Written questions by Campbell.

What discussions have been held with the Government of the Irish Republic on what increases in co-operation are required to deal with the numbers of Russian shadow fleet vessels operating in British and Irish territorial waters.

Deterring and disrupting the Russian shadow fleet is a priority for the UK, and we are working closely with our allies and partners to do so. Earlier this year the Secretary of State for Defence and the Irish Minister for Defence signed the refreshed UK-Ireland Memorandum of Understanding. Under this Memorandum of Understanding, the UK Armed Forces and the Irish Defence Forces will strengthen their maritime security cooperation to develop improved response mechanisms to maritime security incidents in British and Irish territorial waters.

How many instances of breaches of the Foreign Influence Registration Scheme have resulted in prosecutions.

The FIRS scheme went live on 01 July last year. We will be publishing an annual report setting out, among other things, the number of registrations, the number of information notices issued, the number of persons charged with an offence and the number of persons convicted of an offence. The first report will be published as soon as practicable after 30 June 2026.Providing information outside of that publication schedule about any live cases or prosecutions risks revealing information not intended to be made public and undermining any enforcement action.

Pursuant to WPQ 109064 dated 2 February 2026, when does he expect to be able to reply.

I responded to the hon. Member on 20 April 2026.

What assessment she has made of the potential impact of new artificial intelligence models on the risk of financial market manipulation.

The Government’s ambition is to make the UK a global leader in AI. Encouraging safe adoption is an essential part of realising that ambition. We will continue to work closely with regulators and industry to ensure innovation proceeds safely and responsibly and that any risks to financial markets are identified and mitigated. In particular, the Bank of England’s Financial Policy Committee (FPC) is responsible for identifying, monitoring and taking action to remove or reduce systemic risks to the UK financial system. The FPC’s April 2025 Financial Stability in Focus publication set out potential risks to financial stability that could result from increasing AI use, including in relation to market manipulation, and their response to these.

If she will ensure that HMRC approved software required for sole traders to make returns under the Making Tax Digital framework remains at no cost to the user for the remainder of this Parliament.

The government has worked closely with the software industry to ensure the availability of a broad range of MTD-compatible products to suit different needs and budgets. This includes free products supporting those with the simplest affairs, low-cost bridging software for those who prefer to continue using spreadsheets and more sophisticated products that integrate with other business software. Currently, there are more than 15 free products (excluding free trials) covering a range of different scenarios including bookkeeping, quarterly updates and end-of-year submissions.

How many Credit Union Movement representative groups in Northern Ireland responded to the call for evidence on Credit Union Common Bond Reform proposals.

On 18 March, the government announced plans to reform the credit union common bond in Great Britain. Full details of the government’s plans have been published in a call for evidence response available on GOV.UK.The call for evidence only sought views on the common bond for credit unions in England, Wales, and Scotland. This is because responsibility for credit unions in Northern Ireland is a devolved matter for the Northern Ireland Executive. The Northern Ireland Executive launched its own consultation in 2025 to gather views on proposed reforms to modernise and strengthen the credit union sector in Northern Ireland.The government is a strong supporter of the mutual sector, including credit unions, and is working to support its growth in line with the manifesto commitment to double the size of the co‑operative and mutual sector. In line with devolution arrangements, this includes legislating for reforms in Great Britain while continuing to engage with the Northern Ireland Executive on credit union policy in Northern Ireland.

If she will amend the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971 to ensure that in instances where serious injury or death results from the distribution of illegal substances, the distribution itself is made an offence directly linked to the injury or death.

The Government has no plans to amend the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971 (“the 1971 Act”) in this way. The maximum sentences for unlawful supply of controlled drugs under the 1971 Act are life imprisonment, a fine or both for Class A drugs, and 14 years’ imprisonment, a fine or both for Class B and C drugs. The classification of drugs under the 1971 Act is broadly based on harm, so longer sentences are available for those drugs considered the most harmful.When considering the appropriate sentence for a person who has been convicted for supply offences under the 1971 Act, in addition to any statutory aggravating factors, judges may consider a range of factors. In England and Wales these are set out in sentencing guidelines issued by the Sentencing Council. These can be found at this link:https://sentencingcouncil.org.uk/guidelines/supplying-or-offering-to-supply-a-controlled-drug-possession-of-a-controlled-drug-with-intent-to-supply-it-to-another/Factors increasing the seriousness of an offence, which may result in a longer sentence, include exposing a drug user to the risk of serious harm over and above that expected by the user, exposing those involved in drug dealing to the risk of serious harm and exposing third parties to the risk of serious harm. These factors are not exhaustive and judges may consider other factors, including those raised in victim personal statements.In Northern Ireland judges rely on caselaw when considering sentencing in the Crown Court. Relevant caselaw can be found here: https://www.judiciaryni.uk/judiciary-decision-types/type/drug-offences-39.

