awaiting m rishi sunak to an -ear awaiting rishi sunak to a- -ear before a rishi sunak to appear before a liaison committee where he is going to face a number of questions covering a number of subjects. the conservative chair of the foreign affairs committee is going to be putting some of those questions to rishi sunak, alicia kearns, is her name. we understand some of the questions will address israel's military operation in gaza as well. and we are also going to be touching on as well as global affairs, economic issues as the pm's progress towards meeting his growth and debt objectives will also come under scrutiny and of course we've just had cop 28 in dubai and rishi sunak will be a question about that. i'm looking at one of the screens and i

believe introductions are about to start. my colleague hannah miller is also going to be watching proceedings with myself. just take us through what we are expecting to happen over the next hour and a half. ., ., , ., happen over the next hour and a half. . ., ,., _, , happen over the next hour and a half. . ., _, , ., half. the a liaison committee is a u-rou half. the a liaison committee is a a-rou of half. the a liaison committee is a grow) of mp _ half. the a liaison committee is a grow) of mp who _ half. the a liaison committee is a group of mp who are _ half. the a liaison committee is a group of mp who are all- half. the a liaison committee is a group of mp who are all the - half. the a liaison committee is a | group of mp who are all the chairs and other select committees in parliament so they all have their areas of expertise and where they will be scrutinising the prime minister, and this hearing we would expect a last more or less about an hour and a half or so and it's something that happens roughly every three times a year that the prime minister comes to the committee and answers questions on a whole range of topics, and as you say, the chair is sir bernard jenkin, a conservative mp that the committee has been made up of. i’m conservative mp that the committee has been made up of.— has been made up of. i'm going to “um in has been made up of. i'm going to jump in and _ has been made up of. i'm going to jump in and i _ has been made up of. i'm going to jump in and i apologise _ has been made up of. i'm going to jump in and i apologise for - jump in and i apologise for interrupting because i believe the discussion has started. let’s discussion has started. let's listening- —

discussion has started. let's listening. the _ discussion has started. let's listening. the secretary - discussion has started. let's listening. the secretary of l discussion has started. let's - listening. the secretary of state from the house of lords, that was the situation in 2008 and 2009 with lord mandelson and lord adonis serving as senior cabinet ministers from the lord so there is an established process will scrutiny which has been in operation for a long time. i know that the foreign secretary was due to appear before the house of commons select committee yesterday which was rescheduled as a result of his attendance abroad and at the funeral, but i know he is keen to do that as well as increasing the amount of time he spends in the house of lords, but the last thing i would say is the foreign office as another cabinet level minister who is in the commons and can make statements and take questions. i appreciate that there is real concern that one of the great offices of state occupied by a member of the house of lords will not have the normal scrutiny we would expect in the house of commons. i'll give you an example. during the pandemic, the early days of the pandemic, the foreign

secretary came to the house of commons a major statement and took hundreds of interventions. it was very long statement, for many who had concerns about constituents around the world and how we might get them home. it's only really the secretary of state that can take the level of questions get the level of responses that we required. so we wondered how we could introduce that allows us to have similar scrutiny now. in allows us to have similar scrutiny now. ., , , .., allows us to have similar scrutiny now. ., , , _, allows us to have similar scrutiny now. ., , , ., now. in one sense i can echo what i said that this _ now. in one sense i can echo what i said that this is _ now. in one sense i can echo what i said that this is not _ now. in one sense i can echo what i said that this is not an _ said that this is not an unprecedented situation. we have had senior labour party peers who were in cabinet from house of lords, two at once in fact in the last year and half of the last labour government so it's a long—standing practice and parliament thought it had the right and appropriate mechanisms to hold those ministers, to scrutinise them at the time, and if people have any

suggestions, i'm happy to give questions to the practicalities and constitutional arrangements another committees would have to be consulted but with regard to statements there is another foreign office cabinet minister has made the statements and taking questions, and in the thursday that the committee did, people expressed an interest in the select committee being the appropriate forum for that level of detail scrutiny and of course the foreign secretary has agreed with him before the house of commons select committee as soon as the schedule is allowed, he was meant to be there yesterday, but obviously he was intervened. my be there yesterday, but obviously he was intervened.— was intervened. my committee is lookinu was intervened. my committee is lookin: at was intervened. my committee is looking at this _ was intervened. my committee is looking at this at _ was intervened. my committee is looking at this at the _ was intervened. my committee is looking at this at the moment - was intervened. my committee is| looking at this at the moment and was intervened. my committee is - looking at this at the moment and we will be reporting on the new year in the hope that the government will be able to act on recommendations. thank you. able to act on recommendations. thank vom— able to act on recommendations. thank yon-— able to act on recommendations. thank you. thank you very much. under time- _ thank you. thank you very much. under time. excellent. _ thank you. thank you very much. under time. excellent. in - thank you. thank you very much. under time. excellent. in a - thank you. thank you very much. | under time. excellent. in a single undertime. excellent. in a single word, _ undertime. excellent. in a single word, what— undertime. excellent. in a single word, what would you say is the

greatest — word, what would you say is the greatest strategic challenge facing the united kingdom? | greatest strategic challenge facing the united kingdom?— the united kingdom? i think the increasingly _ the united kingdom? i think the increasingly complex _ the united kingdom? i think the increasingly complex and - the united kingdom? i think the| increasingly complex and hostile international environment is something that over the past year has occupied more of my time than one might have anticipated. and you can see that notjust in the situation in russia and ukraine but we've talked in the past in this forum about the risk posed by china's activities, iran, and most recently in the middle east, particularly the situation in the red sea which is deeply concerning. as a maritime nation, we've always believed strongly in free and open shipping lanes but it's being threatened by malign actors and is further evidence that the international picture is both complex and more challenging than previously we might have taken these things for granted and we can't and we need to invest in defence capability and strengthen alliances to keep everyone at home safe and protect the economy too.—

