First elected: 7th May 2015
Speeches made during Parliamentary debates are recorded in Hansard. For ease of browsing we have grouped debates into individual, departmental and legislative categories.
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).
These initiatives were driven by Chris Law, 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.
Chris Law has not been granted any Urgent Questions
Chris Law has not been granted any Adjournment Debates
Chris Law has not introduced any legislation before Parliament
Powers of Attorney Bill 2024-26
Sponsor - Fabian Hamilton (Lab)
Debt Relief (Developing Countries) Bill 2024-26
Sponsor - Bambos Charalambous (Lab)
Recognition of Armenian Genocide Bill 2021-22
Sponsor - Tim Loughton (Con)
Import of Products of Forced Labour from Xinjiang (Prohibition) Bill 2021-22
Sponsor - Brendan O'Hara (SNP)
Tibet (Reciprocal Access) Bill 2019-21
Sponsor - Tim Loughton (Con)
Arms (Exports and Remote Warfare) Bill 2019-21
Sponsor - Alyn Smith (SNP)
Tibet (Reciprocal Access) Bill 2017-19
Sponsor - Tim Loughton (Con)
Armed Forces Representative Body Bill 2017-19
Sponsor - Martin Docherty-Hughes (SNP)
The terms of reference for the Prime Minister’s Envoy for the Nations and Regions will be published online in the normal way, setting out the purpose, scope and remit of the role.
The terms of reference for the Prime Minister’s Envoy for the Nations and Regions will be published online in the normal way, setting out the purpose, scope and remit of the role.
The Government has been clear that it will consult extensively with a wide range of stakeholders when developing new employment rights legislation. That will include those representing people with multiple sclerosis.
The Government has set out its immediate priorities for reforming employment law in the Plan to Make Work Pay. The Plan includes a number of measures which may help people with multiple sclerosis and other health conditions at work - including making sure people can benefit from flexible working and ensuring flexibility is a genuine default.
The Government has been clear that it will consult extensively with a wide range of stakeholders when developing new employment rights legislation. That will include those representing people with multiple sclerosis.
The Government has set out its immediate priorities for reforming employment law in the Plan to Make Work Pay. The Plan includes a number of measures which may help people with multiple sclerosis and other health conditions at work - including making sure people can benefit from flexible working and ensuring flexibility is a genuine default.
The current system of employment rights is fragmented and confusing for workers and businesses alike. We are creating the Fair Work Agency to deliver a much-needed upgrade to enforcement of workers’ rights. It will bring together existing enforcement functions to create a strong, recognisable single brand so individuals and businesses know where to go for help. It will also have strong powers to inspect workplaces and take action against employers who are deliberately breaking the law.
Delivering an ambitious outcome on the New Collective Quantified Goal (NCQG) is critical to ensure we can deliver towards the ambition of the Paris Agreement. The UK is committed to working together with all Parties to agree a new climate finance goal that supports the most vulnerable, encourages finance to increase from all sources and accelerates the necessary reforms of the global financial architecture. In line with this, the UK is actively engaging internationally at both Ministerial and Official levels with developed and developing countries to achieve an outcome which meets these critical objectives.
The Charity Commission for England and Wales has produced guidance for charities on managing risks when working internationally, which can be found on its website here: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/charities-how-to-manage-risks-when-working-internationally.
Ministers and officials meet regularly with the Charity Commission to discuss matters of mutual interest.
Charities in Scotland are registered with, and regulated by, the Scottish Charity Regulator (OSCR). The Charity Commission for Northern Ireland is the registrar and regulator of charities in Northern Ireland.
On 28 November we published Pension Credit applications and award statistics. This publication provides application volumes up to 17 November 2024. Pension Credit applications and awards: November 2024 - GOV.UK, which is the nearest available data to the 30 November.
This information is updated quarterly and the next update, which will include end of November data is due around the end of February 2025. This release will cover data up to week commencing 10 February 2024.
Please note, the figures presented are from DWP’s Pension Credit system which has previously been collected for internal departmental operations use only and has not been quality assured to Official Statistics publication standards.
The consultation on Modernising support for independent living: the health and disability green paper ran for 12 weeks and closed on Monday 22 July.
