Asked by: Matt Western (Labour - Warwick and Leamington)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, if she will make an assessment of the potential impact of (a) reducing VAT rates on hospitality businesses during the covid-19 pandemic on that sector and (b) reducing VAT to 12.5% on the hospitality sector on the economy.
Answered by James Murray - Exchequer Secretary (HM Treasury)
VAT is the UK’s third largest tax. It is forecast to raise £180 billion in 2025/26, which funds public services. VAT is a broad-based tax on consumption, and the 20 per cent standard rate applies to most goods and services. Exceptions to the standard rate have always been limited and balanced against affordability considerations.
The exceptional VAT relief for tourism and hospitality during the Covid-19 pandemic cost over £8 billion. The Covid Inquiry is investigating the UK’s response to and impact of the Covid-19 pandemic. The Government is cooperating fully with the Inquiry in its extensive and detailed work.
Asked by: Matt Western (Labour - Warwick and Leamington)
Question to the Cabinet Office:
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, pursuant to the Answer of 30 April 2025 to Question 46758 on Integrated Security, Defence, Development and Foreign Policy Review, whether the National Security Strategy is being developed in consultation with (a) external stakeholders and (b) UK allies.
Answered by Abena Oppong-Asare - Parliamentary Secretary (Cabinet Office)
The National Security Strategy is being developed by the National Security Secretariat in the Cabinet Office, led by the National Security Adviser, Jonathan Powell, with support from academic and technical experts. The Cabinet Office has engaged a broad spectrum of stakeholders including our allies, additionally considering assessments and analytical products from think tanks, academics, and industry experts. Departments have been engaged throughout the process.
Asked by: Matt Western (Labour - Warwick and Leamington)
Question to the Cabinet Office:
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, pursuant to the Answer of 30 April 2025 to Question 46758 on Integrated Security, Defence, Development and Foreign Policy Review, which departments have been consulted in the development of the National Security Strategy.
Answered by Abena Oppong-Asare - Parliamentary Secretary (Cabinet Office)
The National Security Strategy is being developed by the National Security Secretariat in the Cabinet Office, led by the National Security Adviser, Jonathan Powell, with support from academic and technical experts. The Cabinet Office has engaged a broad spectrum of stakeholders including our allies, additionally considering assessments and analytical products from think tanks, academics, and industry experts. Departments have been engaged throughout the process.
Asked by: Matt Western (Labour - Warwick and Leamington)
Question to the Cabinet Office:
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, pursuant to the Answer of 30 April 2025 to Question 46758 on Integrated Security, Defence, Development and Foreign Policy Review, which Department is leading on drafting the National Security Strategy.
Answered by Abena Oppong-Asare - Parliamentary Secretary (Cabinet Office)
The National Security Strategy is being developed by the National Security Secretariat in the Cabinet Office, led by the National Security Adviser, Jonathan Powell, with support from academic and technical experts. The Cabinet Office has engaged a broad spectrum of stakeholders including our allies, additionally considering assessments and analytical products from think tanks, academics, and industry experts. Departments have been engaged throughout the process.
Asked by: Matt Western (Labour - Warwick and Leamington)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, if he will make an assessment of the potential merits of working with his international counterparts to establish an international fund for Israeli-Palestinian peace.
Answered by Hamish Falconer - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
This government has prioritised working to end this conflict and secure the safe release of hostages, in co-ordination with international partners, since day one. We will continue to use every diplomatic lever to bring about a ceasefire deal as the first step towards long-term peace and security for Israelis and Palestinians, and the wider region. The Prime Minister has pledged his support for the establishment of an International Fund for Israeli-Palestinian Peace. Speaking on December 2, 2024, he announced plans for the Foreign Secretary to convene an "inaugural meeting in London to support civil society in the region, as part of that work to negotiate a two-state solution." The Foreign Secretary and I welcome the opportunity to discuss further with civil society organisations their work and the prospects for peacebuilding. The Foreign Secretary has raised the issue of securing long-term peace in all his meetings with counterparts across the region, in addition to the US, Germany and France. The UK will play our full diplomatic role in ending this conflict and creating a safe and secure Israel alongside a viable and sovereign Palestinian state.