protect the economy too. where is russia and — protect the economy too. where is russia and ukraine _ protect the economy too. where is russia and ukraine in _ protect the economy too. where is russia and ukraine in the - protect the economy too. where is russia and ukraine in the ranking l protect the economy too. where is. russia and ukraine in the ranking of the issues? — russia and ukraine in the ranking of the issues? , . russia and ukraine in the ranking of the issues?— russia and ukraine in the ranking of the issues? , . , , the issues? very much uppermost in our minds. — the issues? very much uppermost in our minds. as— the issues? very much uppermost in our minds, as we _ the issues? very much uppermost in our minds, as we know, _ the issues? very much uppermost in our minds, as we know, it's - the issues? very much uppermost in our minds, as we know, it's that - our minds, as we know, it's that we've been very clear for ukraine to be defeated is existential for the european land and security which is why we have been at the forefront of the response to russia's aggression and ukraine would rightly consider us one of their closest allies and we have stood shoulder to shoulder with them from the beginning of this crisis but also been ahead of all of our allies in providing particular capabilities at times that they most needed it, whether that's tanks or recently long range weapons and combat air recently long range weapons and combatairtraining. all recently long range weapons and combat air training. all evidence of the uk being a step ahead of everyone, leading the global conversation and that we will continue to do that, because this is existential for european atlantic security, that russia cannot succeed in this offensive.— in this offensive. what would be the consequence _ in this offensive. what would be the consequence of— in this offensive. what would be the

consequence of russia _ in this offensive. what would be the consequence of russia retaining - consequence of russia retaining illegally— consequence of russia retaining illegally held territory for a long period? — illegally held territory for a long period? as i said.— illegally held territory for a long period? as i said. there's a range of different _ period? as i said. there's a range of different countries _ period? as i said. there's a range of different countries who - period? as i said. there's a range of different countries who are - of different countries who are seeing the impact of hostile russian activity in their country and on their borders. and it's important that a strong deterrent is sent to russia that this type of flagrant breach of the international rules —based system of territorial integrity will not be tolerated. and that's why we have taken the lead in providing support to ukraine and galvanised international opinion behind it, but i'd also say it is broader than the atlantic security earlier, that the international rules basis to more generally is under pressure in lots it's important we send a strong signal to russia and all of those around the

world who would seek to undermine the order and we spent decades building up, that their aggression will be seen with a strong response. we've been through the autumn statement. we know what we are spending — statement. we know what we are spending on ukraine in 2023 — 2024, i believe _ spending on ukraine in 2023 — 2024, i believe 23— spending on ukraine in 2023 — 2024, i believe 2.3 billion, so why was no announcement made about 2024 and 2025, _ announcement made about 2024 and 2025, and _ announcement made about 2024 and 2025, and when will the announcement be 2025, and when will the announcement he made _ 2025, and when will the announcement be made and how much will it be? it be made and how much will it be? [it will be be made and how much will it be? will be made be made and how much will it be? it will be made in due course. we are having active dialogue with the ukrainians. i spoke to president zelenskyjust the other week on this, to make sure the aid we are putting in place can be most effective in supporting them with their ambitions for next year. they are obviously in the process of developing plans for next year and we are helping them to do that with our closest allies, but before we say exactly how and what quantum and what we are going to do to support them, it's important we work with them, it's important we work with them to have a clear and coherent

unified view of what it is that they are planning on achieving next year and those conversations are active as we've had people back and forth and i spoke to president zelensky the other week and we will continue to support them strongly next year and i can give you that assurance but the precise form, detail and quantum will be outlined when we have the conversations with the ukrainians. have the conversations with the ukrainians-— have the conversations with the ukrainians. a, , _, , ukrainians. maybe ifi could, “ust before, ukrainians. maybe ifi could, “ust before. its fl ukrainians. maybe ifi could, “ust before, it's not i ukrainians. maybe ifi could, “ust before, it's notjust i ukrainians. maybe ifi could, “ust before, it's notjust about i ukrainians. maybe ifi could, just before, it's notjust about next . before, it's notjust about next year. it before, it's not “ust about next ear. , ., ., year. it is an important point. in february we _ year. it is an important point. in february we called _ year. it is an important point. in february we called at _ year. it is an important point. in february we called at the - year. it is an important point. in i february we called at the beginning of the security conference for longer—term assurances for ukraine because that's an important part of building the deterrence and one of the many countries who signed a similar declaration, we are also having conversations with ukraine about how to broaden the support we give them, notjust militarily but to bring them into the atlantic family with other economic assistance, so it is broader than

