Written questions by Slaughter.

What assessment his Department has made of the potential impact of the proposed UK–Gulf Cooperation Council trade agreement on (a) labour standards in partner countries and (b) what steps were taken to ensure that the agreement does not undermine UK employment protections or make UK companies at risk of being complicit in labour rights abuses.

The Government is a staunch defender of worker protections and has made clear that we will not compromise on these through our FTA programme.As part of the UK-GCC FTA, we are seeking commitments which reaffirm our international obligations at the International Labour Organisation, including a safe and healthy working environment, freedom of association and the elimination of forced labour.Nothing in the potential agreement will supersede or undermine UK domestic legislation or employment protections. Additionally, UK companies operating in the GCC are bound by UK legislation, including the Modern Slavery Act, which has extraterritorial reach.

Pursuant to the Answer of 13 February 2025 to Question 30065 on Trade Promotion: Israel and Occupied Territories, whether Trade Envoys paid travel and accommodation expenses.

Travel and accommodation expenses directly associated with activities undertaken in the role will be arranged and met by the Department or reimbursed. Where possible, the Trade Envoy will be offered accommodation at the Residence to minimise costs.Trade Envoys are expected to adhere to the Department’s expenses guidance which apply to the programme’s use of public funds and only incur costs which have been agreed beforehand.

Pursuant to the Answer of 13 February 2025 to Question 30065 on Trade Promotion: Israel and Occupied Territories, how much of his Department's budget has been allocated to each of the Trade Envoys for (a) Israel and (b) the Occupied Palestinian Territory in the (i) 2024-25 and (ii) 2025-26 financial years.

The Department has so far not spent any of its budget this Financial Year to support the Trade Envoys to Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territories.The funding for next Financial Year 2025-26 for the Trade Envoys to Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territories will be allocated on a case-by-case basis to meet costs of travel and subsistence needed to undertake their role.Any costs incurred are subject to Departmental guidelines which apply to the programme’s use of public funds.

Pursuant to the Answer of 13 February 2025 to Question 30065 Trade Promotion: Israel and Occupied Territories, if he will list his department’s current priorities identified for (a) export and (b) investment services in (i) Israel and (ii) the Occupied Palestinian Territory.

Current priorities identified for export and investment services in Israel include infrastructure (construction and energy), healthcare (medicinal and pharmaceutical products), food and drink, financial and professional services.Priorities for the Occupied Palestinian Territories include cars, tech, food and drink, and financial, professional business, and digital services.

Pursuant to the Answer of 13 February 2025 to Question 30065 on Trade Promotion: Israel and Occupied Territories, what assessment he has made of the effectiveness of the role of the Trade Envoys to (a) Israel and (b) the Occupied Palestinian Territories.

Following the announcement by the Secretary of State on 28th January of the appointment of a new team of Trade Envoys, we are in the process of developing specific objectives to measure the performance and impact of the Trade Envoys supporting Departmental priorities including Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territories.

Whether his Department (a) encourages and (b) supports UK businesses involved in (i) economic and (ii) financial activities that (A) support and (B) maintain Israel’s occupation of East Jerusalem and the West Bank.

The UK government does not recognise the Occupied Palestinian Territories as part of Israel. The UK government has a clear position that Israeli settlements are illegal under international law, constitute an obstacle to peace, and threaten the long-term stability of a two-state solution. We do not encourage or offer support to economic and financial activities in the settlements, and our commitment to a two-state solution is unwavering, as is our commitment to international law. We advise British businesses to strongly consider the UK government's stance towards settlements when considering their investments and activities in the region.

Whether it is his policy to not (a) encourage and (b) support UK businesses seeking involvement in (i) economic and (ii) financial activities in Israeli settlements in the Occupied Palestinian Territory.

The UK government has a clear position that Israeli settlements are illegal under international law, constitute an obstacle to peace and threaten a two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. We do not encourage or offer support to economic and financial activity in the settlements, and our commitment to a two-state solution is unwavering, as is our commitment to international law. We advise British businesses to consider the UK government's stance towards settlements when considering their investments and activities in the region.

What the (a) role and (b) responsibilities are of the trade envoys to (i) Israel and (ii) the Occupied Palestinian Territory.

Trade Envoys support HMG export and investment services already provided in a market. Each Trade Envoy role is tailored according to the requirements of their respective markets and the Trade Envoys to Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territories will align with the Departmental priorities identified for those markets.