Question to the Department for Education:

To ask His Majesty's Government whether they intend to meet university vice-chancellors to discuss how they are dealing with the rising incidence of antisemitism on campuses.

Answered by Baroness Smith of Malvern - Minister of State (Minister for Women and Equalities)

My right hon. Friend, Secretary of State for Education is due to host a roundtable shortly with leading vice chancellors to discuss what more can be done collectively, and at all levels, to make our universities safe and inclusive environments for all.

Departmental officials continue to liaise closely with Universities UK and with key Jewish community stakeholders, to remain appraised of issues and how they are being handled by universities.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government whether they have any information on the proportion of deaths in Gaza reported by the Gazan Ministry of Health represented by (1) civilians, and (2) Hamas operatives.

Answered by Lord Collins of Highbury - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)

Like many of our partners, the UK Government uses data from the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) to report on daily casualties in the current Gaza conflict. OCHA draws on figures issued from the Gazan Ministry of Health (MoH). Producing reliable casualty statistics in contexts of violent conflict is never straightforward. The MoH verify and identify the dead by age, gender and ID number.

The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office has consulted experts, including from the London School of Tropical Medicine, OCHA, the World Health Organization and Every Casualty Counts, and interrogates relevant research. Experts assess that the total number of deaths in Gaza since 7 October 2023 estimated by the Gaza Ministry of Health is a reasonable figure, and likely to be an underestimate. MoH data does not differentiate between civilians and Hamas operatives.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government what information they have about the condition of the Israeli hostages held by Hamas; and what assessment they have made of reports that the hostages are being denied medical care.

Answered by Lord Collins of Highbury - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)

Reports of the mistreatment of the hostages held by Hamas, as set out by released hostages such as Eli Sharabi, are deeply concerning. We continue to call for the immediate and unconditional release of all hostages, including Avinatan Or, Shay Levinson, and Yossi Sharabi who have strong links to the UK.

The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) has consistently shared that it hasn't been permitted access to hostages. The UK reaffirms our support for the ICRC as the only humanitarian actor with the experience, capability, independence and mandate to carry out their important responsibilities. We have reiterated our call for the ICRC to be granted unfettered and immediate access to the hostages in Gaza and Palestinian detainees to deliver on their independent visiting role, as enshrined within the 1949 Geneva Conventions. The ICRC has been facilitating the handover of hostages and the delivery of aid into Gaza.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of whether Israeli hostages held by Hamas have access to the Red Cross.

Answered by Lord Collins of Highbury - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)

The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) has consistently said that it has not been permitted access to hostages. The ICRC has been facilitating the handover of hostages and the delivery of aid into Gaza. The UK reaffirms our support for the ICRC as the only humanitarian actor with the experience, capability, independence and mandate to carry out their important responsibilities. We have reiterated our call for the ICRC to be granted unfettered and immediate access to the hostages in Gaza and Palestinian detainees to deliver on their independent visiting role, as enshrined within the 1949 Geneva Conventions.

Question to the Department for Science, Innovation & Technology:

To ask His Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to encourage the immigration of scientists from other countries, including the United States, to the UK.

Answered by Lord Vallance of Balham - Minister of State (Department for Science, Innovation and Technology)

The UK has a world-leading science base, supported by four universities in the global top 10 and outstanding research institutions, we are committed to attracting the best international talent.

We have recently announced a new £54 million Global Talent Fund to attract top individuals – lead researchers and their teams – to the UK this financial year. This is just one part of over £115 million in funding dedicated to attracting top talent to the UK.

The Government is also committed to a competitive visa system, including simplified access to the Global Talent visa and expanded fast-track routes. These measures aim to attract exceptional individuals to supercharge growth in the UK’s strategic industries.

Question to the Home Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to protect Falun Gong practitioners from persecution in the United Kingdom.

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

The Government is committed to promoting and protecting the right to freedom of religion or belief, this includes protecting the rights of Falun Gong Practitioners.

We continually assess potential threats in the UK, and take protection of individuals’ rights, freedoms, and safety in the UK very seriously. Any attempt by any foreign state to intimidate, harass or harm individuals or communities in the UK will not be tolerated.

Where individuals have concerns for their safety, they should report incidents or suspicious activity to the Police via 101, a local police station, or 999 in emergencies.

Question to the Home Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government what consideration they have made of easing spousal visa restrictions for senior scientists wishing to immigrate to the UK.

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

On 10 June the Migration Advisory Committee (MAC) published their independent review of the financial requirements across the family routes. The report is now under review, and we will respond in due course.

Israel APPG
Tuesday 10th June 2025

Found: Lord Colgrain, Baroness Ramsay, Baroness Finn, Baroness Meyer, Luke Akehurst MP , Lord Grade, Lord Turnberg

Israel APPG
Tuesday 10th June 2025

Found: check – Attendees: Bob Blackman MP, Damien Egan MP, Lord Mendelsohn, Lord Roberts of Belgravia, Lord Turnberg

University APPG
Wednesday 11th June 2025

Found: Universities: Antisemitism The Lord Turnberg (Labour): To ask His Majesty's Government whether they

University APPG
Wednesday 11th June 2025

Found: Lord Turnberg (Labour) and Lord Mair (Crossbench) both emphasised the urgency of action.

University APPG
Wednesday 11th June 2025

Found: APP UG WEEKLY UPDATE 7 Lord Turnberg (Labour) recounted experiences of Jewish students on campus

Scientific APPG
Wednesday 11th June 2025

Found: Taylor of Holbeach CBE Lord Taylor of Warwick Baroness Thornton Lord Trees Lord Trefgarne Lord Turnberg

Scientific APPG
Wednesday 11th June 2025

Found: Blackheath Lord Taverne Lord Taylor of Holbeach CBE Baroness Thornton Lord Trees Lord Trefgarne Lord Turnberg

Malaria and Neglected Tropical Diseases APPG
Wednesday 11th June 2025

Found: Lord Turnberg: My Lords, I am sure the noble Lord saw the encouraging report by Adrian Hill in the

Scientific APPG
Wednesday 11th June 2025

Found: Taverne Lord Taylor of Holbeach CBE Lord Tebbit Baroness Thornton Lord Trees Lord Trefgarne Lord Turnberg

Scientific APPG
Wednesday 11th June 2025

Found: Blackheath Lord Taverne Lord Tebbit Baroness Thornton Lord Trees of the Ross Lord Trefgarne Lord Turnberg

Scientific APPG
Wednesday 11th June 2025

Found: Taverne Lord Taylor of Holbeach CBE Lord Tebbit Baroness Thornton Lord Trees Lord Trefgarne Lord Turnberg