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Hamish Falconer
LAB✓ Current MP
🏛️ Lincoln
📅 2024–2026
1,197 speeches on Hansard record
⚠️ Votes attended: 56.85% (#515 of 650 MPs)
🟢 Rebelled against party: 0.00%
Written Answers
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Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office
I refer the Hon Member to the answer provided on 18 March in response to Question 117286.
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The Government continues to monitor individual cases of concern in Saudi Arabia, and we regularly raise human rights with the Saudi authorities, including at ministerial level.The UK is concerned over the arrests and continued detention of a number of individuals, particularly those detained for…
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Details of UK export licences can be found here: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/strategic-export-controls-licensing-data. The UK operates one of the most robust export control regimes in the world. We assess all licences in line with the Strategic Export Licensing Criteria. All licences are kept under…
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I refer the Hon Member to the statement issued by the Foreign Secretary on this matter on 26 February, where she said: "I am appalled by continuing restrictions imposed on women and girls in Afghanistan. The Taliban's new criminal procedure code legitimises domestic violence and targets women and…
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The Government's position on Freedom of Religion or Belief in Iran is unchanged, as set out in the answer of 6 August 2025 to Question 67802, and there remains no excuse for the Iranian authorities to target religious minority groups because of their faith, regardless of the current conflict. We…
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The Government publishes information on the support that can be provided overseas on GOV.UK, including information about how departments and agencies work together when a British person is a victim of murder or manslaughter overseas. Questions about UK investigations are a matter for the police.
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I refer the Hon Member to the statements made to the House by the Foreign Secretary on 13 January and 17 March, and my Urgent Question responses on 19 January and 3 February, in which we addressed the repression perpetrated by the Iranian regime, and the importance of the Iranian people having…
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We consider all requests for consular assistance on a case-by-case basis. British nationals abroad should continue to monitor our Travel Advice for the latest information on the support available to them, in a crisis scenario or otherwise. Immigration matters, including exit controls, are the…
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I refer the Hon. Member to the answer provided for question 83315 on 29 October 2025.
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I refer the Hon Member to the answers I gave on this topic on 3 March at Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office Oral Questions, and on 9 March in response to Question 115698.
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We regularly raise concerns about civilian casualties with Israeli counterparts and continue to call for full adherence to international humanitarian law, including the protection of civilians and humanitarian workers, and for any alleged incidents to be investigated transparently. The UK is also…
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The UK is committed to the promotion and protection of human rights worldwide, including in Western Sahara and the Tindouf refugee camps. I discussed the political and humanitarian implications of the Western Sahara conflict with Algerian Foreign Minister Ahmed Attaf during my visit to Algeria in…
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The UK wants to see a lasting solution to the Western Sahara conflict. We assess that our endorsement of Morocco's autonomy plan - as the most credible, viable and pragmatic basis for a lasting solution - supports that objective. It is for this reason that we also welcomed UN Security Council…
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I refer the Hon. Member to response given on 24 March to question 120656.
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I refer the Hon Member to the answers I gave on this issue in Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office oral questions on 3 March, and to the joint statement issued by the Foreign Secretary and fourteen of her overseas counterparts on 24 December 2025 condemning condemn the approval by the…
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I refer the Hon Member to the statement made to the House by the Foreign Secretary on 17 March, and her answers to the questions raised in response, which dealt with the current situation in Lebanon at length. We will provide further such updates to the House in due course as the situation develops.
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In 2025, the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) assisted families of over 6,500 British nationals who died overseas, with extra support for those in vulnerable circumstances such as bereavement through murder, manslaughter, or suspicious death. Assistance includes providing…
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The Minister of State for Europe, Stephen Doughty, has discussed Iain Guille's detention and welfare with his Turkish counterpart on two occasions, most recently in February 2026. UK Consular officials, in conjunction with their Canadian counterparts, have raised concerns about Mr Guille's welfare…
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I refer the Hon Member to the answer provided on 21 October in response to Question 80474.
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The UK is committed to defending freedom of religion or belief for all in Pakistan, including Christians. Over the past year, alongside our High Commission in Islamabad, I have raised the rights and safety of religious minorities with Pakistan's Human Rights and Interior Ministers and with the…
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I refer the Hon Member to the statement made to the House by the Foreign Secretary on 17 March, and her answers to the questions raised in response.
