Question to the Department for Business and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what recent progress she has made on negotiation of a free trade agreement with Israel.

Since launching negotiations between the United Kingdom and Israel last summer for an upgraded, innovation-focused Free Trade Agreement (FTA) we held a first round of negotiations in September 2022 and held technical discussions on the financial services chapter in January this year. The Secretary of State since travelled to Israel in March to meet with the Israeli Economy Minister to evaluate progress towards a modern, ambitious agreement.

We are working towards hosting Round Two of negotiations with Israel in spring this year.