Written questions by Campbell.

How many new applications for Pension Credit were (a) made and (b) approved between 10 September 2024 and 21 December 2024.

Statistics on Pension Credit application volumes were published on 28 November 2024. This includes numbers of applications that were received, awarded and not awarded, up to 17 November 2024. Pension Credit applications and awards: November 2024 - GOV.UK. Please note, the next publication of Pension Credit application statistics is due around the end of February 2025 and will cover the data up to week commencing 10 February 2025.

When she expects the first overseas visitors to Northern Ireland arriving via the Republic of Ireland to be impacted by the UK Electronic Travel Authorisation scheme.

We are introducing the Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) scheme to enhance our ability to screen travellers upstream and stop those who pose a threat from travelling to the UK. The scheme, which already applies to nationals of Qatar, Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia, has now being extended to all remaining non-visa nationals (except Europeans) and will be a requirement for this cohort for travel from 8 January 2025.The Government appreciates that the introduction of ETAs represents a substantial change for millions of overseas visitors to the UK (including those intending to cross the land border from Ireland). We are communicating these changes across a range of channels to all those potentially in scope, and there has been regular engagement to that end with officials in the Northern Ireland tourism sector.The application process is quick and simple. Applicants usually get a decision within three working days.

If she will have discussions with the devolved administrations on potential changes to the (a) criteria for and (b) duration of short term deployment of police officers to deal with unexpected civil disorder.

Operational matters – including requests for and provision of Mutual Aid in response to public disorder – are primarily a matter for police forces who are operationally independent of government.

Pursuant to the Answer of 12 November 2024 to Question 12917 on InterTrade UK, when he plans to announce the (a) remaining membership appointees and (b) first and subsequent meetings of InterTrade UK.

Preparatory work necessary to establish Intertrade UK is ongoing. I expect to be in a position to announce the membership of the body and the date of the first meeting at the earliest opportunity in the New Year.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, when the Government expects to conclude revised negotiations with the Mauritian Government on the future of the Chagos Islands.

The negotiations with Mauritius have been ongoing for over two years.On 20 December the UK and Mauritius issued a joint public statement which made clear that Mauritius and the UK have held a series of productive, ongoing conversations and exchanges on finalising a historic Treaty on the exercise of sovereignty over the Chagos Archipelago.Both countries reiterated their commitment to finalising a treaty as quickly as possible, whose terms will agree to ensure the long-term, secure and effective operation of the existing base on Diego Garcia and that Mauritius is sovereign over the Archipelago.

If he will have discussions with (a) eBay, (b) Etsy, (c) Folksy and (d) other online suppliers and platforms on steps to help ensure that consumers placing orders in Northern Ireland are not disadvantaged compared to other UK based consumers.

We continue to support businesses in ensuring a smooth flow of goods between Northern Ireland and the rest of the UK, including through regular engagement with online suppliers and platforms. DBT regularly talks to online suppliers and platforms, and works with the NI Department for the Economy to support people in Northern Ireland.

Whether he has held discussions with Cabinet colleagues on the impact of the Windsor Framework on any proposed UK wide smoking ban in Northern Ireland.

The Tobacco and Vapes Bill, introduced on the 5 November 2024, has been developed in partnership with the Scottish Government, the Welsh Government, and the Northern Ireland Executive, as well as with other departments across the wider Government. We intend the smoke-free generation policy to apply United Kingdom-wide.

Pursuant to the Answer of 6 December 2024 to Question 17516 on Royal Mint: Fraud, whether any of the fraudulent transactions were traceable to (a) people and (b) agencies based outside the United Kingdom.

The Royal Mint engaged the relevant law enforcement agencies as part of the fraud incident detailed in their Annual Report and Accounts for 2022-23. These investigations are confidential and as such, we cannot comment on whether the transactions were traceable or the location of the perpetrators of the fraud.

When he plans to launch the Global Combat Air Programme development phase of the next generation fighter aircraft.

Work is ongoing with our GCAP Partners Japan and Italy to establish the core platform concept and set up the structures needed, ready to launch the Development Phase in 2025.

What the total cost is of the Spearfish heavy weight torpedo programme.

The total funds allocated for the Spearfish torpedo programme are approximately £1154 million which incorporates the cost of the through life management of the programme.

Whether she plans to introduce further pathways under the Afghan Citizens Resettlement Scheme.

We are determined to honour our commitment to those who supported us in Afghanistan and who stood up for freedom and democracy, placing their own lives at risk.As of September 2024, we have brought around 33,400 individuals from Afghanistan - or a third country - to safety in the UK. This includes British Nationals and their families, Afghans who loyally served the UK and others identified as particularly at-risk, such as campaigners for women’s rights, human rights defenders, Chevening scholars, journalists, judges and members of the LGBT+ community.Afghan Operational data is viewable at: Afghan Resettlement Programme: operational data - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk).Our priority right now is the relocation of individuals accepted for resettlement through our established schemes, alongside fixing the gaps in our existing routes. That is why this government has already implemented a specific route under the ACRS to reunite Afghan families unintentionally separated during Operation Pitting. The window for referrals was open from 30 July and closed on 30 October. We have already begun to see arrivals and families be reunited.Further information is viewable at: Afghan citizens resettlement scheme - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk).

