Written questions by Hanna.

What discussions he has had with his counterparts in the Home Office and Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office on extending medical evacuation support to people currently in Gaza requiring access to urgent or serious medical treatment who have families based in the UK.

On 25 July 2025, the Prime Minister announced that the United Kingdom was taking immediate steps to alleviate the humanitarian situation, including getting injured children out of Gaza and into British hospitals. 50 children and their immediate families have been evacuated from Gaza to the UK as part of the UK Government led process. Participation in the UKG Gaza Medevacs is solely through the World Health Organization supported process and UKG will not consider direct requests for assistance. Outside of the UKG Gaza Medevacs process those wishing to come to the UK from Gaza should do so under the existing immigration rules.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what steps she has taken in response to the situation in Iran.

I refer the Hon Member to the Foreign Secretary's statement to the House on 13 January, and to my responses in the Urgent Question debate on 19 January.

What discussions she has had with Cabinet colleagues on making provisions for Iranians seeking asylum in the UK.

We are continuing to interview and decide asylum and human rights claims from Iranian nationals. Each claim continues to be assessed on its individual merits. The UK has experience in managing fastmoving country situations, and the current circumstances in Iran are not unique in that regard. The Home Office will continue to monitor developments closely and update relevant country information as appropriate.

What assessment she has made of the adequacy of services for processing of asylum claims from Somali nationals.

The Home Office provides a variety of services to facilitate the processing of all asylum claims, irrespective of nationality. This includes provision of interpreters, interviewing officers, decision makers, and legal representation on an entitlement basis. We have a legal obligation, as set out in the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999, to support asylum seekers (including any dependants) who would otherwise be destitute, with support payments and accommodation. No separate assessment of the adequacy of services for processing of asylum claims from Somali nationals has been completed. We signpost to additional sources of support and advice as appropriate, including via the Asylum Safeguarding Hub. The Information booklet about your asylum application is provided to all asylum claimants and includes both telephone numbers and website addresses of various organisations that assist asylum seekers with specific needs. Migrant Help are also funded to provide independent support and advice to all asylum claimants about the asylum process in the UK and accessing relevant services.

What her Department’s policy is on managing applications from Syrians who entered the UK under the Syrian Vulnerable Persons Resettlement Scheme.

On 14 July 2025, we published updated country information which enabled decision making to resume on Syrian asylum and settlement protection claims. Where an applicant arrived in the UK via the Vulnerable Persons Resettlement Scheme, we will proceed straight to considering a grant of indefinite leave to remain in the UK. Claimants will be required to meet the relevant validity (i.e. apply on the relevant form and establish their identity) and suitability requirements (i.e. consideration of any criminals' convictions) of the settlement protection policy.

Innovation and Technology, how much funding Ofcom has received year on year since the implementation of the Online Safety Act 2023; the current number of staff allocated to leading investigations; and what assessment she has made of whether the current level of funding adequately meets the need and demand of developments in technologies and their harms.

Ofcom has received approximately £281.3 million in online safety funding since 2020, including a projected £92 million for 2025/26, up from £71 million in 2024/25. This uplift reflects Ofcom’s increased duties as implementation of the Act progresses. In 2025/26, Ofcom has 556 Full-time equivalent staff working on online safety across its teams. Its staffing model allows resources to be deployed dynamically across teams to meet evolving demands.

What assessment she has made of the potential merits of recommencement of processing settlement applications from Syrians.

On 14 July 2025, we published updated country information which enabled decision making to resume on Syrian asylum and settlement protection claims. Where an applicant arrived in the UK via the Vulnerable Persons Resettlement Scheme, we will proceed straight to considering a grant of indefinite leave to remain in the UK. Claimants will be required to meet the relevant validity (i.e. apply on the relevant form and establish their identity) and suitability requirements (i.e. consideration of any criminals' convictions) of the settlement protection policy.

What methods are available to allow Syrians who arrived under the Syrian Vulnerable Persons Resettlement Scheme to demonstrate their (a) right to (i) work and (ii) study in the UK and (b) recourse to public funds.

Syrians resettled under the Syrian Vulnerable Persons Resettlement Scheme (VPRS) were granted permission to work and recourse to public funds on arrival in the UK.The UK has transitioned to a fully digital immigration system, replacing physical documents such as Biometric Residence Permits (BRPs) and visa vignettes with eVisas, which now serve as the primary proof of immigration status.An eVisa shows an individual’s identity and immigration status, including right to work, rent or access public funds.Individuals use their UKVI account to generate a share code to prove their status to employers, landlords or carriers, including when travelling.

If he will publish the UK-US pharmaceutical deal.

In December 2025 we agreed a landmark deal with the US that results in 0% tariffs on pharmaceutical exports to the US for 3 years – the lowest rate offered to any country. As you’d expect, there will now be further work to finalise underpinning details. Costs will start smaller but will increase over time as the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) approves more life improving and lifesaving medicines. Total costs over the spending review period are expected to be around £1bn. The final costs will depend on which medicines NICE decides to approve and the actual uptake of these.

Innovation and Technology, what assessment she has made of setting a minimum age of 16 for access to social media.

