Written questions by Campbell.

If he will make an estimate of how many (a) Crown Post Offices and (b) sub Post Offices there will be in 2029.

No decisions to close any or all of the remaining Directly Managed Branches have been taken. The Post Office will continue to deliver on the 11,500 minimum branch requirement set by Government. Longer term, Government has set out our plan to publish a Green Paper to consult with the public on the long-term future of the Post Office. This Green Paper will help inform what customers, communities and postmasters would like to see from a modern Post Office network.

When the provisions of the British Nationality (Irish Citizens) Act 2024 will come into force.

The British Nationality (Irish Citizens) Act 2024 will come into force on a date that is set out in future regulations made by the Secretary of State, as allowed for by Clause 2(3) of the Act. This will be when the Home Office is able to make operational changes to implement the new route. Work on this is underway.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, how many potential cyber attacks from other states were intercepted by the National Cyber Security Centre in the six weeks before 4 July 2024.

The National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) continually monitors threats to our national security. The NCSC does not routinely disclose statistics relating to incidents. However, details on key findings and trends will be published in its Annual Review on 3 December 2024.Ahead of the UK General Election, NCSC engaged with stakeholders across the UK economy and society to ensure they had the necessary tools to keep the election safe.The Electoral Commission also reported that polling day ran smoothly, and that people were able to cast their ballot securely. Ultimately, because voting takes place with pencil and paper, this significantly reduces the threat of interference.

Whether he expects all F-35 aircraft to be delivered by the end of 2025.

The Prime Contractor of the F35, Lockheed Martin, has confirmed its intention to deliver the 48 UK aircraft ordered so far (Tranche 1) by the end of 2025.

What estimate she has made of the the amount of increased taxation generated by the increase in the National Living Wage in 2025-26.

The latest forecasts for tax revenues were published alongside the Office for Budget Responsibility’s (OBR) October Economic and Fiscal Outlook. These forecasts are based on economic determinants, including wage growth and employment levels. Detailed tax receipts forecasts can be found here: Economic and fiscal outlook – October 2024 - Office for Budget Responsibility

What funding he plans to allocate for brain tumour research in the 2025-26 financial year.

Research is crucial in tackling cancer. The Department spends £1.5 billion each year on research through its research delivery arm, the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR), with cancer being the largest area of spend at over £121.8 million in 2022/23. The NIHR spends more on cancer than any other disease group, reflecting its high priority.Brain cancer remains one of the hardest to treat cancers in both adults and children and we urgently need more research to inform our efforts, which is why in September, the NIHR announced new research funding opportunities for brain cancer research, spanning both adult and paediatric populations. This includes a national NIHR Brain Tumour Research Consortium, to ensure that the most promising research opportunities are made available to adult and child patients, and a new funding call to generate high quality evidence in brain tumour care, support, and rehabilitation. Further information on the new research funding opportunities is available at the following link:https://www.nihr.ac.uk/news/new-funding-opportunities-novel-brain-tumour-research-launchedThe NIHR continues to encourage and welcome applications for research into any aspect of human health, including brain tumours. Applications are subject to peer review and judged in open competition, with awards made on the basis of the importance of the topic to patients and health and care services, value for money, and scientific quality.

Media and Sport, if she will take steps to ensure the upcoming charter review of the BBC considers the transparency around the deployment of staff to cover overseas events including future US Presidential elections.

The BBC is operationally and editorially independent from the Government and decisions about its coverage of US Presidential elections are therefore a matter for the BBC.The BBC has a duty to deliver impartial and accurate news coverage and content under its Royal Charter. The Charter also specifically sets out that the BBC must observe high standards of openness and seek to maximise transparency and accountability.The existing Charter is due to expire on 31 December 2027. We are in the early stages of preparation for the upcoming Charter Review which we expect to launch in 2025. We will ensure we take all relevant views into account as part of the review.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, if he will make representations to his new US counterpart in January 2025 on potential steps to help implement the arrest warrant for President Putin of Russia issued by International Criminal Court judges in March 2023.

