Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of changes to Universal Credit on poverty levels.

Answered by Stephen Timms - Minister of State (Department for Work and Pensions)

The Department has published an updated assessment of the poverty impacts of the benefit changes announced at Spring Statement with revisions to reflect the proposed changes since tabled, which includes changes to Universal Credit. The assessment is available at Spring statement social security changes – updated impact on poverty levels in Great Britain, July 2025 - GOV.UK.

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 the merits of allowing the adoption of Limited Liability Partnerships for GPs.

Answered by Stephen Kinnock - Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)

Currently, Limited Liability Partnerships cannot hold General Medical Services and Personal Medical Services contracts. However, general practice (GP) partners can take steps to reduce their personal liability and financial risk. For example, limited companies can be used to manage risks in the partnership. GP partnerships can also manage different liabilities through indemnities and different forms of insurance. As independent contractors and small business owners, these are decisions that GP partners make, with legal and accounting advice.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether he plans to review the rules that allow private companies working in the NHS to avoid paying VAT.

Answered by Karin Smyth - Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)

HM Treasury is committed to implementing the Public Sector Value Added Tax (VAT) reform which will remove the current disparity for VAT recovery between National Health Service trusts and private companies working in the NHS.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether he plans to make an assessment of the potential merits of NHS Trusts setting up wholly owned subsidiary companies to avoid paying VAT.

Answered by Karin Smyth - Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)

The current NHS England guidance dated February 2024, titled Guidance for assuring and supporting complex change – subsidiaries guidance for trusts forming or changing a subsidiary, confirms that the Department “reminded all NHS provider finance directors in September 2017 of their responsibilities around tax, advising that tax avoidance arrangements should not be entered into under any circumstances. We expect all NHS providers to follow this guidance when considering any new arrangements or different ways of working”

A perceived VAT advantage of setting up a wholly owned subsidiary cannot be the only reason for its creation. Subsidiary proposals should be driven by a robust commercial strategy that delivers clear financial, operational, and patient benefits.

No assessment is planned or deemed necessary.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether he plans to issue new guidance to NHS Trusts advising them not to set up wholly owned subsidiary companies to avoid paying VAT.

Answered by Karin Smyth - Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)

The current NHS England guidance dated February 2024, titled Guidance for assuring and supporting complex change – subsidiaries guidance for trusts forming or changing a subsidiary, sets out the VAT position of wholly owned subsidiaries and confirms that “the commercial rationale is not dependent on the subsidiary enabling a VAT treatment that differs from the trust’s current arrangements”.

There are no plans for this guidance to be updated.

Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, if she will take steps to ensure that religious organisations’ assets are scrutinised before making decisions regarding an extension of the Listed Places of Worship Grant Scheme.

Answered by Chris Bryant - Minister of State (Department for Business and Trade)

The Listed Places of Worship Grant Scheme offers grants towards the VAT incurred on eligible repairs and renovations and is open to all listed places of worship. The future of the grant scheme will be considered as we work through the output of the Spending Review and Departmental business planning process.

Grants for the scheme are allocated on a first-come, first-served basis, determined by the eligibility of submitted invoices for repair work. The focus is on the nature of the conservation and repair work undertaken on historic buildings, and an organisation's financial assets or standing are not considered in the decision-making process.

Question to the Department for Business and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, whether he has considered the findings of the most recent four day week pilot; and what steps his Department is taking to ensure businesses have a structured forum in which to share insights on effective implementation.

Answered by Douglas Alexander - Secretary of State for Scotland

We are aware of the findings of the 4 Day Week Foundation’s recent trial.

A four-day week is an example of a flexible working arrangement. Currently, all employees have the right to request a flexible working arrangement, and we are changing legislation through the Employment Rights Bill to make it more likely that requests are accepted.

We have no plans to mandate a four-day week, or any other working arrangement. Our priority is to consult with and support businesses and employees with the delivery of these planned changes, as part of the wider Plan to Make Work Pay.