The Department received over 16,000 responses to the consultation. This demonstrates the depth of feeling about the previous Government’s proposals. I thank the British public, as well as the numerous charities and organisations who responded on behalf of their members, for the time and effort taken to share their thoughts and views.
Whilst engaging with responses, I can confirm that responses to the set of proposals on the reform of Personal Independence Payments was mixed and for some proposals consistently negative.
We will be setting out our own plans for social security in due course and will fulfil our continued commitment to work with disabled people so that their views and voices are at the heart of all that we do.
The Government has ambitious plans relating to employment, including disability employment, and we will be setting this out through a forthcoming White Paper, the Employment Rights Bill and the Equality (Race and Disability) Bill. We know that there is more to do to address the labour market challenges of today and tomorrow.
Appropriate work is generally good for health and wellbeing, so we want everyone to get work and get on in work, whoever they are and wherever they live. We want people to avoid poverty, and for this to happen we must ensure that disabled people with health conditions, including multiple sclerosis, have the opportunity to work and save for as long as they wish and are able to.
A fully inclusive labour market that enables disabled people and people with health conditions to have access to the same opportunities as everyone else to the benefits of work is crucial to meeting our ambition for an 80% employment rate. As part of the Get Britain Working Plan, more disabled people and those with health conditions will be supported to enter and stay in work, by devolving more power to local areas so they can shape a joined-up work, health, and skills offer that suits the needs of the people they serve.
Employers play a key role in increasing employment opportunities and supporting disabled people and people with health conditions, including multiple sclerosis, to thrive as part of the workforce. Our support to employers includes increasing access to Occupational Health, a digital information service for employers and the Disability Confident scheme.
Under the Equality Act 2010, protection is available where a worker or job applicant’s condition fits the definition of a disability set out in section 6 of the Act. Where a person meets the Act’s definition of a disabled person, the employment provisions in the Act make it unlawful for an employer to discriminate against disabled employees and applicants. As with all provisions under the Act, it is for the person who believes they have been discriminated against in the provision of services to personally seek advice or redress. Should they wish to do so, they can begin this process by contacting the Equality Advisory and Support Service, which provides free bespoke advice to individuals with discrimination concerns.
This Government is committed to delivering the Plan to Make Work Pay in full and updating Britain's employment protections, so they are fit for our modern economy and the future of work. As set out in the Plan to Make to Work Pay we are committed to strengthen Statutory Sick Pay (SSP), so it provides a safety net for those who need it most. We will remove the Lower Earnings Limit to make it available to all employees and remove the waiting period so that SSP is paid from the first day of sickness absence. Ministers are identifying the most appropriate delivery mechanisms for the commitments in the Plan, including an Employment Rights Bill that will be introduced to Parliament within 100 days of taking office.
Government officials from any country can apply for and be granted special mission certificates as part of official visits to the UK. As set out in a Written Ministerial Statement by the former Foreign Secretary dated 4 March 2013, a special mission is a temporary mission, representing a State, which is sent by one State to another with the consent of the latter, in order to carry out official engagements on behalf of the sending State. Since 1 January 2024, the FCDO has given consent and issued certificates to two special mission status visits to the UK for the following officials and their delegations:
· Mr Benny Gantz, Minister of the State of Israel on 6 March, visiting the then Foreign Secretary.
· Lieutenant General Herzl Halevi, Chief of the General Staff of the Israel Defense Forces.
We respect the independence of the International Criminal Court (ICC) which is the primary international institution for investigating and prosecuting the most serious crimes of international concern. We will comply with our legal obligations. This government has been clear that Israel has a right to defend itself, in accordance with international law. There is no moral equivalence between Israel, a democracy, and Hamas and Lebanese Hizballah, which are terrorist organisations.
Since February 2024, the UK has announced three packages of settler violence-related sanctions, targeting those responsible for inciting and perpetrating human rights abuses against Palestinian communities in the West Bank under our Global Human Rights Sanctions regime. The UK Government does not speculate about future sanctions designations as to do so could reduce their impact. The UK considers targets guided by the objectives of the relevant sanctions regime and the evidence.
