Andrew Western
Labour - Stretford and Urmston
First elected: 15th December 2022
Opposition Whip (Commons)
(since September 2023)7 APPG memberships (as of 1 Nov 2023)
Council Housing, Homelessness, Housing Market and Housing Delivery, Nepal, Refugees, Regeneration and Levelling Up, Transatlantic Trade09:30
What recent assessment he has made of the adequacy of flood defences.
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voted Aye - in line with the party majority
One of 161 Labour Aye votes vs 0 Labour No votes
Tally: Ayes - 193 Noes - 279
After 13 long years of Conservative economic failure, Britain is stuck in a cycle of low growth and high taxes, …
To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, if she will publish the (a) invitation and (b) …
Name of donor: Lancashire County Cricket Club Ltd
Address of donor: Talbot Road, Stretford M16 0PX
Amount of donation or …
A Bill to require Ofgem to amend the conditions of an electricity supply licence in relation to vulnerable customers; to …
Division Voting information
Debates during the 2019 Parliament
Speeches made during Parliamentary debates are recorded in Hansard. For ease of browsing we have grouped debates into individual, departmental and legislative categories.
Sparring Partners
Lord President of the Council and Leader of the House of Commons
(15 debate interactions)
Prime Minister, First Lord of the Treasury, Minister for the Civil Service, and Minister for the Union
(7 debate interactions)
Department Debates
(19 debate contributions)
(9 debate contributions)
(8 debate contributions)
(7 debate contributions)
Legislation Debates
(1,737 words contributed)
(937 words contributed)
(98 words contributed)
(57 words contributed)
Stretford and Urmston Petitions
e-Petitions are administered by Parliament and allow members of the public to express support for a particular issue.
If an e-petition reaches 10,000 signatures the Government will issue a written response.
If an e-petition reaches 100,000 signatures the petition becomes eligible for a Parliamentary debate (usually Monday 4.30pm in Westminster Hall).
of 21,614 signatures (0.63%)
of 149,181 signatures (0.34%)
of 249,091 signatures (0.30%)
of 196,649 signatures (0.30%)
of 40,401 signatures (0.29%)
of 608,064 signatures (0.15%)
of 249,091 signatures (0.30%)
of 275,481 signatures (0.22%)
of 196,649 signatures (0.30%)
of 149,181 signatures (0.34%)
Petition Closed
Create statutory legal duty of care for students in Higher Education
Gov Responded - 20 Jan 2023 Debated on - 5 Jun 2023 View 's petition debate contributionsclosed 9 months ago
No general statutory duty of care exists in HE. Yet, a duty of care is owed to students, and the Government should legislate for this. HE providers should know what their duty is. Students must know what they can expect. Parents expect their children to be safe at university.
Latest EDMs signed by Andrew Western
Commons initiatives
These initiatives were driven by Andrew Western, and are more likely to reflect personal policy preferences.
MPs who are act as Ministers or Shadow Ministers are generally restricted from performing Commons initiatives other than Urgent Questions.
Andrew Western has not been granted any Urgent Questions
Andrew Western has not been granted any Adjournment Debates
Andrew Western has not introduced any legislation before Parliament
1 Bill co-sponsored by Andrew Western
Electricity Supply (Vulnerable Customers) Bill 2022-23
Sponsor - Sam Tarry (Lab)
69 Written Questions in the current parliament
(View all written questions)This Government understands the significant benefits of exercise in promoting physical and mental wellbeing.
A number of local authorities offer a range of benefits to the veteran community, including access to free gym membership.
The Department currently has no plans to offer free gym access to veterans across the UK.
Minister of State (Cabinet Office) (Minister for Veterans' Affairs)
The information requested falls under the remit of the UK Statistics Authority.
A response to the Hon gentleman Parliamentary Question of 2 June is attached.
The Government has put in place a suite of transparency and scrutiny arrangements that go well beyond statutory requirements. These were outlined in an exchange of letters with the Lords International Agreements Committee in May 2022.
The Government’s commitments include engaging with the relevant Select Committees during the pre-negotiations phase, providing regular written updates during talks and offers of private briefings with negotiating teams; and sharing key documents with Committees prior to publication where possible. We have also committed to ensuring there is extended time for Select Committees to scrutinise final agreements prior to ratification.
