Noted that the Backbench Business debates are well subscribed and suggested a time limit of either four or five minutes per Back Bencher to accommodate all participants.

Mr Loughton highlighted the dire humanitarian situation in Yemen, noting that over 24 million people are dependent on aid due to food insecurity, water shortages, disease outbreaks, and economic collapse. He also pointed out the lack of a sustainable ceasefire and called for increased pressure from the international community on all warring factions.

It is a great pleasure and a great honour to follow my hon. Friend the Member for East Worthing and Shoreham in this debate on Yemen. There are two issues being debated: a petition urging all parties to halt attacks so humanitarian aid can be delivered, and letters from Oxfam pressing the Government to prevent arms sales to Saudi Arabia. The UK has provided nearly £1 billion in assistance, making it one of the top donors amid worsening conditions due to coronavirus. Humanitarian access is constrained by threats against aid workers in Houthi-controlled areas. The blame for funding rebels lies with Iran, and ISIS and al-Qaeda are linked to the Houthis, necessitating diplomatic solutions.

Many constituents believe this Government should be ashamed of their role in exacerbating Yemen’s humanitarian crisis by training and equipping Saudi Arabia. Over £5 billion worth of arms were licensed to Saudi Arabia, resulting in over 12,000 civilian deaths due to air strikes. The UK continues to support Saudi military operations despite war crimes allegations. RAF bases service logistical flights for the Saudi air force. Labour supports the UN's efforts towards a ceasefire and peace talks. The UK should suspend arms sales and apply pressure on violators of international law through tangible action.

Yemen is an issue close to heart due to personal connections. Despite efforts, the situation has worsened since 2015. The Riyadh agreement and ongoing talks with Houthis are crucial for peace. UN special envoy Martin Griffiths aims for a national ceasefire and political process. The Safer oil tanker poses an ecological disaster threat off Yemen’s shores. Urgent access by UN teams to secure the vessel is necessary, despite Houthi reluctance. International pressure must be maintained.

The situation in Yemen remains perilous with famine and health risks affecting millions due to the continuing conflict. The UK Government's decision to resume arms sales is unforgivable, especially when international guidelines suggest an embargo on such sales.

The situation in Yemen is complex with water scarcity and political instability exacerbating the humanitarian crisis. While endorsing immediate humanitarian aid, he advocates for long-term solutions through diplomatic engagement to create conditions where parties can choose peace.

British arms sales to Saudi Arabia contribute significantly to civilian fatalities in Yemen, with British officials providing military support and advice. The UK's contribution to international aid falls short while it licenses billions of pounds worth of arms, exacerbating the conflict.

The Government are abiding by international law in their actions regarding Yemen. The House should focus on the humanitarian crisis and the UK's role in brokering peace, including a recent £5.8 million contribution to UN efforts. The UK has pledged over £1 billion since 2015 towards aid for Yemen, stepping up to secure long-term peace.

Yemen is experiencing a severe humanitarian crisis with nearly 80% of its population reliant on aid. There are 10 million people facing acute food shortages and 7 million requiring treatment for malnutrition. The conflict has escalated, leading to more civilian deaths, while the spread of diseases like cholera continues. Liverpool's Yemeni community is concerned about forced deportations of asylum seekers. The UK should pressure all parties involved in negotiations.

The UK Government’s sale of arms to Saudi Arabia undermines efforts to broker peace and aids war crimes against Yemeni civilians. Since 2013, the UK has sold £5.4 billion-worth of arms to Saudi Arabia despite its barbaric regime which punishes homosexual citizens with severe penalties and lacks respect for human rights.

I am deeply concerned about the humanitarian crisis in Yemen, exacerbated by the covid-19 pandemic. Over 20 million people require urgent assistance due to logistical challenges posed by the blockade and aid cuts from powerful countries. The UK has cut its aid from £253 million in 2019 to £125 million in 2020, severely impacting healthcare services for Yemeni civilians. UNICEF warns that millions of children could be pushed to starvation without additional funding. Dr Ali Al Ashwal stated that shortages in medical supplies would lead to deaths.

Yemen's humanitarian crisis includes a severe water, sanitation and hygiene (WaSH) shortage with 20 million people lacking clean water. Seventy per cent of Yemenis do not have soap for hand washing, making disease prevention impossible. The UK has cut its bilateral aid on WaSH by £40 million this year, reducing funding to major programmes in Yemen. I urge the Government to support more funding for WaSH and call for ceasefires to enable aid delivery.

The conflict in Yemen has caused 100,000 violent deaths and triggered the world’s worst humanitarian crisis. The war would not be possible without British and American support, which includes arms exports worth £5.3 billion to the Saudis since the war began. Despite recording 516 known instances of alleged breaches of international law, the Government resumed granting export licences to the Saudis this summer.

Mr. Shannon, as chair of the all-party group for international freedom of religion or belief, addressed the severe persecution faced by Christians and Baha’is in Yemen under Islamic groups and highlighted concerns over religious minorities receiving medication during the humanitarian crisis.

Mr. Smith acknowledged the UK’s contributions to humanitarian aid and diplomatic efforts but criticised the Government for continuing arms exports that perpetuate the conflict, calling into question the morality of such actions despite their praiseworthy initiatives. He urged the UK to follow other countries in implementing an embargo on arms transfers to Saudi Arabia and suggested a bipartisan committee oversee arms export decisions.

Welcomed the debate, highlighted Yemen's humanitarian crisis, expressed concerns about international aid distribution, called for a meaningful ceasefire and negotiations, raised issues with British arms sales to Saudi Arabia, mentioned UN reports on third-party arms transfers, and questioned government efforts in protecting civilians and preventing environmental disasters.

Acknowledged the complexity of the situation in Yemen, discussed the looming famine, highlighted the UK's appointment of an envoy for famine relief, emphasised the importance of diplomatic and development efforts going hand in hand, addressed concerns about arms sales to Saudi Arabia, mentioned the offensive towards Ma'rib, outlined steps taken regarding the Safer oil tanker, spoke about women's roles in peace processes, discussed aid shortfall and contributions from other countries, and raised issues concerning religious freedom.

Thanked Mr Loughton for waiving his right to respond to allow more MPs to speak, put a motion to conclude the debate which was agreed upon.

Intends to suspend the sitting briefly for sanitisation purposes, allowing Members to prepare for the next debate. Requests those leaving the Chamber to do so in a socially aware manner.