker Can the Foreign Secretary explain the multibit of the multilateral maritime mission? Because so far all I'm seeing is France and the UK, and in particular, she said that she had spoken to her interlocutors last week in China and India. Well, one's a permanent member of the UN Security Council, another member of the G20, and both of them stand to suffer far more than the UK does. And France does from a cessation of oil and gas and fertiliser.

What

14:28

Rt Hon Yvette Cooper MP, Foreign Secretary, Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (Pontefract, Castleford and Knottingley, Labour)

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principles around freedom of navigation. We've been developing with France, the multilateral mission. There are other countries mission. There are other countries that are ready to provide assets, some of which have been set out, some of which will be announced in some of which will be announced in due course as they are needed. But we have also convened countries we have also convened countries together, including 40 countries that I convened before Easter, to pull together to bring to raise the consensus around the principles of freedom of navigation and to continue to defend those.

The Chinese ambassador did also attend a similar event in Paris, chaired by President Macron and the Prime Minister on that. So we are engaging with those countries on the principles of freedom of navigation. But the maritime mission is a much narrower group of countries, predominantly but not entirely European.

14:29

Bell Ribeiro-Addy MP (Clapham and Brixton Hill, Labour)

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Bell Ribeiro-Addy thank. Madam De >> Bell Ribeiro-Addy thank. Madam De >> Once again, British citizens taking part in the global a peaceful aid mission to break the illegal blockade of Gaza have been severely mistreated by the Israeli government, and this is beyond dispute with video evidence of a far right Israeli Minister mocking activists while they are banned and on their knees, something the Foreign Secretary made reference to earlier. The Italian government has opened an investigation in the EU, is expected to vote next Monday on sanctions.

I'm sure the Foreign Secretary agrees that British nationals deserve the same protections and robust response. So can she confirm her earlier response that the offending Minister remains under sanctions? And what further actions will be taken specifically to stand up for these British citizens?

14:30

Rt Hon Yvette Cooper MP, Foreign Secretary, Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (Pontefract, Castleford and Knottingley, Labour)

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Like my hon. Friend, I was appalled to see the video of the way in which people were being way in which people were being treated. It did not meet the most basic standards of humanity and basic standards of humanity and respect for other human beings, and it was particularly shocking that not only was that mistreatment happening, but it was being promoted and flaunted by an Israeli government Minister. I can confirm to her that the Minister, Ben-Gvir, is sanctioned by the UK government.

We've been one of the first countries to sanction him, and we will continue to sanction him. And that video evidence, that behaviour, as well as some of the other things that he has continued to do and say, just show and provide the clear justification as to why we are right to do so.

14:31

Andrew George MP (St Ives, Liberal Democrat)

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Andrew George Madam Deputy Speaker, Apart from the Netanyahu fan club on the Tory frontbench, fan club on the Tory frontbench, most Honourable and right hon. Members condemn the appalling and Members condemn the appalling and murderous actions of that far right regime. But does the does the Foreign Secretary not recognise that Netanyahu is laughing behind his hands as. As Israel easily bypasses the flimsy trade and arms sanctions which the UK government has presented them with and. And she talks about introducing or building an international consensus.

I mean, is it not time to to ensure that we take stronger action and building that consensus, propose the introduction of peacekeepers into Gaza, international peacekeepers into Gaza to ensure the peace, to stop the bloodshed, and to get the humanitarian aid in Foreign Secretary.

14:32

Rt Hon Yvette Cooper MP, Foreign Secretary, Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (Pontefract, Castleford and Knottingley, Labour)

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Well, the hon. Member will know that as part of the 20 point plan included an international security included an international security force, international stabilisation force that was effectively about bringing peacekeepers into Gaza. That has not yet happened. And I think some of the reasons for that is because there simply has not been enough progress. And the areas, I think there hasn't been enough progress, as well as the humanitarian aid, which I just think is basic. We've also not we have promoted the argument that some of the the decommissioning for Hamas weapons needs to reflect, for example, some of the experience around Northern Ireland.

Some of these things are not simple processes, but you need to get them started. It's essential to get that started. But we also need a practical approach to the. Allowing the Palestinian Committee to operate, to start operating in Gaza, to being able to provide the support and training for Palestinian police to be able to operate within Gaza. So to get some of those security conditions right, so that you can bring in the ISF where other countries have said they would be willing to do so.

But getting to that point requires more commitment and energy, particularly from the Israeli government, but also more broadly as part of the 20 point plan, so that we can reach the point that he suggests.

14:33

Rachel Hopkins MP (Luton South and South Bedfordshire, Labour)

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Rachel Hopkins thank you, Madam. Foreign Secretary's statement today and the fourth package of sanctions against those groups supporting the against those groups supporting the extremist Israeli settlers and the strengthened guidance that no businesses, UK businesses should have any financial economic links with illegal settlements. Although many of my constituents would want to see an outright ban because they are seeing a continued expansion of illegal settlements. And even just last week, the announcements by Minister Smotrich of over 2000 new homes, you know, in and around Jerusalem, Nablus and Hebron.

So does my hon. Friend agree with me that this is an absolute violation of international law and goes nowhere to securing a lasting peace between Israel and Palestine.

14:34

Rt Hon Yvette Cooper MP, Foreign Secretary, Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (Pontefract, Castleford and Knottingley, Labour)

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Yeah. settlements is not only deeply wrong, because this is Palestinians land that they are being forced out land that they are being forced out of, sometimes in the most brutal of circumstances. It is also, look, it is designed we know that some people are deliberately designing this in order to try to make it impossible to ever get to a two state solution. That is the purpose for some of those involved in this, and we should be very clear and call that out for what it is, and that is why it is so important to strengthen the the condemnation of the illegal settlements and the expansions, but also to be clear that we cannot allow we cannot stand back and allow effectively what could become an annexation as well.

And that needs to be linked to the 20 point plan, because my point has always been we will not sustain the cease fire that was rightly brokered by the US in the autumn. We will not sustain the ceasefire in Gaza, and we will not achieve peace and security for Palestine and Israel if we end up with such devastating consequences for the for the West Bank, and

14:35

Dr Ellie Chowns MP (North Herefordshire, Green Party)

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If we do not have a track to get to a two state solution. >> Doctor Ellie Chowns. >> Thank you, Madam Deputy Speaker. In the face of consistent, sustained and systematic war crimes violations, abuses by the Israeli government, the Secretary of State government, the Secretary of State has today announced further piecemeal and guidance. This goes nowhere close to acknowledging the reality that the most important sponsor financer, protector, supporter, cheerleader of that illegal settlement expansion is the Israeli state itself.

Sanctioning a few organisations ignores the reality of where the power lies in this situation. Is it not long past time for this government which says it is concerned about this issue, to use all of its limited power, influence, leverage to take action against the Israeli state itself, starting with Netanyahu, with genuine, full, comprehensive sanctions and a full ban on any engagement with settlements.

14:36

Rt Hon Yvette Cooper MP, Foreign Secretary, Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (Pontefract, Castleford and Knottingley, Labour)

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Yes. >> Well done. Well. >> It is exactly because we are so deeply concerned about the expansion of illegal settlements in the West Bank and also the humanitarian crisis continuing in Gaza, and the responsibility of the Israeli government to uphold the 20 point plan, which is not happening at the moment in Gaza, and to withdraw from the illegal settlements in the West Bank and to provide to lift its chokehold on the Palestinian Authority, that we have taken action, including sanctions and including leading the way internationally.

We are one of the few countries in the world to sanction individual Israeli government Ministers, including for the way in which they have argued for incitement and the way in which they have effectively encouraged the expansion of the settlements. So we are going right to the heart of the Israeli government with the response that we have taken alongside other measures, including support for the PA, including financial support, including development support for the Palestinian Authority and including recognising the Palestinian state for the first time, which was historically the right thing to do.