just military support and we need to start thinking longer term, notjust one year at a time in terms of the journey and direction of travel on this. just an important point to make. sarah, sorry. i’m this. just an important point to make. sarah, sorry. i'm interested. do ou make. sarah, sorry. i'm interested. do you consider— make. sarah, sorry. i'm interested. do you consider yourself— make. sarah, sorry. i'm interested. do you consider yourself a - make. sarah, sorry. i'm interested. do you consider yourself a lead - make. sarah, sorry. i'm interested. do you consider yourself a lead on i do you consider yourself a lead on the global stage?— do you consider yourself a lead on the global stage? others will make that determination. _ the global stage? others will make that determination. -- _ the global stage? others will make that determination. -- a _ the global stage? others will make that determination. -- a leader. i. that determination. —— a leader. i very proud of the uk leadership in multiple areas over the past 12 months, ukraine being an obvious example. we were the leader in sending battle tanks to ukraine. i’m sending battle tanks to ukraine. i'm interested in you. these _ sending battle tanks to ukraine. i'm interested in you. these are - sending battle tanks to ukraine. i'm interested in you. these are thingsl interested in you. these are things i have done — interested in you. these are things i have done on _ interested in you. these are things i have done on behalf— interested in you. these are things i have done on behalf of— interested in you. these are things i have done on behalf of the - interested in you. these are things i have done on behalf of the uk, i interested in you. these are things| i have done on behalf of the uk, so at the end of the day these are things we do as a country, as a government, but ultimately on the one who takes the decisions, so we were the first country to provide battle tanks and the first to provide long—range weapons, the first country to provide training for combat pilots. all of those have now been copied by other countries,

rightly so and we were the first country to go for multilateral security instances, and that's just in the ukrainian space. i security instances, and that's “ust in the ukrainian spacei in the ukrainian space. i want to talk about _ in the ukrainian space. i want to talk about development - in the ukrainian space. i want to talk about development and - talk about development and humanitarian issues. if i can ask my question is, yemen is in the news again. what is not being commented on is since 2015 yemen is the world's worst humanitarian crisis. despite this you made successive cuts to their aid as chancellor and this year you cut uk aid to yemen a third of what it was in 2019. as pen holder of the un security council and a country in desperate need, do you regret the cuts you made? ida. you regret the cuts you made? no. no? yourfirst— you regret the cuts you made? in; no? your first answer was no you don't? i no? your first answer was no you don't? ., �* no? your first answer was no you dont? .,�* . , no? your first answer was no you don't? ., �* . , ., don't? i don't regret the cuts to the overall— don't? i don't regret the cuts to the overall aid _ don't? i don't regret the cuts to the overall aid budget, - don't? i don't regret the cuts to the overall aid budget, the - don't? i don't regret the cuts to - the overall aid budget, the decision made as chancellor approved by the house of commons on a vote. i appreciate that the labour party opposed it and that's a question for

them and everyone has opposed it about where would they have £5 billion from. the about where would they have £5 billion from.— billion from. the question is, do ou billion from. the question is, do you regret _ billion from. the question is, do you regret that, _ billion from. the question is, do you regret that, cutting - billion from. the question is, do you regret that, cutting aid - billion from. the question is, do you regret that, cutting aid to i billion from. the question is, do i you regret that, cutting aid to one of the worst humanitarian crises on the planet?— the planet? what i think is the riaht the planet? what i think is the right thing _ the planet? what i think is the right thing for _ the planet? what i think is the right thing for the _ the planet? what i think is the right thing for the uk, - the planet? what i think is the right thing for the uk, given i the planet? what i think is the l right thing for the uk, given the fiscal situation we face in recovering from the pandemic that we reduced our aid budget and that was the right thing to do and we remain, as you ask about leadership, we remain one of the largest aid of spenders anywhere in the world, both as an absolute amount, we spend around £12 million, but also as a percentage of gdp, and we are one of the largest contributors to individual funds, the largest contributors to individualfunds, whether the largest contributors to individual funds, whether that's the global fund individual funds, whether that's the globalfund or the individual funds, whether that's the global fund or the green climate fund... i global fund or the green climate fund... ~ . . global fund or the green climate fund... ~ , , ., , fund... i think this is the answer ou ave fund... i think this is the answer you gave to _ fund... i think this is the answer you gave to me _ fund... i think this is the answer you gave to me six _ fund... i think this is the answer you gave to me six months - fund... i think this is the answer you gave to me six months ago. j fund... i think this is the answer i you gave to me six months ago. on the facts remain the same, they haven't changed. i’m the facts remain the same, they haven't changed.— the facts remain the same, they haven't changed. i'm interested in our haven't changed. i'm interested in your position _ haven't changed. i'm interested in your position on _ haven't changed. i'm interested in your position on things. _ haven't changed. i'm interested in your position on things. do - haven't changed. i'm interested in your position on things. do you i haven't changed. i'm interested in | your position on things. do you see a correlation between what is

happening in the red sea now and the fact and the international community has turned its back on yemen for a long time? i has turned its back on yemen for a long time?— long time? i don't think that's riuht. long time? i don't think that's right- and _ long time? i don't think that's right. and when _ long time? i don't think that's right. and when i _ long time? i don't think that's right. and when i talk- long time? i don't think that's right. and when i talk to i long time? i don't think that's right. and when i talk to my l right. and when i talk to my international peers about the situation as we are actively doing, not a single one of them has made that point. and we are actively involved right now particularly with the us and the broader coalition in standing up and operation to provide deterrence and protect the open seas and that's an incredibly important thing for the uk to be doing given it's something we've always believed in and it's not about the situation in and it's not about the situation in israel gaza. this is about malign forces with the hootie is taking advantage of the situation to escalate, and that's having a real impact on the global economy and we are playing our part as part of a broad international coalition. i think it's important on this point... think it's important on this oint. .. ., think it's important on this oint... ., ., ., ., , , point... you are not answering my oint. point... you are not answering my point- you — point... you are not answering my

