Written questions by Miller.

Whether his Department has made an assessment of the potential impact of US policies made between 20 January 2017 and 20 January 2021 on UK exporters.

The UK government is committed to monitoring US policies and considering what action is best to promote and safeguard UK business interests.Between January 2017 and January 2021, we engaged the US administration extensively on a range of US policies, including in the context of UK-US FTA negotiations. Beyond 2021, we have continued engaging with the US to improve access to the US market for UK exporters, including by securing the removal of Section 232 tariffs on steel and aluminium products.

Whether his Department has made an assessment of the potential impact of US policies in relation to renewable energy between 20 January 2017 and 20 January 2021 on the UK's renewable energy commitments.

BEIS has, and DESNZ continues to, assess the implications of international policy on the UK. The Department works on the basis of its legislative commitment to combating climate change and meeting the UK's Carbon Budgets

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether he has had discussions with the US Ambassador on comments about Ministers by members of the incoming US Administration.

We thank US Ambassador Jane Hartley for her years of service to furthering the UK-US relationship before her departure from the UK. The Foreign Secretary last met with the Ambassador on 5 December. They discussed a range of issues relating to the UK-US relationship.

What discussions he has had with his European counterparts on international climate commitments since 5 November 2024.

This Government believes that we can only ensure climate security for further generations in the UK if we lead globally. Secretary of State has had a range of engagements with European counterparts on international climate commitments, including at COP29.

Whether she has made an assessment of the potential merits of revising sentencing guidelines to protect the right to protest.

The right to peacefully protest is a cornerstone of our democracy. It is a long-standing tradition in this country that people are able to gather together and to express a point of view, provided that they do so within the law. The Government is fully committed to protecting and preserving that right.Sentencing guidelines are developed by the independent Sentencing Council for England and Wales, in fulfilment of its statutory duty to do so. The guidelines produced provide the Court with guidance on factors that should be considered, which may affect the sentence given. They set out different levels of sentence based on the harm caused and how culpable the offender is.As an independent body, the Council decides its own work plan and priorities. The Lord Chancellor or the Court of Appeal can ask the Council to consider producing or revising guidelines in a particular area, but the Council is not required to agree to any such requests.The definitive guidelines on the sentencing of public order offences were issued by the Council on 25 September 2019 and came into force on 1 January 2020. The Council is currently developing guidelines for additional public order offences.

Whether she has had discussions with Cabinet colleagues on the property price limit on Help to Buy ISAs.

This Government is committed to helping first time buyers own their own home, and will do this by building 1.5 million more homes.The Government keeps savings policy under review, any changes of this kind would be made at a relevant fiscal event.

What assessment he has made of the adequacy of the proposed community financial benefit from the Botley West Solar Scheme; and if he will introduce a mandatory minimum level of community benefit from new renewable schemes.

There is currently no legal obligation for developers in the UK to provide community benefits However, in the Clean Power Action Plan, we have made clear that in the future where communities host clean energy infrastructure, we will ensure they benefit from it. There are many options in this area including community funds and direct support for households, and we are exploring all options to ensure communities can benefit from our clean power mission. We hope to have more to say on this in due course.

What assessment his Department has made of the potential merits of extending the eligibility of Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation recommendations to include people over 79.

The Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) is the United Kingdom’s expert committee that advises the Government on immunisations programmes. In line with JCVI’s advice, the respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) vaccination programme for adults turning 75 years old began on 1 September 2024 in England, alongside a one-off catch-up programme to rapidly vaccinate all those already aged 75 to 79 years old. The JCVI considered that there was less certainty about how well the vaccine works in people aged 80 years old and older, as there were not enough people of this age in the clinical trials to be able to see if the vaccines are protective in this age band. The Department will consider any further JCVI advice on who should be offered an RSV immunisation as the committee continues to keep the evidence under review. A phased expansion of the eligible cohort for the routine shingles vaccination programme began in September 2023. The programme currently includes those aged 50 years old and over who are at increased risk of serious complications, and those turning 65 years old on or after 1 September 2023, as well as those turning 70 years old, as was previously the case. In November 2024, the JCVI provided advice to the Department on eligibility for the shingles vaccination programme. This included advice that the Government should consider expanding the shingles vaccination offer to include older adult cohorts aged 80 years old and over. The Department will consider this advice when setting the policy on who should be offered shingles vaccinations.