But the other thing we want to need to do if we are to deliver results, is we have to build international consensus. That is what delivered the 20 point plan in the autumn was that international leadership and international action, and that is

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what we will do again as part of the Peace Building conference in Paris this week. Members will have noticed.

**** Possible New Speaker ****

Members will have noticed. That this this statement has been going on for quite some time. So if I could ask members to keep

14:38

Judith Cummins MP (Bradford South, Labour)

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So if I could ask members to keep their questions short on the Foreign Secretary to keep our answers shorter. >> Mohammad Yasin thank you very

**** Possible New Speaker ****

Mohammad Yasin thank you very much, Madam Deputy Speaker. Earlier this month, an Israeli soldier shot

14:38

Mohammad Yasin MP (Bedford, Labour)

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this month, an Israeli soldier shot dead seven month old baby Sam Abu Haykal and wounded his parents in the occupied West Bank. Far from being an accident, Unicef reports that violence against Palestinian children has reached levels not seen in decades. Given the difficulty of even Israel's closest ally, the United States, to restrain Netanyahu's actions across the Middle East, when will the government bring in stronger measures, including sanctions, and do more to ensure those committing war crimes face accountability under international law?

14:39

Rt Hon Yvette Cooper MP, Foreign Secretary, Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (Pontefract, Castleford and Knottingley, Labour)

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My hon. Friend has rightly raised the very deeply distressing case of a seven month old baby case of a seven month old baby killed in his mother's arms. As I mentioned in the statement at the mentioned in the statement at the beginning. And he is also right to highlight the number of Palestinian children who have lost their lives as a result as well. And the the problem is that if even where there has been either investigation or condemnation by the Israeli government, very often there is a complete lack of accountability and impunity.

It is vital that where there are issues like this and cases like this, there is proper investigation and accountability to.

14:40

Rt Hon Mark Pritchard MP (The Wrekin, Conservative)

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Mark Pritchard Lebanon, the Shia community, as I mentioned to the Middle. East Minister last week, Middle. East Minister last week, not all of them in Lebanon support Hezbollah and support Iran. And Hezbollah and support Iran. And many the majority don't support violence. They want to live in peace like all of us, whatever country or in. So on the question of the Amal movement, which is a Shia political movement, as the Foreign Secretary will know, whilst it's not a benign movement, it's certainly in comparison to Hezbollah, probably a better interlocutor, subject to conditions to work with in rebuilding the whole nation of Lebanon, which of course will include the important Shiite community.

So I'd be interested. What more can the government do to increase capacity building of political parties and movements that want to move away from armed violence and struggle?

14:40

Rt Hon Yvette Cooper MP, Foreign Secretary, Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (Pontefract, Castleford and Knottingley, Labour)

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Well, the hon. Member is right that we need an inclusive process in Lebanon that brings all groups in Lebanon that brings all groups and communities together but excludes Hezbollah, includes excludes Iranian backed proxies and includes terrorists and extremist groups. The group that he raised, I know is led by Speaker Berri, who met my hon. Friend, the Minister for the Middle East, as part of his recent visit, and we will continue to engage with them and also to engage more widely with the Lebanese government about the importance of bringing all communities together so that Lebanese people are not exploited by Iran.

14:41

Apsana Begum MP (Poplar and Limehouse, Labour)

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Apsana Begum a prohibition. >> Brought in to finally deal with British firms such as JCB, which has for decades been involved in settlement construction and the settlement construction and the demolition of Palestinian homes. The Secretary of State has not confirmed why a full ban on settlement goods has not been brought. When she says that the practicalities are too complex, the British public only see a government dragging its heels. So can she clarify what these practicalities are? And once again, why is it possible to have a full ban for occupied Crimea, but not for the occupied West Bank?

14:42

Rt Hon Yvette Cooper MP, Foreign Secretary, Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (Pontefract, Castleford and Knottingley, Labour)

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Well, I say to my hon. Friend, >> Well, I say to my hon. Friend, we have introduced today a new and strong sanctions against organisations that are operating, organisations that are operating, fuelling funds or trading in the illegal settlements. We do have different sanctions regimes, including different geographic sanctions regimes and different thematic sanctions regimes. We believe that the sanctions regimes need to be strengthened, and we are looking at ways to do that, that give us more flexibility to respond to different circumstances.

And obviously, in the case of the what is happening in Israel and the occupied Palestinian territories, we want to be able to target the illegal settlements and the trade and activity there, but we do not want to impact on trade with the runs all across Israel, long standing trade with organisations and businesses, and links between communities that have always operated right across Israel legitimately. Other countries that have looked at this and how to do this, and what kind of mechanisms have found this challenging and have raised different practical issues.

But we are continuing to look with our international allies at what measures could be strengthened in order to address exactly these issues and to promote the cause of peace and security.

14:43

Lincoln Jopp MP (Spelthorne, Conservative)

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Lincoln Jopp thank you, Madam. Deputy Speaker. Deputy Speaker. >> Thank the Foreign Secretary for her statement on the multinational maritime mission. What exactly are maritime mission. What exactly are the Brits going to contribute to it in terms of hardware? And secondly, has Ukraine offered up its two Sandown class mine clearing vessels and crew, which are currently in Portsmouth?

14:43

Rt Hon Yvette Cooper MP, Foreign Secretary, Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (Pontefract, Castleford and Knottingley, Labour)

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So the multinational maritime >> So the multinational maritime mission is led by the UK and France. mission is led by the UK and France. We have set out and been looking at particular assets that can be provided as part of the mission. It is, of course, multilateral. That is the point that it needs to include a range of different countries as part of it. We have also had discussions with Ukraine, but also many Gulf countries have had conversations with Ukraine because of their expertise now, particularly around drones, particularly around modern technology in terms of air defences as well, that have provided support for some of the Gulf partners as well.

As part of this, the precise assets that in practice are used will depend on what is needed at the point at which we hope settlement will be reached. One of the points as part of the settlement that's been discussed is whether Iran itself will do the demining, which would clearly be most effective because they laid the mines in the first place. So we would like them to do it, if that is possible. First.

14:44

Paul Waugh MP (Rochdale, Labour )

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Paul Waugh Deputy. particularly the fresh wave of sanctions, which she's announced, but also the new measures against British businesses and charities that fund and support illegal Israeli settlements in occupied Palestine. But this morning, I and other MPs met with former members of the Israel Defence Force who served in Gaza, and they gave us some pretty shocking testimony. They told us that their rules of engagement were to allow the killing of more than 20 civilians. For every Hamas commander that was targeted, sometimes up to 300 civilians per commander.

And they also said that they were given shoot to kill orders for any male of military age within a designated area, including unarmed men. And they also said there was a systematic demolition of civilian homes. So what is the Foreign Secretary going to do to say that the UK, what role the UK can play in amassing evidence to hold Israel, to account for what are clearly war crimes in occupied Palestine?

14:46

Rt Hon Yvette Cooper MP, Foreign Secretary, Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (Pontefract, Castleford and Knottingley, Labour)

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The. The account that my hon. Friend provides is deeply disturbing. We know that there has been a systematic disregard for civilian life. We've seen the huge numbers of people killed in Gaza, including the huge numbers of children who have been killed. And also we saw at different stages in this conflict, we saw people shot at while queuing for food in the most basic of ways, when desperate people who are desperate to feed their families ended up being being shot at and losing their lives as well.

There has to be accountability. There have to be investigations. That also has to be peace, and there has to be stability. And we also have to ensure that as part of the implementation of the 20 point plan, we get back on track so that Palestine can be run by Palestinians, because that, in the end, is the best way to keep them safe.

14:47

Shockat Adam MP (Leicester South, Independent)

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Shockat Adam thank you, Madam Deputy Speaker. The Secretary of State, in her own statement, in her State, in her own statement, in her own words, talks of Netanyahu's condemnation of settler violence as condemnation of settler violence as hollow. So may I ask the Secretary of State if she will, or if she will not allow the great Israeli real estate event proceeding in UK soil this weekend? And if indeed she does, could she not be accused of the same thing here?

