Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what recent discussions he has had with the Deputy Prime Minister of Pakistan and other senior Pakistani Ministers on the situation in Azad Jammu and Kashmir, including communications restrictions, access to essential supplies and respect for fundamental freedoms.

Answered by Stephen Doughty - Minister of State (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)

The UK remains concerned by developments in Pakistan-administered Kashmir, including reports of loss of life among civilians and security personnel. We recognise the concern caused by continuing communications restrictions, particularly for diaspora communities with family in the region. The safety of British nationals remains our top priority, and the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office travel advice continues to advise against all but essential travel to the region.

I raised our concerns directly with Pakistan's Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister, Ishaq Dar, on 27 August, including the reported loss of life, arrests and communications restrictions, and their impact on British nationals. The British High Commissioner to Pakistan has also raised our concerns with senior Pakistani counterparts. We continue to monitor the situation closely and encourage all sides to show restraint, uphold human rights and resolve their differences through peaceful dialogue.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what diplomatic steps his Department to support the protection of Kashmiri political and human rights, including freedom of expression, peaceful assembly and political participation.

Answered by Stephen Doughty - Minister of State (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)

The UK remains concerned by developments in Pakistan-administered Kashmir, including reports of loss of life among civilians and security personnel. We recognise the concern caused by continuing communications restrictions, particularly for diaspora communities with family in the region. The safety of British nationals remains our top priority, and the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office travel advice continues to advise against all but essential travel to the region.

I raised our concerns directly with Pakistan's Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister, Ishaq Dar, on 27 August, including the reported loss of life, arrests and communications restrictions, and their impact on British nationals. The British High Commissioner to Pakistan has also raised our concerns with senior Pakistani counterparts. We continue to monitor the situation closely and encourage all sides to show restraint, uphold human rights and resolve their differences through peaceful dialogue.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what recent assessment his Department has made of reports of arbitrary arrests and restrictions on peaceful civic and political activity in Azad Jammu and Kashmir.

Answered by Stephen Doughty - Minister of State (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)

The UK remains concerned by developments in Pakistan-administered Kashmir, including reports of loss of life among civilians and security personnel. We recognise the concern caused by continuing communications restrictions, particularly for diaspora communities with family in the region. The safety of British nationals remains our top priority, and the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office travel advice continues to advise against all but essential travel to the region.

I raised our concerns directly with Pakistan's Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister, Ishaq Dar, on 27 August, including the reported loss of life, arrests and communications restrictions, and their impact on British nationals. The British High Commissioner to Pakistan has also raised our concerns with senior Pakistani counterparts. We continue to monitor the situation closely and encourage all sides to show restraint, uphold human rights and resolve their differences through peaceful dialogue.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what recent assessment his Department has made of reports of deaths, injuries and the use of force during recent protests in Azad Jammu and Kashmir.

Answered by Stephen Doughty - Minister of State (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)

The UK remains concerned by developments in Pakistan-administered Kashmir, including reports of loss of life among civilians and security personnel. We recognise the concern caused by continuing communications restrictions, particularly for diaspora communities with family in the region. The safety of British nationals remains our top priority, and the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office travel advice continues to advise against all but essential travel to the region.

I raised our concerns directly with Pakistan's Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister, Ishaq Dar, on 27 August, including the reported loss of life, arrests and communications restrictions, and their impact on British nationals. The British High Commissioner to Pakistan has also raised our concerns with senior Pakistani counterparts. We continue to monitor the situation closely and encourage all sides to show restraint, uphold human rights and resolve their differences through peaceful dialogue.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what recent assessment his Department has made of the impact of communications restrictions and internet shutdowns on people in Azad Jammu and Kashmir.

Answered by Stephen Doughty - Minister of State (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)

The UK remains concerned by developments in Pakistan-administered Kashmir, including reports of loss of life among civilians and security personnel. We recognise the concern caused by continuing communications restrictions, particularly for diaspora communities with family in the region. The safety of British nationals remains our top priority, and the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office travel advice continues to advise against all but essential travel to the region.

I raised our concerns directly with Pakistan's Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister, Ishaq Dar, on 27 August, including the reported loss of life, arrests and communications restrictions, and their impact on British nationals. The British High Commissioner to Pakistan has also raised our concerns with senior Pakistani counterparts. We continue to monitor the situation closely and encourage all sides to show restraint, uphold human rights and resolve their differences through peaceful dialogue.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what recent assessment his Department has made of the human rights situation in Azad Jammu and Kashmir.

Answered by Stephen Doughty - Minister of State (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)

The UK remains concerned by developments in Pakistan-administered Kashmir, including reports of loss of life among civilians and security personnel. We recognise the concern caused by continuing communications restrictions, particularly for diaspora communities with family in the region. The safety of British nationals remains our top priority, and the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office travel advice continues to advise against all but essential travel to the region.

I raised our concerns directly with Pakistan's Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister, Ishaq Dar, on 27 August, including the reported loss of life, arrests and communications restrictions, and their impact on British nationals. The British High Commissioner to Pakistan has also raised our concerns with senior Pakistani counterparts. We continue to monitor the situation closely and encourage all sides to show restraint, uphold human rights and resolve their differences through peaceful dialogue.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what recent assessment his Department has made of reports of disruption to food, medicines and other essential supplies in Azad Jammu and Kashmir.

Answered by Stephen Doughty - Minister of State (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)

The UK remains concerned by developments in Pakistan-administered Kashmir, including reports of loss of life among civilians and security personnel. We recognise the concern caused by continuing communications restrictions, particularly for diaspora communities with family in the region. The safety of British nationals remains our top priority, and the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office travel advice continues to advise against all but essential travel to the region.

