Written questions by Smith.

If she will take steps to extend the deadline for registering for an e-Visa.

There is no deadline for registering for a UKVI account to access an eVisa. Most BRPs expire on 31 December and we encourage all BRP holders to create a UKVI account before their BRP expires. If a person has not created an account by 31 December 2024, they will still be able to do so in 2025, using their expired BRP if needed.eVisas are a key part of our Border Transformation and have been successfully used by over 6 million people in recent years.The rollout of eVisas does not affect a person’s immigration status. Even where someone has not yet created a UKVI account, their eVisa is already available and employers and landlords can digitally check a person’s right to work status using the ‘Check a job applicant’s right to work’ and ‘Check a tenant’s right to rent in England’ services.It is not possible to provide accurate figures on the number of people who have failed to complete the UKVI account registration process. These failures can be due to a number of reasons, including the user choosing to pause the process. Similarly, it is not possible to identify the proportion of people who may have experienced technical difficulties with the eVisa system itself rather than for another reason.There have been 441 complaints relating to eVisas received by our Customer Complaints Team between 28 August 2024 and 15 December 2024, which is the most recent reporting period available. This number refers to all complaints relating to eVisas rather than just in relation to registering for a UKVI account.Over 3.1 million people, mostly with BRPs, have successfully made the transition to eVisas from March to November this year. There are still a proportion of customers who have not yet signed up, and we would strongly encourage them to do so. We publish monthly statistics on the number of people who have created a UKVI account, the latest edition of which can be found at Online immigration status (eVisa): UKVI account creation data - GOV.UK.

What assessment he has made of the potential impact of changes in the Autumn Budget on the consumer goods sector.

The Chancellor has been clear that the government had to take difficult decisions in budget. To fix the foundations of the economy and provide a platform for growth. Government is focused on its five-point plan to breathe life back into Britain’s high streets supporting the consumer goods sales in particular. We understand how important the high street is to our businesses which is why our plans include tackling retail crime, ensuring a level playing field between online and high street businesses, stamping out late payments and ending the blight of empty spaces. The government is creating a fairer business rate system and transforming the apprenticeship levy to support business and boost opportunities. The Small Business Strategy Command Paper, which we will publish next year, will set out our plan to boost scale-ups, grow the cooperative economy, create thriving high streets, make it easier to access finance, help break into overseas and domestic markets, build business capabilities, and provide a strong business environment.

What assessment he has made of the potential impact of changes in the Autumn Budget on the hospitality sector.

Hospitality businesses are at the heart of our communities and vital for economic growth. Following the budget I have met extensively with hospitality sector stakeholders including a meeting of the Hospitality Sector Council where we discussed the budget The Government is creating a fairer business rate system, reducing alcohol duty on qualifying draught products and transforming the apprenticeship levy to support business and boost opportunities. All of these measures have been consistently demanded by the sector. This work will be supported by the publication of The Small Business Strategy Command Paper next year.

What assessment he has made of the potential impact of changes in the Autumn Budget on the retail sector.

The Chancellor has been clear that the government must take difficult choices. This was a budget to fix the foundations of the economy, and these tough decisions are intended to provide a platform for growth.Government is focused on its five-point plan to breathe life back into Britain's high streets. We understand how important the high street is to our businesses which is why our plans include tackling retail crime, ensuring a level playing field between online and high street businesses, stamping out late payments and ending the blight of empty spaces. The government is creating a fairer business rate system and transforming the apprenticeship levy to support business and boost opportunities.Through the Retail Sector Council, we are addressing strategic issues for the sector related to high street regeneration, skills and sustainability. This work will be supported by the publication of The Small Business Strategy Command Paper next year.

What assessment he has made of the potential impact of changes in the Autumn Budget on the professional services sector.

The Chancellor has been clear that the government had to take difficult decisions in budget. To fix the foundations of the economy, and provide a platform for growth. The government is creating a fairer business rate system and transforming the apprenticeship levy to support business and boost opportunities. Through the Professional and Business Services Sector Council, we are addressing strategic issues for the sector. In addition, Professional and Business Services is one of the Industrial Strategy’s growth-driving sectors. We will work with businesses to co-create a Professional and Business Services Sector Plan which will identify key barriers to growth and describe how government and industry intend to achieve long-term growth for the sector.

What assessment he has made of the potential impact of changes in the Autumn Budget on the infrastructure sector.

The Autumn Budget outlined The Government’s commitment to support the infrastructure sector to rebuild Britain. It included plans to increase capital investment by over £100 billion in the next five years. This investment spans the infrastructure sector, including rebuilding schools and hospital, improving roads and public transport, building homes, and launching Great British Energy. Strengthening our infrastructure will drive substantial increases to our national income, positively impacting GDP.The Government will also introduce reforms to enable greater delivery of infrastructure projects. This includes publishing a 10-year infrastructure strategy, establishing the National Infrastructure and Service Transformation Authority and reforming the planning system.