14:47

Rt Hon Yvette Cooper MP, Foreign Secretary, Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (Pontefract, Castleford and Knottingley, Labour)

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I can tell him we are pursuing >> I can tell him we are pursuing that issue. We do not want there to be any illegal settlements advertised in the UK. We do not want any businesses to be engaging with that.

14:47

Harpreet Uppal MP (Huddersfield, Labour)

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Peter Kyle thank you, Madam Deputy Speaker. and guidance that the Secretary of State has set out? I would just say, given the scale and pace of settlements, can we make sure that those sanctions are regularly reviewed? And I will also agree with other colleagues that a ban on settlement trade should be looked at again. And regarding the London Property Conference, this does sound really concerning. And can we say what sanctions will be put in place if property is is is being sold and occupied land?

14:48

Rt Hon Yvette Cooper MP, Foreign Secretary, Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (Pontefract, Castleford and Knottingley, Labour)

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So I can tell my honourable. >> Friend we will continue to keep all of our sanctions under review, and we will continue to build on the sanctions regimes that we have the sanctions regimes that we have in place. We have led the world on this, and we have done more on sanctions than most other countries across the world. Wherever possible, we have built partnerships to involve other countries and to include other countries and get them to sign up to similar sanctions as well, because, frankly, that is the best way to have an impact.

Speaker.

14:48

Caroline Voaden MP (South Devon, Liberal Democrat)

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A constituent. that the British public had been misled about the UK's involvement in the US conflict with Iran. His sister lives next to RAF Fairford sister lives next to RAF Fairford and reported 24 over seven use of the base by US bomber flights in May. After the cease fire, residents were experiencing constant aircraft movements and noise with little or no respite. Constant use of the base does not appear to be consistent with facilitating specific and limited defensive action against missile facilities.

So can the Foreign Secretary reassure both the House and my constituent that RAF Fairford was used exclusively for defensive strikes against Iran, that no planes or drones have conducted recon, no RAF planes or drones have conducted reconnaissance over Palestine or Lebanon and shared that intelligence with Israel, and that the truth here is not being concealed from the British public.

14:49

Rt Hon Yvette Cooper MP, Foreign Secretary, Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (Pontefract, Castleford and Knottingley, Labour)

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Well. >> Well. >> The hon. Member will know that RAF Fairford and Fairford is a US base, and we were clear at the beginning of this conflict that we would not support the use of the base for offensive action against Iran and for offensive action as part of this conflict. Once the Iran started to strike, Gulf partners, including their civilian infrastructure, including their airports, including other assets, and put lives at risk, including the lives of British citizens at risk.

We did provide support for the air defences directly. We UK assets provided that support, and we also enabled basing support for US operations as well, and I think that was the right thing to do in order to be able to defend our partners who are facing Iranian strikes. There is a difference between the offensive and the defensive approach, and that is the approach we have taken. Lorraine Beavers thank.

14:50

Lorraine Beavers MP (Blackpool North and Fleetwood, Labour)

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You, Madam Deputy Speaker. >> In Gaza. >> The West Bank and Lebanon, Israel continues to violate international law with total impunity. I welcome the Secretary of State's action today against individuals and networks enabling settler violence. But this just doesn't go far enough. Why won't the Secretary of State at least commit to banning all trade with illegal Israeli settlements and introduce a comprehensive, a comprehensive sanctions regime against the Israeli state?

14:51

Rt Hon Yvette Cooper MP, Foreign Secretary, Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (Pontefract, Castleford and Knottingley, Labour)

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Well, what I would say is we distinguish strongly distinguish between the illegal settlements and the Israeli state. We would distinguish between the illegal settlements and businesses in all parts of Israel that have long traded across the world, including traded with the UK and many of whose business owners or business investors may also strongly disagree with things that the Israeli government are doing, or may strongly disagree with illegal settlements and with settler violence as well. So I think it is important to separate out the issues around Israeli businesses more widely, and the specific issues of the settlements and the illegal settlements.

We do not want to see trade with illegal settlements. We do not want to see UK businesses operating within those settlements, either in financial or economic activity within those settlements. We certainly don't want to see them supporting construction contracts for the E1 settlements, and that's also why we have introduced these sanctions, this new wave of sanctions, to target those organisations that have been most strongly linked to facilitating I, including funding as well to those organisations most linked to settler violence.

14:52

Ben Lake MP (Ceredigion Preseli, Plaid Cymru)

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And Castle Point. Mr. speaker, I agree with Foreign Secretary that the humanitarian situation in Gaza is grave and that renewed international energy and focus is international energy and focus is required if the level of humanitarian aid flowing into Gaza is to be increased with the urgency it demands. And with that in mind, can I ask whether she'll ensure that the increased international cooperation and immediate action to ameliorate the situation will be a key priority of these discussions, held in Paris later this week?

14:52

Rt Hon Yvette Cooper MP, Foreign Secretary, Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (Pontefract, Castleford and Knottingley, Labour)

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Hear, hear. >> Yes, I can tell her that that will be a priority for discussions in Paris. The other thing that the Paris event is seeking to do is Paris event is seeking to do is also to bring together Palestinian and Israeli civil society groups. and Israeli civil society groups. So as well as trying to reinvigorate some of the international coalition and energy behind the peace process for not just Gaza, but also for the West Bank. It is also seeking to bring together civil society groups from Palestine and Israel to stand together for peace.

14:53

John Grady MP (Glasgow East, Labour)

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John Grady can I welcome my right hon. Friend the Foreign right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary statement. But I must say, on the ban on trade with illegal settlements. Whilst I appreciate it settlements. Whilst I appreciate it may be complicated, our moral duty is to overcome those complications. But conflict creates very serious issues for some of the poorest countries in the world who cannot withstand the energy and food crisis shocks. And this creates a risk of further conflict and instability, for example, in sub-Saharan Africa.

Can I ask my right hon. Friend what steps she has taken with international allies to address these risks, and also, perhaps to give us an update on the situation in Sudan, where further atrocities are taking place.

14:54

Rt Hon Yvette Cooper MP, Foreign Secretary, Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (Pontefract, Castleford and Knottingley, Labour)

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And I. Agree with my hon. Friend, that the the closure of the Strait of Hormuz is having an impact on oil across the world. It's also having an impact on fertiliser across the world, including for sub-Saharan Africa as well. And there are some states, depending affected by the level of their dependency on different supply chains who are particularly heavily affected by this impact on the global economy. We are closely monitoring which of those countries are affected, and we are also directly raising this with the world Bank, with other organisations, and making sure that our Oder and our aid support is also reflecting some of those issues as well.

And on Sudan, we are continuing to work closely with the international community on Sudan, and we'll be having further such meetings shortly, because this continues to be the most horrendous humanitarian crisis. And we need that international energy around Sudan as well.

14:55

David Chadwick MP (Brecon, Radnor and Cwm Tawe, Liberal Democrat)

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David Chadwick thank you, Madam Deputy Speaker. The Foreign Secretary will know that the ongoing violence continues to take a horrific toll on civilian civilian populations across Lebanon, Gaza and the wider region. And given our legal obligations under the Strategic Export licensing criteria, what assessment has the government made regarding the risk of UK supplied components being used in violations of international humanitarian law? Will the government publish those assessments so that they can be properly scrutinised? And will the government now take the decisive step to halt all arms exports to Israel?

14:55

Rt Hon Yvette Cooper MP, Foreign Secretary, Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (Pontefract, Castleford and Knottingley, Labour)

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And I can assure him that we do ongoing assessments. We take ongoing assessments. We take immensely seriously our obligations around the strategic export licences under humanitarian law, licences under humanitarian law, international law, and ensure that assessments continue to be done. It is one of the reasons why we suspended arms exports in a series of areas to Israel soon after this government came to office, exactly because we took that so seriously. And also, I think, as I understand it, published legal advice at that time as well.

