Written questions by Khan.

What support his Department is providing to members of the Civil Service Pension Scheme that have experienced financial hardship following the time taken to implement the McCloud remedy.

The administration of the Civil Service Pension Scheme, including the implementation of the 2015 Remedy (often referred to as the 'McCloud remedy'), is the responsibility of the Minister for the Cabinet Office. The Government is committed to implementing the remedy as quickly as possible, and the scheme administrator (MyCSP) has established processes to manage the implementation and support members in line with the scheme's formal governance and service standards. This support will continue once Capita takes over the scheme administration in December 2025. Since October 2023 all members starting to receive their pension for the first time have been given their 2015 election options prior to their pension being put into payment. From the Remedy group, there are just 70k members remaining (from the original 430k) requiring the issuing of a Remediable Service Statement. This will enable the member to either continue with their current benefits or opt for the alternative. It is important to note that all impacted members in receipt of a pension are already receiving benefits and that the remedy is an adjustment and the alternative scheme benefits will not automatically provide a member with a higher pension and lump sum. Where it does and the member makes an alternative scheme election, the difference between what has been paid and what is due, will be backdated to the original payment date and paid to the member inclusive of interest.

What steps his Department is taking to help ensure that National Air Traffic Services maintains sufficient trained staff to prevent flight delays.

NATS, the leading provider of Air Traffic Control services in the UK and other providers operate privately and have responsibility for ensuring that they have sufficient staff and resources to safely and efficiently operate these services.My department will soon introduce secondary legislation which will enable the Civil Aviation Authority to accept the previous experience of third country and UK military air traffic control officers (ATCOs) towards achieving a UK civil licence. This measure will have a positive impact and help to increase ATCO resourcing levels in the UK.

What assessment he has made of the adequacy of air traffic control staffing levels at airports during the summer of 2025.

Air Traffic Control (ATC) services at airports in the UK operate in a commercial market, with contractual agreements in place between the provider of ATC and the airport concerned. It is the responsibility of ATC services and airports to ensuring that they have sufficient staff to safely and efficiently operate these services. Neither the Government nor the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) has regulatory oversight of these commercial arrangements which are agreed between private businesses. My officials and the CAA, however, have and continue to engage with ATC providers, airports, airlines and relevant stakeholders to ensure that robust plans are in place to minimise possible disruption and to prevent delays to flights.

Whether his Department plans to provide an updated timetable for completion of the McCloud remedy for the Civil Service Pension Scheme.

The administration of the Civil Service Pension Scheme, including the implementation of the 2015 Remedy (McCloud), is the responsibility of the Minister for the Cabinet Office. The regulatory timeline for issuing all 'Immediate Choice' Remediable Service Statements was 31 March 2025, by which 44% of statements were issued. For the remaining 56% of complex cases, the Cabinet Office has extended the delivery date by two years. More detailed delivery dates within this new timeframe will be made available as the work progresses with the incoming supplier, Capita. It is important to note that anybody retiring after October 2023 has been fully implemented; 44% (58,000) of those who retired before that date have been sent a Remediable Service Statement, and 42,000 have responded and had their election implemented. Of the Immediate Choice group, 56% (90,000) remain to be implemented and these will be completed by March 2027.

Whether he has considered banning the import of goods to the UK produced in illegal Israeli settlements in the Occupied Palestinian Territories.

Our position is clear that Israeli settlements in Palestine 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. We advise that those contemplating any economic or financial involvement in settlements should seek appropriate legal advice.Goods originating from illegal Israeli settlements are not entitled to tariff and trade preferences under either the existing agreement between the UK and Israel or in our agreement with the Palestinian Authority.

What assessment she has made of the potential impact of visa sponsorship restrictions on (a) staff availability and (b) continuity of care in the social care sector.

The Home Office is exploring ways of making changing employers easier. However, a Certificate of Sponsorship is the means by which an employer confirms they have a job for a worker which satisfies the requirements of the Immigration Rules and by which that sponsor confirms they are taking responsibility for them. The Home Office has made no assessment of the of the potential impact of visa sponsorship restrictions on (a) staff availability and (b) continuity of care in the social care sector. That is a matter for the Department of Health and Social Care.

Whether her Department has considered allowing people with Health and Care Worker visas to change employers within the care sector without requiring a new sponsorship certificate.

The Home Office is exploring ways of making changing employers easier. However, a Certificate of Sponsorship is the means by which an employer confirms they have a job for a worker which satisfies the requirements of the Immigration Rules and by which that sponsor confirms they are taking responsibility for them. The Home Office has made no assessment of the of the potential impact of visa sponsorship restrictions on (a) staff availability and (b) continuity of care in the social care sector. That is a matter for the Department of Health and Social Care.

What assessment she has made of the potential impact of the suspension of refugee family reunification routes on the safety of (a) women and (b) children seeking to come to the UK.

