theodi/ndl-core-corpus huggingface dataset:
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Amanda Martin:To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what steps she is taking to (a) develop and (b) implement in-classroom screening tools for dyslexia; and if she will include those tools in the (i) training and (ii) resources provided to teachers. \p Catherine McKinnell: The statutory guidance ‘SEND code of practice: 0 to 25 years’ is clear that meeting the needs of a child with special educational needs (SEN) does not require a diagnostic label or test. Instead, the department expects teachers to monitor the progress of all pupils and put support in place where needed. The full guidance can be found here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/send-code-of-practice-0-to-25.

The department is committed to improving support for all children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND), including those with specific learning difficulties. As part of this, the department is considering both international evidence and best practice in its policymaking on SEN, with a focus on strengthening the evidence base on what works to identify and support needs in mainstream settings, including for specific learning difficulties.

The department has also commissioned evidence reviews from University College London, which will highlight what the best available evidence suggests are the most effective tools, strategies and approaches for teachers and other relevant staff in mainstream settings to identify and support children and young people (age 0 to 25) with different types of needs.

In November 2024, the department established the Neurodivergence Task and Finish Group, chaired by Professor Karen Guldberg from Birmingham University, to provide an expert view and make recommendations on how to best meet the needs of neurodivergent children and young people within mainstream education settings. The group brings together experts including clinicians, scientists and academics, education professionals, and charities representing specific types of neurodivergence. We have been clear that in developing their advice, we expect the group to draw on a wide range of inputs, including other sector experts and stakeholders, to ensure appropriate coverage of other types of neurodivergence. The group will also listen to the voices of neurodivergent children and young people, their parents, and others who care for them.

The initial teacher training and early career framework, which replaces the core content framework and early career framework from September 2025 and underpins what all new teachers should learn, contains significantly more content related to adaptive teaching and supporting pupils with SEND. The adaptive teaching content includes, for example, developing an understanding of different pupil needs, and learning how to provide opportunities for success for all pupils.
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Zöe Franklin:To ask the Secretary of State for Education, if she will make an assessment of the potential merits of enabling early years settings to accept voluntary financial contributions from parents to (a) support and (b) enrich learning. \p Stephen Morgan: It is the department’s ambition that all families have access to high quality, affordable and flexible early education and care, giving every child the best start in life and delivering on our Plan for Change.

As the early years entitlements are expanded, it is vitally important they remain accessible and affordable for families. Paragraph A1.41 of the statutory guidance for local authorities says that they must take all steps available to ensure the entitlements are available free of charge to parents and that providers do not charge for certain types of services. This includes top up fees, materials, such as crafts, crayons and paper, business running costs, registration fees and non-refundable deposits as a condition of taking up an entitlements place, general charges and any additional fees not specifically listed and itemised as chargeable extras at A1.33. If a parent wishes to make a voluntary contribution then they can do so, provided they are not being charged for these sorts of services or items and that it is wholly voluntary.
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Zöe Franklin:To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what recent assessment her Department has made of the adequacy of the level of specialist nursery and early years places for children with special educational needs and disabilities; and whether she plans to increase the number of core SEND units. \p Stephen Morgan: The department aims to set every child up to have the best start in life, and this includes delivering access to high quality early education and childcare for children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND). Local authorities have a duty to secure sufficient childcare, including for children with SEND. They are expected to report annually to elected council members on how they are meeting this duty and make their report available and accessible to parents.

The department continues to monitor sufficiency through regular contact with local authorities. Where local authorities report sufficiency challenges, we discuss what action is being taken to address those issues and, where needed, support them through our childcare sufficiency support contract.

The department has published allocations for £740 million high needs capital funding in the 2025/26 financial year to support children and young people with SEND or who require alternative provision. Local authorities are free to choose to spend this across the 0-25 age range and it is ultimately up to local authorities to determine how to best prioritise their funding. Guidance published alongside the allocations encourages local authorities to use the funding to set up resourced provisions or special educational needs units in mainstream schools.