Question to the Department for Business and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, whether he has reviewed the findings of the recent national four-day working week pilot; and whether he plans to respond to the 4 Day Week Foundation’s recommendation to establish a working time council.

Answered by Douglas Alexander - Secretary of State for Scotland

We are aware of the findings of the 4 Day Week Foundation’s recent trial.

A four-day week is an example of a flexible working arrangement. Currently, all employees have the right to request a flexible working arrangement, and we are changing legislation through the Employment Rights Bill to make it more likely that requests are accepted.

We have no plans to mandate a four-day week, or any other working arrangement. Our priority is to consult with and support businesses and employees with the delivery of these planned changes, as part of the wider Plan to Make Work Pay.

Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, whether she has had discussions with UK broadcasters on ensuring that television coverage of the Tour de France remains available to UK viewers.

Answered by Stephanie Peacock - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Culture, Media and Sport)

The Government recognises concerns raised about losing free-to-air coverage of the Tour de France. Ensuring live cycling can be enjoyed by a wide reaching audience is important to growing the sport and inspiring the next generation of cyclists. Professional cycling, in particular the Tour de France, (men’s and women’s Tours) captivates fans with its exciting races and inspires people across the country to get on their bikes every weekend.

It is the responsibility of broadcasters and rights holders to think carefully about the balance between generating revenue and ensuring access to sports coverage for their viewers.

While I have regular discussions with UK broadcasters on a range of issues, decisions relating to coverage of particular sporting events - including the Tour de France - are ultimately a commercial decision for the relevant broadcaster and/or the rights holder, independent of government.

Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, if she will make an assessment of the potential impact of ceasing television coverage of the Tour de France in the UK on levels of interest in British cycling.

Answered by Stephanie Peacock - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Culture, Media and Sport)

The Government recognises concerns raised about losing free-to-air coverage of the Tour de France. Ensuring live cycling can be enjoyed by a wide reaching audience is important to growing the sport and inspiring the next generation of cyclists. Professional cycling, in particular the Tour de France, (men’s and women’s Tours) captivates fans with its exciting races and inspires people across the country to get on their bikes every weekend.

It is the responsibility of broadcasters and rights holders to think carefully about the balance between generating revenue and ensuring access to sports coverage for their viewers.

While I have regular discussions with UK broadcasters on a range of issues, decisions relating to coverage of particular sporting events - including the Tour de France - are ultimately a commercial decision for the relevant broadcaster and/or the rights holder, independent of government.

Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, whether she is taking steps to ensure that television coverage of the Tour de France remains available to UK viewers.

Answered by Stephanie Peacock - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Culture, Media and Sport)

The Government recognises concerns raised about losing free-to-air coverage of the Tour de France. Ensuring live cycling can be enjoyed by a wide reaching audience is important to growing the sport and inspiring the next generation of cyclists. Professional cycling, in particular the Tour de France, (men’s and women’s Tours) captivates fans with its exciting races and inspires people across the country to get on their bikes every weekend.

It is the responsibility of broadcasters and rights holders to think carefully about the balance between generating revenue and ensuring access to sports coverage for their viewers.

While I have regular discussions with UK broadcasters on a range of issues, decisions relating to coverage of particular sporting events - including the Tour de France - are ultimately a commercial decision for the relevant broadcaster and/or the rights holder, independent of government.

Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what assessment she has made of the potential merits of the recommendations made in the Children's Commissioner's report entitled Growing up in a low-income family: Children’s experiences, published in July 2025.

Answered by Catherine McKinnell

The Child Poverty Taskforce, of which my right hon. Friend, the Secretary of State for Education is co-chair, is committed to listening to the voices of children and families and bringing in the voices of these families directly into our work. The Office of the Children’s Commissioner’s report ‘Growing up in a low-income family: Children's experiences’ was commissioned by the Child Poverty Taskforce to provide evidence on children’s lived experience of poverty to support the development of an ambitious child poverty strategy. This valuable research forms part of the department’s ongoing wider work to ensure those voices are a central part of strategy development.

