Live Debate: Commons Chamber

Q6. What steps his Department is taking to ensure the adequate regulation of digital services, in the context of the UK-US trade agreement. (904162)

The vertical agricultural project in my cupidity is highly dependent on data which could be hugely assisted by artificial intelligence and I understand he is not represented on any working parties. This must be included. They must find the time. find the time.

11:49

Rt Hon Peter Kyle MP, The Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology (Hove and Portslade, Labour)

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I thank the honourable member for the question and we have an interministerial meeting which brings together all the ministers including from DEFRA and the including from DEFRA and the secretary of state and we discussed these issues with other secretaries of state. of state.

11:50

Tom Morrison MP (Cheadle, Liberal Democrat)

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I would like to congratulate the Prime Minister and the business secretary on the trade deal with the Is inclusive of the commitment to deepen digital trade. My department will continue to work across Whitehall to strengthen the transatlantic trade partnership that transatlantic trade partnership that benefits the country greatly and we will strengthen those provisions, too. too.

11:50

Rt Hon Peter Kyle MP, The Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology (Hove and Portslade, Labour)

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Thank you for that response. Many constituents have contacted me about concerns in social media and nearly 40% of children are reporting it has a bad effect on their mental health with glaring holes in the Online Safety Act. Prime Minister confirm protection for children will not be up for negotiation in any part of the deal? the deal? I certainly share his concern for the welfare of young people online and that is why many provisions brought in since I came into office brought in since I came into office including a statement of priorities and tackling intimate image abuse and tackling intimate image abuse and getting behind the interpretation of new regulations by interpretation of new regulations by January, we are behind these and working on what will come next in terms of strengthening it.

I assure him that only harm will never be up for negotiation. for negotiation. I welcome the US-UK trade deal and the fact the Secretary of State and Prime Minister have a commitment not to put online safety on the table for negotiations. The inquiry into social media, misinformation and algorithms has heard evidence that algorithms drive the spread of that algorithms drive the spread of misinformation and he saw the consequences of that after the riots.

Can the Secretary of State confirm that as well as not watering confirm that as well as not watering down the Online Safety Act he will look to strengthen it and look at look to strengthen it and look at how to do so with allies in the US.

11:52

Victoria Collins MP (Harpenden and Berkhamsted, Liberal Democrat)

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We will look at strengthening the regime to further protect children into the future and that commissioned research into the exact causal relationship between the use of products by young people and the impact it has and I will act accordingly from the amok.

11:52

Rt Hon Peter Kyle MP, The Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology (Hove and Portslade, Labour)

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Given the growing concerns around

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Given the growing concerns around the Online Safety Act and reports of the Secretary of State meeting repeatedly with tech giants

11:53

Q7. What progress his Department has made on using technology to help increase levels of productivity in the public sector. (904163)

repeatedly with tech giants including Amazon, Google, Meta, it's vital it remains part of the trade policy and online protection and I welcome the fact only harm will not be up for negotiation but can he confirm that it will not be up for confirm that it will not be up for negotiation now or in the future in the negotiation with the US. the negotiation with the US.

11:53

Rt Hon Peter Kyle MP, The Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology (Hove and Portslade, Labour)

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We deliver to deal between the UK and US and it did not weaken the legislation to keep children safe in the country. We were promised that we were front of the queue by that party and this government took us out of the queue altogether and deliver to deal and we are deliver to deal and we are strengthening the rights of young people to keep them safe, not weakening them.

11:53

Luke Murphy MP (Basingstoke, Labour)

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Thank you. This government is piloting a range of technologies including generative AI and large language models to release potential to boost public sector productivity and we are aiming for a smarter and smaller state and we will deliver exactly that.

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I thank the Secretary of State for the answer. The government is

11:54

Rt Hon Peter Kyle MP, The Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology (Hove and Portslade, Labour)

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rightly focused on driving the reform through with smarter use of technology and rescind what is possible in Basingstoke and the council has received millions of pounds using AI and another local firm is developing technology to protect vital infrastructure from cyber threats and the BSC have cyber threats and the BSC have reduced costs used on IT. Will the reduced costs used on IT. Will the Secretary of State meet with us to discuss how people work to help with discuss how people work to help with our vision of securing a more modern public sector? public sector?

11:55

Tim Farron MP (Westmorland and Lonsdale, Liberal Democrat)

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I welcome the question. It will come from the productivity of local authorities and to the benefit of the entire economy and assure from the government is committed to the government is committed to harnessing the power of technology harnessing the power of technology and putting it to work and I look forward to engaging more with the companies that he mentions. companies that he mentions.

11:55

Rt Hon Peter Kyle MP, The Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology (Hove and Portslade, Labour)

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The use of AI in radiotherapy increases productivity 20 fold but increases productivity 20 fold but the decision to stop funding for contouring is estimated to cost 500,000 extra days in waiting lists. Will the government intervene to restore the funding and save lives? I'm grateful for the question and we are investing heavily for the benefit of patients. I visited the hospital and Huddersfield and AI has been fully integrated there and I will look at the issue he receives if there are conversations to be hard but I assure you we are working for the good of patients.

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Accurate data is important, particularly in the public sector, particularly in the public sector, and we will vote on it today. How will he measure his plan productivity improvements and define productivity improvements and define success and in Fort time period?

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success and in Fort time period? I assure you we will deliver technology games across Whitehall and that starts now and we are and that starts now and we are investing heavily with the digital sector will be treated in the The sector will be treated in the The Spit -- DSIT and they will be put to

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Spit -- DSIT and they will be put to work for the benefit of citizens without delay. The government is harnessing the

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The government is harnessing the power of technology to create smarter and smaller states and we

11:57

Laura Kyrke-Smith MP (Aylesbury, Labour)

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smarter and smaller states and we are partnering with HMRC to understand how AI can save money and deliver world-class public services that people deserve. At the same time, we are tearing down barriers facing businesses who want to invest in Britain. Last month we welcome experts from across energy and tech for the first meeting of the AI Energy Council and discussed using clean energy power to power the domestic AI sector and deliver domestic AI sector and deliver strong growth and good jobs right across the country.

I would like to across the country. I would like to congratulate the constituents of mine who are doing work to discourage children from smartphones. The Digital Minister smartphones. The Digital Minister agreed excessive use of smartphones is detrimental to the mental and physical health of young people. Can physical health of young people. Can the Secretary of State share his next steps? next steps?

11:58

Alan Mak MP (Havant, Conservative)

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I agree and it is also detrimental to the health of MPs across the House, too. I assure her across the House, too. I assure her I'm commissioning evidence into the impact of social media use on children are looking closely at the addictive nature of some algorithms addictive nature of some algorithms and looking at acting in the future to keep children safe and benefit welfare.

11:58

Rt Hon Peter Kyle MP, The Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology (Hove and Portslade, Labour)

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Labour have cancelled the new National supercomputer at Edinburgh University and have damaged research capability and economic growth. The project was funded by the Conservatives at the University said Conservatives at the University said it would be a disaster of the cancellation was not reverse and so will be government reinstate it or will be government reinstate it or be a victim of the failed economic experiment of the Chancellor?

11:58

Alan Mak MP (Havant, Conservative)

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It surprises me we continue down the path. One of the first decisions I had to take a Secretary of State is how we look at unfunded commitments for hundreds of billions of pounds where money did not exist at the Treasury had not committed it and not a single letter of rating goes to Department from the Treasury but years of verbal commitments from but years of verbal commitments from the government and we will deliver a strategy that is fit for purpose and will get the country where it needs will get the country where it needs to be.

11:59

Rt Hon Peter Kyle MP, The Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology (Hove and Portslade, Labour)

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We will not get everyone in.

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It was fully funded and he knows it. Labour cancels the tech investment and competitors in the US, Germany, Japan are increasing US, Germany, Japan are increasing the dose. The Chancellor will cut the budget in real terms next month.

11:59

John Slinger MP (Rugby, Labour)

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the budget in real terms next month. Will they allow them to invest in the future or will he speak up for the vital tech sector?

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We will release a fully funded strategy which will be fully delivered, unlike the government he was part of which led the country was part of which led the country

12:00

Rt Hon Peter Kyle MP, The Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology (Hove and Portslade, Labour)

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was part of which led the country There are incredible dividends from the government administration and service delivery but some constituents tell me they cannot use smartphones and I worried about being left behind. A number of bodies have arched people to take action. Can the Minister reassure me there will be sufficient advice made available to me constituents to make sure digital inclusion as we rightly seek to utilise digital more seek to utilise digital more

12:01

Prime Minister's Question Time

Ga are older people and others for that matter who would not be able to access things in a digital world. That is why we introduced an world. That is why we introduced an inclusion plan. That is one of the key differences between a Labour government and a Tory government. government and a Tory government. They did not have any interest in digital inclusion and did not have a plan for 10 years and we brought one in.

12:01

Rt Hon Sir Keir Starmer MP, The Prime Minister (Holborn and St Pancras, Labour)

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Before Prime Minister's Questions, I welcome the Speaker of Bermuda, the Falkland Islands, Gibraltar, Montserrat.

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Question number one, Mr Speaker. Mr Speaker, over the past week we have secured a historic trade deal with India and a landmark agreement

12:01

Lorraine Beavers MP (Blackpool North and Fleetwood, Labour)

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with the United States. Protecting and creating British jobs, cutting tariffs and driving economic growth. We have also published a White Paper, setting out how this government will end the open borders experiment of the party opposite. Bringing net migration down, backing British workers and delivering fair British workers and delivering fair control of our borders. I know the whole house will want to mark the whole house will want to mark the 40th anniversary of the Bradford 40th anniversary of the Bradford city fire.

We remember the victims of that devastating tragedy and celebrate the strength of the community. This morning I had meetings with ministerial colleagues meetings with ministerial colleagues and others, in addition to my duties in this House and I shall have further such meetings later today. Thank you, Mr Speaker. 40 years of Conservative -- 14 years of Conservative cuts have stripped the environment agency of the resources environment agency of the resources and staff needed to properly deal with badly managed landfill sites, blighting communities like mine.

A landfill site in my constituency of Blackpool North and Fleetwood has been producing toxic stench is for been producing toxic stench is for more than a year now, causing nosebleeds, headaches, vomiting and breathing problems for my residence. Will the Prime Minister commit to ensure that the Environment Agency has the staff and resources to police badly managed sites like this police badly managed sites like this and across the country so they can act quickly and effectively to protect communities like mine?

12:03

Rt Hon Sir Keir Starmer MP, The Prime Minister (Holborn and St Pancras, Labour)

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I love the fact when anybody says 14 years of Conservative government, they go oh, no. That is how the

12:04

Rt Hon Kemi Badenoch MP (North West Essex, Conservative)

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country feels. Once again a hard- country feels. Once again a hard- Clearing up the mess that was left behind. Her residence deserved far behind. Her residence deserved far better. We expect rapid improvements. We are monitoring air quality and will not hesitate to take more action. We must tackle rogue operators who blight communities. That is why we boosted communities. That is why we boosted environment agency funding by £188 million with tougher rules on incinerators and commercial fly- tipping.

12:04

Rt Hon Sir Keir Starmer MP, The Prime Minister (Holborn and St Pancras, Labour)

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tipping. If I may, Mr Speaker, Sir Roy Stone served 13 chief whips and prime ministers from Margaret Thatcher to Boris Johnson and I pay tribute to his extraordinary service and send my best wishes to his family. Also my best wishes to his family. Also before we start, I would like to say to the Prime Minister how horrified I was to hear about the attack on his family home. It is unacceptable. his family home. It is unacceptable. I think I speak for the whole house when I say this was not just an attack on him but all of us and our democracy.

Yesterday, we learned unemployment is up by 10% since the election. Why does the Prime Minister think unemployment is rising on his watch?

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Mr Speaker, can I pay tribute to Roy Stone as well and the service that was given in various that was given in various capacities? Can I thank her for her words about the attacks on me and my

12:04

Rt Hon Kemi Badenoch MP (North West Essex, Conservative)

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words about the attacks on me and my And that of many others in the last few days. She actually messaged me pretty well straightaway and I really do appreciate that. She is right that this is an attack on all of us, on democracy and the values we stand for. She comes here every week to talk the country down, Mr Speaker. We have got 200,000 new jobs. Record investment. Interest rates cut. Contrast that with the disastrous Liz Truss mini-budget, inflation through the roof and a £22 I am not sure the Prime Minister I am not sure the Prime Minister even knew unemployment was up.

But there is no point in him blaming everyone else. The fact is conservatives reduced the deficit every year until the pandemic. More than double the personal allowance. than double the personal allowance. Left 4 million extra jobs, tackle the post-pandemic inflation spike and left the fastest growing economy in the G7. Let's talk about what is happening today. Let's look at happening today. Let's look at deals. A 180-year-old department store in Dorset survived two world wars and the winter of discontent. But could not survive this Labour But could not survive this Labour government.

It is having a Rachel government. It is having a Rachel Sale, and I quote. What does the prime ministers say to all of the prime ministers say to all of the people who have lost their jobs?

12:06

Rt Hon Sir Keir Starmer MP, The Prime Minister (Holborn and St Pancras, Labour)

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Nobody wants to see job losses. But she must be the only person left in the country who thinks the economy was booming after the last government. We have created new jobs, record investment, trade deals that, the India deal they tried for eight years and failed, we did that deal. They talked about a US deal. deal. They talked about a US deal. We tend to get a stronger relationship with the EU. The former trade minister must be the only former trade minister against all trade deals to boost our economy.

She said she is against the India deal even though it is not the same provision she put on the table. Against the US deal even though it saves thousands of jobs in car saves thousands of jobs in car manufacturing. Absurdly she said she is going to rip up the EU deal when she has not even seen what is on the page. This is a once great political party sliding into brain-dead oblivion. oblivion. I'm very happy to welcome his tiny tariff deal.

The fact is it has put us in a worse position than we were in March. He should not over egged the pudding. Let's talk about how things are getting worse now. In every month of this year, household names like Sainsbury's, Tesco, Asda and Santander have cut staff. The ONS estimated there are 100,000 fewer jobs than a year ago. That was before the jobs tax which will make things worse. Can the Prime Minister promised this House by this time next year, unemployment will be lower than it is today?

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Mr Speaker, I think she just said a tiny tariff deal. Can I suggest

12:07

Rt Hon Kemi Badenoch MP (North West Essex, Conservative)

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a tiny tariff deal. Can I suggest she gets the train to Solihull, two hours, speak to the workforce at JL are, their families, their communities, and tell them she would rip up the deal that protects their jobs. When she has done that, she might travel to Scunthorpe. Tell the steelworkers of their she is going to rip up the deal that saved their jobs and if she has got time, go to Scotland and talk to the whiskey distilleries. Tell them she would rip up the deal that has created 1,200 jobs, boosted exports, and come back to next week and tell us what reaction she got.

12:08

Rt Hon Sir Keir Starmer MP, The Prime Minister (Holborn and St Pancras, Labour)

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I did not hear a promise to get unemployment down. That is because he knows things are going to get worse. This goes wider than businesses. Last week I met staff and patients at Farley Hospice. They do fantastic work. But they need to find an additional £250,000 to pay the jobs tax. How does he suggest this Hospice, a charity reliant upon

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donations, pays for his tax hike? Mr Speaker, we have provided £100 million to boost the sector, and

12:09

Rt Hon Kemi Badenoch MP (North West Essex, Conservative)

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million to boost the sector, and hospitals receive more funding this year. Mr Speaker, she turns up every week to park on the sidelines. What she does not do, she moans about what we had to do in the budget to stabilise the economy, but has not got the courage to stand there and say that she would reverse the decisions we have taken. I know why. Because she does not want to say she is against the investment in the NHS.

She doesn't want to say she is against the £1.2 billion more for police. She does not want to say she is against the £3.2 billion more for schools. Also the time she does not have the courage of her convictions. Stop

12:10

Rt Hon Sir Keir Starmer MP, The Prime Minister (Holborn and St Pancras, Labour)

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I cannot believe the Prime Minister is still using this figure. We had this very conversation at the dispatch box. He knows it is capital spending. Either he isn't paying attention or saying things to attention or saying things to disguise what is going on. That money will not pay for the jobs tax. He knows it and the hospices know it He knows it and the hospices know it will stop the other people who know things are getting worse are the five leading business groups in the UK.

They say that his so-called Employment Rights Bill will be Employment Rights Bill will be deeply damaging to growth. Does the deeply damaging to growth. Does the Prime Minister accept that they are right or does he believe that he knows better than business? knows better than business? Better rights for workers are on the table and they vote against them. table and they vote against them. Respect and dignity and protection at work and good for workers, good for the economy and good for growth.

12:10

Rt Hon Kemi Badenoch MP (North West Essex, Conservative)

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The Prime Minister needs to listen to business. You cannot have employment rights without employment rights without employment. Labour always forgets it is not government that creates is not government that creates growth. It is business that create growth and businesses are closing and blaming him and his Chancellor. and blaming him and his Chancellor. There are 100,000 fewer jobs. Hospices, charities, nurseries, they are facing bills from the jobs tax are facing bills from the jobs tax they cannot afford.

