The UK supports a two-state solution that guarantees security and stability for both the Israeli and Palestinian people. The Foreign Secretary has spoken with the new Prime Minister of the Palestinian Authority Mohammad Mustafa and offered the UK's support as his government implements much-needed reforms. An effective PA is vital for lasting peace and progress towards a two-state solution.

Our long-standing position has been that we will recognise a Palestinian State at a time that is most conducive to the peace process.

We engage with European partners on all aspects of the current conflict and on building momentum towards a lasting peace.

The UK supports a two-state solution that guarantees security and stability for both the Israeli and Palestinian people. The Foreign Secretary has spoken with the new Prime Minister of the Palestinian Authority Mohammad Mustafa and offered the UK's support as his government implements much-needed reforms. An effective PA is vital for lasting peace and progress towards a two-state solution.

Our long-standing position has been that we will recognise a Palestinian State at a time that is most conducive to the peace process.

We engage with European partners on all aspects of the current conflict and on building momentum towards a lasting peace.

We have been clear that entry points for humanitarian aid, including Rafah and Kerem Shalom, must be reopened quickly to allow aid in. Israel must facilitate immediate uninterrupted humanitarian access in the south, including the entry of fuel, and ensure protection of civilians and safe passage for those who wish to leave Rafah.

We are clear that we would not support a major operation in Rafah unless there is a very clear plan for how to protect people and save lives. We have not seen that plan so, in these circumstances, we would not support a major operation in Rafah.

I refer the Hon Member to the answer to Question UIN 21419 on 22 April 2024.

The passing of UN Security Council Resolution 2728 reflected international consensus behind the UK's position that we need an immediate pause in the fighting to get aid into Gaza, to secure the release of hostages and make progress towards a permanent, sustainable ceasefire. The Prime Minister made this point during his call with Prime Minister Netanyahu on 30 April. The Foreign Secretary raised this with counterparts and partners during his visit to Israel and the OPTs in April.

We continue to use public and private diplomatic channels as well as multilateral fora to underline this.

In line with the established practice under multiple administrations of all political colours, Ministers are provided with legal support and representation where matters relate to their conduct and responsibilities as a Minister.

Statistics relating to costs of settling claims, costs of legal support, and the number of times the provision of legal support has been authorised or declined are not maintained by the Cabinet Office. Funding for appropriate legal costs, including any out-of-court settlements, would be met by the relevant department's budget.

As set out in Chapter 6 of the Cabinet Manual, Ministers are indemnified by the Crown for any actions taken against them for things done or decisions made in the course of their ministerial duties. The indemnity covers the cost of defending the proceedings, as well as any costs or damages awarded against the minister. Decisions about whether to provide legal support are made by the relevant department’s Accounting Officer.

This reflects an important principle that Ministers should be able to carry out their official duties, supported by official advice, in a way which they see fit, without the risk of personal liability constraining their ability to take those official actions. Of course, Ministers remain accountable to Parliament and the wider public for their actions as a Minister.

It would have a chilling effect on public life if Ministers faced the prospect of personal financial harm from those seeking to pressure the Government through vexatious or hostile litigation (or the threat thereof).

More broadly, the principle of legal support from the public purse for official duties is not confined to government. I would observe that there is insurance available to MPs provided by the House at taxpayers’ expense, designed to protect hon. Members when carrying out parliamentary and constituency duties. This includes professional indemnity insurance that covers defamation. I also note that the House of Lords Commission is due this week to discuss the provision of professional indemnity insurance to peers.

In line with the established practice under multiple administrations of all political colours, Ministers are provided with legal support and representation where matters relate to their conduct and responsibilities as a Minister.

Statistics relating to costs of settling claims, costs of legal support, and the number of times the provision of legal support has been authorised or declined are not maintained by the Cabinet Office. Funding for appropriate legal costs, including any out-of-court settlements, would be met by the relevant department's budget.

As set out in Chapter 6 of the Cabinet Manual, Ministers are indemnified by the Crown for any actions taken against them for things done or decisions made in the course of their ministerial duties. The indemnity covers the cost of defending the proceedings, as well as any costs or damages awarded against the minister. Decisions about whether to provide legal support are made by the relevant department’s Accounting Officer.

This reflects an important principle that Ministers should be able to carry out their official duties, supported by official advice, in a way which they see fit, without the risk of personal liability constraining their ability to take those official actions. Of course, Ministers remain accountable to Parliament and the wider public for their actions as a Minister.

It would have a chilling effect on public life if Ministers faced the prospect of personal financial harm from those seeking to pressure the Government through vexatious or hostile litigation (or the threat thereof).

More broadly, the principle of legal support from the public purse for official duties is not confined to government. I would observe that there is insurance available to MPs provided by the House at taxpayers’ expense, designed to protect hon. Members when carrying out parliamentary and constituency duties. This includes professional indemnity insurance that covers defamation. I also note that the House of Lords Commission is due this week to discuss the provision of professional indemnity insurance to peers.

In line with the established practice under multiple administrations of all political colours, Ministers are provided with legal support and representation where matters relate to their conduct and responsibilities as a Minister.