The Child Poverty Unit, based in the Cabinet Office, worked closely with the Office of the Children’s Commissioner on the report, including at research design and reporting stages, and the findings have already been considered as part of our strategy development.

I am planning to meet with the Children's Commissioner for England to discuss the report in detail and I will also be co-chairing a Children’s Commissioners roundtable with the Minister for Employment in September to bring together all four Children’s Commissioners for a broader discussion on child poverty.

The government is considering the report’s recommendations in advance of publication of the strategy in the autumn.

Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, with reference to the Children's Commissioner's report entitled Growing up in a low-income family: Children’s experiences, published in July 2025, whether she plans to accept that report's recommendations.

Answered by Catherine McKinnell

The Child Poverty Taskforce, of which my right hon. Friend, the Secretary of State for Education is co-chair, is committed to listening to the voices of children and families and bringing in the voices of these families directly into our work. The Office of the Children’s Commissioner’s report ‘Growing up in a low-income family: Children's experiences’ was commissioned by the Child Poverty Taskforce to provide evidence on children’s lived experience of poverty to support the development of an ambitious child poverty strategy. This valuable research forms part of the department’s ongoing wider work to ensure those voices are a central part of strategy development.

The Child Poverty Unit, based in the Cabinet Office, worked closely with the Office of the Children’s Commissioner on the report, including at research design and reporting stages, and the findings have already been considered as part of our strategy development.

I am planning to meet with the Children's Commissioner for England to discuss the report in detail and I will also be co-chairing a Children’s Commissioners roundtable with the Minister for Employment in September to bring together all four Children’s Commissioners for a broader discussion on child poverty.

The government is considering the report’s recommendations in advance of publication of the strategy in the autumn.

Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, whether she plans to publish a formal response to the Children's Commissioner's report entitled Growing up in a low-income family: Children’s experiences, published in July 2025.

Answered by Catherine McKinnell

The Child Poverty Taskforce, of which my right hon. Friend, the Secretary of State for Education is co-chair, is committed to listening to the voices of children and families and bringing in the voices of these families directly into our work. The Office of the Children’s Commissioner’s report ‘Growing up in a low-income family: Children's experiences’ was commissioned by the Child Poverty Taskforce to provide evidence on children’s lived experience of poverty to support the development of an ambitious child poverty strategy. This valuable research forms part of the department’s ongoing wider work to ensure those voices are a central part of strategy development.

The Child Poverty Unit, based in the Cabinet Office, worked closely with the Office of the Children’s Commissioner on the report, including at research design and reporting stages, and the findings have already been considered as part of our strategy development.

I am planning to meet with the Children's Commissioner for England to discuss the report in detail and I will also be co-chairing a Children’s Commissioners roundtable with the Minister for Employment in September to bring together all four Children’s Commissioners for a broader discussion on child poverty.

The government is considering the report’s recommendations in advance of publication of the strategy in the autumn.

Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, when she plans to respond to the Children's Commissioner's report entitled Growing up in a low-income family: Children’s experiences, published in July 2025.

Answered by Catherine McKinnell

The Child Poverty Taskforce, of which my right hon. Friend, the Secretary of State for Education is co-chair, is committed to listening to the voices of children and families and bringing in the voices of these families directly into our work. The Office of the Children’s Commissioner’s report ‘Growing up in a low-income family: Children's experiences’ was commissioned by the Child Poverty Taskforce to provide evidence on children’s lived experience of poverty to support the development of an ambitious child poverty strategy. This valuable research forms part of the department’s ongoing wider work to ensure those voices are a central part of strategy development.

The Child Poverty Unit, based in the Cabinet Office, worked closely with the Office of the Children’s Commissioner on the report, including at research design and reporting stages, and the findings have already been considered as part of our strategy development.

