Written questions by Law.

Pursuant to question 26214 tabled on 23 January 2025 on Oded Basyuk, if he will publish transcripts of these meetings.

Major General Basyuk visited the UK as part of our concerted effort to reduce the risk of escalation in the Middle East and to achieve a peaceful resolution in Gaza and Lebanon. Discussions focussed on regional security concerns and included UK calls to implement all phases of the Gaza ceasefire deal in full and establish a pathway to lasting peace and security for the region. Unfortunately, it is not possible to publish the minutes from the meeting as they discuss operationally sensitive matters.

How many Royal Air Force operated planes flew to Israel between 9 May 2024 and 19 January 2025.

19 Royal Air Force operated aircraft flew to Israel between 9 May 2024 and 19 January 2025.

What discussions she has had with the Welsh Government on the potential merits of devolving the Crown Estate to Wales.

The Crown Estate is key to the £1.4 billion investment and over 5,000 jobs that this government wants to secure from floating offshore wind in the Celtic Sea. It works closely with the Welsh Government to ensure Wales is at the cutting edge of this growing sector. Our total focus is on taking maximum advantage of this opportunity for Wales, using levers within the existing devolution settlement.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, which Israeli officials he met on his visit to Israel in January 2025; what topics were discussed; and which issues he raised.

When the Foreign Secretary travelled to Israel earlier this month, he met Foreign Minister Sa'ar and Minister for Strategic Affairs Ron Dermer, and discussed ceasefire and hostage negotiations, humanitarian aid into Gaza, as well as other regional issues.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what recent steps he has taken to help secure guarantees from Sudan’s warring parties of the safe and unimpeded delivery of humanitarian assistance to conflict-affected populations.

The UK continues to raise the critical issue of humanitarian access. We did this recently at the UN Security Council on 19 December 2024 and 6 January 2025, where we called for the warring parties to lift bureaucratic impediments and let aid get to those who need it. I have also engaged directly with the new Emergency Relief Coordinator, Tom Fletcher, on the UN response. The UK Special Representative, Richard Crowder, met the head of the Sudanese Armed Forces, General Burhan, during his first visit to Sudan and lobbied against current impediments such as visas. On 25 November 2024, the Foreign Secretary chaired a Sudan meeting with G7 and Arab Quint Foreign Ministers to discuss joint steps to improve humanitarian access and increase aid.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, if he will increase multi-year funding to support (a) the most food-insecure people in Sudan and (b) Sudanese refugees in neighbouring countries.

Ministers will consider Official Development Assistance allocations for 2025/26 over the coming months, and we will publish them in the Annual Report & Accounts in summer 2025. The next phase of the Spending Review will set departmental budgets from 2026/27 to 2029/30.In November 2024, the UK announced a further £113 million of aid. With this announcement, the UK has doubled our aid to £226.5 million.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what recent steps he has taken to work towards (a) a ceasefire and (b) an end to the conflict in Sudan.

The UK is actively working towards ending the conflict in Sudan. The Foreign Secretary has spoken with regional partners to explore how the UK can assist international mediation efforts. Richard Crowder, UK Special Representative to Sudan, visited Port Sudan in December 2024 - the UK's first official visit to the county since outbreak of conflict in April 2023. He pressed for a resolution to the conflict, and for all parties to engage constructively in mediation talks, including by complying with the Jeddah Declaration of Commitments to Protect Civilians. We also continue to lead efforts in the UN Security Council to support peace and to keep international spotlight on this crisis.

How many Israeli armed forces personnel are attending training courses in the UK; which courses they are taking; and where those courses are located.

This information is being withheld in order to protect personal information and to avoid prejudicing relations between the United Kingdom and another State.

(a) how many visits to Israel and (b) for what purpose the (i) Chief of the Defence Staff, (ii) Chief of the Air Staff and (iii) Commander of Strategic Command have made since 1 January 2024.

Since 1 January 2024, the Chief of the Defence Staff has visited Israel twice and the Chief of the Air Staff has visited Israel once, to discuss the longstanding defence relationship, encourage de-escalation and compliance with international humanitarian law, and promote long-term peace in the region. Commander Strategic Command has not visited Israel since 1 January 2024.

(a) when and (b) where the next round of negotiations for a Free Trade Agreement with Israel will take place.

On 29 July 2024, the Secretary of State announced the Government’s intention to deliver negotiations with the Gulf Cooperation Council, India, Israel, South Korea, Switzerland, and Turkey. The Government continues its review of the objectives for these negotiations with Israel.We welcome the 15 January 2025 announcement of a ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether the Minister for Development met representatives of the Israeli Government during her visit to Israel in December 2024.

I met Israeli Deputy Foreign Minister Sharren Haskel and Yuli Edelstein, Chair of Israel's Foreign Affairs and Defence Committee, during my official visit to Israel in December 2024.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what steps he is taking to help ensure implementation of UN Security Council resolution 2254.

The UK joined talks in Aqaba on 14 December, hosted by Jordan, with Arab, US, UN and EU partners during which we collectively expressed commitment to supporting a Syrian-led and Syrian-owned political transition process based on the principles of UN Security Council Resolution 2254, leading to an inclusive, non-sectarian and representative government.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what steps he is taking to support (a) humanitarian aid efforts and (b) rescue efforts for Syrians still trapped in prisons.

