Written questions by MacDonald.

Whether his Department plans to take steps to ensure that the public are (a) consulted and (b) involved in decisions on the use of public-private partnerships in the NHS.

The business case to assess the feasibility of using a public-private partnership (PPP) model for Neighbourhood Health Centres is being co-developed by the Department of Health and Social Care and the National Infrastructure and Service Transformation Authority.The business case will set out the potential for a PPP model and an assessment of the value for money so that a final decision on the approach can be taken by the time of the 2025 Budget in the autumn. If a decision is taken to proceed, then further market engagement will take place on the model and approach. The location of, and services provided through, Neighbourhood Health Centres will be decided at a local level by the NHS and other stakeholders, based on the local needs of patients.

What steps her Department is taking to make reasonable adjustments for autistic people to complete Universal Credit applications.

The Department is committed to ensuring that the Universal Credit (UC) service is accessible to all, including autistic people and others with complex needs.We recognise that some customers may require additional support to make and maintain a UC claim. A range of reasonable adjustments and tailored support is available, including:Help to Claim: Delivered by Citizens Advice and Citizens Advice Scotland, this service provides independent, practical support from the point of application through to the first correct payment.Enhanced Support Journey: For customers with complex needs, including those with autism, this includes outbound calls, home visits, and tailored case management.Face-to-face and telephone support: Available through local Jobcentres and the UC helpline for those unable to use the online service.Specialist staff: Trained to identify and respond to the needs of vulnerable claimants, including those with neurodivergent conditions.Third party Support: The claimant can give explicit consent for Universal Credit to speak with a third party to help with the management of a claim. Where a person is unable to manage their own claim the Department can arrange for a third party to be set up as an appointee to formally manage making and managing the benefit claim.The Department continues to work with stakeholders and user groups to improve accessibility and ensure that the UC service meets the needs of all claimants.

Media and Sport, what assessment she has made of the adequacy of the time taken to investigate advertisements by the Advertising Standards Agency.

The Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) is responsible for regulating advertising in the UK across traditional forms of media (print, radio, TV) and online and is independent of the Government. The process the ASA follows when handling complaints is publicly available on its website, alongside its performance data in responding to complaints over the year, and expected timelines relating to more and less complex cases. It explains that straightforward issues (around 80% of cases) can be resolved in a number of days, but that more complex issues where the advertiser is contacted generally take longer. A small number of the most complex cases can take up to six months to resolve, particularly when appointing independent experts to help assess evidence.

What steps her Department is taking to ensure that financial education in schools adequately prepares young people for (a) adult life and (b) work.

I refer the hon. Member for Inverness, Skye and West Ross-shire to the answer of 9 April 2025 to Question 43513.

Whether she has had recent discussions with education stakeholders on the inclusion of financial education in the curriculum review.

The Curriculum and Assessment Review is evaluating the existing national curriculum and statutory assessment system in England, to ensure they are fit for purpose, and to ensure a rich, broad, inclusive and innovative curriculum that readies young people for life and work.The Review is being informed by evidence, data and in close consultation with education professionals and other experts, parents, children and young people, and other stakeholders such as employers, universities and trade unions. This includes over 7,000 responses to the public call for evidence, and a range of research and polling.During the public consultation, the Review Group heard consistently from parents and children that they want more focus on the applied knowledge and skills that will equip them for later life and work, such as financial education. The Review is considering whether there is sufficient coverage of these skills within subjects, and how content can remain relevant and support young people to thrive in a fast-changing world. The Review’s final report and recommendations will be published in the autumn.

What assessment her Department has made of the potential merits of including financial education provision in primary schools as part of the national curriculum.

The Curriculum and Assessment Review is evaluating the existing national curriculum and statutory assessment system in England, to ensure they are fit for purpose, and to ensure a rich, broad, inclusive and innovative curriculum that readies young people for life and work.The Review is being informed by evidence, data and in close consultation with education professionals and other experts, parents, children and young people, and other stakeholders such as employers, universities and trade unions. This includes over 7,000 responses to the public call for evidence, and a range of research and polling.During the public consultation, the Review Group heard consistently from parents and children that they want more focus on the applied knowledge and skills that will equip them for later life and work, such as financial education. The Review is considering whether there is sufficient coverage of these skills within subjects, and how content can remain relevant and support young people to thrive in a fast-changing world. The Review’s final report and recommendations will be published in the autumn.