Even unions say workers are being thrown on the scrapheap and all of this before the unemployment bill makes hiring even more expensive. When will he admit more expensive. When will he admit Labour isn't working?

12:11

Rt Hon Sir Keir Starmer MP, The Prime Minister (Holborn and St Pancras, Labour)

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She says we should listen to

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business. Prime Minister. She should listen to business. They are in favour of our trade They are in favour of our trade deals. The India deal. Fantastic deal. Tariffs on cars cut down to 10%. Whiskey and gin, halved. Millions into our economy. What does she say we should do with the deal? she say we should do with the deal? She would like to rip it up. The US deal that these thousands of jobs. deal that these thousands of jobs.

What does she want to do? Rip it up.

12:12

Rachel Taylor MP (North Warwickshire and Bedworth, Labour)

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The EU deal is good for our economy and she will not even wait to see what it says. She said she is going to rip it up. It is not serious. She was even reduced last week to calling the Indian government, accusing them of fake news. No wonder she did badly as a trade secretary. They are sliding into oblivion. They are a dead party walking. walking.

12:12

Rt Hon Sir Keir Starmer MP, The Prime Minister (Holborn and St Pancras, Labour)

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Thank you, Mr Speaker. Thousands of British jobs have been safeguarded by this government's trade agreement with the United States. Including those in my constituency who have worked for Jaguar Land Rover, like my next-door neighbour Ollie. Proving when Labour negotiates, workers win. Can the Prime Minister confirm to me that he will continue to stand up for all workers and our vital motor manufacturing industry, as he negotiates a better deal for Britain negotiates a better deal for Britain negotiates a better deal for Britain Can I pay tribute to her for her work with Jaguar Land Rover and standing up for the jobs in her constituency? The deal we agreed says thousands of jobs in the says thousands of jobs in the industry, securing the livelihoods of countless families.

I have been there on a number of occasions, including last week and I know first-hand what it means for the first-hand what it means for the workforce, their families and communities. The Leader of the Opposition said she would go and tell them she will rip it up. She tell them she will rip it up. She should go up there. She should say should go up there. She should say she is against it. The Reform leader, what did he say? He said that the company deserves to go that the company deserves to go bust.

Shame on him. Labour is making deals in the national interest.

12:13

Rt Hon Ed Davey MP (Kingston and Surbiton, Liberal Democrat)

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Liberal Democrats. of my party, can I offer my heartfelt congratulations to his Holiness Pope Leo the 14th and offer my support to the Prime Minister and his family after the appalling arson attacks on his home and can I echo his thanks to our firefighters? Three years ago, the previous government was faced with a choice. Their own Migration Advisory Committee told ministers that Committee told ministers that recruiting more care workers required improved conditions, career required improved conditions, career progression and better pay.

But the Conservatives chose not to do that. Instead they brought in large numbers of care workers from numbers of care workers from overseas. Those carers looking after our loved ones in care homes should be thanked and not demonised. But be thanked and not demonised. But will the Prime Minister now do the things the Conservatives refused to things the Conservatives refused to do, starting with a higher minimum wage for carers?

12:14

Rt Hon Sir Keir Starmer MP, The Prime Minister (Holborn and St Pancras, Labour)

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Can I first thank him for his comments about myself and my family? I do really appreciate it. It is important that we have fair pay for care workers. That is why we put in care workers. That is why we put in place the Fair Pay Agreements. The first of its kind. It will be applied first to care workers to applied first to care workers to make sure they get fair pay but also a better framework for progression. He will know that most people leaving care work are leaving care work to go to the NHS because the pay and the ability to progress is there and we need to deal with that there and we need to deal with that and make sure that in future these jobs are more secure and I would jobs are more secure and I would just add a declaration of interest that my sister is a care worker.

I know how important the work is and how difficult sometimes the situation is dating them. situation is dating them.

12:15

Rt Hon Ed Davey MP (Kingston and Surbiton, Liberal Democrat)

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It is a good first step but we will still be seeing people earning more in warehouses and supermarkets and care home. Meaning loved ones going without the care they need. Turning to the Middle East now, for more than 10 weeks, Israeli forces have locked food, water and medicine getting into Gaza. There is now a humanitarian catastrophe. With 2 million people at risk of famine. million people at risk of famine. And 20% facing starvation. Rather And 20% facing starvation.

Rather than ending the crisis, Israeli Government is planning to seize all of Gaza indefinitely. I know the Prime Minister will agree the blockade should end. I am sure he would agree that it would be would agree that it would be appalling if this escalation continues. Will the primers to act now and pick up the phone to President Trump for a joint plan to recognise Palestine and get food, recognise Palestine and get food,

12:16

Rt Hon Sir Keir Starmer MP, The Prime Minister (Holborn and St Pancras, Labour)

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I thank him for raising this. The situation is intolerable and getting worse. We are working with other leaders urgently to bring about the unimpeded flow of humanitarian needs which is desperately needed in Gaza and to get back to a ceasefire and my team are working on that, 24/7. That is the initial action that needs to be taken but I fundamentally believe that, however remote it seems at the moment, the pathway to a two-state solution is the only way for a settled piece in the Middle East and we will continue the Middle East and we will continue with our allies to pursue that path.

12:17

Lloyd Hatton MP (South Dorset, Labour)

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In my constituency, we have all of the most iconic sites in the country and I was joined by my honourable friend for Bournemouth honourable friend for Bournemouth East and West and others to test the water quality which is currently only monitored from mid May until only monitored from mid May until September which puts the health of water users at risk who could be water users at risk who could be potentially swimming in sewage. Will be Prime Minister work with me and my honourable friend to introduce my honourable friend to introduce testing all year round at popular bathing sites? bathing sites?

12:18

Rt Hon Liz Saville Roberts MP (Dwyfor Meirionnydd, Plaid Cymru)

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Everyone enjoys the beautiful beaches, lakes and rivers and are entitled to know that the water is safe and that is why we are developing more monitoring sites to meet local demand. After years of failure from the party opposite, we are bringing about new powers to tackle pollution including banning bosses and dealing with every sewage outlet.

12:18

Rt Hon Sir Keir Starmer MP, The Prime Minister (Holborn and St Pancras, Labour)

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This Prime Minister one spoke of compassion and dignity from migrants and for defending free movement. He talks of islands of strangers taking back control and somebody here has to call this out. It seems the only principle he consistently defence is whichever he last heard in a focus group. I ask, is there any belief that he holds which survives for one week in Downing Street? Speak the belief that she talks rubbish.

I want... I want to lead a country want... I want to lead a country where we pull together and walk into the future as neighbours and communities, not strangers. The loss communities, not strangers. The loss of control of migration by the last government put that at risk and that is why we are facing a system based on principles of control and fairness. fairness.

12:20

Mr Jonathan Brash MP (Hartlepool, Labour)

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Council tax is the most aggressive and unfair tax in the country. It has become a tax on deprivation. The less affluent an area is, the more you will pay and the greater the need, the more you the greater the need, the more you will pay. R&D in Westminster pays £100,000 a year. -- bAND d. For band H, the difference between areas a £3000. As hammering people in £3000. As hammering people in hospital.

Will they commit to addressing this inequality once and for all? for all?

12:20

Rt Hon Sir Keir Starmer MP, The Prime Minister (Holborn and St Pancras, Labour)

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My honourable friend has been a dedicated campaigner on this for a long time. I then was, 14 years of mismanagement from the party opposite left councils on the knees opposite left councils on the knees and there was no possibility to update how they were funded. With update how they were funded. With the upcoming settlement, the first in over a decade, there is far in over a decade, there is far greater certainty and stability and updating the funding review will create a fairer system to make sure constituency strong and affordable local services.

local services. Why does the Prime Minister prefer to take to the international stage when the pin straight in Birmingham is in its 10th week back Birmingham is in its 10th week back at home. -- Didn't -- Bin. Ministers are washing their hands of it and the Mayor does not want to talk about it so will he come to West Midlands to sort it out because at

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the moment it is an issue. Further evidence of the decline

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Further evidence of the decline of the Tory party when they say that going to Ukraine at the weekend to going to Ukraine at the weekend to try to secure peace for Ukraine and Europe and the security defence

12:22

Sarah Smith MP (Hyndburn, Labour)

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Europe and the security defence movement is somehow the wrong priority. That conflict has massively impacted people in this country through the cost of living crisis and energy. Ukraine, Europe, we deserve to live in peace. Dealing with the bin strikes if the parity and we are calling on UNEP to suspend the strike and we are sympathetic to the council. -- sympathetic to the council. -- Unite. The council are clearly Unite. The council are clearly 100,000 tons of waste every day and ensuring the backlog does not appear again.

again.

12:22

Rt Hon Sir Keir Starmer MP, The Prime Minister (Holborn and St Pancras, Labour)

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Last week I was at my local drama school and the excellent teachers expressed frustration at the current SEND system. One by who requires support has been waiting 18 months for treatment and there is a risk you will not get a place at a school that suits his needs in the years ahead. How will Bea Prime Minister ensure the voices of children are at the heart of the SEND reforms?

12:23

Nigel Farage MP (Clacton, Reform UK)

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My honourable friend is a powerful champion of this issue. The principal is every young person with SEND should receive what they need to succeed. We have alleged hybrids funding including almost £20 million for schools. We will support special schools and deliver inclusive places survive.

12:23

Rt Hon Sir Keir Starmer MP, The Prime Minister (Holborn and St Pancras, Labour)

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Weird Reform, a party alive and kicking, enjoyed your speech on Monday. Can I encourage you to go further on this matter of national security? As a matter of national security, over the weekend, an illegal immigrant from Iran that they believe came by boat was arrested on serious charges of terrorism. Since the speech on Monday, 1000 young undocumented young males have crossed the English Channel. The supreme Minister agree that no if he came to declare the situation in the Channel as a national security emergency?

12:24

Amanda Martin MP (Portsmouth North, Labour)

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The situation is serious. The last government lost control of borders and we are dealing with it. borders and we are dealing with it. The Borders Bill is the first to The Borders Bill is the first to give terrorism -like powers to law enforcement so we can get in before enforcement so we can get in before crimes are committed and people reach this country. That is why it is the most far-reaching provision ever for law enforcement to defend ever for law enforcement to defend our borders and that is why it is extraordinary that he of all people voted against it.

voted against it. Since my election, I've been championing and backing the plumbers, builders, electricians of the country. These are not just the people building Britain but holding communities together and that is why I've been campaigning for tougher sentencing action on tool theft and sentencing action on tool theft and for the real cost of the trim to be recognised. I want to thank everyone in the sector who has backed the in the sector who has backed the campaign because we've shown that the message is clear - 14 years of neglect is time for action and neglect is time for action and change.

The Prime Minister with the Secretary Of State for Justice and myself to ensure punishment finally myself to ensure punishment finally fits the crime?

12:25

Rt Hon Sir Keir Starmer MP, The Prime Minister (Holborn and St Pancras, Labour)

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I commend my honourable friend. She has led the campaign to highlight the devastating impact of highlight the devastating impact of the crimes. The targeting of small businesses and the theft of tools is businesses and the theft of tools is not just a violation but can mean thousands of pounds lost and huge impact to businesses and families. We are investing over £1.2 billion We are investing over £1.2 billion extra into policing with 1300 new neighbourhood police to focus on trains which impact communities the trains which impact communities the most and I pay tribute to my right honourable friend and I know the honourable friend and I know the Justice Secretary will look carefully at the details.

carefully at the details.

12:26

Mr Andrew Snowden MP (Fylde, Conservative)

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Whether you agree with net zero targets or not, I am sure the Prime Minister will agree will not be achieved without the Prime Minister taking people with them. The cabling corridor for the Morgan offshore wind farm is one of the most objected to national energy into structure projects in the country. What angers myself and thousands of others is that there is a perfectly others is that there is a perfectly alternative route for the cables further down the line which will have local economic benefit and would be more cost-effective as a life-cycle project and to connect to existing national grid infrastructure.

Norman is listening. Will be Prime Minister listen and pass the inquiry for the existing application and ask the Department to consider and cost the alternative route to avoid the untold devastation to the coastline and countryside?

12:27

Rt Hon Sir Keir Starmer MP, The Prime Minister (Holborn and St Pancras, Labour)

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As they will know, the Secretary of State is going through a quasi- judicial exercise and so I am limited in what I can say. Doing my best within the constraints, the project is going through examination and interested parties to put and interested parties to put forward views on the application and they should do so. More broadly, the planning process is designed to ensure it is carefully considered. ensure it is carefully considered. The UK has rightly helped Ukraine with modern and effective capability and we are sending £4.5 million this year but, after decades of relying on the peace dividend, our forces are ill-equipped for modern warfare.

I'm developing a proposal for a joint UK-Ukraine production hub which would support Ukraine and modernise our forces at the scale of fighting war and creating the jobs and know how required to rearm the state. Will be Prime Minister help support this proposal?

12:28

John Lamont MP (Berwickshire, Roxburgh and Selkirk, Conservative)

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My honourable and gallant friend is right that ironclad support for Ukraine should go hand in hand with firing up our own defence industry and that means well-paid and secure jobs across the country including strengthening national security. We reiterated the support last weekend in Kyiv and I'm glad we have made our mark in supporting Ukraine against the illegal Russian invasion against the illegal Russian invasion and I will make sure he meets with the Minister to discuss his project.

the Minister to discuss his project.

12:29

Rt Hon Sir Keir Starmer MP, The Prime Minister (Holborn and St Pancras, Labour)

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People are disgusted with the obsessive pursuit of net zero at any cost by the energy sector. The Scottish Borders is under attack with solar farms the size of pounds and mega windfarms. These crazed policies are putting jobs at risk and ripping up farmland. When will the Prime Minister step in and stop the Prime Minister step in and stop the energy sector from throwing taxpayer money at this nonsense? taxpayer money at this nonsense?

12:29

Jake Richards MP (Rother Valley, Labour)

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A few years ago, dealing with the climate challenge was a shared endeavour across the House and it is further evidence of how far his party has follow-on that they cannot see the significance of tackling a major challenge of our time. I think we should rise to the challenge and not be defeatist about it. There is further evidence the Tory project is just finished.

12:30

Rt Hon Sir Keir Starmer MP, The Prime Minister (Holborn and St Pancras, Labour)

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Male suicide is a tragic epidemic in our country. Each week, almost 100 men take their own lives and suicide is the biggest killer of men aged under 50. I'm working with the learning community and other organisations to raise awareness about the fantastic groups which offer support for man in difficult circumstances. Will the Prime Minister use this opportunity to support the campaign we are undertaking in my constituency and reassure those groups and my constituents that mental health services for men will be a priority services for men will be a priority

12:30

Bobby Dean MP (Carshalton and Wallington, Liberal Democrat)

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I thank him for raising this issue. Across this House I know people will have their own experiences of loved ones lost through suicide. We will improve mental health including tackling devastatingly high suicide rate. We are investing £26 million in crisis centres, funding talking therapist for thousands more people and recruiting 8,500 more mental health workers.

12:31

Rt Hon Sir Keir Starmer MP, The Prime Minister (Holborn and St Pancras, Labour)

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The plans to upgrade St Helier Hospital include the delivery of a new specialist emergency care building but it has been put back by 10 years. I have talked to the trust about a way to move those plans forward but in the meantime there is a very real fear that some of the buildings on the existing estate are at risk of catastrophic failure before the decade is out. Will the government work with the local trust and the plan to adapt the existing estate to make sure the hospital can survive all the way through to the survive all the way through to the The honourable member's constituents have been badly let down by the previous government's empty promises which were never going to deliver.

We have put the new system on a sustainable financial footing. Increasing the NHS capital budget to record levels so that we can address the backlog of critical maintenance the backlog of critical maintenance and I will make sure that he gets a meeting with the relevant minister to discuss this case. to discuss this case. Great Grimsby and Cleethorpes is the renewable energy capital of England, delivering home-grown, secure energy and boosting local skills. Over 12,000 people are employed in a clean energy job in greater Lincolnshire.

But these jobs are now under threat from the new local authority, who has declared war on renewables, putting livelihoods at risk. What steps will the Prime Minister take to protect

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jobs by supporting the supply chain and delivery of renewable projects? She is a superb champion for

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She is a superb champion for energy security, driving down bills energy security, driving down bills and the good secure jobs renewable energy offers. The parties opposite our climate defeatist. Andy jobs,

12:33

Alison Griffiths MP (Bognor Regis and Littlehampton, Conservative)

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our climate defeatist. Andy jobs, Should peddle their policies to the tens of thousands of people working in this country in renewables every single day. They don't think Britain has the skills and they would deny us incredible opportunities. We are focused on securing billions in investment, creating thousands of jobs and taking us off the rollercoaster of international fossil fuels. fossil fuels.

12:33

Rt Hon Sir Keir Starmer MP, The Prime Minister (Holborn and St Pancras, Labour)

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A constituent of mine was made severely disabled after a savage attack left him with multiple amputations. Will the Prime Minister explain why pensioners like Victor, who has become severely disabled after retirement, are excluded from claiming Personal Independence Payments and are instead limited to the lesser support of an attendance allowance? Will he commit to reviewing this unfair rule? reviewing this unfair rule? And these are awful circumstances which must be extremely challenging. which must be extremely challenging.

