Written questions by Griffith.

Communities and Local Government, how many properties have been purchased by the Local Authority Housing Fund in (a) the Chichester District, (b) the Horsham District, (c) the Arun District and (d) aggregate for

Awaiting answer.

How many UK-domiciled students received financial support from Government-backed mobility schemes to undertake a period of study at universities in Australia in 2021–22, 2022–23 and 2023–24.

The department holds data on students at UK higher education (HE) providers who receive Turing Scheme funding for overseas placements. The department does not hold data on student domicile and figures therefore include international students. Students can undertake both study and work placements, and the following information reflects both the overall number of HE placements in each country, with the number of study placements in brackets.In 2021/22, 2,467 students undertook placements in the United States (of which 2,138 were study placements), 938 in Canada (841 study placements), and 342 in Australia (313 study placements). Fewer than five students went to New Zealand and so these numbers are suppressed.In 2022/23, 1,900 students went to the United States (1,277 study placements), 948 to Canada (860 study placements), 1,012 to Australia (863 study placements), and 79 to New Zealand (27 study placements).In 2023/24, 1,610 students went to the United States (1,127 study placements), 700 to Canada (590 study placements), 983 to Australia (775 study placements), and 142 to New Zealand (74 study placements).

How many UK-domiciled students received financial support from Government-backed mobility schemes to undertake a period of study at universities in Canada in 2021–22, 2022–23 and 2023–24.

The department holds data on students at UK higher education (HE) providers who receive Turing Scheme funding for overseas placements. The department does not hold data on student domicile and figures therefore include international students. Students can undertake both study and work placements, and the following information reflects both the overall number of HE placements in each country, with the number of study placements in brackets.In 2021/22, 2,467 students undertook placements in the United States (of which 2,138 were study placements), 938 in Canada (841 study placements), and 342 in Australia (313 study placements). Fewer than five students went to New Zealand and so these numbers are suppressed.In 2022/23, 1,900 students went to the United States (1,277 study placements), 948 to Canada (860 study placements), 1,012 to Australia (863 study placements), and 79 to New Zealand (27 study placements).In 2023/24, 1,610 students went to the United States (1,127 study placements), 700 to Canada (590 study placements), 983 to Australia (775 study placements), and 142 to New Zealand (74 study placements).

How many UK-domiciled students received financial support from Government-backed mobility schemes to undertake a period of study at universities in New Zealand in 2021–22, 2022–23 and 2023–24.

The department holds data on students at UK higher education (HE) providers who receive Turing Scheme funding for overseas placements. The department does not hold data on student domicile and figures therefore include international students. Students can undertake both study and work placements, and the following information reflects both the overall number of HE placements in each country, with the number of study placements in brackets.In 2021/22, 2,467 students undertook placements in the United States (of which 2,138 were study placements), 938 in Canada (841 study placements), and 342 in Australia (313 study placements). Fewer than five students went to New Zealand and so these numbers are suppressed.In 2022/23, 1,900 students went to the United States (1,277 study placements), 948 to Canada (860 study placements), 1,012 to Australia (863 study placements), and 79 to New Zealand (27 study placements).In 2023/24, 1,610 students went to the United States (1,127 study placements), 700 to Canada (590 study placements), 983 to Australia (775 study placements), and 142 to New Zealand (74 study placements).

How many UK-domiciled students received financial support from Government-backed mobility schemes to undertake a period of study at universities in the United States in 2021–22, 2022–23 and 2023–24.

The department holds data on students at UK higher education (HE) providers who receive Turing Scheme funding for overseas placements. The department does not hold data on student domicile and figures therefore include international students. Students can undertake both study and work placements, and the following information reflects both the overall number of HE placements in each country, with the number of study placements in brackets.In 2021/22, 2,467 students undertook placements in the United States (of which 2,138 were study placements), 938 in Canada (841 study placements), and 342 in Australia (313 study placements). Fewer than five students went to New Zealand and so these numbers are suppressed.In 2022/23, 1,900 students went to the United States (1,277 study placements), 948 to Canada (860 study placements), 1,012 to Australia (863 study placements), and 79 to New Zealand (27 study placements).In 2023/24, 1,610 students went to the United States (1,127 study placements), 700 to Canada (590 study placements), 983 to Australia (775 study placements), and 142 to New Zealand (74 study placements).

With reference to the Department for Business and Trade workforce management information return for March 2026, for what reason the Department recorded consultancy spend of -£20,783,968.13; whether this figure reflects an accounting adjustment, correction, reclassification, refund or data error; and what the Department’s gross consultancy spend was in March 2026 before that negative adjustment was applied.

Awaiting answer.

How many UK-domiciled students received financial support from Government-backed mobility schemes to undertake a period of study at universities in Australia in 2021–22, 2022–23 and 2023–24.

It has not proved possible to respond to the hon. Member in the time available before Prorogation.

How many UK-domiciled students received financial support from Government-backed mobility schemes to undertake a period of study at universities in the United States in 2021–22, 2022–23 and 2023–24.

It has not proved possible to respond to the hon. Member in the time available before Prorogation.

How many UK-domiciled students received financial support from Government-backed mobility schemes to undertake a period of study at universities in New Zealand in 2021–22, 2022–23 and 2023–24.

It has not proved possible to respond to the hon. Member in the time available before Prorogation.

How many UK-domiciled students received financial support from Government-backed mobility schemes to undertake a period of study at universities in Canada in 2021–22, 2022–23 and 2023–24.

It has not proved possible to respond to the hon. Member in the time available before Prorogation.

