Written questions by McDonald.

What the average length of time is for a PIP assessment to be completed; and what assessment she has made of the potential impact of these waiting times on applications for the carers allowance.

The median clearance time from a Personal Independence Payment (PIP) registration to a DWP decision is 15 weeks for both new claims under normal rules and reassessments from Disability Living Allowance, as of July 2024. For new claims with Special Rules, there is a median time of 3 working days from registration to clearance. Delays in assessing PIP claims should not affect the amount of Carer’s Allowance paid to the carer as the Carer’s Allowance claim can be backdated to the date PIP is awarded from.

What assessment she has made of the adequacy of the PIP application system; and if she will make an assessment of the potential merits of (a) simplifying the application process and (b) introducing measures to reduce waiting times for decisions.

The Personal Independence Payment application process, which was developed with the assistance of disabled people, is kept under constant review. This is to ensure that it is accessible to claimants, and that it helps the Department reach an accurate assessment of an individual’s entitlement. The Health Transformation Programme (HTP) is modernising Health and Disability benefit services. It is developing a PIP service which will ultimately offer online application and reduce journey times, providing a more efficient service and an enhanced customer experience.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, if he will make representations to his Israeli counterpart to urge that government to not implement the Knesset legislation on UNRWA passed on 28 October 2024.

The Prime Minister and Foreign Secretary have expressed serious concern at the UNRWA bills that Israel's Knesset has now passed. This legislation risks making UNRWA's essential work for Palestinians impossible, jeopardising the entire international humanitarian response in Gaza and delivery of essential health and education services in the West Bank. The UK and six allies issued a joint statement on 27 October expressing our grave concern and urging Israel to ensure UNRWA can continue its lifesaving work. The Foreign Secretary reiterated this to Israel's Foreign Minister Katz on 27 October. We will continue working with our international partners and through the UN to press Israel to ensure that UNRWA can continue its vital operations.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, with reference to his Oral Statement of 28 October 2024 on Middle East, what assessment his Department has made of the potential merits of the application of additional sanctions to further extremist illegal settlers and illegal settlement-related organisations.

Our position on Israeli settlements in the West Bank is clear. They are illegal under international law, an obstacle to peace and threaten the physical viability of a two-state solution. We strongly condemn settler violence and the actions of those who seek to incite violence and inflame tensions, and we call on Israel to act accordingly. As the occupying power, Israel has an obligation to protect the civilian Palestinian population in the West Bank.  On 15 October we sanctioned three outposts and four entities linked to West Bank violence, under the Global Human Rights regime. The UK is considering all options to support a more stable West Bank. It would not be appropriate to speculate about future sanctions designations as to do so could reduce their impact.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether he has had discussions with (a) his US counterparts and (b) the F-35 Joint Programme Office on the steps necessary to limit the availability of UK component parts in the F-35 Global Supply Chain to exclude Israel without impacting other partner nations.

We have regular discussions with our international counterparts, including the US, on a range of issues relating to the ongoing conflict in the Middle East. Our licensing decisions are based on our own processes. As the Foreign Secretary made clear in his statement on 2 September to Parliament, exports to the F-35 Programme are excluded from this suspension.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether he has had discussions with F-35 Global Supply Chain partner nations on the (a) management of the Global Supply Chain and (b) sale of F-35s and UK-made F-35 components to Israel.

We have regular discussions with our international counterparts, including the US, on a range of issues relating to the ongoing conflict in the Middle East. Our licensing decisions are based on our own processes. As the Foreign Secretary made clear in his statement on 2 September to Parliament, exports to the F-35 Programme are excluded from this suspension.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether he has had recent discussions with his (a) US counterpart and (b) the F-35 Joint Programme Office on the (i) management of the global supply chain and (ii) sale of (A) F-35s and (B) UK-made F-35 components to Israel.

We have regular discussions with our international counterparts, including the US, on a range of issues relating to the ongoing conflict in the Middle East. Our licensing decisions are based on our own processes. As the Foreign Secretary made clear in his statement on 2 September to Parliament, exports to the F-35 Programme are excluded from this suspension.

What guidance his Department issues to NHS facilities on advertising the Healthcare Travel Costs Scheme in cancer screening appointment communications.

The NHS Healthcare Travel Costs Scheme does not cover travel costs for any National Health Service screening programme, including cancer screening. Further details of what is covered under this scheme and who is eligible, is available at the following link:https://www.nhs.uk/nhs-services/help-with-health-costs/healthcare-travel-costs-scheme-htcs/

If she will make it her policy to introduce a right to paid employment leave to support kinship carers.

The department recognises the challenges that many kinship carers face in continuing to work alongside the pressures of taking in a child, and we believe they should be supported to remain in work where possible. Kinship carers are likely to benefit from additional support and flexibility from their employers to help them balance work with providing the best possible care. Our guidance for employers, ‘Kinship Carers in the Workplace’, sets out best practice for supporting kinship carers at work. The department will join a small number of private sector employers in offering a pay and leave entitlement to all eligible staff who become kinship carers.

What assessment her Department has made of the adequacy of the role of the United Nations in the coordination of an international tax framework.

The UK is committed to working with all stakeholders to ensure inclusive and effective international tax cooperation, and has been actively engaging in negotiations at the UN over a future Framework Convention. The UK believes that a UN Tax Framework Convention has the potential to further advance international tax cooperation, but to be successful, it needs to be clear in its aims, avoid duplicating initiatives, and seek to secure the broad support and participation of members. The UK was disappointed that these principles were not fully reflected in the Terms of Reference agreed by the UN Ad Hoc Committee in August, but will continue to engage constructively in support of key principles for strengthening international tax cooperation.