Financial Secretary (HM Treasury)
The most recent meeting of the Strategic Trade Advisory Group was 13 June 2022.
The most recent meeting dates of the Thematic Working Groups are listed below.
29/06/2022 – Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises
30/06/2022 – Trade for Development
21/07/2022 – Customs
28/07/2022 – Procurement
08/09/2022 – Intellectual Property
13/10/2022 – Sustainability
17/01/2023 – Technical Barriers to Trade
18/01/2023 – Implementation and Market Access
26/01/2023 – Cross-Cutting Services
21/04/2023 – Financial Services (led by HMT)
The Department for Business and Trade is reforming its approach to external engagement, to meets the needs of industry and match the priorities of the new Department. A new approach will be set out in due course, but in the meantime the Department continues to engage with a full range of interested parties on key issues.
Financial Secretary (HM Treasury)
The eligibility criteria for the Warm Home Discount scheme 2023-24 is set in the Eligibility Statement which was published on 12th September 2023 and can be found here:
Government Whip, Lord Commissioner of HM Treasury
Like all commodities markets globally, the wholesale electricity market works through marginal pricing, where the price is set by the additional unit needed to meet overall demand. This provides a signal of the value of consuming or generating an additional unit at any given time, on which both operational and investment decisions can be made.
As part of the Review of Electricity Market Arrangements (REMA) programme, the Government is considering a range of potential options to maintain the benefits of marginal pricing, while shielding consumers from the impacts of potential future commodity price spikes and ensuring they benefit from lower cost renewables.
Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
Transferring Energy Bills Support Scheme payments from electricity meters to gas meters is allowed under the scheme. It is at the discretion of the energy supplier and the Government encourages them to offer their customers as much flexibility as possible.
Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
1 Department for Science, Innovation & Technology Questions
(View all Andrew Western's DSIT questions)The AI Safety Summit was attended by representatives from governments, multilateral organisations, and companies at the frontier of AI as well as leading academic experts and wider industry and civil society with an important stake in the safe development of frontier AI. In the run-up to the Summit, the government engaged widely to ensure that a diverse range of perspectives were reflected. A list of those organisations which attended the Summit has been published and can be found here.
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Science, Innovation and Technology)
The freedom and flexibility in the National Curriculum programmes of study for history means that teachers can include black history as a natural part of the themes and eras in the curriculum, both in terms of British and world history, and their interconnection.
Teaching a well sequenced history curriculum means that black history can be taught at all key stages of the curriculum. As part of a broad and balanced curriculum, pupils should be taught the history of different societies, and how different groups have contributed to the development of Britain. This can include the voices and experiences of black people in Britain.
The Department published a blog on Black History Month in October 2022. This emphasised that there is scope in the curriculum to teach black history all year. References to high quality curriculum resources were included and the blog highlighted how important it is to celebrate the contribution black communities and individuals have made over the centuries in shaping a dynamic and diverse Britain. The blog is available at: https://educationhub.blog.gov.uk/2022/10/03/black-history-month-how-black-history-is-taught-in-our-schools-2/.
The Department is developing a model history curriculum to support teaching of a diverse and well sequenced history curriculum. Working with an expert panel that includes history educators, historians and head teachers, the model curriculum will provide an exemplar of a knowledge rich, coherent approach to teaching history. This guidance is due to be published in 2024.
The Condition Data Collection (CDC) is one of the largest and most comprehensive data collection programmes in the UK’s public sector. It collected data on the building condition of government funded schools in England. It provides a robust evidence base to enable the Department to target capital funding for maintaining and rebuilding school buildings.
The key, high level findings of the CDC programme were published in May 2021 in the ‘Condition of School Buildings Survey: Key Findings’ report. This is available at: https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/989912/Condition_of_School_Buildings_Survey_CDC1_-_key_findings_report.pdf.
Individual CDC reports have been shared with every school and their responsible body to use alongside their existing condition surveys to plan maintenance schedules and investment plans. The Department plans to publish detailed school level CDC data. The Department is still preparing the data and will publish it as soon as possible.