What steps her Department is taking to clear backlogs for driving licence renewal.

There are no backlogs in driving licence renewal applications, which are being processed within published turnaround times.The Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA)’s online services are the quickest and easiest way to renew a driving licence, with customers receiving their licence within a few days of a successful online application.Driving licence applications where a medical condition must be investigated before a licence can be issued can take longer depending on the medical condition(s) involved and whether further information is required from third parties, for example doctors, other healthcare professionals or the applicant themselves.

What assessment his Department has made of the potential merits of prioritising immunosuppressed children for eligibility of Covid-19 vaccinations.

The independent Joint Committee for Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) advises the Department on the approach to vaccination and immunisation. In line with advice from the JCVI, individuals aged six months and over who are immunosuppressed are eligible for a COVID-19 vaccination in the autumn 2024 programme.On 13 November 2024, the JCVI published advice on the COVID-19 vaccination programme in 2025 and spring 2026. This advice is available at the following link:https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/covid-19-vaccination-in-2025-and-spring-2026-jcvi-advice/jcvi-statement-on-covid-19-vaccination-in-2025-and-spring-2026On 12 December the Government accepted the JCVI’s advice on spring 2025, including that individuals aged six months and over who are immunosuppressed should be eligible for vaccination in spring 2025.The Government is carefully considering the advice from the JCVI on COVID-19 vaccination for autumn 2025 and spring 2026, and will respond in due course.

What assessment his Department has made of the potential merits of including people with post-Covid syndrome in the list of people qualified for an autumn booster vaccine.

The Government is committed to protecting those most vulnerable to COVID-19 through vaccination, as guided by the independent Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI). The JCVI stated in its advice for the autumn 2024 COVID-19 vaccination programme that there remains considerable uncertainty regarding the impact of additional vaccine doses, beyond the primary vaccination, on the risk, progression, and outcome of post-COVID syndromes. The JCVI advised that better data is needed on the impact of additional vaccine doses on the occurrence and severity of post-COVID syndromes in the current era of Omicron sub-variants of the COVID-19 virus, and high population immunity. This advice is available at the following link:https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/covid-19-autumn-2024-vaccination-programme-jcvi-advice-8-april-2024/jcvi-statement-on-the-covid-19-vaccination-programme-for-autumn-2024-8-april-2024On 13 November 2024, the JCVI published advice on the COVID-19 vaccination programme in spring 2025, autumn 2025 and spring 2026. This advice is available at the following link:https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/covid-19-vaccination-in-2025-and-spring-2026-jcvi-advice/jcvi-statement-on-covid-19-vaccination-in-2025-and-spring-2026#:~:text=the%20JCVI%20webpage.-,Advice%20on%20vaccination%20in%20spring%202025,care%20home%20for%20older%20adultsThe Government has accepted the JCVI’s advice on eligibility for the spring 2025 COVID-19 vaccination programme. The Government is considering the advice for autumn 2025 and spring 2026 carefully, and will respond in due course.

What steps his Department is taking to help ensure timely (a) approval and (b) delivery of Novavax vaccine for immunosuppressed people.

The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency has now approved an adapted version of the Nuvaxovid COVID-19 vaccine that targets the Omicron JN.1 COVID-19 subvariant. The press release is available at the following link: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/mhra-approves-adapted-nuvaxovid-jn1-covid-19-vaccines-for-adults-and-children-aged-12-plus The UK Health Security Agency is unable to comment on any ongoing procurement activity for future campaigns due to commercial sensitivities.

