Written questions by Zeichner.

Whether she has considered the potential merits of commissioning an independent review of the student visa decision-making process within UK Visas and Immigration.

Awaiting answer.

What mechanisms exist to ensure accountability for decision-making within UK Visas and Immigration.

Awaiting answer.

What steps he is taking to help reduce levels of dependence on international fossil fuel markets.

Since coming to office this government has secured enough renewables in our two record breaking auctions to power the equivalent of 23 million homes and embarked on the biggest nuclear building programme in half a century. Only by going further and faster in building clean homegrown power can we reduce our level of dependence on fossil fuel markets.

With reference to the report by the East of England APPG and Local Government East entitled, Opportunity East: One Year On, published in November 2025, what assessment he has made of the potential contribution of East of England to clean energy generation.

The Government recognises the East of England’s contribution to clean energy generation and the Clean Power 2030 mission. It is the home of Sizewell C. The region has also secured the highest offshore wind capacity allocation in AR7, with just over 6GW, driven by the large-scale Dogger Bank South and Norfolk Vanguard developments, building on an existing 3.7GW of offshore wind capacity.

What assessment she has made of the implications for her policies of the report by the East of England APPG and Local Government East, published on 25 November 2025, entitled Opportunity East: One Year On; and what recent assessment she has made of trends in the level of (a) contribution to the public purse from the East of England and (b) economic growth potential in that area.

The government’s approach to regional growth will drive growth in city regions, towns and communities and make the most of the opportunities in each part of the country, to make everyone better off. The government recognises the vital contribution the East of England makes to the wider UK economy and the significant growth the region has achieved.Opportunity East: One Year On makes a strong case for the East of England and the role it can play in driving growth and prosperity, and we welcome the efforts of the APPG and Local Government East in raising the profile of the region and highlighting its great potential. We will consider the report with interest as we take forward our mission to kickstart growth across the country.

If he will make an assessment of the potential implications for his policies of the East of England APPG and Local Government East's report entitled Opportunity East One Year On, published on 19 November 2025.

Opportunity East: One Year On makes a strong case for the role of the East of England in driving growth and prosperity. We welcome the efforts of the APPG and Local Government East in raising the profile of the region and highlighting its great potential. Within the last year, the Department for Business and Trade has considered the report's recommendations in the development of the Industrial Strategy, sector plans and infrastructure priorities.The Department will continue to work with regional partners to address barriers to investment, including housing delivery, infrastructure capacity and skills, to unlock the region's economic opportunities.

If she will make an assessment of the potential implications for her policies of the East of England APPG and Local Government East's report entitled Opportunity East One Year On, published on 19 November 2025.

The Government welcomes the Opportunity East One Year On report. To support the region, the Chancellor unveiled the OxCam Growth Corridor last year which has the potential to boost the economy by up to £78bn by 2035. This initiative is supported by East-West Rail, which will provide faster journeys between Oxford and Cambridge and unlock up to 100,000 new homes. During the Spending Review period, the Department will provide Cambridgeshire & Peterborough with £31.8 million to promote buses and £24.9 million to promote active travel schemes. This funding will support local residents to access jobs, education and services.

Communities and Local Government, if he will make an assessment of the potential implications for his policies of the East of England APPG and Local Government East's report entitled Opportunity East One Year On, published on 19 November 2025.

Opportunity East: One Year On makes a strong case for the East of England and the role it can play in driving growth and prosperity, and we welcome the efforts of the APPG and Local Government East in raising the profile of the region and highlighting its great potential. We will consider the report with interest as we take forward our mission to kickstart growth across the country.

Food and Rural Affairs, if she will make an assessment of the potential implications for her policies of the East of England APPG and Local Government East's report entitled Opportunity East One Year On, published on 19 November 2025.

Opportunity East: One Year On makes a strong case for the East of England and the role it can play in driving growth and prosperity, and we welcome the efforts of the APPG and Local Government East in raising the profile of the region and highlighting its great potential. We will consider the report with interest as we take forward our mission to kickstart growth across the country.

What steps she is taking to ensure that English language testing has (a) high standards and (b) testing integrity.

We set high standards in all our services and the current English Language Testing Service is no exception, with Commercial expertise and OFQUAL regulation as well as day to day oversight and monitoring by a dedicated contract management team. Where issues are identified, we do not hesitate to act and we work with suppliers on a daily basis to monitor, manage and improve the service.As part of the Home Office English Language Testing Procurement, we have engaged the market to understand what capability is available to maintain and enhance the highest standards of security and integrity and be innovative in our delivery, harnessing technology and industry best practice. These standards will be assessed as part of the procurement process and assured during implementation by rigorous technical testing and subject matter experts.

What steps her Department is taking to help ensure that English language immigration requirements are strengthened in the context of proposals to move English language testing for immigration purposes to a remotely proctored system.

The proposals contained within the Immigration White Paper 2025 will be delivered over the course of this Parliament, including new English Language Requirements.The Home Office is committed to maintaining the highest standards of security and integrity in our immigration system whilst modernising services for legitimate applicants. The new service will enhance existing arrangements via robust and consistent identity management, increased monitoring of test takers and activity that is underpinned by stringent security and cyber security requirements. Detecting and combatting existing and emerging threats is at the centre of this service.

