David Jones

It would not be appropriate to comment on individual discussions. However, we recognise that this will be very distressing news for BA employees and their families, and we stand ready to support them.

The aviation sector is essential to the UK economy, and firms can draw upon the unprecedented package of measures, including: schemes to raise capital, flexibilities with tax bills, and financial support for employees. If airlines find themselves in trouble because of coronavirus, and have exhausted the measures already available to them, the Government is prepared to enter discussions with individual companies seeking bespoke support as a last resort, having exhausted all other options.??Any intervention would need to represent value for money for taxpayers.

In accordance with the Abortion Act 1967 and the Abortion Regulations 1991, all abortions performed in England, including early medical abortions where both pills are taken at home, must be notified to the Chief Medical Officer within 14 days of the procedure. Any complication known to the practitioner terminating the pregnancy, at the time the notification is submitted, should be recorded on the Abortion Notification (HSA4) form. All serious incidents should be reported by the provider to their commissioner, the Care Quality Commission and other relevant organisations in line with the serious incident framework published by NHS England and NHS Improvement.

The Department is undertaking a project to review the system of recording abortion complications data and we anticipate this work will be completed shortly. The review will cover all data on complications arising from abortion including home use of early medical abortion pills. To improve the accuracy of the data collected, the Department is working with a range of statutory bodies, professional organisations and abortion providers to identify additional sources of information that could be used to complement complications data collected via HSA4 abortion notification forms and improve the flow of data on abortion complications between different organisations, such as independent and National Health Service abortion providers and wider NHS health and care services.

We have no plans to do so.

The next Vaping in England report published by the Office of Health Improvement and Disparities will include a chapter with a summary of the Cochrane Collaboration’s systematic review of the health effects of heated tobacco products and analysis of data on patterns of use. The report is due to be published early next year.

Protease inhibitors have an important role in the treatment of COVID-19. Therefore, the United Kingdom recently secured 250,000 patient courses of the Pfizer PAXLOVID protease inhibitor, as well as 480,000 patient courses of Merck Sharp Dohme’s polymerase inhibitor Lagevrio. Evidence for ivermectin as a treatment of COVID-19 is inconclusive at this stage. However, the Therapeutic Taskforce continues to monitor any emerging evidence for ivermectin as a COVID-19 treatment from clinical trials worldwide. This includes clinical trials considering ivermectin’s potential application as a protease inhibitor.

The Department continues to monitor any new evidence for ivermectin as a treatment for COVID-19. While we are aware that although some clinical trials have shown positive signals for the potential efficacy of ivermectin, there are no supportive randomised control trials and insufficient evidence to support use for COVID-19. Results from the PRINCIPLE clinical trial platform, launched in June, are expected in early 2022 and we will monitor data from worldwide clinical trials on the efficacy of ivermectin.

The Department’s policy position on e-cigarettes, heated tobacco, and snus at the ninth Conference of the Parties (COP9) of the Framework Convention on Tobacco Control will be in accordance with the current 2017 Tobacco Control Plan for England, the regulations set out in the Tobacco and Related Products Regulations 2016 and our ambition to be smoke-free by 2030.

The Department continues to support the use of e-cigarettes as a safer alternative to smoking and as a tool to help people to quit and we will continue to monitor the evidence. In 2017, the independent Committee on Toxicity recommended that heated tobacco still poses harm to users but may be less harmful than smoking conventional cigarettes. However, information on the health impacts is limited and therefore we recommend that people quit tobacco use altogether rather than move to these products. Oral tobacco or ’snus‘, remains banned under The Tobacco and Related Products Regulations 2016.

Departmental officials regularly meet with the devolved administrations to discuss tobacco control matters and share best practice, including progress on the forthcoming Tobacco Control Plan.

NHS England and NHS Improvement and Health Education England are working with the profession to increase the general practice workforce in England. This includes measures to boost recruitment, address the reasons why doctors leave the profession and encourage them to return to practice.

The updated GP Contract Framework announced a number of new retention schemes alongside continued support for existing schemes for the general practice workforce. These schemes include the GP Retention Scheme, the International Induction Programme, the Return to Practice Programme, the Fellowship Programme, the New to Partnership Payment and Supporting Mentors Scheme. In 2020, 3,793 doctors commenced training as general practitioners and we are committed to increasing the number of training places available to 4,000 a year.

The Department is currently in the process of drafting the new Tobacco Control Plan working closely with Public Health England and other Government departments. We expect the final Tobacco Control Plan to be published by the end of the year.

There are no current plans to make such an assessment. However, the Department is due to publish its post implementation review on the Tobacco and Related Products Regulations 2016 by the end of the year. Following this review, the Department will consider the need for any regulatory changes, including on non-combustible nicotine products and oral tobacco.

