Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what assessment she has made of the potential implications of the Israeli death penalty bill for the right to life of Palestinians in the Occupied Palestinian Territories.

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

I refer the Hon Member to the joint statement issued by the Foreign Secretary and her counterparts from Australia, Germany, France, Italy, New Zealand on 29 March, which can be found on GOV.UK here: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/joint-statement-on-israels-death-penalty-bill-29-march-2026.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of the Death Penalty for Terrorists Law on Palestinians.

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

I refer the Hon Member to the joint statement issued by the Foreign Secretary and her counterparts from Australia, Germany, France, Italy, New Zealand on 29 March, which can be found on GOV.UK here: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/joint-statement-on-israels-death-penalty-bill-29-march-2026.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what steps whe is taking to oppose the use of the death penalty against Palestinians by Israel.

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

I refer the Hon Member to the joint statement issued by the Foreign Secretary and her counterparts from Australia, Germany, France, Italy, New Zealand on 29 March, which can be found on GOV.UK here: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/joint-statement-on-israels-death-penalty-bill-29-march-2026.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether she has made an assessment of the potential implications for her policies of the recommendations of the International Centre of Justice for Palestinians on sanctions against Israeli lawmakers involved in passing the death penalty bill.

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

It is the UK's long-standing policy not to comment on potential sanctions designations, as to do so could risk lessening their impact.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether she plans to introduce further sanctions against Israeli settlers involved in violence and illegal settlement expansion in the Occupied Palestinian Territories.

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

It is the UK's long-standing policy not to comment on potential sanctions designations, as to do so could risk lessening their impact.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether she has considered using powers under the Global Human Rights Sanctions Regulations 2020 in relation to Israeli lawmakers connected to the death penalty bill.

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

It is the UK's long-standing policy not to comment on potential sanctions designations, as to do so could risk lessening their impact.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether she plans to consider preventative sanctions in response to the passage of the Israeli death penalty bill.

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

It is the UK's long-standing policy not to comment on potential sanctions designations, as to do so could risk lessening their impact.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what assessment she has made of reports that more than 84% of Gaza’s water and sanitation infrastructure has been destroyed.

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

The UK remains deeply concerned about the humanitarian crisis in Gaza. The destruction of water and hygiene infrastructures has contributed to an increase in severe environmental health hazards across the Gaza strip. Last financial year, the UK provided £81 million of humanitarian and early recovery support to Palestine, including specific funding for water, sanitation and hygiene services. We continue to call on the Israeli authorities to fully enable the UN and other humanitarian organisations to deliver essential humanitarian aid, including clean water and essential healthcare. The Foreign Secretary raised concerns about the humanitarian situation when she spoke with Israeli Foreign Minister Sa'ar in April.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of the destruction of water and sanitation infrastructure on the humanitarian situation in Gaza.

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

The UK remains deeply concerned about the humanitarian crisis in Gaza. The destruction of water and hygiene infrastructures has contributed to an increase in severe environmental health hazards across the Gaza strip. Last financial year, the UK provided £81 million of humanitarian and early recovery support to Palestine, including specific funding for water, sanitation and hygiene services. We continue to call on the Israeli authorities to fully enable the UN and other humanitarian organisations to deliver essential humanitarian aid, including clean water and essential healthcare. The Foreign Secretary raised concerns about the humanitarian situation when she spoke with Israeli Foreign Minister Sa'ar in April.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what assessment she has made of trends in the level of waterborne and skin diseases in displacement camps in Gaza.

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

The UK remains deeply concerned about the humanitarian crisis in Gaza. The destruction of water and hygiene infrastructures has contributed to an increase in severe environmental health hazards across the Gaza strip. Last financial year, the UK provided £81 million of humanitarian and early recovery support to Palestine, including specific funding for water, sanitation and hygiene services. We continue to call on the Israeli authorities to fully enable the UN and other humanitarian organisations to deliver essential humanitarian aid, including clean water and essential healthcare. The Foreign Secretary raised concerns about the humanitarian situation when she spoke with Israeli Foreign Minister Sa'ar in April.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what steps she is taking to ensure the entry of water filtration systems and sanitation equipment into Gaza.

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

The UK remains deeply concerned about the humanitarian crisis in Gaza. The destruction of water and hygiene infrastructures has contributed to an increase in severe environmental health hazards across the Gaza strip. Last financial year, the UK provided £81 million of humanitarian and early recovery support to Palestine, including specific funding for water, sanitation and hygiene services. We continue to call on the Israeli authorities to fully enable the UN and other humanitarian organisations to deliver essential humanitarian aid, including clean water and essential healthcare. The Foreign Secretary raised concerns about the humanitarian situation when she spoke with Israeli Foreign Minister Sa'ar in April.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of damage to civilian infrastructure in Gaza on numbers of indirect deaths.