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Our High Commission in Islamabad engages regularly with civil society organisations and human rights defenders to monitor risks and to inform UK advocacy and programming. This engagement has helped shape UK funded work that has, for example, delivered the first Child Labour Surveys in Khyber…
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I refer the Hon. Member to the answer provided to question 67802 on 6 August 2025.
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The UK is providing £81 million of humanitarian and early recovery support as part of our £116 million programme for Palestine this financial year, including support for UK-Med. Funding to UK-Med has supported over a million patient consultations across Gaza but humanitarian partners are…
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All relevant requests for consular assistance are considered on a case by case basis, depending on the circumstances.
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The same rules apply to Inter Mediate as all other UK charities, namely that they are free to receive funding from other governments, but have a responsibility to: (i) ensure that it is in the best interests of their charity when deciding whether to accept or refuse a donation, (ii) undertake…
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The UK remains concerned about the situation facing the Nassar family and the Tent of Nations farm . We are aware of the issues surrounding the land and of recent developments affecting the site. The UK regularly monitors the situation in the West Bank. Our Consulate General in Jerusalem engages…
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I refer the Hon Member to the answers I gave on this issue in Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office oral questions on 3 March, and to the joint statement issued by the Foreign Secretary and fourteen of her overseas counterparts on 24 December condemning the approval by the Israeli security…
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The safety and security of British nationals is our top priority, and on that basis, we continue to recommend against all travel to all regions of Iraq. We keep our travel advice and our response to the current crisis under constant review, but there are no plans to launch the Register My Presence…
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I apologise for the delay in responding to the Hon Member's questions. The answers were published on 16 March.
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Iran's threats and intimidation toward journalists and their families, both inside Iran and in the UK, are absolutely unacceptable, and we have consistently raised these issues directly with the Iranian government. We were integral to the delivery of the Iran Human Rights Resolution, adopted by the…
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As part of the FCDO's crisis response, we have been working with the relevant authorities in various countries to request flexibility for people who might overstay their visas due to disrupted travel plans as a result of the crisis in the Middle East. Any British nationals affected in this way…
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I refer the Hon Member to the answer given on 6 March to Question HL14686.
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The Government has made its position on the Iranian regime clear, whether in relation to its state threat activity (see the Security Minister's oral statement on 4 March 2025), its repression of human rights protests at the turn of the year (see the Foreign Secretary's oral statement on 13…
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I refer the Hon Member to the press statement on Lebanon issued by the Foreign Secretary on 15 March (link provided below), and to her oral statement to the House on 17 March.https://www.gov.uk/government/news/foreign-secretary-statement-on-the-situation-in-lebanon--2
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I refer the Hon Member to the answer provided on 18 March in response to Question 117286.
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I refer the Hon Member to the public and parliamentary statements made by the Prime Minister on 28 February, 1 March, 2 March and 5 March, where he set out in depth the UK's position on this conflict, including our response to requests from the US administration.
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I refer the Hon Member to the answer provided on 16 March in response to Question 118590.
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I refer the Hon Member to the answer provided on 16 March in response to Question 118590.
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On 23 January, the UK supported UN Human Rights Council resolution SS39/1 calling on Iran to immediately restore full internet access and telecommunications services, and in February, we spoke out as part of the Freedom Online Coalition for the Iranian people's rights to access the Internet.The BBC…
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I refer the Hon Member to the statement the I made to the House on 5 January, where I noted that the United Kingdom remains committed to supporting Yemen's unity, including the Yemeni Presidential Leadership Council and the Government of Yemen. The United Kingdom continues to stay in regular…
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I refer the Hon Member to the answer provided on 20 January in response to Question 907375.
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I refer the Hon Member to the answer provided on 26 February in response to Question 114342. Further to this, I add that the UK seeks to mitigate any unintended negative impacts of sanctions, including on humanitarian delivery. The UK does not sanction food or medicines, and UN and UK sanctions…
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The human rights situation in Iran, including for women, girls and minorities, has long been unacceptable. As the Foreign Secretary said to the House on 13 January: it takes huge bravery to protest and to speak out in the face of this oppression - especially for women who continue to endure severe…
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The safety and security of British nationals is our top priority. On 3 March, the Foreign Secretary spoke to the House about the consular support available to individuals in the Middle East, and assisted departures have now taken place from both Oman and Dubai. We will provide further updates on a…
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I refer the Hon Member to the answer provided on 13 February in response to Question 111058.