The Department is currently undertaking a post-implementation review of the Tobacco and Related Products Regulations 2016. We have analysed research and evidence submitted through a public consultation, including on oral tobacco, known as snus and on the harms of tobacco use more generally. The review will inform our decision on whether such products should be regulated in the future.

No assessment has been made and oral tobacco products are banned under The Tobacco and Related Product Regulations 2016 (TRPR). The Department is currently undertaking a post implementation review of TRPR which will consider if the regulations have met their objectives, or if any future regulatory changes should be considered. The report of the review will be published by the end of the year.

There are no plans to do so.

The Department and Public Health England previously asked the Committee on Toxicity (CoT) to review the potential toxicological risks from electronic nicotine delivery systems (ENDS) and electronic non-nicotine delivery systems. This included information on ENDS e-liquids that contain nicotine, concentrations, and nicotine exposure. The CoT’s statement is available at the following link:

https://cot.food.gov.uk/sites/default/files/2020-09/COT%20E%28N%29NDS%20statement%202020-04.pdf

Further plans for reviewing the evidence for e-cigarettes and other novel nicotine delivery systems are being considered and will be outlined in the new Tobacco Control Plan for England which will be published later this year.

The Department does not recognise the term ‘Authoritative Assessment’. The next iteration of Vaping in England was commissioned by Public Health England in 2020 and is being conducted by an international panel of tobacco control experts led by King’s College London. This will be the eighth evidence review and it will cover the relative harms of nicotine delivery products.

The report will include a summary of the Cochrane Collaboration’s systematic review of the health effects of heated tobacco products and analysis of data on patterns of use. It is expected that this will be published in March 2022 by the Office for Health Promotion, following its launch on 1 October 2021.

The Department does not recognise the term ‘Authoritative Assessment’. The next iteration of Vaping in England was commissioned by Public Health England in 2020 and is being conducted by an international panel of tobacco control experts led by King’s College London. This will be the eighth evidence review and it will cover the relative harms of nicotine delivery products.

The report will include a summary of the Cochrane Collaboration’s systematic review of the health effects of heated tobacco products and analysis of data on patterns of use. It is expected that this will be published in March 2022 by the Office for Health Promotion, following its launch on 1 October 2021.

There are no plans to do so. commission research on these issues. The Government’s public consultation on whether to make permanent the temporary measure allowing for home use of both pills for early medical abortion up to 10 weeks gestation for all eligible women asked questions on the impact of making permanent the temporary measure on people with protected characteristics. The consultation also sought views on the potential for making permanent home use of both pills for early medical abortion to reduce or increase inequality in health outcomes experienced by different socioeconomic groups. The consultation has now closed and we will be considering all evidence submitted and plan to publish our response later this year.

Abortion is not in scope of the Women’s Health Strategy.

A external company has been contracted by the Department to undertake independent analysis of consultation responses. They are able to access data for reporting and analysis purposes at the Department’s request and are supporting the impartial analysis of responses to the consultation on the temporary approval. The strength and robustness of evidence or research submitted as part of this consultation will be assessed and considered alongside any potential conflicts of interest.

A external company has been contracted by the Department to undertake independent analysis of consultation responses. They are able to access data for reporting and analysis purposes at the Department’s request and are supporting the impartial analysis of responses to the consultation on the temporary approval. The strength and robustness of evidence or research submitted as part of this consultation will be assessed and considered alongside any potential conflicts of interest.

The Department is closely monitoring the evidence on the case for ivermectin as a treatment for COVID-19. On 23 June, the PRINCIPLE clinical trial platform announced that ivermectin would be investigated to generate robust data on its effectiveness in treating adults aged 18 years old and over who are at higher risk of serious illness from COVID-19. We will closely monitor the data from this trial, as well as emerging evidence from the large number of clinical trials worldwide to expand our evidence-base on the efficacy of ivermectin.

No assessment has been made.

The National Health Service website provides public information on the harms of smoking and advice to help people quit smoking, including information on using e-cigarettes. In addition, central stop smoking campaigns such as Stoptober have supported the use of e-cigarettes as a tool to help smokers quit.

To support our Smokefree 2030 ambition, the upcoming Tobacco Control Plan will set out a range of measures which will help smokers to quit, including through the use of less harmful products such as e-cigarettes.

Non-nicotine vaping products are regulated under the General Product Safety Regulations (GPSR) 2005. The GPSR requires all products to be safe in their normal, or reasonably foreseeable, usage. The Department is also undertaking a post implementation review of the Tobacco and Related Products Regulations 2016 and we will publish a response later this year.

