Every parliamentary written question tabled by Gavin Williamson this session, with the full answer and department. Back to the MP page.
Showing 41–60 of 108 · this parliament
What information his Department holds on whether Jeffrey Epstein helped set up meetings between his Department and JP Morgan on the sale of Sempra Commodities.
Any such information is not readily available and could only be obtained at disproportionate cost.
Whether her Department holds correspondence between Jeffrey Epstein and former Ministers in her Department on the sale of Sempra Commodities.
Public records of HM Treasury ministerial meetings are available from May 2010 onwards. HM Treasury has also conducted a proportionate search of its archives for the relevant period and has found no evidence of correspondence or meetings between Jeffrey Epstein and Treasury ministers, or any Treasury officials, in relation to this sale, or on any other matter.
What information her Department holds on meetings between Jeffrey Epstein and former Ministers from her Department.
Public records of HM Treasury ministerial meetings are available from May 2010 onwards. HM Treasury has also conducted a proportionate search of its archives for the relevant period and has found no evidence of correspondence or meetings between Jeffrey Epstein and Treasury ministers, or any Treasury officials, in relation to this sale, or on any other matter.
What information her Department holds on whether Jeffrey Epstein helped set up meetings between her Department and JP Morgan on the sale of Sempra Commodities.
Public records of HM Treasury ministerial meetings are available from May 2010 onwards. HM Treasury has also conducted a proportionate search of its archives for the relevant period and has found no evidence of correspondence or meetings between Jeffrey Epstein and Treasury ministers, or any Treasury officials, in relation to this sale, or on any other matter.
Innovation and Technology, what information her Department holds on the reasons for Bloom Procurement Services awarding a departmental contract to Public Digital.
The Department for Science, Innovation and Technology does not hold information on the rationale for Bloom Procurement Services awarding the contract to Public Digital on behalf of the Cabinet Office.
What steps he is taking to ensure that social care providers provide value for money to (a) the public purse and (b) residents.
Under the Care Act 2014, local authorities are tasked with the duty to shape their care markets to meet the diverse needs of all local people. This includes working closely with local providers to achieve a balance of quality, effectiveness and value for money that ensures that people who draw on care have a choice of appropriate and high-quality care services in their local area. To ensure high standards of care, local authorities are assessed by the Care Quality Commission in how well they are delivering their duties under Part 1 of the Care Act 2014.
Whether the Prime Minister’s Chief of Staff met with Lord Mandelson between 4 July 2024 and 11 September 2025.
In line with longstanding process, it would not be appropriate to comment on individual members of staff.
Innovation and Technology, whether the Director General for Digital Centre Design was involved in the procurement process that awarded a departmental contract to Public Digital.
The Department for Science, Innovation and Technology has not awarded any contracts to Public Digital.
If he will publish any official correspondence between Lord Mandelson and the National Security Advisor between 4 July 2024 and 11 September 2025.
The National Security Adviser regularly engages with a range of government stakeholders on national security matters. The Government does not routinely comment on the meetings or correspondence of the National Security Adviser, which are often sensitive due to their national security implications.
If he will publish any official correspondence between Lord Mandelson and the Prime Minister’s Chief of Staff between 4 July 2024 and 11 September 2025.
In line with longstanding process, it would not be appropriate to comment on individual members of staff.
What steps his Department is taking assist councils to reduce the cost of social care.
The Government recognises challenges facing adult social care and is taking action to improve the system and enable more people to live independently for longer. While local authorities are best placed to plan and deliver care and support that meet the current and future needs of their populations, we are supporting them to deliver high quality and person-centred care.In 2025/26, to enable local authorities to deliver key services such as adult social care, we made available up to £3.7 billion of additional funding for social care authorities, which included an £880 million increase in the Social Care Grant. We are providing £172 million across this and the last financial year, for around 15,000 home adaptations.We will support commissioners and care providers to adopt preventative care technologies by introducing new national standards and trusted guidance. To support efficiency and the delivery of care, we are also developing a new national data infrastructure for adult social care to lay the foundations for near real-time visibility of information across health and care services.We have also launched the Independent Commission on Adult Social Care, chaired by Baroness Casey, to lead a national conversation and consider how to best create a fair and affordable adult social care system.