When does he expect to be able to reply to WPQ 117245 tabled on 3rd March 2026.

I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave on 30 March 2026 to Question 117245.

When does he expect the next phase of the review of the UK Foundation programme to be concluded.

The first phase of The Medical Training Review has concluded. Phase 1 identified key challenges and areas for improvement across postgraduate medical training, including for foundation training, alongside what currently works well. The Phase 1 diagnostic report can be found at the following link:https://www.england.nhs.uk/publication/the-medical-training-review-phase-1-diagnostic-report/Phase 2, which is already underway, will involve working with a wide range of stakeholders across the system to design a package of reform.NHS England is also conducting a review of the Preference Informed Allocation (PIA) method, which was introduced in 2024 as the process for allocating applicants to the UK Foundation Programme to foundation schools. Timelines for Phase 2 of the postgraduate medical training review and the PIA review will be confirmed in due course.

What assessment has been made of the potential benefits derived to Northern Ireland people and businesses from the Belfast Office operational since December 2024.

HM Treasury has not made a standalone assessment of the benefits of the HMRC Belfast office, but having an operational presence in Belfast supports access to HMRC services, engagement with local businesses and stakeholders, and the effective administration of the tax system in Northern Ireland.

What estimate his Department has made of the change in the proportion of NHS GP's that are female between 2015 and 2025.

The following table shows the proportion of female full-time equivalent (FTE) general practitioners (GPs) between September 2015 and September 2025, broken down by GP role:GP typeSeptember 2015 (%)September 2025 (%)Change (%)All doctors in GPs46.152.86.7GP partners36.942.45.5Salaried GPs65.965.7-0.2GPs in training grades60.252.8-7.5GP retainers89.876.3-13.4GP regular locums33.646.212.5Notes:data includes estimates for practices that did not provide fully valid staff records;data does not include doctors employed by primary care networks;FTE refers to the proportion of full time contracted hours that the post holder is contracted to work. One would indicate they work a full set of hours, 37.5 hours, and 0.5 that they worked half time. For GPs in training grade contracts, one FTE equals 40 hours, and in this table these FTEs have been converted to the standard Workforce Minimum Data Set measure of one FTE being equal to 37.5 hours for consistency; andfigures shown do not include staff working in prisons, army bases, educational establishments, specialist care centres, including drug rehabilitation centres, walk-in centres, and other alternative settings outside of traditional practice, such as urgent treatment centres and minor injury units.

What steps he is taking to (a) fund research into and (b) help reduce the number of live births with at least one congenital condition.

The Department, through the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR), commissions a range of research to improve neonatal health outcomes.For example, The NIHR recently funded a project which investigated whether artificial intelligence (AI) could help to identify heart conditions in babies, before birth. The study found that AI assistance in the routine foetal anomaly ultrasound scan results in significant time savings, and a reduction in sonographer cognitive load, without a reduction in diagnostic performance.In addition, the NIHR is currently funding a £2.68 million study to improve maternal and infant outcomes in pregnant women with epilepsy through early identification of women and their babies at risk of complications and ensuring timely specialist epilepsy input with evidence-based information on the risks-benefits of their treatment. This study will therefore assess the longer-term effects of newer anti-epileptic drugs on children’s development to inform pregnant women and promote safe anti-epileptic drug use.The NIHR welcomes funding applications for research into any aspect of human health and care, including research on congenital conditions.The 10-Year Health Plan addresses common causes of congenital anomalies including plans to address smoking, end the obesity epidemic, and tackle harmful alcohol consumption. The 10-Year Health Plan is available at the following link:https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/10-year-health-plan-for-england-fit-for-the-futureThe plan includes proposals for universal newborn genomic testing, subject to evidence from the Generation Study. This study is assessing the use of whole genome sequencing to screen 100,000 newborns for over 200 rare genetic conditions, with more than 15,000 families enrolled so far. Sequencing will complete by summer 2027, after which the findings will be evaluated and considered by the UK National Screening Committee. Subject to evidence and funding, genomic testing could be available to all newborns by 2035. The Saving Babies’ Lives Care Bundle includes evidence-based interventions to address common causes of congenital anomalies such as smoking, fetal growth restriction, preterm birth, and management of diabetes in pregnancy. Further information on the bundle is available at the following link:https://www.england.nhs.uk/long-read/saving-babies-lives-version-3-2/In addition, from December 2026, non-wholemeal wheat flour will be fortified with folic acid. It is estimated that this will reduce neural tube defect rates by approximately 20% in the United Kingdom. Further information is available at the following link:https://www.food.gov.uk/safety-hygiene/folic-acid

Pursuant to the Answer of 23 March 2026 to Question 121703 on Fuel Oil: Northern Ireland, if he make an estimate of the number of homes in each Northern Ireland constituency that currently rely on oil central heating, given the continuing situation in the Middle East.