The UK is working closely with humanitarian and other partners to monitor the humanitarian situation, assess impacts and needs, and determine how best to respond. We continue to support those in need across Syria, where it is safe to do so. Through NGOs and UN organisations, we are providing food, healthcare and other life-saving assistance. The UK has announced an additional £61 million in funding since 27 November 2024 to support vulnerable Syrians in Syria and the region.Following the regime's retreat from Aleppo in early December, I announced an additional £300,000 to the White Helmets to expand their operations into areas formerly controlled by the regime. The White Helmets play a key role in search and rescue operations, including in prisons.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether he is taking steps to help ensure (a) stability and (b) continuity of (i) governance and (ii) institutions in Syria.

The UK has been at the forefront of the response to fast moving events in Syria. The UK Special Envoy for Syria and I are speaking regularly to regional and other partners about the situation. The UK joined talks in Aqaba on 14 December, hosted by Jordan, with Arab, US, UN and EU partners during which we collectively expressed commitment to supporting a Syrian-led and Syrian-owned political transition process based on the principles of UN Security Council Resolution 2254, leading to an inclusive, non-sectarian and representative government. We also advocated for preserving state institutions that serve the interests of, and provide critical services to, the people of Syria.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether he is taking steps to help ensure a United Nations led process that restores democratic institutions of governance in Syria.

The UK has been at the forefront of the response to fast moving events in Syria. The UK Special Envoy for Syria and I are speaking regularly to regional and other partners, including the UN Special Envoy for Syria, about the situation. The UK joined talks in Aqaba on 14 December, hosted by Jordan, with Arab, US, UN and EU partners during which we collectively expressed commitment to supporting a Syrian-led and Syrian-owned political transition process based on the principles of UN Security Council Resolution 2254, leading to an inclusive, non-sectarian and representative government.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what steps he is taking to (a) promote stability and (b) safeguard institutions of governance in Syria in preparation for a transition to democratic elections.

The UK has been at the forefront of the response to fast moving events in Syria. The UK Special Envoy for Syria and I are speaking regularly to regional and other partners about the situation. The UK joined talks in Aqaba on 14 December, hosted by Jordan, with Arab, US, UN and EU partners during which we collectively expressed commitment to supporting a Syrian-led and Syrian-owned political transition process based on the principles of UN Security Council Resolution 2254, leading to an inclusive, non-sectarian and representative government. We also advocated for preserving state institutions that serve the interests of, and provide critical services to, the people of Syria.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, how many Special Mission Immunity certificates have been (a) applied for by and (b) granted to each state since 4 March 2013.

Government officials from any country can apply for and be granted special mission certificates as part of official visits to the UK. As set out in a Written Ministerial Statement by the former Foreign Secretary dated 4 March 2013, a special mission is a temporary mission, representing a State, which is sent by one State to another with the consent of the latter, in order to carry out official engagements on behalf of the sending State. Since 4 March 2013, the FCDO has received 68 requests for special missions, of which certificates were issued for visits from the following states: Egypt 35 certificates, Iran 1 certificate, Israel 16 certificates, Qatar 2 certificates, Rwanda 1 certificate and Saudi Arabia 3 certificates. Certificates were not issued for visits that did not meet the criteria for special missions, as set out by the former Foreign Secretary in 2013.

How many applications for Pension Credit were received between (a) 29 July 2024 and 30 November 2024, (b) 29 July 2023 and 30 November 2023 and (c) 29 July 2022 and 30 November 2022.

On 28 November we published Pension Credit applications and award statistics. This publication provides application volumes up to 17 November 2024. Pension Credit applications and awards: November 2024 - GOV.UK, which is the nearest available data to the 30 November. This information is updated quarterly and the next update, which will include end of November data is due around the end of February 2025. This release will cover data up to week commencing 10 February 2024. These statistics show that 150,000 Pension Credit claims were received between 29 July 2024 up to 17 November 2024.In the previous year we received around 67,000 applications for the closest comparable period, which was 31 July 2023 to 19 November 2023.The closest comparable period in 2022 shows we received around 87,500 applications between 1 August 2022 and 20 November 2022. Please note, the figures presented are from DWP’s Pension Credit system which has previously been collected for internal departmental operations use only and has not been quality assured to Official Statistics publication standards.

Pursuant to the Answer of 4 December 2024 to Question 16506 on Israel Defence Forces, whether (a) UK-Israel military cooperation and (b) the sale of arms was discussed during the meeting between the Chief of the Defence Staff and his Israeli counterparts on 25 November 2024.

The topics mentioned in the hon. Member's question were not raised during the meeting between Lieutenant General Halevi and the Chief of the Defence Staff on 25 November. In terms of the subject of discussions, I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave to him on 27 November 2024, to Question 16506.

Whether he met the Chief of the General Staff of the Israel Defense Forces during his visit to the UK in November 2024.

As part of the concerted UK effort, along with allies and partners, to reach a peaceful resolution to the ongoing conflicts in Lebanon and Gaza, the Chief of the Defence Staff hosted his counterparts from Israel and other international partners on Monday 25 November. The Secretary of State did not meet with Lieutenant General Halevi. Discussions recognised Israel’s right to security, as well as including the UK calls for an immediate ceasefire in both Lebanon and Gaza, the need for greater humanitarian access into Gaza, the release of all hostages, and the requirement for all parties to comply with international humanitarian law. We continue to work with international partners to encourage de-escalation and promote long-term peace and security in the Middle East.