Local authorities can meet the costs of children aged five and under with high needs in different ways from their high needs budget. This may include providing SEND support directly as a central service for young children with high needs and/or resources for early years providers to enable them to make the required provision.
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Mary Glindon:To ask the Secretary of State for Education, whether she has made a recent assessment of the potential impact of the provision of education, health and care plans to children in mainstream schools on the number of applications made to specialist schools. \p Catherine McKinnell: The vast majority of children with special educational needs (SEN) have always been taught in mainstream schools and the Children and Families Act 2014 sets a presumption in law that all children, including those with SEN, should be taught in mainstream settings where possible.

The department recognises that some children and young people will need specialist support or a different environment.

Children and young people should only be educated in special schools where they have complex needs requiring an education, health and care (EHC) plan, and the needs assessment process identifies that specialist provision is required. The most recent data shows that, of all the new EHC plans issued in 2023, 74.9% named a mainstream school and 10.5% named a special school.

The department has been clear that a more inclusive education system is needed to give children and young people the opportunities they need to achieve and thrive. We want more children and young people to receive the support they need to achieve and thrive in their local mainstream school.
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Mr Andrew Snowden:To ask the Secretary of State for Education, if she will make an assessment of the potential merits of introducing free swimming lessons for young people in coastal areas. \p Catherine McKinnell: Swimming and water safety lessons are compulsory at key stage 1 and 2 as part of the physical education (PE) national curriculum. Swimming and water safety are vital life skills. Every child should have the opportunity to learn to swim and know how to keep themselves safe around water by the time they leave primary school.

Primary schools can also use the PE and sport premium to fund additional swimming lessons for pupils who do not meet the national curriculum expectations after their core lessons.
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Alison Bennett:To ask the Secretary of State for Education, whether she is considering (a) restricting the number of children who can obtain Education, Health and Care Plans (EHCPs) and (b) replacing the EHCP system. \p Catherine McKinnell: The evidence is clear that this government inherited a special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) system left in a state of disarray, with too many children not having their needs met and parents forced to fight for support.

This government is actively working with parents and experts on how children's needs can be better met, including through earlier identification and support to prevent needs escalating. We have made available £740 million to encourage councils to create more specialist places both in mainstream schools and specialist provision, and almost a £1 billion increase to the high needs budget for 2025/26 to ensure children have access to the support they need to achieve and thrive.

At the heart of any changes to the SEND system must be children’s outcomes and opportunities. The department’s aim is for the support children need to be more easily accessed earlier, and to put an end to adversarial processes with parents having to fight for support, while protecting provision currently in place. As part of our Plan for Change, we want to restore the confidence of families up and down the country and deliver the improvement they need so that they can achieve and thrive.
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Mr Andrew Snowden:To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what assessment her Department has made of the potential impact of inflation on school budgets in Fylde constituency. \p Catherine McKinnell: Having prioritised spending to meet the teachers pay award, schools will now be receiving £65.3 billion in 2025/26 compared to £61.6 billion in the 2024/25 financial year.

The local authority that covers Fylde is Lancashire, and Lancashire is receiving £1.1 billion through the dedicated schools grant (DSG) for mainstream schools in the 2025/26 financial year. This represents a 2.4% increase in per pupil funding compared to the 2024/25 financial year (including premises but excluding growth funding). The additional funding being provided following the teacher pay announcement is on top of what is being provided through the DSG in the 2025/26 financial year.

