Written questions by Rosindell.

Pursuant to the Answer of 9 June 2025 to Question 54690 on Tobacco: Excise Duties, if she will make a comparative assessment of the rate of decline in smoking rates as illustrated in the ONS: Adult Smoking habits in the UK data for (a) 2021, (b) 2022 and (c) 2023 and the rate of the decline in HMRC’s tobacco duty receipts in the Tobacco Bulletin.

Table 1 below shows adult smoking prevalence in the UK and tobacco duty receipts between 2021 and 2023. The prevalence figures are taken from the ON’S “Adult Smoking habits in the UK” dataset. The receipts figures are taken from HMRC’s Tobacco Bulletin which includes figures up to April 2025. Table 1: Adult Smoking Prevalence and Tobacco Duty Receipts 2021-2023YearUK Adult Smoking Prevalence Tobacco Duty Receipts (£ million)202113.3%10,360202212.9%10,208202311.9%8,706 The ONS smoking prevalence data shows the percentage of adults in the UK who smoke cigarettes but does not give any indication of how much or how often these adults smoke. The Office for Budget Responsibility discusses drivers of tobacco duty receipts in relation to the tobacco duty forecast on their Tobacco duties webpage. Receipts are driven by inflation (CPI and RPI), real household consumption and underlying trends in tobacco consumption. The downward trend in tobacco consumption has accelerated in recent years, partly reflecting changing attitudes and the increasing popularity of e-cigarettes.

Pursuant to the Answer of 23 June 2025 to Question 60427 on Tobacco: Excise Duties, whether her Department has made an assessment of the potential impact of falling cigarette and hand rolling tobacco receipts on the size of the illicit tobacco market.

HMRC recently published an updated version of their Measuring Tax Gaps publication which now includes tax gap estimates up to 2023/24. The illicit market volume for cigarettes is shown in Table 3.13 and the total consumption volume is shown in Table 3.12. The illicit market for hand rolling tobacco is shown in Table 3.17 and the total consumption volume is shown in Table 3.16. The Department continues to investigate how the illicit tobacco market is evolving, including through its compliance activity, and the extent to which that may affect overall tax receipts seen.

Communities and Local Government, what steps she is taking to work with local authorities to help improve the insulation of social housing.

The Warm Homes: Social Housing Fund Wave 3 is providing £1.29 billion of grant funding to improve the energy performance of social housing, including through improvements to insulation. Additional funding will be set out in the Warm Homes Plan, to be published in October.The government is also consulting on introducing a Minimum Energy Efficiency Standard at EPC C or equivalent by 2030, with the proposed approach prioritising fabric improvements to properties, such as loft insulation, cavity wall insulation and double glazing. The consultation is open until 10 September 2025 and can be found on gov.uk here.

What steps he is taking to improve the health outcomes of veterans.

As well as being able to access all national health services across the United Kingdom, NHS England has also introduced several bespoke services to improve healthcare support available to veterans. These are: Op RESTORE which supports veterans with service-related physical health problems; Op COURAGE which supports veterans with a mental health pathway; and Op NOVA which supports veterans in the justice system.In addition, the veteran-aware trust and the veteran-friendly accreditation schemes raise awareness amongst healthcare professionals of the specific needs of veterans. These schemes provide support to ensure appropriate signposting and referrals to relevant veteran and wider services within the National Health Service.In May 2025, a national training and education plan was announced to help veterans benefit from improved and targeted healthcare. NHS staff across England will receive dedicated training to help them identify and support patients with military backgrounds. This will be rolled out across the NHS from 1 October 2025.

What steps he is taking to (a) improve mental health services and (b) reduce the rate of suicide in (i) England and (ii) Romford constituency.

NHS North East London Integrated Care Board is responsible for commissioning services to meet the mental health needs of people in Romford.Nationally, the Government is investing an extra £688 million this year to transform mental health services by hiring more staff, delivering more early interventions and talking therapies and getting waiting lists down.We are delivering on our commitment to recruit an additional 8,500 staff across children and adult mental health services by the end of the Parliament and 6,700 of these extra workers have been recruited since July 2024. And our Mental Health Bill, which has completed its committee stage in this House, will modernise the Mental Health Act and make it fit for the 21st century.The 10-Year Health Plan sets out ambitious plans to boost mental health support across the country so that the right people get the right support at the right time. We are transforming mental health services into neighbourhood mental health centres that operate 24 hours a day, seven days a week, improving assertive outreach and giving patients better access to round-the-clock support directly through the NHS App, including self-referral for talking therapies.

What steps he has taken to improve health outcomes for homeless people.

