Paula Barker

Colombia is an important partner for the UK, with our shared priorities including the environment and security. We are working with the Colombian Government and others on implementation of the 2016 Peace Agreement. President Petro is committed to implementing the 2016 Agreement as well as establishing dialogues with other armed groups - what he terms 'Paz Total' (Total Peace). The UK remains committed to supporting Colombia in establishing long term conditions for stability in the country. We will also work with Colombia on the climate and nature emergency - as they host the important Biodiversity Conference of the Parties meeting later this year.

The people of Gaza face a humanitarian catastrophe. There is a high risk of famine across Gaza and more than 4 in every 5 people have been forced to flee their homes. During the Foreign Secretary's visit to Israel on 14-15 July he made clear to Prime Minister Netanyahu and other interlocutors that Israel must meet its commitment to "flood Gaza with aid". To further help those in need, the Foreign Secretary announced on 19 July that the UK will restart funding to UNRWA, and provide £21 million to support lifesaving work, including the provision of emergency food.

The UK's position on settlements is clear. They are illegal under international law, present an obstacle to peace, and threaten the physical viability of a two-state solution. The Foreign Secretary raised this with Prime Minister Netanyahu and President Herzog during his visit to Israel and the OPTs on 14-15 July.

He stressed the UK's ambition and commitment to play its full diplomatic role in securing a ceasefire deal and creating the space for a credible and irreversible pathway towards a two-state solution. Central to lasting peace and stability is an end to expanding illegal Israeli settlements and rising settler violence in the West Bank.

During the Foreign Secretary's visit on 14 July to Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territories he emphasised the need for a credible and irreversible pathway towards a two-state solution in meetings with Prime Minister Netanyahu and Foreign Minister Katz.

Palestinian statehood is the inalienable right of the Palestinian people. The UK is committed to recognising a Palestinian state at a time that is most conducive to the peace process, with a safe and secure Israel alongside a viable and sovereign Palestinian state.

Expectations of FRAs from Government are set out in the Fire and Rescue National Framework, which all FRAs must have due regard to. Whilst the National Framework does not include explicit reference to operational safety standards, I will consider if this should be included in due course.

Safety standards in the workplace, and when responding to incidents are, of course, extremely important operational issues which we would expect Fire and Rescue Authorities to pay due attention to.

Expectations of FRAs from Government are set out in the Fire and Rescue National Framework, which all FRAs must have due regard to. Whilst the National Framework does not include explicit reference to operational safety standards, I will consider if this should be included in due course.

Safety standards in the workplace, and when responding to incidents are, of course, extremely important operational issues which we would expect Fire and Rescue Authorities to pay due attention to.

We have not undertaken an assessment of the governance of Fire and Rescue Services but recognise its importance in ensuring effective delivery of public safety outcomes.

We continue to work with Fire and Rescue Authorities, the Local Government Association and the Association of Police and Crime Commissioners to seek governance improvements.

The Home Office keeps all its policies under review, including the Health and Care visa. We will work across government to carefully consider policies relating to the treatment of internationally recruited care workers.

The Government will ensure that those who commit significant offences under UK employment law are not able to sponsor overseas workers to come to the UK. Workplace exploitation which allows migration to undercut British workers will end.

The Department for Health and Social Care (DHSC) has issued a code of practice for recruiters in the health and social care sector, as well as detailed guidance for overseas candidates on their rights in the UK and how to avoid being exploited by employers and third-party agencies.

• Code of practice: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/applying-for-health-and-social-care-jobs-in-the-uk-from-abroad.
• Guidance for candidates: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/applying-for-health-and-social-care-jobs-in-the-uk-from-abroad.

The Government has not made a recent assessment of a migration impacts fund. The Home Office is continuing to work with the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government on supporting those who have resettled in the United Kingdom.

The Government is clear that homelessness is too high and can have a devastating impact on households affected.

We need to take a long term approach and to tackle the different factors that can cause people to become homeless.

We will consider these issues carefully and, working with Mayors and councils across the country, develop a new cross-government strategy to put Britain back on track to ending homelessness. This will include consideration of any relevant legislation including the Vagrancy Act.

The Government recognises that homelessness has a devastating impact on those affected as well as placing financial strain on councils. Local authorities have reported the mounting costs of providing temporary accommodation. This information can be accessed here.

In 2022 – 23 the net cost to local authorities of providing temporary accommodation (after housing benefit) was £699 million.

The Government is clear that homelessness has a devastating impact on those affected. We want to take a long-term approach and, working with Mayors and councils across the country, we will develop a new cross-government strategy to get us back on track to ending homelessness.

The Government’s spending plans will be set out at the next Spending Review.

The Government is clear that homelessness has a devastating impact on those affected. We want to take a long-term approach and, working with Mayors and councils across the country, we will develop a new cross-government strategy to get us back on track to ending homelessness.

MHCLG’s homelessness advice and support team (HAST) continue to work closely with local authorities under the highest pressures to reduce the number of households being placed in bed and breakfast accommodation for longer than six weeks.

The Government is clear that homelessness has a devastating impact on those affected. We want to take a long-term approach and, working with Mayors and councils across the country, we will develop a new cross-government strategy to get us back on track to ending homelessness.

MHCLG’s homelessness advice and support team (HAST) continue to work closely with local authorities under the highest pressures to reduce the number of households being placed in bed and breakfast accommodation for longer than six weeks.