I raised our concerns directly with Pakistan's Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister, Ishaq Dar, on 27 August, including the reported loss of life, arrests and communications restrictions, and their impact on British nationals. The British High Commissioner to Pakistan has also raised our concerns with senior Pakistani counterparts. We continue to monitor the situation closely and encourage all sides to show restraint, uphold human rights and resolve their differences through peaceful dialogue.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what recent assessment his Department has made of Yasin Malik’s health, detention conditions and access to appropriate medical care in Tihar Jail.

Answered by Chris Elmore - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)

It is not for the UK to comment on an independent judicial process in another country. We encourage all states to ensure that their domestic laws adhere to international standards for free and fair trials and the treatment of detainees respects international obligations. The UK Government opposes the death penalty in all circumstances and in every country as a matter of principle.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what representations his Department has made to the Government of India on reports of the use of capital punishment in the case of Yasin Malik.

Answered by Chris Elmore - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)

It is not for the UK to comment on an independent judicial process in another country. We encourage all states to ensure that their domestic laws adhere to international standards for free and fair trials and the treatment of detainees respects international obligations. The UK Government opposes the death penalty in all circumstances and in every country as a matter of principle.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what assessment his Department has made of reports that India’s National Investigation Agency is continuing to seek the death penalty in the case of Yasin Malik.

Answered by Chris Elmore - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)

It is not for the UK to comment on an independent judicial process in another country. We encourage all states to ensure that their domestic laws adhere to international standards for free and fair trials and the treatment of detainees respects international obligations. The UK Government opposes the death penalty in all circumstances and in every country as a matter of principle.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether he or his Minister have raised the case of Yasin Malik with the Government of India in the last six months.

Answered by Chris Elmore - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)

It is not for the UK to comment on an independent judicial process in another country. We encourage all states to ensure that their domestic laws adhere to international standards for free and fair trials and the treatment of detainees respects international obligations. The UK Government opposes the death penalty in all circumstances and in every country as a matter of principle.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what recent assessment his Department has made of the detention and legal proceedings involving Yasin Malik.

Answered by Chris Elmore - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)

It is not for the UK to comment on an independent judicial process in another country. We encourage all states to ensure that their domestic laws adhere to international standards for free and fair trials and the treatment of detainees respects international obligations. The UK Government opposes the death penalty in all circumstances and in every country as a matter of principle.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what recent assessment her Department has made of recent increases in motor insurance premiums for drivers under the age of 25.

Answered by Justin Madders - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)

My department has not made a specific assessment on the affordability of motor insurance premiums for younger drivers. However, in October 2024, we formed the cross-government taskforce on motor insurance, to fulfil the government’s commitment to tackling the soaring cost of motor insurance in the UK.  Though the taskforce has now concluded, the government will continue its work to deliver against the actions set out in the report.

Furthermore, data from the Association for British Insurers’ (ABI) for drivers shows average premiums fell across 2025 and the latest industry data for the second quarter of 2026 shows that premiums are stable. When adjusted for inflation, the average cost of motor insurance in the second quarter of 2026 was £14 lower than the average premium in the same quarter of 2025.

As part of the Road Safety Strategy, we consulted on a Minimum Learning Period before learner drivers can take their practical driving test. This will allow learners more time to gain essential experience, for example in different weather conditions, before driving independently and reduce the risk to themselves and other drivers. If the number of collisions involving young and novice drivers decreases overall this may contribute to a reduction in insurance premiums for younger drivers.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether her Department will make an assessment of the affordability of motor insurance for drivers under the age of 25.

Answered by Justin Madders - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)

My department has not made a specific assessment on the affordability of motor insurance premiums for younger drivers. However, in October 2024, we formed the cross-government taskforce on motor insurance, to fulfil the government’s commitment to tackling the soaring cost of motor insurance in the UK.  Though the taskforce has now concluded, the government will continue its work to deliver against the actions set out in the report.

Furthermore, data from the Association for British Insurers’ (ABI) for drivers shows average premiums fell across 2025 and the latest industry data for the second quarter of 2026 shows that premiums are stable. When adjusted for inflation, the average cost of motor insurance in the second quarter of 2026 was £14 lower than the average premium in the same quarter of 2025.

As part of the Road Safety Strategy, we consulted on a Minimum Learning Period before learner drivers can take their practical driving test. This will allow learners more time to gain essential experience, for example in different weather conditions, before driving independently and reduce the risk to themselves and other drivers. If the number of collisions involving young and novice drivers decreases overall this may contribute to a reduction in insurance premiums for younger drivers.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps she plans to take to help reduce the cost of motor insurance for young drivers.

Answered by Justin Madders - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)

My department has not made a specific assessment on the affordability of motor insurance premiums for younger drivers. However, in October 2024, we formed the cross-government taskforce on motor insurance, to fulfil the government’s commitment to tackling the soaring cost of motor insurance in the UK.  Though the taskforce has now concluded, the government will continue its work to deliver against the actions set out in the report.

Furthermore, data from the Association for British Insurers’ (ABI) for drivers shows average premiums fell across 2025 and the latest industry data for the second quarter of 2026 shows that premiums are stable. When adjusted for inflation, the average cost of motor insurance in the second quarter of 2026 was £14 lower than the average premium in the same quarter of 2025.

As part of the Road Safety Strategy, we consulted on a Minimum Learning Period before learner drivers can take their practical driving test. This will allow learners more time to gain essential experience, for example in different weather conditions, before driving independently and reduce the risk to themselves and other drivers. If the number of collisions involving young and novice drivers decreases overall this may contribute to a reduction in insurance premiums for younger drivers.

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