The Government is committed to building a fairer Britain by tackling the structural inequalities that contribute to poor health, particularly for disadvantaged groups, including those experiencing homelessness. We recognise the importance of reducing barriers to healthcare services for those experiencing homelessness. This is why we supported the development and implementation of National Institute for Health and Care Excellence guidance, code NG214, which provides recommendations on ways to improve access to, and engagement with, health and social care services for people experiencing homelessness. This guidance is available at the following link:https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/ng214The Department has recently published a progressive 10-Year Health Plan. We are committed to reducing the gap in healthy life expectancy between the richest and poorest, an ambitious commitment that shows that the Government is serious about tackling health inequalities and addressing the social determinants of health.

Food and Rural Affairs, what his planned timeline is for decisions on the future of Darwin Plus funding.

In November 2024, Minister Doughty and Minister McCarthy met with the elected leaders and representatives of the Overseas Territories at the UK Overseas Territories Joint Ministerial Council. The UK Government confirmed that it would continue to work in partnership with the Territories to support the protection of their unique environments and to help address biodiversity loss and noted their strong support for the continuation of Darwin Plus. As set out in our previous answers to UIN 61101 and UIN 63667, Defra will be finalising plans to fund new Darwin Plus projects with applicants this summer. Whilst decisions have yet to be made on the totality of future funding available to Darwin Plus following the department’s multi-year funding commitment from HM Treasury, the department will engage closely with stakeholders to ensure transparency and support continuity wherever possible. The department will provide updates in the usual way as soon as they are available.

Food and Rural Affairs, whether he plans to maintain funding for the Darwin Plus programme.

In November 2024, Minister Doughty and Minister McCarthy met with the elected leaders and representatives of the Overseas Territories at the UK Overseas Territories Joint Ministerial Council. The UK Government confirmed that it would continue to work in partnership with the Territories to support the protection of their unique environments and to help address biodiversity loss and noted their strong support for the continuation of Darwin Plus. As set out in our previous answers to UIN 61101 and UIN 63667, Defra will be finalising plans to fund new Darwin Plus projects with applicants this summer. Whilst decisions have yet to be made on the totality of future funding available to Darwin Plus following the department’s multi-year funding commitment from HM Treasury, the department will engage closely with stakeholders to ensure transparency and support continuity wherever possible. The department will provide updates in the usual way as soon as they are available.

What steps her Department is taking to tackle the use of cloned vehicle registration plates.

The Government understands how distressing this criminal activity can be for innocent motorists. The Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) is working with the National Police Chiefs’ Council and other government departments to improve the identification and enforcement of number plate crime, including the use of cloned number plates. The law requires that anyone who supplies number plates for road use in the UK must be registered with the DVLA. It is a legal requirement for suppliers to carry out checks to ensure that number plates are only sold to those who can prove they are entitled to the registration number. Number plate suppliers must also keep records of the plates they have supplied. The DVLA assists the police and Trading Standards in their enforcement against number plate suppliers who trade illegally. When notified, the DVLA will investigate and pass on intelligence to the police who are responsible for investigating this criminal matter.

Food and Rural Affairs, what recent discussions he has had with the Overseas Territories on the Darwin Plus programme.

In November 2024, Minister Doughty and Minister McCarthy met with the elected leaders and representatives of the Overseas Territories at the UK Overseas Territories Joint Ministerial Council. The UK Government confirmed that it would continue to work in partnership with the Territories to support the protection of their unique environments and to help address biodiversity loss and noted their strong support for the continuation of Darwin Plus. As set out in our previous answers to UIN 61101 and UIN 63667, Defra will be finalising plans to fund new Darwin Plus projects with applicants this summer. Whilst decisions have yet to be made on the totality of future funding available to Darwin Plus following the department’s multi-year funding commitment from HM Treasury, the department will engage closely with stakeholders to ensure transparency and support continuity wherever possible. The department will provide updates in the usual way as soon as they are available.

What steps his Department is taking to (a) support and (b) develop tidal power technology within the British Channel Islands.

According to a study led by the University of Plymouth, the UK and the British Channel Islands has one of the world’s best tidal resources, estimated to be a potential capacity of around 11.5GW. The Channel Islands, as Crown Dependencies, are self-governing jurisdictions that are not part of the UK, and so the UK Government is not responsible for energy policy there. DESNZ engages with the CDs on energy matters, including renewable energy policy, under the British-Irish Council Energy Work sector.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether his Department has made an assessment of the potential merits of funding English-language BBC World Service (a) content through the licence fee and (b) language services through direct Government grant-in-aid.

The World Service English service is part funded by BBC Licence Fee and the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office Grant-in-Aid. Any changes to that funding model will be explored through the Charter Review process, led by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport. Ahead of this the Government will keep an open mind about the future of the licence fee and how the World Service is funded. The Charter Review is the right moment to look at potential future World Service funding mechanisms for the longer-term.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether he plans to increase Parliamentary oversight of the BBC World Service.