I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave to him on 23 March 2026 to Question UIN 121703 which provides the most recent data for the number of homes that use central heating oil in each Northern Ireland parliamentary constituency.

Who she has had discussions with in the Northern Ireland Executive on the Credit Union Common Bond Reform Call for Evidence Response.

The call for evidence response on credit union common bond reform in Great Britain was published on 18 March 2026. The call for evidence itself ran from November 2024 to March 2025 and was open to all to submit responses. As credit union policy is devolved to Northern Ireland, the measures announced in the government’s response apply only to Great Britain. HM Treasury has kept the Northern Ireland Executive informed. The government has written to ministers in the Northern Ireland Executive to notify them of the legislative changes being taken forward in Great Britain. Treasury officials also engaged with counterparts in the Northern Ireland Executive during the call for evidence, and this engagement is continuing following publication of the response. These reforms will modernise the common bond framework, support the growth of the credit union sector, and help ensure that it can continue to deliver positive outcomes for members and communities across Great Britain.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether she has had recent discussions with the BBC on the impartiality of the BBC World Service.

The BBC is editorially and operationally independent. The BBC World Service is bound by the same requirements of impartiality and accuracy as all other parts of the BBC, as set out in the organisation's editorial guidelines, available here: https://www.bbc.com/editorialguidelines/guidelines/

Communities and Local Government, when he expects to answer written correspondence from the Hon. Member for East Londonderry dated 23rd January 2026 regarding Expanded Trainee and Apprenticeship Opportunities Linked to Future Towns Funding.

As part of the Pride in Place Programme, the Derry-Londonderry board and Coleraine Future Town board are receiving dedicated support from the Communities Delivery Unit within the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government. My officials are in regular contact with both boards and would be happy to answer any queries. The hon. Member can expect to receive a response to his correspondence very shortly

Pursuant to the Answer of 18 March 2026 to Question 120605 on Northern Ireland Executive, if he will hold discussions with the Northern Ireland Executive about funding of Ulster University campus locations at (i) Coleraine and (ii) Belfast following the E-DATA project announcement.

While the funding and strategic oversight of the higher education sector are devolved matters for the Northern Ireland Executive, the UK Government remains committed to the delivery of the Derry/Londonderry and Strabane City Region City Deal. Through this City Deal, the UK Government is investing £105 million to support regional growth, which includes funding for the School of Medicine at Ulster University’s Magee Campus. We will continue to work with the Northern Ireland Executive and other partners on the progression of this City Deal and the PEACEPLUS programme to ensure these investments benefit the wider region.

If she will consider the potential merits of excluding hybrids cars from the Vehicle Excise Duty Expensive Car Supplement (a) after three years from the date of first registration and (b) when their resale value falls below £28,000.

The ECS applies to new petrol/diesel and hybrid cars with a list price of £40,000 or more, while as announced at Budget 2025, from 1 April 2026 the ECS will apply to new zero-emission cars with a list price of £50,000 or more which are first registered on or after 1 April 2025. The additional charge was introduced so that those who can afford to access the most expensive cars make a fair contribution. The Government continues to view the Expensive Car Supplement (ECS) as a suitable way of distinguishing the more luxury end of the new car market. Although average list prices of cars have increased since the ECS was introduced, nearly two-thirds of petrol, diesel and hybrid vehicles still fall below the £40,000 threshold. The Government annually reviews the rates and thresholds of taxes and reliefs, including Vehicle Excise Duty and the ECS, to ensure that they are appropriate and reflect the current state of the economy.

What estimate he has made of the percentages of homes in each Northern Ireland constituency that rely on oil central heating.

The 2021 Census in Northern Ireland carried out by the Northern Ireland Statistics and Research Agency (NISRA) provides estimates of the number of homes in each Northern Ireland parliamentary constituency that use oil central heating.

What checks have been carried out in the last twelve months on student loans awarded to people enrolling at UK Universities whose country of origin was Romania.

Education is a devolved matter, and the response outlines the information for England only.To qualify for support, applicants must provide the Student Loans Company (SLC) with evidence of their eligibility. This includes evidence of their identity, immigration status and ordinary residence.SLC have robust procedures in place to check student finance eligibility, including data-sharing with the Home Office and HM Passport Office. When required, the SLC will contact the Home Office to confirm an applicant’s immigration status and ordinary residence.SLC makes payments of loans to students on courses at higher education providers (HEPs) and HEPs in England must be registered with the Office for Students (OfS) before students are eligible to access funding. SLC monitors applications for student finance and works with the department and the OfS to protect public money.