14:56

Joe Morris MP (Hexham, Labour)

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Joe Morris. people across the House in urging for stronger actions on Israeli war crimes? But can I just quickly touch on fertiliser, which is a key touch on fertiliser, which is a key issue not just across the world, but also in my constituency? I've spoken to a lot of local farmers who are deeply concerned that they will feel the pinch already, but that that will shortly pass on to consumers within the UK and drive up the already spiking cost of living. So can you just outline some of the steps she's taking to make sure that more fertiliser is available in our part of the world, and indeed across the world, to combat global hunger?

14:56

Rt Hon Yvette Cooper MP, Foreign Secretary, Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (Pontefract, Castleford and Knottingley, Labour)

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My hon. Friend is exactly right >> My hon. Friend is exactly right and right to champion the farmers in his constituency, because this Strait of Hormuz closure risks Strait of Hormuz closure risks impacting the cost of living right across the globe as a result. It's why we have made the reopening of the strait the central part of what needs to be achieved as part of the peace settlement has to be full, unconditional, not just a partial reopening of the strait because it is so important to get the food, fertiliser, the oil, the different commodities flowing again.

But it is also why I think we need to look further at our economic, security and supply chains more widely, because we should be seeking internationally to avoid choke points where any country can hold the global economy to ransom in the way that Iran has done.

14:57

Iqbal Mohamed MP (Dewsbury and Batley, Independent)

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Iqbal Mohamed thank you, Madam Deputy Speaker. I'm sorry to say that the sanctions and and actions that the sanctions and and actions announced today will not prevent Israel from continuing to act with Israel from continuing to act with impunity and commit war crime after war crime. On Friday, I received a reply from the Foreign Office to a letter I sent three months ago on the UN Commission of Inquiry findings that Israel has committed genocide in Gaza. In that reply, the Minister for the Middle East stated, and I quote, as soon as this government took office, we ordered a review into Israel's compliance with international humanitarian law, which has continued to conclude that Israel is not committed to upholding it in Gaza.

So why, in light of that assessment, is this government still limited to giving statements of concern rather than taking meaningful actions to prevent further atrocities and breaches of I. Maldon?

14:58

Rt Hon Yvette Cooper MP, Foreign Secretary, Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (Pontefract, Castleford and Knottingley, Labour)

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Well, I. was commissioned immediately after we came into government, that we spend it suspended a whole series of arms export licences. We took of arms export licences. We took practical steps, just as we have also done, in providing additional aid and additional support, just as we have also done in introducing a whole set of sanctions. This is our fourth round of sanctions in this area and why we will continue to do that as well. But I have to say to him that in order to get overall impact, we need an international coalition.

No one country can do this alone. The impact that was felt in the autumn to get the 20 point plan for Gaza took countries from around the world coming together. That is what we need again, and that is why we need to drive this through international diplomacy and activity, as well as through the actions that we here in the UK take.

14:59

John Slinger MP (Rugby, Labour)

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Jonathan Hinder thank. >> Jonathan Hinder thank. >> You, Madam Deputy Speaker. Regarding helping the Palestinian Authority, does my right hon. Friend agree that what we need is the opposite of the approach that she's rightly outlined regarding British companies, individuals and organisations and charities regarding the illegal West Bank settlements? And by that I mean that we need companies and individuals and others to be encouraged and indeed empowered to help the Palestinian Authority with rebuilding economic development, governance and more. And as she said, this would reinforce the unity of the West Bank, Gaza and East Jerusalem as inseparable pillars of the state of Palestine, and that would be in support of the Global Alliance to implement the two state solution, which I hope she can reiterate that we support.

15:00

Rt Hon Yvette Cooper MP, Foreign Secretary, Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (Pontefract, Castleford and Knottingley, Labour)

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I welcome. in order to have a state of Palestine, we need to support the Palestinian Authority to become a functioning and effective state that includes funding, but it also includes pressure because currently the Israeli government is withholding Palestinian money, and that money needs to be restored to them, and we need to be able to support the Palestinian economy as well.

15:00

Uma Kumaran MP (Stratford and Bow, Labour)

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Thank you. >> I welcome the update. >> On the new and coordinated sanctions announced by the Foreign Secretary today. Madam Deputy Speaker, according to the United Speaker, according to the United Nations, their own figures show that violent incidents perpetrated by illegal Israeli settlers in the West Bank reached an all time high last autumn. For the shameful reason that these attacks reached their peak. When there are fresh olive harvests to destroy, this behaviour is state sanctioned. Settlements are state sponsored and state financed.

The government accepts that the settlements are illegal. So why, then, has the government chosen not to end trade with illegal Israeli settlements once and for all?

15:01

Rt Hon Yvette Cooper MP, Foreign Secretary, Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (Pontefract, Castleford and Knottingley, Labour)

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Well, it is. >> Well, it is. >> Exactly because of our deep concern about the illegal settlements, and also about the settlements, and also about the settler violence and the escalating scale of settler violence that we have introduced these new sanctions, which go after many of the organisations that have the greatest impact in terms of funding and in terms of organisational support for the settlers, where we have seen these very serious problems. We have also strengthened the issues around business because no businesses from the UK should be trading or engaging in economic activity in these illegal settlements, and we will continue to work with international allies on what more can be done, both around illegal settlements, but also around the wider peace process.

And I do say again, we will only make progress on this wider peace process in conjunction with our

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allies and partners to. And that concludes the statement. I'll give the front benches a few I'll give the front benches a few I'll give the front benches a few minutes to swap over. Now come to the presentation of bills.

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the presentation of bills. Presentation of bills. Secretary. Shabana Mahmood. National Security.

15:02

Presentation of Bill

State threats bill. Tomorrow. Tomorrow. The clerk will now proceed to read the orders of the day.

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Steel industry nationalisation bill. Committee.

15:02

Orders of the Day

>> Now order! Under the order of the House of 21st of May. We shall now move to the Committee of the

15:03

Judith Cummins MP (Bradford South, Labour)

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>> Order. Steel industry nationalisation Bill. >> I remind members that in. Committee members should not address the chair as Deputy Speaker, please use our names when addressing the chair. Madam chair. addressing the chair. Madam chair. Chair and Madam Chairman are also acceptable. We will begin with amendment seven to clause 52, with which it will be convenient to consider the amendments, clauses and part and new clauses as on the selection paper. I call Sarah Olney to move amendment seven.

15:03

Sarah Olney MP (Richmond Park, Liberal Democrat)

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15:13

Mr Toby Perkins MP (Chesterfield, Labour)

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15:24

Dame Harriett Baldwin MP (West Worcestershire, Conservative)

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15:39

Cat Eccles MP (Stourbridge, Labour)

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strategy will safeguard our steelmaking capability, we must also recognise the realities facing also recognise the realities facing the downstream steel sector who have been impacted by having to compete on unfair terms of international markets and consistently starved of investment. Many of these businesses, including Many of these businesses, including those in my Stourbridge and Stourbridge constituency, depend on Stourbridge constituency, depend on imported grades and products that the UK simply do not produce and are regularly used in our Defence force, the automotive industry and in construction.

I also oppose new clause 11, which requires the government to create a level playing field between nationally owned and private sector businesses. And while I support in principle the use of quotas and tariffs to back British Steel, we must avoid unintended consequences to the downstream industry. Sudden or poorly calibrated changes risks undermining downstream firms businesses that are vital in constituencies like mine and supporting domestic production must not come at the expense of the wider steel ecosystem. I have discussed these matters extensively with the Minister on several occasions, and I'm looking forward to welcoming him to Stourbridge in the coming weeks to meet with the local steel company, and downstream companies have expressed legitimate concerns about the present proposals, and I sincerely thank the Minister for engaging with me and them on these issues.