Innovation and Technology, whether she has had recent discussions with the Secretary of State for the Home Department on proposals to move English language testing for immigration purposes to a digital by default approach.

The Home Office English Language Testing (HOELT) programme team have had preliminary scoping conversations with the Department of Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT) Commercial Innovation Hub, including the Government Digital Service prior to launch of the live procurement.

Innovation and Technology, what assessment has been made of the potential impact of UK copyright laws in relation to AI on the commercialisation of scientific research, including public-private collaborations with the NHS and universities.

The government consulted on several topics relating to the interaction between copyright and artificial intelligence (AI). We have carefully analysed the responses and continue to engage extensively on this issue, including through technical working groups.The government published a progress update on 16 December 2025 and will publish a report on the use of copyright works in the development of AI systems, and economic impact assessment, by 18 March 2026.

Food and Rural Affairs, how much Western Mackerel has been (a) caught, (b) landed in UK ports and (c) landed in ports outside the UK; and what is the estimated first hand sale value.

It is not possible to separate landings of Western mackerel from total mackerel landings in the UK Sea Fisheries statistics published by the Marine Management Organisation. In 2024, the last full year of landings data available, quota for Western mackerel accounted for 99% of the UK’s total mackerel quota and (a) UK vessels landed 233,586t of mackerel, (b) 127,967t of mackerel was landed into UK ports by UK and foreign vessels and (c) UK vessels landed 111,061t into non-UK ports. The first-hand sale value for mackerel landed by UK vessels was £1,468 per tonne in 2024. Mackerel prices have increased in 2025 – provisional figures suggest in November this year the sale value is £2,076 per tonne.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, pursuant to the Answer of 12 November 2025 to Question 85800, if she will publish a formal response to the International Court of Justice’s advisory opinion of 19 July 2024 on the legal consequences of Israel’s occupation of the Palestinian territories.

I refer the Hon Member to the previous answer cited in his question.

Food and Rural Affairs, whether she has made and assessment of the potential merits of re-auditing seabed habitats in Marine Protected Areas.

Defra is undertaking a review of the English Marine Protected Area network to look at whether sites are in the right places with the right protection. The review will explore ways to update protection and management approaches to better address the nature crisis and improve climate change resilience, while supporting wider Government priorities including food security and net zero. The review includes assessing sites that have been designated for seabed habitats.

Food and Rural Affairs, whether her department (a) conducted a review of the reliability of its data on seabed habitats in Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) before announcing proposed fisheries management measures in Stage 3 MPAs, and (b) will publish the review’s conclusions.

Drawing on the best scientific advice available, the Marine Management Organisation (MMO) has determined that management of fishing activities is required to protect our Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) and to ensure compliance with our domestic and international legal obligations. As part of the consultation on proposed byelaws for stage 3 MPAs, fisheries assessments were published for each site based on scientific advice from Natural England and the Joint Nature Conservation Committee and using evidence on the impacts of fishing gears on protected seabed habitats. This was supplemented by a call for evidence earlier in the process. The consultation closed on 29 September and the MMO is now analysing the very large number of responses received, including any additional evidence on benthic habitats.

Food and Rural Affairs, if her department will conduct a full benthic audit of seabed habitats in the 41 Stage 3 Marine Protected Areas before designating new fisheries management measures.

Drawing on the best scientific advice available, the Marine Management Organisation (MMO) has determined that management of fishing activities is required to protect our Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) and to ensure compliance with our domestic and international legal obligations. As part of the consultation on proposed byelaws for stage 3 MPAs, fisheries assessments were published for each site based on scientific advice from Natural England and the Joint Nature Conservation Committee and using evidence on the impacts of fishing gears on protected seabed habitats. This was supplemented by a call for evidence earlier in the process. The consultation closed on 29 September and the MMO is now analysing the very large number of responses received, including any additional evidence on benthic habitats.

What steps he is taking to ensure that UK technology companies working with Israeli companies in the (a) defence and (b) surveillance sectors comply with UK (i) human rights and (ii) export control policies.

Where an item, including technology, is specified in the UK’s Strategic Export Control list, its export or transfer by electronic means is subject to export control. Exporters of such items must seek an export licence from the Export Control Joint Unit (ECJU), who assess applications against the Strategic Export Licensing Criteria.These criteria include ‘respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms’, and consideration of where there is a clear risk an export may be used to commit or facilitate internal repression, or a serious breach of international humanitarian law.All licences are kept under careful and continual review as standard. We are able to suspend, refuse or revoke licences as circumstances require.

Whether he plans to (a) review or (b) update his Department's guidance to UK businesses on trade with entities based in the West Bank following the Government’s recognition of the State of Palestine.

The Overseas Business Risk service provides information on various risks in overseas markets. The Government keeps this advice, available on gov.uk, under constant review. We intend these pages to support and guide businesses alongside other sources of information, and the UK government does not advise on or undertake due diligence for individual companies.