Statistics relating to costs of settling claims, costs of legal support, and the number of times the provision of legal support has been authorised or declined are not maintained by the Cabinet Office. Funding for appropriate legal costs, including any out-of-court settlements, would be met by the relevant department's budget.

As set out in Chapter 6 of the Cabinet Manual, Ministers are indemnified by the Crown for any actions taken against them for things done or decisions made in the course of their ministerial duties. The indemnity covers the cost of defending the proceedings, as well as any costs or damages awarded against the minister. Decisions about whether to provide legal support are made by the relevant department’s Accounting Officer.

This reflects an important principle that Ministers should be able to carry out their official duties, supported by official advice, in a way which they see fit, without the risk of personal liability constraining their ability to take those official actions. Of course, Ministers remain accountable to Parliament and the wider public for their actions as a Minister.

It would have a chilling effect on public life if Ministers faced the prospect of personal financial harm from those seeking to pressure the Government through vexatious or hostile litigation (or the threat thereof).

More broadly, the principle of legal support from the public purse for official duties is not confined to government. I would observe that there is insurance available to MPs provided by the House at taxpayers’ expense, designed to protect hon. Members when carrying out parliamentary and constituency duties. This includes professional indemnity insurance that covers defamation. I also note that the House of Lords Commission is due this week to discuss the provision of professional indemnity insurance to peers.

The Department consulted on heat network consumer protection requirements in 2023 and will respond to the consultation shortly. Heat network regulation will be introduced in three phases:

• In 2024 Ofgem will engage the market and develop their digital systems.

• In Spring 2025 the initial tranche of consumer protection requirements enter into force covering standards of conduct for heat network operators

• In 2026 all other protections enter into force including price benchmarking regulation.

When the Driver and Vehicle Licencing Agency (DVLA) is investigating whether a licence holder or applicant with a visual disorder is fit to drive, all costs of any tests commissioned by the DVLA as part of that investigation are paid for by the DVLA and not the applicant.

We are aware of disruptions to the supply of medicines used for the management of ADHD. While serious shortage protocols (SSPs) can be a useful tool to help manage and mitigate medicine and medical device shortages, they cannot be used for all patients and all medicines. Further, they are only issued if there is sufficient supply of suitable, alternative medicines, otherwise issuing an SSP risks causing a ‘knock on’ shortage of the alternative. For these reasons, there are currently no plans to issue SSPs for ADHD medicines, including lisdexamfetamine and methylphenidate.

We understand how frustrating and distressing medicine shortages can be and we want to assure patients that we are working intensively with the respective manufacturers to resolve the issues as soon as possible and to ensure patients have continuous access to ADHD medicines in the UK, in the short and long term.

We have issued communications to the National Health Service to advise healthcare professionals on management of patients whilst there continue to be disruptions to supplies. Patients are advised to speak to their clinician regarding any concerns they have and to discuss the suitability of treatment with alternative medicines.

I apologise to the Hon Member for the delay in responding to his correspondence. A response issued on 13 November 2023.

I apologise to the Hon Member for the delay in responding to his correspondence. A response issued on 13 November 2023.

The Government is committed to tackling all forms of modern slavery and through the Modern Slavery Act 2015 and has given law enforcement agencies the tools to tackle modern slavery, including maximum life sentences for perpetrators and enhanced protection for victims.

However, the Home Office does not routinely publish data on this matter.

UKVI Work Services have numerous functions which focus and respond to allegations of Worker Exploitation.

A bespoke Seasonal Agricultural Compliance team exists for the Farming Sector and for other issues, we have an Embassy Team function who engage with foreign missions on the matter.

Underpinning all of this is our Investigations team who translate compliance and safeguarding issues into tangible disruption activity. Where exploitation is identified, referrals are also made to other relevant functions to take forward such as the Police and National Referral Mechanism.

Households without an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) can be eligible under the scheme. The Government reformed the scheme in England and Wales in 2022 to focus the support for low-income households living in properties with the highest heating costs, based on characteristics of the property. This data primarily comes from the Valuation Office Agency, which has complete data for almost all domestic properties.

If a household believes the information held on their property is inaccurate, they can ask that alternative information, in the form of an EPC, be used instead. In the very small minority of cases where there is incomplete data for a property, an EPC can be used to confirm eligibility, based on whether the property meets the high-cost-to-heat criteria.

My Hon. Friend the Minister for Nuclear and Networks replied to the Hon. Member on 5^th September.

The Houses in Multiple Occupation (Asylum Seeker Accommodation) (England) Regulations 2023 were laid by the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities on 30th March 2023 and debated in Delegated Legislation Committee on the 10th May 2023. All future business will be set out on the Order Paper in the usual way.

A reply to the correspondence from the hon. Member was sent by the relevant Minister on 16 June 2023.

Reviewing and updating the HHSRS is integral to the government's commitment to ensuring that everyone has a safe and decent standard of housing free from dangerously hazardous conditions.

The review aims to streamline the process that local councils take in inspecting properties to assess hazards and, make it easier for landlords and tenants to understand the standards required, supporting increased compliance. This included reviewing the statutory Operating and Enforcement Guidance.

We will make any announcements in the usual way.