I am deeply concerned by the recent reports of Dr Abu Safiya's mistreatment whilst in Israeli custody. The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office has raised this case again with the Israeli Embassy in London and at senior levels across Israeli Government.

We have been consistently clear that all detainees must be treated with dignity and in full accordance with international law, and that any allegations of torture or mistreatment must be thoroughly investigated.

I am deeply concerned by the recent reports of Dr Abu Safiya's mistreatment whilst in Israeli custody. The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office has raised this case again with the Israeli Embassy in London and at senior levels across Israeli Government.

We have been consistently clear that all detainees must be treated with dignity and in full accordance with international law, and that any allegations of torture or mistreatment must be thoroughly investigated.

Successive Governments, as well as the Financial Conduct Authority, working with the banks, have taken steps that aimed to address historical banking misconduct issues. This included helping to establish and support a range of compensation and redress schemes to enable those affected to seek appropriate compensation, with interest rate hedging product (IRHP) disputes alone paying out more than £2bn to affected customers. These IRHP schemes included an in-built appeal mechanism, and each bank’s scheme was scrutinised by an independent reviewer, the appointment of which was approved by the FCA.

In addition to steps that were taken to enable investigations and compensation to be paid, the regulatory framework has also been strengthened. Historically, the Financial Ombudsman Service only had jurisdiction over disputes involving microbusinesses, but this was expanded by the Financial Conduct Authority in 2019, with over 99% of small businesses in the UK now eligible to bring their complaints to the FOS. In future, this would ensure access to clear and independent dispute resolution through a public body able to require compensation to be paid where misconduct has occurred.

The government recognises the important contribution live comedy makes to the UK’s economy and creative sectors.

In March, I hosted the first comedy sector roundtable, in which we discussed a number of ways to boost the sector, including strengthening the evidence of comedy's economic and social impact, and improving the sector's understanding of funding opportunities.

The government is also providing a £7 million grant to the Edinburgh Festival Fringe Society for 2024-26, and is taking action to support self-employed creatives, including appointing a Freelance Champion. Arts Council England already provides support to the comedy sector, which will also benefit from reforms as part of the Independent Review of Arts Council England, including improving the experience of funding applicants and exploring new support for individual creatives.

Within the UK, there is now a thriving drones, counter-drones and autonomous systems ecosystem which enables spiral development, flexibility and modularity. This demonstrates how the UK is taking several steps to employ modern drone technologies in offensive and defensive roles. The Department also continually considers and develops improvements to the Integrated Air and Missile Defence systems, and we recognise the significance of drone warfare in current conflicts. Our land-based counter-drone systems have been proven on operations in the Middle East, and RAF Typhoons are now equipped with the Advanced Precision Kill Weapon System, a low-cost anti-drone weapon that has also seen operational use in the Middle East. Last November, the Government announced it had awarded a £316 million contract to MBDA UK to deliver the DragonFire counter-drone directed energy weapon to the Royal Navy.

Work to deliver the Strategic Defence Reviews recommendations, including on the milestones and timelines for delivery of low-cost one way effectors and further Integrated Air and Missile Defence capabilities, including counter-drone systems and electromagnetic warfare will be set out in the forthcoming Defence Investment Plan.

The National Active Travel Network will bring together both urban and rural networks, such as National Cycling Network, linking towns and villages across England into a single national plan. Local authorities are responsible for deciding how to plan their network and invest funding, in line with local priorities. Active Travel England will support local authorities to improve their Local Cycling and Walking Infrastructure Plans, including issuing updated guidance, to assist local authorities in determining their local priorities. The new guidance will support consideration of a broader range of travel needs, journey types and trip purposes. There are no plans for a threshold on population size for inclusion in the National Active Travel Network.

The National Active Travel Network will bring together both urban and rural networks, such as National Cycling Network, linking towns and villages across England into a single national plan. Local authorities are responsible for deciding how to plan their network and invest funding, in line with local priorities. Active Travel England will support local authorities to improve their Local Cycling and Walking Infrastructure Plans, including issuing updated guidance, to assist local authorities in determining their local priorities. The new guidance will support consideration of a broader range of travel needs, journey types and trip purposes. There are no plans for a threshold on population size for inclusion in the National Active Travel Network.

The National Active Travel Network will bring together both urban and rural networks, such as National Cycling Network, linking towns and villages across England into a single national plan. Local authorities are responsible for deciding how to plan their network and invest funding, in line with local priorities. Active Travel England will support local authorities to improve their Local Cycling and Walking Infrastructure Plans, including issuing updated guidance, to assist local authorities in determining their local priorities. The new guidance will support consideration of a broader range of travel needs, journey types and trip purposes. There are no plans for a threshold on population size for inclusion in the National Active Travel Network.

We are in the process of reviewing responses and intend to publish a response setting out our next steps in due course.

There are no current plans to review the list of prescription charge exemptions or the list of medical conditions that entitle someone to apply for a medical exemption certificate. The Government has not specifically assessed the impact on patient health outcomes for people with arrhythmogenic cardiomyopathy who may struggle to afford their prescribed medication.

Patients with certain medical conditions may be eligible for exemption from National Health Service prescription charges for another reason. Eligibility depends on the patient’s age, whether they are in qualifying full-time education, whether they are pregnant or have recently given birth, whether they have a qualifying medical condition, and whether they are in receipt of certain benefits or a war pension.

Additionally, people on a low income can seek help under the NHS Low Income Scheme, and people who have to pay NHS prescription charges and need many prescription items could save money with a prescription prepayment certificate (PPC). PPCs are available to purchase online from the NHS Business Services Authority or in-person at some pharmacies. The prescription charge in England is £9.90. A PPC costs £32.05 for three months or £114.50 for 12 months.

There are different routes to becoming a paramedic, including traditional full-time university study and apprenticeship pathways.

Students undertaking traditional higher education routes to becoming a paramedic, such as on their first degree-level course can generally access student finance for their paramedic studies.

Plan 5 loan terms and conditions apply to students starting eligible courses from 1 August 2023, and there are no plans to introduce differential terms for paramedic students.

We are helping SMEs do more trade with European countries by taking down tariff and other trade barriers in our EU-UK summit, reducing red tape in individual countries, enabling easier business travel and allowing the mutual recognition of professional qualifications, both across the EU and bilaterally. I look forward to the hon. Gentleman welcoming that.

Since the last Justice questions, the Victims and Courts Act 2026 and the Crime and Policing Act 2026, which both put victims at the heart of the justice system, have received Royal Assent. In the Gracious Speech, His Majesty the King confirmed that we will proceed with the Courts and Tribunals Bill to turn the tide on the Crown court backlog and deliver swifter justice for victims, and that we remain committed to a Hillsborough law to bring in a duty of candour for public service and rebuild confidence in the justice system. Those are yet more examples of this Government getting on with delivering justice for the British people.

It has not proved possible to respond to the hon. Member in the time available before Prorogation.

It has not proved possible to respond to the hon. Member in the time available before Prorogation.