Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask His Majesty's Government what is the (1) original, and (2) current, estimated cost of the update to Oxford station, including the new western entrance and platform five.

Answered by Lord Hendy of Richmond Hill - Minister of State (Department for Transport)

The original cost for the Oxford station enhancement project was £161 million. The estimated cost is £237.4 million. This does not include the full cost of the final delivery phase of the project, including the new western entrance and platform five which is currently proceeding through Network Rail and Department for Transport approvals.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask His Majesty's Government what is the (1) original, and (2) current, estimated completion date of the update to Oxford station, including the new western entrance and platform five.

Answered by Lord Hendy of Richmond Hill - Minister of State (Department for Transport)

Botley Road was originally expected to open in October 24 and is now expected to open in September 2026. The remaining works in the Oxford station project are expected to be completed by mid-2029 to support the planned introduction of East West Rail services.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government what plans they have for the Special Envoy for Post-Holocaust Issues to promote implementation of the Terezin Declaration.

Answered by Baroness Winterton of Doncaster - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)

Further to the response provided to the Noble Baroness on 15 June in response to Question HL667, the Special Envoy is continuing to work on issues around property restitution for Holocaust survivors, and we will provide further details of his overseas engagement towards that end in the normal way in due course. I appreciate that this error has resulted in an unacceptable delay in responding to the Noble Baroness and apologise for any inconvenience caused. Arrangements are now being made to submit the answers as soon as possible.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government what representations the Special Envoy for Post-Holocaust Issues has made to the Government of Austria concerning the restitution of property looted from Jewish victims or sold under pressure following the Anschluss.

Answered by Baroness Winterton of Doncaster - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)

Further to the response provided to the Noble Baroness on 15 June in response to Question HL667, the Special Envoy is continuing to work on issues around property restitution for Holocaust survivors, and we will provide further details of his overseas engagement towards that end in the normal way in due course. I appreciate that this error has resulted in an unacceptable delay in responding to the Noble Baroness and apologise for any inconvenience caused. Arrangements are now being made to submit the answers as soon as possible.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government how the Civil Service learning and development contracts awarded to KPMG and EY will complement UK Research and Innovation programmes like P2R: increasing UK policymaker engagement with research, which aim to strengthen direct links between policymakers, civil servants and UK research organisations.

Answered by Baroness Twycross - Parliamentary Secretary (Cabinet Office)

The Civil Service values its people, invests in their growth, and is serious about building the capability to meet the challenges of the future. This autumn the National School of Government and Public Services will formally open its doors to civil servants. The learning the school provides will boost public sector productivity and accelerate the pace of progress towards delivering the excellent, digitally-enabled public services to be expected from a modern state.

The learning and development contracts awarded to KPMG and EY enable the National School to procure evaluation and research services from UK universities and research organisations. This complements our wider evaluation, research and data strategy. As part of this, we recently launched our College of Experts, a set of academic and external experts who can bring insight to and advise on all aspects of the National School’s work, and presented on this work at the Universities Policy Engagement Network.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government why they have not imposed sanctions on trade with Northern Cyprus.

Answered by Lord Wood of Anfield - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)

The Government has not imposed sanctions on trade with northern Cyprus because the UK's approach is governed by longstanding obligations under relevant UN Security Council Resolutions and court rulings concerning the status of the northern part of Cyprus. In accordance with the rest of the international community, with the sole exception of Turkey, the UK does not recognise it as an independent state and we have no plans to introduce additional trade sanctions. We remain committed to supporting a just and lasting Settlement on the island and to encouraging economic engagement between the two communities within the framework of international law.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Baroness Chapman of Darlington on 31 October 2025 (HL10877), whether they still regard ending the Palestinian Authority's payments to prisoners and to the families of those killed while carrying out attacks against Israelis as a precondition for full diplomatic relations with a Palestinian state; and what assessment they have made of the statement made by a released Palestinian prisoner, Khaled Abu Amsha, on official Palestinian Authority television that ending such payments would undermine recruitment to future attacks against Israelis.

Answered by Lord Wood of Anfield - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)

A reformed Palestinian Authority (PA) is essential to long-term stability in the region and progressing towards a two-state solution. We welcome the Palestinian Authority's commitment, underlined in the UK-PA Memorandum of Understanding, to reform prisoner payments so that welfare payments are based on needs and not linked to acts of violence. The audit has been completed. We await full publication of the audit so that this can be verified.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Baroness Chapman of Darlington on 31 October 2025 (HL10877), what assessment they have made of the Palestinian Central Elections Commission's ruling that Palestinian Authority employees must resign their posts and forfeit their salary to stand as candidates in local elections, while those receiving payments as prisoners or as wounded persons are exempt from that requirement and may continue receiving those payments while standing for and holding public office.

