Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the report from the Rossing Centre for Education and Dialogue, Attacks on Christians in Israel and East Jerusalem, published in 2025; and what discussions they have had with government of Israel about protecting Christian communities in Israel and East Jerusalem from harassment and violence.

Answered by Baroness Chapman of Darlington

I refer the Noble Bishop to the answer provided in the House of Commons on 24 June in response to Questions 10663-64, which - for ease of reference - is reproduced below:

The UK is monitoring the situation in Silwan closely, including the reported seizure of land belonging to the Greek Orthodox Church. The UK is committed to championing freedom of religion or belief for all, and that is particularly important in a city which holds such significance for the three Abrahamic faiths of Christianity, Islam, and Judaism. It is vital that the historic holy sites where each religious community worships are treated with respect and dignity, and that the traditional arrangements enabling each group to practice their faith are upheld, including the Jerusalem Status Quo.

More generally, we know that the demolition of Palestinian property and the eviction of their residents by Israeli authorities is causing unnecessary suffering to communities throughout Palestine. We also condemn the seizure of land by extremist settler groups and their acts of brutal violence, and - as set out by the Foreign Secretary in her statement to the House on 9 June - the UK will continue to do everything possible to advance the two-state solution and hold violent extremist settler groups to account, including through our sanctions regime.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government what discussions they have had with the government of Israel regarding actions on 15 June on land and property in Silwan owned by the Orthodox Patriarchate of Jerusalem.

Answered by Baroness Chapman of Darlington

I refer the Noble Bishop to the answer provided in the House of Commons on 24 June in response to Questions 10663-64, which - for ease of reference - is reproduced below:

The UK is monitoring the situation in Silwan closely, including the reported seizure of land belonging to the Greek Orthodox Church. The UK is committed to championing freedom of religion or belief for all, and that is particularly important in a city which holds such significance for the three Abrahamic faiths of Christianity, Islam, and Judaism. It is vital that the historic holy sites where each religious community worships are treated with respect and dignity, and that the traditional arrangements enabling each group to practice their faith are upheld, including the Jerusalem Status Quo.

More generally, we know that the demolition of Palestinian property and the eviction of their residents by Israeli authorities is causing unnecessary suffering to communities throughout Palestine. We also condemn the seizure of land by extremist settler groups and their acts of brutal violence, and - as set out by the Foreign Secretary in her statement to the House on 9 June - the UK will continue to do everything possible to advance the two-state solution and hold violent extremist settler groups to account, including through our sanctions regime.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of freedom of religion or belief in Israel and Palestine.

Answered by Baroness Chapman of Darlington

I refer the Noble Bishop to the answer provided in the House of Commons on 24 June in response to Questions 10663-64, which - for ease of reference - is reproduced below:

The UK is monitoring the situation in Silwan closely, including the reported seizure of land belonging to the Greek Orthodox Church. The UK is committed to championing freedom of religion or belief for all, and that is particularly important in a city which holds such significance for the three Abrahamic faiths of Christianity, Islam, and Judaism. It is vital that the historic holy sites where each religious community worships are treated with respect and dignity, and that the traditional arrangements enabling each group to practice their faith are upheld, including the Jerusalem Status Quo.

More generally, we know that the demolition of Palestinian property and the eviction of their residents by Israeli authorities is causing unnecessary suffering to communities throughout Palestine. We also condemn the seizure of land by extremist settler groups and their acts of brutal violence, and - as set out by the Foreign Secretary in her statement to the House on 9 June - the UK will continue to do everything possible to advance the two-state solution and hold violent extremist settler groups to account, including through our sanctions regime.

Question to the Home Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government how they will support the most vulnerable asylum seekers, who are granted core protection, to access work and study routes to settlement.

Answered by Lord Hanson of Flint - Minister of State (Home Office)

The Government is committed to keeping all aspects of the asylum system under regular review, including the impact of introducing 30‑month temporary permission to stay under the core protection model.

Equalities considerations are at the front and centre of our work. As required through the Public Sector Equality Duty, Home Office officials consider equality impacts throughout the policy development process, and the impact that asylum reforms will have on those with protected characteristics, is no exception.

Where possible, individuals granted core protection will be encouraged to move onto the protection work and study route, which provides a pathway towards longer‑term residence and settlement.

