Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, pursuant to the Answer of 12 March 2025 to Question 36087 on Palestinians: Fire and Rescue Services, what progress she has made on discussions with Israeli counterparts regarding the fire engine donated to Palestinian firefighters in Nablus that has been held by the port authorities in Ashdod since 21 July 2024.

Answered by Hamish Falconer - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)

We have consistently raised this case with the Israeli authorities, but despite those efforts, the fire engine donated to Palestinian firefighters is still being held by the port authorities. It remains frustrating and disappointing that the donation may have to be returned to the UK, rather than helping to deliver lifesaving services for the people of Nablus. The UK's Consul General to Jerusalem visited the Nablus Municipal Fire Department on 9 December to convey our continued backing for their vital work.

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 with international partners to help ensure that all aid crossings into Gaza are fully operational.

Answered by Hamish Falconer - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)

I refer the Hon Member to the answer provided on 11 December to Question 91356.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what discussions she has had with Israeli counterparts to support the unrestricted operation of international NGOs in Gaza.

Answered by Hamish Falconer - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)

I refer the Hon Member to the answer provided on 11 December to Question 91356.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what steps are being taken to support the safe passage of those from Gaza with fully funded places at UK universities.

Answered by Hamish Falconer - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)

The Government has so far supported six cohorts of students to leave Gaza to take up their places at UK universities this year, including Chevening scholars and other students with fully funded university places for both master's and undergraduate courses for the 2025/26 academic year. The future nature of this support will be announced to parliament.

Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, whether she has considered continuing the Gaza student scholarship scheme.

Answered by Mike Tapp - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Home Office)

The Government is reviewing the impact of the policy implemented to date. Any decision on future support will depend on the evolving international situation. We will continue to keep the policy under review.

Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, with reference to his Statement of 11 of November 2025, on Women's State Pension Age: PHSO Report, HCWS1044, when he plans to publish the conclusion of the review of the Government's response to the Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman report.

Answered by Torsten Bell - Parliamentary Secretary (HM Treasury)

My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State announced in his Oral Statement of 11 November 2025 that we will retake the decision made in December 2024 as it relates to the communications on state pension age.

The process to retake the decision is underway. We will update Parliament on the decision as soon as a conclusion is reached and on 2 December 2025 we committed to re-take the decision within three months.

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 support civil society engagement in (a) Armenia and (b) Azerbaijan.

Answered by Stephen Doughty - Minister of State (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)

The UK Government hugely values the role of civil society in the South Caucasus, and supports their work in Armenia and Azerbaijan through both diplomatic engagement and programming. We engage with organisations focused on peace, security, democracy, equality, and inclusion, and work with representative groups to strengthen civil society's role in both countries' development and stability. We also support efforts by Armenian and Azerbaijani think tanks to foster dialogue, building trust ahead of a hoped‑for historic peace agreement. During my visit to Baku and Yerevan in August 2025, I met civil society representatives to discuss key issues and reaffirm the UK's commitment to supporting civil society across the region. We regularly raise the importance of maintaining civil society space and rights.

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