point- you are _ point... you are not answering my point. you are giving _ point... you are not answering my point. you are giving me - point... you are not answering my point. you are giving me a - point... you are not answering my point. you are giving me a policy | point. you are giving me a policy answer to something else. buti answer to something else. but i think it is important. _ answer to something else. but i think it is important. it's - answer to something else. but i think it is important. it's not i answer to something else. pm i think it is important. it's notjust aid that will help the situation, it's also military deterrence. and it's also military deterrence. and leadership- _ it's also military deterrence. and leadership. and _ it's also military deterrence. and leadership. and again, _ it's also military deterrence. and leadership. and again, we i it's also military deterrence. and leadership. and again, we are i it's also military deterrence. and | leadership. and again, we are the first country _ leadership. and again, we are the first country after— leadership. and again, we are the first country after the _ leadership. and again, we are the first country after the us - leadership. and again, we are the first country after the us to i leadership. and again, we are the first country after the us to send l first country after the us to send assets into the region. hms lancaster, hms diamond, they are in the region ahead of any other countries. and that is leadership. that's because we are providing deterrence for commercial shipping and also making sure humanitarian and also making sure humanitarian and maritime corridors... and also making sure humanitarian and maritime corridors. . ._ and also making sure humanitarian and maritime corridors... thank you, prime minister, _ and maritime corridors... thank you, prime minister, can _ and maritime corridors. .. thank you, prime minister, can i— and maritime corridors... thank you, prime minister, can i bring _ and maritime corridors... thank you, prime minister, can i bring you i and maritime corridors... thank you, prime minister, can i bring you backl prime minister, can i bring you back to something i hope we agree on, global education, particularly education for girls and i'm enormously proud, as you are, of the uk investment in girls education including the un led education cannot wait but for hundreds of thousands of girls there education will have to wait because you cut funds to the scheme by 87%. why did you make that decision? alejos on

all of these questions of aid, i appreciate you and others will disagree but i thought it was the right thing given the fiscal and economic situation in the uk faced that we temporarily reduce the aid budget to 0.5 enormously that will happen and i accept that choice. but it's the choices then you make on things like girls education. then it's the choices then you make on things like girls education.- things like girls education. then i think it's not _ things like girls education. then i think it's not fair _ things like girls education. then i think it's not fair to _ things like girls education. then i think it's not fair to separate i things like girls education. then i think it's not fair to separate butl think it's not fair to separate but if you accept that choice but don't agree with any of the subsequent choices that flow from that decision it's hard to say those things are right so i agree and understand that you don't agree with the aid budget reduction but i think that £5 billion is something we have to spend on domestic issues right now and i think that's an important distinction. if you disagree with that, that's completely fine. tote that, that's completely fine. we have to move — that, that's completely fine. we have to move on. my _ that, that's completely fine. we have to move on. my final- that, that's completely fine. we i have to move on. my final question. i'm sorry. — have to move on. my final question. i'm sorry. we've _ have to move on. my final question. i'm sorry, we've run _ have to move on. my final question. i'm sorry, we've run out— have to move on. my final question. i'm sorry, we've run out of- have to move on. my final question. i'm sorry, we've run out of time i have to move on. my final question. i'm sorry, we've run out of time andj i'm sorry, we've run out of time and she got— i'm sorry, we've run out of time and she got over— i'm sorry, we've run out of time and she got over already.— she got over already. unfortunately that's the prime _ she got over already. unfortunately that's the prime minister _ she got over already. unfortunately that's the prime minister not i that's the prime minister not answering my questions, so my last one is about gaza. we have all been

appalled at the loss of civilian lives and i am optimistic that the motion, the motion from the un, the uk will sign motion, the motion from the un, the uk willsign up motion, the motion from the un, the uk will sign up to it. is that correct?— uk will sign up to it. is that correct? �*, ., ., , ., correct? it's our long-standing -ractice correct? it's our long-standing practice not — correct? it's our long-standing practice not to _ correct? it's our long-standing practice not to comment i correct? it's our long-standing i practice not to comment especially when there is an active dialogue going on at the un. the when there is an active dialogue going on at the un. the minister did comment on — going on at the un. the minister did comment on it. _ going on at the un. the minister did comment on it. but _ going on at the un. the minister did comment on it. but our— going on at the un. the minister did comment on it. but our position i going on at the un. the minister did comment on it. but our position on | comment on it. but our position on it has been — comment on it. but our position on it has been crystal— comment on it. but our position on it has been crystal clear _ comment on it. but our position on it has been crystal clear about i it has been crystal clear about wanting this conflict not to last a moment longer than necessary and we support israel's right to defend itself it has to be done in accordance with international law and you ask about leadership earlier and you ask about leadership earlier and we've taken the lead in providing more humanitarian aid into gaza. . ~ providing more humanitarian aid into gaza. ., ~ i. providing more humanitarian aid into gaza. ., ~ ~ , providing more humanitarian aid into gaza. . ~ ~ . can gaza. thank you, prime minister. can ou gaza. thank you, prime minister. can you updated — gaza. thank you, prime minister. can you updated on _ gaza. thank you, prime minister. can you updated on the _ gaza. thank you, prime minister. can you updated on the progress - gaza. thank you, prime minister. can you updated on the progress to i gaza. thank you, prime minister. can you updated on the progress to get i you updated on the progress to get british— you updated on the progress to get british hostages home from the terrorist — british hostages home from the terrorist group hamas who currently hold them? ., , , , ., hold them? hopefully everyone will understand there _

