Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what assessment he has made of the use of UK-manufactured machinery in the establishment of illegal Israeli settlements; and whether such exports will fall within the scope of the Government’s restrictions on trade with those settlements.

On 8 September, the Foreign Secretary announced measures to ensure that UK economic activity does not support illegal Israeli settlements. The new regime will allow us to target specific companies and individuals who provide services such as construction, infrastructure, financing, or real estate for settlement expansion. We don't speculate on future designations, which will be considered on a case-by-case basis. UK businesses are already advised against conducting economic and financial activity in relation to illegal settlements. The Government will provide clear guidance on the scope of the new measures in due course.