Asked by: Steve Witherden (Labour - Montgomeryshire and Glyndwr)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what assessment she has made of the potential merits of removing Value Added Tax from automated external defibrillators.
Answered by James Murray - Exchequer Secretary (HM Treasury)
The Government currently provides VAT reliefs to aid the purchase of defibrillators. For example, when an AED is purchased with funds provided by a charity and then donated to an eligible body, no VAT is charged. Furthermore, all state schools in England have been fitted with AEDs.
A key consideration for any potential VAT relief is whether savings would be passed on to the consumer. Evidence suggests that businesses only partially pass on any savings from lower VAT rates.
Asked by: Steve Witherden (Labour - Montgomeryshire and Glyndwr)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, if his Department will take steps to help protect non-UK citizens in Lebanon who have siblings in (a) the UK and (b) Montgomeryshire and Glyndŵr constituency.
Answered by Hamish Falconer - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
Consular services are only open to British nationals (funded by a premium on all British passports), and the UK Government is unable directly to assist non-UK citizens in Lebanon. However, immediate family members of British citizens and those settled in the UK who wish to come and live in the UK can apply under one of the existing family visa routes, through the usual channels. Any application for a UK visa will be assessed against the requirements of the Immigration Rules.
The UK has been calling for an immediate ceasefire between Lebanese Hizbollah and Israel and has announced £15 million of life-saving aid to Lebanon since 25 September. This funding will respond to the mass displacement of people and the growing number of civilian casualties, as well support access to clean water, sanitation and health and nutrition supplies through UNICEF.
Asked by: Steve Witherden (Labour - Montgomeryshire and Glyndwr)
Question to the Home Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, whether she plans to retain Lord Walney as the Independent Adviser on Political Violence and Disruption.
Answered by Dan Jarvis - Minister of State (Home Office)
The Home Office is currently reviewing the role of the Independent Adviser on Political Violence and Disruption through the Counter-Extremism sprint.
Any decisions arising from this review will be announced in the normal was in due course.
Asked by: Steve Witherden (Labour - Montgomeryshire and Glyndwr)
Question to the Home Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, whether she has made a recent assessment of the potential merits of implementing a (a) resettlement and (b) reunification scheme for non-UK citizens in Lebanon who have siblings in (i) the UK and (ii) Montgomeryshire and Glyndŵr constituency.
Answered by Seema Malhotra - Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State (Department for Education) (Equalities)
We are monitoring the deeply concerning situation in Lebanon closely and keeping all existing pathways under review.
Lebanese nationals who wish to join family members in the UK can do so via the existing range of routes available.
Any application for a UK visa will be assessed against the requirements of the Immigration Rules. Immediate family members of British citizens and those settled in the UK who wish to come and live in the UK can apply under one of the existing family visa routes.
Asked by: Steve Witherden (Labour - Montgomeryshire and Glyndwr)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, how much and what UK-funded aid has been denied entry into Gaza since 7 October 2024.
Answered by Hamish Falconer - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
During my visit to Al Arish, Egypt on 16 October, where I announced £1 million of UK assistance for Egypt's support to medically evacuated Gazans, I saw that many tonnes of lifesaving aid continue to be denied entry into Gaza by Israel. As the Foreign Secretary said on 16 October, Israel must do more to get aid into Gaza. We continue to press Israel to allow aid to flow freely into and through Gaza; the Prime Minister stressed this during his 19 October discussion with Prime Minister Netanyahu.
The UK continues to play a leading role in alleviating the suffering in Gaza. We provide significant funding to partners to support those most in need, including agreeing to match up to £10 million of public donations to the Disasters Emergency Committee's Middle East humanitarian appeal.
Asked by: Steve Witherden (Labour - Montgomeryshire and Glyndwr)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether his Department has made an assessment of the potential implications for his policies of allegations of sexual violence and assault perpetrated against (a) women in Palestine and (b) Palestinian women detained in Israeli prisons.
Answered by Hamish Falconer - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
The UK unequivocally condemns all alleged violations and abuses, including sexual violence, and calls for all reports to be fully investigated to ensure justice for victims and survivors. We are deeply concerned by allegations of sexual violence against Palestinian detainees by Israeli forces. We believe it is critical that the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) is given regular access to detainees to carry out its independent visiting role, as enshrined within the 1949 Geneva Conventions. Currently, the ICRC cannot fully investigate these reports, as Israel continues to deny it access to places of detention. The UK calls on all parties to the conflict to comply with international law and grant immediate and unfettered access for the ICRC.
Asked by: Steve Witherden (Labour - Montgomeryshire and Glyndwr)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps her Department is taking to ensure that both platforms at Ruabon train station in Montgomeryshire and Glyndŵr constituency are accessible to all.
Answered by Simon Lightwood - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
I regret we are not yet able to comment on next steps regarding Access for All projects at specific stations including at Ruabon railway station. However, please be assured that we are committed to improving the accessibility of the railway and recognise the social and economic benefits this brings to communities. Once we can confirm our approach to the Access for All programme, we will of course ensure that MPs and other stakeholders are informed.