Asked by: Lord Godson (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Education:
To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of reports that the United Arab Emirates has restricted funding for its students permitted to study in the UK; and what assessment they have made of levels of support for the Muslim Brotherhood and wider Islamist extremism on UK university campuses.
Answered by Baroness Smith of Malvern - Minister of State (Department for Work and Pensions)
The UK provides a world-leading education system, especially in teaching and research in high-growth sectors. We welcome high-quality students from across the world, including from the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
We are committed to challenging extremist narratives, disrupting radicalising groups, and tackling the causes of radicalisation. We have some of the strongest laws in the world to protect citizens from hatred and terrorism. The ‘Prevent duty’ guidance, recently updated to address evolving threats, and the government’s consistent review and proscription of extremist organisations, demonstrates our commitment to student welfare and safety.
The education sector plays a vital role in safeguarding learners from radicalisation and remains the highest contributor of referrals to the Prevent programme. We provide resources through the ‘Educate Against Hate’ website, helping pupils and staff understand terrorism risks and challenge extremist views.
The UK and UAE have a long-standing relationship. We will continue to discuss this matter with their government.
Asked by: Lord Godson (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask His Majesty's Government what financial advice or guidance a lending institution is required to give a person aged 21 years old or under before permitting them to take out a loan of more than £25,000.
Answered by Lord Livermore - Financial Secretary (HM Treasury)
Lenders offering credit are regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA). This oversight ensures that lending practices are fair and that consumers are protected – firms regulated by the FCA must comply with its strict lending affordability rules, lending only to those who can afford repayments based on a thorough assessment of their financial situation. Lenders are also required to follow the FCA’s rules on promotions and adverts, where non-compliance could lead to fines. The FCA requires that all adverts and other promotions must be clear, fair, and not misleading.
The Government is committed to ensuring that people can access the guidance they need to confidently understand and use financial products such as loans. The Money and Pensions Service (MaPS), an arm’s length body of the Government, provides free and impartial guidance on a range of financial topics, including credit. More widely, the Government is taking steps to improve financial literacy and better prepare young people for life’s key financial decisions. As part of the Financial Inclusion Strategy, the Government announced plans to make financial education compulsory in primary schools in England, alongside a renewed focus on financial education in secondary schools through the subjects of mathematics and citizenship. This will help build a generation better equipped to make informed financial decisions, including those related to the use of credit.
Asked by: Lord Godson (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Home Office:
To ask His Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Baroness Chapman of Darlington on 19 December 2025 (HL11657), and further to the Prime Minister's statement on 21 September that he had "directed work to sanction other Hamas figures in the coming weeks", what plans the Home Office has to review (1) the continued presence in the United Kingdom of members of Hamas, and (2) the continued citizenship of Hamas members who hold British passports but are resident overseas.
Answered by Lord Hanson of Flint - Minister of State (Home Office)
The Government’s top priority remains the safety and security of the United Kingdom and its citizens. The Government does not comment on individual cases or on operational activity.
Part Suitability of the Immigration Rules sets out the grounds on which the Home Office may refuse or cancel entry clearance, permission to enter, or permission to stay. These provisions allow action to be taken where a person’s presence in the UK is not conducive to the public good because of their conduct, character, associations or other reasons.
The Home Secretary has the power to deprive an individual of British citizenship where it was obtained by fraud, or where deprivation is conducive to the public good. Deprivation on conducive grounds is used only for individuals who pose a threat to the UK or whose conduct is considered to involve very high harm, for example activities relating to national security (including terrorism and espionage), war crimes, serious and organised crime, or extremism and the glorification of terrorism. Decisions on deprivation are taken on a case-by-case basis.