Answered by Lord Wood of Anfield - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)

A reformed Palestinian Authority (PA) is essential to long-term stability in the region and progressing towards a two-state solution. We welcome the Palestinian Authority's commitment, underlined in the UK-PA Memorandum of Understanding, to reform prisoner payments so that welfare payments are based on needs and not linked to acts of violence. The audit has been completed. We await full publication of the audit so that this can be verified.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Baroness Chapman of Darlington on 31 October 2025 (HL10877), what assessment they have made of the statement by the Fatah spokesman in the Gaza Strip, Mundhir Al-Hayek, that the Palestinian Authority has not stopped paying salaries to prisoners and to the families of those killed while carrying out attacks against Israelis, and that these payments are being routed to recipients in Gaza through arrangements involving powers of attorney.

Answered by Lord Wood of Anfield - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)

A reformed Palestinian Authority (PA) is essential to long-term stability in the region and progressing towards a two-state solution. We welcome the Palestinian Authority's commitment, underlined in the UK-PA Memorandum of Understanding, to reform prisoner payments so that welfare payments are based on needs and not linked to acts of violence. The audit has been completed. We await full publication of the audit so that this can be verified.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the effect of (1) the measures taken by the government of Israel in response to the sanctions they imposed on settlements in the West Bank, and (2) those sanctions on Palestinian workers in the settlements.

Answered by Lord Wood of Anfield - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)

The response of the Government of Israel to the sanctions announced on 8 September by the Foreign Secretary is deeply regrettable. The measures taken will target illegal settlement activity, violence and extremism. Palestinian businesses will continue to benefit from preferential trade arrangements. Our focus is on ensuring we can continue our diplomatic work and support efforts towards a two-state solution. The UK will continue acting in line with our values, and keeps all our sanctions regimes and their impact and effectiveness under review. We will update the House further on these measures.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Baroness Chapman of Darlington on 31 October 2025 (HL10875), whether they will now answer the question put, namely who they recognise as the government of Palestine and where it is located.

Answered by Lord Wood of Anfield - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)

The UK formally recognised the State of Palestine on 21 September 2025. The UK recognises Palestinian statehood over provisional borders, based on the 1967 lines subject to agreed land swaps, to be finalised through future negotiations. The UK remains of the firm view that the two-state solution is the best means to secure lasting peace, security and prosperity for both Israelis and Palestinians.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Baroness Chapman of Darlington on 31 October 2025 (HL10876), whether they will now answer the question put, namely what boundaries they recognise for the state of Palestine.

Answered by Lord Wood of Anfield - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)

The UK formally recognised the State of Palestine on 21 September 2025. The UK recognises Palestinian statehood over provisional borders, based on the 1967 lines subject to agreed land swaps, to be finalised through future negotiations. The UK remains of the firm view that the two-state solution is the best means to secure lasting peace, security and prosperity for both Israelis and Palestinians.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Baroness Chapman of Darlington on 31 October 2025 (HL10877), what conditions relating to the cessation of the Palestinian Authority's payments to prisoners and to the families of those killed while carrying out attacks against Israelis are attached to (1) the £101 million support package provided under the UK–Palestinian Authority Memorandum of Understanding on Strategic Cooperation of 28 April 2025, and (2) the recognition of a Palestinian state; and what assessment they have made of whether those conditions have been met.

Answered by Lord Wood of Anfield - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)

A reformed Palestinian Authority (PA) is essential to long-term stability in the region and progressing towards a two-state solution. We welcome the Palestinian Authority's commitment, underlined in the UK-PA Memorandum of Understanding, to reform prisoner payments so that welfare payments are based on needs and not linked to acts of violence. The audit has been completed. We await full publication of the audit so that this can be verified.

Question

To ask The Leader of the House when she expects Written Answers to be given to the questions asked by Baroness Deech on 7 July (HL1727 and HL1728).

Answered by Baroness Smith of Basildon - Leader of the House of Lords and Lord Privy Seal

Unfortunately due to an administrative error both written questions were not correctly submitted onto the online system an error which had not been noticed until the tabling of this question. The questions have now both been answered by the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office on 21st September 2026.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they made of alternative delivery models, including direct commissioning from UK universities and specialist training providers, before awarding new Civil Service learning and development contracts to KPMG and EY.