Individuals who live in Wales can access their COVID-19 vaccine at a vaccination site in England, and vice versa. This is in line with existing reciprocal healthcare arrangements between England and Wales.

Work is ongoing to transfer data between England and the devolved administrations to ensure that vaccinations which occur outside of the patient’s ‘home’ nation are delivered to their patient record.

The Department plans to publish a new Tobacco Control Plan (TCP) later this year. The Post Implementation Review of the Tobacco and Related Products Regulations 2016 and the Standardised Packaging of Tobacco Products Regulations 2015 will also be published by the end of the year. Evidence gathered from this Review will be considered as part of the development of the new TCP.

The Department plans to publish a new Tobacco Control Plan (TCP) later this year. The Post Implementation Review of the Tobacco and Related Products Regulations 2016 and the Standardised Packaging of Tobacco Products Regulations 2015 will also be published by the end of the year. Evidence gathered from this Review will be considered as part of the development of the new TCP.

The Tobacco Control Plan will take into account the conclusions of the Post Implementation Review of the Tobacco and Related Products Regulations 2016 and the Standardised Packaging of Tobacco Products Regulations 2015. We are also considering whether other regulatory measures are required to support the Smokefree 2030 target.

Public Health England (PHE) published its seventh commissioned report on vaping in February 2021. The conclusions of this report and all previous reports will be considered as part of the scoping for the new Tobacco Control Plan. PHE’s eighth report is expected in March 2022.

Housing-based care options have a vital role in enabling older people to live independently. The Department of Health and Social Care and the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government provide capital funding subsidy to incentivise the supply of housing-with-care. We are committed to working closely together and across Government, to refine our understanding of the evidence around specialist housing, adult social care and health. We are also committed to further improve the diversity of housing options available to older people and continue to engage closely with a range of stakeholders on this issue.

The Government is considering ways to mark the memory of Captain Sir Tom Moore.

I refer the Rt hon. Member to the answer I gave to Question 92724 on 22 October.

I refer the Rt hon. Member to the answer I gave him to Question 92724 on 22 October.

The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) published a rapid evidence summary on vitamin D for COVID-19 in June. This includes vitamin D3. There are no minutes as the process for developing rapid evidence summaries does not include a committee stage. Instead, NICE conducted a robust targeted review with a wide range of external expert advisers, as listed in the evidence review. This is available at the following link:

https://www.nice.org.uk/advice/es28/evidence/evidence-review-pdf-8777674477

Supplies of Priadel (lithium carbonate) are currently available.

The Department is aware Priadel tablets are being discontinued in April 2021, but alternative lithium products will remain available and we have worked with national mental health experts to issue guidance for healthcare professionals to support those affected.

We continue to work closely with the supplier and wholesalers to maintain the availability of Priadel and to ensure supply remains available for patients. We are aware that the supplier has quotas in place to reduce the risk of stockpiling but have confirmed that ordering mechanisms are in place to ensure all prescriptions for Priadel can access this treatment.

We have also added lithium carbonate to the parallel export restriction list (8 September 2020) to ensure supplies remain available for the United Kingdom.

The Department has noted the findings from this study. Public Health England (PHE) is monitoring any new, high quality evidence on nutrition and COVID-19 and is seeking further advice from the Scientific Advisory Committee on Nutrition (SACN) as appropriate. On 29 June 2020, the SACN and National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) published a rapid evidence review which concluded that there is currently no evidence to support taking vitamin D supplements to reduce the risk or severity of COVID-19.

In April 2020, PHE re-issued advice on vitamin D supplementation, advising that people who do not go outdoors often should consider taking a daily supplement containing 10 micrograms of vitamin D to prevent deficiency. Existing evidence also highlights that people who have dark skin – for example, have an African, African-Caribbean or south Asian background – may also not get enough vitamin D from sunlight. This advice is not about reducing the risk of COVID-19 or mitigating its effects; vitamin D is needed to keep bones and muscles healthy.

On 7 July 2020, the United States Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) classified IQOS as a ‘modified risk product’ and permitted the use of certain information in their advertising and marketing of the products. The FDA states that this does not mean these products are safe or “FDA approved” and they will continue to monitor them.

The Committee on Toxicity of Chemicals in Food, Consumer Products and the Environment (COT) provided an independent assessment of the harms of heated tobacco products for the Government. COT reported in December 2017 and found that the evidence suggests heated tobacco products pose a risk to users and though there is likely to be a reduction in risk for cigarette smokers who switch to these products, it is best to quit entirely.