Whether the National Security Advisor met with Lord Mandelson between 4 July 2024 and 11 September 2025.
The National Security Adviser regularly engages with a range of government stakeholders on national security matters. The Government does not routinely comment on the meetings or correspondence of the National Security Adviser, which are often sensitive due to their national security implications.
Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what recent assessment he has made of the security situation in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo.
The UK is committed to supporting a peaceful resolution to the conflict in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). We support the Peace Agreement signed in Washington in June and the Declaration of Principles signed in Doha in July. The Minister for Africa discussed next steps with the US Secretary of State on 21 July and the Qatari Minister of State on 25 July. Continued clashes on the ground highlight the need for sustained peace efforts. On 14 July, the Foreign Secretary spoke with President Tshisekedi, and on 9 July with President Kagame, urging full implementation of the Washington Peace Agreement. The Minister for Africa reinforced this message on 22 July during discussions with the UN Permanent Representatives of Rwanda and DRC. We remain in close contact with regional partners, particularly Uganda, Burundi, Kenya and Togo, and support efforts towards peace by the African Union (AU) and East African Community (EAC) and Southern African Development Community (SADC). The Minister for Africa discussed the conflict with the Ugandan Prime Minister in July and President in April; the British High Commissioner also spoke with the President in July. Highlighting the potential of regional economic integration, on 5 June, the UK convened DRC, Rwanda, Burundi and investors to discuss the Ruzizi III hydropower project.
Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of the conflict in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo on the (a) recruitment and (b) use of child soldiers.
The UK is deeply concerned about the reported increase in human rights violations against children resulting from the conflict in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), including the recruitment and use of children. According to the UN Secretary General's 2025 Annual Report on Children and Armed Conflict (CAAC), in 2024, the UN verified the recruitment and use of 2,365 children in the DRC. We have been clear, including at the UN Human Rights Council on 16 June, that the recruitment and use of children in the conflict in the DRC is unacceptable. The UK continues to call for all children recruited by armed groups to be handed over to child protection actors. All parties to conflict have an obligation under international law to protect children. UK humanitarian programming in eastern DRC delivers life-saving emergency assistance, strengthens community resilience, especially for women and girls, and provides essential nutritional support to children.
Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what support his Department is providing to humanitarian organisations operating in conflict-affected areas of eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo.
The UK remains committed to addressing the humanitarian crisis in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), allocating approximately £60 million this financial year. Much of this funding will support lifesaving humanitarian aid, including food and cash assistance, clean water access, malnutrition treatment, and supporting sexual and reproductive health services alongside United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA). The UK remains engaged diplomatically with DRC, Rwanda, and other partners to promote peace and stability. We continue to urge all parties to uphold International Humanitarian Law, protect women and girls, and ensure humanitarian workers can deliver essential services.
Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what assessment he has made of potential impact of (a) Rwandan forces and (b) its proxies on levels of support for the M23 rebel group in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo.
The UK is committed to supporting a peaceful resolution to the conflict in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). We support the Peace Agreement signed in Washington in June and the Declaration of Principles signed in Doha in July. The Minister for Africa discussed next steps with the US Secretary of State on 21 July and the Qatari Minister of State on 25 July. Continued clashes on the ground highlight the need for sustained peace efforts. On 14 July, the Foreign Secretary spoke with President Tshisekedi, and on 9 July with President Kagame, urging full implementation of the Washington Peace Agreement. The Minister for Africa reinforced this message on 22 July during discussions with the UN Permanent Representatives of Rwanda and DRC. We remain in close contact with regional partners, particularly Uganda, Burundi, Kenya and Togo, and support efforts towards peace by the African Union (AU) and East African Community (EAC) and Southern African Development Community (SADC). The Minister for Africa discussed the conflict with the Ugandan Prime Minister in July and President in April; the British High Commissioner also spoke with the President in July. Highlighting the potential of regional economic integration, on 5 June, the UK convened DRC, Rwanda, Burundi and investors to discuss the Ruzizi III hydropower project.
Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether he has had recent discussions with his counterparts in (a) Rwanda and (b) Uganda on the conflict in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo.
The UK is committed to supporting a peaceful resolution to the conflict in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). We support the Peace Agreement signed in Washington in June and the Declaration of Principles signed in Doha in July. The Minister for Africa discussed next steps with the US Secretary of State on 21 July and the Qatari Minister of State on 25 July. Continued clashes on the ground highlight the need for sustained peace efforts. On 14 July, the Foreign Secretary spoke with President Tshisekedi, and on 9 July with President Kagame, urging full implementation of the Washington Peace Agreement. The Minister for Africa reinforced this message on 22 July during discussions with the UN Permanent Representatives of Rwanda and DRC. We remain in close contact with regional partners, particularly Uganda, Burundi, Kenya and Togo, and support efforts towards peace by the African Union (AU) and East African Community (EAC) and Southern African Development Community (SADC). The Minister for Africa discussed the conflict with the Ugandan Prime Minister in July and President in April; the British High Commissioner also spoke with the President in July. Highlighting the potential of regional economic integration, on 5 June, the UK convened DRC, Rwanda, Burundi and investors to discuss the Ruzizi III hydropower project.
Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what recent discussions his Department has had with the United Nations on the (a) withdrawal and (b) transition of peacekeeping forces from eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo.
The UK regularly engages with the United Nations, including through our Embassy in Kinshasa, our High Commission in Kigali, and our Mission to the United Nations in New York, to discuss the United Nations Organization Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUSCO), including plans for the gradual, responsible and sustainable withdrawal of the mission and the transition of responsibilities to Congolese authorities. The Government of DRC has been clear that further MONUSCO withdrawal phases will only be implemented when conditions on the ground permit.On 23 July, our High Commissioner in Rwanda discussed MONUSCO with the UN Special Envoy to the Great Lakes Region Huang Xia. On 22 July, the UK's Special Envoy for the Great Lakes met with the UN officials to discuss MONUSCO. On 17 July, the UK participated in an International Contact Group for the Great Lakes Region meeting with Special Representative of the Secretary General Bintou Keita and MONUSCO Force Commander Lt. General Ulisses Gomes.
Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what steps his Department is taking to help bring about peace in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo.
The UK is committed to supporting a peaceful resolution to the conflict in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). We support the Peace Agreement signed in Washington in June and the Declaration of Principles signed in Doha in July. The Minister for Africa discussed next steps with the US Secretary of State on 21 July and the Qatari Minister of State on 25 July. Continued clashes on the ground highlight the need for sustained peace efforts. On 14 July, the Foreign Secretary spoke with President Tshisekedi, and on 9 July with President Kagame, urging full implementation of the Washington Peace Agreement. The Minister for Africa reinforced this message on 22 July during discussions with the UN Permanent Representatives of Rwanda and DRC. We remain in close contact with regional partners, particularly Uganda, Burundi, Kenya and Togo, and support efforts towards peace by the African Union (AU) and East African Community (EAC) and Southern African Development Community (SADC). The Minister for Africa discussed the conflict with the Ugandan Prime Minister in July and President in April; the British High Commissioner also spoke with the President in July. Highlighting the potential of regional economic integration, on 5 June, the UK convened DRC, Rwanda, Burundi and investors to discuss the Ruzizi III hydropower project.
What plans his Department has to financially respond to increases in the number of children affected by Valproate in pregnancy.
The Government is carefully considering the work by the Patient Safety Commissioner and her report, which set out options for redress for those harmed by valproate and pelvic mesh. This is a complex issue involving input from different Government departments. The Government will provide a further update to the Patient Safety Commissioner’s report in due course.