I am planning to meet with the Children's Commissioner for England to discuss the report in detail and I will also be co-chairing a Children’s Commissioners roundtable with the Minister for Employment in September to bring together all four Children’s Commissioners for a broader discussion on child poverty.

The government is considering the report’s recommendations in advance of publication of the strategy in the autumn.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps his Department is taking to promote the benefits of breast feeding to new mothers.

Answered by Ashley Dalton - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)

The Government is committed to raising the healthiest generation of children ever and to giving every child the best start in life. We want every parent to understand the benefits of breastfeeding so that they can make informed decisions about how to feed their baby.

Through the Family Hubs and Start for Life programme, we are investing £18.5 million in 2025/26 to improve infant feeding support across 75 local authorities in England. This includes promoting the benefits of breastfeeding and supporting families to achieve their infant feeding goals. The Start for Life communications programme also promotes the benefits of breastfeeding via a website, email, and public awareness campaign.

Most families will receive advice on the benefits of breastfeeding and support from midwives and health visitors. We are committed to strengthening these services and are already making progress.

Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of breed-specific legislation in relation to dogs on levels of public safety.

Answered by Daniel Zeichner

We are working with the police, local authorities and animal welfare groups to explore measures to reduce dog attacks and promote responsible dog ownership across all breeds of dog. We have reconvened the Responsible Dog Ownership taskforce and look forward to receiving their findings and recommendations in due course.

Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps he plans to take to introduce standardised (a) recording and (b) reporting for dog (i) bites and (ii) strikes.

Answered by Daniel Zeichner

The Government has reconvened the Responsible Dog Ownership Taskforce to explore measures to promote responsible dog ownership across all breeds of dog. As part of this work, the taskforce is considering improvements in data collection and reporting. We look forward to receiving its findings and recommendations in due course.

Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what research his Department has commissioned on whether breed is a precursor for aggressive behaviour in dogs.

Answered by Daniel Zeichner

The Government has reconvened the Responsible Dog Ownership Taskforce to explore measures to promote responsible dog ownership across all breeds of dog. We look forward to receiving its findings and recommendations in due course.

Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, whether people in the Employment and Support Allowance Support Group will be classed as being a new claimant when they migrate onto Universal Credit for the purposes of the Universal Credit Bill.

Answered by Stephen Timms - Minister of State (Department for Work and Pensions)

We are rebalancing Universal Credit to fix a system which encourages people to claim health benefits and shuts the out of employment support. It’s a targeted reform that protects those with the most serious, long-term conditions and existing claimants, while providing work, health and skills support to everyone who is affected by changes to LCWRA.

I can confirm that customers who move to Universal Credit from Employment & Support Allowance (Income-Related), with no gap between those awards, will not be treated as a new customer and will retain the higher rate of the LCWRA addition.

Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, whether she has made an assessment of the potential merits of introducing dog bite prevention to the school curriculum.

Answered by Catherine McKinnell

Dog bite prevention is not taught within the statutory curriculum at present. Schools have the flexibility to include it within their local curriculum if they wish, for example in relationships, sex and health education or citizenship.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, how much is the average payment to those eligible With-Profit-Annuitants within the Equitable Life Payment Scheme.

Answered by Torsten Bell - Parliamentary Secretary (HM Treasury)

The Government allocated £1.5 billion to the Equitable Life Payment Scheme. Before it ceased operations in 2016, the Scheme had issued £1.12 billion in tax-free payments to nearly 933,000 policyholders. The remainder of the £1.5 billion has been set aside for future payments to the With-Profits Annuitants. Further information is available in the Final Report on the Scheme. (https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/equitable-life-payment-scheme-final-report).

The total value of payments made by the Scheme stood at £1.35 billion as of 30 May 2025, and the Scheme is on track to pay out the remainder. Annual annuity payments to the over 17,000 eligible WPAs amounted to £20.25 million in 2025.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, how many eligible With Profit annuities are currently covered by the Equitable Life Payment Scheme.