In the United Kingdom heated tobacco products are regulated under the Tobacco and Related Products Regulations 2016 (TRPR) and classed as a novel tobacco product. The Government has a legal commitment to carry out a post-implementation review of TRPR by May 2021.

Antibody tests are available to National Health Service and care staff, eligible patients and care residents in England to see if they have had COVID-19 as part of the new national antibody testing programme. The antibody test will be available for clinicians to use in their routine management of NHS patients as appropriate, and also for any patient who is already having blood taken as part of other tests. A positive test result for antibodies does not mean that the person being tested is immune to COVID-19. There is currently no firm evidence that the presence of antibodies means someone cannot be re-infected with the virus or will not pass it on to someone else. If someone tests positive, they still need to follow social distancing measures and appropriate use of personal protective equipment.

The importance of developing a consistent and joined-up approach to contact tracing and testing across the whole of the United Kingdom is regularly discussed between the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care and his counterparts in each of the devolved administrations, most recently on 28 May 2020 at the weekly Four Nations ministerial call.

To support this, officials within the Department, NHSX and Public Health England are working closely with counterparts in the Welsh Government – as in each of the devolved administrations – to explore opportunities for aligning and integrating contact tracing and testing systems.

Public Health England (PHE) is monitoring any new, high quality evidence on nutrition and COVID-19 and seeking the advice of the Scientific Advisory Committee on Nutrition (SACN) as appropriate. PHE is carrying out a rapid review of recent evidence relating to vitamin D and the prevention of acute respiratory tract infections for SACN to consider at its meeting in June 2020.

PHE is aware of reviews and trials underway further exploring the vitamin D and the prevention and treatment of COVID-19. Examples of clinical trials underway on vitamin D and COVID-19 can be found at the following link:

https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/results?cond=COVID&term=vitamin+d&cntry=&state=&city=&dist

Those with diabetes are already on the wider clinically vulnerable list and should be strictly following social distancing measures. The guidance on shielding and protecting people who are clinically extremely vulnerable from COVID-19 has been developed by expert doctors identifying specific medical conditions based on what we know about the virus so far. We will continue to keep this evidence under review.

In addition, general practitioners and hospital specialists have been asked to recommend other patients follow shielding guidance, based on clinical judgement and an assessment of each individual’s needs.

The Department and NHSX have been working closely with our partners in the devolved administrations throughout this outbreak. The National Health Service COVID-19 app will be available throughout the United Kingdom and the devolved administrations may choose to use the app as part of their response to COVID-19. A representative from each devolved administration has been sitting on the NHS COVID-19 app oversight board since mid-March. There is also a working group that is ensuring the NHS COVID-19 app can be integrated with devolved administrations’ test and trace plans.

We have sought and obtained permission from Apple to include the National Health Service COVID-19 app on the App Store.

The National Health Service COVID-19 app will be part of a wider approach that will involve contact tracing and testing. The Department and NHSX have been working closely with our partners in the devolved administrations throughout this outbreak, including on our contact tracing work, and will continue to do so going forward.

The Secretary of State for Health and Social Care has weekly calls with his devolved administration counterparts and a representative from each devolved administration sits on the app oversight board.

The World Health Organization recommends regulating e-cigarettes in order to protect non-smokers and youth from accessing these products. The United Kingdom regulatory framework recognises this.

Although not risk free, in the UK, e-cigarettes have helped some smokers to quit tobacco use who would not have quit through other means. We continue to keep the evidence base on e-cigarettes under review.

At the 9th World Health Organization Framework Convention on Tobacco Control Conference of the Parties, officials will continue to communicate the United Kingdom Government’s position on e-cigarettes. That is, although not risk free, e-cigarettes have helped some smokers to quit tobacco use who would not have quit through other means. We have introduced a proportionate regulatory framework and continue to keep the evidence base on e-cigarettes under review.

The United Kingdom intends to attend the 9th Conference of the Parties to the World Health Organization Framework Convention on Tobacco Control in accordance with the terms set out within the withdrawal agreement with the European Union.

On 11 May, I publicly expressed my sadness upon hearing news of the tragic death of veteran Palestinian Al Jazeera journalist Shireen Abu Aqleh, and called for a thorough investigation. The Foreign Secretary also made this clear in a statement on 12 May. Officials from the British Embassy Tel Aviv have reiterated the importance of an investigation with the Israeli authorities. The safety of journalists across the globe is vital and they must be protected when carrying out their critical work.

The UK Government is in contact with the Egyptian authorities and urgently seeking consular access. We continue to support the family of Alaa Abdel Fattah. The UK Government regularly raises human rights concerns with the Egyptian authorities, including with regard to political prisoners in the Egyptian system, both privately and in forums such as the UN Human Rights Council. This includes raising the implementation of the rights guaranteed by Egypt's constitution.

