Written questions by Leadbitter.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, how her Department has responded to aid requests from representatives of Palestine; and how much direct aid the UK Government has provided to Palestine since October 2023.

Data on Official Development Assistance (ODA) spend for the requested period is published in the Statistics on International Development on GOV.UK, including breakdowns by country and region. Further information and annual reviews on specific programmes can be found on GOV.UK's Development Tracker.

Pursuant to the Answer of 4 December 2025 on Question 95783 on Visas: Scotland, whether she has received representations from Anas Sarwar MSP on the potential merits of introducing a Scottish visa since 4 July 2024.

We have no plans to devolve immigration policy, introduce a Scottish visa scheme, nor to discuss such ideas further.Previously suggested schemes would restrict movement and rights and create internal UK borders. Adding different rules for different locations would introduce complexity and create frictions where workers move locations.

Whether she has had recent discussions with Anas Sarwar MSP on the higher rate of the Energy Profits Levy since 30 October 2024.

The Chancellor regularly meets different stakeholders, including those from Scottish Labour, to discuss a range of policy issues.

How much funding has been allocated to the Minister for the Union every year since the office was established.

The title of Minister for the Union has been held by the Prime Minister since its creation in 2019. Departmental responsibility for the delivery of union policy has been split between the Cabinet Office and MHCLG during that period. The Scotland Office, Wales Office, and Northern Ireland Office also have responsibility for ensuring the government delivers for every nation in the UK. Budgets are allocated to departments, rather than specific ministerial roles.

Whether she has had recent discussions with Anas Sarwar MSP the potential merits of introducing a Scottish visa.

We have no plans to devolve immigration policy, introduce a Scottish visa scheme, nor to discuss such ideas further.Previously suggested schemes would restrict movement and rights and create internal UK borders. Adding different rules for different locations would introduce complexity and create frictions where workers move locations.

What assessment he has made of the potential impact of unoccupied MoD housing stock on local communities.

No assessment has been made regarding the impact of unoccupied Ministry of Defence (MOD) housing on local communities. However, the MOD remains committed to fostering strong relationships with these communities. We maintain a certain number of defence housing as vacant to allow for personnel to be rotated, and others are empty awaiting upgrade, repair or disposal. We are aware that communities purge homes that are lived in - whatever their type - and our new housing offer to our people will see modernisation of more defence homes and expanded eligibility meaning more defence homes being used.

How many Ministry of Defence homes in Scotland have been unoccupied for (a) up to 3 months, (b) up to 6 months and (c) over a year.

The table below provides details on the number of Service Family Accommodation (SFA) properties in Scotland that were occupied or void during the requested time periods. At of 27 November 2025: Time PeriodUnoccupied SFA in Scotland(a) up to three months156(b) between three and six months90(c) between six and twelve months98(d) over twelve months357 To effectively manage the SFA across the estate, the MOD maintains a management margin. This means that a percentage of the Department’s housing stock must remain void (unoccupied) to allow for periods between occupants moving out and new occupants moving in, to facilitate essential maintenance and repair, and to ensure that the Armed Forces have the flexibility to relocate units and individuals across the country as operational requirements dictate. As of 27 November 2025, there are 3,078 SFA properties in Scotland, of these 2,377 are let and 701 are void (unoccupied).

If he will take take steps to ensure effective allocation of Ministry of Defence housing stock.

The Defence Housing Strategy will deliver a new demand and supply forecasting model that will ensure the future needs of the Armed Forces are more accurately planned for, enabling us to deliver housing in the right places to support military operations and reducing the number of homes that lie empty. Currently around 70% of total Defence homes are occupied by Service personnel. Going forward, over 90% of Defence homes will be required for Service personnel. This will include many Serving families who will be able to access family housing on a widened eligibility basis over time. Steps to widen access cannot be taken sufficiently quickly or cost-effectively without focusing Defence family homes on core occupants.

What the average time is for Ministry of Defence housing stock to be let (a) in the UK, (b) in Scotland and (c) Moray.

This information is not held centrally. In order to answer the hon. Member's Question, the Ministry of Defence's Industry Partner would be required to review every record, which could only be provided at a disproportionate cost.

What is the average number of Ministry of Defence housing stock in Scotland.

As of 27 November 2025, there are 3,078 Ministry of Defence Service Family Accommodation properties in Scotland.

Whether he plans to purchase new housing stock in communities where Ministry of Defence housing stock is unused.

On 3 November 2025, we announced our Defence Housing Strategy (DHS). It’s the most significant change for Armed Forces housing in more than 50 years and kickstarts one of Britain’s most ambitious building programmes in decades – delivering new homes for military and civilian families and driving economic growth. As part of the DHS, a new demand and supply forecasting model will ensure that the future housing needs of the Armed Forces are more accurately planned for, enabling us to deliver housing in the right places to support military operations and reducing the number of homes that lie empty. This model, together with improvements in data management on the condition and status of our homes and a comprehensive examination of demand, supply and estate laydown by area, will ensure that housing is provided in the locations it is required and that the number of empty homes is reduced.

What is the total number of occupied and unoccupied Ministry of Defence homes in Moray.

There are currently 911 Ministry of Defence Service Family Accommodation properties in Moray. 752 of these properties are occupied and 159 properties are unoccupied.

With reference to his Department's Future of Post Office Green Paper, what discussions his Department has had with Government bodies on providing further in-person government services at post offices.

The Government’s Green Paper consultation on the future of the Post Office closed on 6 October. We thank all individuals and organisations for their detailed responses, including the responses related to Post Office’s role in providing in-person government services. We are carefully considering all responses in consultation with other departments, ahead of publishing the government response in early 2026.