hold them? hopefully everyone will understand there is _ hold them? hopefully everyone will understand there is a _ hold them? hopefully everyone will understand there is a limit - hold them? hopefully everyone will understand there is a limit to i hold them? hopefully everyone will understand there is a limit to whatl understand there is a limit to what i can say publicly about this but what i can say is we are working day and night to secure their safe release and it involves lots of conversations with different people and we are doing that and this is part of discussions we've had in the past with peoples views on ceasefires and pauses and for us those have to involve the release of hostages and it's clear that the last one we had of these was broken because hamas stopped releasing hostages, including specifically women and i don't think that was right and when i last spoke to the emyr of qatar, we were in dialogue with them in particular about starting that process with the safe release of all hostages. it starting that process with the safe release of all hostages.— starting that process with the safe release of all hostages. it was said ou had a release of all hostages. it was said you had a sustainable _ release of all hostages. it was said you had a sustainable ceasefire - release of all hostages. it was said | you had a sustainable ceasefire but what criteria need to be met for a sustainable ceasefire to come into place? _ sustainable ceasefire to come into lace? �* , sustainable ceasefire to come into lace? �*, ., ., , ., ., place? it's important for us to have a ceasefire — place? it's important for us to have a ceasefire that _ place? it's important for us to have

a ceasefire that is _ place? it's important for us to have a ceasefire that is sustainable - place? it's important for us to have a ceasefire that is sustainable and l a ceasefire that is sustainable and it's right to ask what are the conditions and there recently perfect formula for peace but a ceasefire is clearly not going to last if hostages are still being held and that was your first question and also with hamas whose stated aim is to destroy israel is still able to operate in underground tunnels and launch rocket attacks into israel, those are important facets we need to grapple with and ahead of the permanent ceasefire, what we would like to see is immediate and sustained humanitarian pauses which allow releases of more hostages and more aid to enter gaza and in particular to go to the previous question about leadership, we were the first country to say to the israelis that they had to open the israelis that they had to open the crossings so we could get more aid in and it was something i spoke to benjamin netanyahu about myself and i'm pleased that it's happening, not in the quantities we want, but it's an improvement and that is the uk showing leadership on the issue

of making a real difference to people. of making a real difference to --eole. ~ ., of making a real difference to neale, ~ ., ., ., of making a real difference to n-eole. ~ . . . ., , people. we are all grateful to see the aid route _ people. we are all grateful to see the aid route open _ people. we are all grateful to see the aid route open but _ people. we are all grateful to see the aid route open but when - people. we are all grateful to see the aid route open but when you | people. we are all grateful to see i the aid route open but when you last appeared _ the aid route open but when you last appeared before the committee i said we were _ appeared before the committee i said we were facing a crisis in 2023i didn't— we were facing a crisis in 2023i didn't expect it to come in the form it has_ didn't expect it to come in the form it has and _ didn't expect it to come in the form it has and in— didn't expect it to come in the form it has and in response you call for isreel— it has and in response you call for israel to— it has and in response you call for israel to adhere to the principles of proportionality and said at the time _ of proportionality and said at the time you — of proportionality and said at the time you are urged israel to show restraint — time you are urged israel to show restraint. can you give me an example _ restraint. can you give me an example if— restraint. can you give me an example if you think the uk has seen restraint _ example if you think the uk has seen restraint in _ example if you think the uk has seen restraint in the idf response to the events— restraint in the idf response to the events that — restraint in the idf response to the events that took place on the 7th of october? _ events that took place on the 7th of october? ., , ., , october? from the beginning of this and my first — october? from the beginning of this and my first visit _ october? from the beginning of this and my first visit to _ october? from the beginning of this and my first visit to israel _ october? from the beginning of this and my first visit to israel we - october? from the beginning of this and my first visit to israel we have l and my first visit to israel we have made repeated calls for israel to adhere to international humanitarian law. ., ., law. forgive me, where have you achieved restraint _ law. forgive me, where have you achieved restraint and _ law. forgive me, where have you achieved restraint and a - law. forgive me, where have you achieved restraint and a change | law. forgive me, where have you| achieved restraint and a change in behaviour— achieved restraint and a change in behaviour because that's the goal of raising _ behaviour because that's the goal of raising it. _ behaviour because that's the goal of raising it, to achieve the effect? i'm not— raising it, to achieve the effect? i'm not the _ raising it, to achieve the effect? i'm not the one making operational decisions on the ground but we've consistently urged israel where they can to avoid harming innocent civilians as too many have died and it's about providing notice safe areas, safe passage during the early

phases of the conflict but also about making sure that aid reaches those people who need it. as i said earlier on, we focused on getting the rafa crossing opened and we focused on making sure fuel was able to come in because that was a necessity, but also most recently, that aid route has happened, so these are proof point is that the approach we're taking is yielding. on the humanitarian side it is. those — on the humanitarian side it is. those are _ on the humanitarian side it is. those are things making a real difference to people. but those are things making a real difference to people.— those are things making a real difference to people. but they are not necessarily _ difference to people. but they are not necessarily preventing - difference to people. but they are i not necessarily preventing bombings targeting _ not necessarily preventing bombings targeting surveys joe not necessarily preventing bombings targeting surveysjoe biden said that indiscriminate bombing is taking — that indiscriminate bombing is taking place. do you agree? i�*ve taking place. do you agree? i've been very _ taking place. do you agree? i've been very clear _ taking place. do you agree? is: been very clear that taking place. do you agree? i�*e: been very clear that innocent civilians, too many, have died. you arree civilians, too many, have died. you agree that — civilians, too many, have died. you agree that the _ civilians, too many, have died. you agree that the targeting is indiscriminate? i�*m agree that the targeting is indiscriminate?— agree that the targeting is indiscriminate? ., , , ., indiscriminate? i'm not privy to the recise indiscriminate? i'm not privy to the precise targeting — indiscriminate? i'm not privy to the precise targeting the _ indiscriminate? i'm not privy to the precise targeting the time - indiscriminate? i'm not privy to the precise targeting the time clear- precise targeting the time clear that too many innocent people have died in this conflict. you that too many innocent people have died in this conflict.— died in this conflict. you will have received advice _ died in this conflict. you will have received advice from _ died in this conflict. you will have received advice from government| received advice from government lawyers _ received advice from government lawyers and submissions. have any of the submissions or advice you receive — the submissions or advice you