We continue to review export licences to Israel and assess, following the 2 September decision to suspend export licences for items for military operations in Gaza, that there are no extant licences that might be used to commit or facilitate a serious violation of International Humanitarian Law. This is subject to the specific measures set out before Parliament excluding exports to the global F-35 programme from the scope of the suspension. Israel is an important trading and bilateral partner for the UK and remains part of our trade negotiation programme. In parallel, the UK Government continues to use our range of diplomatic tools and bilateral dialogues with Israel to discuss issues of concern, including in relation to the Israel/Gaza conflict. The UK will maintain its long-standing foreign policy positions throughout the FTA negotiations, including with respect to settlements.
The Government has been clear since day one that International Humanitarian Law (IHL) must be upheld, and civilians protected. The UK supports Israel's right to self-defence, but it must do so in accordance with IHL. On his first day in office, the Foreign Secretary instigated a review of Israel's compliance with international law, and updated the House on 2 September 2024 on its conclusions and the actions the UK was taking in response. The death and destruction in Gaza is intolerable. Too many civilians have been killed and we need to prevent further bloodshed. What is urgently needed is an immediate ceasefire, the release of all hostages, the upholding of international law, protection of civilians including a rapid increase of aid into Gaza and a pathway to a two-state solution. The UK received the Report of the Special Committee upon its publication, alongside other UN Member States.
We did not make an assessment of the Report of the Special Committee to Investigate Israeli Practices Affecting the Human Rights of the Palestinian People and Other Arabs of the Occupied Territories (A/79/363). However, the Government has been clear since day one that International Humanitarian Law (IHL) must be upheld, and civilians protected. The UK supports Israel's right to self-defence, but it must do so in accordance with IHL. The death and destruction in Gaza is intolerable. Too many civilians have been killed and we need to prevent further bloodshed. What is urgently needed is an immediate ceasefire, the release of all hostages, the upholding of international law, protection of civilians including a rapid increase of aid into Gaza and a pathway to a two-state solution.
The government reports all in-donor refugee costs in line with the OECD rules on Official Development Assistance (ODA). A comprehensive review of the methodology for estimating in-donor refugee costs was undertaken by departments and detailed in a Methodology report published in September 2023, which can be found here on gov.uk.
The FCDO provides consular assistance to British nationals abroad. In some cases, British Nationals of Hong Kong or Chinese descent may be considered Chinese by the Chinese authorities meaning the consular assistance we can provide may be limited. As per our nationality guidance, we advise seeking legal advice where appropriate for individual cases.
We are aware of reports of UK citizens travelling to fight for the Israel Defense Force (IDF), but the Government does not estimate the numbers of those who have done so. The UK recognises the right of British nationals with more than one nationality to serve in the legitimately recognised armed forces of their additional nationalities.
The FCDO's Travel Advice for China explains that China does not recognise dual nationality and anyone born in China to a Chinese national parent would be considered by the Chinese authorities to be of Chinese nationality and treated as a Chinese citizen. China therefore does not grant us consular access to these individuals, preventing our ability to directly monitor China's compliance with relevant conventions in these circumstances.
We want to see an immediate ceasefire, the release of all the hostages detained by Hamas and more aid entering Gaza. An immediate ceasefire is the first step towards a lasting solution. The Prime Minister - along with other G7 Leaders - has fully endorsed efforts by the US, Qatar and Egypt to reach a comprehensive deal in line with United Nations Security Council Resolution 2735. We also continue to use our diplomatic efforts to find a resolution and to create a safe and secure Israel, alongside a viable and sovereign Palestinian state.
As set out in the Foreign Secretary's statement to Parliament on 2 September 2024, following consideration of the detailed International Humanitarian Law (IHL) assessment, he concluded, and the Secretary of State for Business and Trade agreed, that there is a clear risk that military exports to Israel, where used for military operations in Gaza, might be used to commit or facilitate serious violations of IHL. That assessment includes components exported to the global F-35 programme that will ultimately be used in Israeli F-35s. In accordance with the Strategic Export Licencing Criteria (SELC), licences for items we assess might be used to carry out or facilitate Israeli military operations in the Gaza conflict have therefore been suspended.