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

The latest Rapid Damage and Needs Assessment (RDNA) for Gaza, published by the EU, UN and World Bank on 20 April, indicates that there are an estimated $71.4 billion-worth of losses and damages from the war in Gaza. This underlines the scale and urgency of collectively addressing this challenge. The RDNA finds that over 370,000 housing units have been destroyed or damaged since October 2025, leaving 60 per cent of the population homeless, that more than 50 per cent of hospitals have become non-functional, and that nearly all schools have been destroyed or damaged.

The UK continues to call for the protection of civilians and civilian infrastructure, urging all parties to comply with International Humanitarian Law and allow rapid and unimpeded access for humanitarian relief.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what representations she has made to her Israeli counterpart on restrictions on humanitarian supplies required to restore water infrastructure in Gaza.

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

The UK remains deeply concerned about the humanitarian crisis in Gaza. The destruction of water and hygiene infrastructures has contributed to an increase in severe environmental health hazards across the Gaza strip. Last financial year, the UK provided £81 million of humanitarian and early recovery support to Palestine, including specific funding for water, sanitation and hygiene services. We continue to call on the Israeli authorities to fully enable the UN and other humanitarian organisations to deliver essential humanitarian aid, including clean water and essential healthcare. The Foreign Secretary raised concerns about the humanitarian situation when she spoke with Israeli Foreign Minister Sa'ar in April.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of extreme heat and lack of clean water on children in Gaza.

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

The UK remains deeply concerned about the humanitarian crisis in Gaza. The destruction of water and hygiene infrastructures has contributed to an increase in severe environmental health hazards across the Gaza strip. Last financial year, the UK provided £81 million of humanitarian and early recovery support to Palestine, including specific funding for water, sanitation and hygiene services. We continue to call on the Israeli authorities to fully enable the UN and other humanitarian organisations to deliver essential humanitarian aid, including clean water and essential healthcare. The Foreign Secretary raised concerns about the humanitarian situation when she spoke with Israeli Foreign Minister Sa'ar in April.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, if he will make an assessment of the potential merits of appointing a (a) senior team and (b) tsar to support people affected by sodium valproate.

Answered by Preet Kaur Gill - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)

The Department does not at present intend to appoint a senior team or a tsar in relation to those affected by sodium valproate.

NHS England has commissioned the Fetal Exposure to Medicines Services Pilot, being delivered by the National Health Service in Newcastle and Manchester. The pilot provides multidisciplinary diagnostic assessment and is informing the development of improved care pathways, better coordination of care, and reduced reliance on emergency care. Findings from the pilot will inform future decisions on the commissioning of services, subject to funding.

The Patient Safety Commissioner (PSC), Dr Henrietta Hughes was also appointed in September 2022 by the Department to be the leading advocate for patients and drive forward improvements in the safety of medicines and medical devices, including sodium valproate and pelvic mesh.

The Government is considering the work done by the PSC and her report, which set out recommendations for redress for those harmed by valproate and pelvic mesh.

The Government has deep sympathy for all those affected and recognises the profound impact that these harms have had on individuals and their families.

The Government has been clear that there must be meaningful progress on redress. We recognise how difficult this uncertainty is for those affected, and we will ensure that the public is kept informed on the progress of this important work.

My predecessor met with the PSC in December and had a very productive discussion about the ongoing health initiatives led by the Department regarding sodium valproate and pelvic mesh. Details of the Government’s work to date, and future plans, are set out in recent letters to the Dr Hughes, which are published on her website.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, if his Department will review funding and prescribing guidance for medical compression garments for conditions other than lipoedema, including Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome.

Answered by Preet Kaur Gill - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)

Medical compression garments are already available to be prescribed in primary and community care. The ability for a prescribing clinician to use these in the treatment and management of conditions including postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome is already in place. These products are listed on Part IX of the Drug Tariff. The categorisation of Part IX is being gradually updated to enable better comparisons to be made which will help general practitioners to find the right products.

Compression garments have recently been reviewed for leg ulcers. In 2023, the National Wound Care Strategy Programme reviewed its published Recommendations for Leg Ulcers Report. This recommended when to use compression garments for leg ulcers which impact people with diabetes, lymphoedema, venous insufficiency, and peripheral arterial disease.