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Guidance about who the UK Government can assist in a crisis is published on GOV.UK - https://www.gov.uk/guidance/how-to-deal-with-a-crisis-overseas#who-we-can-help-in-a-crisis.
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The safety and security of British nationals is our top priority. On 3 March, the Foreign Secretary spoke to the House about the consular support available to individuals in the Middle East, and assisted departures have now taken place from both Oman and Dubai. We will provide further updates on a…
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I refer the Hon Member to the answer provided on 16 March in response to Question 118590.
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I refer the Hon Member to the public and parliamentary statements made by the Prime Minister on 28 February, 1 March, 2 March and 5 March, where he set out in depth the UK's position on this conflict.
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The UK engages with the Government of Pakistan on the rights of religious minorities, including the treatment of Christian and Hindu prisoners, at Ministerial and official levels as appropriate. We do not comment on private diplomatic exchanges, but this engagement complements Foreign, Commonwealth…
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I refer the Hon Member to the answer provided on 11 December in response to Question 97116.
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I refer the Hon Member to the answer given on 3 October to question 75585.
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I refer the Hon Member to the Written Ministerial Statement I made to the House on 28 January 2026. I can assure her that we continue to raise the protection of Kurdish civilians and other minority communities, as well as the importance of accountability and rule of law, as a constant subject of…
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I refer the Hon. Member to the answer given on 11 March to Question 116086.
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I refer the Hon Member to the answer provided on 11 December in response to Question 97116.
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I refer the Hon Member to the answer provided on 11 December in response to Question 97116.
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I refer the Hon Member to the answer provided by my colleague, Minister Chris Elmore MP, in Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office oral questions on 3 March, which - for ease of reference - is reproduced below:Tens of thousands of children have been killed, injured, orphaned, or separated…
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I refer the Hon Member to the answer provided on 16 March in response to Question 118590.
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The Government is concerned about Israel's extensive use of administrative detention which, according to international law, should be used only when security makes this absolutely necessary. Israeli authorities must either charge or release detainees. The UK calls for all such reports to be fully…
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I refer the Hon Member to the answer provided on 11 December in response to Question 97116.
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The UK is firmly committed to protecting ethnic and religious minorities in Iraq, and promoting Freedom of Religion or Belief (FoRB). Through our diplomatic presence, we regularly monitor and raise these issues with the Government of Iraq and the Kurdistan Regional Government, including the…
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I refer the Hon Member to the answer provided on 16 March in response to Question 118590.
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Any family members in the UK concerned about the wellbeing of a British national overseas can routinely contact the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office's consular support service, which operates 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to support British nationals in need of help. Further guidance…
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The spouses and partners of British nationals who are not British nationals themselves may be registered to travel on any available government-chartered flights but will require a valid visa or permission to enter or remain that was granted for more than six months.
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In all of our engagement with the Syrian Government, we have been clear of the importance of ensuring a fair representation of Syria's diverse communities in positions of authority and consulting widely on planned next steps for Syria's transition. We believe that this is fundamental to re-building…
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The safety of British nationals remains the Government's top priority. I refer the Hon Member to the statement I gave to the House on 5 March, and the answers provided to questions raised in response. Assisted departures have now taken place from both Oman and Dubai. We will provide further updates…
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The safety of British nationals remains the Government's top priority. I refer the Hon Member to the statement I gave to the House on 5 March, and the answers provided to questions raised in response. Assisted departures have now taken place from both Oman and Dubai. We will provide further updates…
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The safety of British nationals remains the Government's top priority. I refer the Hon Member to the statement I gave to the House on 5 March, and the answers provided to questions raised in response. Assisted departures have now taken place from both Oman and Dubai. We will provide further updates…
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The safety of British nationals remains the Government's top priority. I refer the Hon Member to the statement I gave to the House on 5 March, and the answers provided to questions raised in response. Assisted departures have now taken place from both Oman and Dubai. We will provide further updates…
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Anyone who is eligible for British nationality can use the Register Your Presence service, including those with birthright citizenship under the Good Friday agreement, irrespective of whether or not they have a British Passport. If a constituent does not have a British Passport but wishes to…
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I refer the Hon Member to the answer provided on 11 December 2025 in response to Question 97116.