We do have to reform the system. It isn't working and I think there is a general agreement about that but the principles have to be clear that we principles have to be clear that we protect and secure those who need that protection and security. We help those who can work into work and those who can work should do. But we have to reform the system we have got to make it better because what we have got doesn't work. Every week I meet families in Barking and Dagenham who tell me they worry about paying their bills because they are on a zero hour contract.

My constituent -- constituents want the chance to work hard on a secure job and have dignity in the workplace. As Labour plans for change and delivers the biggest uplift in worker rights in a generation, does the Prime Minister agree with me that voting against our Employment Rights Bill shows that Reform are no friends of workers in this country? workers in this country?

12:35

Adam Dance MP (Yeovil, Liberal Democrat)

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Absolutely right. Let's be clear what the parties opposite voted against. Stronger Statutory Sick Pay. The right of guaranteed hours, they voted against. Protection from unfair dismissal, they voted against. Stronger protection for pregnant mothers, they voted against. Insecure work and a package for the poorest workers, they voted against. We are backing British workers. They vote against them at every turn. every turn.

12:36

Rt Hon Sir Keir Starmer MP, The Prime Minister (Holborn and St Pancras, Labour)

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Thank you, Mr Speaker. Maternity services in Yeovil are due to shut on Monday after a deeply brought inspection in January and being inspection in January and being moved to Taunton in a hospital without the capacity for an extra without the capacity for an extra 1,300 births per year. The closure is initially for six months but there are no guarantees it will open there are no guarantees it will open again, creating a huge fear. Will the relevant minister meet with me and colleagues in the south-west to stop this decision?

12:36

Jake Richards MP (Rother Valley, Labour)

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I am grateful to him for raising this issue which must be of concern. I am not a crusty detail of it, I am afraid. But I will make sure he gets a meeting with the relevant minister to get to the bottom of the issue he described.

12:36

Mr Speaker

I am not across the detail. claimed unemployment had risen by 10% since the last general election. It is no wonder George Osborne, a former Conservative chancellor, said she has no economic plan if she cannot get basic statistics right. Will she return to the House and correct the record?

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It is not down to the chair about the accuracy of what a member has stated. What I would say is that you have corrected the record in your have corrected the record in your opinion and we will leave it at that

12:37

Urgent Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs if he will make a statement on the UK’s assessment of the likelihood of genocide in Gaza

12:37

Mr Hamish Falconer MP, Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office) (Lincoln, Labour)

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Urgent Question. Urgent Question. Adrian Urgent Question. Adrian Ramsay.

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Urgent Question. Adrian Ramsay.

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Urgent Question. Adrian Ramsay. To ask the secretary of state if

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To ask the secretary of state if he will make a statement on the UK's assessment of the likelihood of genocide in Gaza.

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genocide in Gaza. Mr Speaker, yesterday alongside partners, the UK convened a meeting partners, the UK convened a meeting with the UN Security Council in response to the intolerable civilian response to the intolerable civilian suffering and humanitarian crisis in Gaza. As I told this House yesterday, Israel's denial of aid is yesterday, Israel's denial of aid is appalling. Tons of food are currently sitting, rotting at the border. Blocked from reaching people who are starving. Israeli ministers who are starving.

Israeli ministers have said Israel's decision to block aid is a pressure lever. This is cruel. It is indefensible. Overnight, yet more Palestinians have been killed in Israeli strikes. This must end. The message yesterday was clear. The world demands Israel must stop and change course immediately. With our allies, we are telling the government of Israel, lift the blockade on aid entering Gaza now. Enable the UN and all humanitarian personnel to save lives now. We need an immediate ceasefire now.

Humanitarian aid must never be used as a political tool or military used as a political tool or military tactic. The UK will not support any aid mechanism that seeks to deliver political or military objectives or put vulnerable civilians at risk. The International Court of Justice case on genocide is ongoing, Mr Speaker. We support the ICJ. We support its independence. They issued a set of provisional measures in this case and we support those measures. Israel has an obligation to implement them.

It is the UK Government's long-standing position that any formal determination as to whether genocide has taken place is a matter for the court and not the government or nonjudicial bodies. government or nonjudicial bodies. The UK is fully committed to upholding our responsibilities under domestic and international law and domestic and international law and we have at all times acted in a manner consistent with our legal obligations, including under the obligations, including under the Genocide Convention. The devastation Genocide Convention. The devastation from this conflict must end.

Our complete focus is on lifting Israeli restrictions on aid. Freeing hostages. Protecting civilians. Restoring the ceasefire. We will work urgently with our allies and partners on further pressure to make Israel change course.

12:41

Adrian Ramsay MP (Waveney Valley, Green Party)

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Mr Speaker, overnight the UN emergency relief coordinator Tom Fletcher warned a genocide was Fletcher warned a genocide was possible in Gaza. 20% of people are facing starvation. The entire population is facing high levels of acute food insecurity. In Gaza, there is a risk of famine. There is one primary cause. The Israeli aid blockade since March 2. The Security Council was told civilians in Gaza have again been forcibly displaced and confined into ever shrinking spaces with 80% of territory either in Israeli military zones or under displacement orders.

Israeli airstrikes on the hospital in Gaza yesterday killed 28 people. With further reports of at least 48 deaths overnight from strikes elsewhere. Can he tell us if the FCDO has made a recent assessment of its own on the risk the Israeli authorities are committing genocide? Last night the UK ambassador to the UN rightly called on Israel to lift restrictions and return to the delivery of aid in Gaza in line with humanitarian principles and international law. But this isn't enough.

Notwithstanding the government position that it is for judicial bodies to make a determination, what is the response of the Minister to the latest UN assessment that genocide is possible in Gaza? Can he confirm if the UK stands by the obligations to prevent this in the Genocide Convention? this in the Genocide Convention? Parliament needs to know if the Parliament needs to know if the assessment will lead to a shift in the UK Government's position. Why is it when the horrors increased the position stays the same? Lastly to echo the words in Tom Fletcher's briefing, will you act decisively to briefing, will you act decisively to prevent genocide and respect international humanitarian law or will you instead repeat the empty words that we did all we could?

12:43

Mr Hamish Falconer MP, Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office) (Lincoln, Labour)

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Minister. testimony of the emergency relief coordinator, the very most senior official in the entire humanitarian system in the world, last night at the UN Security Council meeting record with our allies is clearly incredibly important. I can confirm to the honourable member that we abide by international law obligations, including to the Genocide Convention and we consider all of our assessments which are ongoing, all of the relevant test and we will continue to do so. The honourable gentleman asks important questions.

Questions which have echoed in this chamber yesterday and throughout this long and painful conflict. This government has taken steps, whether it is restoring funding, suspending arms exports, working with partners in the UN and elsewhere, but clearly we are in a situation today where nobody in this House would wish to be. Nobody on these benches and I am sure nobody on the benches opposite. We need to take more action until we see the changes needed but the central changes needed but the central question, as I have told this House repeatedly, central questions, is repeatedly, central questions, is And while this is not allowed into Gaza there is nothing that can be done to get the aid of the scale and done to get the aid of the scale and in the manner necessary to say Palestinian life and it is on that point we call the Security Council and it is that point we continue to make.

12:45

Andy McDonald MP (Middlesbrough and Thornaby East, Labour)

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Right, Andy McDonald. repeatedly said that do everything to observe international law. Will he please accept that there is a growing body of opinion that says the UK is not doing that and we are not complying with our obligations? We are not doing so if we continue We are not doing so if we continue to supply parts of the F 35's, these are weapons which are dropping on children in Gaza. We cannot say we children in Gaza.

We cannot say we are observing the Geneva Conventions if we continue to supply those goods. He talks about doing all we goods. He talks about doing all we could. Is the case, then why are we not making it abundantly clear to not making it abundantly clear to Israel that trading with them is not an option while this continues? Is an option while this continues? Is he doing all that he could? Because many people in this place and beyond many people in this place and beyond many people in this place and beyond

12:46

Mr Hamish Falconer MP, Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office) (Lincoln, Labour)

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I know my honourable friend has commitment of with these issues over a long period of time. I do not understand the premise of his question and it is being determined by the courts this week and I will wait for the courts to make judgements on obligations. We are taking all the steps we can to bring the conflict to a close. He mentions vital questions of the F-35 programme and I know this House understands the significance of the program in Europe and across the world and what we have done has been on the basis of legal advice which has been tested in court this week has been tested in court this week and we must abide by obligations to and we must abide by obligations to allies and we are not selling the F-35s directly to authorities but continue to support the program continue to support the program which has critical importance to unions and we make these judgements calmly and soberly and will continue to do so.

to do so.

12:47

Rt Hon Wendy Morton MP (Aldridge-Brownhills, Conservative)

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The situation in the Middle East continues to cause concern and that is why we have been clear that we have to see the return of the hostages and lasting ceasefire. There are still 58 hostages held in There are still 58 hostages held in Gaza by terrorists backed by Iran. Those still alive are being held in dreadful and appalling conditions without access to aid and medicine and the have been going through this for approaching 600 days and so they must be released as a matter of urgency.

Can the Minister did on the steps being taken to secure the release of remaining hostages? What is Britain contributing? This conflict with Tippett over long ago if they had been released by Hamas and the House must be aware they are committed to wiping out the state of Israel. What steps are being taken with international partners to deal with this threat to peace and security? We have constantly asked for a strategy so when will it come forward? Hamas can have no role in the future governance of Gaza so can we have an date on the steps the government has taken to secure this outcome and end the misery Hamas is inflicting on Gaza and the threat to Israel.

Can the Minister tell us exactly how much UK-funded aid is waiting to enter Gaza and fought the breakdown of that is? The government has known for months about the concerns about the delivery of aid to Gaza. What discussions have taken place with Israel and what practical solutions have been offered to solutions have been offered to support the delivery of aid that addresses concerns? Has the Minister been engaged in discussions with Israel and the US on alternative Israel and the US on alternative ways to get aid into Gaza? Does he have a view on this? We've been clear, while we continue to push for clear, while we continue to push for humanitarian aid and accountability we do not believe the actions we do not believe the actions constitute genocide and the case being brought by South Africa to the being brought by South Africa to the international court of justice is not helping.

not helping.

12:50

Mr Hamish Falconer MP, Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office) (Lincoln, Labour)

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Can we please stick to the time? That was almost 1 minute over and saw please help the Minister because they have got enough to go on.

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Of course, I welcome the release yesterday and I know that the whole yesterday and I know that the whole house thinks of those hostages and I've been in direct contact with officials involved and it is a officials involved and it is a welcome development. We are focused welcome development. We are focused on ensuring the future for Gaza has no place for Hamas and we are working to try to achieve that and the honourable lady asks an important question about the important question about the proportion of aid getting in and for the last two months the terrible

12:51

Dr Rosena Allin-Khan MP (Tooting, Labour)

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the last two months the terrible answer is 100% but before that they were significant restrictions. I saw for myself the items that could not cross and the numbers are high but I will see with my officials if I can get more information. get more information.

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Slow and agonising breaths - scared and crying, emaciated bodies scared and crying, emaciated bodies fighting for every heartbeat. The death by 1000 cuts for children and death by 1000 cuts for children and parents watching babies deliberately be starved to death. Almost 1

12:51

Mr Hamish Falconer MP, Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office) (Lincoln, Labour)

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be starved to death. Almost 1 million children at risk of famine and death in Gaza. Those who have stood by and allowed this to happen should hold their heads in shame. I call on this government to sanction Israeli officials until the blockade is lifted because if we do not act now, this will be on us. now, this will be on us.

12:52

Monica Harding MP (Esher and Walton, Liberal Democrat)

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I know the strength of feeling behind the words of my honourable friend and I'm sure she is aware of the findings of the report which delineate in great detail the precise suffering being felt because of nutrition. We are horrified by the findings. The need for action could not be more.

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The continuing blockade of Gaza by Israel, no exceeding 70 days, is by Israel, no exceeding 70 days, is unacceptable. Will the government recognise the blockade constitutes a clear violation of international law? The government must respect the determination reached regarding determination reached regarding genocide and there are already clear

12:53

Mr Hamish Falconer MP, Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office) (Lincoln, Labour)

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obligations to prevent genocide in Gaza arising from the order in January 2024. Has the government January 2024. Has the government taken steps to meet obligations and will be commit to banning the export of UK arms to Israel? Will the government consider sanctions on ministers and those who called for Gaza to be destroyed? Will the Gaza to be destroyed? Will the government commit to the image and installation of a Palestinian state? As was said yesterday, "If we have not done all we could to end the not done all we could to end the violence in Gaza, we should fear the judgement of generation." Does the Minister agree with me? Minister agree with me? This is lying heavily on me and every member of the team but let's not forget what the government has done, whether it is restoring funding, suspending arms exports, providing £110 million in humanitarian aid and then trying to ensure that enters or whether it is ensure that enters or whether it is working to fly medicine into Gaza, working on projects to help children in the UK, or supporting vulnerable children through UNICEF, we are children through UNICEF, we are taking steps and taking the judgement of the eye of CJ seriously judgement of the eye of CJ seriously but I cannot pretend these are acceptable and we will continue to take every step that we can to get a change, of course.

change, of course. Tomorrow is the 75th anniversary of the event that saw hundreds of thousands displaced from their homes. It still continues today and action is now required around genocide and a key step towards a two-step solution would be recognising this and that is something Israel is trying to prevent and so with the countries recognising, is now not the right time for the UK, too? time for the UK, too? time for the UK, too?

12:55

Rt Hon Sir Edward Leigh MP (Gainsborough, Conservative)

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The question of recognition of a Palestinian state is one of vital importance. We want to do so as a contribution to a more stable region and we can see the serious and immediate threat and that is what we are focused on in these urgent days.

12:56

Mr Hamish Falconer MP, Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office) (Lincoln, Labour)

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I have been a member of the Conservative organisation for many years and Hamas is a brittle terrorist organisation -- brutal that hides people in hospitals but it is unacceptable to recklessly bomb a hospital. If the Minister aware that any friends of Israel worldwide are asked the question - when is genocide not genocide?

12:56

Helena Dollimore MP (Hastings and Rye, Labour )

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I have heard in recent weeks powerful interventions from the officer and I take them seriously with the weight that they hold. We will not move towards questions of legal determination at the Dispatch Box. That does not mean that we will wait. The preliminary judgement of the ICJ and the measures that they

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set out are important. As the Minister has said, the

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As the Minister has said, the situation is intolerable and one in five are facing starvation and it

12:57

Mr Hamish Falconer MP, Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office) (Lincoln, Labour)

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five are facing starvation and it has also been said that Israel is using it as a weapon and that is excusable. The continued firing of rockets by Hamas is also excusable and it all must end. I welcome the UK and international allies to call an urgent reform at the UN Security Council and the chief was clear and has warning about the dire consequences of this continuing. Can the Minister tell me what steps this government is taking to get more aid in and get hostages out and about the ceasefire and the two-state solution that we all want to see desperately.

12:58

Rt Hon Sir Oliver Dowden MP (Hertsmere, Conservative)

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I thank my honourable friend who has long been committed to these issues. She used to be an aid worker herself and is an advocate on these points. We remain committed to the two-state solution and it will take all of our efforts to ensure the current approach is changed and that we return to a diplomatic solution and have a ceasefire and release hostages and go back to the two- state solution which is vitally important, as she rightly puts it.

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The situation in Gaza is clearly intolerable and Israel has got to

12:58

Mr Hamish Falconer MP, Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office) (Lincoln, Labour)

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find a way to get aid in safely and without diversion. Will the Minister agree that we must be very careful about the use of the word 'genocide' about the use of the word 'genocide' and do not devalue it. This is used to describe the systematic and to describe the systematic and deliberate murder of 6 million Jews deliberate murder of 6 million Jews by Nazi Germany. We must question by Nazi Germany. We must question and I do not believe that award to Saint to release hostages and remove a terrorist threat against a a terrorist threat against a terrorist that hides among the civilian population crosses that threshold.

12:59

Florence Eshalomi MP (Vauxhall and Camberwell Green, Labour )

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It is the long-standing position of governments to make determinations of this nature and we will abide by international humanitarian law.