The UK Government is in contact with the Egyptian authorities and urgently seeking consular access. We continue to support the family of Alaa Abdel Fattah. The UK Government regularly raises human rights concerns with the Egyptian authorities, including with regard to political prisoners in the Egyptian system, both privately and in forums such as the UN Human Rights Council. This includes raising the implementation of the rights guaranteed by Egypt's constitution.

We are concerned by the severity and length of sentence received by Mr Bala at trial. The British High Commissioner has expressed these concerns to the Kano State Government and the Nigerian President's Chief of Staff. We will continue to follow developments in Mr Bala's case closely and stress the importance of Mr Bala being treated in full accordance with his human rights, the rule of law, and the Nigerian constitutional right to freedom of religion or belief.

We do not agree with the use of this terminology. Any judgment on whether serious crimes under international law have occurred is a matter for judicial decision, rather than for governments or non-judicial bodies. As a friend of Israel, we have a regular dialogue on human rights. This includes encouraging the Government of Israel to abide by its obligations under international law and do all it can to uphold the values of equality for all.

The UK fully supports the UN-facilitated, Libyan led and owned political process. Successful, free, fair and inclusive elections will be a crucial step in this process, and the Libyan people have made it clear their aspirations to have a say in who governs them. The UK is working with Libyan and international partners - including the UN Secretary-General's Special Advisor Stephanie Williams and the United Nations Support Mission in Libya - to pursue this priority through an inclusive political process to support Libya's sovereignty and national unity and to put the country on a path towards sustained peace, security and prosperity.

The UK is working with Libyan and international partners - including the UN Secretary-General's Special Advisor Stephanie Williams - to support Libya's sovereignty and national unity, and to put the country on a path to sustained peace, security and prosperity. In our engagement with external actors, we have been clear that the withdrawal of all foreign forces and mercenaries should happen without delay, as set out in the UK-led UN Security Council Resolution 2570, and that all external actors should implement the 20 October 2020 ceasefire agreement and the Action Plan agreed by the October 2021 5+5 Joint Military Committee Action Plan.

There is extensive evidence of Iranian material support to the Houthis, including in reports from UN Panel of Export and open-source reporting, which is in clear breach of UNSCR 2216. This Government regularly assesses the impact of Iran's continued provision of weapons and military support to the Houthis: it has contributed to the Houthis' sustained drone and missile attacks within Yemen, and into Saudi Arabia and UAE. This sustained support has stoked further conflict and undermined UN-led peace efforts.

It is vital that Yemen is not used as a theatre in which to escalate conflict in the region. We therefore urge Iran to fully support the UN Special Envoy's efforts to negotiate a ceasefire and the start of formal peace talks.

As set out by the Foreign Secretary and I on 17 January, the UK condemns in the strongest terms the attacks on Abu Dhabi. We are in close contact with our Emirati partners via Ministerial and official channels and continue to offer our support. We are closely monitoring the situation and keeping our Travel Advice under constant review. British Nationals in the UAE should sign up for alerts and follow our travel advice for the latest information.

In line with the commitments in the Integrated Review, the conflict centre in the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) is working with a range of partners to consider and further develop our approach to conflict. We are assessing evidence for what works and how to harness the full range of Her Majesty's Government (HMG) capabilities to increase our impact in preventing, managing and resolving conflict in priority regions. The UK is committed to protecting all children affected by armed conflict.

The UK prioritises efforts to protect children affected by armed conflict through our active membership of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) Working Group on Children and Armed Conflict (CAAC) which leads the international response to violations committed against children in conflict. The Working Group focuses on responding to the UN Secretary General's CAAC annual report which lists governments and armed groups for committing grave violations against children. We further protect children in armed conflict through our extensive Girls' Education Campaign. The UK advocates for universalisation of the Safe Schools Declaration and by situating the Declaration within our Girls' Education Campaign, we are ensuring implementation is gender responsive; focusing on getting girls back into school and recognising they are impacted in unique ways by conflict and by pauses in their education.

We will set out more detail on the FCDO's approach to conflict in the New Year.

The UK is firmly committed to ending all violations against children in armed conflict. We use our permanent UN Security Council (UNSC) membership to ensure conflict-related child protection issues remain a key part of UNSC discussions and that UN operations address child protection issues. The UK is also an active member of the UNSC Working Group on Children and Armed Conflict (CAAC), which leads the international response to violations committed against children in conflict. The Working Group issues calls and concrete requests to those governments and armed groups listed in the Secretary-General's annual report on children and armed conflict, supplementing the work of the UN to get parties to enter into concrete action plans to end the recruitment and use of children.

