Asked by: Ayoub Khan (Independent - Birmingham Perry Barr)
Question to the Home Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what discussions her Department has had with (a) West Midlands Police on amending its risk assessment for the upcoming UEFA Europa League match between Aston Villa FC and Maccabi Tel Aviv FC and (b) Birmingham City Council's Safety Advisory Group on reversing its decision to ban away fans from attending.
Answered by Sarah Jones - Minister of State (Home Office)
Further to the answer that I gave on 27 October, I can confirm that the Government continues to work with West Midlands Police and Birmingham City Council to support them in ensuring the match between Aston Villa FC and Maccabi Tel Aviv FC due to be played on 6 November can proceed safely.
We are clear that law abiding fans should be able to enjoy football matches in safety and that any violent or disorderly behaviour at matches will not be tolerated.
Asked by: Ayoub Khan (Independent - Birmingham Perry Barr)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether she has made recent representations to her American counterpart on the detainment of Sami Hamdi by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement on 26 October 2025; and what steps she is taking to secure his immediate release.
Answered by Stephen Doughty - Minister of State (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
We do not routinely discuss specific cases, but I can confirm that the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office are in contact with a British man detained in the USA and in touch with the local authorities and his family in the UK.
Asked by: Ayoub Khan (Independent - Birmingham Perry Barr)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether she has made recent representations to her Israeli counterpart on the implementation of the International Court of Justice Advisory Opinion of 22 October 2025 on the Obligations of Israel in Enabling the Presence and Activities of the United Nations, Other International Organizations and Third States in and In Relation to the Occupied Palestinian Territory.
Answered by Hamish Falconer - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
I refer the Hon Member to the answer of 15 October to Question 77707.
Asked by: Ayoub Khan (Independent - Birmingham Perry Barr)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what steps her Department is taking to help ensure Israel’s compliance with the International Court of Justice Advisory Opinion of 22 October 2025 on the Obligations of Israel in Enabling the Presence and Activities of the United Nations, Other International Organizations and Third States in and In Relation to the Occupied Palestinian Territory.
Answered by Hamish Falconer - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
I refer the Hon Member to the answer of 15 October to Question 77707.
Asked by: Ayoub Khan (Independent - Birmingham Perry Barr)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what steps her Department is taking to help ensure Israel complies with its obligation to facilitate the activities of (a) the United Nations Relief and Works Agency and (b) other UN agencies.
Answered by Hamish Falconer - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
I refer the Hon Member to the answer of 15 October to Question 77707.
Asked by: Ayoub Khan (Independent - Birmingham Perry Barr)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether she has made representations to her Israeli counterpart on the Knesset Bill entitled Application of Israeli Sovereignty in Judea and Samaria, 2025.
Answered by Hamish Falconer - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
The UK Government condemns any calls to annex the West Bank and has also consistently opposed the expansion of illegal settlements. Annexation threatens regional stability, the viability of a Palestinian state and lasting peace for both Israelis and Palestinians.
Asked by: Ayoub Khan (Independent - Birmingham Perry Barr)
Question to the Home Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, whether her Department has offered additional resource to West Midlands Police for the UEFA Europa League match between Aston Villa and Maccabi Tel Aviv.
Answered by Sarah Jones - Minister of State (Home Office)
West Midlands Police did not notify the department of it’s risk assessment findings. Planning for football matches is considered and decided locally by Safety Advisory Groups which are operationally independent of Government and assess the risks and safety for the public. Home Office Officials were notified on 2 October 2025 by the UK Football Policing Unit of the options under consideration to allow the upcoming UEFA Europa League match between Aston Villa and Maccabi Tel Aviv to proceed safely.
The department was not informed of the final decision until it was in the public domain.
The Government has been working with West Midlands Police and Birmingham City Council to support them in considering all the options available for the match, including what resources are needed to manage the risks. Although the ultimate decision regarding the admittance of away fans is for the Local Authority to make, Government was clear that resources should not be the determining factor in whether Maccabi Tel Aviv fans would be admitted.
Asked by: Ayoub Khan (Independent - Birmingham Perry Barr)
Question to the Home Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, when West Midlands Police notified her Department of its risk assessment for the UEFA Europa League match between Aston Villa and Maccabi Tel Aviv.
Answered by Sarah Jones - Minister of State (Home Office)
West Midlands Police did not notify the department of it’s risk assessment findings. Planning for football matches is considered and decided locally by Safety Advisory Groups which are operationally independent of Government and assess the risks and safety for the public. Home Office Officials were notified on 2 October 2025 by the UK Football Policing Unit of the options under consideration to allow the upcoming UEFA Europa League match between Aston Villa and Maccabi Tel Aviv to proceed safely.
The department was not informed of the final decision until it was in the public domain.
The Government has been working with West Midlands Police and Birmingham City Council to support them in considering all the options available for the match, including what resources are needed to manage the risks. Although the ultimate decision regarding the admittance of away fans is for the Local Authority to make, Government was clear that resources should not be the determining factor in whether Maccabi Tel Aviv fans would be admitted.
Asked by: Ayoub Khan (Independent - Birmingham Perry Barr)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, if she will take steps in the UK’s capacity as a co-host of the Global Fund's Eighth Replenishment Summit to encourage contributions from international partners.
Answered by Chris Elmore - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
I refer the Hon Member to the answer provided on 11 September 2025 to question 72859.
Asked by: Ayoub Khan (Independent - Birmingham Perry Barr)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, how much funding she plans to provide to the Global Fund at its forthcoming replenishment.
Answered by Chris Elmore - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
I refer the Hon Member to the answer provided on 10 September 2025 to Questions 72852 and 72853.