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The reality is that since March 2, no food or medical supplies have 2, no food or medical supplies have reached over 2.3 million Palestinians. The reality is any of us from across the House have

12:59

Mr Hamish Falconer MP, Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office) (Lincoln, Labour)

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us from across the House have attended statements, submitted Parliamentary questions, and spoken to the government around this issue. The reality is most hostages remain in captivity, unable to be released. The reality is by using aid to punish the many people is wrong. Does the Minister agree that under the Genocide Convention the UK has an obligation not only to prevent genocide but to take actions that genocide but to take actions that

13:00

Mike Martin MP (Tunbridge Wells, Liberal Democrat)

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These are important questions about aid access and delivery. I want to be very clear that the UK That seeks to deliver political or military objectives or put vulnerable people at risk. The obligations under international humanitarian law and international law broadly are clear and they fall on Israel as the occupying power and

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they must abide by them. Very few things in politics, particularly international politics, are black or white. However, this is

13:01

Mr Hamish Falconer MP, Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office) (Lincoln, Labour)

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are black or white. However, this is one of those issues. The Israeli government is using collective punishment of the civilian Palestinian population and this is illegal under international law. It contravenes the Geneva Convention which Israel is a party to. My question is does the Minister think the British Government has lost its moral and legal compass in

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continuing tacit support for Israel? I have set out some of what this government has done. I could continue for some time but let me be

13:01

Abtisam Mohamed MP (Sheffield Central, Labour)

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continue for some time but let me be clear, because the honourable gentleman rightly pointed out the absolutely appalling nature of any attempt to try to weaponised aid, to use incendiary language, which is clearly in breach of international legal obligations. We have condemned much of that language from this despatch box and some of it was repeated by the Liberal Democrat spokesperson and I say again that the British Government condemns that inflammatory language and we continue to make our views known in the most forceful possible way with the Israeli Government.

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Thank you, Madam Deputy Speaker. The international community have The international community have failed to stop Israel's impunity. We have collectively failed to act on have collectively failed to act on the violations as they are committed

13:02

Mr Hamish Falconer MP, Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office) (Lincoln, Labour)

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the violations as they are committed to hold Israel to account. In our collective failure, Palestinians in Gaza face collective punishment. Israeli ministerial statements of stopping humanitarian aid as a lever pressure is not only indefensible but explicit admissions of violating international law. Minister, I hear the condemnations but I see no action. Why are we still sending arms? Why are we not sanctioning ministers? The UN have said what many know to be true. We as a signatory to the Geneva Convention have an obligation to prevent a genocide from taking place.

When will we act, Minister?

13:03

Rt Hon Kit Malthouse MP (North West Hampshire, Conservative)

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The Member for Sheffield Central, my honourable friend is a forceful advocate for these questions and she points to failure and I recognise that failure. So many months and that failure. So many months and days on, we are still seeing this set of distressing circumstances. I will not comment from the despatch box on sanctions as you would expect. But I can assure her that we will be working urgently with our allies and partners on further

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course. It is becoming increasingly difficult to keep up with the slaughter in Gaza. The brutality and cruelty in the West Bank and starvation as a policy. The crimes come daily. Such as the recent killing of one of only three key eyewitnesses to the slaughter of rescue workers a few weeks ago, bodies being buried in shallow bodies being buried in shallow graves. It is clear to everybody that crimes are being committed daily. As a number of members

13:04

Mr Hamish Falconer MP, Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office) (Lincoln, Labour)

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daily. As a number of members pointed out, the UK is a party to international agreements which provide for a positive obligation to act to prevent genocide, torture, to protect the rights of people. We have an obligation as a member of the Security Council of the United Nations and as a party to the Geneva Convention to promote peace and security. What advice has the Minister taken as to his own liability in this regard, which will liability in this regard, which will attach to him as a decision-maker? Has the government advanced as to whether the Prime Minister, that the Foreign Secretary or any senior officials and previous ministers may officials and previous ministers may

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be exposed when the reckoning comes? As you would expect, I would not

13:05

Imran Hussain MP (Bradford East, Labour)

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discuss internal legal advice in this chamber, whether that applies to me or other ministers of the government. I assure the honourable gentleman that right across government we understand the gravity of the situation. We understand the weight that falls upon us to try to weight that falls upon us to try to make sure changes come from a trajectory which is diabolical. We will use our role in the Security Council and the G-7 as we did yesterday and that action will not stop.

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The Minister still refuses to address the central issue. Our address the central issue. Our obligation to prevent genocide under statute has already been triggered by the ample evidence in front of us

13:06

Mr Hamish Falconer MP, Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office) (Lincoln, Labour)

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by the ample evidence in front of us of Israeli war crimes in Gaza. So I ask the Minister how many more times will he come to this chamber with just words? Words that do nothing. We need action. Let us be clear that it is not a case of if but when he will enter the UK's complicity in arming a state accused of genocide against the Palestinians and when will he impose widespread sanctions on Israel? I say this to the

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delay. I would just like to remind the

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I would just like to remind the House of the decisions that we took last year. We have discussed the question of the F 35 global spares tool and the basis of which where we tool and the basis of which where we have made a carveout is clear and has been debated many times. Aside has been debated many times. Aside from that carveout, we took a solemn duty on becoming the government to duty on becoming the government to make an assessment about a serious risk of potential breaches of international humanitarian law.

We international humanitarian law. We then suspended arms export licences where those weapons could be used in such conduct. That means in Gaza. That means in the West Bank. That That means in the West Bank. That means in relation to all of the areas where those risks are crude. We took far-reaching action. That

13:08

Brendan O'Hara MP (Argyll, Bute and South Lochaber, Scottish National Party)

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We took far-reaching action. That action is still in place. We continue to conduct those assessments. I can understand why many members may feel frustrated about the carveout. Perhaps they feel frustrated also that we will continue to sell arms which cannot be used in our view, which could not risk a violation as according to the assessment discussed here. We think it is right we do continue to for example provide body armour in Gaza. example provide body armour in Gaza.

Supply chains which could end up in the hands of NATO allies. We have taken far-reaching action on arms. That is important work which we are

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proud of. I have just returned from the

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I have just returned from the High Court this morning. His government's lawyers will argue in defending the continued supply of defending the continued supply of components that " the evidence available does not support a finding available does not support a finding of genocide and certainly there is a tenable view that no genocide has tenable view that no genocide has occurred or is occurring". It appears that your government,

13:09

Mr Hamish Falconer MP, Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office) (Lincoln, Labour)

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whether it has told you or not, has already made a determination. That would explain I believe why there is no intention to have an independent assessment of whether a genocide is unlikely. Because the government knows that where they to do so, it would lead to an unpalatable truth which would then prevent them from supplying Israel with the weapons it needs to continue this merciless onslaught. It really is as grubby as

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that, isn't it? It is not as grubby as that. Almost every word of that, clearly Almost every word of that, clearly there is an ongoing legal case and we are not going to litigate that

13:09

Paul Waugh MP (Rochdale, Labour )

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we are not going to litigate that case in this chamber as you would expect. A judicial review on the components is happening over these days. The judge will have a finding and we will respect it. Let me be absolutely clear to the honourable gentleman that we continue to conduct assessments across a full range of responsibilities under international law. It is simply not true to suggest we are avoiding making any internal assessment in order to justify policy. We continue to assess things carefully.

We do it regularly. What he has said is regularly. What he has said is Can I thank the Minister for his personal commitment to this cause? personal commitment to this cause? And can I thank UK Government for putting this on record at the UN yesterday as a matter of urgency? Can I also put to him directly the Can I also put to him directly the challenge from Tom Fletcher, the UN challenge from Tom Fletcher, the UN aid chief? He said for those killed and for those whose voices have been silenced, what more evidence do you silenced, what more evidence do you need now? Will you act decisively to prevent genocide? What is his answer to this question?

13:11

Mr Hamish Falconer MP, Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office) (Lincoln, Labour)

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My honourable friend has been committed to these issues ever since he came to this place and I know before as well. The words of Tom Fletcher are important. He is the most senior member of the humanitarian committee in the world. What he said at the meeting we called yesterday is very important. We have not waited for the meeting yesterday. We have not waited for a determination of international courts to take action. Let us not forget what we have done.

Whether in relation to the agency, the arm suspension, the sanction on Israeli suspension, the sanction on Israeli settlers, the role in the United Nations Security Council, and we Nations Security Council, and we continue to take action. Mr Fletcher rightly asked for decisive action. Has our action yet been decisive? Has our action yet been decisive? Clearly it has not. Hostages remain Clearly it has not. Hostages remain detained. Palestinians continue suffering. A two state solution suffering. A two state solution feels very distant.

We have not yet had the decisive effect we would wish to see. We will continue to act until we do. until we do. As well as raping, kidnapping and killing of civilians on October 7 for its own sake, Hamas had a strategy of trying to prevent further peace deals between Israel and Arab neighbours by provoking a massive frenzied reaction to the atrocities. Does the Minister share my dismay that brutal strategy seems to be succeeding?

13:12

Naz Shah MP (Bradford West, Labour)

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I do share his dismay that events in the region since October 7, since the horrific actions of October 7, have involved an enormous amount of bloodshed and civilian suffering. This government hopes we will yet see a day where there is a stable region with normal diplomatic relations among all members with a two state solution with two state living securely and safely side-by- side. I regret that feel such a distant prospect.

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77 years on, Israel's legal occupation eats away at the land and let me repeat the word loud and

13:13

Mr Hamish Falconer MP, Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office) (Lincoln, Labour)

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let me repeat the word loud and clear, plausible genocide. Plausible genocide, Amnesty International. Plausible genocide, United Nations. Plausible genocide, United Nations. What I want to know is since the news this week, what I am asking the Minister is what new assessments Minister is what new assessments have been done and how often have they been done to determine what else and what other actions we can else and what other actions we can do to stop what is happening in Gaza, to the civilians, the children, the aid workers, to make children, the aid workers, to make sure we can get aid in? What other pressures can this government use, not just from our country but with international partners in addition international partners in addition to recognising Palestine mark surely that is long overdue.

13:14

Rt Hon Jeremy Corbyn MP (Islington North, Independent)

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My honourable friend asks important questions about assessments. They are made regularly. They are made in the regularly. They are made in the But I assure her that But I assure her that we But I assure her that we do But I assure her that we do not But I assure her that we do not wait for assessments or final legal determinations before taking action. I have listed some of those actions already and can reassure her that we already and can reassure her that we will work urgently with allies and partners on further pressure to make Israel change course.

Israel change course.

13:14

Mr Hamish Falconer MP, Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office) (Lincoln, Labour)

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Even if the Minister cannot condemn what is obviously an act of genocide, could he tell us in clear terms, are we still supplying components to jets that do find their way to Israel and do take part in a bombardment of Gaza? Are there still flights going from, over to Israel carrying military equipment which can be used to bomb Gaza or other take military action against other take military action against

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To be clear, decisions we take about arms affect every part of government and we will continue to abide by our obligations. Let me be clear on the position of the F-35. clear on the position of the F-35. Where the seals were directly to Israel, they have been suspended and Israel, they have been suspended and when it is to a global pool

13:16

Andrew Pakes MP (Peterborough, Labour )

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when it is to a global pool necessary for continued function, that has not been suspended and when it goes to a global pool, it is possible that they could find a final destination in Israel but to suspend it to the global pool would render the program undoable and that is why we set out those decisions.

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Can I first put on record the

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Can I first put on record the relief I feel about the release of Alexander and I'm saying a prayer Alexander and I'm saying a prayer for other hostages. Every week, we come back to the House and the

13:16

Mr Hamish Falconer MP, Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office) (Lincoln, Labour)

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come back to the House and the horror is greater and many of us walk up to a spokesperson for the Israeli government denying that there is hunger in Gaza at all but this House knows the reality and there are one in five people starving and he would now and be aware that Tom Fletcher spoke passionately and with purpose at the UN yesterday about the collective failure to speak out. Can I ask the Minister how we avoid it and what evidence we need before we take action and what more action can be taken?

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In the words of Tom Fletcher, it is important and the assessment

13:17

Rt Hon Dr Andrew Murrison MP (South West Wiltshire, Conservative)

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is important and the assessment produced on Monday which is authoritative and thorough introduction is the most important indication of this in Gaza and should be taken seriously by everyone in the chamber and Israel everyone in the chamber and Israel as well and as my honourable friend knows in terms of the action we have taken so far, and I will not speculate I will reassure the House we will work urgently with allies and partners to make sure Israel changes course.

changes course.

13:18

Mr Hamish Falconer MP, Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office) (Lincoln, Labour)

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There can be few who would believe the conduct of the government is anything other than gross and disproportionate but does the Minister agree that the act in the region that has unequivocally the region that has unequivocally embarked on genocide is Hamas with embarked on genocide is Hamas with the self avowed policy of killing Jews and eradicating the state of Israel?

13:18

Debbie Abrahams MP (Oldham East and Saddleworth, Labour)

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I have condemned the despicable actions and the ugly rhetoric many times from the dispatch box and I will do so again. It is the events will do so again. It is the events of October 7 that triggered this most recent round of violence. most recent round of violence.

13:19

Mr Hamish Falconer MP, Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office) (Lincoln, Labour)

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In addition to the release of all hostages, the emergency relief chief at the UN also asked what action we will tell future generations to stop the atrocity to which we are witnessing every day in Gaza? What witnessing every day in Gaza? What action will the government take within the next 24 hours if Israel within the next 24 hours if Israel does not allow aid into Gaza? does not allow aid into Gaza?

13:19

Rt Hon Mark Pritchard MP (The Wrekin, Conservative)

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As I have said, the responsibility is heavy on all of us and we do not view it as acceptable and will take steps with allies and partners and urge them to change course.

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As we meet in this grand Palace of Westminster, the reality is on the ground, Palestinian children continue to die. Is it not becoming continue to die. Is it not becoming clear that the central policy of the

13:20

Mr Hamish Falconer MP, Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office) (Lincoln, Labour)

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government seems more about protecting the political skin and life of the current Israeli Prime Minister rather than saving the lives of remaining hostages and the lives of Palestinians? I appeal to the government to be on the right side of history, the law, moral judgement, and not to back an individual fighting for his life

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back in Tel Aviv. The honourable gentleman speaks

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The honourable gentleman speaks powerfully about the views in Israel

13:20

Rt Hon John McDonnell MP (Hayes and Harlington, Independent)

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powerfully about the views in Israel and I will not speculate on this decision but I listen carefully to the words of the hostages themselves and what they make of the circumstances and the policy they think should be adopted because these voices are important and are echoing loudly in this chamber and across the world. The obligations under law in relation to Gazza are indisputable and we are calling today as we have every day for them

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to abide by them. I refer to the register of

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I refer to the register of interest as the secretary of a interest as the secretary of a Parliamentary group and after the Parliamentary group and after the merger of Shireen Abu Akleh, along side her was another journalist shot in the back and two weeks ago

13:21

Mr Hamish Falconer MP, Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office) (Lincoln, Labour)

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in the back and two weeks ago Israeli forces dragged him from his home and he is in detention somewhere and we do not know we are. Journalists are afforded special protection. Can I ask the Minister to take up with the government on the question of where he is and that we can do everything possible to secure his release? He was reporting on some of the worst crimes taking place.

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My right honourable friend raises important points about journalists

13:22

Rt Hon Alistair Carmichael MP (Orkney and Shetland, Liberal Democrat)

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important points about journalists and I'm happy to take up the case in question. It is not just journalists but there was a whole sense of people afforded specialist protection under international law including medical professionals and aid workers and we have seen some terrible incidents in Gaza and are pressing for accountability and pressing for accountability and justice and in particular those killed more than one year ago, there has not been justice. has not been justice.

13:23

Cat Smith MP (Lancaster and Wyre, Labour)

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Does the Minister accept that where evidence of genocide exist, with the determination formally made by a court, is not sufficient to prevent under the genocide

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Convention? The International Court of Justice is clear the correct

13:23

Mr Hamish Falconer MP, Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office) (Lincoln, Labour)

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Justice is clear the correct authority has issued provisional

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measures. What we are seeing is civilians

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What we are seeing is civilians starving to death and aid being held starving to death and aid being held for weeks and used as a weapon for weeks and used as a weapon against civilians. My constituents are outraged and so am I. What other are outraged and so am I. What other actions can the government take to send a more clear message that this send a more clear message that this must stop? Will the Minister look at sanctions and recognise the state of sanctions and recognise the state of Palestine? Will he look at arms

13:24

John Cooper MP (Dumfries and Galloway, Conservative)

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sanctions? My constituents are concerned and I know constituents right across the whole of the country are concerned. whole of the country are concerned. I've seen with my own eyes and I went to see the British aid languishing while people desperately required it. There were restrictions stopping it from getting in and I assure her and constituents I've raised this in every way I have raised this in every way I have thought able to make progress and will continue to because it's a source of frustration to me and the government that we cannot get aid back into Gaza in accordance with international law.

13:25

Mr Hamish Falconer MP, Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office) (Lincoln, Labour)

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Does the Minister have information about how much aid is being held in the Hamas -controlled warehouse is in Gaza? At the end of the day, it is the Iranian regime pulling the strings and they are holding the hostages in conditions akin to torture.

13:25

Andy Slaughter MP (Hammersmith and Chiswick, Labour)

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We take serious steps to ensure Hamas do not get access to aid and we have supported a review and it was set out yesterday and he made remarks and his view on days to try to prevent Hamas from stockpiling aid and the findings of the report on Monday deal with the circumstances in which they are dealing with in Gaza. This malign role must stop. They have supported Hamas and brought nothing but pain and misery to Israelis.

13:26

Mr Hamish Falconer MP, Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office) (Lincoln, Labour)

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Last week the Minister asked the question and we discussed forcible displacement and that is what is happening and it is a war crime and happening and it is a war crime and is about to exhilarate so, as the former Israeli Defence Secretary said last week, Israel is committing war crimes in Gaza.