The department recognises that most schools will need to supplement the new funding they receive in the 2025/26 financial year with improved productivity and smarter spending. However, schools are not alone in their efforts to better manage their spending. The department will be further developing the current suite of initiatives to support schools with their workforce, commercial and asset management. Schools are already making savings and bringing core operating costs down. For example, the 400 schools who participated in the department’s new energy for schools offer will save 36% on average compared to their previous contracts.
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Ben Obese-Jecty:To ask the Secretary of State for Education, pursuant to the Answer of 20th May 2025 Question 51559 on Special Educational Needs: Cambridgeshire and with reference to the Permanent data table entitled Initial requests, assessments, discontinued plans, 20 week timeliness, mainstream to special transfers, mediation and tribunals, published on 13 May 2025, if she will publish the data for the number of (a) initial requests for an EHC plan, (b) initial requests for assessment - decision to assess and (c) children and young people assessed for whom an EHC plan was issued in (i) 2024 and (ii) 2025 to date. \p Catherine McKinnell: Publication of annual statistics on education, health and care plans follows the Code of Practice for Statistics. Details of publications, including those requested, can be found here: https://www.gov.uk/search/research-and-statistics?content_store_document_type=upcoming_statistics&organisations%5B%5D=department-for-education&order=updated-newest. Information for the 2025 calendar year will be collected early in 2026 and published later that year.
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Mary Glindon:To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what plans her Department has to review the (a) process for agreeing and (b) number of Education, Health and Care Plans issued for children with SEND. \p Catherine McKinnell: This government is committed to strengthening the special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) system for all children and young people to ensure they receive the right support to succeed in their education and as they move into adult life.

The department is working closely with experts on reform, including a Strategic Advisor for SEND, who will play a key role in convening and engaging with the sector, including leaders, practitioners, children and families, as we consider next steps.

An education, health and care (EHC) needs assessment must identify a child or young person’s special educational needs, together with any relevant health or social care needs. If a needs assessment determines that it is necessary for special educational provision to be made for the child or young person, the local authority must prepare an EHC plan.

Local authorities have seen an increase in EHC needs assessment requests. Latest data shows that there are 576,000 children and young people with EHC plans, as of January 2024.

The department knows that parents have struggled to get their children the support they need and deserve, through long and difficult EHC plan processes.

We have listened to parents, local authority colleagues and partners across education, health and social care and are considering carefully how to improve access to support for children with SEND. We are also reflecting on what practice could or should be made consistent nationally.
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Munira Wilson:To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what her Department's timetable is for bringing forward plans to reform SEND provision. \p Catherine McKinnell: This government’s ambition is that all children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) or in alternative provision receive the right support to succeed and thrive in their education and as they move into adult life.

We are aware of the challenges in the current SEND system, and the government is urgently considering how it needs to be reformed. However, these are complex issues which need a considered approach to deliver sustainable change.

The department is working closely with experts on reforms, including appointing a strategic advisor for SEND, who is playing a key role in convening and engaging with the sector, including leaders, practitioners, children and families.

The department has also established an expert advisory group for inclusion to improve the mainstream education outcomes and experiences for those with SEND, and a Neurodivergence Task and Finish Group to provide a shared understanding of what provision and support in mainstream educational settings should look like for neurodivergent children and young people within an inclusive system.

The department is working at pace to address these challenges and will be setting out our plans to do so in due course.
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Edward Morello:To ask the Secretary of State for Education, whether her Department plans to provide additional funding to (a) colleges and (b) universities offering new dental training places. \p Janet Daby: The department works closely with the Department for Health and Social Care (DHSC) to help ensure the NHS has the dentistry workforce that it needs, including funding for dental schools and the training of dental students.

The government needs to ensure that the student funding system is financially sustainable and funding arrangements are reviewed each year. We will continue to engage with DHSC to consider the financial support that dental students receive.

The government is preparing the 10 Year Health Plan which will set out a bold agenda to reform and repair the NHS. Ensuring that we have the right people, in the right places and with the right skills, will be central to this vision. The government will also publish a refreshed workforce plan to deliver the transformed health service we will build over the next decade and treat patients on time again.

The department continues to work closely with DHSC on the 10 Year Health Plan.
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Rachael Maskell:To ask the Secretary of State for Education, how much of the budget allocated to the Adoption and Special Guardianship Support Fund was spent on therapy in each financial year; and how much overspend there was in each financial year. \p Janet Daby: The table below provides the data requested:

Financial Year

Therapeutic Services Spend

Over spend

2016/17

£26,162,360.25

£3,797,187.45

2017/18

£27,643,580.09

£194,021.49

2018/19

£40,188,413.25

£19,668,135.73

2019/20

£41,575,278.06

£6,755,560.46

2020/21

£40,942,685.01

-£1,805,992.59

2021/22

£50,217,044.09

£6,726,186.49

2022/23

£27,659,930.00

-£16,481,530.49

2023/24

£45,591,102.00

£639,996.35

2024/25

£56,676,643.00

£11,355,181.91

Note: A negative number represents an underspend.