receive from lawyers suggested that international law is being broken? the government never comments on the legal advice it receives. what is absolutely clear, and i've been consistent from day one, we cannot forget what happened, hamas perpetrated an appalling terror attack on israel and innocent people were slaughtered and israel has every right to defend itself to ensure its security and make sure nothing ever happens again like that to its civilians and we would do the same. �* p, , same. and there are limits under international— same. and there are limits under international law. _ same. and there are limits under international law. we've - same. and there are limits under international law. we've made i same. and there are limits under. international law. we've made that oint from international law. we've made that point from the _ international law. we've made that point from the beginning. - international law. we've made that point from the beginning. and i international law. we've made that point from the beginning. and we i point from the beginning. and we will always do. but point from the beginning. and we will always do.— point from the beginning. and we will always do. but forgive me, your current foreign _ will always do. but forgive me, your current foreign secretary _ will always do. but forgive me, your current foreign secretary when i will always do. but forgive me, your current foreign secretary when he l current foreign secretary when he was prime — current foreign secretary when he was prime minister was happy to state _ was prime minister was happy to state when he felt international law was broken in syria and equally he was broken in syria and equally he was habits — was broken in syria and equally he was habits a war crimes taking place in ukraine, — was habits a war crimes taking place in ukraine, so surely there is a precedent _ in ukraine, so surely there is a precedent for you to be able to say that if— precedent for you to be able to say that if you — precedent for you to be able to say that if you think too many civilians

are dying — that if you think too many civilians are dying that bombings have been indiscriminate and therefore the principles for proportionality are not being — principles for proportionality are not being upheld. you principles for proportionality are not being upheld.— principles for proportionality are not being upheld. you are putting words in my _ not being upheld. you are putting words in my mouth. _ not being upheld. you are putting words in my mouth. your- not being upheld. you are putting words in my mouth. your exact i not being upheld. you are putting i words in my mouth. your exact words were too many civilians were dying and he repeated it here as well. tao and he repeated it here as well. too many civilians _ and he repeated it here as well. too many civilians are dying, of course too many — many civilians are dying, of course too many siblings are dying but that is different from saying humanitarian law has been broken. where _ humanitarian law has been broken. where is _ humanitarian law has been broken. where is the responsibility to those who are _ where is the responsibility to those who are dying?— who are dying? every civilian dying is a tragedy- _ who are dying? every civilian dying is a tragedy. but _ who are dying? every civilian dying is a tragedy. but where _ who are dying? every civilian dying is a tragedy. but where does i who are dying? every civilian dying is a tragedy. but where does the i is a tragedy. but where does the responsibility — is a tragedy. but where does the responsibility sit _ is a tragedy. but where does the responsibility sit for _ is a tragedy. but where does the responsibility sit for too - is a tragedy. but where does the responsibility sit for too many i responsibility sit for too many civilians — responsibility sit for too many civilians dying?— responsibility sit for too many civiliansd inc? �* ., . . civilians dying? again, ask hamas wh the civilians dying? again, ask hamas why they invent — civilians dying? again, ask hamas why they invent themselves i civilians dying? again, ask hamas why they invent themselves into l civilians dying? again, ask hamas i why they invent themselves into the population. i think that's genuinely an extraordinary question. responsibility of civilians dying, there are two sides to this and israel is trying to defend itself and if a terrorist organisation which is perpetrating the attacks is deliberately embedding itself in civilian populations then they have

to accept responsibility for that. and it's vital israel should take every precaution to avoid bombing civilians but that will be very difficult if the precise organisation which has caused untold suffering to the israeli people is hiding among civilians, knowingly doing so and putting them in harms way and it's important not to forget that that is what is going on? ila that that is what is going on? no one has forgotten crimes against humanity— one has forgotten crimes against humanity and there is no moral equivalence between the two of them however _ equivalence between the two of them however where it was northern ireland — however where it was northern ireland whether uk police had to show— ireland whether uk police had to show restraint and ensure loss of life was _ show restraint and ensure loss of life was not out of line with military— life was not out of line with military objectives when fighting day a _ military objectives when fighting day a ship which had the same tactics — day a ship which had the same tactics as— day a ship which had the same tactics as hamas but we did not see this level— tactics as hamas but we did not see this level of — tactics as hamas but we did not see this level of casualty so therefore will you _ this level of casualty so therefore will you do more to achieve actual restraint _ will you do more to achieve actual restraint in — will you do more to achieve actual restraint in some of the action is taking _ restraint in some of the action is taking place on the ground? we have re eatedl i taking place on the ground? we have repeatedly i will _ taking place on the ground? we have repeatedly i will repeatedly - taking place on the ground? we have repeatedly i will repeatedly call i taking place on the ground? we have repeatedly i will repeatedly call on i repeatedly i will repeatedly call on israel to show restraint and operate within international humanitarian

