The Bishop of Gloucester received the following written answers on 14th July 2025:
The Lord Bishop of Gloucester asked His Majesty’s Government what percentage of imports of goods and services into the UK from the Occupied Palestinian Territories originate from, or are linked to, activities related to settlements in (1) 2021, (2) 2022, (3) 2023, (4) 2024, and (5) 2025.
Lord Livermore (Lab, Treasury): The UK Government has a clear position that Israeli settlements in the Occupied Palestinian Territories are illegal under international law. Goods produced in these settlements are not entitled to benefit from preferential tariff treatment under the UK’s current trade agreements with the Palestinian Authority and Government of Israel.
Where there are doubts about the origin of goods that have been declared as being of Israeli origin, HMRC will undertake checks to verify the origin of those goods to ensure fiscal compliance. HMRC does not however provide specific details regarding checks as it may serve to undermine compliance activity.
The Lord Bishop of Gloucester asked His Majesty’s Government what was the total level of exports of goods and services produced or sourced in the UK for activities related to the construction and growth of Israeli settlements in the Occupied Palestinian Territories in (1) 2021, (2) 2022, (3) 2023, (4) 2024, and (5) 2025.
Lord Livermore: Whilst HMRC holds information on the country of last known destination for exported goods, it does not hold information on how the goods will be used after delivery.
The Lord Bishop of Gloucester asked His Majesty’s Government:
- what steps they are taking to ensure that UK-registered businesses comply with the United Nations’ Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights and relevant international laws and standards in their activities relating to the establishment or maintenance of Israeli settlements.
- what assessment they have made of the impact of goods and services exported from the UK for activities related to the construction and growth of Israeli settlements on civil, political, economic, social and cultural rights of the Palestinian people in the Occupied Palestinian Territories.
Baroness Gustafsson (Lab, DBT): The UK Government has a clear position that Israeli settlements in the Occupied Palestinian Territories are illegal under international law. There are clear risks related to economic and financial activities in the settlements, and we do not encourage or offer support to such activity.
The overseas business risk guidance, available on gov.uk, provides information for UK operators. UK citizens and businesses should be aware of the potential reputational implications of involvement in economic and financial activities in settlements, as well as possible abuses of the rights of individuals that such activity may entail. Those contemplating any economic or financial involvement in settlements should seek appropriate legal advice.
The Church of England in Parliament 
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