In August 2025 the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) published healthtech guidance on Compression products for treating venous leg ulcers.

NICE develops guidance to support the adoption of clinically and cost effective health technologies in the National Health Service. Topics for NICE guidance development are identified through an established prioritisation process. This is designed to ensure that referred topics are aligned to national priorities to drive improved outcomes and value for money in the health and care system and represent the most valuable use of the finite resources available to NICE to update and maintain its guidance portfolio. Under this process, decisions as to whether NICE will develop guidance on a health technology are overseen by a prioritisation board, chaired by their Chief Medical Officer.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps he is taking to improve training and awareness among healthcare professionals of complex multi system conditions such as hEDS and associated comorbidities.

Answered by Sharon Hodgson - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)

In England, the organisation and delivery of multidisciplinary care for patients with hypermobile Ehlers-Danlos syndromes (hEDS) and associated co-morbidities is a matter for local National Health Service systems. Integrated care boards are responsible for commissioning services to meet the needs of their populations, including access to relevant specialties such as rheumatology, neurology, pain management, and, where appropriate, neurosurgical services, with decisions about referrals and coordination of care made by clinicians, based on individual patient need and the available evidence. Multidisciplinary team working is an established part of NHS practice for patients with complex needs.

The Department has made no specific national assessment of the adequacy of care pathways for people with hEDS and associated co‑morbidities. There is currently no single nationally defined care pathway or service specification specific to hEDS or related co- morbidities. Clinical management is guided by existing evidence, relevant National Institute for Health and Care Excellence guidance where available, and the clinical judgement of specialist teams. The Government continues to support improvements in care for people with complex conditions through wider initiatives, such as the 10-Year Health Plan and Getting it Right First Time programme.

Diagnostic investigations for suspected craniocervical instability, including magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and computed tomography, are available through existing NHS pathways. Access to more specialised imaging, such as upright or dynamic MRI, is determined locally and used in limited circumstances based on clinical need. There are no current plans to expand national provision.

Responsibility for education and training sits with healthcare professionals themselves and with NHS England, which leads workforce planning and supports continuing professional development. Clinicians are expected to keep their knowledge up to date, drawing on national guidance, research evidence, and professional resources relevant to their role.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps he is taking to ensure access to specialist multidisciplinary teams for patients with complex connective tissue disorders, including those with suspected craniocervical instability.

Answered by Sharon Hodgson - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)

In England, the organisation and delivery of multidisciplinary care for patients with hypermobile Ehlers-Danlos syndromes (hEDS) and associated co-morbidities is a matter for local National Health Service systems. Integrated care boards are responsible for commissioning services to meet the needs of their populations, including access to relevant specialties such as rheumatology, neurology, pain management, and, where appropriate, neurosurgical services, with decisions about referrals and coordination of care made by clinicians, based on individual patient need and the available evidence. Multidisciplinary team working is an established part of NHS practice for patients with complex needs.

The Department has made no specific national assessment of the adequacy of care pathways for people with hEDS and associated co‑morbidities. There is currently no single nationally defined care pathway or service specification specific to hEDS or related co- morbidities. Clinical management is guided by existing evidence, relevant National Institute for Health and Care Excellence guidance where available, and the clinical judgement of specialist teams. The Government continues to support improvements in care for people with complex conditions through wider initiatives, such as the 10-Year Health Plan and Getting it Right First Time programme.

Diagnostic investigations for suspected craniocervical instability, including magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and computed tomography, are available through existing NHS pathways. Access to more specialised imaging, such as upright or dynamic MRI, is determined locally and used in limited circumstances based on clinical need. There are no current plans to expand national provision.

Responsibility for education and training sits with healthcare professionals themselves and with NHS England, which leads workforce planning and supports continuing professional development. Clinicians are expected to keep their knowledge up to date, drawing on national guidance, research evidence, and professional resources relevant to their role.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what provision exists within the NHS for diagnostic investigations, including upright and dynamic MRI, for suspected craniocervical instability; and whether he plans to expand access to that provision.

Answered by Sharon Hodgson - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)

In England, the organisation and delivery of multidisciplinary care for patients with hypermobile Ehlers-Danlos syndromes (hEDS) and associated co-morbidities is a matter for local National Health Service systems. Integrated care boards are responsible for commissioning services to meet the needs of their populations, including access to relevant specialties such as rheumatology, neurology, pain management, and, where appropriate, neurosurgical services, with decisions about referrals and coordination of care made by clinicians, based on individual patient need and the available evidence. Multidisciplinary team working is an established part of NHS practice for patients with complex needs.