On 20 January, the government announced a short, swift consultation on further measures to keep children safe online, building on the Online Safety Act. While there is consensus that more action is needed, there is not yet consensus on what form that action should take.The consultation will be accompanied by a national conversation, putting children and parents at the heart of this issue. It will seek views on a range of measures, including what the right minimum age for children to access social media is, as well as explore a ban for children under a certain age. We will also look closely at Australia and their ban on social media for under 16s.The government is clear that it will act quickly and robustly to deal with concerns that are being raised.

Innovation and Technology, with reference to the Written Statement of 12 January 2026 on Social Media: Non-consensual Sexual Deepfakes, whether the changes announced will apply to Northern Ireland.

The Technology Secretary announced on 12 January that the offence criminalising the creation of non-consensual intimate images would be commenced as a matter of urgency. This offence will apply in England and Wales. Scotland and Northern Ireland have their own, separate offences for dealing with image-based abuse.It was also announced that the offence would be made a priority offence under the Online Safety Act (OSA), meaning that services will need to take steps to prevent this content appearing online and swiftly remove it if it does. The OSA applies to any relevant service that is ‘linked to the UK’.

What assessment his Department has made of the potential implications for its policies of a) the findings and b) recommendations of the Windsor Framework Article 2: Enforcement and Remedies paper produced by the Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission, on 16 December 2025.

I commend the Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission for their continued, important work in upholding human rights protections in Northern Ireland. This includes in their role as part of the Dedicated Mechanism, along with the Equality Commission for Northern Ireland, in monitoring the implementation of Article 2 of the Windsor Framework, for which they receive dedicated funding. The Government welcomes this report and is considering its findings. The interpretation and application of Article 2 of the Windsor Framework is currently being considered by the Supreme Court in Dillon and others. The Government awaits the court’s judgment.

What recent discussions he has had with relevant stakeholders on Northern Ireland's place in the EU Custom’s Union in relation to charges incurred when sending parcels from NI, to Europe, via GB postal services.

Northern Ireland is an integral part of the United Kingdom’s internal market and customs territory. Ministers and officials speak regularly with stakeholders regarding the implementation of the Windsor Framework, including arrangements for parcels. Dual market access ensures that goods can move between Northern Ireland and the EU without the need for customs declarations or duty, including goods moving through Great Britain.

What actions his Department have taken to enhance public education on the extent of protections EU Law continues to provide in Northern Ireland, under the Windsor framework.

The Government is firmly committed to Article 2 of the Windsor Framework, which ensures no diminution of rights, safeguards and equality of opportunity protections set out in the relevant chapter of the Good Friday Agreement.The Dedicated Mechanism monitors, advises and reports on this commitment, receiving funding from the UK Government for this purpose. It also has a duty to promote understanding and awareness of the importance of Article 2 of the Windsor Framework. The UK Government acknowledges the vital role of the Dedicated Mechanism in upholding equalities and human rights protections in Northern Ireland and continues to work with it to ensure these protections are enforced.

If he will outline the role of the Cabinet Secretary in relation to the civil service code.

As set out in the Constitutional Reform and Governance Act 2010, the Minister for the Civil Service (the Prime Minister) is responsible for the Civil Service Code. As Head of the Civil Service, the Cabinet Secretary is the Prime Minister’s most senior policy adviser, including in relation to the Civil Service Code.

If she would publish the (a) dates and (b) names of the institutions in which Brian Nelson served his sentence after his conviction in 1974.

This information is not held by the Home Office.

What steps her Department is taking to reduce the time taken to process certificate of sponsorship applications.

It is the responsibility of individual businesses to monitor the visa expiry dates of their overseas employees and to take appropriate action to ensure continuity of employment. The published service standard for non-complex Undefined Certificate of Sponsorship (UCoS) allocations and renewals is 18 weeks, as outlined on GOV.UK. Businesses may also opt to use the priority service, which aims to process requests within 5 working days. Responsibility for submitting timely applications or updates lies with the sponsoring business. Where necessary, the Home Office conducts additional checks to maintain the integrity of the immigration system, which may delay the processing of applications to assure ourselves that requests are genuine and full-time work and employment will be given to a prospective employee, for their own protection. UK visa sponsorship for employers: Your responsibilities - GOV.UK(opens in a new tab) The Home Office is currently operating within the published service standards for all Sponsorship applications and keeps all service offerings under review.

Whether people living in the UK on family visas will be exempt from the sustained economic contribution requirement under proposed changes to earned settlement.

The new earned settlement model is currently subject to an ongoing public consultation, due to conclude on 12 February 2026. Details of the earned settlement model will be finalised following that consultation.

Media and Sport, what discussions she has had with the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland on ensuring greater prominence of TG4 on Freeview.

Following representations made by TG4 and by Irish Ministers, we are considering whether to extend prominence for TG4 services broadcasting in Northern Ireland.We are discussing the request with the Northern Ireland Office and other Cabinet colleagues and will make a statement on this early in the new year.

Whether the Northern Ireland Department of Finance Minister has submitted fiscal devolution plans to her Department in this current Stormont mandate.

HM Treasury and Northern Ireland Executive Ministers have regular discussions. The Northern Ireland Executive’s Interim Fiscal Framework published in May 2024 stated that a full Fiscal Framework would consider the principles of fiscal devolution. The scope and scale of the full Fiscal Framework will be subject to agreement between the UK Government and the Northern Ireland Executive.