Well maintained, safe school buildings are a priority for the Department. Our funding is directed both to maintaining the condition of the school estate and rebuilding schools. The Department has allocated over £13 billion for improving the condition of schools since 2015, including £1.8 billion committed this financial year.
The ten year School Rebuilding Programme (SRP) is condition led. 400 of the 500 available places on the programme have been provisionally allocated. A list of these schools and the methodology used to select them is available at: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/school-rebuilding-programme-schools-in-the-programme.
The following table shows the constituencies specified that have schools or colleges selected for the SRP:
Parliamentary constituency | Schools selected for SRP |
Stretford and Urmston | St John Vianney School, announced February 2021 St Ann's RC Primary School, announced July 2021 Barton Clough Primary School, announced December 2022 Stretford Grammar School, announced December 2022 |
York Central | Tang Hall Primary Academy, announced July 2021 All Saints RC School, announced December 2022 There is one additional school in York local authority, Hempland Primary School, announced July 2021 |
The 239 schools announced in December 2022 will enter delivery at a rate of approximately 50 per year, over a five year period from 2023. The Department is currently undertaking due diligence on these schools prior to scheduling them, with schools prioritised according to the condition of their buildings, readiness to proceed, and efficiency of delivery. The scope and funding for each project will be confirmed following detailed feasibility studies and condition surveys of buildings.
Where a school identifies significant safety issues with a building, that cannot be managed within local resources, the Department considers additional support on a case-by-case basis. This includes applications for Urgent Capital Support (UCS) from eligible institutions. Schools eligible for Condition Improvement Fund (CIF) can apply for UCS where there are urgent health and safety issues that threaten school closure and cannot wait until the next CIF bidding round.
The Department wants teaching to be profession where teachers from all backgrounds are supported throughout their career.
Schools are responsible for their own recruitment and staffing decisions. The Department expects them to adhere to their statutory requirements under the Equality Act 2010, and to their responsibilities under the Public Sector Equality Duty. The Department has published guidance for schools on how to comply with their duties under the Equality Act 2010. This is available at: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/equality-act-2010-advice-for-schools.
Schools and trusts are free to introduce measures into their recruitment processes if those measures comply with the Equality Act 2010.
The Department has also issued guidance for recruiting head teachers, which is available at: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/recruiting-a-headteacher. The guidance reminds governors and trustees that diverse workforces benefit everyone, and the importance of avoiding discrimination in recruitment.
1 Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Questions
(View all Andrew Western's Defra questions)We have reviewed the proposals provided by Greater Manchester authorities. Local plans must ensure compliance with legal nitrogen dioxide limits is achieved in the shortest possible time, and at present there is insufficient evidence to enable us to assess if the proposals do so. We have requested further evidence from Greater Manchester authorities to enable us to consider their plans further.
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
We keep the law under review and listen to the concerns of those affected by tragic cases of death or serious injury. We have already increased the disqualification period for those who cause death by driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol.
The Government is also considering a Call for Evidence on motoring offences. while the potential scope and timings are being confirmed, it is expected that it will include issues around drink and drug driving, and the offence of failure to stop and report. There may also be the opportunity to highlight other areas of concern.
Minister without Portfolio (Cabinet Office)
As part of its commitment to make services accessible to all customers, the Department provides computers for customer use in Jobcentres which have assistive technology built into them such as screen readers and screen magnification and are managed separately from the wider DWP IT estate. The Department also provides a range of peripheral items in each Jobcentre such as alternative keyboards.
Customers can also access a wide range of services which can support their needs such as braille and large print documents being made available upon request.
The DWP have also improved access to our Wi-Fi services in all Jobcentres, allowing customers to use their own personal devices if they prefer.
Minister of State (Department for Work and Pensions)
We are unable to provide the information you have requested as it is not centrally collected and would incur disproportionate costs.
However, all DWP Work Coaches undergo comprehensive learning to support customers with disabilities, and they continue to build on this in the workplace through accessing point of need learning products. This includes all Work Coaches undertaking the Public Sector Equality Duty learning which was mandated for all Civil Servants by the Cabinet Office.
Work Coaches are also signposted to tools, guidance, and websites (internal and external), so that they have access to the most up to date advice and expertise to help them better support those with disabilities or health conditions.