As a member of the UNSC Working Group, the UK applies diplomatic pressure to listed parties to enter into concrete UN action plans to verify and release any children associated with armed groups and forces, to prevent re-recruitment and ensure the provision of appropriate reintegration and rehabilitation assistance. We also press for the inclusion of child protection provisions in UN peacekeeping mandate renewals and resolutions.

In line with the commitments in the Integrated Review, the conflict centre in the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) is working with a range of partners to consider and develop our approach to conflict. We are assessing evidence for what works and how to harness the full range of HMG capabilities to increase our impact in preventing, managing and resolving conflict in priority regions. A core part of the conflict centre's role will be to draw on expertise from across Her Majesty's Government (HMG) and beyond to support the UK's work on conflict, including from civil society, academia, bilateral partners, multilateral organisations and the private sector.

We will set out more detail on the FCDO's approach to conflict and how we are delivering on the IR commitments in the New Year.

We are in contact with the Government of Israel to understand the basis of the designations. We have made clear that human rights and civil society organisations have a vital role to play in both Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territories, including those focused on Israel's conduct in the Palestinian Territories. Israel's long-standing commitment to democratic values is one of its great strengths as a fellow democracy, and we continue to make clear that a strong, vibrant civil society is in Israel's own interest. As a friend of Israel, we are concerned by any developments that may undermine this commitment.

We are aware of the decision by the Israeli authorities and will be seeking additional information to understand the basis for the designations. Human rights and civil society organisations have a vital role to play in the development of thriving, open societies.

We are aware of the decision by the Israeli authorities and will be seeking additional information to understand the basis for the designations. Human rights and civil society organisations have a vital role to play in the development of thriving, open societies.

The UK is a long-term supporter of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA). We recognise UNRWA's unique mandate from the UN General Assembly, to provide protection and core services to Palestinian refugees across the Middle East. Our future spending allocations will be set in the next Spending Review. Full budgets will be published in due course, including in our regular Statistics on International Development website and in the FCDO Annual Report and Accounts.

We have made clear our concern about the ongoing humanitarian situation in Gaza, including significant damage and destruction of civilian infrastructure following the escalation in violence in May 2021. The UK continues to urge Israel to ensure humanitarian access into and out of Gaza, including for essential health services. The UK remains a longstanding supporter to the UN Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) which provides core services, including health and education to Palestinian refugees in Gaza.

We have made clear our concern about the ongoing humanitarian situation in Gaza, including significant damage and destruction of civilian infrastructure following the escalation in violence in May 2021. The UK continues to urge Israel to ensure humanitarian access into and out of Gaza, including for essential health services. The UK remains a longstanding supporter to the UN Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) which provides core services, including health and education to Palestinian refugees in Gaza.

We have made clear our concern about the ongoing humanitarian situation in Gaza, including significant damage and destruction of civilian infrastructure following the escalation in violence in May 2021. The UK continues to urge Israel to ensure humanitarian access into and out of Gaza, including for essential health services. The UK remains a longstanding supporter to the UN Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) which provides core services, including health and education to Palestinian refugees in Gaza.

We routinely update our guidance to British businesses on the Overseas Business Risk website. We advise British businesses to bear in mind the British Government's view on the illegality of settlements under international law when considering their investments and activities in the region. When approached by businesses, we set out the UK's clear position on Israeli settlements, and share with them our online guidance. This is voluntary guidance to British businesses on doing business in Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territories.

Ultimately it will be the decision of an individual or company whether to operate in settlements in the Occupied Palestinian Territories, but the British Government would neither encourage nor offer support to such activity.

The UK has designated Iran as a Human Rights Priority Country, and we continue to take action with the international community to press Iran to improve its poor human rights record. This will include using all opportunities during the upcoming United Nations General Assembly session. We urge Iran to allow the Special Rapporteur for Human Rights in Iran access to the country, so that he can conduct research and investigations into human rights concerns reported there, including the events of 1988 and those mentioned in the UN Secretary General's most recent report.

The British Government opposes the use of the death penalty in all circumstances and takes any allegations of extrajudicial killings seriously. We have always been clear that Iran must uphold its own international legal obligations, including conducting thorough and independent investigations into suspected human rights violations, both past and present. We call on President Raisi to set Iran on a different course. That includes committing to improving human rights in Iran.

The UK has designated Iran as a Human Rights Priority Country, and we continue to take action with the international community to press Iran to improve its poor human rights record. This will include using all opportunities during the upcoming United Nations General Assembly session. We urge Iran to allow the Special Rapporteur for Human Rights in Iran access to the country, so that he can conduct research and investigations into human rights concerns reported there, including the events of 1988 and those mentioned in the UN Secretary General's most recent report.