The large underspend in the 2022/23 financial year was due to a process change whereby the fund moved from payments on approval in advance to payments made in arrears on invoice.
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Michael Wheeler:To ask the Secretary of State for Education, (a) how many applications were made to and (b) what the expenditure was from the Adoption and Special Guardian Support Fund in 2024-25. \p Janet Daby: In the 2024/25 financial year, the adoption and special guardianship support fund received 20,085 applications and all were approved. The expenditure was £60,355,181.91, comprising therapeutic services and administration of the fund.
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Rachael Maskell:To ask the Secretary of State for Education, if she will publish any impact assessment carried out by her Department as part of its decision to reduce the amount of funding per application to the Adoption and Special Guardianship Support Fund. \p Janet Daby: I refer my hon. Friend, the Member for York Central, to the answer of 13 May 2025 to Question 49523.
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Mr Tanmanjeet Singh Dhesi:To ask the Secretary of State for Education, whether she conducted an economic impact assessment on changes to the Adoption and Special Guardianship Support Fund. \p Janet Daby: The criteria for the adoption and special guardianship support fund will enable as many children and families as possible to access funding. The department always assesses the impact, including the economic impact, of changes on vulnerable children.
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Rachael Maskell:To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what consultation her Department carried out with (a) sector representatives and (b) people with lived experience in making its decision to cut the amount of therapy available per application via the Adoption and Special Guardianship Support Fund in the financial year 2025 – 2026. \p Janet Daby: The department was not able to consult organisations before the recent announcement, due to the need to open the fund for applications as soon as possible, for the benefit of the children involved. I meet regularly with adoption stakeholders, including recently with the charity Adoption UK and separately the department’s Adopter Reference Group, where we discussed the adoption and special guardianship support fund.
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Rachael Maskell:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, if she will bring forward legislative proposals to create an offence of assaulting a transport worker. \p Simon Lightwood: There is no place for abuse or assault of any worker; everyone should be, and feel, safe whilst working. The Government values the commitment of everyone who works in the public transport sector ensuring the continued running of all the vital services which people rely on daily.

Assault is already an offence, and when prosecuting assaults, the courts must already consider offences against public-facing workers such as transport staff as an aggravating factor when sentencing, in line with the provision in the Police, Crime and Sentencing 2022 Act.
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Clive Jones:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, pursuant to the Answer of 12 May 2025 to Question 49854 on Electric Vehicles: Charging Points, how much of the funding allocated for charging infrastructure in the Autumn Budget 2024 has been spent; and how that money has been spent. \p Lilian Greenwood: The £200m to accelerate EV chargepoint roll out announced at Autumn Budget 2024 will be invested in the financial year 2025/26 (April 2025 to March 2026) to support local, en-route, and home and workplace charging.
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Anna Sabine:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what the (a) average and (b) longest waiting time was for a practical driving test in Somerset in each of the last five years, by driving test centre \p Lilian Greenwood: The table below shows the (a) average and (b) longest waiting time for a practical driving test in each of the last five years, by driving test centre (DTC) in Somerset.

Somerset

Taunton

2020/21

2021/22

2022/23

2023/24

2024/25

Average

10.9

16.7

16.8

16.5

21.9

Longest

18.0

23.5

24.0

24.0

24.0

Yeovil

2020/21

2021/22

2022/23

2023/24

2024/25

Average

12.3

15.7

16.6

20.8

22.5

Longest

18.0

18.8

24.0

24.0

24.0

Weston Super Mare

2020/21

2021/22

2022/23

2023/24

2024/25

Average

9.6

9.1

16.2

20.5

21.0

Longest

18.0

14.2

23.8

24.0

24.0

The table below shows the (a) average and (b) longest waiting time for a practical driving test in each of the last five years, by DTC in Wiltshire.

