Written questions by Jogee.

What financial support the Government has provided the Commonwealth War Graves Commission since July 2024.

The Government provided £59.24 million to the Commonwealth War Graves Commission during the Financial Year 2024-25.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what discussions she has had with the Commonwealth War Graves Commission since her appointment.

All meetings with external bodies will be published in the normal way on gov.uk.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of the activities of the Chinese government in sub-Saharan Africa on (a) her Department's objectives and (b) the UK's international role.

The Government monitors all such matters closely, but continues to develop its foreign policy objectives and priorities in different parts of the world according to our shared interests and values, irrespective of the activities of other countries.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of the activities of the Chinese government in the Caribbean on (a) her Department's objectives and (b) the UK's international role.

The Government monitors all such matters closely, but continues to develop its foreign policy objectives and priorities in different parts of the world according to our shared interests and values, irrespective of the activities of other countries.

What recent steps he has taken to (a) improve patient care and (b) reduce waiting times in north Staffordshire.

Tackling waiting lists is a key priority for the Government. Between July 2024 and June 2025, we delivered 5.2 million additional appointments, compared to the previous year, which is more than double our pledge of two million. This marks a vital first step in delivering the constitutional standard that 92% of patients, including those in north Staffordshire, wait no longer than 18 weeks from referral to consultant-led treatment by March 2029.North Staffordshire is part of the Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent Integrated Care Board (ICB). As of August 2025, the latest published data, the total waiting list in this ICB stood at 139,133, 63.3% of which were waiting within 18 weeks. This is an improvement from 57.2% in August 2024 and is above the August 2025 national average of 61%. The Government is committed not only to ensuring that people are seen on time but also to ensuring that they have the best possible experience when using NHS England’s services. Empowering patients with greater choice and control is central to this effort.The Elective Reform Plan, published in January 2025, sets out wide ranging reforms to improve patients’ access to and experience of care, from reducing unnecessary appointments to faster and more local diagnostics.The 10-Year Health Plan sets out a transformed vision for planned care by 2035, where the majority of interactions no longer take place in a hospital building, instead happening virtually, online, or via neighbourhood services. Planned care will be more efficient, timely, and effective, and will put control in the hands of patients.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of the activities of the Chinese government in the Pacific on (a) her Department's objectives and (b) the UK's international role.

The Government monitors all such matters closely, but continues to develop its foreign policy objectives and priorities in different parts of the world according to our shared interests and values, irrespective of the activities of other countries.

How much Staffordshire County Council has received in adult skills funding since July 2024.

Staffordshire County Council was allocated £1,404,490 of Adult Skills Fund funding from the Department for Education in the Academic Year 2024/25. This figure does not account for any reconciliation paid relating to delivery before August 2024. There are other providers that also receive Adult Skills Funding from central government which deliver to learners in Staffordshire. Further information is published here: Funding allocations to training providers: 2024 to 2025 - GOV.UK

Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment she has made of the (a) adequacy of services provided to farmers by the Rural Payments Agency and (b) effectiveness of the work of that agency since 5 September 2025.

Ensuring the adequacy of services provided by the Rural Payments Agency (RPA) and the effectiveness of the RPA is a priority. Since 5 September the RPA has opened the Countryside Stewardship Higher Tier Scheme and supported the recent announcement regarding extensions to Countryside Stewardship Mid-Tier agreements, which the RPA will now operationalise. I have met the interim CEO and the newly appointed permanent CEO of the RPA and will ensure there is regular and effective Ministerial oversight of the Agency’s performance.

What discussions she had with the Association of Commonwealth Universities on her Departmental priorities since her appointment.

No meetings have taken place with the Association of Commonwealth Universities.

What estimate she has made of the amount of Landfill Tax (a) avoided and (b) evaded by the operators of landfill sites.

HMRC estimates the size of the tax gap, which is the difference between the amount of tax that should, in theory, be paid to HMRC, and what is actually paid. These statistics are published annually and are available at: Measuring tax gaps 2025 edition: tax gap estimates for 2023 to 2024 - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk). The latest estimate for England and Northern Ireland of the Landfill Tax gap is 22.6% of the theoretical Landfill Tax liabilities, or £150 million in absolute terms, for the 2023 to 2024 tax year. In the last 5 years, HMRC Landfill Tax compliance activities have generated a compliance yield of £1.3 billion.

What steps he has taken ensure the continued availability of post office services in rural communities in (a) Newcastle-under-Lyme constituency and (b) Staffordshire since his appointment.