What assessment her Department has made of the effectiveness of existing financial education provision in helping pupils understand (a) saving, (b) budgeting, (c) mortgages and (d) banking.

I refer the hon. Member for Inverness, Skye and West Ross-shire to the answer of 9 April 2025 to Question 43513.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what steps he is taking to help strengthen the UK’s relationship with Liechtenstein.

The UK and Liechtenstein have a strong bilateral relationship focussed on trade and working together at multilateral institutions. Our non-resident Ambassador visited last month meeting the Prime Minister and Foreign Minister. We remain committed to maintaining our strong diplomatic and economic ties.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what steps he is taking to help strengthen the UK’s relationship with Iceland.

The UK maintains strong and enduring ties with Iceland across a broad range of bilateral files. We work closely together as North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) and Joint Expeditionary Force (JEF) allies. Most recently, the Foreign Secretary visited Iceland on 29 May and had a bilateral with Foreign Minister Gunnarsdóttir at Keflavik Air Base. I also visited Iceland for the Arctic Circle Assembly in October 2024 and delivered a speech on the UK's commitment to the Arctic in the face of global challenges. The annual UK-Iceland Diplomatic Consultations were held at official level in London in April 2025.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what steps he is taking to help strengthen the UK’s relationship with Malta.

The UK and Malta share a historic relationship. The UK and Malta cooperate closely on foreign policy, military training, rule of law, regional security, irregular migration, climate change and consular services. The UK Government engages regularly with Malta at Ministerial level to progress this cooperation. In July 2024, the Prime Minister met Prime Minister Abela at the European Political Community (EPC) Summit. In October 2024, the Foreign Secretary met Deputy PM and Foreign Minister Dr Ian Borg at the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) and I spoke with him in discussions on a range of matters. Since then, my department has continued engaging with Malta at official level to progress cooperation in areas of mutual interest.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what steps he is taking to help strengthen the UK’s relationship with Bulgaria.

Bulgaria remains a key partner and North Atlantic Treaty Organization ally for the United Kingdom, and we cooperate on many key priorities including Russia-Ukraine and tackling organised immigration crime. We signed a Strategic Partnership in October 2023, and held the first of our yearly Strategic Dialogues in Sofia in June 2025, providing an opportunity to discuss a range of bilateral and international priorities. The Foreign Secretary met Foreign Minister Georgiev on 21 July in London, and on 17 January in Sofia, where they discussed the full range of the bilateral relationship. The Minister for the Cabinet Office met the Interior and Foreign Ministers in Sofia on 17 June when he visited regarding the roll-out of eGates to UK nationals. I met the Bulgarian Ambassador to London on 23 June.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what steps he is taking to help strengthen the UK’s relationship with Monaco.

The UK enjoys positive relations with Monaco. Officials regularly engage with the Monegasque Government, including recently at the Blue Economic Finance Forum on 8 June, attended by Ruth Davis, the UK Special Representative for Nature. Our Ambassador to France is also responsible for relations with Monaco with an Honorary Consul based in the Principality. The Prime Minister and Prince Albert both attended the last meeting of the European Political Community in Tirana.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what steps he is taking to help strengthen the UK’s relationship with the Netherlands.

The UK and the Netherlands have a strong bilateral relationship as North Sea neighbours, North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) allies, and a shared approach to global challenges. The Prime Minister hosted Dutch Prime Minister Dick Schoof in Downing Street on 6 February, and the Foreign Secretary hosted Foreign Minister Veldkamp during his visit on 6 May. The UK and the Netherlands continue to work together to promote economic growth and to tackle organised crime, including the people smuggling gangs that drive illegal migration. As NATO allies, we continue to work to promote stability in the Middle East, ramp up the pressure on Russia, and provide support to Ukraine.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what steps he is taking to help strengthen the UK’s relationship with Luxembourg.

The UK government has a strong bilateral relationship with our NATO ally Luxembourg, underpinned by a bilateral framework agreement which spans a wide range of common interests, including defence, financial services, energy security, human rights and tackling climate change. The Foreign Secretary hosted Deputy Prime Minister Xavier Bettel on 10 February in London where discussions included deepening our cooperation to intensify pressure on Russia and reinforce support for Ukraine.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what steps he is taking to help strengthen the UK’s relationship with Croatia.