Answered by Torsten Bell - Parliamentary Secretary (HM Treasury)

The Government allocated £1.5 billion to the Equitable Life Payment Scheme. Before it ceased operations in 2016, the Scheme had issued £1.12 billion in tax-free payments to nearly 933,000 policyholders. The remainder of the £1.5 billion has been set aside for future payments to the With-Profits Annuitants. Further information is available in the Final Report on the Scheme. (https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/equitable-life-payment-scheme-final-report).

The total value of payments made by the Scheme stood at £1.35 billion as of 30 May 2025, and the Scheme is on track to pay out the remainder. Annual annuity payments to the over 17,000 eligible WPAs amounted to £20.25 million in 2025.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, how much of the the Equitable Life Payment Scheme has been paid out to eligible With-Profit-Annuitants.

Answered by Torsten Bell - Parliamentary Secretary (HM Treasury)

The Government allocated £1.5 billion to the Equitable Life Payment Scheme. Before it ceased operations in 2016, the Scheme had issued £1.12 billion in tax-free payments to nearly 933,000 policyholders. The remainder of the £1.5 billion has been set aside for future payments to the With-Profits Annuitants. Further information is available in the Final Report on the Scheme. (https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/equitable-life-payment-scheme-final-report).

The total value of payments made by the Scheme stood at £1.35 billion as of 30 May 2025, and the Scheme is on track to pay out the remainder. Annual annuity payments to the over 17,000 eligible WPAs amounted to £20.25 million in 2025.

Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, with reference to the UK-EU Summit - Joint Statement, updated 19 May 2025, whether his Department will prioritise the removal of the need for sanitary and phytosanitary (SPS) certificates in the new UK-EU SPS Agreement.

Answered by Daniel Zeichner

As announced at the UK-EU Leaders Summit on May 19, 2025, the UK and EU have agreed to work towards a common Sanitary and Phytosanitary Area which will slash costs and remove red tape. The removal of the need for Export Health Certification will save trading businesses up to £200 per consignment each time goods are sent, meaning a single lorry carrying a mixed load of animal products could see £1000s in reduced costs.

Our aim is to start the detailed negotiations as soon as possible, as we want to see businesses benefit from removing barriers to trade.

Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, whether he plans to includes measures for young people in the forthcoming food strategy.

Answered by Daniel Zeichner

We are developing an ambitious new food strategy to set the food system up for long term success. The strategy will deliver wide ranging improvements. Everyone including young people will benefit from a healthier, more affordable, sustainable and resilient 21st century UK food system that grows the economy, feeds the nation, nourishes people, and protects the environment, now and in the future. A number of food strategy outcomes are particularly important for young people touching on children's health, food education, and jobs and skills in the food sector.

Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, if she will make a statement on how the decision to cut funding for Assistive Technologies within the Disabled Students’ Allowance was made.

Answered by Janet Daby

The department made the decision to remove non-specialist spelling and grammar (SPAG) software from the Disabled Students’ Allowance (DSA) funding on the grounds that there are now free-to-access versions available with the required functionality to meet students’ disability-related support needs. It is therefore not an effective use of public money to continue to fund this type of software through DSA.

The department conducted a detailed review of the SPAG functionality available in computer operating systems, free software products and paid-for software products. This review concluded that the SPAG functionality available in products that students can access for free was like that available in paid-for products. While some of the paid-for products had additional features such as plagiarism checkers, these are not in scope for DSA funding, given they are of potential benefit to all students.

The department engaged with disability experts to gather their feedback. An Equality Impact Assessment was also conducted, which identified that there is a risk that this decision may have a negative impact on some disabled students who might prefer paid-for SPAG software. However, this impact will be mitigated by the availability of free versions that provide equivalent functionality for the types of support that are in scope of DSA. DSA will still fund SPAG software in exceptional circumstances where a robust disability-related justification is provided. Assistive technology training and aftercare support for any non-specialist basic SPAG software agreed in a student’s needs assessment report will continue to be funded.