The Government protects the sustainability of the Post Office network - and the rural network in particular - by providing an annual Network Subsidy. This ensures Post Office Limited maintains a minimum number of branches and a geographical spread of branches in line with the Government-set access criteria.This financial year we are providing £83 million in subsidy, up from £50 million previously, and building on the uplift provided last year. The access criteria ensures that, however the network changes, 99% of the UK population live within three miles of their nearest Post Office.

Food and Rural Affairs, whether she has had recent discussions with the British Pest Control Association on its document entitled A manifesto for public health pest management, published in June 2024.

No Minister at Defra has held discussions with the British Pest Control Association on its document entitled ‘A manifesto for public health pest management’, published in June 2024.

Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment she has made of the Environment Agency’s enforcement and sanctions policy, updated 2 October 2025; and whether she has discussed this document with the Environment Agency's board since her appointment.

The Environment Agency’s (EA) principal aim is to protect and enhance the environment and contribute to sustainable development. The EA’s enforcement and sanctions policy, last updated on 10 October 2025, sets out how the organisation aims to use its enforcement powers efficiently and effectively to secure compliance with laws that protect the environment. The department works closely with EA officials at every level to assess performance and delivery and provide constructive challenge and support. Defra ministers meet regularly with the EA Chair and Chief Executive to discuss performance across the EA’s remit.

What steps his Department plans to take to ensure the new NHS workforce plan will provide the number of specialists required for Parkinson’s care.

The Government is committed to publishing a 10-Year Workforce Plan which will create a workforce ready to deliver the transformed service set out in the 10-Year Health Plan, including specialists across the full scope of National Health Service care.We have set up a UK-wide Neuro Forum, facilitating formal, biannual meetings across the Department, NHS England, devolved governments, and health services and Neurological Alliances of all four nations. The new forum brings key stakeholders together to share learnings across the system and discuss challenges, best practice examples and potential solutions for improving the care of people with neurological conditions. The Forum has identified areas for initial focus, including workforce which featured as a key item on the agenda at the second meeting of the forum in September.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of the work of the British Council on her Department's priorities.

The British Council plays a leading role in promoting UK values and interests through its work in arts and culture, education, and promotion of the English language.The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) works with the British Council to ensure strategic alignment between British Council activity and FCDO priorities.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, when she plans to appoint a new Ambassador to the United States.

I refer the Hon Member to the answer provided on 22 September to Question 76609.

Communities and Local Government, what assessment he has made of the (a) effectiveness and (b) adequacy of the Building Safety Regulator.

The new Minister for Building Safety, Fire and Democracy recently met with the Building Safety Regulator (BSR) leadership, in recognition of the critical role the regulator plays in ensuring the safe design and construction of high-rise buildings. We understand delays to the assessment of applications are unacceptable, which is why we announced reforms to the BSR on 30 June, including plans to carve out the BSR from the Health and Safety Executive and establish a standalone body with a clear focus on building safety. In recognition of the performance challenges, and in line with announcement in June, the BSR has already started to make operational and policy changes to speed up decision making particularly on building control approval, including through the introduction of an Innovation Unit. We are seeing early signs of improvement, with all applications in the Innovation Unit so far on track to exceed or meet the 12-week SLA as they progress through the application process.

Communities and Local Government, what engagement he has had with the Building Safety Regulator since his appointment.

The new Minister for Building Safety, Fire and Democracy recently met with the Building Safety Regulator (BSR) leadership, in recognition of the critical role the regulator plays in ensuring the safe design and construction of high-rise buildings. We understand delays to the assessment of applications are unacceptable, which is why we announced reforms to the BSR on 30 June, including plans to carve out the BSR from the Health and Safety Executive and establish a standalone body with a clear focus on building safety. In recognition of the performance challenges, and in line with announcement in June, the BSR has already started to make operational and policy changes to speed up decision making particularly on building control approval, including through the introduction of an Innovation Unit. We are seeing early signs of improvement, with all applications in the Innovation Unit so far on track to exceed or meet the 12-week SLA as they progress through the application process.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what discussions she has had with Cabinet colleagues on the work of the Association of Commonwealth Universities.

The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) are a partner organisation to the Association of Commonwealth Universities (ACU). The ACU provides secretariat services to the Commonwealth Scholarship Commission in the UK (CSC) - an executive Non-Departmental Public Body (NPDB) - which administers Commonwealth Scholarships funded by the FCDO. The FCDO is the CSC's sponsor department.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether she has had engagement with the African Union since 5 September 2025.

This Government is committed to building a strong relationship with African countries and institutions, including the African Union (AU) and the Southern African Development Community (SADC). Many of the goals of the African Union and the United Kingdom are mutually supportive, for example in our joint backing of the AU-led peace support operations in Somalia. Since taking up office in September, the Foreign Secretary has met the Foreign Minister of South Africa - a leading member of the Southern African Development Community.