Written questions by Leadbitter.

What discussions his Department has had with Offshore Energies UK and the Health and Safety Executive regarding the safety evidence underpinning the Industry Safe Weight Limit Policy for offshore helicopter travel; what assessment his Department has made of (a) the proportionality of the proposed 124 kg clothed weight limit in relation to existing offshore safety standards and evacuation equipment capacity and (b) the feasibility of upgrading offshore evacuation and rescue equipment to accommodate a wider range of body weights as an alternative to implementing personal weight restrictions; and what consultation took place with offshore workers, recognised trade unions and employers prior to the introduction of that policy.

Details of Ministers' and Permanent Secretaries' meetings with external individuals and organisations are published quarterly in arrears on GOV.UK.

If he will bring forward legislative proposals to remove peers from the House of Lords due to misconduct.

The House of Lords (Expulsion and Suspension) Act 2015 provides the House of Lords with the power to expel members who are found to have breached the Code of Conduct. The Government has announced it will introduce legislation to create a mechanism to remove peerages from disgraced peers. The Leader of the House of Lords has also asked the House of Lords Conduct Committee to consider what changes are required to the Code of Conduct to ensure peers can be removed when they have brought the House into disrepute.

If he will implement the recommendations of the Social Tariff Working Group’s final report, published 23 April 2025.

The Government understands the need to target support to those who need it most. That is why on 30 January, we announced the continuation of the Warm Home Discount scheme, providing around 6 million eligible households with the £150 rebate on their energy bills every winter until 2030/31. This means that millions of households every year who need support with their energy bills will receive the Warm Home Discount for the rest of the decade. We also committed to exploring additional improvements to the scheme. I welcome the report’s contribution to the consideration of the future of targeted bill support schemes. While we consider options for future bill support, we are working across Government to improve access to and sharing of data to target support more effectively in the future. Specifically, the ‘Kickstarter’ programme under the National Data Library will test how public sector data can be better joined up to improve access to government programmes. This project will help pave the way for better targeted help to ensure those who are struggling to pay their bills get the support they need.

If his Department will review the suitability of UK Government contracts with Palantir.

All contracts for any firm go through rigorous departmental processes and their decision makers. Contracts procured by Government departments are done so in line with procurement law. This was the case with all contracts to Palantir. We utilise a range of suppliers based on operational requirements, value for money, and compliance with our security and legal obligations, with all suppliers subject to rigorous due diligence. There are robust processes in place to ensure government contracts are awarded fairly and transparently.

Pursuant to the Answer of 12 January 2026 to Question 103618, when the Armed Forces Foundation Year Scheme placement details will be finalised.

I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave the hon. Member for South Suffolk (James Cartlidge) on 16 January 2026, to Question 104236.https://questions-statements.parliament.uk/written-questions/detail/2026-01-08/104236

If he will make an assessment of the potential impact of State Pension age changes for 1950s-born women living in Moray West, Nairn and Strathspey constituency.

All women born since 6 April 1950 have been affected by changes to State Pension age. Estimates can be made with ONS 2022 Census Data of how many women born in the 1950s were resident in each constituency in that year.

How many times has the Government rejected recommendations for compensation made by the Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman following a finding of maladministration since 2010.

The Government does not centrally record information regarding Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman recommendations.

Innovation and Technology, if she will include Scotland in her department’s consultation entitled “Legislative proposals to address broadband rollout in leasehold flats”.

I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave on 30th January 2026 to question UIN 107897.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what assessment she has made of the potential implications for her policies of the recommendations of Open Doors’ report entitled World Watch List 2026.

The UK continues to champion Freedom of Religion or Belief (FoRB) for all, including in the countries on the Open Doors' World Watch List where Christians face persecution or discrimination because of their faith. Last July, the UK's Special Envoy for Freedom of Religion or Belief, David Smith MP, set out the Government's new strategy on FoRB, providing a framework for engagement with other countries, and describing the links between the protection of FoRB and other goals including the prevention of conflict. As part of this strategy, the UK continues to support FoRB on the international stage, through our position in the United Nations, the G7 and the Article 18 Alliance.

Whether her Department plans to change or extend eligibility for Bereavement Support Payment.

Bereavement Support Payment is available to those who are married, in a cohabiting relationship with dependent children, or in a civil partnership. It supports working age people through the immediate period following the death of a spouse, civil partner or cohabiting partner. The Government keeps the eligibility of all benefits including Bereavement Support Payments, under review.

What assessment his Department has made of the potential impact on road safety, the environment and consumers of requiring vehicle manufacturers to offer all-season or winter-rated tyres as a standard or selectable factory-fit option on new vehicles sold in the UK, particularly for use in colder and rural regions; and whether he plans to review current regulations or guidance in this area.