What assessment his Department has made of the potential merits of providing free covid-19 vaccinations for carers.

The Government is committed to protecting those most vulnerable to COVID-19 through vaccination, as guided by the independent Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI). On 13 November 2024, the JCVI published advice on the COVID-19 vaccination programme covering vaccination in 2025 and spring 2026. This advice is available at the following link:https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/covid-19-vaccination-in-2025-and-spring-2026-jcvi-advice/jcvi-statement-on-covid-19-vaccination-in-2025-and-spring-2026#:~:text=the%20JCVI%20webpage.-,Advice%20on%20vaccination%20in%20spring%202025,care%20home%20for%20older%20adultsThe Government is considering this advice carefully and will respond in due course.

Pursuant to the Answer of 25 November 2024 to Question 15154 on Campsfield House Immigration Removal Centre, what review process was undertaken by her Department on the commercial agreement with Galliford Try for Phase 1 of the Campsfield House Immigration Removal Centre design and build arrangement, signed on 29 May 2024.

Detention plays a key role in maintaining effective immigration controls and securing the UK’s borders, particularly in connection with the removal of people who have no right to remain in the UK but who refuse to leave voluntarily. The immigration removal estate is kept under review to ensure that the Home Office has sufficient resilience, geographical footprint and capacity for those men and women it is necessary to detain for the purposes of removal, while providing value for money. We are increasing detention spaces to support a higher pace of removals, including reopening Campsfield House Immigration Removal Centre (IRC). This increase will ensure there is additional capacity to facilitate higher levels of enforcement and returns so that rules are properly respected. Development of Campsfield is being undertaken in two phases. A competition for the Phase 1 constructor was conducted between suppliers, using the Strategic Alliance framework, on a “Most Economically Advantageous Tender” basis, which considers both quality and costs. As part of the contracting process, tenders were reviewed by subject matter experts to assess quality, and the costs of the contract were assured by a third-party cost consultant appointed by the Home Office and independent of the constructor. The commercial arrangements also underwent scrutiny via a multi stage approval process including the Home Office’s Commercial Assurance Board, Migration and Borders Transformation Programme Board, and departmental Investment Committee, with final approval by Cabinet Office Spend Controls. The Home Office is committed to ensuring value for money on all IRC sites, and costs are refined during the planning process and once contractors have been onboarded. The Home Office does not comment on service provider procurement exercises, which are commercially sensitive. However, contracts are published upon the Contracts Finder website, once awarded.

Pursuant to the Answer of 25 November 2024 to Question 15050 on Campsfield House Immigration Removal Centre, what assessment her Department has made of the cost-effectiveness of (a) Campsfield House and (b) other immigration removal centres.

Detention plays a key role in maintaining effective immigration controls and securing the UK’s borders, particularly in connection with the removal of people who have no right to remain in the UK but who refuse to leave voluntarily. The immigration removal estate is kept under review to ensure that the Home Office has sufficient resilience, geographical footprint and capacity for those men and women it is necessary to detain for the purposes of removal, while providing value for money. We are increasing detention spaces to support a higher pace of removals, including reopening Campsfield House Immigration Removal Centre (IRC). This increase will ensure there is additional capacity to facilitate higher levels of enforcement and returns so that rules are properly respected. Development of Campsfield is being undertaken in two phases. A competition for the Phase 1 constructor was conducted between suppliers, using the Strategic Alliance framework, on a “Most Economically Advantageous Tender” basis, which considers both quality and costs. As part of the contracting process, tenders were reviewed by subject matter experts to assess quality, and the costs of the contract were assured by a third-party cost consultant appointed by the Home Office and independent of the constructor. The commercial arrangements also underwent scrutiny via a multi stage approval process including the Home Office’s Commercial Assurance Board, Migration and Borders Transformation Programme Board, and departmental Investment Committee, with final approval by Cabinet Office Spend Controls. The Home Office is committed to ensuring value for money on all IRC sites, and costs are refined during the planning process and once contractors have been onboarded. The Home Office does not comment on service provider procurement exercises, which are commercially sensitive. However, contracts are published upon the Contracts Finder website, once awarded.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, with reference to his oral response of 26 November 2024, Official Report column 631, what the terms of reference are for the review of the enforcement of sanctions; who is conducting it; when it was commissioned; when it will report; and whether he plans to publish the results.