But would he be able to confirm today whether in cases where particular steel grades are not currently produced domestically, including zero carbon grades, the government intend to allow exemptions from the proposed tariff and quota regime? The most recent stance is that tariffs and quotas will be reviewed in 12 months time, but I really fear that that will be too late for some businesses. So could he consider transitional arrangements, at the very least, to offer some stability to the downstream industry? I also wish to speak against New clause 12, which limits the financial assistance that can be provided under the act.

While supporting British Steel, we also cannot ignore the climate crisis. Our steel industry must be driven towards green decarbonised production and on that point, the Steel Strategy does state an ambition to transition to carbon neutral steel production with electric arc furnaces when market conditions allow, but it is worth noting that Ssab steel in my constituency imports zero carbon steel, with the only by-product being water from Sweden, where such steel has been produced using electric arc furnaces since the 1980s and is part owned by the Swedish government.

And following the government's 2024 introduction of an investment debt rule, I would encourage the Minister to consider what flexibility there could further be to use a similar investment method here, enabling that transition away from coal based steel production, and I therefore hope the Minister will reflect on these points and continue to engage well with the industry and with the right decisions. I believe we can secure a competitive, resilient and low carbon steel sector for the future.

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Lee Pitcher thank you, Madam Chair. Those three lines on my Chair. Those three lines on my shirt are NHS the joy of holding a brolly over a Barbie on another washed up bank holiday Monday. That washed up bank holiday Monday. That sweet smell of fish and chips on a Friday, a whippy on the beach, strawberries and cream at Wimbledon. His Majesty the King, the pageantry His Majesty the King, the pageantry of Trooping of the colour Neil Coyle at Eurovision. FIFA Ultimate Team Strictly at Christmas and

15:43

Lee Pitcher MP (Doncaster East and the Isle of Axholme, Labour)

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Team Strictly at Christmas and Gavin Stacey special Monty Python that Geri Halliwell dress, Phil Mitchell, James Bond, KSI, corgis, Larry the Cat, Ant and Dec accents. Having that main character energy

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and still. Yeah.

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That's funny. Still is what Yorkshire tea and Yorkshire puds are to God's own country. What the hot pot is to country. What the hot pot is to Lancashire and what black cabs are to London. It's about us. It's about what makes us. It's about about what makes us. It's about what drives us. It's about pride. And before I come on to amendments, new clause 12 and four and new clause 12 and four and amendments 20 and seven, which I'm against today, I want to begin with Martin Welch.

Today marks 48 years since Martin began working at Scunthorpe steelworks, and he is now its longest serving employee. 48 years, that is 48 years of skill, graft and loyalty to an industry that has helped build this country. Martin has also been a champion of safety for his co-workers, standing up for the people, doing difficult, skilled and sometimes dangerous work. When we debate steel, we are debating people like Martin, families like his communities whose working lives, pride and futures are bound up within the future of British Steel.

Taken together, a number of the amendments before us today expose the central choice face in the House. Are we serious about protecting a strategic British industry, or are we going to wrap government action in so many conditions cuts, delays and automatic routes back to sale? That intervention becomes impossible in practice. That is the choice. No one in this debate is arguing that public money should be spent carelessly. No one is arguing that compensation should be unfair. No one is arguing that taxpayers should sign a blank cheque.

Of course, value for money matters. Of course, proper scrutiny matters. Of course, government must act competently, transparently and responsibly. But there is a difference between scrutiny and paralysis. And I fear that some of the amendments before us today cross that line. A strategic industry cannot always be saved on a timetable designed for paperwork rather than production. When blast furnaces, furnaces, skills orders and an entire industrial community at risk. Government must be able to move. That is not recklessness, that is leadership.

New clause 12 would be unnecessary and restrictive. Amendment 20 would slow the urgent work needed to save and reinvigorate our steel sector. The amendments would impose rigid caps on support that that impose rigid caps on support may sound prudent, but they risk being arbitrary. The amendments that would delay assistance until further processes have been completed may sound reasonable, but they risk leaving government too slow to act when speed is essential. That is why we have to be clear about the principle that we have at stake in front of us.

This bill is not nationalisation for the sake of nationalisation, it's public ownership in the public interest, manage risk, remove it in efficiency and process, reducing obstacles that would slow the urgent work needed to save our to save and reinvigorate our steel sector and public interest should be the test. Not ideology, not habit, not an automatic knee jerk assumption that private ownership is always the answer, or that public ownership must only be temporary. And that test is. And that test is simple.

What we need to ask is what protects the national interests, the workforce, the community, and Britain's long term industrial capability. And if that is public ownership, we should have the confidence to say so. If that is a long term British industrial partner, we should consider it at the right time. But we should not hardwire into law an assumption that the endpoint must always be sold back into private hands. And that is exactly the thinking that has left too many British assets vulnerable in the first place.

And of course, I'll give way.

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I thank you for giving away that point. He's making an excellent speech, and he's just really made the point that I wanted to make, which is we can't make an ideological decision, surely, that ideological decision, surely, that it is always right to put national assets of sovereign capacity back into the private sector when, in the case of the steel industry, the case of the steel industry, we've seen over generations a singular failing of the private industry to see the steel industry

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industry to see the steel industry flourish. Does he agree? Absolutely. Thank you for his intervention. I absolutely agree this is not about heritage. It's not about the sentimental value of steel. That is important, of course, and it means something to people in their hearts. But with a business brain, this is just about doing the right thing for that industry, for our country, for our people, for our communities. Quite right. Steel is part of who we are. It's it's in the homes.

We need to build, the railways. We need to renew the energy infrastructure we need to deliver and the defence capability we need to protect our country. It is also in the skilled work, pride in industrial strength of communities that have already given more than enough to Britain. So this debate is not only about steelworks, it's about whether Britain is prepared to act like a serious industrial nation again. For too long we've been too casual about losing the things that make us strong factories, skills, supply chains, ownership, industrial capacity.

We've allowed strategic British assets to pass out of British hands and then pretended that their ownership does not matter. It absolutely does. Yeah. In Dunscroft, Hatfield, Rossington, Thorne and Moorends, people know what happens when a major industry is allowed to collapse. They do not need a lecture in industrial policy. They've lived through it. Their families have lived through it. Their towns still live with the consequences. The loss of coal mining was not just an economic event, it was a social rupture.

It damaged local economies because it damaged confidence. It damaged pride and the sense that the country valued the people and the places that powered it. And that damage is still visible 40 years later. So when people say that the government intervention is too bold, too risky or too ambitious, I say they need to look at the cost of not acting.

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Yeah. Doing nothing is not free. It costs jobs. It costs skills, supply costs jobs. It costs skills, supply chain resilience, industrial communities and national capabilities. It leaves Britain less able to build, less able to defend itself and less able to stand on its own two feet. That's stand on its own two feet. That's not prudence. That is managed decline. And I did not come into this place, into politics to manage this place, into politics to manage decline. This bill says that when a foundational industry is at risk, when thousands of skills are at stake, and when national resilience is on the line, government does not have to stand aside and hope the market sorts it out, because the market has not sorted this out.

Decades of decline, underinvestment and foreign ownership have brought us to this point. The decision, the choice before us, is not between some perfect private sector solution and public ownership. The real choice is between responsible public action now and allowing a vital national capability to just disappear. We cannot allow that. So some amendments before us today seem to start from the idea that government intervention is danger. I disagree, the danger is delay and timidity. The danger is pretending that rigid caps, lengthy processes and automatic routes back to private sale are the same thing as responsibility.

Manage risk is not recklessness. Manage risk is leadership. If we keep doing the same safe things, we'll keep getting the same safe results. Those results are the decline that people keep voting for us to change. The change that I came to this House to be proud of. This is a time to be bold. This is a time to step up. This is a time to take well managed risks in the public's interest. There is a time to seize the bloody obvious and deliver for the country.