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I refer the Hon Member to the answer given on 3 June 2025 to Question 52690.
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Immigration rules are a matter for the Home Office. Our records show that Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office's Consular Contact Centre have passed 6,097 enquiries related to these changes to the Home Office since September 2025.
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I refer the Hon Member to the answer provided on 11 March in response to Question 117440.
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Despite some progress on humanitarian supplies entering Gaza since the ceasefire, aid flows remain insufficient and the majority of the population - including tens of thousands of children - are still experiencing high levels of acute food insecurity, with severe implications for their…
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I refer the Hon Member to the answer given on 21 October 2025 in response to Question 80474.
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There is no shortage of available staff for the roles required at present, nor do we anticipate there will be after the completion of the FCDO 2030 programme.
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I refer the Hon Member to the answer given on 21 October 2025 in response to Question 80474.
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I refer the Hon Member to my remarks in the Westminster Hall Debate on the Gaza Healthcare System on 24 February 2026.
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I refer the Hon Member to the summary of legal advice published on 1 March, and available on GOV.UK at the following link : https://www.gov.uk/government/news/summary-of-the-uk-government-legal-position-the-legality-of-defensive-action-in-respect-of-iranian-regional-attacks
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As I made clear in my statements to the House at the time, I have the greatest respect for the courage of those Iranians who peacefully exercised their right to protest around the turn of the year, and the greatest sympathy for the friends and families of all those who were killed for doing so.…
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I refer the Hon. Member to the answer provided to question 67802 on 6 August 2025.
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I refer the Hon. Member to the answer provided to question 67802 on 6 August 2025.
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The UK remains committed to working towards lasting peace and prosperity for the Yemeni people. We continue to support the work of the UN Special Envoy for Yemen and use our role as penholder for Yemen at the UN Security Council to galvanise international support and advance progress towards an…
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We are concerned about the military escalation in Lebanon, especially the impact on civilians, and we are coordinating closely with the Government of Lebanon and humanitarian partners to provide support. On 3 March, I discussed the situation with Lebanese Foreign Minister Rajji, and we will…
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I refer the Rt Hon Member to the answer provided on 11 March in response to Question 114825.
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The Government does not routinely discuss matters relating to Türkiye with the Egyptian Government.
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The Government's top priority is the safety and welfare of British nationals affected by the conflict in the Middle East. Airspace closures and security restrictions have made travel extremely difficult, but the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) has stood up 24/7 consular support…
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The safety and security of British nationals is our top priority. On 3 March, the Foreign Secretary spoke to the House about the consular support available to individuals in the Middle East, and assisted departures have now taken place from both Oman and Dubai. We will provide further updates on a…
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I refer the Hon Member to the statement published on 4 March, which can be found at https://www.gov.uk/government/news/summoning-of-the-iranian-ambassador-to-the-united-kingdom-fcdo-statement--2.
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I refer the Hon Member to the statement I gave to the House on 5 March, and the answers provided to questions raised in response. We will provide further such updates on a regular basis, including the details of any evacuation plans, but for now, our priority remains to secure an end to Iran's…
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The Government has condemned Iran's reckless attacks across the region, including on Gulf partners who are not party to the conflict, and remains firmly committed to their security. That commitment is reflected in the US‑UK‑Bahrain C‑SIPA defence pact. Within the auspices of…
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The UK is deeply concerned by rising tensions between Pakistan and the Taliban. An escalation in hostilities is in no one's interest. At the United Nations in February, the Foreign Secretary discussed the situation with her Pakistani counterpart Ishaq Dar and, on 10 March, I expressed my concern…
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The safety and security of British nationals is our top priority. On 3 March, the Foreign Secretary spoke to the House about the consular support available to individuals in the Middle East, and plans for a first assisted departure from Oman. We will provide further updates on a regular basis,…
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The UK champions freedom of religion or belief for all and, where appropriate, will raise these issues with the Egyptian authorities.