Wiltshire

Chippenham

2020/21

2021/22

2022/23

2023/24

2024/25

Average

9.0

10.7

16.7

22.0

24.0

Longest

16.5

24.0

24.0

24.0

24.0

Salisbury

2020/21

2021/22

2022/23

2023/24

2024/25

Average

10.1

12.9

10.5

16.9

21.7

Longest

17.8

24.0

24.0

24.0

24.0

Trowbridge

2020/21

2021/22

2022/23

2023/24

2024/25

Average

15.3

9.9

11.8

14.2

16.6

Longest

18.0

21.0

24.0

24.0

24.0

Swindon MPTC

2020/21

2021/22

2022/23

2023/24

2024/25

Average

11.2

13.7

18.8

23.5

24.0

Longest

18.0

23.8

24.0

24.0

24.0

Please note that the maximum waiting time until the middle of 2021 was 18 weeks. The maximum waiting time since then has been 24 weeks.
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Robin Swann:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, pursuant to the Answer of 20 May 2025 to Question 52794 on Lisburn-Antrim Railway Line, what funding is available for the reopening of rail lines across the United Kingdom. \p Simon Lightwood: While transport is largely devolved to Northern Ireland, the UK Government was uniquely able to offer funding for specific rail feasibility studies through Union Connectivity Development Fund. This fund was set up to address recommendations and next steps raised by the Union Connectivity Review.

The Government is currently working to finalise what will be a challenging Spending Review - while this work is continuing, I cannot comment further on funding availability.
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Andy Slaughter:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, how many full-time equivalent (a) civil servants and (b) consultants were working on proposals for the expansion of Heathrow Airport on 20 May 2025; and what the cost to the public purse is for (a) the time spent by civil servants and (b) consultants who have been working on this since 29 January 2025. \p Mike Kane: The Chancellor announced on 29 January that the government supports expansion that is in line with our legal, environmental and climate obligations and has invited proposals for a third runway at Heathrow Airport, to be brought forward by the summer.

As the lead department supporting this key priority, we are working with colleagues across government to ensure appropriate resource to support the successful delivery of this work including, where appropriate, external expertise. Between the months of January and May 2025, the Department has not spent any money on consultants in relation to Heathrow work.
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Layla Moran:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what the scale of the revenue certainty mechanism will be; and how market pricing will be achieved. \p Mike Kane: The SAF Bill was introduced on Wednesday 14th May in the House of Commons, with legislative measures to implement an industry-funded revenue certainty mechanism to support SAF production in the UK.

The Bill confirms the government’s position that any funding required should come from a levy on aviation fuel suppliers.

Further work is required to design the allocation process for the revenue certainty mechanism. This will include greater detail regarding the size and timings of the contracts, as well as parameters around pricing. We will maintain a close and ongoing dialogue with industry on options for achieving cost control within the revenue certainty mechanism.
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Brendan O'Hara:To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, when his Department's International Humanitarian Law Compliance Assessment Process last made an assessment of Israel's compliance with international humanitarian law. \p Mr Hamish Falconer: The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office has carried out regular International Humanitarian Law assessments since the beginning of the conflict on 7 October 2023. Our assessments are continuous and the latest is due to be finalised before the end of the month.
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Brendan O'Hara:To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, with reference to the oral answer by the Minister for the Middle East to the hon. Member to Islington North of 14 May 2025, Official Report, column 354, which international obligations he was referring to in his answer. \p Mr Hamish Falconer: Criterion 1 of the UK's Strategic Export Licensing Criteria requires respect for the UK's international obligations and commitments. We have carefully collated, reviewed and assessed relevant evidence concerning the Gaza conflict. The action we have taken, as announced to Parliament, is consistent with all our legal obligations, including those under the Arms Trade Treaty and Genocide Convention, and we remain wholly committed to international law.
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Andy Slaughter:To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, pursuant to the Answer of 8 May 2025 to Question 48089 on Bahrain: Human Rights, what assessment he has made of the potential implications for his policies of the criticisms from civil society organisations about the institutions mentioned. \p Mr Hamish Falconer: We take civil society views into account, alongside a range of other sources of information, when making human rights assessments about a country. The UK continues to support the development of Bahrain's human rights institutions.
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Zarah Sultana:To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether his Department has used contractors to provide (a) information and (b) analysis to the International Humanitarian Law Compliance Assessment Process Cell. \p Mr Hamish Falconer: Our International Humanitarian Law (IHL) assessments include information from a wide range of sources, including a third-party contractor specialising in geolocation verification and consider analysis from a wide range of sources including the UN, Non-Governmental Organisations, media and organisations on the ground.