At the same time, in line with the UK’s international obligations, no one will be removed to their country of origin, or any other country, where they have a well‑founded fear of persecution or are at risk of serious harm.

The Home Office is carefully considering the appropriate pathways for unaccompanied asylum-seeking children, asylum-seeking families with children, and other vulnerable asylum seekers.

Question to the Home Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government how they are monitoring the impact of the introduction of 30 month temporary protection for asylum seekers.

Answered by Lord Hanson of Flint - Minister of State (Home Office)

The Government is committed to keeping all aspects of the asylum system under regular review, including the impact of introducing 30‑month temporary permission to stay under the core protection model.

Equalities considerations are at the front and centre of our work. As required through the Public Sector Equality Duty, Home Office officials consider equality impacts throughout the policy development process, and the impact that asylum reforms will have on those with protected characteristics, is no exception.

Where possible, individuals granted core protection will be encouraged to move onto the protection work and study route, which provides a pathway towards longer‑term residence and settlement.

At the same time, in line with the UK’s international obligations, no one will be removed to their country of origin, or any other country, where they have a well‑founded fear of persecution or are at risk of serious harm.

The Home Office is carefully considering the appropriate pathways for unaccompanied asylum-seeking children, asylum-seeking families with children, and other vulnerable asylum seekers.

Question to the Home Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Lord Hanson of Flint on 24 March (HL15469), whether the Home Office has commissioned a second external peer review of the National Centre for Social Research evaluation of the pilot move on period for newly recognised refugees; and if so, when they expect that peer review to be completed.

Answered by Lord Hanson of Flint - Minister of State (Home Office)

The independent evaluation led by the National Centre for Social Research (NatCen) has undergone external peer review as part of the publication process, including the requirement for two satisfactory external peer reviews.

Publication is expected in Spring 2026, subject to Ministerial clearance.

Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:

To ask His Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to ensure the provision of sufficient affordable housing in rural areas to enable young people to remain in the villages where they live and work, ensuring the long-term viability of those communities.

Answered by Baroness Taylor of Stevenage - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

The government recently consulted on a new National Planning Policy Framework, that includes clearer, ‘rules based’ policies for decision-making and plan-making.

That consultation includes proposals to strengthen support for rural exception sites, which deliver affordable housing to meet local needs in rural areas, and to make it easier for authorities to require affordable housing on smaller sites in rural areas.

We have confirmed a new 10-year £39 billion Social and Affordable Homes Programme to kickstart social and affordable housebuilding at scale across the country.

I otherwise refer the noble Lord to the Written Ministerial Statements made on 2 July 2025 (HLWS770 attached) and 28 January (HLWS1283 attached).

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the expulsion of Afghan refugees from Iran since the start of the recent conflict; and whether they intend to increase humanitarian assistance as a result

Answered by Baroness Chapman of Darlington

Since the start of the Iran conflict, we have seen a sharp increase in displacement of people and humanitarian need across the region, and the UK has made substantial investments to support responses to that crisis, particularly in Lebanon.

The UK is not providing humanitarian aid directly to Iran as part of this response, but alongside a number of other governments, we contribute to the global Disaster Response Emergency Fund managed by the International Federation of the Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, and to the United Nations' Central Emergency Response Fund.

Both of these funds have in turn made allocations to support humanitarian agencies working in Iran, including the Iranian Red Crescent Society, the UNHCR, UNICEF, the World Food Programme, World Health Organization, and United Nations Development Programme, who are delivering healthcare, food, water, sanitation and hygiene, shelter kits and other essential services to those in need.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government how much aid they are providing to (1) Iran, and (2) other countries in the region, on an absolute and per capita basis.

Answered by Baroness Chapman of Darlington

Since the start of the Iran conflict, we have seen a sharp increase in displacement of people and humanitarian need across the region, and the UK has made substantial investments to support responses to that crisis, particularly in Lebanon.

The UK is not providing humanitarian aid directly to Iran as part of this response, but alongside a number of other governments, we contribute to the global Disaster Response Emergency Fund managed by the International Federation of the Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, and to the United Nations' Central Emergency Response Fund.

Both of these funds have in turn made allocations to support humanitarian agencies working in Iran, including the Iranian Red Crescent Society, the UNHCR, UNICEF, the World Food Programme, World Health Organization, and United Nations Development Programme, who are delivering healthcare, food, water, sanitation and hygiene, shelter kits and other essential services to those in need.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government what plans they have, if any, for increasing humanitarian assistance to civilians in Iran who are marginalised by the Iranian regime.