We encourage all countries to co-operate with the International Criminal Court (ICC). The UK is fully committed to holding Russia to account for its illegal and barbaric actions in Ukraine, and has provided support to the ICC to assist its work, including the investigation into the situation in Ukraine. The Foreign Secretary looks forward to working with the Trump Administration in the months and years ahead in the spirit of our shared values of freedom, democracy and enterprise. American leadership will remain crucial to the global challenges that all our nations face.

What recent discussions he has had with the Northern Ireland Economy Minister on using Northern Ireland's ultra fast broadband capability to expand the business sector.

Northern Ireland is leading the way for gigabit-capable broadband across the UK with over 90% coverage, made possible by substantial UK Government funding.Digital connectivity is vital for stimulating economic growth, which is why the Chancellor has announced that the Government will be investing over £500 million in 2025-26 to drive the rollout of digital infrastructure across the UK, including in Northern Ireland.

Pursuant to the Answer of 5 November 2024 to Question 11832 on Living Wage, how many and what proportion of workers affected by the increase in the National Living Wage will become taxpayers in April 2025.

At Autumn Budget the Chancellor announced the National Living Wage will rise by 6.7% in April 2025 to £12.21 per hour, representing a pay rise to over 3 million workers. This pay boost is worth £1,400 a year for an eligible full-time worker.The Government is protecting working people’s payslips by, not increasing the basic, higher or additional rates of income tax, or employee National Insurance contributions. It is also not extending the freeze on personal tax thresholds, allowing them to rise with inflation from April 2028.

When the first meeting of InterTrade UK will take place.

I confirmed the appointment of Baroness Foster as the chair of Intertrade UK on 19 September and work is continuing to appoint the remaining members of the body. We will announce these appointments and further details - including the timing of the first and subsequent meetings - in due course.

Media and Sport, what discussions she has had with Ofcom on (a) allegations that Channel One Russia Worldwide has breached the conditions of its TLCS licence and (b) the imposition of statutory sanctions on GB News Limited for breaching the special impartiality requirements in the programme People’s Forum: The Prime Minister broadcast on 12 February 2024.

The Secretary of State has had no discussions with Ofcom regarding Channel One Russia Worldwide or the imposition of statutory sanctions on GB News.Ofcom is the UK’s regulator for broadcasting and by law carries out its duties independently of the Government. Ofcom’s Broadcasting Code contains rules to ensure that due impartiality must be preserved on matters of major political or industrial controversy and major matters relating to current public policy​. It is for Ofcom, as the independent regulator, to determine whether there has been a breach of their rules and whether to apply sanctions.Although Channel One Russia Worldwide holds an Ofcom TLCS licence, it is not available on any regulated service in the UK.

How many foreign nationals released from prison in 2023 and deported have subsequently returned to the UK.

The information requested on the number of returning foreign national offenders is not available from published statistics.A deportation order requires a foreign national offender to leave the UK and prohibits them from entering the UK while it remains in force. Anyone discovered at the border attempting to do so will be automatically denied entry or detained. Entering in breach of a deportation order is a criminal offence under section 24(1)(a) of the 1971 Act, so if an individual who was previously deported is found again in the UK, other than at the border, they will again be liable to be detained and returned to prison.Section 40 of the Nationality and Borders Act 2022 increased the statutory maximum sentence for breach of a deportation order from 6 months to 5 years.

What plans he has for the (a) establishment and (b) work of the Castlereagh Foundation.

The Identity and Language (Northern Ireland) Act 2022 contains provisions for the Establishment of the Castlereagh Foundation. The Executive Office is responsible for taking forward the necessary arrangements to implement the commenced provisions under this Act. The Government expects the Executive Office will make an announcement in due course regarding next steps on implementation of the legislation. The Government wants to see devolved institutions in Northern Ireland consider the provisions set out under the legislation themselves before any consideration of using or commencing the powers provided for in section 8 of the Act.

Whether she plans to expand the pilot No Interest Loan Scheme to Northern Ireland.