Work Coaches are also supported by Disability Employment Advisors (DEAs) within Jobcentres. More information on DEAs can be found here https://questions-statements.parliament.uk/written-questions/detail/2023-05-22/186157.
Minister of State (Department for Work and Pensions)
As part of its commitment to make services accessible to all customers, the Department provides computers for customer use in Jobcentres. All the computers have assistive technology built into those Operating Systems such as screen readers and screen magnification and are managed separately from the wider DWP IT estate.
The Department also provides a range of other items in Jobcentres such as alternative keyboards. Computers for customer use with assistive technology are currently in 635 permanent jobcentres.
Minister of State (Department for Work and Pensions)
We do not collect this information; however, National Statistics on the number and percentage of people in relative poverty are published annually in the “Households Below Average Income” publication. This can be found here.
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Work and Pensions)
The information requested is publicly available and can be found here.
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Work and Pensions)
We have no current plans to publish this analysis.
Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)
The NHS Business Services Authority (NHSBSA) is currently working with the Department for Work and Pensions to obtain contact data for those eligible for but not accessing the Healthy Start scheme. The NHSBSA expects to receive this data in early 2024.
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)
As of 19 September 2023, there are 41 beneficiaries in receipt of payments from the temporary extension to the Healthy Start scheme.
The NHS Business Services Authority (NHSBSA) operates the Healthy Start scheme on behalf of the Department of Health and Social Care. NHSBSA is currently working with the Department for Work and Pensions to obtain contact data for those eligible for but not accessing the Healthy Start scheme.
The NHS Business Services Authority (NHSBSA) operates the Healthy Start scheme on behalf of the Department. The NHSBSA is committed to increasing uptake of the scheme to ensure as many children as possible have a healthy start in life.
The NHSBSA promotes the Healthy Start scheme through its digital channels and has created free tools to help stakeholders promote the scheme locally. The NHSBSA has also reached out to stakeholders to see how it can support them to promote the scheme.
The Department has sent out over 1,300 application forms to those who have requested them. The Department does not hold information on the recipients of the application forms.
As of 18 August 2023, the Department has received 110 fully completed applications that have demonstrated that the applicant met the eligibility criteria. The Department does not collect and therefore hold data on all applications made, as some applicants do not meet all the eligibility criteria, and these applications are not stored.
We are working to improve spend data systems through implementation of the Government’s Medical Technology Strategy. There are different supply routes available in the NHS, including through NHS Supply Chain, NHS Shared Business Services, direct from supplier to Trust and via prescription on Part IX of the Drug Tariff. NHS Supply Chain are currently in the process of working on two separate value-based procurement projects for continence, both of which aim to concentrate on patient outcomes.
Regulation 68 of the Public Contract Regulations (PCR) 2015 allows contracting authorities to determine the most economically advantageous tender and the lowest cost by using a life-cycle costing approach which includes all costs over the life cycle of works, supplies or services.
Integrated care boards (ICBs) are responsible for the commissioning of health services, including urinary incontinence for their local health economy and taking into account guidance from the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence. NHS England’s Excellence in Continence Care guidance published in July 2018, indicates that personalised care including personal health budgets can be arranged locally by ICBs to help people manage and pay for their continence care needs.
We are working to improve spend data systems through implementation of the Government’s Medical Technology Strategy. There are different supply routes available in the NHS, including through NHS Supply Chain, NHS Shared Business Services, direct from supplier to Trust and via prescription on Part IX of the Drug Tariff. NHS Supply Chain are currently in the process of working on two separate value-based procurement projects for continence, both of which aim to concentrate on patient outcomes.
Regulation 68 of the Public Contract Regulations (PCR) 2015 allows contracting authorities to determine the most economically advantageous tender and the lowest cost by using a life-cycle costing approach which includes all costs over the life cycle of works, supplies or services.
Integrated care boards (ICBs) are responsible for the commissioning of health services, including urinary incontinence for their local health economy and taking into account guidance from the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence. NHS England’s Excellence in Continence Care guidance published in July 2018, indicates that personalised care including personal health budgets can be arranged locally by ICBs to help people manage and pay for their continence care needs.