And this is one of those times. So for the workers at Scunthorpe, for the families across my constituency who depend on those jobs, for the industrial communities that know exactly what happens when government walks away and for the future strength of this country. I support this bill. Britain needs steel, Britain needs British assets in British hands, and Britain needs a government with the confidence to act in the national interest. This bill is a welcome step in the right direction. It turns the tide on 40 years of ideological self-sabotage.

That is why measurements that would delay, dilute, cap arbitrarily or force a route back to a Fylde models should be resisted. And that is why this

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bill deserves the support of the House today. Yeah. Pamela Nash thank you, Madam

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Pamela Nash thank you, Madam Chair, and it's an absolute pleasure to follow my friend the Member for Doncaster East and the Member for Doncaster East and the Isle of Axholme. What a passionate speech. I hope I can do half as well as him today. I'd like to well as him today. I'd like to state at the outset of those remarks that I am a long term and very proud member of Community very proud member of Community Trade Union. Yes, I thoroughly welcome this bill, which takes additional steps from the legislation which we passed last year.

And I'm especially happy that

15:52

Pamela Nash MP (Motherwell, Wishaw and Carluke, Labour)

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16:06

Chris McDonald MP, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade) (Stockton North, Labour)

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16:29

Sarah Olney MP (Richmond Park, Liberal Democrat)

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amendment seven. >> Amendment by leave. Withdrawn.

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Amendment by leave. Withdrawn. With the Leader of the House. I shall put together the questions that clauses 52 to 57 stand part of the bill. The question is that clauses 52 to 57 stand part of the Bill. As many as are of that opinion say aye. Of the contrary, no. I think the ayes have it. The ayes have it. Amendment 20 has been selected for separate decision. I call Dame Harriett Baldwin to move. Amendment 20 formally.

The question Amendment 20 formally. The question is that amendment 20 be made as many as are of that opinion say aye. Of the contrary, no. no.

16:30

Division

17:10

Rt Hon Peter Kyle MP, Secretary of State for Business and Trade (Hove and Portslade, Labour)

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Thank you, Madam Deputy Speaker. I beg to move that the bill now be read a third time. This government believes in Britain's steel future. This bill will help to transform that belief into a reality. It will ensure that the long term vision for our UK steel sector is realised, helping to restore domestic production to sustainable levels and support this government's economic growth plans. This bill provides powers for the government to bring steel companies into public ownership, subject to the public interest test being met.

In many ways, the progress of this bill has shown the House at its very best passion, insight, determination to take action in the national interest. An excellent and wide ranging debate and members across the House recognising the importance of passing this legislation. So let me begin by thanking members for their time and their thoughts. I would like today to express my gratitude to those who have contributed to the passage of this bill so far, especially those who have taken a particular interest in ensuring that we get the details of this vital piece of legislation right.

I also want to take a moment to recognise those working in and supporting our steel making communities every day. They make a vital contribution to our country's economic security. During the passage of this bill, we have heard much about the the specific situation at British Steel Limited, in particular about its current ownership status. Madam Deputy Speaker, let me be absolutely frank with the House. Our decision to proceed with this bill to take these powers now has absolutely nothing to do with the national origin of the current owners.

Jingye. We have always been and remain country agnostic about the current ownership. We simply believe that the British public interest should be paramount in determinations about future ownership. We contribute. We continue to welcome international investment into the UK, including from China. We remain committed to our legal and international obligations to oversee business and foreign investors. We are fully compliant with our treaty undertakings to protect overseas investors and businesses operating in the United Kingdom. Whilst this government now needs to take steps to seek to secure the UK Steel's capability, we are committed to doing so in a manner which respects the rights of businesses, when and where the government exercises the transfer powers.

In this bill, an independent valuer will be appointed to determine the. Which compensation, if any, is payable. The Bill requires a clear public interest test and provides for a compensation scheme where that might be relevant. The government fully respects the rights of businesses and investors. Subject to this bill, we will continue at all times to act fairly, regardless of the nationality or background of those businesses. Madam Deputy Speaker, I would also like to place on record my thanks to the parliamentary counsel and officials within my department for their hard work on drafting and guiding the passage of this bill, as well as the clerks and the doorkeepers, Hansard and all other members of the House and authorities for making passage of this legislation possible.

Let me also, on a personal note, pay tribute to the Minister for industry a lifetime being dedicated to the steel sector has brought valuable insight and passion and creative parliamentarian work on behalf of this legislation, which has enriched the debate in this place. Madam Deputy Speaker, this House has sent a clear message about the importance of decisive action to safeguard the future of the steel industry. Since I became Secretary of State, I have championed an activist, interventionist, industrial policy activist because the years of standing back and watching the British industry decline are over interventionist because we, like other governments around the world, both right and left, from the USA to France and Germany, step in to invest, modernise and protect their industries.

Activist and interventionist. Because purpose without action is merely rhetoric, and acting without purpose is performative, not strategic. This bill is action with a purpose, and the purpose is clear to invest, modernise and protect Britain's steel. That is why I am encouraged to witness the strength of support in this chamber for this activist interventionist. Steel strategy, steel Industry Nationalisation Bill as it moves to the other place. Let me reiterate my commitment to continued engagement with parliamentarians as this legislation completes the passage and we ensure that the government's vision for Britain's steel sector becomes a reality.

I commend this

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bill to the House. The question is that the bill be now read the third time. Shadow Minister Dame Harriett Baldwin, thank you very.

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thank you very. Much, Madam Deputy Speaker, and I think it's been clear through these two days of debate that none these two days of debate that none of us in this House underestimate the importance of the steel industry to our national economy

17:16

Dame Harriett Baldwin MP (West Worcestershire, Conservative)

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industry to our national economy and the importance of the steel industry, to our national industrial resilience, and to the communities whose livelihoods depend upon it. We can all agree that steel matters and that steel jobs matter. But we also believe that so too does the responsible stewardship of taxpayers money. And despite the eloquent way in which the Secretary of State expressed his views on the bill, we see it much more as a chaotic and an unplanned intervention because it's not the product of a clear steel industrial strategy.

It's the product of the failure to negotiate a better outcome, the negotiated outcome was a possibility. The Secretary of State even went to China to try and achieve it. And it's the failure to address the root causes of the industry's difficulties that bring us to where we are today. This bill also could be described as the steel industry blank cheque bill because it fails to protect the the public purse from potentially vast and open ended liabilities, because nationalisation doesn't solve the underlying issue.

He's making domestic steel production unprofitable. Those higher employment costs, higher energy costs, planning issues, carbon pricing, regulation and levies associated with the government's net zero policies continue to weigh heavily on this sector, and this bill does nothing to resolve those pressures. Instead, Madam Deputy Speaker, it transfers them wholesale onto the taxpayer. We should really reflect how we came to this point. The government told the House not long ago that it didn't want to nationalise British Steel.

Indeed, this was presented as a last resort to be avoided. And yet here we are, because the government has failed to negotiate an alternative. We can see once again that when this government negotiates, it's the taxpayer who picks up the bill. Since the intervention began last year on that historic Saturday, the cost has already run to over £1.3 million every single day. That's a bill for the taxpayer that will only get larger with this legislation. This legislation exposes the public finances to further liabilities, contingent liabilities not only substantial but alarmingly potentially unlimited in terms of both their

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scale and their duration. This is a government getting a blank cheque for ever. Will the Shadow.

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Will the Shadow. Minister give way? I will give way. I'm most grateful. To the Shadow. Minister for giving way. The

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Minister for giving way. The root cause of why we're here with this bill is because the conservative previous government sold this business to Jingye in 2019. Another root cause is because of net zero introduced by this conservative government. So, so surely, surely what this Conservative Party should do is show some humility as to why we're here and support the bill.

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So Harriett Baldwin. Surely what the hon. Member should do is welcome the fact that should do is welcome the fact that our party is under new leadership and outstanding leadership, because and outstanding leadership, because we believe that politicians shouldn't be in the business of running commercial enterprises. I running commercial enterprises. I can see that is the party political position of the Reform Party. The risks of inefficiency, political interference and poor capital

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allocation are very well known. And moreover, the precedent set. I will give way. Scott Arthur.