Pursuant to the Answer of 17 November 2025 to Question 90569 on Banks: Closures, of the 240 banking hubs announced, how many will be based in (i) Scotland, (ii) England, (iii) Wales and (iv) Northern Ireland.

The Government is committed to supporting the financial services industry’s roll-out of 350 banking hubs by the end of this Parliament. The locations of banking hubs are independently determined by LINK, the industry coordinating body responsible for making access to cash assessments. LINK will carry out an assessment wherever a planned branch closure is announced or if they receive a community request. Of the 246 banking hubs announced so far, 32 will be based in Scotland, 192 in England, 15 in Wales and seven in Northern Ireland. Of the 191 banking hubs that are already open, 26 are in Scotland, 147 in England, 12 in Wales and six in Northern Ireland.

Pursuant to the Answer of 17 November 2025 to Question 90569 on Banks: Closures, of the 190 already open banking hubs, how many are based in (i) Scotland, (ii) England, (iii) Wales and (iv) Northern Ireland.

The Government is committed to supporting the financial services industry’s roll-out of 350 banking hubs by the end of this Parliament. The locations of banking hubs are independently determined by LINK, the industry coordinating body responsible for making access to cash assessments. LINK will carry out an assessment wherever a planned branch closure is announced or if they receive a community request. Of the 246 banking hubs announced so far, 32 will be based in Scotland, 192 in England, 15 in Wales and seven in Northern Ireland. Of the 191 banking hubs that are already open, 26 are in Scotland, 147 in England, 12 in Wales and six in Northern Ireland.

What progress her Department has made on access to the European Geostationary Navigation Overlay Service.

Through our regular engagement with the aviation industry, we are aware of the operational implications following the loss of access to the EU’s European Geostationary Navigation Overlay Service. The Department continues to work with the Department of Science, Innovation and Technology, who are leading the Government’s business case on a future Satellite Based Augmentation System, to ensure that aviation requirements are understood and considered as part of the decision-making process.

With reference to his Department's press release entitled Golden age of nuclear delivers UK-US deal on energy security, published on 15 September 2025, what estimate his Department has made of the cost, including (a) new rail infrastructure and (b) armed security cost of transporting nuclear fuel to and from the proposed nuclear power stations.

In line with the regulator’s outcome-focused approach to security, each licensed operator must submit a security plan for approval by the ONR that ensures risks are identified and mitigated effectively and meet the robust security standards expected by HMG. It would therefore not be appropriate for the Government to pre-suppose the use of armed security for new infrastructure. Any costs associated with meeting the security outcome requirements set by the Regulator are met by industry.

How many banks have closed (a) since 4 July 2024 and (b) in the last five years.

The Government does not hold bank branch closure data.Guidance from the FCA sets out its expectation of firms when they are deciding to reduce their physical branches or the number of free-to-use ATMs. Firms are expected to carefully consider the impact of planned branch closures on their customers’ everyday banking and cash access needs, and put in place alternatives, where this is reasonable.The Government is working closely with banks to roll out 350 banking hubs by the end of this Parliament. These will provide individuals and businesses up and down the country with critical cash and banking services.Over 240 hubs have been announced so far, and more than 190 are already open.

What assessment she has made of the adequacy of the Access to Cash assessment methodology to determine the need for banking hubs in communities.

The Government recognises that cash continues to be used by millions of people across the UK, including those in vulnerable groups, and is committed to protecting access to cash for individuals and businesses. The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) assumed regulatory responsibility for access to cash in September 2024. Where a resident, community organisation or other interested party feels access to cash in their community is insufficient, they can submit a request for a cash access assessment. LINK, the independent industry coordinating body responsible for making access to cash assessments, will then assess a community’s access to cash needs, and will recommend appropriate solutions, including Banking Hubs, where it considers a community requires additional cash services. LINK’s assessment criteria is based on rules set by the FCA. The FCA’s rules require LINK to consider a range of factors in their assessments. This includes travel times to nearby cash facilities and local population demographics, including the levels of vulnerability and the number of elderly people within the community. Any decisions on changes to LINK’s independent assessment criteria are a matter for LINK, the financial services sector, and for the FCA, which oversees the access to cash regime. We continue to engage closely with all parties to ensure that the process meets the needs of individuals and businesses across the country. With regards to banking hubs specifically, the Government is working closely with industry to roll out 350 banking hubs across the UK. The UK banking sector has committed to deliver these hubs by the end of this Parliament. Over 240 hubs have been announced so far, and over 180 are already open.

Whether she plans on widening the criteria for establishing additional banking hubs.

The Government recognises that cash continues to be used by millions of people across the UK, including those in vulnerable groups, and is committed to protecting access to cash for individuals and businesses. The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) assumed regulatory responsibility for access to cash in September 2024. Where a resident, community organisation or other interested party feels access to cash in their community is insufficient, they can submit a request for a cash access assessment. LINK, the independent industry coordinating body responsible for making access to cash assessments, will then assess a community’s access to cash needs, and will recommend appropriate solutions, including Banking Hubs, where it considers a community requires additional cash services. LINK’s assessment criteria is based on rules set by the FCA. The FCA’s rules require LINK to consider a range of factors in their assessments. This includes travel times to nearby cash facilities and local population demographics, including the levels of vulnerability and the number of elderly people within the community. Any decisions on changes to LINK’s independent assessment criteria are a matter for LINK, the financial services sector, and for the FCA, which oversees the access to cash regime. We continue to engage closely with all parties to ensure that the process meets the needs of individuals and businesses across the country. With regards to banking hubs specifically, the Government is working closely with industry to roll out 350 banking hubs across the UK. The UK banking sector has committed to deliver these hubs by the end of this Parliament. Over 240 hubs have been announced so far, and over 180 are already open.