The pay deal that was accepted by the NHS Staff Council on 2 May 2023 covered staff directly employed by National Health Service organisations. These organisations are set out in Annex 1 of the handbook on Agenda for Change terms.
NHS social enterprises are independent providers and remain free to develop and adapt their own terms and conditions of employment. This includes the pay scales that they use and any non-consolidated pay awards they choose to make. It is for them to determine what is affordable within the financial model they operate, and how to recoup any additional costs they face.
The pay deal that was accepted by the NHS Staff Council on 2 May 2023 covered staff directly employed by National Health Service organisations. These organisations are set out in Annex 1 of the handbook on Agenda for Change terms.
NHS social enterprises are independent providers and remain free to develop and adapt their own terms and conditions of employment. This includes the pay scales that they use and any non-consolidated pay awards they choose to make. It is for them to determine what is affordable within the financial model they operate, and how to recoup any additional costs they face.
The Department has made no assessment on the implications for the Department's policies of not increasing the value of Healthy Start payments since 2021.
The NHS Business Services Authority (NHSBSA) operates the Healthy Start scheme on behalf of the Department. The NHSBSA is committed to increasing uptake of the scheme to ensure as many children as possible have a healthy start in life.
As National Health Service social enterprises are independent providers, and contracts will vary from organisation to organisation, they remain free to develop and adopt the terms and conditions of employment that best help them attract and keep the staff they need. This includes the pay scales that they use.
The 2022-23 non-consolidated pay uplift for Agenda for Change staff applies to staff directly employed by an National Health Service organisation as set out in Annex 1 of the NHS Employers handbook. The eligibility criteria was agreed by all parties during negotiations, including Trade Unions and NHS Employers.
Independent providers remain free to develop and adapt their own terms and conditions of employment. This includes the pay scales that they use and any non-consolidated pay awards they choose to make. Staff employed by independent providers who utilise the Agenda for Change terms and conditions may be entitled to the non-consolidated pay award that staff working for eligible NHS organisations will receive, and organisations should consider their contractual obligations.
As National Health Service social enterprises are independent providers, they remain free to develop and adapt their own terms and conditions for employment that best help them attract and keep the staff they need. This includes the pay scales that they use.
Staff employed at NHS social enterprises who utilise the Agenda for Change terms and conditions may be entitled to the non-consolidated pay award that staff working for eligible NHS organisations will receive, and organisations should consider their contractual obligations.
Healthy Start is a demand-led scheme and spending on the scheme varies each year. The amount of funds provided to the Department for Healthy Start each year is based on forecasts of the number of families on the scheme, with the Department managing actual spend within its overall budget.
The average annual cost of operating the Healthy Start scheme between 2019/20 and 2021/22, the last three years for which data is available, was £55,523,961.
The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) obtains independent advice from the Commission on Human Medicines (CHM). The Isotretinoin Expert Working Group was convened by CHM to evaluate the latest data on risk of psychiatric adverse reactions and sexual dysfunction suspected to be associated with the use of isotretinoin and to consider whether regulatory action is required to minimise risks or raise awareness of the risks. The report of this review will be published shortly, and more information on the working group is available at the following link:
The matter of redress sat outside the scope of the expert review and is also outside the remit of MHRA. Our primary focus currently is on improving future medicines and medical devices safety.
An Expert Working Group has reviewed the available evidence relating to isotretinoin (Roaccutane). We expect the report to be published shortly.
The Department has no current plans to make an estimate of the cost to the public purse of increasing the Healthy Start value by 20%.
While there are no current plans to increase the value of Healthy Start, this is kept under continuous review. In April 2021 the value of the Healthy Start benefit increased from £3.10 to £4.25 per week, providing additional support to pregnant women and families on lower incomes to make healthy food choices. Due to the increase, eligible families with children aged under one receive £8.50 per week compared to £6.20 previously.
There are a range of different organisations producing different estimates of excess deaths based on different methodologies.
Provisional Office of National Statistics data show 32,088 excess deaths in England in 2022, compared with 51,907 in 2021 and 72,258 in 2020. These figures do not adjust for age and size of the population.