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I do thank you for giving way. And of course, she's right that your party is under new leadership. Sorry, I do apologise, Madam Deputy Speaker. I do thank her for giving me. And of course, the hon. Lady is right that our party is under new leadership. But what did that leadership think about the decision to sell British Steel to Jingjiang? to sell British Steel to Jingjiang? What did that leadership think of the net zero policies, etc. which the hon. Lady does blame for the current situation? What does that leadership what did that leader think when she was in government?

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What did she do to oppose it? Harriett Baldwin it does seem a bit rich to be lectured on support bit rich to be lectured on support for party leadership from someone from the Labour benches at the moment. So I will move on swiftly from that, because I think what this bill does in terms of the this bill does in terms of the precedent that it sets, and indeed the government's own impact assessment, says this, that by assessment, says this, that by expropriating assets in this way, it risks undermining the very investor confidence that we need at this precise moment when the UK needs to attract inward investment into strategic industries.

Throughout this Committee stage, we've sought to improve this legislation to introduce better transparency, for Parliament, to limit liability and to ensure proper parliamentary oversight. In doing that, I would like to thank my team, the team of clerks, the whipping team and, of course, you. Madam Deputy Speaker, our amendments throughout this process were responsible safeguards. They were designed to protect the taxpayer and to impose discipline on the government. Their rejection only reinforces our concerns that Ministers are unwilling to confront the full implications of their own policy.

And so, as we come to Third Reading, the choice is clear. This is a bill that risks enormous cost, offers insufficient answers and sends troubling signals about the UK as a place to do business. We cannot support it in its current form, and while we won't vote against its Third Reading today, for the sake of the taxpayer, for the health of the steel sector and for the credibility of industrial policy in this country, we cannot support it at Third Reading either.

17:22

Lola McEvoy MP (Darlington, Labour)

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Lola McEvoy thank you. >> Lola McEvoy thank you. >> Madam Deputy Speaker. In my. >> Constituency of Darlington, we know the economic importance of the steel industry, and many of my steel industry, and many of my constituents bear the scars of the Conservative Party's unwavering worship of the global free market, regardless of the social, economic, community or security costs. They badly let us down. The last government refused to step in for our high skilled, essential steelworkers in Redcar, leading to the loss of thousands of jobs.

The closure of 170 year old industry and thousands more in the supply chain were lost. The opposition's demands for a cap on the cost to the Treasury for this essential intervention to prevent to protect our sovereign steel capacity, shows that they still don't get it. It shows their fundamental misunderstanding of the mistakes they made while they were in government. Despite their historic defeat, they refuse to accept that their inaction on steel has already cost the taxpayer dearly, not only in significant employment tax contributions, but in business contributions of the supply chain of this critical industry.

And it is their in action that chilled investment. In addition to this, we know that thriving supply chains boost local employment and incubate home grown entrepreneurs. They boost confidence locally, and industrial communities like ours support and cultivate thriving, close knit business ecosystems, something that, despite the closure of SSI and Cleveland Bridge and British Steel on Westoe Road, we still benefit greatly from. In Darlington, the vacant South Works site in Darlington, which is currently available to rent, is 130 100 zero square feet and comes with three cranes.

If anyone is looking for a magnificent industrial steel site in the heart of the country's most investable town, please do contact me and I will happily negotiate and advocate for a discounted rent from the member opposite. The pride of to my community and our community of critical and century old industry can't be overstated. It's vitally important for wellbeing, but it is the security that is essential for growth. People employed in critical industries, whether self-employed businesses or workers, can afford to spend locally.

They have the confidence to get the kitchen done, take the family out for a meal. It is the insecurity that chills investment and growth, and by securing this critical sovereign industry, this Labour government is demonstrating and living our values, delivering on the change that we were sent here to do here. The difference couldn't be more clear where the last government allowed an essential, critical, highly skilled, historic British industry to be decimated by inaction and ignorance. This Labour government promote our most qualified steel industry expert to the front bench to protect high skilled jobs, stand up for our supply chains, champion our communities and nationalise steel in the national interest.

And

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I, for one, say all power to them. Yes, Martin Vickers.

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Martin Vickers. Thank you, Madam Deputy Speaker. As members will be aware, part of the Scunthorpe Steelworks site falls within my Brigg and Immingham constituency and as such, hundreds constituency and as such, hundreds of my constituents work there. Hundreds more are employed in the Hundreds more are employed in the supply chain. And it was with that in mind that I made known to my constituents a number of weeks ago that I would support this bill. It could have been improved.

The

17:26

Martin Vickers MP (Brigg and Immingham, Conservative)

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opposition front bench made some perfectly sensible amendments, which I supported. But having got which I supported. But having got to this stage, Madam Deputy Speaker, it is only right, I think, that we it is only right, I think, that we give our full support to to the business and, more importantly, to business and, more importantly, to the workers who are employed there. I'd like to thank the Minister, the steel Minister. We've had a number steel Minister. We've had a number of meetings in recent weeks, and he's been extremely helpful.

Now, as I said, in a in a previous contribution to this debate, it's not a natural position for me as a conservative to support a nationalisation bill. But but in actual fact, the reality is, of course, that it's a restructuring, the existing position whereby the Chinese own it and the government, in effect run it, is clearly unsustainable and not something that we can allow to continue. So it's a it's a perfectly sensible move. I was reassured by what the Minister said in yesterday's debate that we're looking for potential private sector involvement, whether it be wholesale sale or a partnership arrangements, and I know I've met 2 or 3 groups who are interested in investing in the sector.

And indeed, the Member for Scunthorpe and I had a quite an interesting evening a few weeks ago with with listening to what was, I think, fair to say, quite an ambitious plan for for steel. And there are organisations and businesses who are prepared to invest now. Scunthorpe without steel would not be Scunthorpe. You know, as a resident of Grimsby, I've witnessed the. What can happen to a town when it loses its core industry? In the case of Grimsby, of course, it was the deep sea fishing industry and when that happens, it takes around two generations for the local economy to sustain the

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That are necessary. So on that basis. Madam Deputy Speaker, I will certainly be supporting the bill. I certainly be supporting the bill. I would just urge the Minister he would just urge the Minister he wasn't quite 100%, when challenged about the continuation of production by the in the blast production by the in the blast furnaces. I, I, I know what the situation is, and I recognise a situation is, and I recognise a long term move to the electric arc furnaces.

Is is the way perhaps, perhaps the only way to sustain the industry and the jobs in Scunthorpe. So I await with interest developments. But at this stage, Madam Deputy Speaker, I welcome the Bill. It is a sensible way forward

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and it has my full support. Becky Gittins thank you, Madam. Deputy Speaker, and I really welcome the contributions from both welcome the contributions from both sides of the House on this, particularly the honourable, hon. Member who's just spoken very Member who's just spoken very similarly to himself. I represent an industrial constituency in North an industrial constituency in North Wales, which sadly holds the record for the largest number of

17:29

Becky Gittins MP (Clwyd East, Labour)

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industrial redundancies in any Western country in one day. I think it speaks to all of the constituencies affected that this goes through not only generations, but families, different generations of the same family. And I know many of my constituents have been affected, as have I. Personally, I think the most exciting thing about how this government has been very decisive on working to support and encourage British made steel is not only what it does for just the steel sector, but what it says about our ambition to have proud, decent, good quality jobs back in the UK.

So I'd like to thank

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everyone who's contributed and it's my absolute privilege for my communities to be voting history today. Thank you.