When she plans to respond to (a) Question 126758 and (b) the letter of 17 March 2026 from the hon. Member for Arundel and South Downs.

Both PQ UIN 126758 and the letter refrenced were replied to on 27 April 2026.

What assessment her Department has made of trends in the level of foodbank usage since July 2024.

Statistics on the level of food bank use in the UK are published annually in the Households Below Average Income statistics report. The most recent publication is available here: Households below average income: for financial years ending 1995 to 2025 - GOV.UK

Whether his Department (a) collects and (b) holds data on foodbank usage; and if he will publish all such data for each of the last five years.

Statistics on the level of food bank use in the UK are published annually in the Households Below Average Income statistics report. The most recent publication is available here: Households below average income: for financial years ending 1995 to 2025 - GOV.UK

Pursuant to the answer of 20 April 2026 to UIN 127204, what his planned timeline is of powers exercised under the Industrial Development Act 1982 to provide assistance to Ensus.

Government has used powers under Section 7 of the Industrial Development Act 1982 to provide financial support to Ensus. This follows scrutiny and oversight from independent financial advisors and discussions with the company which have taken place since September 2025. The advice received regarding the costs associated with the Ensus plant are commercially sensitive and as such will not be published. However, to date, we have provided less than £30m of financial assistance to Ensus UK Limited.The timing and operation of this support will be kept under review. Government will monitor market conditions closely to determine whether continued production at Ensus is required and to ensure this represents value for money for the taxpayer.

Pursuant to UIN 127204, if he will publish the legal advice received to determine that the costs associated with the support for Ensus are commercially sensitive.

Government has used powers under Section 7 of the Industrial Development Act 1982 to provide financial support to Ensus. This follows scrutiny and oversight from independent financial advisors and discussions with the company which have taken place since September 2025. The advice received regarding the costs associated with the Ensus plant are commercially sensitive and as such will not be published. However, to date, we have provided less than £30m of financial assistance to Ensus UK Limited.The timing and operation of this support will be kept under review. Government will monitor market conditions closely to determine whether continued production at Ensus is required and to ensure this represents value for money for the taxpayer.

Pursuant to the answer of 20 April 2026 to Question 127204 on Ensus UK, when Ministers first discussed providing financial support to Ensus through the Industrial Development Act 1982.

Government has used powers under Section 7 of the Industrial Development Act 1982 to provide financial support to Ensus. This follows scrutiny and oversight from independent financial advisors and discussions with the company which have taken place since September 2025. The advice received regarding the costs associated with the Ensus plant are commercially sensitive and as such will not be published. However, to date, we have provided less than £30m of financial assistance to Ensus UK Limited.The timing and operation of this support will be kept under review. Government will monitor market conditions closely to determine whether continued production at Ensus is required and to ensure this represents value for money for the taxpayer.

Pursuant to UIN 127204, whether the financial assistance provided to Ensus exceeds £30m.

Government has used powers under Section 7 of the Industrial Development Act 1982 to provide financial support to Ensus. This follows scrutiny and oversight from independent financial advisors and discussions with the company which have taken place since September 2025. The advice received regarding the costs associated with the Ensus plant are commercially sensitive and as such will not be published. However, to date, we have provided less than £30m of financial assistance to Ensus UK Limited.The timing and operation of this support will be kept under review. Government will monitor market conditions closely to determine whether continued production at Ensus is required and to ensure this represents value for money for the taxpayer.

Pursuant to UIN 127204, which section of the Industrial Development Act 1982 was invoked in order to provide financial assistance to Ensus.

Government has used powers under Section 7 of the Industrial Development Act 1982 to provide financial support to Ensus. This follows scrutiny and oversight from independent financial advisors and discussions with the company which have taken place since September 2025. The advice received regarding the costs associated with the Ensus plant are commercially sensitive and as such will not be published. However, to date, we have provided less than £30m of financial assistance to Ensus UK Limited.The timing and operation of this support will be kept under review. Government will monitor market conditions closely to determine whether continued production at Ensus is required and to ensure this represents value for money for the taxpayer.

With reference to the Written Statement of 13 April 2026 (HCWS1501), what statutory or prerogative powers were relied upon to direct Ensus UK Limited to restart production.

The costs associated with this intervention have been independently verified and are commercially sensitive. The Department’s Annual Report and Accounts will record the expenditure incurred with Ensus and disclosures surrounding the expenditure incurred will reflect the materiality of the arrangement to the Department’s accounts, as is required by International Financial Reporting Standards.Government uses legal powers under the Industrial Development Act 1982 to provide financial support to Ensus. A key condition of this support requires Ensus to keep the facility on standby and restart operations when required to provide resilience for critical sectors.Ministers were first advised of risks to CO2 supply chains arising from the Middle East conflict on 9 March.

With reference to HCWS1501, what estimate her Department has made of the total cost to the public purse of operating the Ensus UK Limited plant for the initial three-month period.

The costs associated with this intervention have been independently verified and are commercially sensitive. The Department’s Annual Report and Accounts will record the expenditure incurred with Ensus and disclosures surrounding the expenditure incurred will reflect the materiality of the arrangement to the Department’s accounts, as is required by International Financial Reporting Standards.Government uses legal powers under the Industrial Development Act 1982 to provide financial support to Ensus. A key condition of this support requires Ensus to keep the facility on standby and restart operations when required to provide resilience for critical sectors.Ministers were first advised of risks to CO2 supply chains arising from the Middle East conflict on 9 March.