The Office for Health Improvement and Disparities has been reporting on excess mortality during the COVID-19 pandemic, via its Excess Mortality report. Its estimates, which do adjust for age and size of population, indicate that excess deaths in England were also lower in 2022 than in the two preceding years of the pandemic.
The Department are closely monitoring figures on excess deaths. It is likely that a combination of factors has contributed to excess deaths in the latter part of 2022, including high flu prevalence, cold weather, the ongoing challenges of COVID-19 and health conditions such as heart disease and diabetes.
We are taking decisive action to address temporary supply issues with some antibiotics that can be used to treat Strep A and to improve access to these medicines by continuing to work with manufacturers and wholesalers to expedite deliveries, bring forward stock they have to help ensure it gets to where it is needed and to boost supply to meet demand as quickly as possible.
Eight Serious Shortage Protocols have been issued for penicillin medicines, which will help mitigate local supply issues and allow pharmacists to supply alternative forms of the medicine, or alternative antibiotics, if they don’t have the specific product stated on the prescription.
The Department has well-established procedures to deal with medicine supply issues and works closely with the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency, the pharmaceutical industry, NHS England and others within the supply chain to help prevent shortages and to ensure that the risks to patients are minimised when they do arise.
Hospitals in Gaza must be allowed to operate safely and treat the vulnerable. We continue to impress upon Israel the need to comply with International Humanitarian Law and take all possible precautions to protect civilians, and we will continue to do so. The Minister of State for the Middle East, Lord (Tariq) Ahmad of Wimbledon posted on X (formerly twitter) on 12 November that he is deeply distressed by the loss of life in Gaza's hospitals. On 10 November in the UN Security Council, the UK stressed that all parties to the conflict must abide by International Humanitarian Law, including by protecting civilians, civilian infrastructure and hospitals.
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
Since Hamas' terror attacks on 7 October, the Prime Minister and former Foreign Secretary have spoken with counterparts from over 20 countries, including Israel, as part of extensive diplomatic efforts to sustain the prospect of peace and stability in the Middle East. As the Prime Minister has said, there is no scenario where Hamas can be allowed to control Gaza again. We want to see a move towards a peaceful Palestinian leadership as soon as is practicable. The longer-term governance of Gaza and security oversight needs to be looked at in the round, as part of a process towards a two-state solution which ensures Israel's security and provides a better future for the people of Gaza.
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
This is a fast-moving, complex and challenging situation. The UK has a team at the Rafah crossing to ensure we can provide the necessary medical, consular and administrative support needed. The FCDO have deployed humanitarian advisers to Cairo and Jerusalem and with the support of the Royal Air Force, have flown 51 tonnes of aid to Egypt for onward distribution to Gaza. This includes core relief items, including wound care packs, solar lanterns and water filtration devices, along with crucial enabling items such as forklift trucks. Additional Consular and Border Force staff are in country to support this work, as is an FCDO Rapid Deployment Team which arrived on 2 November and a team of British Red Cross psychological support experts. The former Foreign Secretary was in regular dialogue with his Egyptian counterpart regarding the safe exit of people from Gaza via the Rafah Crossing.
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
The UK remains committed to respond to the humanitarian situation in Gaza and has called for both parties to respect International Humanitarian Law and minimise the impact on civilian casualties. Since 7 October, the UK Government has announced an additional £30 million of humanitarian aid to the Occupied Palestinian Territories (OPTs) and sent more than 51 tonnes of emergency relief. This funding will support the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) and other trusted partners to respond to critical food, water, health, shelter and protection needs in Gaza. The UK is continuously assessing needs and advocating for access routes to be established into Gaza, for sufficient levels of humanitarian assistance to flow into Gaza and for humanitarian pauses to allow aid to be distributed within Gaza.
There is a robust framework in place for allocating Official Development Assistance (ODA), in accordance with UK strategic priorities against a challenging financial climate. Data on ODA spend in the Occupied Palestinian Territories is available on DevTracker and also in our Country Development Partnership Summary (https://devtracker.fcdo.gov.uk/countries/PS). More than 80% of our ODA spend this year of UK support will be used to meet humanitarian need, or to provide vital health, education, and protection services for Palestinian Refugees.