If she will bring forward legislative proposals to require private lenders to agree debt cancellation for lower income countries.

The Government is committed to tackling unsustainable debt. Private lenders have an important part to play and alongside our partners in the G20 and Paris Club, we expect private creditors to participate in debt restructurings on comparable terms. This is a fundamental principle of the G20 Common Framework and we welcome recent agreements reached by bondholders of Zambia and Ghana. At this stage, the Government is not pursuing a legislative approach that would force private or other lenders to participate in debt restructurings. The Government is focused on delivering a market-based (contractual) approach to private sector participation, to promote more efficient restructurings, reduce the ability for creditors to hold out, and increase transparency.

What assessment her Department has made of the potential merits of a UN Tax Convention.

The UK is committed to working with all stakeholders to ensure inclusive and effective international tax cooperation, and has been actively engaging in negotiations at the UN over a future Framework Convention. The UK believes that a UN Tax Framework Convention has the potential to further advance international tax cooperation, but to be successful, it needs to be clear in its aims, avoid duplicating initiatives, and seek to secure the broad support and participation of members. The UK was disappointed that these principles were not fully reflected in the Terms of Reference agreed by the UN Ad Hoc Committee in August, but will continue to engage constructively in support of key principles for strengthening international tax cooperation.

What steps his Department is taking to help ensure the Infected Blood Compensation Authority can make effective determinations on compensation where medical records of applicants are unavailable.

Given the historic nature of the infected blood scandal, the Government recognises that not all medical records will still be available. The Scheme has been designed to minimise as far as possible the burden on those applying, and as set out in the Infected Blood Compensation Scheme Regulations 2024, eligibility for the Scheme will be determined based on the balance of probabilities. The Infected Blood Compensation Authority will provide assistance to those who believe their medical records have been lost or destroyed.

If her Department will make an assessment of the potential merits of introducing a right to work for asylum seekers who have (a) lodged an asylum application and (b) been waiting more than six months for a decision on their asylum application.

As has been the case for many years, asylum seekers who have had their claim outstanding for 12 months or more, through no fault of their own, can apply for permission to work. Those permitted to work are restricted to jobs on the Immigration Salary List. This list is based on expert advice from the independent Migration Advisory Committee. Whilst we keep all policies under review, there are no plans to change this policy. The Government is determined to restore order to the asylum system. We will ensure that the system operates fairly and with quicker processing of claims. This will see recognised refugees being able to access employment more quickly, whilst failed asylum seekers can be safely returned.

Food and Rural Affairs, what recent assessment his Department has made of the role of waste incineration capacity in the management of residual wastes in England.

The Government is committed to creating a roadmap to a circular economy, a future where we keep our resources in use for longer, waste is reduced, we accelerate the path to net zero, we see investment in critical infrastructure and green jobs, our economy prospers, and nature thrives. As part of this we will consider the role of residual waste treatment, including energy from waste and landfill, in the context of circularity, economic growth, and reaching net zero.

With reference to her Department's news story entitled eVisa transition: vulnerability support confirmed, published on 18 September 2024, whether she plans to provide financial support to smaller voluntary and community sector organisations.

On 18 September 2024 we announced grant funding for four organisations (Migrant Help, CA Scotland, Advice NI and Welsh Refugee Council) to provide UK-wide support for vulnerable individuals in their transition from physical immigrations products to an eVisa. In the coming weeks, we will publish details on GOV.UK for further regional/community-based organisations spread across the UK. This represents an investment of up to £4m over the next 12 months.

Food and Rural Affairs, what recent assessment his Department has made of the adequacy of the adherence to animal welfare requirements of abattoirs in receipt of funding from the Smaller Abattoir Fund.

Applications to the Smaller Abattoir Fund (SAF) closed on 30 September. All abattoirs eligible under the SAF are registered and approved by the Food Standards Agency, who are also consulted during the assessment of applications. The Food Standards Agency monitor and enforce animal welfare regulations in all approved slaughterhouses.

What steps his Department is taking to help ensure the Infected Blood Compensation Authority begins (a) assessing claims and (b) making payments before the end of 2024.

The Cabinet Office is supporting the Infected Blood Compensation Authority with its aim to design a compensation service that is simple to use, easy to access and securely pays out money as quickly as possible. The Infected Blood Compensation Authority is established in law and work is progressing to put the operational systems in place with the expectation of beginning payments by the end of this year. I will continue to update the House on this matter.

With reference to the judgment of 7 June 2024 in RAMFEL & Anor, R (on the application of) v Secretary of State for the Home Department [2024] EWHC 1374 (Admin), what steps her Department is taking, ahead of the provision of digital documentation, to urgently provide interim proof of lawful immigration status and attendant legal rights to all those with leave extended under section 3C of the Immigration Act 1971.

The Home Office continues to operate checking services to enable those with a legitimate interest to obtain confirmation of a person’s immigration status, supported by published guidance and statutory codes of practice. Employers and landlords should continue to use the Employer Checking Service and Landlord Checking Service where an individual has an outstanding application, administrative review or appeal and is not able to provide evidence of their status digitally. The NHS is provided with information through the Immigration Health Surcharge data feed and through the Healthcare Application Programme Interface.

Food and Rural Affairs, if he will make an assessment of the implications for his policies of the Scottish Government’s consultation on a proposal to phase out the use of cages in Scotland’s laying hen sector.

The UK Government is committed to maintaining and improving animal welfare and wants to work closely with the farming sector to deliver high standards. Intergovernmental discussions between Defra and the devolved Governments on animal welfare matters are ongoing and the use of enriched ‘colony’ cages is an issue we will want to fully consider in due course.