Tahir Ali

United Kingdom Security Vetting (UKSV) provides a range of independent vetting services designed to identify potential personnel security risks. Accountability for individual appointments and the management of associated vetting risks remains with the relevant department. To ensure the continued effectiveness and integrity of the vetting process, on the 20th of April the Prime Minister requested a short review led by Sir Adrian Fulford provide recommendations on the lessons for the National Security Vetting (NSV) system from the Peter Mandelson case, and the policy, process and exemptions in place for NSV.

It is long-standing practice that we do not comment on confidential details in individual vetting cases.

We welcome Türkiye’s focus on accelerating implementation of the Paris Agreement. Türkiye’s approach to the Action Agenda aligns with UK priorities including clean energy and electrification, green industrialisation and methane. The UK is working with the Presidency and the President of the Negotiations to secure an outcome at COP31 that responds credibly to the science and the course correction needed to keep 1.5°C in reach.

We are working closely with Türkiye and the UNFCCC on preparations for the summit in Antalya. The UK has shared expertise and lessons from our experience as COP26 President, to help ensure COP31 is an ambitious, inclusive and well-delivered summit.

To qualify for automatic home fee status in England, a person must generally be settled and have three years ordinary residence in the UK and islands (Channel Islands and Isle of Man) prior to the first day of the first academic year of the course. There are some exceptions to this for persons granted international protection or under dedicated resettlement routes, such as Ukraine.

The UK government is committed to supporting students from Gaza with fully funded scholarships to take up places at UK universities where they have been unable to travel due to the conflict. Support is targeted at students holding fully funded and verifiable scholarships, including Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office-funded Chevening Scholarships, ensuring that tuition fees and living costs are met by eligible financial sponsors in line with the immigration rules. Students also undergo the necessary visa processes, including biometric and security checks, prior to travel.

To qualify for automatic home fee status in England, a person must generally be settled and have three years ordinary residence in the UK and islands (Channel Islands and Isle of Man) prior to the first day of the first academic year of the course. There are some exceptions to this for persons granted international protection or under dedicated resettlement routes, such as Ukraine.

The UK government is committed to supporting students from Gaza with fully funded scholarships to take up places at UK universities where they have been unable to travel due to the conflict. Support is targeted at students holding fully funded and verifiable scholarships, including Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office-funded Chevening Scholarships, ensuring that tuition fees and living costs are met by eligible financial sponsors in line with the immigration rules. Students also undergo the necessary visa processes, including biometric and security checks, prior to travel.

The government set out its planned reforms to the special educational needs and disabilities system in the Schools White Paper published on 23 February 2026 here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/every-child-achieving-and-thriving.

Further details on the distribution of that funding will be published in the due course.

The Department for Transport continues to assess the safety impacts of e‑scooters through the rental trials and will share these findings in due course. All vehicles carry inherent safety risks, and we have taken a safety‑first approach by running controlled trials before permitting widespread use.

The second national evaluation of the trials, due to conclude this summer, will provide an updated casualty rate and further evidence to inform decisions on future regulation. The Department of Health and Social Care contributes a public health perspective to this work, including consideration of injury prevention and health impacts.

In the meantime, private e‑scooters remain illegal for use on public roads, and enforcement is a matter for the Police.

As part of NHS England’s assessment process, eligible National Health Service trusts and foundation trusts which apply for the Advanced Foundation Trust Programme will need to demonstrate effective mechanisms to engage meaningfully with patients, staff, and communities, and that involvement influences decisions.

The removal of councils of governors from NHS foundation trusts forms part of the wider aim of the 10-Year Health Plan to ensure that hospitals put patient experiences and outcomes at the heart of their decision-making. While governors have provided helpful advice and oversight for some foundation trusts, we now need to move to a more dynamic model of drawing on patient, staff, and stakeholder insight.

Turkey is a close NATO Ally and strategic partner which sits on the front line of some of the most difficult and serious challenges we face. Since signing the UK - Turkey Strategic Partnership Framework in April 2026 we have continued to work closely with Turkey to strengthen our strategic partnership to make both countries safer and more prosperous.

I refer the Hon Member to the answer provided on 27 April in response to Question 124946.

I refer the Hon. Member to the statement made to the House by the Prime Minister on 13 April, in which he discussed the situation in Lebanon, and the Foreign Secretary's press statement on 17 April. The UK is supporting the ceasefire and continued direct talks between the governments of Lebanon and Israel as the best path to deliver lasting peace and security for both countries. We will provide further updates to the House in due course as the situation develops.

I refer the Hon Member to the answers that the Foreign Secretary and I provided on these issues at departmental oral questions on 20 January, and the statement I made to the House on the Middle East on 5 January. We will continue to update the House on these issues on a similarly regular basis over the weeks and months to come.

I refer the Hon Member to the answers that the Foreign Secretary and I provided on these issues at departmental oral questions on 20 January, and the statement I made to the House on the Middle East on 5 January. We will continue to update the House on these issues on a similarly regular basis over the weeks and months to come.