Answered by Baroness Twycross - Parliamentary Secretary (Cabinet Office)

The National School of Government and Public Services will provide world-class learning and development for civil servants, supporting public sector excellence and preparing our people for the future. Our new in-house delivery model will move away from reliance on professional services firms, ensuring learning is designed and delivered by civil servants for civil servants, working with the best external training providers, including universities.

In the meantime, the EY and KPMG contracts include the option of commissioning UK universities and specialist training providers to deliver training to the Civil Service.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government what plans they have to develop partnerships between the National School of Government and Public Services, UK Research and Innovation and UK universities to support research and teaching in public administration.

Answered by Baroness Twycross - Parliamentary Secretary (Cabinet Office)

The National School has strong existing relationships across government and with UK universities. We currently have one embedded UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) research fellow with another UKRI-funded fellow due to start shortly. We recently launched our College of Experts at Evidence Exchange, an Economic and Social Research Council-funded project. The College of Experts is a set of academic and external experts who can bring insight to and advise on all aspects of the National School’s work. We have also published our priority research topics, a strategic framework of long-term questions where external research and evidence can most effectively inform our work.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government what proportion of the KPMG and EY civil service training contracts they expect to be delivered by subcontractors; and what assessment they have made of the additional cost of using prime contractors rather than commissioning specialist providers directly.

Answered by Baroness Twycross - Parliamentary Secretary (Cabinet Office)

I refer to the answer given to Question HL2836 on 14 September.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the extent to which the Special Envoy for Post-Holocaust Issues has engaged with domestic stakeholders, as described in the terms of reference.

Answered by Baroness Winterton of Doncaster - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)

The UK Special Envoy for Post-Holocaust Issues reports regularly to the Minister for Multilateral and Human Rights on progress, as outlined in his terms of reference. Since his appointment in February, the Envoy has undertaken a range of international engagements, as well as meeting regularly with domestic stakeholders.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government what progress reports they have received from the Special Envoy for Post-Holocaust Issues; and what review they have carried out, if any, of his core objectives.

Answered by Baroness Winterton of Doncaster - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)

The UK Special Envoy for Post-Holocaust Issues reports regularly to the Minister for Multilateral and Human Rights on progress, as outlined in his terms of reference. Since his appointment in February, the Envoy has undertaken a range of international engagements, as well as meeting regularly with domestic stakeholders.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government whether the planned National School of Government and Public Services will enable universities and specialist providers to be commissioned directly, rather than through commercial prime contractors.

Answered by Baroness Twycross - Parliamentary Secretary (Cabinet Office)

The Civil Service values its people, invests in their growth, and is serious about building the capability to meet the challenges of the future. This autumn the National School of Government and Public Services will formally open its doors to civil servant learners. The learning the school provides will boost public sector productivity and accelerate the pace of progress towards delivering the excellent, digitally-enabled public services to be expected from a modern state.

Many of the Civil Service’s training needs can be delivered in-house, by civil servants and the government is committed to reducing outsourced training contracts as we transition to an in-house delivery model through the new National School.

The National School will move away from the historical prime-contractor framework model. This new approach will create direct relationships with the learning and developing sector, including UK universities and university consortia. These relationships will be a combination of direct commercial relationships and new strategic relationships. Under this model, from April 2028 the School will have the ability to contract directly with universities and other academic partners to commission training and expertise directly, rather than through Prime Suppliers.

This sector will play a vital role across the School’s three core missions of teaching, research, and knowledge transfer; with an aim to provide civil servants with access to world-class training, evidence-based research on future policy challenges, and a pool of expert fellows to support evidence-based decision-making.

In the meantime, the School has also launched our College of Experts (CoE), a set of academic and external experts who can bring insight to and advise on all aspects of the School’s work on a needs basis. The CoE will also broaden the School’s evidence base, and strengthen knowledge exchange across government and academia.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government why they have not imposed sanctions on trade with Western Sahara in view of its annexation by Morocco and transfer into it of citizens.

Answered by Lord Wood of Anfield - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)

We continue to engage with all relevant parties in support of the United Nations (UN) led process on Western Sahara to achieve a just, lasting and mutually acceptable solution, based on compromise, which conforms with the purposes and principles of the UN Charter, including the principle of respect for self-determination.

Found: Letter from Baroness Shields 9 Proposal 5: Letter from Lord Cromwell 12 Proposal 6: Letter from Baroness Deech