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I refer the Hon Member to the statement issued by the Foreign Secretary on 19 February following the sentencing of Lindsay and Craig Foreman. The sentence is completely appalling and totally unjustifiable. We will pursue this case relentlessly with the Iranian government until we see Craig and…
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The UK Government consistently urges all states to uphold international law, and we continue to encourage constructive engagement with the political process led by the Personal Envoy of the UN Secretary-General Mr Staffan de Mistura in support of finding a just, lasting, and mutually agreed…
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I refer the Hon Member to my statements in the Westminster Hall debate on the healthcare system in Gaza on 24 February.
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The UK remains firmly committed to the promotion and protection of human rights globally, including in Morocco and Western Sahara, as we regularly make clear to all relevant parties. Officials, including up to ambassador level, regularly engage on these issues with the Moroccan…
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I refer the Rt Hon Member to the answer provided in the House of Lords on 13 November 2025 in response to Question HL11575, which for ease is reproduced below:In President Abbas' letter to President Macron, dated 9 June 2025, he set out his commitment to the principles of non-violence, the…
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I refer the Hon Member to the answer provided on 12 October 2025 to Question 98016.
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I refer the Hon Member to the Prime Minister's statement to the House on 2 March.
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The UK remains firmly committed to protecting freedom of religion or belief in Yemen, including for Christian minority communities. Through the UN Security Council and the Human Rights Council, we continue to raise concerns about the treatment of minorities in Yemen and emphasise the need for an…
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I refer the Hon Member to the answer she was provided on 27 November in response to Question 91476.
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Unfortunately, the conference has had to be postponed due to current events and travel restrictions affecting attendees from the Middle East. We will confirm further details of the rearranged conference in due course.
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The UK has been clear with the Government of Israel on the imperative, under international humanitarian law, to protect civilians and civilian infrastructure, including education institutions. We remain focussed on supporting the transition from an immediate ceasefire to a sustainable peace, in…
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Decisions on proscription are a matter for the Home Office.
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I refer the Hon Member to the answer he received on 9 January to Question 111418. Additionally, the document requested is currently available online.
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Any impact of EU sanctions is a matter for the EU.
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The UK is committed to defending freedom of religion or belief (FoRB) for all, and we continue to regularly raise rights concerns with the Egyptian authorities where appropriate.
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No. We continue to engage with all relevant parties in support of the UN-led process 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. The…
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Providing consular support is a vital public service, with more than 20,000 British people given tailored assistance each year.We are continually investing in improvements, including integration of AI to improve efficiency, alongside staff training and crisis…
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The Palestinian Authority has committed publicly to the principle of non-violence, including a new social security system that will ensure future welfare payments are needs-based and delinked from violent actions.An independent audit has been commissioned to verify the implementation of these and…
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Since the ceasefire, aid flows have increased and more crossings are partially reopened, but the level of need cannot be met unless more restrictions are lifted.Medical equipment, components for field hospitals and basic shelter items must be allowed to enter to alleviate suffering.We continue to…
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All export licence applications are assessed for the risk of diversion and are kept under careful and continual review. We have recently reviewed over 2,000 licences for the United Arab Emirates (UAE).The risk of diversion is complex and is the single biggest reason export licences are refused. We…
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I refer the Hon Member to my statement to the House on 5 January, and the joint statement on humanitarian access issued by the Foreign Secretary and a number of her international counterparts on 30 December 2025, which can be found here:…
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Each country is responsible for their own immigration rules and we cannot interfere in their policies or procedures. The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) Travel Advice provides up to date information on the most common entry and exit requirements, with further guidance published…
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It has been the long-standing policy under successive governments not to comment on whether specific types of enforcement action are being considered against particular individuals or groups, as to do so would risk reducing the impact of any such action.On the wider issue of our response to the…
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The UK's commitment to international law, including the Genocide Convention, is unwavering and we have always acted consistently with our obligations. In relation to the Provisional Measures of the International Court of Justice (ICJ) of January 2024, March 2024 and May 2024, the UK has been clear…
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The UK remains firmly committed to the promotion and protection of human rights globally, including in Morocco and Western Sahara.In the joint UK-Morocco strategic dialogue communiqué of 1 June 2025, both countries reaffirmed their commitment to cooperate on human rights…
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Regarding the registration of non-governmental organisations to operate in Gaza, I refer the Hon Member to the statement I made to the House on 5 January, and to the joint statement made by the Foreign Secretary and a number of her counterparts on 30 December, which can be found here:…
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Details of Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) funding for the Palestinian Authority over the period 2024-2025 were set out in the Foreign Secretary's letter to the Foreign Affairs Committee dated 16 February 2026. Any decisions on funding for the period up to 2028/29 will be made…
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The Hon Member can find details of all UK Official Development Assistance spending in the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office's (FCDO) annual accounts, or in the annual statistics on international development published on GOV.UK.