The government recognises the importance of affordable credit in helping people across the UK manage their finances. A government-funded No Interest Loan Scheme (NILS) pilot is being conducted by Fair4All Finance and its partners in England, Scotland, and Wales. The pilot aims to assess how effectively NILS meets the needs of vulnerable consumers. PwC has been appointed to conduct a comprehensive evaluation of the pilot to determine whether NILS is a viable and sustainable product that should be made permanently available. Lending for the pilot concluded on 31 August 2024. Although Fair4All Finance intended to extend the pilot to Northern Ireland, the absence of a Northern Ireland Executive from October 2022 to February 2024 meant there was insufficient time to secure sign-off for the necessary capital to fund the pilot there before the lending period ended.

When his Department last reviewed the (a) structures, (b) weaponry and (c) capability of (i) loyalist and (ii) republican terror groups in Northern Ireland; and if he will publish that review.

The ‘Paramilitary Groups in Northern Ireland’ report was published in 2015 by the UK Government in order to provide a one-off factual assessment from the UK security agencies and the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) on the structure, role and purpose of paramilitary organisations in Northern Ireland. This public assessment, which was intended to inform the then ongoing cross-party talks, has not been repeated. The PSNI and UK security agencies continually assess the threat, risk and harm posed by paramilitary, terrorist and organised crime groups to inform the most appropriate operational response. The threat from Northern Ireland Related Terrorism (NIRT) is assessed by the Joint Terrorism Analysis Centre (JTAC), after MI5 passed over responsibility earlier this year. JTAC keeps the Threat Level in Northern Ireland from NIRT under constant review and formally reviews it twice a year. However, the threat is wholly driven by violent Dissident Republicans who reject the Good Friday Agreement (GFA), and not by Groups that support the GFA. The Chief Constable’s statement of 30 October was clear that the PSNI, alongside security partners “continually assess the threat, risk and harm posed by paramilitary, terrorist and organised crime groups to inform the most appropriate operational response.” Rightly, any criminality or threat - by individuals or groups, loyalist or republican - will be investigated by the PSNI and those responsible will be brought before the courts.

Food and Rural Affairs, what recent assessment his Department has made of whether the UK meet the UN Sustainable Development Goal 12.3 target.

The Department has made no recent assessment of the UN Sustainable Development Goal 12.3 target of a 50% reduction of food waste by 2030. Latest data from the Waste and Resources Action Programme (WRAP) showed that between 2007, the baseline used for reporting food waste progress, and 2021, UK per capita food waste fell by 26kg per person per year, representing an 18.3% reduction. To meet the Sustainable Development Goal 12.3 target of a 50% reduction by 2030, a further 45kg per person reduction or 32% of the baseline will be required.

What estimate he has made of how many people will be paid the increased national living wage in April 2025.

We estimate that over 3 million workers will receive a pay rise due to the increase in the National Living Wage in April 2025. The number of workers paid at the National Living Wage in April 2025 is expected to be lower as some of these workers will receive a further indirect pay rise as employers decide to pay above the minimum. We will publish an Impact Assessment alongside the legislation that implements the increase to the National Living Wage.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether he plans to make representations to the next US President on appointing a US Special Envoy to Northern Ireland for Economic Affairs.

We continue to work constructively with Joe Kennedy III, the current US Special Envoy, and look forward to his upcoming visit to Northern Ireland. Economic growth is a key component of our foreign policy agenda and the central mission of this Government. The UK has a thriving trading and investment relationship with the US that encourages mutual growth across the whole of the UK. The Chancellor announced that the Northern Ireland Executive will be provided with a £18.2 billion settlement in 2025/26 - the largest in real terms in the history of devolution.

What the average weekly Pension Credit payment was in April 2024.

Pension Credit data for April 2024 is not currently available. The latest data is from February 2024, when the average weekly Pension Credit payment was £76.20. The next iteration of Pension Credit statistics containing data to May 2024 will be available on Stat Xplore from 28th November 2024. This data is available on Stat-Xplore at https://stat-xplore.dwp.gov.uk in the ‘Pension Credit - Data from May 2018’ dataset. More information on the data included in the ‘Pension Credit’ dataset can be found here: https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/dwp-statistical-summaries. Guidance on how to use Stat-Xplore can be found here: https://stat-xplore.dwp.gov.uk/webapi/online-help/index.html.