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
The Government's position is clear: all states, including Israel, must exercise their legitimate right to self-defence in accordance with International Humanitarian Law. The Prime Minister and the Foreign Secretary will continue to engage regularly and closely with their Israeli counterparts on this issue. Our focus right now is securing sustained humanitarian access to Gaza, securing the release of British hostages and showing solidarity with Israel in defending itself against Hamas.
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
Our focus right now is getting humanitarian aid into Gaza. The most recent assessment of the United Nations is that the entire population of Gaza, some 2.2 million people, need access to safe drinking water and food. Since 7 October, the UK Government has announced an additional £30 million of humanitarian funding and sent more than 51 tonnes of emergency relief for civilians in the Occupied Palestinian Territories (OPTs). This funding will support the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) and other trusted partners to respond to critical food, water, health, shelter and protection needs in Gaza. The Foreign Secretary will continue to engage regularly and closely with his Israeli counterparts to press for humanitarian access to ensure the delivery of aid in the volume needed. The UK position is also clear: all sides must abide by their international obligations and all sides must respect International Humanitarian Law. Both the Prime Minister and the former Foreign Secretary have, in their discussions with Israeli counterparts, emphasised the importance of taking all possible measures to protect civilians.
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
The UK is committed to easing the desperate and deteriorating humanitarian crisis in Gaza, while standing alongside the people of Israel against the terrorist group Hamas and supporting Israel's right to defend itself. Our support includes a £30m humanitarian aid package as well as intensive diplomatic efforts led by the Prime Minister, the former Foreign Secretary and the Minister of State for the Middle East, Lord (Tariq) Ahmad of Wimbledon, to prevent regional escalation. At present, humanitarian access into Gaza is limited to the Rafah check point from Egypt. Between 1 and 2 November, Lord Ahmad visited the region where he advocated for immediate humanitarian pauses to help aid reach Gaza and for British nationals to leave Gaza. He also stressed the importance of preventing regional escalation and outlined steps towards a political resolution which provides justice and security to both Israelis and Palestinians.
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
Our focus is on securing safe and unimpeded humanitarian access and the UK is leading calls for humanitarian pauses and for the opening of the Kerem Shalom crossing to facilitate delivery of critical humanitarian aid. The UK Government is at the forefront of the global efforts to help Palestinian people access the vital support they need and has committed an additional £30 million of aid for the Occupied Palestinian Territories to help provide essential relief items such as food, water and shelter. This funding will allow key UN agencies and trusted partners to provide essential relief items and services.
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
Our focus is on securing safe and unimpeded humanitarian access and the UK is leading calls for humanitarian pauses and for the opening of the Kerem Shalom crossing to facilitate delivery of critical humanitarian aid. The UK Government is at the forefront of the global efforts to help Palestinian people access the vital support they need and has committed an additional £30 million of aid for the Occupied Palestinian Territories to help provide essential relief items such as food, water and shelter. This funding will allow key UN agencies and trusted partners to provide essential relief items and services.
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
It has not proved possible to respond to the hon. Member in the time available before Prorogation.
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
It has not proved possible to respond to the hon. Member in the time available before Prorogation.
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
As laid out by the Foreign Secretary on 25 April in his Mansion House Speech, we will always put our national security first and are committed to strengthening national security protections wherever Beijing’s actions pose a threat to our people or our prosperity. And to protect the UK from hostile state activity from any country, we are introducing the National Security Bill.
Minister of State (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
The Chancellor of the Exchequer engages with a number of a key stakeholders to discuss policy matters.
Cifas is a fraud prevention service offering individuals and organisations help in combating the growing threat of fraud and financial crime. In 2022 Cifas members prevented fraudulent conduct totalling £1.3 billion, protecting people, businesses and the public finances from losses and wider harm.
To use the database, a Cifas member must operate within the terms of the National Fraud Database Handbook – a guide that sets out eight Principles of use with accompanying guidance. These Principles and guidance describe the controls in place to protect the data on the database and ensure that the highest possible standard of fairness and transparency are observed. Subjects have a right to know how data will be used and how any decisions related to them have been made, and can file a data subject access request (DSAR) to do this. More information on this can be found on the Cifas website.
