Commons Stands Firm Abroad, Backs Growth and Greener Flight
High-Level Summary
The House of Commons concentrated on foreign affairs, the Government’s economic outlook, and clean‑energy legislation. During Foreign Office questions, Ministers reiterated steadfast support for Ukraine, condemned illegal Israeli settlements, set out humanitarian and accountability initiatives on Sudan, addressed Hong Kong’s human rights situation and Iran’s repression, and updated on assistance for British nationals amid escalating Gulf tensions. The Chancellor’s Spring Forecast presented Office for Budget Responsibility projections the Government said show lower inflation and borrowing; the Opposition disputed those claims. The House agreed Lords amendments to the Sustainable Aviation Fuel Bill, tying revenue‑certainty contracts to UK‑produced fuel and requiring consultation with devolved Governments. An adjournment debate highlighted failures in special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) provision; Ministers outlined expanded support and stronger local authority accountability.
Detailed Summary
Oral Answers to Questions: Support for Ukraine
The Foreign Secretary, Yvette Cooper, reported visiting Kyiv and reaffirmed the UK’s position: “Britain continues to stand in solidarity with Ukraine”. She said further assistance for energy infrastructure and new sanctions were announced, including action against Russia’s oil and gas system and its shadow fleet, and confirmed continued military aid: “We will stand with Ukraine today, tomorrow and for as long as it takes”. Members raised Iran’s supply of Shahed drones; Cooper called Iran a “key enabler” and said the UK is working with Ukrainian expertise to support partners in the Gulf. On Russian revenues, she said the UK is strengthening pressure on the shadow fleet and “would like to see international support for a maritime services ban”. Responding to calls for tougher action on third‑country refineries, she said nearly 300 new sanctions—the largest package since 2022—had been imposed. No specific decisions were taken; Ministers committed to sustain support and pursue further sanctions.
Oral Answers to Questions: West Bank—Illegal Settlements
Minister Hamish Falconer condemned settlement expansion and recent Israeli Security Cabinet decisions, warning they “threaten peace and stability” and “risk making a two-state solution impossible”. He said the Government would “consider concrete steps in accordance with international law” to counter expansion. He highlighted deep concern about the E1 project—“a project that we completely oppose” designed to split contiguous Palestinian territory. Clarifying on displacement, he said the UK “oppose[s] forcible displacement” and will update Parliament on issues arising from the International Court of Justice advisory opinion. No new measures were announced; Ministers reiterated willingness to act and to continue sanctions designations.
Oral Answers to Questions: Humanitarian Situation in Sudan
Yvette Cooper said she chaired a dedicated UN Security Council session on Sudan and called for renewed international action: “we need a renewed effort from across the globe to end this brutal war”. She confirmed UK support for the UN children and armed conflict mandate and announced “a new £20 million programme to support survivors of rape and sexual violence in Sudan”. On accountability, she said the UK is helping establish a “coalition for atrocity prevention and justice” and prioritising humanitarian support. While stating genocide determinations are for courts, she described evidence of atrocities as “staggering and horrendous” and said perpetrators must be held to account.
Oral Answers to Questions: US Tariffs
Minister Stephen Doughty said the UK‑US relationship remains strong, rejecting suggestions of damage to the ‘special relationship’. He noted prior outcomes: “We were the first to strike a deal with the US Administration, which removed tariffs on UK aerospace exports and secured reduced tariffs for cars”. No new tariff measures were announced.
Oral Answers to Questions: Hong Kong—Human Rights
Minister Seema Malhotra said China’s national security law had “significantly eroded the rights and freedoms of Hongkongers,” and that the Prime Minister had raised concerns, including Jimmy Lai’s case, in Beijing. She highlighted support for arrivals from Hong Kong—“around 200,000… since 2021”—and the five‑year welcome programme. On transnational repression, she said such attempts are “utterly unacceptable” and the Government will “look further at the situation” while condemning Jimmy Lai’s prosecution and trailing the next six‑monthly report to Parliament. No sanctions decisions were announced.
Oral Answers to Questions: Palestinian Authority School Curriculum
Minister Hamish Falconer reaffirmed commitments in the 2025 UK‑Palestine memorandum of understanding and said an “external review has been commissioned” to verify textbook reform implementation, with a report due in coming months. He noted “considerable progress on grade 12” and invited further evidence. On prisoner payments (the Tamkeen system), he said it is “being externally audited by a United States auditor” and the Government will update Parliament following the audit.
Oral Answers to Questions: Jimmy Lai and Freedom of Religion or Belief in China
Seema Malhotra condemned the “politically motivated persecution of British citizen Jimmy Lai” and called for his “immediate release”. She declined to speculate on sanctions while noting ongoing diplomatic observation of court proceedings and continued advocacy. On reports of detained Zion House Church leaders in China, she said they were a “very worrying indication of further persecution of Christians” and reaffirmed the UK’s commitment to champion freedom of religion or belief.
Oral Answers to Questions: British Overseas Territories—Financial Transparency
Stephen Doughty reported progress on beneficial ownership transparency in several territories, while noting others lag behind. He said the UK “reserve[s] the right to consider all options, if progress is not made” and welcomed civil society scrutiny, committing to “work to ensure rapid progress”.