13:27

Mr Adnan Hussain MP (Blackburn, Independent)

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My honourable friend as an advocate for the Palestinian people and a respected lawyer. I will be clear that if the displacement is clearly committed by international law and we are clear on that.

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Amnesty International have

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Amnesty International have described the scenes in Gaza as genocide in action and Israel, according to experts, is deliberately creating conditions

13:27

Mr Hamish Falconer MP, Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office) (Lincoln, Labour)

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deliberately creating conditions that could lead to the destruction of the Palestinian people and that is a pattern that many might argue amounts to genocide. As a signatory into the convention, does the Minister agree the UK has a legal duty to act when there is risk of genocide? The duty to prevent begins not when genocide is confirmed north not when genocide is confirmed north when it is proven, or when it is established, but when there is a reasonable suspicion that it is reasonable suspicion that it is occurring.

The warning signs are occurring. The warning signs are there for the government to act. Will the government act?

13:28

Tahir Ali MP (Birmingham Hall Green and Moseley, Labour)

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I have set out the process of determination and the provisional measures that have been issued and the determination of the government not to wait and to take action now.

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Israel is intentionally targeting

13:28

Mr Hamish Falconer MP, Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office) (Lincoln, Labour)

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Israel is intentionally targeting Palestinians an action should be taken to stop war crimes and taken to stop war crimes and genocide. These are the words of a leading UN expert on the subject. Will the Minister tell us what they are scared of in terms of imposing sanctions on Israel? If the dispatch box is not where we can discuss this, certainly we can behind closed doors.

13:29

Vikki Slade MP (Mid Dorset and North Poole, Liberal Democrat)

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I think the House has heard me talk about sanctions in the same terms over a long period of time. And I understand we cannot speculate And I understand we cannot speculate about sanctions we might take. We keep all of these matters under close review. We are not scared in terms of performance of duties and are working all the time to try to proactively change the situation on the ground and that is what we will do.

13:29

Mr Hamish Falconer MP, Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office) (Lincoln, Labour)

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Barely a day goes by I do not receive impassioned pleas from constituents begging for actions not words from this government. Many have sheer distress that we celebrated the defeat of tyranny on VE Day at the same time people were starved and bombed to oblivion in Gaza. They say we are complicit in genocide. What are they saying to my constituents? I feel powerless to do anything then come here and say the anything then come here and say the Suspending arms licences, 129 hands-free these Palestinian territories, continued work at the US Security Council, continued work in relation to international courts.

13:31

Ruth Jones MP (Newport West and Islwyn, Labour)

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And I recognise the frustration of the House and I do not in anyway wish to wear misery between the many wish to wear misery between the many people still in Gaza facing real hardship at this moment and the action of this Government has made a action of this Government has made a real difference to Palestinian lives. I have seen it with my own lives. I have seen it with my own eyes and there are people who are in safety now because of the UK Government and we will continue to

13:31

Mr Hamish Falconer MP, Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office) (Lincoln, Labour)

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do what we can. I accept there is more to do, but what actions do have more to do, but what actions do have impact. Wye I thank the Minister for planning the horrors being infected planning the horrors being infected on the people of Gaza so clearly again today. We have heard from the despatch boxes in the many times despatch boxes in the many times before he took to record proceeding which take months, if not years to

13:31

Martin Vickers MP (Brigg and Immingham, Conservative)

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which take months, if not years to complete. Men, women and children are dying every hour from hunger, are dying every hour from hunger, disease, and bombs in Gaza at the

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moment. They cannot wait. What is he doing? We need action, not words. I have outlined some of the

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I have outlined some of the action and I would like to reassure my right honourable friend were not waiting for legal determinations, not least because the ICJ has

13:32

Mr Hamish Falconer MP, Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office) (Lincoln, Labour)

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not least because the ICJ has assumed provisional but as is the policy of the Government we are

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acting now to try and improve the life of Palestinians. Thank you. One thing we can all

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Thank you. One thing we can all agree on is that we want to see the safe release of the hostages, but in safe release of the hostages, but in mind it is clear that military action in and of itself was never going to achieve that. And with that going to achieve that. And with that in mind, does that Government support or condemn Israel for the

13:32

Warinder Juss (Wolverhampton West, Labour)

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support or condemn Israel for the most recent escalation of military action? And if they are not prepared to condemn them at this stage how

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many more innocent deaths must there be before they do? My honourable friend refers to

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My honourable friend refers to the hostages. Some of the released hostages have made this argument hostages have made this argument with the greatest force and let you say concretely and clearly the say concretely and clearly the British Government opposes the

13:32

Mr Hamish Falconer MP, Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office) (Lincoln, Labour)

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British Government opposes the return to war in Gaza. We oppose that most recent escalation.

13:33

Warinder Juss (Wolverhampton West, Labour)

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I am sure I am not the only member in this House who was getting increasingly frustrated by the number of discussions we are having saying the same things over and over again, whilst the horrific condition again, whilst the horrific condition in Gaza progresses day by day. Does the Government agree that for us to send a clear message to Israel we send a clear message to Israel we need to do three things. Suspend all arms licences to Israel, including the F 35 licences.

Impose sanctions the F 35 licences. Impose sanctions against Israel and recognise the state of Palestine.

13:33

Mr Hamish Falconer MP, Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office) (Lincoln, Labour)

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The House has heard me speak of my frustration on a number of occasions and I share it with the honourable member. I think I have addressed three substantive points he raises already in this session. And I am the Minister. These responsibilities where particularly responsibilities where particularly heavily on me. I am not bland to the IPC. I cannot claim to Tom flow just IPC. I cannot claim to Tom flow just testimony at a session that we call, do the Honourable Members think I am do the Honourable Members think I am unaware of the horrors that being metered out on people in Gaza? I am metered out on people in Gaza? I am metered out on people in Gaza? I am not unaware.

I am taking every action I can, as are other Ministers. It is an intolerable situation, as you heard from the Prime Minister earlier, and we are making every effort to try to change it.

13:34

Greg Smith MP (Mid Buckinghamshire, Conservative)

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Thank you, Madam Deputy Speaker. Nobody wants more, but we must reflect that this is a war. It is a war between Israel and the aggressor war between Israel and the aggressor have mass. It was Tomas that brutally murdered, mutilated, and brutally murdered, mutilated, and raped innocent Israeli citizens. It is hummus that still keeps 58 is hummus that still keeps 58 hostages under lock and key. And it is how mass who, in their own charter, have genocidal intent, calling for the wiping out of Israel and the killing of Jews.

Will the Minister at least accept that for Minister at least accept that for those that wish to call those trying to defend their own citizens to defend their own citizens genocidal, that plays into the hands of the terrorists themselves who will continue to use their own citizens as human shields and give no pathway to peace.

13:35

Richard Burgon MP (Leeds East, Labour)

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I condemn her mass and its actions entirely. Israel, we say to all of our allies, that international humanitarian law is a binding framework for us when it is reached in one place, it is reached in the echoes around the world. That is why we are so clear in this question.

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Thank you. I am sick and tired of coming back to this chamber and coming back to this chamber and asking the same questions and getting the same answers when warcry muffed a war crime is being committed and when a genocide is committed and when a genocide is taking place. It is a sick joke to believe that it is right, which it believe that it is right, which it is, to impose sanctions on Russia for its unlawful invasion of Ukraine, yet we are meant to believe

13:36

Mr Hamish Falconer MP, Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office) (Lincoln, Labour)

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Ukraine, yet we are meant to believe that touching at Benjamin Netanyahu and telling everyone that we think this is really bad somehow cuts the mustard. It does not. Words are not enough to stop warcrimes. We need more words, we need more actions, so can the Minister advise this House how many more Gazans need to be killed by Israel, injured by Israel, staffed by Israel, until the Government does the right thing and brings widespread sanctions in? Because people think we are scared and people think it is double standards.

13:36

Bob Blackman MP (Harrow East, Conservative)

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We have taken action. I described that action this afternoon. And we should certainly not fear that ships are actions and I of course am always happy to return to this Dispatch Box to answer questions from parliamentarians, but I would not like to give the House the impression that is all I do, when I am not in this House I and working on these tasks with urgency. I have listed some of the actions we have taken since I have been the Minister and I will continue to work on these questions and I will continue to return to the House to and so your questions when you have them.

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Thank you. Over the last 18

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Thank you. Over the last 18 months, Israel has facilitated 48 million tons of aid going into Gaza and much of that has ended up in

13:37

Mr Hamish Falconer MP, Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office) (Lincoln, Labour)

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warehouses, trucks have been raided by house operatives, and the aid has failed to get into the hands of the people that desperately needed, so now we have got a position with the blockade has continued until the Minister come up with a credible plan to actually get the aid in, required the IDF to facilitate the aid going to the people that desperately needed, and prevent her mass and other terrorist from capturing aid and venting the people of Gaza gaining the aid they desperately need.

desperately need.

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I do condemn where hummus has interfered with deliveries I condemn it utterly. We have to be clear that considerable amounts of aid were not

13:38

Rachael Maskell MP (York Central, Labour )

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considerable amounts of aid were not allowed into Gaza. Even before this blockade and this blockade is now ensuring that nowhere near the level of aid is getting in. There are proposals that I think that honourable member has alluded to for other methods of getting in and our support to get it provided that in accordance with Unitarian principles in conflicts around the world and the hits majesties relief coordinator yesterday set out his views on that. views on that.

13:39

Mr Hamish Falconer MP, Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office) (Lincoln, Labour)

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Thank you, Madam Deputy Speaker. UK manufacturers of F 35 components can place GPS markers on every single component. The UK Government can ensure that every component that is exported can have a GPS marker on is exported can have a GPS marker on it, so what is the Governments excuse for continuing with its program on F 35's? When it can distinguish the destination of every single component. single component.

13:39

Tom Morrison MP (Cheadle, Liberal Democrat)

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Madam Deputy Speaker, I have set out the position on F 35's. Set out the manner in which the global affairs pool works, that is the information provided by the experts who are responsible. I understand that some Honourable Members may disagree with those facts. The discussion is happening in the review this week and we will get ahead of that.

13:40

Mr Hamish Falconer MP, Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office) (Lincoln, Labour)

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Thank you, Madam Deputy Speaker. One in five are facing starvation. 90% of people are now displaced. Over 50,000 people are dead and Gazza is the most dangerous place on earth for humanitarian workers. This has to end but, still, the Government keep condemning Netanyahu but he does not listen. The time forwards has to stop. We need action. Will the Minister take this time to commit to sanctioning those extremist members of the Israeli cabinet to stopping all arms traits with the Israel Government and recognising the Palestinian state? recognising the Palestinian state?

13:40

Rachel Hopkins MP (Luton South and South Bedfordshire, Labour)

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I think those three points have been put to me already over the course of the afternoon, so I will not repeat my answers, I will not collate on further sanctions. I will point out he references sanctions that we have taken far-reaching sanctions and we continue to impose the violent expansion in the the violent expansion in the occupied territories in law and we will continue to do so.

13:41

Mr Hamish Falconer MP, Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office) (Lincoln, Labour)

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Rachel Hopkins. continue to come to the chamber and ask those questions when our constituents continue to be horrified, likely, with the devastation that is playing out in Gaza. The UN stated that action must be taken out of prevent this. Does the Minister understand that our constituents when they see a legal response remain so frustrated and they want to see tangible action? Does the Minister understand that? Does the Minister understand that?

13:41

Iqbal Mohamed MP (Dewsbury and Batley, Independent)

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I do understand the frustration as I said earlier, a frustration that I know across the country everyone across the country once to see an end to the awful scenes on

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our televisions. Thank you. The Minister has stated that the legality of the UKEF 35 exports is currently being tested 35 exports is currently being tested in the courts. In the High Court, the Government has made submissions that no evidence has been seen that that no evidence has been seen that Israel is deliberately targeting civilian women and children. There is also evidence of Israel making efforts to limit incidental harm to efforts to limit incidental harm to civilians. If the Government needs to be shown evidence that Israel is

13:42

Mr Hamish Falconer MP, Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office) (Lincoln, Labour)

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to be shown evidence that Israel is deliberately targeting civilians, I suggest the Minister and his colleagues review the footage captured by the BBC in yesterday's bombing of the Gaza hospital, or the footage amazing from the NASA hospital, or the millions of hours hospital, or the millions of hours of live stream footage available since October 7, or the thousands of reports and articles published since. The past 18 months has seen since. The past 18 months has seen it total raw Gaza with ethnic cleansing according to the UN.

Does the UN deny the existence of this the UN deny the existence of this evidence? And, if so, has the Government committed perjury in court?

13:43

Ms Stella Creasy MP (Walthamstow, Labour )

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Obviously it is inappropriate it are to rehearse submissions which are currently being heard by the court.

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Thank you. I know that the Minister will know this, so we should put this on the record, that when President Netanyahu says that when President Netanyahu says that there is no way he will stop his there is no way he will stop his onslaught of Gaza, he does not do so onslaught of Gaza, he does not do so with the consent of the hostage families or, indeed, the majority of people in Israel. Even President Trump is now avoiding him, but my colleague is right.

We have

13:43

Mr Hamish Falconer MP, Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office) (Lincoln, Labour)

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colleague is right. We have obligations and I your the frustration from the Minister. I think across this House we want to give him strength so that he can go further. People have heard the calls about sanctions, about reports in the court. Will he give us, as we had in 2014, a vote in this place about immediately recognising Palestine so that we can strengthen his negotiations with Israel to send that clear message that what is happening in Gaza is wrong and must

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stop. I know that my honourable friend

13:44

Jack Rankin MP (Windsor, Conservative)

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I know that my honourable friend has a constituent, an incredibly brave and courageous constituent herself in the hostage family and her words whenever I have seen her, those of other hostage families, really as I know they do across the world. They are important views expressed by those most directly affected by the horrors of October 7. And the events that followed. And I have heard some of the arguments already in relation to that.

13:45

Mr Hamish Falconer MP, Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office) (Lincoln, Labour)

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Thank you. Can I thank the Minister for his clarity that genocide is a legal test to test whether a crime committed would be intent to destroy a national ethnic racial or religious group in that impact. Exactly what the hummus terrorist groups state in their foundational charter, the intent to destroy Israel and Jews worldwide as they actively sought to do on 7 October. If it wanted to end the war, hummus would release 58 hostages it continues to hold. How was the Minister supporting our friend and ally in the democracy of Israel in its fight against the

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I agree with the Honourable

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I agree with the Honourable Gentleman about the horrors of what Hamas has done. They have an ugly

13:45

Laurence Turner MP (Birmingham Northfield, Labour)

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Hamas has done. They have an ugly and unacceptable rhetoric not just towards Israelis but Jews everywhere. I recognise the anxiety in this country about the rise in anti-Semitic rhetoric ever since October 7. We have, as I've said earlier, Israel is our ally and we will stand with her when she faces legitimate terrorist threats. We have always urged her to abide by international humanitarian law. Where there is a risk that she has not come away discuss it.

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I'd like to pre-face the question

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I'd like to pre-face the question by saying that no member of this house should doubt the dedication house should doubt the dedication and compassion -- with which the Minister fulfils his duties. The Minister fulfils his duties. The World Health Organization has warned

13:46

Mr Hamish Falconer MP, Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office) (Lincoln, Labour)

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World Health Organization has warned of hunger in Gaza. The WHO quoted figures produced by the Gazan Health Authority. What assistance does the UK make -- what does the UK make of the malnutrition in Gaza? This is a result of Israel's refusal to allow

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aid to enter the Strip. My honourable friend from

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My honourable friend from Birmingham asks important questions. I know he follows these issues closely. The most up-to-date and authoritative assessment on these

13:47

Andrew George MP (St Ives, Liberal Democrat)

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authoritative assessment on these questions is the IPC assessment of Monday. We are considering it in detail. It's findings are appalling. We are not yet able to fully delineate the link between age

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restrictions and those findings in the level of detail that he describes but the connection is obvious. I'm looking to finish this urgent

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I'm looking to finish this urgent question around 2 o'clock so if members could keep their questions and also ministers keep their and also ministers keep their answers, I would appreciate it.

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Andrew George. I've just returned from the

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I've just returned from the occupied Palestinian territories. It occupied Palestinian territories. It was far worse. Is really ministers are gleefully calling for the are gleefully calling for the bombing of food warehouses because they believe that that would help bring victory in their eyes. It is bring victory in their eyes. It is quite clear that Israeli hostages being used as a pretext to continue

13:48

Mr Hamish Falconer MP, Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office) (Lincoln, Labour)

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being used as a pretext to continue the slaughter and starvation in Gaza. Although I reckon I is the sincere compassion of the Minister in the way that he has expressed himself on this issue. It's quite clear he comes with a straight jacket around him. What we need is the Prime Minister to make the decision. Are going to get to the point of seeing changes or any action on arms supplies or trade in action on arms supplies or trade in any other area or indeed the recognition of the state of Palestine.

If he can't do that, can he recognise the right of Palestinians to statehood?

13:49

Dr Rupa Huq MP (Ealing Central and Acton, Labour)

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Order, Minister. of this house seeing these situations up close and having their own judgements. The relevant own judgements. The relevant minister and I will speak with the authority of the government. The Minister, who is a good man, recognises that the 70 day blockade has made starvation widespread in has made starvation widespread in Gaza. When I was on delegation, we were nearby in Egypt. Annexation of both Gaza and the West Bank seem both Gaza and the West Bank seem inevitable.