Croatia is a valued partner of the United Kingdom, both bilaterally and as a NATO Ally. In 2022 we signed a Strategic Partnership Agreement, covering defence cooperation, and in 2023 a Joint Declaration on Bilateral Cooperation, which committed us to working together on shared priorities, from support to Ukraine, scientific collaboration, clean energy, to tackling irregular migration through the Western Balkans route. We also hold annual joint military exercises, and over 800,000 British tourists visit every year, strengthening our people-to-people links. Our Foreign Secretaries last met in London in March, and our Prime Ministers met in May at the European Political Community summit in Tirana. I last held a strategic dialogue with my counterpart in November 2024. This meeting deepened our shared understanding and cooperation on our priority issues.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what steps he is taking to help strengthen the UK’s relationship with Montenegro.

The UK maintains a strong relationship with Montenegro. We work closely together bilaterally as North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) allies and look forward to hosting the Government of Montenegro this autumn at the Berlin Process summit. On 28 May we signed a Joint Declaration on a Strategic Partnership between Montenegro and the UK. This Declaration enhances future cooperation between the two countries across a wide range of areas, including security, serious and organised crime, economic development, the rule of law, migration, education, and culture. In May the UK Special Envoy to the Western Balkans, Karen Pierce, visited Montenegro. The Permanent Under Secretary of the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office and I also visited Montenegro this year to further our bilateral relationship.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what steps he is taking to help strengthen the UK’s relationship with Hungary.

Hungary is an important partner and North Atlantic Treaty Organization ally of the United Kingdom, and where there is mutual benefit we work together on shared interests, including on trade, security and defence. As in any bilateral relationship there are differences and where we have concerns, we raise them candidly, including on restrictions on essential freedoms, including respect for and freedoms for the LGBT+ community, and on our differing approaches to Russia's illegal invasion of Ukraine. The Government maintains regular dialogue with its Hungarian counterparts. The Foreign Secretary hosted Foreign Minister Szijjártó in London for bilateral talks in January, and I am also in regular contact with EU Minister János Bóka and Deputy Foreign Minister Levente Magyar, whom I met in London on 19 June.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what steps he is taking to help strengthen the UK’s relationship with North Macedonia.

The UK maintains a strong relationship with North Macedonia. We work closely together bilaterally as North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) allies and look forward to hosting the government of North Macedonia this autumn at the Berlin Process summit. On 16 May we announced a new bilateral strategic partnership supporting closer co-operation on areas including economic growth, defence and security and tackling irregular migration. On 22 May, the UK and North Macedonia signed a landmark Government-to-Government Partnership, unlocking up to £5 billion in UK Export Finance support for infrastructure projects. The Prime Minister met Prime Minister Mickoski in May. The Foreign Secretary met with Foreign Minister Mucunski in July.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what steps he is taking to help strengthen the UK’s relationship with Serbia.

The UK is building a modern and forward-looking partnership with Serbia. In April, the Foreign Secretary visited Serbia and signed three Memorandums of Understanding, on migration and cyber cooperation, and on UK Export Finance. On 17 and 18 July the Special Envoy for the Western Balkans, Dame Karen Pierce, visited Serbia to underline the importance of Serbia playing a constructive role in regional stability. I visited Belgrade in January 2025 and met with President Vučić and Foreign Minister Ðurić. I have spoken with the Foreign Minister and Deputy Foreign Minister on a range of topics. The UK looks forward to hosting Serbia at the Berlin Process Summit this autumn which will strengthen co-operation on our common security and economic growth objectives, including tackling irregular migration and serious organised crime.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what steps he is taking to help strengthen the UK’s relationship with Czechia.

Czechia is a steadfast bilateral and NATO Ally of the United Kingdom. We enjoy strong cooperation across key areas including Russia/Ukraine, Security, Defence and Growth. In 2022, we signed a Statement of Intent committing us to closer bilateral cooperation. The Delivery Plan under the Statement was updated in November 2024 ahead of the Foreign Secretary hosting FM Lipavsky. The Prime Minister hosted his Czech counterpart in London this July to sign a memorandum of understanding on civil nuclear cooperation, to celebrate Czechia's selection of Rolls Royce SMR as a primary growth opportunity and to host prominent Czech investors at a business roundtable. I also attended the GLOBSEC defence and security forum in Prague in September 2024, Minister Thomas-Symonds attended this forum in June. During these visits we met various Czech interlocutors, including FM Lipavsky, DFM Marian and President Pavel.