Manufacturers are free to offer any tyre they choose but all new tyres, before they are permitted for sale in the UK, must demonstrate that they achieve a minimum wet grip performance. They are also required to display certain performance attributes at the point of sale to enable the consumer to make an informed choice. The government’s view is that the relatively low frequency of heavy snow and ice experienced in the UK and the known disadvantages of using winter tyres - and to some extent all-season tyres - in warmer temperatures does not support a detailed assessment being conducted at this time.

Communities and Local Government, pursuant to the Answer of 4 December 2025 on Question 95787 on the Prime Minister, what is the estimated total departmental spend by his department to supporting the Minister for the Union in their role since the office was established.

The title of Minister for the Union has been held by the Prime Minister since its creation in 2019. Responsibility for Union policy has sat across departments (including MHCLG) and currently sits within the Cabinet Office. The Department does not currently provide any direct financial support to the Minister for the Union.

Pursuant to the Answer of 4 December 2025 on Question 95787 on the Prime Minister, what is the estimated total departmental spend by his department to supporting the Minister for the Union in their role since the office was established.

As set out in our response from 4th December 2025, budgets are allocated to departments, rather than specific ministerial roles. Departmental expenditure can be reviewed in the Cabinet Office’s published Annual Report and Accounts.

Pursuant to the Answer of 4 December 2025 on Question 95787 on the Prime Minister, what is the estimated total departmental spend by his department to supporting the Minister for the Union in their role since the office was established.

The Scotland Office does not provide any direct financial support to the Minister for the Union.

Pursuant to the Answer of 4 December 2025 on Question 95787 on the Prime Minister, what is the estimated total departmental spend by her department to supporting the Minister for the Union in their role since the office was established.

The Wales Office does not provide any direct financial support to the Minister for the Union.

Pursuant to the Answer of 4 December 2025 on Question 95787 on the Prime Minister, what is the estimated total departmental spend by his department to supporting the Minister for the Union in their role since the office was established.

The Northern Ireland Office does not provide any direct financial support to the Minister for the Union.

Innovation and Technology, if she will review the adequacy her policy of not including Scotland for participation in her Department’s consultation titled Legislative proposals to address broadband rollout in leasehold flats.

The proposals in the consultation are based on leasehold law which is applicable in England and Wales but does not apply in Scotland.

Innovation and Technology, with reference to the joint publication by the AI Security Institute and Thorn entitled Recommended Practice for AI-G CSEA Prevention, published in December 2025, if she will make the recommendations mandatory for all AI developers to prevent the creation of AI-generated child sexual abuse material.

The Government recognises the importance of tackling AI-generated CSAM. Creating, possessing, or distributing CSAM, including AI Generated CSAM, is illegal. The Online Safety Act requires services to proactively identify and remove this content. We are taking further action in the Crime and Policing Bill to criminalise CSAM image generators, and to ensure AI developers can directly test for and address vulnerabilities in their models which enable the production of CSAM.The AISI / Thorn joint publication guidance (Recommended Practice for AI-G CSEA Prevention) sets out practical steps that AI developers, model hosting services and others in the AI ecosystem can take to reduce the risk that their systems are misused to generate CSAM. This guidance is informed by input from industry and child protection organisations, and many of the world’s leading AI developers (including OpenAI, Anthropic, Google and Meta) have signed up to the principles of earlier forms of this guidance.The Government is clear: no option is off the table when it comes to protecting the online safety of users in the UK, and we will not hesitate to act where evidence suggests that further action is necessary.

With reference to the press release entitled Armed forces to launch ‘Gap Year’ scheme for young people to bolster skills and leadership, published on 27 December 2025, how many positions will be available in (a) Scotland and (b) Moray West, Nairn and Strathspey constituency.

The Armed Forces Foundation Year Scheme (‘gap year’) is a response to the Strategic Defence Review 2025’s recommendation that Defence must offer novel ways of entry into the Armed Forces that attract more people from a wider range of backgrounds; options included offering shorter commitments that appeal to more of society. We anticipate that Foundation Year placements will be allocated to Defence locations based on the roles participants conduct. These details have not yet been finalised. There will be flexibility for the Services to provide the most appropriate employment, experiences and skills that offer most value to both participants and Defence.

What contracts Elbit Systems has with the Government; and which defence contracts it is being considered for.

The Ministry of Defence is unable to confirm what contracts Elbit Systems has with wider Government. It would also not be appropriate to comment on any future ongoing competitions.