How much funding his Department plans to provide for renewable energy projects through the Clean Industries Bonus in Northern Ireland in 2025.

Clean Industry Bonuses are to be awarded through a competitive process, with an initial budget of £27m per gigawatt of offshore and floating offshore capacity that applies for the bonus in the Contracts for Difference Allocation Round 7. Given the competitive process, we cannot guarantee or predict who will win funding, though of course offshore wind developers may invest in firms in Northern Ireland as part of the scheme.

Pursuant to the Answer of 25 November 2024 to Question 14917 on Driving Licences: Northern Ireland, when she plans to announce the other measures.

Further measures to support young and novice drivers are being considered. More information will be set out in due course.

When he expects the independent inquiry under the Inquiries Act 2005 into the murder of Patrick Finucane to begin sitting.

The Inquiries Act 2005 sets out clear steps to follow in setting up an inquiry, including the appointment of the Chair, agreement on the Terms of Reference, working through the necessary logistics such as facilities and services procurement, and setting up the Inquiry secretariat. I am keen that the Inquiry is able to begin its work without undue delay.

How many non-domestic politically exposed persons have been prosecuted since the amendment to the Money Laundering, Terrorist Financing and Transfer of Funds Regulations 2017 became operational in January 2024.

The Ministry of Justice holds prosecution statistics; however, these statistics are not separated by the status of individuals as politically exposed persons (PEPs). The enforcement of the Money Laundering, Terrorist Financing and Transfer of Funds Regulations 2017, as amended, is carried out by various supervisory authorities such as the FCA. This includes actions in relation to regulatory failings involving non-domestic PEPs where applicable. The FCA is in the process of updating its guidance on PEPs to reflect the changes made by The Money Laundering and Terrorist Financing (Amendment) Regulations 2023. The FCA’s revised guidance will be published in due course.

When the Office of Budget Responsibility is next due to have an external review.

The Budget Responsibility and National Audit Act 2011 states that the Office for Budget Responsibility's (OBR's) Non-executive committee must appoint a person or body at least once in every 5-year period to review and report on the OBR. The Chair of the Oversight Board for the OBR formally commissioned the third external review on 24 May 2024 which is published on the OBR’s website: https://obr.uk/docs/dlm_uploads/Third-OBR-external-review_commissioning-letter_24-May-2024.pdf. Previous external reviews are published on the OBR’s website. https://obr.uk/about-the-obr/external-reviews/

How many people who arrived in the UK by small boats since 5 July 2024 are (a) male and (b) female.

The Home Office publishes quarterly statistics on detected irregular arrivals to the UK in the ‘Immigration System Statistics Quarterly Release’. Quarterly data on detected irregular arrivals by sex and method of entry, including small boat arrivals, is published in table Irr_D01 of the ‘Irregular migration to the UK detailed datasets’. The latest data is up to the end of September 2024, with data up to December 2024 to be published on 27 February 2025.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether he has had discussions with representatives of the incoming U.S. President on the appointment of a US Special Envoy to Northern Ireland.

The Foreign Secretary has not discussed the appointment of a US Special Envoy to Northern Ireland with representatives of the incoming US President. Appointments by the incoming US administration are a matter for them. We will work constructively with whoever is appointed as the next administration's US Special Envoy to Northern Ireland, just as we continue to work constructively with Joe Kennedy III, the current US Special Envoy. The UK has a thriving trading and investment relationship with the US that encourages mutual growth across the whole of the UK, including Northern Ireland. We are pleased that US delegations regularly visit Northern Ireland, and we expect that to continue in the years ahead.

Pursuant to the Answer of 9 September 2024 to Question 4181 on Banking Hubs, when she expects the 350 banking hubs to be operational.

The Government is working closely with banks to roll out 350 banking hubs, which will provide individuals and businesses up and down the country with critical cash and banking services. The UK banking sector has committed to deliver these hubs by the end of this parliament.

Innovation and Technology, whether the Semiconductor Advisory Panel will meet in Northern Ireland in 2025.

The government recognises that semiconductors are a UK wide strength, with clusters spread across the country, including in Northern Ireland. It is critical that the Semiconductor Advisory Panel can speak to all geographies of the semiconductor community. The Panel was recently renewed for another 18-month term and will meet quarterly. It will meet primarily in London but may hold meetings in regions and nations of the UK that have strengths in the sector where possible.