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I refer the Rt Hon Member to the answer she received on 12 January in response to Question 103247.
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I refer the Hon Member to the statement to the House I made on 5 January, and to the joint statement issued by the Foreign Secretary and several of her counterparts on 30 December, available on GOV.UK here: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/jointstatementon-the-gaza-humanitarian-response.
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I refer the Hon Member to the answer of 20 January to Question 907383.
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I refer the Hon Member to the Written Ministerial Statement I made to the House on 28 January 2026, and I can assure her that we continue to raise the protection of Kurdish civilians as a constant subject of concern with the Syrian Government.
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We have consistently advocated for an inclusive political transition in Syria and underlined the importance of protecting the rights of all, regardless of religious or ethnic background, both publicly and as part of our engagement with the Syrian Government. I raised this with the Syrian Foreign…
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No. The UK's official development assistance to Palestine is directed at humanitarian relief, support for Palestinian economic development, and strengthening Palestinian Authority governance and reform.
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I refer the Hon Member to the answer provided on 18 September to Question 72500.
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I refer the Hon Member to the answers that the Foreign Secretary and I provided on these issues at departmental oral questions on 20 January, and the statement I made to the House on the Middle East on 5 January. We will continue to update the House on these issues on a similarly regular basis over…
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I refer the Hon Member to the answer provided on 6 February 2025 in response to Question 27530.
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While the UK keeps the list of proscribed organisations under close review, it has been the long-standing policy under successive governments not to comment on whether a specific organisation is or is not being considered for proscription.On the wider issue of our response to the Iranian regime, I…
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The UK is committed to defending freedom of religion or belief (FoRB) for all, and we continue to regularly raise rights concerns with the Egyptian authorities where appropriate.
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The conference which will support the establishment of an International Peace Fund for Israel and Palestine is not scheduled to take place until 12 March, but I can assure the Hon Member that we will assess the impact of our support for that fund in the usual way in due course.
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I refer the Hon Member to the answer provided on 12 January in response to Question 103313.
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The humanitarian situation in Gaza remains catastrophic, and the UK is doing all we can to alleviate suffering. All allocations under our Humanitarian Programme are publicly available on Development Tracker. While much UK‑funded aid has entered Gaza, many urgently needed supplies remain stuck…
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I refer the Hon Member to the statement I made on 5 January, and to the joint statement issued by the Foreign Secretary and several of her counterparts on 30 December 2025, which can be found here: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/jointstatementon-the-gaza-humanitarian-response.
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I refer the Hon Member to the second half of the answer provided on 26 January in response to Question HL13572 which, for ease of reference, is copied below:The UK is providing £81 million for humanitarian and early recovery support for Palestine this financial year. Last month, supplies of…
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I refer the Hon Member to the answers provided to questions 100851 on 6 January 2026, and HL12137 on 2 December 2025.
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I refer the Hon Member to the answer provided on 9 June 2025 to Question 55524.
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I refer the Hon Member to the Written Ministerial Statement I made to the House on 28 January 2026.
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We continue to urge Iran to immediately restore access to the internet and communications. Iran must respect its citizens' fundamental rights and freedom.
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Value for money is embedded across all of the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office's work. We employ robust systems and frameworks, and constantly review our programmes, to ensure we achieve high standards of value for money and use UK taxpayers' money responsibly. We work with partners…
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Regular and ongoing cross-government analysis of the situation in the Middle East takes place, with support from external experts, to inform the UK's policy-making. This rolling analysis incorporates multiple assessment types and is updated as required.
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We urge all parties to respect the terms of the ceasefire that came into effect on 10 October 2025, and we continue to press for the implementation in full of the 20-point peace plan endorsed by the United Nations Security Council on 17 November 2025.
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I refer the Hon Member to the answer provided on 6 February to question 107345.