The British Government opposes the use of the death penalty in all circumstances and takes any allegations of extrajudicial killings seriously. We have always been clear that Iran must uphold its own international legal obligations, including conducting thorough and independent investigations into suspected human rights violations, both past and present. We call on President Raisi to set Iran on a different course. That includes committing to improving human rights in Iran.

The UK has designated Iran as a Human Rights Priority Country, and we continue to take action with the international community to press Iran to improve its poor human rights record. This will include using all opportunities during the upcoming United Nations General Assembly session. We urge Iran to allow the Special Rapporteur for Human Rights in Iran access to the country, so that he can conduct research and investigations into human rights concerns reported there, including the events of 1988 and those mentioned in the UN Secretary General's most recent report.

The British Government opposes the use of the death penalty in all circumstances and takes any allegations of extrajudicial killings seriously. We have always been clear that Iran must uphold its own international legal obligations, including conducting thorough and independent investigations into suspected human rights violations, both past and present. We call on President Raisi to set Iran on a different course. That includes committing to improving human rights in Iran.

We repeatedly call on Israel to abide by its obligations under international law and have a regular dialogue with Israel on legal issues relating to the occupation. The UK regularly raises the issue of forced evictions from their homes with the Government of Israel. The Foreign Secretary raised ongoing evictions, demolitions and settlement activity with the Israeli Authorities during his visit to the region on 26 May. We continue to urge Israel to cease such actions, which in all but the most exceptional cases are contrary to International Humanitarian Law.

The UK regularly raises the issue of demolitions and forced evictions of Palestinian families from their homes with the Government of Israel. The Foreign Secretary raised ongoing evictions, demolitions and settlement activity with the Israeli Authorities during his visit to the region on 26 May. The UK is clear that in all but the most exceptional of circumstances, demolitions are contrary to International Humanitarian Law.

The UK opposes Israel's demolitions of Palestinian schools and we continue to urge Israel to cease such policies. The Foreign Secretary raised ongoing evictions, demolitions and settlement activity with the Israeli Authorities during his visit to the region on 26 May. The UK is clear that in all but the most exceptional of circumstances, demolitions are contrary to International Humanitarian Law. It is essential to have a strong and thriving Palestinian education system to provide opportunities for the next generation. UK aid works to support the Palestinian education system; in financial year 2020/21 we provided £20 million in funding to the Palestinian Authority to support the salaries of education workers in the West Bank. Our ongoing programme support to UNRWA also helps to provide education to children across the Occupied Palestinian Territories (OPTs), including virtually since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The UK regularly raises the issue of demolitions and forced evictions of Palestinians from their homes with the Government of Israel. The Foreign Secretary raised ongoing evictions, demolitions and settlement activity with the Israeli Authorities during his visit to the region on 26 May. The UK is clear that in all but the most exceptional of circumstances, demolitions are contrary to International Humanitarian Law.

The UK is deeply concerned about the arrest of Gasser Abdel Razek, Mohammed Basheer and Karim Ennarah. We continue to raise our concerns with the Egyptian authorities both in London and in Cairo. All human rights defenders should be able to work without fear of arrest or reprisals. The Foreign Secretary raised the issue directly with his Egyptian counterpart on 19 November. We are working closely with partners in the international community who share our concerns.

We are aware of reports about the condition of the Nabarima floating storage and off-loading facility in the Gulf of Paria. We have not made representations to the Venezuelan authorities, but would urge them to take all necessary measures to prevent a potential environmental catastrophe that would have repercussions not only for Venezuela but also for the entire region.

We are aware of public claims relating to a site in the Sorkheh-Hassar region. Iran's reductions in compliance with its commitments under the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPoA) continue to be of serious concern. The UK, with France and Germany, triggered the JCPoA's Dispute Resolution Mechanism on 14 January to try to resolve these concerns. The Foreign Secretary, along with his French and German counterparts has made clear that Iran must return to compliance with the JCPoA without delay. We have called for a ministerial meeting of parties to the JCPoA to seek a diplomatic way forward.

The execution of Navik Afkari by the Iranian authorities was deplorable. The UK Government made clear its public condemnation of the action on 12 September. The UK Government is firmly opposed to the death penalty in all circumstances and in every country, as a matter of principle, and we unreservedly support the right to peaceful protest. Iran's human rights record is of serious and longstanding concern to the UK. The continued use of the death penalty, weak rule of law and restrictions on freedoms of expression remain deeply worrying. We regularly raise human rights with the Iranians at all levels and we continue to take action with the international community to press Iran to improve its poor record on all human rights issues.