Authorities in Egypt told us there has been a clear told us there has been a clear escalation. Can he give us some hope that there are further levers that we can pull because we don't want to we can pull because we don't want to be on the road -- rogue site -- wrong side of history.

13:50

Rt Hon Liz Saville Roberts MP (Dwyfor Meirionnydd, Plaid Cymru)

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Egypt is an important partner for the UK in relation to these questions. I myself saw the vital role they are playing in supporting healthcare for injured Palestinian children. I saw injured Palestinian children myself at the hospital and children myself at the hospital and I was pleased to announce UK contribution to ensure that contribution to ensure that Palestinians displaced into Egypt get the help and healthcare they need. need.

13:50

Mr Hamish Falconer MP, Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office) (Lincoln, Labour)

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The UN says Israel's denial of international law creates a risk we are witnesses to genocide. Will the Minister act now and enable eight airlifts? -- aid. airlifts? -- aid.

13:51

Matt Western MP (Warwick and Leamington, Labour)

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We have supported airlifts in the past and have been pleased to work with Jordanian allies on that question. Given the scale of need in Gaza, we should not be displaced from the central question, which is ensuring that the road crossing -- crossings are open.

13:51

Mr Hamish Falconer MP, Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office) (Lincoln, Labour)

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It should have been clear at the outset when the former is really ministers said that Israel will eliminate everything. 18 months later, blocking eight is being used to create pressure and starvation and being used as a weapon of war. Can this government now urgently act to prevent this? to prevent this?

13:52

Ayoub Khan MP (Birmingham Perry Barr, Independent)

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My honourable friend asks important questions and I've been clear from this dispatch box and I'm clear again. Aid must not be used as a pressure to. It must not be used as political leveraged or a military tactic. tactic.

13:52

Mr Hamish Falconer MP, Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office) (Lincoln, Labour)

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Thank you. With that truly -- with the truly shocking statements in this chamber, the Minister suggested that not enough Palestinians have been killed in order to constitute a genocide. The prime minister stated that he didn't refer to it as a genocide. If that is the case, why are the government lawyers making submissions, advancing submissions that no genocide has been conducted when it genocide has been conducted when it comes to the sale of the F-35 parts? comes to the sale of the F-35 parts?

13:53

Sonia Kumar MP (Dudley, Labour)

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I'm going to try to litigate the submissions of the court case on the questions that we have described. I have addressed issues repeatedly in this house. I have always been clear that we would defend that case and that's what we're doing, and we will see the judgement of the judges. see the judgement of the judges.

13:53

Mr Hamish Falconer MP, Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office) (Lincoln, Labour)

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Currently, 4000 newborns in Gaza are unable to access essential, life-saving care due to disk auction of medical facilities. Malocclusion and death among children is now a daily reality. Ignoring -- does the Minister agree it is time to go further and find alternative ways to get critical medicines into Gaza to protect those vulnerable children and ensure there is humanitarian access to Gaza? Will he consider alternative routes for those children who are in desperate need

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of critical care? My honourable friend is very

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My honourable friend is very committed to those questions. I responded to an earlier question emphasising the central importance

13:54

Shockat Adam MP (Leicester South, Independent)

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emphasising the central importance of road crossings to ensure aid. I want to assure the house that we will use whatever alternatives we can find. That includes supporting the small number of Gaza and children -- Gaza children to get help in the UK which they are currently accessing. Where we can help, we will help. I must be honest with the house about the scale of the help required.

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Thank you. Three weeks ago, while

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Thank you. Three weeks ago, while I was in the West Bank, I spoke to a young Palestinian refugee mother who asked me, why has the world

13:55

Mr Hamish Falconer MP, Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office) (Lincoln, Labour)

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asked me, why has the world forgotten us? My response has been echoed today. We haven't forgotten them but we have failed them completely. The failure looks like this. The United Nations has now confirmed that every single day, over 100 children have been killed or injured since March. Imagine that as our children. Can I ask the Minister, if God forbid, of 100 European children were being killed every single day, or God forbid, 100 Israeli children were being killed every single day, would we be

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supplying even a penknife to the perpetrators of this crime? Yes or not? The death of any child is a

13:55

Rt Hon Liam Byrne MP (Birmingham Hodge Hill and Solihull North, Labour)

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The death of any child is a tragedy. I have set out already the steps that we have taken in relation to this. I would like to reassure those watching not from the UK, as I have reassured Jordanians and -- Nobody has forgotten about Gaza. Not in this house, not in this country. It will continue to be an issue of the first rank of importance for this government. I will continue to this government. I will continue to work every day to try and get the changes we describe today.

13:56

Mr Hamish Falconer MP, Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office) (Lincoln, Labour)

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You have touched on the supply of jets for international security. F 35 is our a crucial part of that.. Can I ask that the government is considering whether Israel and its action should be part of that?

13:56

Jim Shannon MP (Strangford, Democratic Unionist Party)

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I don't wish to seem evasive but when these questions are being determined in the court this week, I don't want to get ahead of those submissions and discussions.

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I think some thanks should be given to the Minister for his temperament, his words well chosen temperament, his words well chosen and his reaction to all the questions. ES showed incredible

13:57

Mr Hamish Falconer MP, Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office) (Lincoln, Labour)

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questions. ES showed incredible patience and we all admire him for that. -- He has showed. The suffering of Israeli and Palestinian children means that we must find a way forward to secure peace. How does the Minister believe we can further push for the aim of peace and to put the welfare of the children, the innocents in this

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region, as a priority? The honourable member is

13:57

Johanna Baxter MP (Paisley and Renfrewshire South, Labour)

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The honourable member is unfailing in his courtesy. He asks the vital, the central question of the vital, the central question of how we can return to a diplomatic process that can be provided for security and stability in the region. It must be in accordance with the reconstruction plan with no place for Hamas in the future, immediate return of hostages and a return to the dramatic process for two states side by side. two states side by side.

13:58

Mr Hamish Falconer MP, Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office) (Lincoln, Labour)

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My constituents in Paisley and reference yourself -- reference sure -- Renfrewshire South write to me every day about this situation. The denial of aid is not only an tolerable, it is unconscionable. My honourable friend was right earlier when he talked about deeds, not words. Can I ask what does further pressure on Israel look like? What pressure on Israel look like? What tactical measures will our government take to prevent genocide in line with our international legal obligations?

13:58

Paula Barker MP (Liverpool Wavertree, Labour)

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I can reassure my noble friend and her constituents from Paisley that we discuss these matters urgently with her friends and urgently with her friends and allies, and that we will always abide by our international legal obligations, including those she mentions.

13:59

Mr Hamish Falconer MP, Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office) (Lincoln, Labour)

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Given the genocide that we are witnessing unfold before our eyes every single day, will the government dropped the 2030 Road government dropped the 2030 Road back -- roadmap and impose diplomatic sanctions in order to apply pressure on Israel to abide by its obligations under international law? law?

13:59

John Slinger MP (Rugby, Labour)

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I thank my honourable friend from Liverpool Riverside for her continued engagement in these questions. I'm afraid, as you would expect, I would be speculating on further sanctions from this dispatch box this afternoon.

13:59

Mr Hamish Falconer MP, Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office) (Lincoln, Labour)

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I acknowledge the dedication of

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I acknowledge the dedication of my honourable friend and British diplomats in this regard. My constituents are deeply concerned. Does he agree that the Israeli security plans are completely unacceptable? It's a duplicate is also totally unconscionable. We must also totally unconscionable. We must make plain to this is really government that we and the international community will not international community will not tolerate this. We will consider all the practical steps, including military aid to get aid through to those who need it.

14:00

Kim Johnson MP (Liverpool Riverside, Labour)

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those who need it. I thank my honourable friend. I

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I thank my honourable friend. I can reassure him that we are considering all matters to try and considering all matters to try and ensure that aid into Gaza. I regret that there is no alternative to road access given the scale of aid required but we will continue to work on these questions with the urgency that he describes and I'm grateful for his words about the British diplomats and I can assure the house that it is not just that ministerial team.

It is the diplomatic service of the kingdom that works of these questions, including the Security Council including the Security Council

14:01

Mr Hamish Falconer MP, Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office) (Lincoln, Labour)

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Thank you. 10 long weeks since the Israeli blockade has brought famine to the region while food has gotten to the border and is really Government denied the scale of the atrocities, with the defence minister quoting the blockade is a main pressure lever to secure victory. As a member of the UN Security Council, when will this Government pose meaningful sanctions to stop the genocide obviously happening? happening?

14:01

Emily Darlington MP (Milton Keynes Central, Labour)

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We have covered sanctions and determinations, but I want to reassure my honourable friend is that we consider our position on the UN County Counsel as an important responsibility and that is why we called the meeting. Yesterday, in the council, that has led to so much of the discussions.

14:02

Mr Hamish Falconer MP, Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office) (Lincoln, Labour)

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Thank you. When we look at those seats for many of our constituents there looking for family members in those pictures. One such member is a doctor who was stuck in North Gaza, very ill and frail and his son and daughter-in-law are important NHS doctors and my constituency, what are we doing to make sure that those people that are stuck in Gaza have a way to come out and cared for their

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family members here? Where British nationals or their dependents are in Gaza this is a top priority for my officials to ensure that they are able to live safely. I that they are able to live safely. I do not wish to comment on the specifics but I am very happy to take out a specific case both with take out a specific case both with my right honourable friend and any

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others in those circumstances. I also thank the Minister for

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I also thank the Minister for their work on this issue. Given the

14:03

Brian Leishman MP (Alloa and Grangemouth, Labour)

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their work on this issue. Given the U.K.'s commitment to a two state issue on our obligations under the law can the Government explain how it justifies engaging in trade negotiations with Israel while the UN is warning us about genocide in Gaza? And will the Minister agree that pursuing a trade deal in these circumstances would undermine our ability and two state solution would also undermine our positive solutions are to prevent violations in international law?

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I can assure the House that my focus is on the matters we have discussed this afternoon. They are

14:03

Mr Hamish Falconer MP, Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office) (Lincoln, Labour)

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urgent and immediate.

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The truth is that there is no need for any organisation to tell the public that what is happening is the public that what is happening is genocide. After all, we have seen the attempted extermination of the Palestinian people televised live. I Palestinian people televised live. I pray to the Minister that this will bring the accomplices complicit and accomplices to the warcrimes committed by Israel and what committed by Israel and what actually has to happen for our Government to take meaningful action

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in the name of humanity indecency? In the time that I have been a

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In the time that I have been a minister from the very first day I was a minister we were still funding was a minister we were still funding within weeks we had taken the far- reaching actions that I have described in relation to arms sales. described in relation to arms sales. I understand the question and I understand the feeling of our constituents right across the

14:04

Laura Kyrke-Smith MP (Aylesbury, Labour)

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constituents right across the country in Lincoln and elsewhere, but that the Government has taken the same steps to those opposite us, we took a series of steps. We took them quickly and we took them decisively I do not say to the honourable member that what we have done is enough. No one would think it is enough. No one could be listening to the UN Security Council yesterday afternoon and think it is yesterday afternoon and think it is enough, but it is different to say there is more to be done than it is to say there is nothing to be done.

to say there is nothing to be done.

14:05

Ms Polly Billington MP (East Thanet, Labour)

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After 70 days we are watching an entirely preventable famine unfolding in real time in Gaza and we mark the Government NGO bill 60 restrict the life-saving operation and militarised aid and humanitarian law. I thank the Minister for all of his efforts in the challenge at this point, but would he continue to challenge the Israeli Government on this and does he agree there has to be accountability?

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I am familiar with the legislation in the asset that we are

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legislation in the asset that we are engaging and the questions that it raises. Thank you, Madam Deputy Speaker.

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Thank you, Madam Deputy Speaker. I thank my honourable friend for the work. We must indeed feel very

14:05

Mr Hamish Falconer MP, Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office) (Lincoln, Labour)

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work. We must indeed feel very lonely on that Frontbench. I also particularly welcome the urgent session that we managed to secure at the United Nations and things have gotten more difficult over the recent days and we must ask the question are we doing enough with our allies on a number of fronts? Particularly, recognition. Where private letting has gone for many of my colleagues here today outside the House and there is unity across the House for recognition of the state of Palestine.

Action on sanctions, also on the violent settlements, and, above all, can we please roll out the trade deal?

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I am grateful, genuinely grateful, to all those across the House who ask questions, seek me out House who ask questions, seek me out across the palace to raise the force on this and I have seen the letter on this and I have seen the letter to which my honourable friend referred. I recognise that I return to this House on a practically daily basis, given the strength of viewing across the House. And we will continue to work on the questions

14:07

Urgent Question: To ask the Leader of the House if she will make a statement on Government compliance with the general principle set out in paragraph 9.1 of the Ministerial Code

that she outlines. I will not rehearsed answers to the questions, but I would assure her that I will continue to engage right across both my benches and others on these questions.

14:07

Rt Hon Lucy Powell MP, Lord President of the Council and Leader of the House of Commons (Manchester Central, Labour )

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That concludes the Urgent Question. We now move onto the next Urgent Question, I will give the Second Second question, Second question, Kirsty Second question, Kirsty Blackman.

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I would like to ask the leader of the she will make a statement on Government compliance with the general principles set out in paragraph 9.10 the ministerial code.

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paragraph 9.10 the ministerial code. Thank you, Madam Deputy Speaker.

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Thank you, Madam Deputy Speaker. The ministerial code is clear. When Parliament is in session, the most important announcements of important announcements of Government policy should be made in the first instance to Parliament. the first instance to Parliament. This is an important principle by which this Government stands. Already, this session, there have Already, this session, there have been 146 oral statements in just 133 been 146 oral statements in just 133 sitting days. More than one per day. And more than the previous Government made in the entirety of their last session.

This has included six important statements from the Prime Minister, more than from the Prime Minister, more than 20 from the Foreign Office, and on very important issues like today's statement on effective blood. I am the Government take our obligations to Parliament very seriously and the to Parliament very seriously and the Prime Minister and I remind Cabinet colleagues of this regularly. There are also other ways the Government keeps the House of dated, including through written Ministerial statements of which there have been 633 so far this session, responses and appearances at select committees, thousands of responses to parliamentary questions.

And while the Government remains committed to making the most important announcements on the floor of the House, we do need to balance this with other demands on the House as time, particularly where there is great interest in other business of the day. On occasion, developments and enhancements will happen when the House is not sitting, or image later in the sitting day. That is why it is not always possible to make every announcement in the House first, but it is also important that members have sufficient time to read and digest any relevant document and get advanced notice to be able to, effectively, question the Minister effectively, question the Minister and seek any answers.

However, as you know, I take this aspect of the ministerial code incredibly seriously, and I will continue to work with Mr Speaker and colleagues across the House to ensure that across the House to ensure that Parliament is respected, members are informed, the Government is effectively scrutinised, and effectively scrutinised, and announcements are made to this House first.

14:10

Kirsty Blackman MP (Aberdeen North, Scottish National Party)

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Over recent times we have seen an increasing trend of Government failing to make statements to the House first, despite there being no barrier to them doing so. Thursday last week was a mess with the Minister of State business entry trying to withdraw the statement on the UK US trade agreement, despite members waiting here for seven hours for the statement to materialise. The decision to acknowledge NHS in was reversed on 13 March and atrial of media beforehand and on Wednesday, 4 March and Urgent Question was granted regarding an announcement that had been made the day before on that system nimble farming initiative being cancelled and on March 6 consultation on North Sea energy that announced the day before was relayed to the House in a statement.

In February, the Government change refugee citizenship rules and still has not informed the House. On Monday this week, the Prime Minister announced the contents of the immigration white paper via a speech that mirrored Enoch Powell, despite Parliament sitting later that day. This is a consistent pattern of behaviour by the Government and IM concerned that there is little point concerned that there is little point in having a ministerial code if the Government can't ignore one of the key principles with no stanchion and key principles with no stanchion and apparently no quantum basis.

The Government are nearly 1 year into their term, and so disorganisation or a lack of familiarity with the rules can surely no longer be cited as reasons for consistent breaches as reasons for consistent breaches of code. I believe the UK Government should adhere to the principles set out in the ministerial code and the leader of must urgently set out how leader of must urgently set out how she intends to improve the situation and ensure adherence happens.

14:11

Rt Hon Lucy Powell MP, Lord President of the Council and Leader of the House of Commons (Manchester Central, Labour )

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Well, can I thank her for raising this Urgent Question? And I welcome the opportunity to emphasise the importance that I do take these matters with. We have made a number of very big announcements to the House, often responding to world events in real-time. I also recognise, and I hope you will respect this, that there are judgements to be made and there is a balance to be struck at times, and I do this with the best interests of the House in mind.

There have been many times, she has not mentioned those, in this parliamentary session where statements have been made to this House long before the media or anybody else was aware of them. For example, on prison capacity. The increase of defence spending to 2 1/2%. The response to the Parliamentary ombudsman report in the state pension age and many others. And, actually, Madam Deputy Speaker, an many of those occasions, the criticism that I received was that members did not have enough time to properly consider the details of those before having the opportunity to question the opportunity to question the Minister.