However, as set out in the Secretary of State for Business and Trade's statement, it is not currently possible to suspend licensing of F35 components for use by Israel without prejudicing the entire global F35 programme, including its broader strategic role in NATO and our support to Ukraine. Therefore, as announced to Parliament in that statement, the Foreign Secretary advised and the Secretary of State for Business and Trade agreed, that to ensure international peace and security it was necessary to take the specific measure of excluding exports to the F-35 program from the scope of the suspension, but this exclusion should not in principle apply to licences for F-35 components which could be identified as going to Israel. Departing from the Strategic Export Licencing Criteria to exclude F-35 licences from the scope of the suspension decision is consistent with HMG's published policy, which states that the application of the SELC is "without prejudice to the application to specific cases of specific measures as may be announced to Parliament from time to time."
Along with our international partners, we continue to urge Azerbaijan to improve human rights protections for all its citizens. Azerbaijan's hosting of COP29 in November provides the country with an opportunity to demonstrate meaningful action in this regard to the world. The UK remains concerned at the increased number of detentions of independent journalists, human rights defenders and civil society representatives over the last year. The UK government is clear that freedom of expression is the foundation of an open, pluralistic society, and must be respected.
The FCDO supports the safety of humanitarian workers by investing in protective measures that our partners need to safely work, championing International Humanitarian Law, and using UK seats at key multilateral fora to raise awareness and promote accountability. The Minister for Development reinforces these efforts through bilateral and diplomatic engagement, including in meetings with multilateral organisations and senior government representatives from other countries where humanitarian workers are at risk. In addition, the UK co-sponsored UN Security Council Resolution 2730, which reaffirms parties' obligations under international law to protect all humanitarian personnel as well as humanitarian premises and assets. This resolution also establishes a regular reporting mechanism to: highlight the issue at the Security Council, provide recommendations on measures to protect and enhance the safety and security of humanitarian personnel, and promote accountability for unlawful attacks.
Since Dr Gubad Ibadoghlu's arrest in July 2023, the UK has consistently advocated for appropriate medical access and treatment, and the right to a fair legal process. Following his arrest, the UK released a joint statement with the US, France and Germany calling for the Azerbaijani government to protect the freedoms and human rights of its citizens, including Dr Ibadoghlu: https://twitter.com/ukinazerbaijan/status/1684428817333383168?s=20 .
The UK also raised these concerns during Azerbaijan's Universal Periodic Review at the Human Rights Council in November 2023. The UK has consistently called on the Azerbaijani Government to protect the freedoms and human rights of all of its citizens, and we will continue to work to ensure Dr Ibadoghlu's rights are upheld.
Along with our international partners, we continue to urge Azerbaijan to improve human rights protections for all its citizens. Azerbaijan's hosting of COP29 in November provides the country with an opportunity to demonstrate meaningful action in this regard to the world. The UK remains concerned at the increased number of detentions of independent journalists, human rights defenders and civil society representatives over the last year. The UK government is clear that freedom of expression is the foundation of an open, pluralistic society, and must be respected.
The UK welcomed the IDC's report on Tackling violence against aid workers. Its recommendations are closely aligned with the UK's approach to this issue. This includes multi-year funding for the International NGO Safety Organization to support risk analysis and safety advice for frontline agencies, as well as research into the impacts of attacks on female health care workers in armed conflict. The FCDO works to leverage UK diplomatic reach and influence to enhance humanitarian access and the protection of humanitarian personnel. The UK also used its seat at the UN Security Council to co-sponsor UNSCR 2730 which reaffirms states' obligations under International Law to protect humanitarian personnel and promotes accountability for unlawful attacks.
All spending plans will be determined through the ongoing spending review process.
At COP28 the UK pledged up to £40 million in funding for the newly established Fund for responding to Loss and Damage (FrLD). UK officials are working with other members of the FrLD board, the World Bank and civil society, to quickly establish an efficient and effective fund that delivers for those who are particularly vulnerable to the worst impacts of climate change. We are working through the Board to finalise arrangements to enable donors to make payments into the Fund. Our wider priorities for L&D funding are in line with our broader commitments on aid spending and climate finance.