The UK is a long-standing friend and supporter of Lebanon and the Lebanese people. We have provided significant assistance to Lebanon, allocating over £700 million in humanitarian and development funding since the start of the Syria crisis. The UK's development support and technical expertise has generated investment and jobs, provided children with access to quality education; and provided humanitarian support to those most in need - both refugees and vulnerable Lebanese.

We will continue to stand with Lebanon in its time of urgent need following the devastating Beirut Port explosion. We have announced a £25 million package of humanitarian support making us one of the biggest donors to the crisis. £20 million of this, through the UN's World Food Programme, will help the country's most vulnerable by going directly to those families most at risk to cover their essential survival needs, including access to food and medicine. We have also allocated £3 million to the British Red Cross to meet urgent multi-sector needs. And we have deployed UK technical expertise, including medical and humanitarian specialists to assist with the response on the ground and help plan the next stages of the UK and international response.

The Prime Minister and Foreign Secretary have been clear that the death of George Floyd was appalling, inexcusable and deeply distressing. We are aware that a suspect has been charged and there is a federal review underway. We would hope and expect justice to be done.

The violence we have seen is clearly very alarming. People must be allowed to protest peacefully - peaceful protest remains a vital part of a democratic society and we understand the strength of feeling around this issue.

We are deeply concerned by the reports of the executions of these two juvenile offenders. The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights stated these executions are prohibited under international human rights law and has violated the International Convention on the Rights of the Child which Iran had signed up to. The UK regularly raises human rights with the Iranian authorities at all levels and we continue to take action with the international community to press Iran to improve its poor record on all human rights issues.

The British Government's position on welfare was reiterated to the International Labour Organisation and International Maritime Organisation at the start of this crisis, and we will continue to uphold the highest standards for our seafarers. Where vessel operators request assistance to repatriate their employees, the British Government stands ready to work as quickly as possible to help those who may need rapid consular assistance.

The Foreign and Commonwealth Office and Department for Transport continue to work closely to ensure the safety and wellbeing of British national crew members. Operators are repatriating non-essential Crew and we have recently supported in country to ensure crew are able to disembark in Europe and the US.

The British Government's position on welfare was reiterated to the International Labour Organisation (ILO) and International Maritime Organisation (IMO) at the start of this crisis, and we will continue to uphold the highest standards for our seafarers. Where vessel operators request assistance to repatriate their employees, the British Government stands ready to work as quickly as possible to help those who may need rapid consular assistance.

FCO and DFT continue to work closely to ensure the safety and wellbeing of BN crew members. Operators are repatriating non-essential Crew and we have recently supported in country to ensure crew are able to disembark in Europe and the US.

In line with the practice of successive administrations, details of ministerial discussions are not normally disclosed.

However, the Government recognises that free access to cash remains extremely important to the day-to-day lives of millions of people across the UK, as well as the impact that COVID-19 has had on cash usage.

At the March 2020 Budget, the Chancellor announced that the Government will bring forward legislation to protect access to cash. This will ensure that millions of people can get hold of the cash they need when they need it.

The Government continues to engage with the Payment Systems Regulator, who regulate LINK, the scheme that runs the UK’s largest ATM network, and the financial regulators on access to cash.

The Government recognises the continued importance of cash for many retailers and consumers, particularly in light of COVID-19. That is why, at the March 2020 Budget, the Chancellor announced that the Government will bring forward legislation to protect access to cash. The Government will ensure that the approach reflects the needs of cash users across the economy.

With regard to ATMs, as of 2019, there were approximately 45,000 free-to-use ATMs in the UK. Although this is less than the peak number of free ATMs in 2017, this remains 13% higher than a decade ago. Furthermore, most ATMs are clustered together in areas of high demand and high footfall, particularly in retail centres and transport hubs. As of January 2020, 78% of all free-to-use machines were within 300 metres of the next, and 94% were within one kilometre of the next.

LINK, the scheme that runs the UK’s largest ATM network, has put in place specific arrangements to protect remote free-to-use ATMs one kilometre or further from the next nearest free-to-use ATM or Post Office, including all high streets with five or more qualifying retailers. Furthermore, LINK has made £5 million available to fund requests for new ATMs from communities with poor access to cash.

The Payment Systems Regulator, which regulates LINK, is monitoring ATM market developments closely and has used its powers to hold LINK to account over its public commitments.

Information on average response times is not held.

However, in 2019, the Treasury replied to 90% of MPs’ correspondence within 15 working days.

The Treasury has received unprecedented amounts of correspondence since the start of the coronavirus outbreak in the UK. All Member’s correspondence is currently receiving attention and will be responded to as soon as possible.