On the immigration white paper, I would just say with that in mind, hardcopies of the white paper, which is a very lengthy, detailed document, were made available in the table office at, were made available in the table office at 9:30 AM that morning to allow members ample time to read and consider that for questioning for the Home Secretary on the floor of the House in a session that lasted one hour and 25 minutes. She raises the US trade deal as well. Last Thursday. And look, I think we can all recognise that it not happen exactly as we would have liked it.

Because international events are often outside of our control. And on this occasion and on other occasions, those international events do not take account of UK parliamentary sitting hours and our sort of timing. The trade minister made an oral statement to the House as sooner he was able to do so. And I was trying to get the balance right there between that statement being made, when the maximum number of members were here, versus a statement then not being made for several days, otherwise, because it was a Thursday, as the House was arriving.

We are doing a lot. We are getting on with delivering a huge amount of issues and policies. These trade deals, which are unprecedented, in relation to other countries, the US trade deal, delivering lower tariffs on steel and car manufacturing, absolutely critical. The India trade deal delivering for Scottish distilleries and Scotland as well. In trying to do everything all the time, we are trying to get that balance right, but I do want to just emphasise my commitment to making sure that when announcements can be made in this House, they absolutely are.

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Shadow Leader of the House. I am very grateful to the

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I am very grateful to the honourable lady for raising this Urgent Question. As she has highlighted, there is a consistent pattern of failure to report first to this House as required in the ministerial code. She has rightly drawn attention to the seems that we drawn attention to the seems that we had in relation to the trade minister required to deliver a statement, then having to hear that following Monday and trying to give the same statement rebuked by the

14:15

Rt Hon Jesse Norman MP (Hereford and South Herefordshire, Conservative)

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the same statement rebuked by the Speaker for not knowing the difference and of course we had back in October we had the embarrassing site for the Government of the Chancellor announcing intended changes to the government's fiscal rules to the media before informing Parliament and having to be publicly rebuked by Mr Speaker. For doing so. Since then, she has mentioned a number of cases. I would highlight that the Secretary of State's indication announcing tuition fees to the press before Parliament in November, deputy minister announcing planning reforms before the final UPFs update was publicly available.

And MOD leak on the global combat And MOD leak on the global combat The ministerial code for which the government took great credit makes very plain what the rules are. Doesn't say that judgements are to be made. It says the first announcement must be made to Parliament with the most important announcements of government policy are made. Does anyone seriously think that an announcement on trade wouldn't be of first importance to this House, or on planning or tuition fees or the Global Combat Air Programme? Every single one of those would be vital.

Is not just a matter of ministerial accountability. These decisions are made in breach of the Nolan made in breach of the Nolan principles of openness and requirement for accountability. They are made in breach of Labour's own are made in breach of Labour's own manifesto to restore confidence in government. The question is this : government. The question is this : will the right honourable lady encourage the independent adviser to encourage the independent adviser to make an enquiry? Was she look to the make an enquiry? Was she look to the cabinet secretary to the same with civil servants? And will she look to the Deputy Speaker?

14:17

Rt Hon Lucy Powell MP, Lord President of the Council and Leader of the House of Commons (Manchester Central, Labour )

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I would gently remind the honourable gentleman that the ministerial code does say when the house in -- is in session. Announcements will be made to this house first. Those announcements can be made via written ministerial statement and other things as well. That is the balance to be struck and we try to do that in the best interest of the House. I'm sorry, Madam Deputy Speaker. He describes this as a business question and go but I'm going to give him a bingo because I'm not going to take a lecture from the honourable gentleman on these matters.

This government has done twice as many oral statements in the same number of sitting days as his government did. We are ensuring there is a proper time to scrutinise government bills, something they did not do. We are answering significantly more written parliamentary questions than his government ever did. And his government, I have to remind the house at this stage, illegally provoked Parliament when they provoked Parliament when they couldn't get their own way. Something he went out and defended Something he went out and defended to his own constituents.

They had a Prime Minister who was found of misleading this has, something he misleading this has, something he also defended. And when an MP broke the standards rules, they tried to the standards rules, they tried to change them. This government respects Parliament, we stand up for the rights of Parliament. His the rights of Parliament. His government absolutely traduce them. Well the Minister agree that there is a slight irony in the SNP raising this? But of course it is also vital that important announcements should be made in this house first in these key areas of policy? This includes most recently on the vital trade deal we have secured with India which is of such importance to the Scottish economy.

14:19

Marie Goldman MP (Chelmsford, Liberal Democrat)

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Well, he makes a really good point. The trade deal with India was absolutely really good for the Scottish distillery. I think it's going to bring in over £1 billion of additional trade for the whiskey trade sector. I wasn't aware, actually, of his experience in the Scottish parliament, but he's made a

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very good point about that today. Liberal Democrat spokesperson.

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Liberal Democrat spokesperson. I thank the honourable lady for bringing this urgent question today.

14:20

Rt Hon Lucy Powell MP, Lord President of the Council and Leader of the House of Commons (Manchester Central, Labour )

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All of us in this chamber were elected to represent our constituents and to put the interests of the country first. In order to do that, we must be able to scrutinise the government's plans in the government's policies. The best way to do that is in this chamber way to do that is in this chamber and as soon as possible, so Sue -- so we are disappointed it is being handled in this way and we also know handled in this way and we also know it isn't the first time.

The shadow leader has mentioned various examples of this and I would like to add some more. Take the NHS, for example, where the government has made key decisions without any statement to the chamber. Decisions on social care, cutting integrated on social care, cutting integrated care board budgets and scrapping nearly half of NHS targets. The nearly half of NHS targets. The question has to be why is the government so worried about bringing these issues to the floor first? Can I thank her for that question.

I have to disagree with her analysis there are. The Secretary of State for Health and his department, they have made eight announcements to the house so far in this session, all of which have been taken by the Secretary of State for Health himself and they have lasted a long time as well. His department have been answering many written parliamentary questions, laying down WMSs. The prime minister has made statements himself to this House. Twice already in this session. Far outstripping his predecessor.

We are accountable. Of course, we can always do better and improve and that is what we seek to do. Because we are so busy as a government we are so busy as a government getting on delivering the change that people have voted for, we are doing our best to inform the House of it. of it.

14:22

At points over the last few years, SNP leadership in Scotland have been under police investigation. All the while the government is failing Ayrshire government is failing Ayrshire fairies, costing £0.5 billion. The shambolic creation of Social shambolic creation of Social Security Scotland. With this constant waste of taxpayers money, does she agree with me the SNP does she agree with me the SNP should not be looked to as the model of good government? of good government?

14:22

Rt Hon Sir Julian Lewis MP (New Forest East, Conservative)

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He makes very important point. We all should hold ourselves to high standards of accountability and transparency and that perhaps the Scottish Nationalist Party should do

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that and the Scottish Government as well. The right honourable lady is an

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The right honourable lady is an attentive Leader of the House and I hope that the Government shows the hope that the Government shows the same degree of loyalty to her after a tough couple of weeks as she is showing to them. But whilst I

14:23

Rt Hon Lucy Powell MP, Lord President of the Council and Leader of the House of Commons (Manchester Central, Labour )

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showing to them. But whilst I acknowledge that the government does make any statements to the house, the point is that all too often it makes them to the media first. This was noted by you, Madam Deputy Speaker, in your announcement on Monday when you said Mr Speaker does not understand why the government insisted on making announcements this way when the ministerial code is absolutely clear. Will she take the message back and if she can confess it on the floor of the house that they are going too far and they need to stop.

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Leader of the House. Can I first of all thank the honourable gentleman for his kind honourable gentleman for his kind remarks? He is a very attentive member when it comes to raising member when it comes to raising matters with me and business questions were the government is falling short of its commitment to transparency and openness, whether transparency and openness, whether that is regarding ministerial that is regarding ministerial questions our correspondence and so on, which I do follow up for him.

As I said in my opening remarks, we do I said in my opening remarks, we do endeavour to make these important announcements to the house first when the house is in session.

14:24

Mr Alex Barros-Curtis MP (Cardiff West, Labour)

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when the house is in session. Obviously, he will appreciate that at times those announcements are made when the house is not in session, or because we want to give members ample time to fully consider the detailed documentation sitting alongside them. I can reassure him that this is something I speak to my cabinet colleagues about very regularly, as does the Prime Minister, and I speak to Mr Speaker about it as well. We will continue to raise our game to ensure that big, important statements are brought to the house.

brought to the house.

14:24

Rt Hon Lucy Powell MP, Lord President of the Council and Leader of the House of Commons (Manchester Central, Labour )

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Thank you. Further to the detail that the leader has set out in her response to the urgent question, could she say a bit more about the modernisation agenda but she is championing? I refer to the fact I am a member of the Modernisation Committee which is chaired by the Leader. Which she agree that all members come all sides of the house should take it seriously so we can best serve the constituents that we are here to serve?

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Can I thank him for raising that? As he knows, is a member of the Modernisation Committee, I want to Modernisation Committee, I want to ensure that this House of Commons and Parliament becomes and remains

14:25

Brendan O'Hara MP (Argyll, Bute and South Lochaber, Scottish National Party)

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the crucible of national debate once again, if indeed it ever was that enough. That is one of the agendas that we are delivering. I want to make sure that all members from across the house, particularly, actually, the smaller parties who are in our new multi-party House of Commons perhaps don't have the access that others do, have ample opportunity to really scrutinise government legislation and make the most of this House of Commons. I want to proceed on the basis of cross-party agreement so that every member of this house feels they are able to scrutinise and hold to

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account the government of the day. I thank my honourable friend for securing this urgent question. It's securing this urgent question. It's not the first time she has had to raise this issue in her

14:26

Rt Hon Lucy Powell MP, Lord President of the Council and Leader of the House of Commons (Manchester Central, Labour )

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raise this issue in her parliamentary career, but it does appear that whoever is on those benches forgets conveniently everything that they said when they were on these benches. The Leader will recall a former Labour Shadow Leader of the House. They said that Parliament must be told first they are not irrelevant. That is a warning to the current Labour government. Is the government experiencing a case of acute amnesia or do they believe that it is now their turn to treat members of this house with contempt?

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I disagree with his analysis there. I have made absolutely clear this government has made 145 statements in 133 sitting days. That statements in 133 sitting days. That is more than one a day. The vast majority of those statements have majority of those statements have been made by Secretary of State. -- Secretaries of state. It's not Secretaries of state. It's not something we saw under the previous comment. And did, from many, many months, I and others were calling for the Foreign Secretary to come for the Foreign Secretary to come and announce questions of the house, something that the previous government blocked from happening, government blocked from happening, because it was in the other place.

We have answered -- we have laid We have answered -- we have laid written statements and answered thousands more Parliamentary

14:28

Graeme Downie MP (Dunfermline and Dollar, Labour)

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thousands more Parliamentary questions in this session. I take very seriously our duty to lay ourselves open for transparency, scrutiny and openness with this house and will continue to strive, for ever increasing respect and standards and that regard. standards and that regard.

14:28

Rt Hon Lucy Powell MP, Lord President of the Council and Leader of the House of Commons (Manchester Central, Labour )

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I should begin that by seeing as the member for Dunfermline and Dollar, I see the importance of transparency. After all, it was transparency. After all, it was where the famous campervan was. We heard from the S&P. Does she agree with me that it is scandalous to with me that it is scandalous to bring this up today. It took Freedom of information request to find out more information about the former more information about the former First Minister meeting with Turkey to discuss among other things Scottish trade?

14:28

Rt Hon Sir Jeremy Wright KC MP (Kenilworth and Southam, Conservative)

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I think the Honourable gentleman

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makes a very important point and I don't need to answer it. I think it would be fair to say

14:29

Rt Hon Lucy Powell MP, Lord President of the Council and Leader of the House of Commons (Manchester Central, Labour )

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I think it would be fair to say that this is not the first government to have disregarded this particular provision of the ministerial code. Can I put this to the Leader of the House? If the charge is that the government for its own calculated and tactical advantage has breached the ministerial code announcing something outside this chamber, surely the person determining that breach has occurred cannot be the leader of that government? Isn't it time to look again at the recommendations made by among others the committee on standards in public life, of which I was once a member, that the decision maker as to whether the ministerial code is breached, should be the independent adviser on ministerial interests and not the Prime Minister?

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You will know that the independent adviser on the independent adviser on the ministerial code appointed by the previous government was reappointed by this government, and their powers by this government, and their powers strengthened so they can initiate enquiries. Those enquiries don't need to be initiated by the Prime need to be initiated by the Prime Minister. We are raising standards when it comes to members of Parliament, when it comes to ministers as well. We are holding ourselves accountable to those much higher standards than actually happened under the previous happened under the previous government.

I would just like to reiterate for the house that the

14:30

Shaun Davies MP (Telford, Labour)

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ministerial code does say when Parliament is in session the most important announcements of government policy should be made in the first instance to Parliament. There are times when Parliament is There are times when Parliament is not in session and those announcements are then brought to announcements are then brought to

14:30

Rt Hon Lucy Powell MP, Lord President of the Council and Leader of the House of Commons (Manchester Central, Labour )

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New members of the House have noticed that almost every single day the parliament sits there as a statement from the Government alongside and causing quite rightly asking urgent questions. Other leader of the ask Modernisation Committee to look at further ways in which we can scrutinise the work of the Government? Without slowing down the delivery which is what we need to do.

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Well, he makes a good point about the balance of business in the day. the balance of business in the day. We are bringing forward a number of key pieces of legislation. I know members from across the House will

14:31

Dr Luke Evans MP (Hinckley and Bosworth, Conservative)

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members from across the House will have ample time to scrutinise that legislation, and obviously statements and urgent questions printed on that day often in to that time as well. That is the balance that needs to be struck. The Modernisation Committee is actually looking at these issues at the moment. How we can make the best use of parliamentary time to ensure that Government is adequately scrutinised and accountable and that backbenchers really have the chance to do that everyday of the week.

14:31

Rt Hon Lucy Powell MP, Lord President of the Council and Leader of the House of Commons (Manchester Central, Labour )

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I was here on Thursday, actually the responding shadow minister for the debate which was actually pulled forward because of the delay in the statement when it came to the trade deal. We were waiting almost one hour for that gap. Can you confirm there was no pressure from Donald Trump to make sure that was made because it is repeatedly when the House is suiting all day on Thursday, in fact many members had to change their travel plans or change the way their meetings were happening to respond to the debates because it was changed, purely for a press conference to happen first for it came to this chamber, so she can

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read rule out the pressure from the Prime Minister or Donald Trump on this occasion? Absolutely can rule that out. As

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Absolutely can rule that out. As I said earlier, the emerging I said earlier, the emerging agreement on a very important US trade deal, UK US trade deal, was trade deal, UK US trade deal, was emerging. Has been very fast-moving. Those things were changing, even indeed throughout that and the timing. The announcement itself, the timing. The announcement itself, the agreement itself is not actually agreed until the announcement itself agreed until the announcement itself was made and we were trying to balance that throughout the day which is why it was made clear to the House earlier in the day that the House earlier in the day that there would be a statement that it was able to happen and the trade minister came to this House as soon as possible and actually we were

14:33

Jim Allister KC MP (North Antrim, Traditional Unionist Voice)

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as possible and actually we were mindful of the fact that in the debate he was talking about on the backbench debate there were many people in the gallery for that debate as well. We were trying to not disrupt the business of the House that day, but sometimes these big global events happen and the people in charge of those global events are not actually considering the sitting hours or the well-being of Members of Parliament in this House. It was not the Prime Minister's timing in that sense.

Minister's timing in that sense.

14:34

Rt Hon Lucy Powell MP, Lord President of the Council and Leader of the House of Commons (Manchester Central, Labour )

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Is the ministerial code binding? Or is it optional? Or is it very Or is it optional? Or is it very merely aspirational? And judging by the blatant disregard of what the code says in regard of the statements, can the House have confidence that Ministers adhere diligently to the other requirements under the code?

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The ministerial code is a code by

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The ministerial code is a code by which Ministers are subject to. And that ministerial code is both something that the Prime Minister

14:34

Harriet Cross MP (Gordon and Buchan, Conservative)

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something that the Prime Minister judges Ministers by, but also, as I have said earlier, the independent adviser on the ministerial code now has new powers given to him by this Prime Minister to instigate their own inquiries on the ministerial code. And I would just, again, reiterate what the ministerial code says in this regard that when Parliament is in session, the most important announcement of Government policy should be made in the first instance to Parliament. And there are many ways in which that can be done, other than just through oral statements on the floor of the House.

House.

