Written questions by Stephenson.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what steps her Department plans to take to support Jamaican authorities to ensure that (a) search and rescue efforts and (b) UK aid are able to access the hardest hit areas of Jamaica following Hurricane Melissa.

I refer the hon. member to the written ministerial statement published on 4 November.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what steps her Department is taking to coordinate with the (a) Jamaican authorities and (b) regional disaster-management agencies to help ensure that UK assistance is (i) effective and (ii) reaches the most impacted communities.

I refer the hon. member to the written ministerial statement published on 4 November.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what steps her Department is taking to support British citizens who (a) live in Jamaica and (b) are travelling in Jamaica following Hurricane Melissa.

I refer the hon. member to the written ministerial statement published on 4 November.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether she made continued access for Jewish and Christian communities to holy sites in the State of Palestine a condition of UK recognition.

I refer the Hon. Member to the answer provided on 29 October to Question 83047.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether she made the proscription of Hamas by the Government of the State of Palestine a condition of UK recognition.

I refer the Hon. Member to the answer provided on 29 October to Question 83047.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether she has made free and fair elections a condition of the UK's recognition of the State of Palestine.

I refer the Hon. Member to the answer provided on 29 October to Question 83047.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, if she will make an assessment of the level of (a) human rights and (b) democracy in the State of Palestine.

I refer the Hon. Member to the answer provided on 29 October to Question 83047.

How many newly arrived illegal migrants have been provided Government funded accommodation since 4 August 2025.

In accordance with the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999, the Home Office has a statutory obligation to provide destitute asylum seekers with accommodation and subsistence support whilst their application for asylum is being considered.Data, published quarterly, on the number of supported asylum seekers in accommodation, including accommodation type, can be found within the Asy_D11 tab of our most recent statistics release. Immigration system statistics data tables - www.gov.uk/government/collections/immigration-statistics-quarterly-release, with the latest information published 30 June 2025, and the next quarterly figures are due to be released later this month in November 2025.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what her Department's policy is on the status of East Jerusalem, in the context of the UK's recognition of the State of Palestine.

I refer the Hon. Member to the answer provided on 29 October to Question 83047.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether she plans to withdraw recognition of the State of Palestine in the event that Hamas break any conditions of that recognition.

I refer the Hon. Member to the answer provided on 29 October to Question 83047.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether the UK will support Palestinian membership of the United Nations, in the context of UK recognition of the State of Palestine.

I refer the Hon. Member to the answer provided on 29 October to Question 83047.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether she plans to formally recognise Taiwan.

I refer the Hon. Member to the answer provided on 19 December 2024 to Question 19224.

Pursuant to the Answer of 9 June 2025 to Question 55254 on Public Bodies: Reviews, how many civil servants are involved in the review by grade.

As of 31st October 2025, the Cabinet Office maintains 1 Deputy Director, 1 Grade 7 and 1 HEO to staff the ALB Review. Information on departmental staffing levels for the ALB Review is not held centrally.

If he will make an estimate of the cost to the public purse of Ministerial severance packages between 1 September and 8 September 2025.

Departments are responsible for making salary and loss of office payments to their Ministers. This information would only be held by individual departments.

Communities and Local Government, if he will make an estimate of the number of houses on brownfield land rejected for planning permission since 4 July 2024.

My Department publishes the number of planning applications for dwellings granted and refused per quarter by local authority in the PS2 open data file in our quarterly planning application statistics release. It can be found on gov.uk here. The number of applications on brownfield land is not collected.

Innovation and Technology, if she will publish an impact assessment on the decision to close the UK Space Agency.

The UK Space Agency is not closing – it is being brought together with DSIT's Space Directorate to create a more efficient, integrated approach to delivering our space ambitions. This change, part of our Plan for Change to cut red tape and make Whitehall more agile, will reduce duplication and strengthen ministerial oversight.

Media and Sport, pursuant to the Answer of 6 June 2025 to Question 54458, with reference to the press release entitled Six pubs a week shutting their doors for good, published on 17 February 2025, whether she has made an assessment of the potential impact of the estimated rate of pub closures on the attractiveness of tourism in the UK.

The Government recognises the vital role of pubs and hospitality businesses in both local communities and the attractiveness of the UK as a visitor destination. While DCMS has not made a formal assessment, we continue working with other Government departments to ensure that targeted support is provided for the sector. The Government is creating a fairer business rates system that protects the high street, supports investment, and is fit for the 21st century. We plan to introduce permanently lower business rates for retail, hospitality, and leisure properties with a rateable value under £500,000.  We have also reduced alcohol duty on qualifying draught beer products, saving the sector over £85 million annually. The Government is also working to reduce barriers to growth for businesses, including those in the hospitality sector by streamlining the licensing system. For example, in April, we launched the Licensing Taskforce to guide reforms. As part of the Small Business Strategy launched at the end of July, a new National Licensing Policy Framework will simplify outdated rules making it easier and more affordable to open and run hospitality venues. We’ve introduced a Hospitality Support Scheme and, in rural areas, £440,000 is being invested to help pubs diversify as community hubs, creating jobs and enhancing the visitor offer - helping to sustain a vibrant hospitality sector that supports the UK’s tourism appeal.

If she will make an estimate of the cost to the public purse of (a) consultations and (b) reviews conducted by her Department since 4 July 2024.

The information requested is not centrally held in an easily accessible form as there are no expenditure categories that just cover consultations or reviews.Due to this any response could only be collated and verified for the purposes of answering this question at disproportionate cost.

Media and Sport, if she will publish a regional tourism strategy for the east-west rail corridor.

East West Rail (EWR) will improve connectivity and drive economic growth, enabling people to travel easily and sustainably to the wide variety of existing and proposed tourist destinations along the route. The improved connectivity that EWR will provide, including its key interchanges with the UK’s major railway lines, will bring visitor attractions in Oxford, Bletchley, Milton Keynes, Bedford and Cambridge within easier reach for people living both in and outside the region. The relevant local authorities, Local Visitor Economy Partnerships (LVEPs) and the EWR Company will work together, engaging with relevant stakeholders (including residents, businesses and cultural institutions), to ensure that opportunities for tourism are considered and developed through the project. Opportunities would then be captured in the relevant Destination Management Plans and Growth Plans for the regions concerned. The Government is committed to supporting the sector through the forthcoming Visitor Economy Growth Plan. This will set out a long term plan to increase visitor numbers to the UK and ensure more of these visitors reach our unique regional destinations, of which improved connectivity is a key driver.

Communities and Local Government, if he will make an estimate of the number of homes on brownfield land granted planning permission since 4 July 2024.

My Department publishes the number of planning applications for dwellings granted and refused per quarter by local authority in the PS2 open data file in our quarterly planning application statistics release. It can be found on gov.uk here. The number of applications on brownfield land is not collected.