The Home Office recognises that the suspension may affect families seeking reunification, particularly women and children.However, the suspension is temporary and our approach still considers the overriding objective of family unity as alternative family routes will continue to be available. A partner or child of a person with protection status can apply under Appendix FM.It is not possible to estimate the potential impact of the suspension on family migration applications or small boat arrivals, as there are a significant number of variables, including the measures we are putting in place as part of our wider strategy for preventing illegal and irregular migration, to stop individuals making these dangerous journeys across the Channel and risking lives in the process.

What assessment she has made of the potential impact of the suspension of refugee family reunion routes on trends in levels of people attempting to cross the Channel in small boats.

The Home Office recognises that the suspension may affect families seeking reunification, particularly women and children.However, the suspension is temporary and our approach still considers the overriding objective of family unity as alternative family routes will continue to be available. A partner or child of a person with protection status can apply under Appendix FM.It is not possible to estimate the potential impact of the suspension on family migration applications or small boat arrivals, as there are a significant number of variables, including the measures we are putting in place as part of our wider strategy for preventing illegal and irregular migration, to stop individuals making these dangerous journeys across the Channel and risking lives in the process.

Communities and Local Government, when he plans to publish further information on his proposals to help tackle (a) unaffordable and (b) unregulated ground rents.

I refer the hon. Member to UIN 74455 on 15 September 2025.

Communities and Local Government, what recent assessment he has made of the potential impact of increases in ground rents on the ability of leaseholders to sell their homes.

I refer the hon. Member to UIN 74455 on 15 September 2025.

What estimate she has made of the (a) volume and (b) value of goods imported to the UK from Israeli settlements in the Occupied Palestinian Territories in the last 12 months.

The Government’s position is that Israeli settlements in Palestine (formerly referred to as the Occupied Palestinian Territories) are illegal under international law. For trade statistics purposes Palestine consists of the West Bank (including East Jerusalem) and the Gaza Strip. HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) is responsible for the collection and publication of data on imports and exports of goods to and from the UK. HMRC releases this information monthly, as an accredited official statistic called the Overseas Trade in Goods Statistics (OTS), which is available via their dedicated website (https://www.uktradeinfo.com/).

Food and Rural Affairs, whether her Department is considering proposals to introduce a national social tariff on water bills.

The Independent Water Commission made a recommendation to consult on a National Social Tariff which Government is taking into consideration and will provide a response to later this year in a White Paper.The Government is working with industry to keep current support schemes under review to ensure that vulnerable customers across the country are supported and expects water companies to ensure support is available for vulnerable customers who are struggling to pay their bills. Companies have therefore more than doubled the number of customers that will receive help with their bills through existing social tariffs – from 4% to 9%.

Food and Rural Affairs, what steps she is taking to prevent the sale of commodities produced by illegal deforestation.

We recognise the urgency of taking action to ensure that UK consumption of forest risk commodities is not driving deforestation. The Government is actively considering the best regulatory approach to address de-forestation in UK supply chains; we will set out this approach in due course. Significant progress is already being made in relation to timber through the UK Timber Regulation (UKTR), which prohibits the placing of illegally harvested timber on the UK market. Under UKTR, businesses are required to exercise due diligence to ensure that timber products have been legally harvested in accordance with the laws of the country of origin. The regulation helps ensure that UK timber imports do not contribute to illegal deforestation and supports the broader goal of promoting sustainable forest management.

If she will make an assessment of the potential impact of introducing free bus travel for under-22s on access to (a) education, (b) training and (c) employment.

The Government knows how important affordable and reliable bus services are in enabling people to get to education, work and access vital services. On 1 January, we introduced a £3 cap on single bus fares in England outside London to help passengers continue to access cheaper bus services and better opportunities. At the Spending Review we announced the cap would be extended until March 2027. At present, the majority of bus services operate on a commercial basis by private operators, and any decisions regarding the level at which fares are set outside the scope of the £3 bus fare cap are commercial decisions for operators. Bus operators can choose to offer discounted fares for young people, and in the year ending March 2025, youth discounts were offered by at least one commercial bus operator in 73 out of 85 local authority areas in England outside London. As part of the Autumn 2024 Budget, the Government allocated over £1 billion to support and improve bus services in 2025/26. This includes £712 million for local authorities, which can be used to expand services and improve reliability, which are currently massive obstacles for too many people. Greater Manchester Mayoral Combined Authority has been allocated £66.4 million of this funding. Funding allocated to local authorities to deliver better bus services can be used in whichever way they wish to improve services for passengers, which could include introducing new fares initiatives to reduce the cost of bus travel for young people. The Bee Network in Greater Manchester offers discounted bus period tickets for young people aged 18–21 who live in Greater Manchester.

What steps his Department is taking to help tackle deforestation.

The UK strongly supports global efforts to protect forests, including advocating for the international commitment to halt and reverse forest loss and land degradation by 2030, while supporting livelihoods and economic development. Through diplomacy, partnerships and development programming, we are working to improve forest governance, sustainable trade and investment, and to mobilise finance to protect and restore the world's major tropical forest basins.

Whether the Government intends to support the Tropical Forest Forever Facility at COP30.

