Written questions by Khan.

What steps the Government is taking to ensure that employers are providing support for women in the workplace with flexible working.

The Government knows how important flexible working can be to help women with caring responsibilities manage their work and personal commitments. It can also be equally important for carers of vulnerable adults as well as employees with long-term physical or mental health conditions. That is why the Government, through the Employment Rights Bill, is increasing access to flexible working by making it the default except where not reasonably feasible. These measures will support all employees, including women, to access flexible working. The changes in the Bill will require employers to accept flexible working requests where it is reasonably feasible to do so.

Whether his Department plans to exempt trade with the Occupied Palestinian Territories from the free trade agreement being negotiated with Israel.

The government’s position is clear that Israeli settlements in the Occupied Palestinian Territories are illegal under international law Goods originating from illegal Israeli settlements are not entitled to tariff and trade preferences under either the existing agreement between the UK and Israel or in our agreement with the Palestinian Authority. This will not change in an upgraded free trade agreement with Israel.

Whether his Department plans to take steps to disclose UK foreign direct investment holdings in the Occupied Palestinian Territories.

The Department for Business and Trade does not hold this information. It is held by the Office for National Statistics.

What steps he is taking to support women with flexible working.

Through the recently introduced Employment Rights Bill, we are amending existing legislation to ensure employers accept flexible working requests, except where they are not reasonably feasible. These changes will support employees to access flexible working, including women. We know flexible working is particularly important supporting women who combine work with caring responsibilities.

Whether he has had discussions with D&D London on the closure of 35 TGI Fridays branches.

We understand that this will be a concerning time for workers at TGI Fridays, and we stand ready to support those impacted. Affected employees will be able to access Government support, including Universal Credit and Job Centre Plus to help them find new jobs, through its Rapid Response Service. DBT officials are monitoring developments and are in touch with administrators.