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Thank you. Secretary of State. Thank you. With the leave of the House, Madam Deputy Speaker, I House, Madam Deputy Speaker, I would certainly like to thank my hon. Friend the Member for Darlington for her passionate speech and also the heartfelt speech and also the heartfelt speech from my hon. Friend from Clwyd East just now. These are the kinds of interventions that give

17:30

Rt Hon Peter Kyle MP, Secretary of State for Business and Trade (Hove and Portslade, Labour)

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kinds of interventions that give heart and soul to what we are trying to achieve here, and the voice of the communities that are affected. And of course, I pay tribute also to the intervention from the member from Brigg and for his contribution to. And I commend this bill to the House.

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The question is that the bill be

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The question is that the bill be now read the third time, as many as are of that opinion say aye. Of the are of that opinion say aye. Of the contrary, no. I think the ayes have contrary, no. I think the ayes have it. The ayes have it. Motion number two on consumer protection.

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two on consumer protection. Minister to move. I beg to move. The question is, as on the Order Paper, as many as are of that opinion, say I, I Of the contrary, no. I think the ayes have it. The ayes have it. Motion number three

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move. I beg to move. The question is, as on the Order

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The question is, as on the Order Paper, as many as are of that

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Paper, as many as are of that no. No, I.

17:32

Division

The The question The question is, The question is, as on the Order Paper, as many as are of that opinion say aye. Of the are of that opinion say aye. Of the contrary, no. no. The tellers for the I are sir Nick Dakin and Jade Botterill. The Tellers for the noes Botterill. The Tellers for the noes

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Order, Order, order!

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Order, order! The ayes to the right 356. The

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The ayes to the right 356. The

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noes to the left 86. Thank you. The ayes to the right were 356.

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The ayes to the right were 356. The noes to the left 86. So the ayes have it. The ayes have it. Unlock. Point of order, Alicia

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Speaker. Yesterday I was. Left with no choice but to a point of order on the refusal of briefings to shadow Ministers on national security matters. Today we are told that the government wishes are told that the government wishes to push through the State Threats Bill next Wednesday in just one day. Once again, the government has

17:45

Points of Order

failed to offer a briefing to the official opposition. Yet this morning, five hours before the bill was laid in this House, the media was laid in this House, the media had a one hour briefing at the Home Office containing the detail. As the Shadow Minister, I have now been invited to a one hour briefing on Monday night, a day after amendments closed for submission with every other MP in the House. Can the. Can you kindly guide us how we get the briefings we need as the opposition, so we can hold the government to account, not least when they are seeking to rush through legislation in this House.

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Can I thank the hon. Lady for her point of order, and indeed for her point of order, and indeed for notice of it? The hon. Member obviously knows more about the contents of this Thursday's business statement than I do, but I understand that the bill was published when it was presented just after 3 p.m. but a technical just after 3 p.m. but a technical problem meant that it was not easy to access online. I understand that copies are now available in the copies are now available in the vote office.

It would have been courteous for Ministers to offer the hon. Member advance briefing on the Bill, particularly if they intend to expedite its passage through the House, but I'm afraid that I have no power to compel them to do so. Motion number four on adjournment summer and conference.

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Minister to move. I beg to move. The question is, as on the Order

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The question is, as on the Order Paper, as many as are of that Paper, as many as are of that opinion say aye. Of the contrary, no. I think the ayes have it. The ayes have it. Motion number five on

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ayes have it. Motion number five on delegated legislation. Minister to move. I beg to move. The question is, as on the Order

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The question is, as on the Order Paper, as many as are of that opinion say aye. Of the contrary, no. I think the ayes have it. The ayes have it. Petition Dame Karen Bradley. Thank you very much, Madam Deputy Speaker. A few weeks ago I met with leaders from the schools of Moorside High School and Werrington Primary School in the villages of Werrington and Cell Ahead, which are both suffering with real concerns around road

17:47

Petition

safety. They are located on the A52, one of the main arterial roads in Stoke on Trent. Traffic moves very quickly down those roads and there are simply no safety measures. So the petitioners therefore request

17:47

Rt Hon Dame Karen Bradley MP (Staffordshire Moorlands, Conservative)

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that the House of Commons urge the government to work with the local authority and relevant agencies to facilitate urgent action, including facilitate urgent action, including the installation of safe pedestrian crossings, the introduction of stronger parking restrictions, the provision of a school crossing patrol officer, the review and reduction of speed limits and increased enforcement and increased enforcement and

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Petition road safety in Werrington.

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Werrington. Petition Tom Gordon. Thank you. Very much, Madam Deputy Speaker.

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Very much, Madam Deputy Speaker. I, like millions of other people, took out a student loan, and at the time I took that out, the terms and time I took that out, the terms and conditions that were agreed. Since then, governments have different colours and persuasions have changed those terms with no

17:48

Tom Gordon MP (Harrogate and Knaresborough, Liberal Democrat)

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recourse for people like myself and those across the country. It's become a tax on aspiration, stopping people buying their own homes and starting families. I want to see a reversal and change to make the system fairer as it was originally intended. The petitioners, therefore, request that the House of Commons urges the government to restore fairness by backtracking on its decision to freeze student loan repayment thresholds and reviewing interest rate structures to ensure student loans remain affordable, proportionate and supportive of aspiration rather than a long term financial constraint.

The

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petitioners remain. Petition review of the student

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loan system. I beg to move that this House do now adjourn. The question. Is that this.

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Is that this. House do. Now adjourn. Manuela Perteghella.

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Now adjourn. Manuela Perteghella. Thank you, Madam Deputy Speaker. I am bringing this debate today because of the many fatalities on because of the many fatalities on roads in the West Midlands and the catastrophic consequences of these

17:49

Manuela Perteghella MP (Stratford-on-Avon, Liberal Democrat)

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18:13

Paulette Hamilton MP (Birmingham Erdington, Labour)

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and fatality over recent years. The most recent has been on the 24th of May 2026. Residents tell me that although speed restrictions and traffic calming measures have been introduced to, many, drivers are simply ignoring them. There is a growing frustration locally that the rules exist on paper, but enforcement and compliance are inconsistent. Many of my constituents in Erdington feel there is a lack of clarity and consistency around speeding policy, particularly around our 20 mile per hour and 30 mile per hour zones are enforced in practice.

Madam Deputy Speaker, communities need confidence that road safety measures will change drivers behaviour, not just introduce more signage. Residents want to see clearer national guidance, stronger enforcement and better coordination between councils, police and the transport authorities. This is particularly important on major roads like Chester Road, where speeding as devastating consequences for pedestrians, cyclists and other motorists. way.

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I'd happily give way. Thank you. I thank my hon. Friend for giving way. One of the big things for me in the Isle of Axholme is for me in the Isle of Axholme is that we have a lot of farming community, a lot of agriculture and horses are often are or can be horses are often are or can be killed on the roads as well. So that space between a car moving down a really high speed road on a down a really high speed road on a country road and horses is really, really important.

So would you agree with me? That is something that we also need to take into that we also need to take into account, particularly when we're talking about small, medium businesses in our area and the importance of having those animals.

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On the right. The hon. Member makes an absolutely valuable point. absolutely valuable point. Sometimes we think because we're looking at the countryside, we don't look at the the the issues don't look at the the the issues that they face in the country as we face on the busy roads in some of face on the busy roads in some of our areas. But you are right. It is absolutely vital that we not just only look at what's happening in only look at what's happening in the cities, but also in rural areas.

And God help me, I wouldn't like to see an animal killed because of something that I'd done on the streets or somebody else. So absolutely agree with the hon. Member. I'll continue. Road safety is not just a transport issue, it is a public safety and public health issue affecting families across Erdington and around the country. Local people should not feel frightened crossing the road, waiting at a bus stop or walking near busy junctions because speeding has become normalised.

We cannot accept preventable deaths and serious injuries and simply the a simply the cost of using our roads. So can I ask the Minister to tell this House? How can residents be assured that communities can have confidence that road safety measures will be enforceable on our streets? Thank you, Madam Deputy Speaker.

18:16

Simon Lightwood MP, Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport) (Wakefield and Rothwell, Labour )

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