UK International Climate Finance (ICF) is delivered through a range of multilateral, multi-donor and bilateral programmes, many of which operate across more than one country. Including only bilateral programmes that operate in identified fragile and conflict affected states (based on World Bank analysis) the UK spent £98 million ICF in 2021/22 and £56 million ICF in 2022/23. Figures for 2023/24 are not yet finalised.
We are working through the UK co-chaired Taskforce on Access to Climate Finance, which includes the new UK-funded Centre for Access to Climate Finance, and through the UK-convened Climate & Development Ministerial process to press for better tracking of finance delivered to climate vulnerable countries. The Taskforce's Principles and Recommendations are clear that climate finance should be more transparent and yield measurable progress towards delivering recipient countries' climate capabilities and goals.
The UK government remains concerned at reports of serious allegations of severe acts of ill-treatment and torture in prisons in Azerbaijan. We continue to urge the authorities to ensure that those in detention are treated with humanity and respect for the inherent dignity of the human person, in line with international human rights law, and that those in detention are afforded a fair trial and are provided safe conditions, in accordance with Azerbaijan's international obligations and commitments.
The UK government remains concerned by reports of serious allegations of severe acts of ill-treatment and torture in prisons in Azerbaijan. In line with international human rights law, we continue to urge the authorities to ensure those in detention are: i) treated with humanity and respect for the inherent dignity of the human person, ii) afforded a fair trial and iii) provided safe conditions. Our Embassy in Baku will continue to raise this with the government of Azerbaijan.
Since Dr Gubad Ibadoghlu's arrest in July 2023, the UK has consistently advocated for appropriate medical access and treatment, and the right to a fair legal process. Following his arrest, the UK released a joint statement with the US, France and Germany calling for the Azerbaijani government to protect the freedoms and human rights of its citizens, including Dr Ibadoghlu: https://twitter.com/ukinazerbaijan/status/1684428817333383168?s=20 .
The UK also raised these concerns during Azerbaijan's Universal Periodic Review at the Human Rights Council in November 2023. The UK has consistently called on the Azerbaijani Government to protect the freedoms and human rights of all of its citizens, and we will continue to work to ensure Dr Ibadoghlu's rights are upheld.
The UK, the UN and other states use the findings of the State of Food Security and Nutrition in the World report extensively. The persisting high levels of food insecurity and malnutrition are concerning. We are committed to addressing these, working alongside partners to provide immediate humanitarian support, tackle the causes of food insecurity and malnutrition, and leverage UK-funded science and technology expertise for more climate-resilient food systems. At the G20 Development Ministers Meeting in July, I announced the UK would join the Global Alliance against Hunger and Poverty to lift ambition, ensure better international coordination, and unlock much-needed finance.
We are harnessing more and better-deployed finance for food, agriculture and nutrition. At the G20 Development Ministers Meeting in July, I announced the UK would join the Global Alliance against Hunger and Poverty to work in partnership to unlock much needed finance. We also support the G7 Apulia Food Systems Initiative which seeks to improve public and private funding for food security. We work to unlock climate finance, push multilateral development banks to stretch their balance sheets, provide technical assistance and finance to bring in more private sector investment, and support the reform of subsidies for more sustainable agriculture.
The Foreign Secretary has committed to being transparent when making decisions on IHL assessments. As soon as the Foreign Secretary took office, he commissioned new advice on Israel's compliance with IHL, in the context of the war in Gaza. This decision on IHL, and the Government's decision on the related issue of arms exports, will be made public when the process is complete.
The UK's position remains the same, we are committed to recognising a Palestinian state as a key step in the path to a two-state solution. Palestinian statehood is the inalienable right of the Palestinian people. It is not in the gift of any neighbour and is also essential to the long-term security of Israel. We will recognise a Palestinian State as a contribution to a peace process to deliver a two-state solution, with a safe and secure Israel alongside a viable and sovereign Palestinian state.
International Humanitarian Law provides for the protection of civilians and civilian objects, which includes water supply. Israel must take steps working with humanitarian agencies to fully restore water supplies and to significantly increase the flow of aid into and through Gaza. We have consistently raised water supplies and the opening of vital water lines with Israel throughout the conflict. During the Foreign Secretary's visit to Israel on 14-15 July, he made clear to Prime Minister Netanyahu and other interlocutors that Israel must meet its commitment to "flood Gaza with aid".