The UK's operational mandate has been narrowly defined to focus on securing the release of the hostages only. These Royal Air Force surveillance flights are unarmed and do not have a combat role. We will not comment further on detailed intelligence matters to protect operational security.
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Alicia Kearns:To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, when the investigation into the killing of three British aid workers in April 2024 by an Israeli drone will conclude. \p Mr Hamish Falconer: The strike on the World Central Kitchen convoy killing British citizens John Chapman, James Henderson, and James Kirby was an appalling injustice. In November last year, the Foreign Secretary met with their families and was moved by their dedication to serving others.

We continue to press Israel to swiftly conclude the Military Advocate General's consideration of events on 1 April 2024, including determining whether criminal proceedings should be initiated. We expect those responsible to be meaningfully held to account. Israel must ensure lessons are learned to deliver lasting safety improvements for aid workers on the ground.

Gaza is the deadliest place for humanitarians. It is completely unacceptable that at least 430 aid workers have been killed since the conflict began.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-02)

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Anna Sabine:To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what steps he is taking to restart the entry of humanitarian aid to Gaza. \p Mr Hamish Falconer: We call on the Government of Israel to abide by its international obligations to ensure full, rapid, safe and unhindered provision of humanitarian assistance to the population in Gaza, now. The Foreign Secretary regularly presses his Israeli counterparts on these issues. We are calling on the Government of Israel to allow a full resumption of aid into Gaza, and let the UN and humanitarians save lives. On 13 May the UK, along with European partners, called an urgent session of the UN Security Council to address the humanitarian situation in Gaza. I spoke with the Israeli Ambassador on 20 May to make clear that the UK stands firmly against Israel's resumption of military action in Gaza, its wholly inadequate plan for aid delivery and to demand that a full and unhindered resumption in the flow of aid into Gaza takes place immediately.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-02)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-06-02 conversation_171

Mr Tanmanjeet Singh Dhesi:To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether his Department has had discussions with the United Nations on the proportion of the population of Gaza who are at risk of (a) famine and (b) starvation. \p Mr Hamish Falconer: In our statement to the UN Security Council on 13 May, we highlighted the recent report of the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) Partnership, and called on Israel to lift its cruel and inexcusable block in the flow of aid to Gaza. The report found that the whole of Gaza faces a critical risk of famine and that half a million people are facing starvation. In a joint statement with Canada and France on 19 May, the Prime Minister called on Israel to stop its military operations in Gaza and immediately allow humanitarian aid to enter Gaza. This must include engaging with the UN to ensure a return to delivery of aid in line with humanitarian principles.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-02)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-06-02 conversation_172

Alicia Kearns:To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, when Ministers from his Department last raised the bombing of British doctors working with Medical Aid for Palestine with their Israeli counterparts. \p Mr Hamish Falconer: The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office will continue to raise aid worker safety in Gaza with our Israeli counterparts. Last month, the Foreign Secretary drew attention to the deadly situation on the ground for humanitarians with Israel's Foreign Minister Sa'ar. Gaza is the deadliest place to be an aid worker with at least 430 humanitarians killed since the start of the conflict.