While the SPAG software change took effect from March 2025 for new students, including those starting courses in September 2025, the department does not generally expect that these students will be negatively impacted by the changes as they will be able to access free versions with the required functionality to meet their disability-related needs.

Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, if she will take steps to ensure that the decision to cut funding for Assistive Technologies within the Disabled Students’ Allowance will not affect students starting university in September.

Answered by Janet Daby

The department made the decision to remove non-specialist spelling and grammar (SPAG) software from the Disabled Students’ Allowance (DSA) funding on the grounds that there are now free-to-access versions available with the required functionality to meet students’ disability-related support needs. It is therefore not an effective use of public money to continue to fund this type of software through DSA.

The department conducted a detailed review of the SPAG functionality available in computer operating systems, free software products and paid-for software products. This review concluded that the SPAG functionality available in products that students can access for free was like that available in paid-for products. While some of the paid-for products had additional features such as plagiarism checkers, these are not in scope for DSA funding, given they are of potential benefit to all students.

The department engaged with disability experts to gather their feedback. An Equality Impact Assessment was also conducted, which identified that there is a risk that this decision may have a negative impact on some disabled students who might prefer paid-for SPAG software. However, this impact will be mitigated by the availability of free versions that provide equivalent functionality for the types of support that are in scope of DSA. DSA will still fund SPAG software in exceptional circumstances where a robust disability-related justification is provided. Assistive technology training and aftercare support for any non-specialist basic SPAG software agreed in a student’s needs assessment report will continue to be funded.

While the SPAG software change took effect from March 2025 for new students, including those starting courses in September 2025, the department does not generally expect that these students will be negatively impacted by the changes as they will be able to access free versions with the required functionality to meet their disability-related needs.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what his Department's planned timetable is for responding to the Additional Report by the Infected Blood Inquiry, published on 9 July 2025.

Answered by Nick Thomas-Symonds - Paymaster General and Minister for the Cabinet Office

I am grateful to Sir Brian Langstaff for his constructive Additional Report. We share his ambition to ensure that fair compensation is provided to every person that is eligible without delay.

On 21st July, I delivered an oral statement to the House confirming the Government’s approach to responding to the further report. You can find more information here: https://www.gov.uk/government/speeches/infected-blood-inquiry-additional-report-oral-statement-to-parliament

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, if she will make an assessment of the potential merits of increasing draft duty relief for (a) consumers (b) pubs and (c) breweries in Poole constituency.

Answered by James Murray - Chief Secretary to the Treasury

The Chancellor’s draught rate cut at Autumn Budget 2024 applied to approximately 60% of the alcoholic drinks sold in pubs.

Draught beer and cider now pay 13.9% less in duty than their packaged equivalents – a 50% increase on the previous draught discount of 9.2%. This took a penny of duty off a typical strength pint.

Draught beer and cider now pay 13.9% less in duty than their packaged equivalents – a 50% increase on the previous draught discount of 9.2%.

The Chancellor makes decisions on tax policy at fiscal events. The Government welcomes representations from the beer and pub sectors in advance of the Budget.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what assessment he has made of the adequacy of the relationship between the UK and Israel.

Answered by Hamish Falconer - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)

The UK government has taken action in response to the egregious activity of the Israeli government in Gaza and the West Bank. The actions of this Israeli government are isolating Israel from its friends and partners around the world and in response we have suspended negotiations with the Israeli government on a new free trade agreement. We will also review cooperation under the 2030 Bilateral Roadmap.

The decision made by the Israeli Government on 8 August to further escalate its offensive in Gaza is wrong, and we urge it to reconsider immediately. This action will do nothing to bring an end to this conflict or to help secure the release of the hostages. It will only bring more bloodshed.

Every day the humanitarian crisis in Gaza worsens and hostages taken by Hamas are being held in appalling and inhuman conditions. What we need is a ceasefire, a surge in humanitarian aid, the release of all hostages by Hamas and a negotiated solution. Hamas can play no part in the future of Gaza and must leave as well as disarm.