The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office holds the BBC World Service to account through published Objectives, Priorities and Targets which include targets for reach, quality, impact and value. In addition, there are regular meetings - quarterly, annual and ad hoc between the Foreign Secretary, Ministers, BBC Seniors and officials to monitor performance. The forthcoming Charter Review, led by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS), will provide an essential opportunity for the Government to consider a range of issues relating to the BBC, including how the BBC is accountable to those who fund it.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what assessment his Department has made of the potential impact of changes to the level of funding for BBC (a) Arabic and (b) Persian services on his Department's strategy in those regions; and whether he plans to maintain levels of funding for those services in the next funding cycle.

The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office received its funding settlement for financial year (FY) 26-27 to FY 28-29 on 11 June. The Department is now starting work to determine future allocations for all spend, including the World Service language services such as Arabic and Persian, which are part funded by BBC Licence Fee and Grant in Aid. We expect this process to conclude and final allocations to be announced in the Autumn.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of the Hong Kong National Security Law on British businesses operating in Hong Kong.

The UK Government has been clear in its opposition to the National Security Law (NSL). China's imposition of the NSL on Hong Kong has seen opposition stifled and dissent criminalised. Alternative voices in Hong Kong's executive, legislature, civil society, and media have been all but extinguished. The UK has called for the National Security Law to be repealed.The UK Government provides a range of services and advice to support companies doing business in Hong Kong, through our extensive network, both in the UK and at our Consulate-General in Hong Kong. In addition to our digital platforms, such as Great.gov.uk and the Digital Exporting Programme, the Overseas Business Risk (OBR) service provides information on political, economic and security risks when trading overseas. The OBR refers to the NSL under Section 4. Business and human rights.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what recent discussions he has had with Caribbean governments on tackling irregular migration.

The Foreign Secretary has discussed concerns over Haiti with Caribbean Ministers, including its instability and subsequent effect on illegal migration into British Caribbean Overseas Territories particularly the nearby Turks and Caicos Islands. Officials working in the Caribbean raise irregular migration concerns with their hosts when necessary, most recently with Trinidad & Tobago ahead of the UK's decision to implement a visa regime due to the significant increase in individuals from Trinidad & Tobago seeking to misuse our immigration system.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what steps he is taking to support civil society organisations in Venezuela.

Further to my answer given on 15 May 2025 to question 50066, the UK is firmly committed to championing democracy and human rights around the world, including in Venezuela. We remain deeply concerned by the repression of civil society in Venezuela, including the harassment and intimidation of political figures, journalists, and human rights defenders. The UK has repeatedly called for an immediate end to repression and the unconditional release of those arbitrarily detained, most recently through a UK statement at the Human Rights Council on 27 June.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what assessment he has made of the potential implications for his policies of reports that Hong Kong’s last pro-democracy political party has been disbanded; and if he will have discussions with (a) the Chief Executive of Hong Kong and (b) his Chinese counterparts on the role of Hong Kong’s National Security Law on this decision.

The League of Social Democrats (LSD) is a concerning development that further demonstrates how China's imposition of the National Security Law on Hong Kong has stifled opposition and criminalised dissent. Alternative voices in Hong Kong's executive, legislature, civil society, and media have been all but extinguished. The UK has called for the National Security Law to be repealed and for an end to the prosecution of all individuals charged under it, and we regularly raise our concerns with the Chinese government and with Ministers in the Government of Hong Kong.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what recent discussions he has had with Hong Kong officials on the use of arrest warrants against British citizens.

The UK Government is clear that it will not tolerate any attempts by foreign governments to coerce, intimidate, harass, or harm their critics overseas, especially in the UK. The Government will continue to stand with and support members of the Hong Kong community who have relocated to the UK.The Foreign Secretary issued a statement on 24 December 2024 condemning the Hong Kong police's latest arrest warrants and calling on Beijing to repeal the National Security Law. UK Ministers have repeatedly raised our opposition to these actions with the Chinese and Hong Kong authorities; most recently, I did so directly with Hong Kong Chief Secretary for Administration on 30 May.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether the BBC World Service has a role on the Soft Power Council; and what progress that Council has made since its establishment.

Harnessing all of our soft power assets in a more purposeful manner is crucial if we are to maximise growth, security, and global impact for the UK. That is why the Foreign Secretary has established the UK Soft Power Council and commissioned a Soft Power Strategy. The BBC is a key part of this, represented on the Council by Tom Fussell from BBC Studios. The BBC World Service is contributing in various ways, including through the Director of the World Service, Jonathan Munro, acting as a member of the Council's working group on Hinge Markets.The Council is now fully operational, bringing together expertise from various sectors and shaping enhanced delivery through its working groups. We are producing a long-term shared Strategy between Government and soft power sectors to deliver tangible impact for the UK's objectives. That will be reviewed at the Council's next Ministerial meeting on 23 July.