Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:

To ask His Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to ensure that houses built as part of their 1.5 million homes target are high quality, in an appropriate location, and provided with essential infrastructure, including GP surgeries, schools and community centres.

Answered by Baroness Taylor of Stevenage - Baroness in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)

This government is committed to delivering 1.5 million new safe and decent homes this Parliament. In supporting that aim, the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) makes clear that the purpose of the planning system is to contribute to the achievement of sustainable development.

Between 16 December 2025 and 10 March 2026, we consulted on changes to the NPPF. That consultation, which can be found on gov.uk here, included draft policies which support sustainable patterns of development and promote the creation of healthy and inclusive places and support the provision of appropriate public services. We are currently analysing the feedback received and will publish our response in due course.

Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:

To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the impact of labour shortages, planning and regulatory rules, and any viability challenges, on the delivery of their target to build 1.5 million homes.

Answered by Baroness Taylor of Stevenage - Baroness in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)

The government is committed to a whole system approach to unlock housing growth.

We have already committed £625 million for construction skills, reformed the planning system through the Planning and Infrastructure Bill and updated National Planning Policy Framework, and unlocked over 125,000 homes through our New Homes Accelerator.

Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:

To ask His Majesty's Government whether they plan for a proportion of their 1.5 million homes target to be met by bringing empty homes back into use.

Answered by Baroness Taylor of Stevenage - Baroness in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)

The Government wants to see more empty homes brought back into use.

The 1.5 million homes target will be measured in net additional dwellings. Empty homes are not currently included within net additional dwellings figures.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government what is their  response to civilian casualties in Iran caused by the military action by the United States and Israel; and what steps they are taking to support Iranian people by providing aid and continued access to information channels.

Answered by Baroness Chapman of Darlington - Minister of State (Development)

I refer the Lord Bishop to the public and parliamentary statements made by the Prime Minister on 28 February, 1 March, 2 March and 5 March, where he addressed all these questions in detail. It is for the United States or any other foreign government to demonstrate the compliance of its own actions with the UN Charter, not for the UK.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the potential for an increase in refugees from Iran; and what steps they are taking to establish safe and legal routes, and humanitarian assistance, to those seeking to leave Iran.

Answered by Baroness Chapman of Darlington - Minister of State (Development)

I refer the Lord Bishop to the public and parliamentary statements made by the Prime Minister on 28 February, 1 March, 2 March and 5 March, where he addressed all these questions in detail. It is for the United States or any other foreign government to demonstrate the compliance of its own actions with the UN Charter, not for the UK.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the impact of military action by the United States against Iran on the level of military assistance to Ukraine.

Answered by Baroness Chapman of Darlington - Minister of State (Development)

I refer the Lord Bishop to the public and parliamentary statements made by the Prime Minister on 28 February, 1 March, 2 March and 5 March, where he addressed all these questions in detail. It is for the United States or any other foreign government to demonstrate the compliance of its own actions with the UN Charter, not for the UK.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the compliance of military action by the United States of America against Iran with Article 2(4) of the United Nations Charter.

Answered by Baroness Chapman of Darlington - Minister of State (Development)

I refer the Lord Bishop to the public and parliamentary statements made by the Prime Minister on 28 February, 1 March, 2 March and 5 March, where he addressed all these questions in detail. It is for the United States or any other foreign government to demonstrate the compliance of its own actions with the UN Charter, not for the UK.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to work with regional partners, including Saudi Arabia, Iraq, Lebanon, Oman, Qatar and Turkey, to encourage the United States of America and Iran to find a diplomatic solution to war.

Answered by Baroness Chapman of Darlington - Minister of State (Development)

I refer the Lord Bishop to the public and parliamentary statements made by the Prime Minister on 28 February, 1 March, 2 March and 5 March, where he addressed all these questions in detail. It is for the United States or any other foreign government to demonstrate the compliance of its own actions with the UN Charter, not for the UK.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to prioritise the safety of UK nationals, diplomats and military personnel in the Middle East, including their safe passage out of the region.

Answered by Baroness Chapman of Darlington - Minister of State (Development)

I refer the Lord Bishop to the public and parliamentary statements made by the Prime Minister on 28 February, 1 March, 2 March and 5 March, where he addressed all these questions in detail. It is for the United States or any other foreign government to demonstrate the compliance of its own actions with the UN Charter, not for the UK.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the diplomatic progress made in the negotiations between the United States of America and Iran before the start of US military action against Iran.

Answered by Baroness Chapman of Darlington - Minister of State (Development)

I refer the Lord Bishop to the public and parliamentary statements made by the Prime Minister on 28 February, 1 March, 2 March and 5 March, where he addressed all these questions in detail. It is for the United States or any other foreign government to demonstrate the compliance of its own actions with the UN Charter, not for the UK.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government what representations they have made to the government of the United States about the limitations and risks of military action in Iran.

Answered by Baroness Chapman of Darlington - Minister of State (Development)

I refer the Lord Bishop to the public and parliamentary statements made by the Prime Minister on 28 February, 1 March, 2 March and 5 March, where he addressed all these questions in detail. It is for the United States or any other foreign government to demonstrate the compliance of its own actions with the UN Charter, not for the UK.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask His Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to prevent being drawn into offensive military action against Iran.

Answered by Lord Coaker - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)

The UK did not participate in the initial strikes carried out by Israel and the USA. It is the longstanding British Government position that the best way forward for the region and the world is a negotiated settlement with Iran, where they give up their nuclear ambitions. Despite this, Iran has attacked British personnel and bases, civilians, and countries that did not participate in the initial strikes.

All activity so far conducted by the UK has been for defensive purposes; however, the best way to end the threat posed by Iran’s reckless and indiscriminate attacks is to destroy the missiles and launchers at source. That is why the Prime Minister agreed to a US request for permission to use British bases to conduct defensive operations to take out Iranian missiles before they are fired at our people and our allies.