Asked by: Matt Western (Labour - Warwick and Leamington)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether his Department is taking steps to include Israeli-Palestinian civil society peacebuilding in diplomatic resolutions to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
Answered by Hamish Falconer - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
The Prime Minister has pledged his support for the establishment of an International Fund for Israeli-Palestinian Peace. Speaking on December 2, 2024, he announced plans for the Foreign Secretary to convene an "inaugural meeting in London to support civil society in the region, as part of that work to negotiate a two-state solution."
This government has been clear; we are committed to pursuing a lasting solution to the Israeli/Palestinian Conflict, including through achieving a two-state solution. We continue to support efforts to this end through our aid programmes, which assist civil society in Israel and Palestine on a range of issues, including peacebuilding and conflict resolution. I have met with representatives of the Alliance for Middle East Peace to discuss their proposal for an International Fund for Israeli-Palestinian peace. The Foreign Secretary and I welcome the opportunity to discuss further with civil society organisations their work and the prospects for peacebuilding. We further support grassroots local peacebuilding efforts between Israeli and Palestinian civil society, for example on more inclusive and conflict-sensitive journalism.
Asked by: Matt Western (Labour - Warwick and Leamington)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, with reference to the Apulia G7 Leaders’ communique, published in June 2024, what steps his Department is taking to support civil society peacebuilding efforts in (a) Israel and (b) Palestine.
Answered by Hamish Falconer - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
In June 2024, the G7 Heads of Government included milestone new language in their communiqué, committing to "working together and with other international partners to closely coordinate and institutionalize our support for civil society peacebuilding efforts, ensuring that such efforts are part of a larger strategy to build the foundation necessary for a negotiated and lasting Israeli-Palestinian peace." This government has been clear; we are committed to pursuing a lasting solution to the Israeli/Palestinian Conflict, including through achieving a two-state solution. We continue to support efforts to this end through our aid programmes, which assist civil society in Israel and Palestine on a range of issues, including peacebuilding and conflict resolution. We further support grassroots local peacebuilding efforts between Israeli and Palestinian civil society, for example on more inclusive and conflict-sensitive journalism.
Asked by: Matt Western (Labour - Warwick and Leamington)
Question to the Department for Business and Trade:
To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what discussions he has had with the Secretary of State for Transport on the Trade Remedies Authority’s recent recommendation to remove anti-dumping measures on e-bikes from China and the potential impact on the UK cycle manufacturing industry.
Answered by Douglas Alexander - Minister of State (Cabinet Office)
The UK applies separate anti-dumping and anti-subsidy measures on imports of Chinese e-bikes. The Trade Remedies Authority is currently conducting transition reviews of both measures and I therefore cannot comment further. Relevant information will be published on the Trade Remedies Authority’s public file as both reviews progress.
Asked by: Matt Western (Labour - Warwick and Leamington)
Question to the Department for Business and Trade:
To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of the Trade Remedies Authority's recommendation to remove anti-dumping measures on e-bikes on the UK Cycle Manufacturing Industry.
Answered by Douglas Alexander - Minister of State (Cabinet Office)
The UK applies separate anti-dumping and anti-subsidy measures on imports of Chinese e-bikes. The Trade Remedies Authority is currently conducting transition reviews of both measures and I therefore cannot comment further. Relevant information will be published on the Trade Remedies Authority’s public file as both reviews progress.
Asked by: Matt Western (Labour - Warwick and Leamington)
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment he has made of potential disparities in access to prostate cancer screening among men of different (a) races and (b) socio-economic statuses.
Answered by Andrew Gwynne
Screening for prostate cancer is currently not recommended by the UK National Screening Committees (UK NSC). This is because of the inaccuracy of the current best test, called Prostate Specific Antigen (PSA).
The UK NSC is carrying out an evidence review of prostate cancer screening which includes looking at the evidence for targeted screening of specific high-risk groups, such as Black Men and those with a family history. This will determine whether a PSA test-based screening programme for high-risk groups could provide more good than harm.