On 23 April, working alongside France and Germany the UK urged Israel to protect medical personnel and premises in the course of their military operations. They must allow the urgent healthcare needs of the population to be met. More recently on 13 May at the United Nations Security Council, the UK called a meeting on the humanitarian situation in Gaza and expressed outrage at recent attacks on humanitarians and medical staff.

Israel must do all they reasonably can to prevent harm to medical personnel and premises in the course of their military operations. Through our engagements, we will continue to press Israel to protect medical staff and premises.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-02)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-06-02 conversation_173

Sorcha Eastwood:To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, if he will make an assessment of the extent to which the ICJ's Preliminary Measures to prevent genocide in Gaza have been implemented. \p Mr Hamish Falconer: The International Court of Justice (ICJ) is currently considering a case brought under the genocide convention in relation to Gaza. Pending its final decision on the merits of the case, the ICJ has issued provisional measures. The UK has been clear that Israel has an obligation to implement these measures as a matter of international law. It is the UK Government's long-standing position that any formal determination as to whether genocide has occurred is a matter for a competent court, not for Governments or non-judicial bodies. The UK fully respects the independence of the ICJ and supports its work in this regard, including in assessing whether its Orders have been complied with.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-02)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-06-02 conversation_174

Alicia Kearns:To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, on what date a Minister from his Department last discussed the killing of British aid workers by an Israeli drone in April 2024 with their Israeli counterparts. \p Mr Hamish Falconer: The Foreign Secretary and I regularly raise the status of Israel's Military Advocate General's consideration of the Israeli strike that killed three British aid workers in April 2024. We continue to press Israel at the highest levels for the Military Advocate General's consideration to be completed swiftly, including determining whether criminal proceedings will be initiated. We expect those responsible to be meaningfully held to account.

Last month the Foreign Secretary raised the World Central Kitchen incident and the status of the Military Advocate General's consideration with Israel's Foreign Minister Sa'ar. The Foreign Secretary pressed Minister Sa'ar to provide a response.

We will continue to urge Israel to swiftly conclude the Military Advocate Generals' consideration of the incident.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-02)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-06-02 conversation_175

Priti Patel:To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether he had discussions with his counterpart in Pakistan on (a) terrorist infrastructure and (b) plans to dismantle terrorist infrastructure in Pakistan during his visit on 16 May 2025. \p Mr Hamish Falconer: The UK and Pakistan share a strong mutual interest in countering terrorism. We are committed to working together to combat the terrorist threat and the extremism that sustains it. During his meeting with his Pakistani counterpart on 16 May, the Foreign Secretary emphasised that taking decisive action against terrorism and those who perpetrate it is a vital component of Pakistan's commitment to regional stability.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-02)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-06-02 conversation_176

Emily Thornberry:To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether the 2030 Roadmap for UK-Israel Bilateral Relations remains his Department's policy. \p Mr Hamish Falconer: As the Foreign Secretary said in his statement to the house on 20 May, the UK will be reviewing our cooperation with Israel on the UK-Israel 2030 Bilateral roadmap. This Government remains steadfast in supporting Israel in its defence against terrorism and the malign activities of Iran, but the continued actions of this Israeli Government mean that it is necessary for the UK Government to take these steps.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-02)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-06-02 conversation_177

Tom Morrison:To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether he plans to make representations to his Israeli counterpart on complying with international (a) humanitarian and (b) criminal law. \p Mr Hamish Falconer: The UK has repeatedly stated that all parties including Israel must observe international law in Gaza. Ministers have regularly pressed their Israeli counterparts to address the humanitarian crisis in Gaza and meet their obligations under international humanitarian law. On 19 May, in a statement with his French and Canadian counterparts, the Prime Minister stated that the Israeli Government's denial of essential humanitarian assistance to the civilian population is unacceptable and risks breaching International Humanitarian Law. On 13 May the UK, along with European partners, called an urgent session of the UN Security Council to raise these issues.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-02)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-06-02 conversation_178