The Government recognises the importance of protecting tropical forests and welcomes Brazil’s leadership in developing the Tropical Forests Forever Facility (TFFF) ahead of COP30. The UK has supported the development of the TFFF through technical assistance. The Government continues to consider its position regarding a financial contribution to the Facility.

If she will make an estimate of the cost to the public purse of providing free bus travel to all under-22s in England; and if she will make an assessment of the potential impact of doing so on (a) the economy and (b) society.

The Government knows how important affordable and reliable bus services are in enabling people to get to education, work and access vital services. On 1 January, we introduced a £3 cap on single bus fares in England outside London to help passengers continue to access cheaper bus services and better opportunities. At the Spending Review we announced the cap would be extended until March 2027. At present, the majority of bus services operate on a commercial basis by private operators, and any decisions regarding the level at which fares are set outside the scope of the £3 bus fare cap are commercial decisions for operators. Bus operators can choose to offer discounted fares for young people, and in the year ending March 2025, youth discounts were offered by at least one commercial bus operator in 73 out of 85 local authority areas in England outside London. As part of the Autumn 2024 Budget, the Government allocated over £1 billion to support and improve bus services in 2025/26. This includes £712 million for local authorities, which can be used to expand services and improve reliability, which are currently massive obstacles for too many people. Greater Manchester Mayoral Combined Authority has been allocated £66.4 million of this funding. Funding allocated to local authorities to deliver better bus services can be used in whichever way they wish to improve services for passengers, which could include introducing new fares initiatives to reduce the cost of bus travel for young people. The Bee Network in Greater Manchester offers discounted bus period tickets for young people aged 18–21 who live in Greater Manchester.

Whether she has had discussions with local transport authorities in Greater Manchester on the potential merits of introducing free bus travel for under-22s.

The Government knows how important affordable and reliable bus services are in enabling people to get to education, work and access vital services. On 1 January, we introduced a £3 cap on single bus fares in England outside London to help passengers continue to access cheaper bus services and better opportunities. At the Spending Review we announced the cap would be extended until March 2027. At present, the majority of bus services operate on a commercial basis by private operators, and any decisions regarding the level at which fares are set outside the scope of the £3 bus fare cap are commercial decisions for operators. Bus operators can choose to offer discounted fares for young people, and in the year ending March 2025, youth discounts were offered by at least one commercial bus operator in 73 out of 85 local authority areas in England outside London. As part of the Autumn 2024 Budget, the Government allocated over £1 billion to support and improve bus services in 2025/26. This includes £712 million for local authorities, which can be used to expand services and improve reliability, which are currently massive obstacles for too many people. Greater Manchester Mayoral Combined Authority has been allocated £66.4 million of this funding. Funding allocated to local authorities to deliver better bus services can be used in whichever way they wish to improve services for passengers, which could include introducing new fares initiatives to reduce the cost of bus travel for young people. The Bee Network in Greater Manchester offers discounted bus period tickets for young people aged 18–21 who live in Greater Manchester.

What progress his Department has made on improving (a) access to, (b) the quality of and (c) the sustainability of palliative care and end of life care for people of all ages through the 10 Year Health Plan, published on 3 July 2025.

Palliative care services are included in the list of services an integrated care board (ICB) must commission. To support ICBs in this duty, NHS England has published statutory guidance and service specifications.  The statutory guidance states that ICBs must work to ensure that there is sufficient provision of care services to meet the needs of their local populations.NHS England has also developed a palliative care and end of life care dashboard, which brings together all relevant local data in one place. The dashboard helps commissioners understand the palliative care and end of life care needs of their local population, enabling ICBs to put plans in place to address and track the improvement of health inequalities, and ensure that funding is distributed fairly, based on prevalence.The Department and NHS England are currently looking at how to improve the access, quality, and sustainability of all-age palliative care and end of life care in line with the 10-Year Health Plan.We will closely monitor the shift towards the strategic commissioning of palliative care and end of life care services to ensure that services reduce variation in access and quality, although some variation may be appropriate to reflect both innovation and the needs of local populations.Additionally, through the National Institute for Health and Care Research, the Department is investing £3 million in a Policy Research Unit in Palliative and End of Life Care. This unit, launched in January 2024, is building the evidence base on palliative care and end of life care, with a specific focus on inequalities.Whilst the majority of palliative care and end of life care is provided by National Health Service staff and services, we recognise the vital part charitable hospices play as well. This is why we are supporting the hospice sector with a £100 million capital funding boost for eligible adult and children’s hospices in England to ensure they have the best physical environment for care.We are also providing £26 million in revenue funding to support children and young people’s hospices for 2025/26.  I am pleased to confirm the continuation of this vital funding for the next three financial years, from 2026/27 to 2028/29 inclusive. This funding will see approximately £26 million, adjusted for inflation, allocated to children and young people’s hospices in England each year, via their local ICBs on behalf of NHS England, as happened in 2024/25 and 2025/26.  This amounts to approximately £80 million over the next three years.