The Department has made no specific national assessment of the adequacy of care pathways for people with hEDS and associated co‑morbidities. There is currently no single nationally defined care pathway or service specification specific to hEDS or related co- morbidities. Clinical management is guided by existing evidence, relevant National Institute for Health and Care Excellence guidance where available, and the clinical judgement of specialist teams. The Government continues to support improvements in care for people with complex conditions through wider initiatives, such as the 10-Year Health Plan and Getting it Right First Time programme.

Diagnostic investigations for suspected craniocervical instability, including magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and computed tomography, are available through existing NHS pathways. Access to more specialised imaging, such as upright or dynamic MRI, is determined locally and used in limited circumstances based on clinical need. There are no current plans to expand national provision.

Responsibility for education and training sits with healthcare professionals themselves and with NHS England, which leads workforce planning and supports continuing professional development. Clinicians are expected to keep their knowledge up to date, drawing on national guidance, research evidence, and professional resources relevant to their role.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what recent assessment he has made of the adequacy of NHS care pathways for patients with hypermobile Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome and associated co-morbidities.

Answered by Sharon Hodgson - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)

In England, the organisation and delivery of multidisciplinary care for patients with hypermobile Ehlers-Danlos syndromes (hEDS) and associated co-morbidities is a matter for local National Health Service systems. Integrated care boards are responsible for commissioning services to meet the needs of their populations, including access to relevant specialties such as rheumatology, neurology, pain management, and, where appropriate, neurosurgical services, with decisions about referrals and coordination of care made by clinicians, based on individual patient need and the available evidence. Multidisciplinary team working is an established part of NHS practice for patients with complex needs.

The Department has made no specific national assessment of the adequacy of care pathways for people with hEDS and associated co‑morbidities. There is currently no single nationally defined care pathway or service specification specific to hEDS or related co- morbidities. Clinical management is guided by existing evidence, relevant National Institute for Health and Care Excellence guidance where available, and the clinical judgement of specialist teams. The Government continues to support improvements in care for people with complex conditions through wider initiatives, such as the 10-Year Health Plan and Getting it Right First Time programme.

Diagnostic investigations for suspected craniocervical instability, including magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and computed tomography, are available through existing NHS pathways. Access to more specialised imaging, such as upright or dynamic MRI, is determined locally and used in limited circumstances based on clinical need. There are no current plans to expand national provision.

Responsibility for education and training sits with healthcare professionals themselves and with NHS England, which leads workforce planning and supports continuing professional development. Clinicians are expected to keep their knowledge up to date, drawing on national guidance, research evidence, and professional resources relevant to their role.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether the government has considered introducing trade sanctions in response to Israeli settlement expansion in the Occupied Palestinian Territories.

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

I refer the Hon Member to the answers that the Foreign Secretary and I gave on illegal settlements at the last session of departmental oral questions on 21 April.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of Israeli settlement expansion on the viability of a two-state solution.

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

I refer the Hon Member to the answers that the Foreign Secretary and I gave on illegal settlements at the last session of departmental oral questions on 21 April.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what assessment she has made of the potential implications of the E1 settlement project on Palestinian territorial contiguity and self-determination.

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

I refer the Hon Member to the answers that the Foreign Secretary and I gave on illegal settlements at the last session of departmental oral questions on 21 April.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what assessment she has made of the role of Israeli state authorities in facilitating settler violence in the occupied West Bank.

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

I refer the Hon Member to the answers that the Foreign Secretary and I gave on illegal settlements at the last session of departmental oral questions on 21 April.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether she is taking steps to oppose the expansion of Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank.

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

I refer the Hon Member to the answers that the Foreign Secretary and I gave on illegal settlements at the last session of departmental oral questions on 21 April.

Funding for adventure playgrounds in Leicester

Government response to the Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman report on communication of changes to women’s state pension age

UK-France one-in, one-out migration pilot

Government response to Israel’s actions in the West Bank and Gaza

Seven-year anniversary of the mixed-aged couples’ rule

Five-year indefinite leave to remain pathway for Skilled Worker visa holders

Interception of Global Sumud Flotilla vessels in international waters

Safety of British nationals following the interception of the Global Sumud Flotilla

New build homebuyer protection

Spinal Cord Injury Awareness Day 2026

National Emergency Briefing

UK digital sovereignty strategy

US sanctions on Cuba