If an individual believes that a Cifas marker has been incorrectly assigned they should first raise it with the organisation that recorded it to the Cifas database for them to review. If they do not remove the marker then the individual can go directly to Cifas. The individual can also apply to have a further review conducted by the Financial Ombudsman Service (FOS).
Minister of State (Department for Science, Innovation and Technology)
The Chancellor of the Exchequer engages with a number of a key stakeholders to discuss policy matters.
Cifas is a fraud prevention service offering individuals and organisations help in combating the growing threat of fraud and financial crime. In 2022 Cifas members prevented fraudulent conduct totalling £1.3 billion, protecting people, businesses and the public finances from losses and wider harm.
To use the database, a Cifas member must operate within the terms of the National Fraud Database Handbook – a guide that sets out eight Principles of use with accompanying guidance. These Principles and guidance describe the controls in place to protect the data on the database and ensure that the highest possible standard of fairness and transparency are observed. Subjects have a right to know how data will be used and how any decisions related to them have been made, and can file a data subject access request (DSAR) to do this. More information on this can be found on the Cifas website.
If an individual believes that a Cifas marker has been incorrectly assigned they should first raise it with the organisation that recorded it to the Cifas database for them to review. If they do not remove the marker then the individual can go directly to Cifas. The individual can also apply to have a further review conducted by the Financial Ombudsman Service (FOS).
Minister of State (Department for Science, Innovation and Technology)
Police custody is governed by the Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984 (PACE) Codes of Practice which sets out the legal framework for the detention, treatment and questioning of persons by police officers. Additionally, the operational management of custody suites is carried out in accordance with the Authorised Professional Practise requirements as set by the College of Policing.
PACE Code C states clearly that police must inform an arrested person in custody about their continuing rights, including the right to consult privately with a solicitor at any time, whether in person, in writing or by telephone, and the right to free independent legal advice. The custody officer must act without delay to secure the provision of such advice.
Access to legal advice may be delayed if a person is in police custody in connection with an indictable offence, has not yet been charged, and an officer of superintendent rank or above has reasonable grounds to believe it would otherwise lead to (i) interference with, or harm to, evidence connected with an indictable offence or interference with, or physical harm to, other people; (ii) alerting other people suspected of having committed an indictable offence but not yet arrested for it or (iii) hinder the recovery of property obtained in consequence of the commission of such an offence.
The Home Office does not have plans to amend PACE Code C further or provide additional guidance to forces.
Minister of State (Home Office)
7 Department for Levelling Up, Housing & Communities Questions
(View all Andrew Western's DLUHC questions)Details of such payments are published in departmental annual reports and accounts, and ministerial salaries are published here.
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities)
I refer the Hon Member to my answer to Question UIN 197493 on 11 September 2023.
Minister of State (Minister for Housing)
I refer the Hon Member to my answer to Question UIN 197493 on 11 September 2023.
Minister of State (Minister for Housing)
We have set a mission that, by 2030, the UK will have nationwide gigabit-capable broadband and 4G coverage, with 5G coverage for the majority of the population. All four mobile network operators launched their 5G networks in 2019, and 5G is now available from at least one mobile network operator outside 77% of premises across the UK. 73% of UK premises can now access gigabit-capable broadband - a significant leap forward from January 2019, when coverage was just 6%.
Changes to permitted development rights were made in Spring 2022 to support the deployment of 5G and extend mobile coverage and will further support progress towards digital connectivity in every part of the country. We are keeping use and impact of the planning changes under review.
Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport
I and my fellow ministers regularly visit premises, including courts, prisons, probation and other administrative (HQ) offices across the Ministry of Justice estate.
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Justice)
The Business and Trade Committee has an important role to play in the scrutiny of the Department for Business and Trade and its public bodies, including international trade agreements. The International Trade Committee previously conducted inquiries into the Free Trade Agreements with Australia and New Zealand, as well as more recent inquiries into the UK’s CPTPP accession and UK trade negotiations with India and the Gulf Cooperation Group.
The Constitutional Reform and Governance Act 2010 (CRaG) provides an effective and robust framework for scrutiny of treaties that require ratification, including Free Trade Agreements. In addition, any legislation required to implement international agreements needs to be scrutinised and passed by Parliament in the usual way.
Lord President of the Council and Leader of the House of Commons