Oral Answers to Questions: Gaza—Support for Children
Minister Chris Elmore said the UK is providing £81 million in humanitarian and early recovery support this year, including services “which have so far supported over 335,000 Palestinian children”. He underlined the role of international NGOs and the UK’s aid match to the Disasters Emergency Committee appeal. On access, he said, “We would like all borders, including Rafah, to be open as quickly as possible,” and that representations were being made to Israel.
Oral Answers to Questions: Iran—Human Rights Violations
The Foreign Secretary described Iran’s recent regional attacks and domestic repression, saying the UK led a special UN Human Rights Council session and imposed “a sweeping package of sanctions”. She said the Government is taking forward Jonathan Hall KC’s recommendations to strengthen counter‑terrorism law to include state‑linked threats and keeps proscription decisions under review. Responding to calls for urgency, she added, “we are taking forward the legislation that Jonathan Hall has recommended,” and stressed the seriousness of Iran‑backed threats in the UK.
Foreign Office Topical Questions: Middle East and British Nationals
Yvette Cooper updated the House on support to British nationals amid closed regional airspace, saying “130,000 British nationals have signed up to the ‘register your presence’ programme”, and that “A Government charter flight will leave Muscat in the coming days, prioritising those vulnerable nationals”. On allied use of UK bases, she said the UK ensures a lawful basis and acts where in the national interest, adding it would be difficult to justify not acting to protect British citizens in the region.
Spring Forecast (Chancellor’s Statement and Response)
Chancellor Rachel Reeves outlined a policy of “a single major fiscal event a year” and cited OBR forecasts showing “inflation is down; borrowing is down; living standards are up; and the economy is growing”. She said GDP per person is forecast to rise 5.6% over the Parliament, leaving people “£1,000 a year better off” by the next election, and projected borrowing falling to 1.8% of GDP by 2029‑30. She also said the UK expects to spend “nearly £4 billion less on debt interest next year” than in the autumn forecast, and previewed a forthcoming Mais lecture on trade, innovation and regional growth. Shadow Chancellor Mel Stride labelled it “a surrender statement” and challenged claims on growth and borrowing, asserting, “Our borrowing is even higher than Greece’s”. Reeves replied that “debt is down, borrowing is down, inflation is down, and interest rates are down” from 5.25% to 3.75%. No votes were taken; the House moved to questions.
Bill Presented: Armed Conflict (Requirements) Bill (First Reading)
Dr Ellie Chowns presented a Bill requiring, before deployment of armed forces for conflict, a ministerial statement on reasons, international‑law compliance, objectives and their viability; Commons approval would be required in advance, with equivalent provisions for use of UK bases by foreign forces. The Bill was read a First time and set down for Second Reading on Friday 6 March; it was ordered to be printed as Bill 396.
Ten Minute Rule Motion: Geotechnical Data Bill (First Reading)
Mike Reader sought leave to introduce a Bill to standardise, collect and securely share geotechnical data from ground and site investigations and to integrate it into the National Underground Asset Register. He argued that re‑use of such data could be “worth an additional £1.2 billion per year” and reduce construction’s carbon footprint. Leave was granted; the Bill was read a First time and set down for Second Reading on Friday 17 April; it was ordered to be printed as Bill 395.
Sustainable Aviation Fuel Bill: Lords Amendments
Minister Keir Mather moved to agree six Lords amendments. Amendments 1‑3 restrict revenue‑certainty contracts to sustainable aviation fuel produced at facilities in the UK, defining UK‑produced as where “any part of the process for converting feedstocks into fuel occurs within the UK”. Amendments 4‑6 require consultation with devolved Governments before making regulations under specified clauses. He confirmed legislative consent from all three devolved Governments. The Opposition supported the principle that UK backing should benefit UK production, cautioning the definition “must not become a loophole wide enough to taxi an A380 through”. The Minister said the “cost of the scheme and the impact on passenger ticket prices will be kept under continual review”. The House agreed Lords amendments 1‑6.
Delegated Legislation and Business Without Debate
The House approved the draft National Minimum Wage (Amendment) Regulations 2026, agreed an Address for the appointment of Rashik Parmar as an Electoral Commissioner from 31 March 2026 to 30 March 2030, and agreed Easter, May bank holiday and Whitsun adjournment dates. Orders on Financial Assistance to Industry and on tabling amendments to the Grenfell Tower Memorial (Expenditure) Bill were also made.
Public Petition: A5036 Park Lane Footbridge
Peter Dowd presented a petition urging Government action to replace the Park Lane West footbridge over the A5036 in Netherton: petitioners “urge the Government to ensure that the pedestrian footbridge over the A5036 at Park Lane West Junction is rebuilt”. No Government response was recorded during the sitting.
Adjournment Debate: Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) Provision—Local Authorities
Chris Coghlan highlighted cases where failures in local authority SEND provision preceded child suicides, citing a KC’s view that proposed schools reforms risk “reduc[ing] the ability for children and families to enforce what they are legally entitled to”. He referenced specific cases, including an inquest finding of death from “inadequate support from the local authority and mental health services”. Minister Georgia Gould said the Government is “expanding their support and their rights” with new legal duties on schools, additional targeted support and funding for schools and specialist teams. She affirmed that individuals can still seek assessments and appeal to tribunal, and that, with increased investment, accountability will be tightened—“if there is repeated and long-term failure, we will take SEND from local authorities”. She reported SEND advisers and “very close monitoring” in Surrey and said the Government is creating more local specialist places—“We have put £3.7 billion into creating those specialist places”. No motion was put; the House adjourned thereafter.