I launched a cross-Government review of sanctions enforcement at the first Small Ministerial Group in October. The review is examining whether we have the right powers, approach, capacity and resourcing on policy, implementation and enforcement, with an urgent focus on strengthening the latter. It is being led by the FCDO in collaboration with key sanctions Departments. We will update Parliament as the review progresses.

With reference to her oral statement on Border Security and Asylum of 22 July 2024, Official Report, column 384, what assessment her Department has made of the cost effectiveness of (a) Campsfield House Immigration Removal Centre and (b) other immigration removal centres for tackling illegal migration.

Detention plays a key role in maintaining effective immigration controls and securing the UK’s borders, particularly in connection with the removal of people who have no right to remain in the UK but who refuse to leave voluntarily. The immigration removal estate is kept under review to ensure that the Home Office has sufficient resilience, geographical footprint and capacity for those men and women it is necessary to detain for the purposes of removal, while providing value for money. We are increasing detention spaces to support a higher pace of removals, including reopening Campsfield House Immigration Removal Centre (IRC). This increase will ensure there is additional capacity to facilitate higher levels of enforcement and returns so that rules are properly respected. Development of Campsfield is being undertaken in two phases. A competition for the Phase 1 constructor was conducted between suppliers, using the Strategic Alliance framework, on a “Most Economically Advantageous Tender” basis, which considers both quality and costs. As part of the contracting process, tenders were reviewed by subject matter experts to assess quality, and the costs of the contract were assured by a third-party cost consultant appointed by the Home Office and independent of the constructor. The commercial arrangements also underwent scrutiny via a multi stage approval process including the Home Office’s Commercial Assurance Board, Migration and Borders Transformation Programme Board, and departmental Investment Committee, with final approval by Cabinet Office Spend Controls. The Home Office is committed to ensuring value for money on all IRC sites, and costs are refined during the planning process and once contractors have been onboarded. The Home Office does not comment on service provider procurement exercises, which are commercially sensitive. However, contracts are published upon the Contracts Finder website, once awarded.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, with reference to his oral contribution in response to the question from the hon. Member for Bicester and Woodstock on 26 November 2024, Official Report, column 631, what the value is of fines that have been (a) levied and (b) paid following a breach of sanctions in relation to oil exports from Russia since 5 February 2023.

The Government is committed to strengthening sanctions enforcement. I launched a cross-Government review to ensure we have the right powers, approach, capacity and resourcing on sanctions enforcement. The Office of Financial Sanctions Implementation is the UK's competent authority responsible for the implementation of the UK's ban on the maritime transportation of Russian oil and oil products and associated services. The Department for Business and Trade implemented the UK ban of Russian oil and oil products and HMRC are responsible for its enforcement. No fines have been issued for violations of either measure. The Foreign Secretary recently announced a new wave of sanctions to choke Russian oil revenues: [https://www.gov.uk/government/news/uk-imposes-new-wave-of-sanctions-choking-russian-oil-revenues-with-foreign-secretary-arriving-in-italy-for-g7]

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, when he plans to publish the Human Rights and Democracy Report 2023.

This Government is firmly committed to the protection and promotion of human rights around the world, and to reporting publicly on its actions. The FCDO's 2023 Annual Human Rights and Democracy report has been delayed due to the change of Government.

Whether she plans to publish the findings of the review into the Tier 1 (Investor) visa route.

The Written Ministerial Statement of 12 January 2023, laid by the former Home Secretary, the Rt Hon Suella Braverman MP, provided the findings of the review into the Tier 1 (Investor) visa.