Alex Brewer:To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, if he will make his policy to direct bilateral Official Development Assistance spending in Pakistan towards marginalised groups. \p Mr Hamish Falconer: In Financial Year 24/25, the UK delivered over £100 million of bilateral ODA in Pakistan in different sectors including Health, Education, Climate, Human Rights and Economic growth. All our development programmes are well aligned with the sustainable development goals (SDGs), which expressly seeks to address the needs of marginalised groups, emphasising inclusivity and aiming to leave no one behind.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-02)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-06-02 conversation_179

Marsha De Cordova:To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, if he will have discussions with the Israeli government on the bombing of the European Hospital in Khan Younis on 13 May 2025. \p Mr Hamish Falconer: The recent attacks on the European Hospital in Khan Younis are deeply concerning. As the Foreign Secretary outlined in his statement on the 20th of May, Israel has repeatedly struck hospitals, and these have rendered the European hospital non-functional. In March, the UK, France and Germany called on Israel to do more to prevent harm to medical personnel and premises in the course of their military operations.

Amid Israel's expanded military operations, the healthcare system in Gaza is now on the brink of collapse. We remain gravely concerned by the lack of adequate medical care in Gaza as nearly all hospitals are damaged or partly destroyed according to the World Health Organization.

My officials and I are in regular dialogue with our Israeli counterparts on the protection of healthcare facilities in Gaza. We will continue to make both public and private representations to the Government of Israel to protect healthcare staff and facilities.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-02)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-06-02 conversation_180

Alex Easton:To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what recent assessment his Department has made of the potential implications for his policies of the humanitarian situation in Gaza, in the context of recent statements by the Israeli Government on the future governance of the territory; and what steps the Government is taking to support the delivery of humanitarian aid to civilians in Gaza. \p Mr Hamish Falconer: The UK strongly opposes the expansion of Israel's operations in Gaza. We consider that any attempt to annex land would be unacceptable. As I said to the house on 14 May, we are calling on the Government of Israel to lift its block on aid immediately, and to enable the UN and humanitarians to save lives. We have been clear that humanitarian aid must never be used as a political tool or military tactic, and that UK will not support any aid mechanism that seeks to deliver political or military objectives or puts vulnerable civilians at risk. Ministers have raised concerns about Israel's aid block with their Israeli counterparts, and on 13 May the UK, along with European partners, called an urgent session of the UN Security Council to address the humanitarian situation in Gaza.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-02)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-06-02 conversation_181

Mike Wood:To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether Ministers may use diplomatic passports for personal overseas travel. \p Catherine West: Where Ministers exceptionally hold a diplomatic passport, this is for official use only and not for personal overseas travel.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-02)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-06-02 conversation_182

Zarah Sultana:To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, how many times the International Humanitarian Law Compliance Assessment Process Cell has submitted assessments on Israel's compliance with international humanitarian law since July 2024. \p Mr Hamish Falconer: The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office has carried out regular International Humanitarian Law assessments since the beginning of the conflict on 7 October 2023. To date we have undertaken 14 assessments. Further information on the assessment process can be found on Gov.uk:

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/summary-of-the-international-humanitarian-law-ihl-process-decision-and-the-factors-taken-into-account/summary-of-the-ihl-process-decision-and-the-factors-taken-into-account
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-02)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-06-02 conversation_183

Ellie Chowns:To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what assessment he has made of the potential implications for his policies of the US President's Executive Order entitled Unleashing America’s Offshore Critical Minerals and Resources, published on 24 April 2025; and if he will issue guidance to UK nationals on the compatibility of involvement in seabed mining operations with UK membership of the International Seabed Authority. \p Catherine West: The Government notes the US Executive Order on 'Unleashing America's Offshore Critical Minerals and Resources'. The UK is a party to the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea and is committed to the continued work of the International Seabed Authority (ISA) to finalise the draft exploitation Regulations. The UK supports a moratorium on the granting of exploitation licences for deep sea mining by the ISA until there is sufficient scientific evidence to assess the potential impact of deep-sea mining on marine life, and until the ISA adopts robust, enforceable regulations.