Whether his Department has a gender action plan.

This Government is committed to closing the gender pay gap.The Department for Business and Trade has recently finalised a Gender Pay Gap Action Plan in response to the 2024 gender pay gap findings which will be published as part of the Department’s annual report in December 2024. The Gender Pay Gap Action Plan aligns with the strategic objectives set out in the Department’s Diversity and Inclusion Framework (2024-28) which was introduced in May 2024.

What steps his Department is taking to tackle sexual harassment in the workplace.

We are strengthening protections against workplace sexual harassment. The EmploymentRights Bill will amend the Equality Act 2010 to:require employers to take “all reasonable steps” to prevent sexual harassment of their employees;introduce an obligation on employers not to permit the harassment of their employees by third parties;enable regulations to specify steps that are to be regarded as “reasonable”, to determine whether an employer has taken all reasonable steps to prevent sexual harassment, and;strengthen protections for whistleblowers, by making it explicit that sexual harassment can be the basis for a protected disclosure.

What steps his Department is taking to stop third party discrimination.

DBT is committed to creating a safe, supportive and inclusive work environment for its employees and does not tolerate any form of unacceptable behaviour or abuse, by any party, towards an employee. DBT’s HR policies provide guidance on how to report third party harassment and the actions managers can take to respond when it occurs. Mandatory training is provided for all employees on bullying, harassment and discrimination.

Whether she is taking steps to help deliver a new SEND school in Buckinghamshire.

This government is committed to breaking down barriers to opportunity and giving every child the best start in life. Applications to run a special free school in Buckinghamshire have closed. The department is working through next steps and will provide an update in due course.The government is clear it wants to make sure all children with special educational needs and disabilities receive the support they need to achieve and thrive. That is why the manifesto set out a clear ambition to improve inclusivity in mainstream schools, while ensuring that special schools cater for those with the most complex needs.As with all government investment, special free school projects will be subject to value for money consideration through their development, in line with the government’s vision for the special educational needs system.

Innovation and Technology, if he will have discussions with the Advertising Standards Authority on the mis-advertising of part-copper broadband.

In September, Ofcom issued new guidance to ensure consumers are told in clear terms about the technology that underpins their broadband service. At point of sale, providers will no longer be able to use the term ‘fibre’ on its own; they must now state whether their network is a new ‘full-fibre’ network or a ‘part-fibre’, ‘copper’, or ‘cable’ network. The government will continue to engage with the regulator and the Advertising Standards Authority to monitor the impact of these new rules, including considering the implications for advertising terminology.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, how many British citizens were taken hostage during the attack on Israel by Hamas on 7 October 2023.

Two British nationals were taken hostage during the attack on Israel by Hamas on 7 October 2023. The UK Government was greatly saddened to hear about the death of Nadav Popplewell who had been held in captivity and was declared deceased in June 2024. For some the nightmare continues, with hostages still cruelly held by Hamas, including one British national, Emily Damari, and three with strong British links. All the hostages remain a priority to me and the entire Ministerial team and we will continue to work tirelessly for their release.

Media and Sport, if she will have discussions with the Charity Commission on the potential merits of opening an investigation into the eligibility for charitable status of (a) Dar Alhekma and (b) the Abrar Islamic Foundation.

The Charity Commission for England and Wales ('the Commission') has a statutory function to identify and investigate misconduct and mismanagement in charities, and we are confident that it has the expertise to do so effectively. The Commission assesses concerns in accordance with its published regulatory and risk framework, and has a wide range of powers to investigate and remedy the abuse of charities. Any evidence that a registered charity is engaged in misconduct or mismanagement should be referred to the Commission.The Commission has open regulatory compliance cases into both the Abrar Islamic Foundation and the Dar Alhekma Trust, and will determine if there is a need to take action. As a civil regulator, the Commission is not a prosecuting authority and any allegations of criminal conduct should be referred to the Police.The Charity Commission has been clear that the promotion of extremist views in charities is unacceptable, and that it will respond robustly where there proves to have been wrongdoing.

Innovation and Technology, what steps he is taking with mobile network providers to accelerate the delivery of the Shared Rural Network.

The Shared Rural Network has already delivered substantial improvements to outdoor 4G mobile coverage across the UK.I’m pleased to report to the House that 4G coverage across the UK now stands at 94.9% which is an increase from 91% in March 2020 when the Shared Rural Network was agreed.This indicates the programme will deliver the overarching 95% coverage target ahead of its December 2025 target, enabling rural businesses and communities to thrive.