Together with our allies, we are working on a long-term plan to secure peace in the region as part of a two-state solution, and ultimately achieve a brighter future for Palestinians and Israelis. As part of this, on 29 July, the Prime Minister announced the UK will recognise the state of Palestine in September before the United Nations General Assembly; unless the Israeli government takes substantive steps to end the appalling situation in Gaza and commits to a long-term sustainable peace. These actions do not undermine our support for the Israeli people, our commitment to their security, and standing with them against the evil of antisemitism.

This financial year we have allocated £101 million for the Occupied Palestinian Territories, covering our significant humanitarian response in Gaza and the West Bank, our support for Palestinian economic development, reform of the Palestinian Authority, and supporting Palestinian refugees in the region.

Mental health care in Gaza

Potential merits of a prohibition on serving hon. Members as private landlords

Digital-only immigration status

Farmers, growers and the supermarket supply chain

Self-driving vehicles and taxi and private hire drivers

Sanctions on Israel and International Court of Justice findings

Local Healthwatch

Motor neurone disease

Journalist Sherwan Sherwani

Global Sumud Flotilla

Armed Forces Training Contract and Elbit Systems

Recognition of the state of Palestine

Gaza

Right to object to data being used in online direct marketing

Glasgow 850 celebrates Sir Billy Connelly

Childhood Cancer Awareness Month

Blackpool Heritage Trams

Plastic in chewing gum

Parthenon Sculptures

Palantir Technologies, Peter Thiel and the NHS (No. 2)

Oscar Mayer workers in Wrexham

Strike action in the Parliamentary Security Department

Baby loss kits

Greyhound racing

Contribution of migrants, refugees and asylum seekers

Changing Places Toilets Awareness Day

Global Plastics Treaty

Emotional support animals

Intergenerational volunteering and sustainability initiatives

Disciplinary action against protesting students by SOAS

Arrest of protestors in Liverpool

Companion bus passes for the disabled

Proposal for a wealth tax

Statement of Changes in Immigration Rules

Apprenticeships strategy

Repair Cafés

UK-based medical charities in Palestine

Outsourced cleaners on Tyne and Wear Metro

Roshaan Khattak

Mandatory ethnicity pay gap reporting and action plans

National Day of Memory for Victims of Honour-Based Abuse, 14 July

Peace and sovereignty in the Democratic Republic of the Congo

Impact of EU 90/180 day rule on UK citizens

Equitable national prostate cancer screening

Government policy on the Hillsborough Law

Mick Conroy retirement as a postman

Fairtrade tea campaign

Found: to ensure they are fully accessible and safe. 23 REPORT STAGE Wednesday 23 July 2025 _NC18 Neil Duncan-Jordan

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Found: REPORT STAGE Tuesday 22 July 2025 _NC18 Neil Duncan-Jordan .

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Found: retrofits to ensure they are fully accessible and safe. 11 REPORT STAGE Monday 21 July 2025 _NC18 Neil Duncan-Jordan

Found: _NC18 Neil Duncan-Jordan .

Found: retrofits to ensure they are fully accessible and safe. 11 REPORT STAGE Friday 18 July 2025 _NC18 Neil Duncan-Jordan

Found: _NC18 Neil Duncan-Jordan .

Found: to ensure they are fully accessible and safe. 11 REPORT STAGE Wednesday 16 July 2025 _NC18 Neil Duncan-Jordan

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Found: to ensure they are fully accessible and safe. 11 REPORT STAGE Tuesday 15 July 2025 _NC18 Neil Duncan-Jordan

Found: retrofits to ensure they are fully accessible and safe. 11 REPORT STAGE Friday 11 July 2025 _NC18 Neil Duncan-Jordan

Found: _NC18 Neil Duncan-Jordan .

Found: Amendment 2:— Not called_2(a) Richard Burgon Andy McDonald Rachael Maskell Cat Eccles Neil Duncan-Jordan