Answered by Baroness Chapman of Darlington

Since the start of the Iran conflict, we have seen a sharp increase in displacement of people and humanitarian need across the region, and the UK has made substantial investments to support responses to that crisis, particularly in Lebanon.

The UK is not providing humanitarian aid directly to Iran as part of this response, but alongside a number of other governments, we contribute to the global Disaster Response Emergency Fund managed by the International Federation of the Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, and to the United Nations' Central Emergency Response Fund.

Both of these funds have in turn made allocations to support humanitarian agencies working in Iran, including the Iranian Red Crescent Society, the UNHCR, UNICEF, the World Food Programme, World Health Organization, and United Nations Development Programme, who are delivering healthcare, food, water, sanitation and hygiene, shelter kits and other essential services to those in need.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government what types of humanitarian assistance they are providing to civilians in Iran requiring aid.

Answered by Baroness Chapman of Darlington

Since the start of the Iran conflict, we have seen a sharp increase in displacement of people and humanitarian need across the region, and the UK has made substantial investments to support responses to that crisis, particularly in Lebanon.

The UK is not providing humanitarian aid directly to Iran as part of this response, but alongside a number of other governments, we contribute to the global Disaster Response Emergency Fund managed by the International Federation of the Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, and to the United Nations' Central Emergency Response Fund.

Both of these funds have in turn made allocations to support humanitarian agencies working in Iran, including the Iranian Red Crescent Society, the UNHCR, UNICEF, the World Food Programme, World Health Organization, and United Nations Development Programme, who are delivering healthcare, food, water, sanitation and hygiene, shelter kits and other essential services to those in need.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government what level of humanitarian assistance they are providing to civilians in need of aid in Iran as a consequence of the war in that country; and which delivery partners they are working with.

Answered by Baroness Chapman of Darlington

Since the start of the Iran conflict, we have seen a sharp increase in displacement of people and humanitarian need across the region, and the UK has made substantial investments to support responses to that crisis, particularly in Lebanon.

The UK is not providing humanitarian aid directly to Iran as part of this response, but alongside a number of other governments, we contribute to the global Disaster Response Emergency Fund managed by the International Federation of the Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, and to the United Nations' Central Emergency Response Fund.

Both of these funds have in turn made allocations to support humanitarian agencies working in Iran, including the Iranian Red Crescent Society, the UNHCR, UNICEF, the World Food Programme, World Health Organization, and United Nations Development Programme, who are delivering healthcare, food, water, sanitation and hygiene, shelter kits and other essential services to those in need.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of whether Iran has contravened the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights since the start of recent hostilities between USA and Israel and Iran.

Answered by Baroness Chapman of Darlington

The UK has long made clear that Iran's human rights record is unacceptable - a position that has not changed since the outset of the US/Iran conflict on 28 February 2026. We continue to pressure Iran, both directly and at the UN, to end its human rights violations and to protect the rights of the Iranian people. On 16 March 2026, UK Human Rights Ambassador, Eleanor Sanders, said at the UN Human Rights Council that the Iranian authorities must not seek, as we have seen in the past, to exploit conflict to inflict further violence on its people and on 16 June, she highlighted at the Council the continued execution of protesters and Iran's longstanding suppression of peaceful dissent. We continue to support accountability efforts toward the Iranian authorities' abhorrent crackdown on the January 2026 protests, which the Foreign Secretary condemned in the House on 13 January and alongside G7 Foreign Ministers on 15 January. The Minister for the Middle East, Hamish Falconer, summoned the Iranian Ambassador to the UK on 13 January, making clear the UK's opposition to the regime's brutal use of violence and repression against peaceful protesters. We maintain 105 human rights sanctions against the Iranian regime.

Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:

To ask His Majesty's Government what proportion of the first round of Strategic Partnership funding grants awarded under the £39 billion Social and Affordable Homes Programme are for rural housing schemes.

Answered by Baroness Taylor of Stevenage - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

The programme guidance for the Social and Affordable Homes Programme was published in November 2025 and bidding opened on 24th February. Bidding closed on 15th April for Strategic Partnerships. Those bids are still being assessed.