14:35

Rt Hon Lucy Powell MP, Lord President of the Council and Leader of the House of Commons (Manchester Central, Labour )

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Thank you. In early November, the Secretary of State for Education was asked in this chamber by Mr Speaker to start a leak inquiry. To find out how the announcement about the tuition fees were going to be raised was released to the press, rather than in this House. That was November and we are now in mid May, so can the Leader of the House please update us as to when this

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inquiry will report and if the report has progressed? Well, the Secretary of State for Education made absolutely clear, I think to the floor of this House, then and on subsequent occasions,

14:36

Dave Doogan MP (Angus and Perthshire Glens, Scottish National Party)

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then and on subsequent occasions, her fury that that announcement, or elements of that announcement, were leaked moments before she stood at the Dispatch Box for a very important announcement to this House. Which has been hitherto completely under wraps and no one had sight of it and that happened moments before she came to this House. And I know she has spoken to Mr Speaker about that subsequently, and I will ensure that any findings of that investigation are reported

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to her. We have seen the content that the

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We have seen the content that the Government holds for pensioners and Government holds for pensioners and the disabled with. The contempt that they hold Scotland's energy centre, creators with. These are all creators with. These are all functions of policy. These are discretionary. And therefore, for better or worse, usually worse, legitimate. It is not discretion to adhere to the ministerial code. And it is, Frankie, if I can be honest,

14:37

Rt Hon Lucy Powell MP, Lord President of the Council and Leader of the House of Commons (Manchester Central, Labour )

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it is, Frankie, if I can be honest, a little beneath the Leader of the House to see that we do not announce it to Parliament first every time. But we do some of the time. And sometimes the House is not sitting, despite every example being presented today to her when the House was sitting. So, when will she really, to the Government, to the Prime Minister, the severe annoyance of the members of this House at the repeated inaction of the Government on this? And can I advise her for her own information that contrary to the Scottish cross sitting in the row behind us, there is no such duty on Scottish Ministers of that which is set out in 9.1 of the ministerial code.

Leader of the.

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As I have mentioned, we take the ministerial code incredibly ministerial code incredibly seriously. We take respecting this House and Parliament incredibly House and Parliament incredibly seriously. We have driven standards in this regard. Standards that were, as I have already said, woefully not as I have already said, woefully not upheld by the previous Government who disregarded Parliament time who disregarded Parliament time after time stock can that improve? Can we do better? Of course we can.

14:38

Iqbal Mohamed MP (Dewsbury and Batley, Independent)

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Can we do better? Of course we can. And we do our very best to do that. And I will also just remind the House there have been many statements to the House, brought to this House first, when, as I say, actually the criticism I got them from many colleagues was that they were not able to properly consider those issues before then questioning the Minister. That is something we have also needed to get right in that context. But we are doing our very best and we will continue to drive these examples.

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Thank you. I would like to thank my honourable friend for this Urgent Question. The people of Britain have lost faith in politics and

14:39

Rt Hon Lucy Powell MP, Lord President of the Council and Leader of the House of Commons (Manchester Central, Labour )

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politicians. And it is really important that what we do in this place since new Labour Government came to power and from this day forward aims to rebuild that trust. And the question I have is what reassurance will she give to meet the members of this House and our electorate that the Government will not deliberately or knowingly reach

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the ministerial code going forward? Well, as I have said, I am

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Well, as I have said, I am committed and determined that this House of Commons remains and becomes House of Commons remains and becomes and continues to be the crucible of and continues to be the crucible of national debate. Showing itself to be operating at the highest standards with the best behaviour, looking at some of those issues in the Modernisation Committee. Ensuring that independent members like himself and smaller parties have their voice in this House. I think that this House has shown think that this House has shown itself, at times, to be all of those things and taking steps to raise things and taking steps to raise standards by also taking action and standards by also taking action and those misbehaving not on the estate

14:40

Ministerial Statement: Government Response to the Infected Blood Inquiry

those misbehaving not on the estate and action is taking against them as well and I will continue to do that and I hope that he and other smaller parties across this House will join parties across this House will join us in taking those steps to ensure that we have the best behaviour, the highest standards, but also this House is able to hold the Government House is able to hold the Government to account and be the crucible of to account and be the crucible of national debate that we all want it to be.

14:40

Rt Hon Nick Thomas-Symonds MP, The Paymaster General and Minister for the Cabinet Office (Torfaen, Labour)

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That concludes the Urgent Question, and we will now move on to give their house a few moments to give their house a few moments to settle. Nick Thomas Simpson.

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Thank you. I am grateful to the opportunity on the government's work to respond to the recommendations made in the effective blood inquiries on 20 May, 2024. On that day, the then Prime Minister issued an apology on behalf of the state an apology on behalf of the state for the devastating impact for the use of infected blood and infected products having on-campus lives, an apology that was issued by the current Prime Minister then on the opposition bench.

I once again reiterate that apology reiterate that apology wholeheartedly today. No member in this House will be in any doubt of this House will be in any doubt of the harm resulting from this. The Government is for that we must Government is for that we must listen to the community and the inquiry and make tangible changes to inquiry and make tangible changes to the way our institutions conduct themselves. However, as the inquiries were made clear, and inquiries were made clear, and apology is only meaningful if it is accompanied by action.

I am here today to settle the actions we are taking respond to the inquiries recommendations. I would also like to acknowledge that last week the inquiry held further hearings about the timeliness and adequacy of the government's response on compensation. I intended to give evidence along with members of the community impacted by this scandal and I encourage all members to listen to the incredibly moving testimony of those impacted. The inquiry has centred their intention to publish a further report and the Government remains committed to cooperate with the inquiry and act on its recommendations.

On 17 December act on its recommendations. On 17 December 2024, the Government published its initial response to the inquiries recommendations. I laden accompanying written statement where I committed to come before the House with a comprehensive update on our response to each of the inquiries recommendations we have heard here and the inquiries are bought. The statement fulfils that commitment and I am grateful for the engagement of all members across the House and pleased to have the opportunity to discuss the programs today.

I would like to, again, thank Sir Brian and his team. The recommendations he made wide- ranging, well considered and detailed. The covenant has worked closely with the devolved Governments to make progress, implementing those recommendations, which we hope will lead to meaningful change. I am grateful to the ministerial colleagues for their cooperation, in particular my honourable friend in the Department for health and. The Parliamentary for public health prevention for her leadership on the recommendations for which her department is responsible.

I would also like to thank the health Ministers in the devolved Governments, the Minister for Public health and Jenny in Scotland, Jeremy miles in Wales, the Cabinet secretary of Health and Social Care Committee and the Minister of health Mike Nesbitt in Northern Ireland. Their engagement has been invaluable in ensuring how this unified and approach as possible across the United Kingdom and the Government will continue to engage closely with the Government on the support for advocacy charities and implementation in relation to the NHS.

I recognise that for many communities the Government actions are coming after decades in the past. And there is nothing that could quite damage the inaction by multiple previous Governments and it is not my intention for this statement to diminish that. My priority now to ensure that scandals such as infected and many others cannot happen again. And while I turn now to the recommendations in this House, alongside this statement I have published an accompanying pavement on guv.uk setting out in detail the Government response to each of the recommendations.

I will place a copy in the libraries of the House. Equally, I am firm in the importance of these recommendations to be affected by the inquiry and writing today to community representatives to inform them of the publication response. The UK and devolved Governments have accepted the inquiries recommendations and implementation is away across the Government arms bodies and healthcare settings. Where recommendations are accepted in principle we have sought to explain rationale for doing so, balancing agreement of the spirit of the implementation and some are subject I have noted some of the recommendations that have drawn attention across the house in previous debates so will take a moment to touch on those.

Firstly, on compensation. I'm grateful to those who attended previous debates on this in the house and indeed many are here today. The Infected Blood Compensation Authority delivered on the government's commitment to provide the first full compensation payments by the end of last year. It publishes its data regarding compensation on a monthly basis. As of 6 May, these payments totalled over 4 million. I'm also pleased to announce today that the interim chairs who developed fatal work to inform the design of the position scheme and has overseen delivery of the scheme to this point will continue in that role of interim chair for a further 15 months.

Another recommendation that has been of particular interest to Honourable and right Honourable members is recommendation number 10 regarding funding for advocacy services. And please that my Honourable friend wrote to charities confirming that £500,000 with the funding has been made available for this financial year to ensure that the vital work these charities do in relation to to patient advocacy assisting. The government also recognises the importance of recommendation five on ending the defence of culture in Civil Service.

It's imperative we get this right so the public can put their trust in institutions, which have let down does not -- not just the infected community but others. The per ministers committed to legislation on a duty of candour and has confirmed that duty will apply to public authorities and public servants and include criminal sanctions. We are consulting on this issue and working to draft the best, most effective version of Hillsborough law as part of wider efforts to improve public services. In conclusion, the enquiry's final recommendation relates to giving effect their accommodations it's effect their accommodations it's made.

I am only two away. A lot more needs to be done and as I made clear to the enquiry in my evidence last week, I am open to considering how we can improve the government's actions to ensure we deliver justice for victims in this devastating scandal. As progress continues to be made, my colleagues and I will report on the recommendations where we are responsible. Were committed to transparency and accountability and we will publish the government's progress via publicly accessible dashboard in due course which will be regularly updated as progress is made.

The victims of this scandal have suffered immeasurably. I pay tribute to the infected blood committee once again. I pay tribute to their courage, perseverance and determination to demand justice for the wrongs that have been done to the. I hope this update provides them with some reassurance that we are learning and acting on the mistakes of the past and where there is more to do, this government will do it. I commend this statement to the house. the house.

14:49

I called the shadow minister.

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Thank you. I thank the Minister for his statement. The infected but for his statement. The infected but scandal is one of the -- infected blood scandal is one of the recent blood scandal is one of the recent blood scandal is one of the recent -- biggest failure is. Next week, it will be the first anniversary of the enquiry's report. I'm grateful to enquiry's report. I'm grateful to the team who worked on the report.

14:50

Mike Wood MP (Kingswinford and South Staffordshire, Conservative)

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On 21 May last year, my right honourable friend stood at the dispatch box and made clear his determination to act on the enquiry's report. I pay tribute to his work and thank him for the advice and support he has given to me in the shadow cabinet office team on this issue since the election. I'm pleased that the Paymaster general picked up from where his predecessor left off. As I have said before, both sides of the house speak as one on this issue.

Sadly, nothing that we or the government can do will undo the terrible damage caused by this kind of. No amount of money will bring back those who have been lost. No amount of lessons learned can make up for the suffering of those who contracted serious illnesses because of contaminated blood. But we would not only be failing in our duty but also failing all of those who have died and all of those who continue to live with life changing conditions if we do not take up this battle on their behalf.

And to do this, we must directly address the profound distress, anger and fear that is being expressed by victims and their families at the pace of the full compensation scheme's rollout. Victims of -- victims have referred me to the weight as torture and disgraceful -- wait. The gravity of those concerns has been underscored. Whilst we support this decision, we need to make sure it does not delay proper compensation for those who have already lost so much.

We know that with every week and month that passes, more infected and affected individuals will sadly by -- die before receiving the final compensation. This is the human cost of delay. Whilst the competition authority was set up to be independent of government and operational matters, I ask the Minister whether he is content with the current pace of delivery? If not, what he and the government are doing to help David Foley and his team to speed up payouts to dying victims? Turning to other recommendations, on recommendation six on monitoring liver damage for people who are infected with hepatitis C, could I ask the Paymaster general what progress has been made on this recommendation within the National Health Service? And on recommendation eight, finding the undiagnosed, what action has been taken to ensure that patients who had transfusions between 1996 are offered a blood test for hepatitis C? Can the Paymaster General update the house on how many such tests have so far been carried out, and what assessment he has made of the additional infected and affected patients who may now be eligible for compensation? The journey to rebuild trust with victims and their families will be long and requires not only words of apology and commitment but crucially demonstrable action that proves that demonstrable action that proves that the government and indeed this house the government and indeed this house are listening and responding.

The acknowledgement that the current compensation scheme has not yet won the trust and confidence of the the trust and confidence of the community is a start. I hope the government will continue to take these concerns seriously to put in place robust changes that are place robust changes that are necessary and we will support them and that work. and that work.

14:54

Rt Hon Nick Thomas-Symonds MP, The Paymaster General and Minister for the Cabinet Office (Torfaen, Labour)

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The Paymaster General. Point of order will come after. Paymaster I'm reassured, I think I can anticipate the honourable gentleman 's point. Could I just say, first of all, to the Shadow Minister that I do think the cross-party approach we have had has been very important. The approach, as the honourable gentleman knows, I took with the previous Paymaster general. I should also say to the honourable gentleman who asked about pace and delivery, absolutely not, I am restless with anticipation.

He asked me about what we will do about the pace of compensation going forward. It car -- the authority has taken an approach and there will be an increase in payments. I will be holding it to account. Secondly, I also stand ready to assist the authority in whatever way I can. On the issue of the monitoring of liver damage, will be a new surveillance registry that will be set up. On the point he is asking about the test prior to 1996, further detail I will ask my honourable friend who sat here to write to the shadow minister with the precise figures on that.

with the precise figures on that. Overall, we all want to see the pace of payments speed up and that's exactly what I'm seeking to do.

14:56

Judith Cummins MP (Bradford South, Labour)

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Before I call any member, I would just like to say that we have looked at Gregory Stafford's point regarding the statement. I understand the Department have now understand the Department have now understand the Department have now sent statements to the office and these are currently being printed and will be with us very, very shortly. Ensure the Minister will be shortly. Ensure the Minister will be looking into this as we -- as he will have heard. Ensure he is as will have heard.

Ensure he is as dissatisfied with the situation as the house. I now call Andrew Cooper. the house. I now call Andrew Cooper.

14:57

Andrew Cooper MP (Mid Cheshire, Labour)

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Thank you. I met with two of my constituents who have been sadly affected by this scandal and attended the hearings last week. They told me what an emotional day it was. Almost like a family reunion in some ways. But the immense frustration and still having to fight in their long fight to justice remains. They told me again they feel the payments are happening too slowly and it is still unclear what slowly and it is still unclear what evidence they will need to provide to support their claim.

Now, I welcome the government has identified 11.8 billion to pay identified 11.8 billion to pay compensation. This has been properly budgeted for for the first time. I'm sure my honourable friend will agree sure my honourable friend will agree with me that the challenge now is to ensure that trust is built and maintained as we complete this process. Could you possibly tell the process. Could you possibly tell the House what he can do to ensure that the evidential requirements are clear to families to allow them to prepare for being contacted, and prepare for being contacted, and that payments are accelerated and justice is delivered to everybody affected by this appalling scandal?

14:58

Rt Hon Nick Thomas-Symonds MP, The Paymaster General and Minister for the Cabinet Office (Torfaen, Labour)

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Paymaster General. extremely moving and he will be aware of the evidence that I gave to the enquiry last week. The point he has made about evidence is actually has made about evidence is actually a really important point because in regard to evidence, we know first of all that so much happened a long time ago, so evidence is difficult to source. Secondly, Sir Brian to source. Secondly, Sir Brian Langstaff's enquiry, there is also document structure. For those two reasons in particular, it is reasons in particular, it is essential that the authority takes a sympathetic, enabling view to the evidence that is required and has caseworkers assisting victims in terms of speeding things up.

14:59

Sarah Olney MP (Richmond Park, Liberal Democrat)

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Thank you very much. I'd like to thank the Paymaster General for his statement. The infected blood scandal is a harrowing story. These people have been filled not only by medical professionals in the NHS who should have been responsible for the safety of the treatment and by a series of governments who should have prevented such horror from ever taking place. As the Minister knows, I welcome the introduction of the Infected Blood Compensation Scheme. The government was right to introduce the scheme at the start of Parliament and I'm glad to hear the Minister say the affected but in position authority are scaling up the operation.

However, we are alarmed that the right of the scheme has been far too slow, leaving victims without justice they deserve. Victims have been waiting for decades for recognition of the suffering they endured. So far, only 506 people have received payment from the authority. Compensation payout are not due to conclude until 2029. This would rely on a rapid increase in the current rate of payments. We are deeply concerned by the speed with which victims are receiving the compensation. To echo the words of Brian Langstaff, people infected and affected do not have time on their side.

To that end and to provide confidence to victims and their families, I ask the Minister to clarify what deadline he has for the implementation of the enquiry's recommendations. What steps is he taking to increase the speed with which payments are being made question can he confirm when all victims can expect to receive their long overdue compensation? Also, what more can be done to help those who need to provide proof of infection whether medical records have been destroyed? -- were their medical records have been destroyed.

Supporting the work of these vital Supporting the work of these vital organisations and engaging with them to understand exactly the needs of to understand exactly the needs of And I am glad to hear the public's And I am glad to hear the public's sentiments with regards to section 5 sentiments with regards to section 5 but I ask when the Government will bring proposals to this effect forward so that such a scandal is never repeated and can you clarify why there has been a delay given the why there has been a delay given the relevant run legislation was meant to be published initially in April.

Thank you. Thank you.

15:02

Rt Hon Nick Thomas-Symonds MP, The Paymaster General and Minister for the Cabinet Office (Torfaen, Labour)

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First of all, with regard to the current position for approximate just over 96 million has been paid and they have invited 677 claimant to begin process, just to be clear the date of 2029, it is correct to say that there is what I regard as backstop dates, 2027 for the infected and 2029 for the affected and that is what they are, backstop. They are not the targets. The target is to make these payments as soon as possible.

The honourable lady also raises evidence which I dealt with

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