The FCDO does not routinely make estimates of this information over these timescales. We are aware, however, of a number of aid organisations based in Gaza whose operations have been curtailed or damaged by Israeli military action since 7 October, including 57 organisation that had been given grants by the UK for a total amount of £600,000 through the FCDO Private Sector Support Programme.
Since 7 October the UK has also provided £19,750,000 to the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) Occupied Palestinian Territories pooled fund, which is used to support critical responses to emerging needs through UN agencies, INGOs and NGOs. OCHA has published data (which is publicly available) on demolitions, evictions, confiscations, and other related incidents since 2009.
The FCDO does not routinely make estimates of this information over these timescales. We are aware, however, of a number of aid organisations based in Gaza whose operations have been curtailed or damaged by Israeli military action since 7 October, including 57 organisation that had been given grants by the UK for a total amount of £600,000 through the FCDO Private Sector Support Programme.
Since 7 October the UK has also provided £19,750,000 to the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) Occupied Palestinian Territories pooled fund, which is used to support critical responses to emerging needs through UN agencies, INGOs and NGOs. OCHA has published data (which is publicly available) on demolitions, evictions, confiscations, and other related incidents since 2009.
We have been clear that the government must uphold both our domestic and international legal obligations when it comes to arms exports as set out in the Strategic Export Licensing Criteria. As soon as the Foreign Secretary took office he commissioned a review of International Humanitarian Law in relation to operations in Gaza. That review process is underway and requires careful consideration. The Foreign Secretary will make public his decision on Israel's compliance as soon as that process is complete.
International Humanitarian Law provides for the protection of civilians and civilian objects, which includes water supply. Israel must take steps working with humanitarian agencies to fully restore water supplies and to significantly increase the flow of aid into and through Gaza. We have consistently raised water supplies and the opening of vital water lines with Israel throughout the conflict. During the Foreign Secretary's visit to Israel on 14-15 July, he made clear to Prime Minister Netanyahu and other interlocutors that Israel must meet its commitment to "flood Gaza with aid".
The government has set departmental budgets for 2024-25 and 2025-26 to enable the UK to spend 0.5% of GNI on ODA in calendar years 2024 and 2025. On current forecasts, this will mean spending £13.7bn on ODA in 2024. The government remains committed to restoring ODA spending to 0.7% of GNI as soon as fiscal circumstances allow. As set out at Budget, the OBR’s latest forecast shows that the ODA fiscal tests are not due to be met within the Parliament. The government will continue to monitor future forecasts closely, and each year will review and confirm whether a return to spending 0.7% GNI on ODA is possible against the latest fiscal forecast. These plans strike an appropriate balance between fiscal responsibility at home and our responsibility to support the most vulnerable, and ensure that the UK remains one of the most generous global donors of development assistance, using ODA resources to save lives whilst tackling key global challenges such as climate change, conflict, and epidemics.
The UK reports ODA spending consistent with internationally agreed OECD Development Assistance Committee (DAC) rules, which includes certain basic support costs for refugees and asylum seekers. The Home Office uses non-ODA funding for all other costs not permitted by the DAC rules.
The topics mentioned in the hon. Member's question were not raised during the meeting between Lieutenant General Halevi and the Chief of the Defence Staff on 25 November.
In terms of the subject of discussions, I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave to him on 27 November 2024, to Question 16506.
As part of the concerted UK effort, along with allies and partners, to reach a peaceful resolution to the ongoing conflicts in Lebanon and Gaza, the Chief of the Defence Staff hosted his counterparts from Israel and other international partners on Monday 25 November. The Secretary of State did not meet with Lieutenant General Halevi.
Discussions recognised Israel’s right to security, as well as including the UK calls for an immediate ceasefire in both Lebanon and Gaza, the need for greater humanitarian access into Gaza, the release of all hostages, and the requirement for all parties to comply with international humanitarian law.
We continue to work with international partners to encourage de-escalation and promote long-term peace and security in the Middle East.