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The UK is deeply concerned by reports of enforced disappearances in Pakistan, including in Balochistan. We regularly raise concerns about human rights with the Government of Pakistan at senior levels and continue to underline the importance of upholding civil and political rights and the rule of…
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The Gaza War Cemetery in al-Tuffah holds the remains of more than 3,000 men who gave their lives in the First and Second World Wars, the majority from the United Kingdom, but many also from Australia, Canada, India, New Zealand, Poland, South Africa and other countries. As I said in the General…
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The UK strongly condemns the Israeli Security Cabinet's decision of 8 February to expand Israeli control over the West Bank. The major changes to land, enforcement, and administrative powers proposed in the West Bank will harm efforts to advance peace and stability. The UK recognises the…
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I refer the Hon Member to the answer provided on 6 February 2025 in response to Question 27530.
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I refer my Hon Friend to the answers that the Foreign Secretary and I gave on this issue during the recent session of departmental oral questions on 20 January.
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I updated the House on my visit to Yemen in November in my oral statement on 5 January, and my responses to oral questions on 20 January.
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The UK remains deeply concerned by reports of human rights abuses in Pakistan, including in Balochistan. Advocating for civil and political rights is a core part of the UK's diplomatic engagement with Pakistan. To that end, I raised human rights issues on several occasions with Pakistan's Interior…
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I refer the Hon Member to the statement to the House I made on 5 January, and to the joint statement issued by the Foreign Secretary and several of her counterparts on 30 December, available on GOV.UK here: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/jointstatementon-the-gaza-humanitarian-response. My…
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I refer the Hon Member to the answer provided on 12 January in response to Question 103187.
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I currently have nothing further to add to the previous answer to which the Hon Member refers in his question. As and when there is further information to report on this matter, I will update him and other Members accordingly.
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I refer the Hon Member to the answer provided on 12 November 2025 to Question 85800.
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Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office officials are working closely with international partners on this issue, as well as broader human rights concerns in Afghanistan. Officials consistently raise human rights concerns with the Taliban and urge them to reverse their inhuman restrictions. We…
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I refer the Hon Member to the answers given to Question 907375 on 20 January, Question 77510 on 15 October 2025, and Question 74580 on 17 September 2025.
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I refer the Hon Member to my written ministerial statement on 28 January.
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I refer the Hon Member to the Foreign Secretary's statement to the House on 13 January, and to my responses in the Urgent Question debate on 19 January.
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As I said when this issue was raised in the Urgent Question debate on 19 January, we have a robust sanctions enforcement regime in place, and - while it would not be appropriate to comment on individual cases - we will continue to investigate and take action against any individuals and entities,…
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I refer the Hon Member to the answer provided to question 108273 on 29 January 2026.
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I refer the Hon Member to the Written Ministerial Statement I made to the House on 28 January 2026.
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I refer the Hon Member to: (a) the statement I made to the House on the Middle East on 5 January, and (b) the joint statement on humanitarian access issued by the Foreign Secretary and nine of her international counterparts on 30 December 2025, which can be found here:…
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The UK regularly raises human rights and civil society issues with the Egyptian authorities. We are aware of Mr Karim Ennarah's case, and our Ambassador in Egypt met Mr Ennarah and his wife in October last year. We are committed to supporting human rights defenders, who play a vital role and should…
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I refer the Hon Member to the answer given on 3 June 2025 to the question 52690.
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I refer the Hon Member to the Written Ministerial Statement I made to the House on 28 January 2026.
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I refer the Hon Member to the written ministerial statement published on 28 January. Any further updates on the issues addressed in that statement will be made in the normal way in due course.
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I refer the Hon Member to the answers that the Foreign Secretary and I provided on this issue at departmental oral questions on 20 January. We will keep the House updated on further developments as international discussions on the 20-point plan continue.
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Consular staff have provided support in the following cases where a British national has died in Thailand in each of the last three years.Deaths - Thailand202320242025Assisted death / euthanasia0<50Cause still to be confirmed161180203Infection / disease31172167Injury252526Murder /…
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I refer the Hon Member to the Written Ministerial Statement I made to the House on 28 January 2026.
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On 12 January, the Foreign Secretary told Foreign Minister Araghchi directly that the Iranian Government must immediately end the violence carried out against peaceful protestors in Iran, and uphold fundamental rights and freedoms.We subsequently led the call, alongside international partners, for…
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I refer the Hon Member to the written ministerial statement I made on 28 January on the situation in North-East Syria, and I will provide further updates to the House in due course as the situation evolves.