law and to take every possible precaution to avoid harming civilians and, crucially to allow far more aid to get into gaza and help people and that is what we are doing, showing it is working on the opening of the channel is meaningful and we are boring other maritime corridors which were being clear that we can play a leading role in so are working every which way to get more aid to people who need it and tripled aid into the region and we continue to have dialogue with all of our partners about the future of gaza post conflict which involves conversation with the palestinian authorities to make sure we can provide a future for the palestinian people where they can live with dignity, prosperity and security and it's something we are committed to and will continue to work very hard to bring about. and will continue to work very hard to bring about-— and will continue to work very hard to bring about. dame diana johnson for the home _ to bring about. dame diana johnson for the home affairs _ to bring about. dame diana johnson for the home affairs committee. i i for the home affairs committee. i want for the home affairs committee. want to ask for the home affairs committee. i want to ask you about three areas where you have made pledges or

promises and i'm going to ask short questions, sol promises and i'm going to ask short questions, so i would appreciate short answers. the first one is around the legacy backlog in the home office and you promised it would be clear by the end of this year. will you have achieve that? taste year. will you have achieve that? we are not year. will you have achieve that? - are not at the end of the year yet, so the final statistics have not been published but we are making good progress and i think the numbers show that the backlog is down by 80% from 92,000 down to 18,000 and that's come about because we have doubled the caseworkers. i want to know if you think you will meet the target you set yourself? there will always obviously be... you don't sound very sure? we set an ambitious target and we were sceptical we get close to it but it's already down by 80%. but she did so by the end of the year and

that's a few days. what about the other 91,000 sitting there in the other 91,000 sitting there in the other backlog? when do you think that will be cleared? the other backlog? when do you think that will be cleared?— that will be cleared? the overall as lum that will be cleared? the overall asylum backlog _ that will be cleared? the overall asylum backlog was _ that will be cleared? the overall asylum backlog was about i that will be cleared? the overall. asylum backlog was about 231000 that will be cleared? the overall- asylum backlog was about 231000 and thatis asylum backlog was about 231000 and that is down by 16% and that has been impacted...— that is down by 16% and that has been impacted... when do you think it will be cleared? _ been impacted... when do you think it will be cleared? you _ been impacted... when do you think it will be cleared? you don't - been impacted... when do you think it will be cleared? you don't have i it will be cleared? you don't have an idea? taste it will be cleared? you don't have an idea? ~ ., �* it will be cleared? you don't have an idea? ~ . �* , ., ., an idea? we haven't set a target that publicly _ an idea? we haven't set a target that publicly but _ an idea? we haven't set a target that publicly but obviously i an idea? we haven't set a target that publicly but obviously once l an idea? we haven't set a target i that publicly but obviously once the priority was clearing the initial legacy... you're not sure you would do that? your words not mine. we remain on track to do it but not by the end of the year. i’m remain on track to do it but not by the end of the year.— the end of the year. i'm keen to move onto _ the end of the year. i'm keen to move onto my _ the end of the year. i'm keen to move onto my second _ the end of the year. i'm keen toj move onto my second question, the end of the year. i'm keen to i move onto my second question, which is about the pledge you made to stop the boats, so when will you have stop the boats? the first thing to say is we've made progress and the numbers this year are down by a third, which is considerable progress. still the second highest on record though. for

progress. still the second highest on record though.— progress. still the second highest on record though. for the first ever time they are _ on record though. for the first ever time they are down. _ on record though. for the first ever time they are down. they - on record though. for the first ever time they are down. they are i on record though. for the first ever time they are down. they are still. time they are down. they are still the second-highest. _ time they are down. they are still the second-highest. what - time they are down. they are still the second-highest. what is i time they are down. they are still the second-highest. what is the i the second—highest. what is the date? the second-highest. what is the date? , �* ., ., you date? there isn't a firm date. you said ou date? there isn't a firm date. you said you were _ date? there isn't a firm date. you said you were going _ date? there isn't a firm date. you said you were going to _ date? there isn't a firm date. you said you were going to stop i date? there isn't a firm date. you said you were going to stop the i said you were going to stop the boats. �* ., , said you were going to stop the boats. �* ~ , ., boats. and we will keep going until we do. boats. and we will keep going until we do- this — boats. and we will keep going until we do- this is _ boats. and we will keep going until we do. this is not _ boats. and we will keep going until we do. this is not one _ boats. and we will keep going until we do. this is not one of— boats. and we will keep going until we do. this is not one of those i we do. this is not one of those things where there is a precise date. ., ., �* ., ., things where there is a precise date. ., ., ., ., this things where there is a precise date. ., ., ., . thisis date. you don't have a date? this is somethina date. you don't have a date? this is something where _ date. you don't have a date? this is something where i _ date. you don't have a date? this is something where i took _ date. you don't have a date? this is something where i took the - date. you don't have a date? this is something where i took the job i date. you don't have a date? this isj something where i took the job they had only ever gone up and now they are down by a third an important part of finishing the job is having it for everyone. flan part of finishing the “0b is having it for everyone._ part of finishing the “0b is having it for everyone. can i come on so that, it for everyone. can i come on so that. because — it for everyone. can i come on so that, because that _ it for everyone. can i come on so that, because that is _ it for everyone. can i come on so that, because that is the - it for everyone. can i come on so that, because that is the rwandaj that, because that is the rwanda policy and you want to see planes take off by the spring. i understand that no airline is willing to contract with government to remove people to rwanda because of reputational damage. is that correct, there isn't an airline you have lined up to remove people? in terms of timing, we want to get flights off as soon as practically possible. flights off as soon as practically ossible. ., ,., , ., , possible. you will need some planes to do that. but — possible. you will need some planes to do that. but we _ possible. you will need some planes to do that. but we also _ possible. you will need some planes to do that. but we also have - possible. you will need some planes

to do that. but we also have to i possible. you will need some planes to do that. but we also have to pass| to do that. but we also have to pass the legislation _ to do that. but we also have to pass the legislation first. _ to do that. but we also have to pass the legislation first. on _ to do that. but we also have to pass the legislation first. on the - to do that. but we also have to pass the legislation first. on the plains i the legislation first. on the plains oint the legislation first. on the plains point which _ the legislation first. on the plains point which i'm _ the legislation first. on the plains point which i'm asking _ the legislation first. on the plains point which i'm asking specifically about, do you have an airline ready to go? about, do you have an airline ready to no? �* .., about, do you have an airline ready to no? �* _, ., to go? i'm confident we will have the ability to _ to go? i'm confident we will have the ability to send _ to go? i'm confident we will have the ability to send people - to go? i'm confident we will have the ability to send people to i the ability to send people to rwanda. �* , ., the ability to send people to rwanda. �* i. ., �* the ability to send people to rwanda. �* ., �* ., the ability to send people to rwanda. �* ., �* . . rwanda. but you don't have an airline. you _ rwanda. but you don't have an airline. you wouldn't _ rwanda. but you don't have an airline. you wouldn't expect i rwanda. but you don't have an | airline. you wouldn't expect me rwanda. but you don't have an i airline. you wouldn't expect me to comment on _ airline. you wouldn't expect me to comment on commercial - airline. you wouldn't expect me to i comment on commercial conversations that are necessarily private, but i'm highly confident we can operationalise the bill and all of its aspects, notjust about operationalise the bill and all of its aspects, not just about flights as there is many different steps are needed but the legislation needs to get through parliament first. and as it passes, we will operationalise it. ., ., ., it passes, we will operationalise it. the migration and economic development — it. the migration and economic development plan _ it. the migration and economic development plan which i it. the migration and economic development plan which you i it. the migration and economic i development plan which you signed up to when you were chancellor with the then home secretary, we know that 290 million now has been spent or is about to be spent in the next few months. can you tell the liaison committee how much the total amount you signed up to is for that five year plan? how much, what is the amount we have got to pay in addition to the 290 million? you

know full well _ addition to the 290 million? gm. know full well because the home secretary has said in parliament multiple times before that we disclose these things on an annual basis and beyond that we've disclosed the most recent numbers. do you think that fits with your claim around professionalism, integrity and accountability, that we can't actually know how much you have agreed will be sent to rwanda? i've said it's absolutely right for what are commercially sensitive negotiations that there is a degree of ability for the garment to negotiate these things and then provide the appropriate level of transparency in parliament which it is doing on an annual basis. can i ask ou, is doing on an annual basis. can i ask you. the _ is doing on an annual basis. can i ask you, the deputy _ is doing on an annual basis. can i ask you, the deputy by _ is doing on an annual basis. can i ask you, the deputy by minister at the weekend said that the funding for rwanda was unlimited? i5 the weekend said that the funding for rwanda was unlimited? is that correct? i think— for rwanda was unlimited? is that correct? i think he _ for rwanda was unlimited? is that correct? i think he is _ for rwanda was unlimited? is that correct? i think he is saying i for rwanda was unlimited? is that correct? i think he is saying that l correct? i think he is saying that the scheme is uncapped. m0; correct? i think he is saying that the scheme is uncapped. no, he said unlimited funding, _ the scheme is uncapped. no, he said unlimited funding, i— the scheme is uncapped. no, he said unlimited funding, i think _ the scheme is uncapped. no, he said unlimited funding, i think it - the scheme is uncapped. no, he said unlimited funding, i think it was - the scheme is uncapped. no, he said unlimited funding, i think it was on i unlimited funding, i think it was on times radio. i unlimited funding, i think it was on times radi0-_ unlimited funding, i think it was on times radie— times radio. i didn't hear that and it's not what _ times radio. i didn't hear that and it's not what i _ times radio. i didn't hear that and it's not what i recognised - times radio. i didn't hear that and it's not what i recognised that - times radio. i didn't hear that and it's not what i recognised that the scheme in itself is uncapped so we have the ability to send multiple people there and there will be a degree of volume payments and fixed

cost. i5 degree of volume payments and fixed cost. , ., ., cost. is that the hundred and £69,000 — cost. is that the hundred and £69,000 per _ cost. is that the hundred and £69,000 per person - cost. is that the hundred and £69,000 per person it - cost. is that the hundred and £69,000 per person it will i cost. is that the hundred and i £69,000 per person it will cost cost. is that the hundred and - £69,000 per person it will cost to send someone to rwanda as the home office impact assessment put forward? i office impact assessment put forward? ., �* ~' office impact assessment put forward? ., �* ~ ., �*, ., forward? i don't think that's an accurate characterisation - forward? i don't think that's an i accurate characterisation because forward? i don't think that's an - accurate characterisation because we don't know the deterrent effect, until the scheme is operated, what we won't know was the final deterrent effect and our belief is there will be a significant deterrent effect and it has to be compared, the cost of the scheme, against the counterfactual where the costs are forecast to rise into the double digits billions of pounds for the asylum system as numbers rise. can ijust the asylum system as numbers rise. can i just ask you... the asylum system as numbers rise. can ijust ask you... last the asylum system as numbers rise. can i just ask you... last question. can i just ask you... last question. can i just ask you... last question. can i ask you on the point that the permanent secretary are still not willing to sign the rimando policy off because of the lack of value for money? they said it was entirely proper to pursue the scheme. if you read the letter, they were actually very clear. it is perfectly proper for

the government to continue with this