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Closure of the Strait of Hormuz would significantly disrupt global oil supplies, resulting in higher global prices. In the event of any global supply disruption, the UK holds emergency oil stocks that can be released to the market as part of a collective action by member countries of the…
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The UK is committed to supporting the delivery of the 20-point peace plan for Gaza, endorsed by the United Nations Security Council on 17 November 2025. We continue to monitor the situation in Gaza closely, alongside our international partners.
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We will announce further details in the near future of the 12 March conference to help establish an International Peace Fund for Israel and Palestine, including attendees, and I thank the Hon Member for her constructive proposals. On her letter of 7 November 2025, I apologise for the delay in…
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I thank the Hon Member for his letter and he will receive a reply shortly.
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The Foreign Secretary spoke to Foreign Minister al Shaibani on 20 January to urge the Syrian Government to uphold the ceasefire in North-East Syria, halt further violence, and protect Kurdish rights. We have consistently advocated for an inclusive political transition and underlined the importance…
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Afghanistan is a focus country in the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office's approach to freedom of religion or belief, announced on 8 July 2025, and officials regularly press the Taliban to respect the human rights of all Afghans. We work with international partners to maintain collective…
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I refer the Hon Member to the answers that the Foreign Secretary and I provided on this issue at departmental oral questions on 20 January.
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I refer the Hon Member to the answer provided on 3 October 2025 in response to Question 75586.
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We continue to monitor Iran's violations of the rights of religious minorities, and are committed to working with international partners to hold Iran to account. My Hon Friend the UK Special Envoy for Freedom of Religion or Belief, has worked closely on this issue - including hosting events in…
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We are closely monitoring the developing situation in Syria and the threat posed by extremist groups, including Daesh and Al Qaeda-linked groups. Daesh's ability to direct, enable and inspire attacks remains one of the most significant global terrorist threats, including to the UK, our people and…
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I refer the Hon Member to the answer given on 20 January to Question 106167. Last week, Minister Falconer met members of the Foreman family, and we continue to raise the case directly with the Iranian authorities.
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I refer the Hon Member to the statement to the House I made on 5 January, and to the joint statement issued by the Foreign Secretary and several of her counterparts on 30 December, available on GOV.UK here: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/jointstatementon-the-gaza-humanitarian-response
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I refer the Hon Member to the Foreign Secretary's statement to the House on 13 January, and to my responses in the Urgent Question debate on 19 January.
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We have supported a number of sick and injured children to leave Gaza and receive treatment in the UK. We continue to seek the most effective ways to deploy the UK's resources to meet healthcare needs in Gaza and the region and will update on this in due course.
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I refer the Hon Member to the answer provided on 29 October 2025 in response to Question 83261.
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The UK champions freedom of religion or belief for all and, where appropriate, will raise these issues with the Egyptian authorities.
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There has been no change of policy in this area, and no such assessment made.
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In the case of the de-proscription of Hay'at Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), I refer the Rt Hon Member to the written ministerial statement provided by the Security Minister on 22 October 2025, setting out the process leading up to that decision. De-proscription decisions are made by the Home Secretary…
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I refer the Hon Member to the statement mentioned in his questions, which sets out the UK's current position on these issues.
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I refer the Hon Member to the statement made by the Foreign Secretary on 13 January, and her responses to the questions raised in the subsequent debate.
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On 15 January, the Foreign Secretary joined G7 Foreign Ministers in condemning the deliberate use of violence and the killing of protesters, arbitrary detention, and intimidation tactics by security forces against demonstrators. As the Foreign Secretary told Parliament on 13 January, this…
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Since 2021 we have supported bereaved families in approximately 250 cases of the murder or manslaughter of British nationals abroad. To protect the privacy of the bereaved, we do not publish country‑level figures where fewer than five cases are recorded. Fifteen countries recorded more than…
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Guidance for businesses can be found on the Overseas Business Risk page for Palestine: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/overseas-business-risk-palestine/overseas-business-risk-the-occupied-palestinian-territories. There are clear risks related to economic and financial activities in the…
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In December 2025, the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) reported that acute food insecurity and malnutrition remains rife in Gaza, with more than half a million people facing severe food shortages. The IPC use standard global methodology which has been used for many years and…
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