Written questions by Stafford.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what recent diplomatic steps she has taken with international counterparts to ensure the protection of Christian communities in Somalia.

I refer the Hon. Member to the answer given on 6 August to Question 68009.

Whether the ongoing Curriculum Review will include a focus on expanding or deepening the teaching of practical financial skills for pupils.

On 5 November, the independent Curriculum and Assessment Review published its final report which includes recommendations for a refreshed curriculum and assessment system in England. The government responded to this report. The response includes a commitment to strengthen pupils’ foundational understanding of financial education in mathematics and citizenship, with digital resources to support teaching.Work is now underway to deliver a new curriculum and assessment system that is ambitious for every child, rich in knowledge and strong on skills.The government is legislating so that academies will be required to teach the reformed national curriculum, alongside maintained schools. This will give parents certainty over the core of their child’s education.

Whether the Government plans to strengthen the enforcement and delivery of financial education across all types of schools.

On 5 November, the independent Curriculum and Assessment Review published its final report which includes recommendations for a refreshed curriculum and assessment system in England. The government responded to this report. The response includes a commitment to strengthen pupils’ foundational understanding of financial education in mathematics and citizenship, with digital resources to support teaching.Work is now underway to deliver a new curriculum and assessment system that is ambitious for every child, rich in knowledge and strong on skills.The government is legislating so that academies will be required to teach the reformed national curriculum, alongside maintained schools. This will give parents certainty over the core of their child’s education.

Whether the Government plans to require banks to maintain (a) Post Office facilities, (b) local banking hubs and (c) alternative physical banking services such when branches are closed.

The Government understands the importance of face-to-face banking to communities, high streets and rural areas and is committed to championing sufficient access, including for older and digitally excluded customers. This is why the Government is working closely with industry to roll out 350 banking hubs across the UK by the end of this Parliament. Over 240 hubs have been announced so far, and over 180 are already open. While branch closures are commercial decisions for banks, Financial Conduct Authority guidance expects firms to carefully consider the impact of planned branch closures on their customers’ everyday banking and cash access needs and put in place reasonable alternatives. This seeks to ensure that branch closures are implemented in a way that treats customers fairly. Firms are not able to close cash facilities, including bank branches, until any additional cash services identified as needed in the relevant assessment are available. Customers can access everyday banking services in a range of ways that suit their needs. This includes telephone banking, digital channels such as mobile or online banking and in person via bank branches and banking hubs. This mix of options helps ensure that people, particularly those who are less digitally engaged, can continue to manage their money confidently and securely. The Post Office plays a key role in supporting access to banking services. Under the Banking Framework, a commercial agreement between the Post Office and 30 banking firms, personal and business customers can withdraw and deposit cash, check their balance, pay bills and cash cheques at 11,500 Post Office branches across the UK. Decisions about what services are available at the Post Office, such as cheque deposits, are made by the banks as part of their commercial arrangements. While there has been a decline in overall cheque volumes, they continue to be used by many individuals, charities and businesses. In addition to traditional deposit methods, cheques can also be deposited digitally via mobile apps using cheque imaging technology. Beyond banking hubs and Post Office services, some banks provide further points of access through initiatives like pop-up services in libraries and community centres, or mobile banking vans serving remote areas. The Government supports these initiatives.

What discussions the Government has had with Lloyds Bank on (a) the closure of branches in (i) Haslemere, (ii) Petersfield, and (iii) Godalming and (b) the effect of those closures on local communities.

The Government understands the importance of face-to-face banking to communities, high streets and rural areas and is committed to championing sufficient access, including for older and digitally excluded customers. This is why the Government is working closely with industry to roll out 350 banking hubs across the UK by the end of this Parliament. Over 240 hubs have been announced so far, and over 180 are already open. While branch closures are commercial decisions for banks, Financial Conduct Authority guidance expects firms to carefully consider the impact of planned branch closures on their customers’ everyday banking and cash access needs and put in place reasonable alternatives. This seeks to ensure that branch closures are implemented in a way that treats customers fairly. Firms are not able to close cash facilities, including bank branches, until any additional cash services identified as needed in the relevant assessment are available. Customers can access everyday banking services in a range of ways that suit their needs. This includes telephone banking, digital channels such as mobile or online banking and in person via bank branches and banking hubs. This mix of options helps ensure that people, particularly those who are less digitally engaged, can continue to manage their money confidently and securely. The Post Office plays a key role in supporting access to banking services. Under the Banking Framework, a commercial agreement between the Post Office and 30 banking firms, personal and business customers can withdraw and deposit cash, check their balance, pay bills and cash cheques at 11,500 Post Office branches across the UK. Decisions about what services are available at the Post Office, such as cheque deposits, are made by the banks as part of their commercial arrangements. While there has been a decline in overall cheque volumes, they continue to be used by many individuals, charities and businesses. In addition to traditional deposit methods, cheques can also be deposited digitally via mobile apps using cheque imaging technology. Beyond banking hubs and Post Office services, some banks provide further points of access through initiatives like pop-up services in libraries and community centres, or mobile banking vans serving remote areas. The Government supports these initiatives.

What assessment the Government has made of the effect on rural and elderly populations of increasing reliance on online banking.

The Government understands the importance of face-to-face banking to communities, high streets and rural areas and is committed to championing sufficient access, including for older and digitally excluded customers. This is why the Government is working closely with industry to roll out 350 banking hubs across the UK by the end of this Parliament. Over 240 hubs have been announced so far, and over 180 are already open. While branch closures are commercial decisions for banks, Financial Conduct Authority guidance expects firms to carefully consider the impact of planned branch closures on their customers’ everyday banking and cash access needs and put in place reasonable alternatives. This seeks to ensure that branch closures are implemented in a way that treats customers fairly. Firms are not able to close cash facilities, including bank branches, until any additional cash services identified as needed in the relevant assessment are available. Customers can access everyday banking services in a range of ways that suit their needs. This includes telephone banking, digital channels such as mobile or online banking and in person via bank branches and banking hubs. This mix of options helps ensure that people, particularly those who are less digitally engaged, can continue to manage their money confidently and securely. The Post Office plays a key role in supporting access to banking services. Under the Banking Framework, a commercial agreement between the Post Office and 30 banking firms, personal and business customers can withdraw and deposit cash, check their balance, pay bills and cash cheques at 11,500 Post Office branches across the UK. Decisions about what services are available at the Post Office, such as cheque deposits, are made by the banks as part of their commercial arrangements. While there has been a decline in overall cheque volumes, they continue to be used by many individuals, charities and businesses. In addition to traditional deposit methods, cheques can also be deposited digitally via mobile apps using cheque imaging technology. Beyond banking hubs and Post Office services, some banks provide further points of access through initiatives like pop-up services in libraries and community centres, or mobile banking vans serving remote areas. The Government supports these initiatives.

What measures are in place to protect older and non-digital customers from losing access to in-person banking following Lloyds Bank branch closures.

The Government understands the importance of face-to-face banking to communities, high streets and rural areas and is committed to championing sufficient access, including for older and digitally excluded customers. This is why the Government is working closely with industry to roll out 350 banking hubs across the UK by the end of this Parliament. Over 240 hubs have been announced so far, and over 180 are already open. While branch closures are commercial decisions for banks, Financial Conduct Authority guidance expects firms to carefully consider the impact of planned branch closures on their customers’ everyday banking and cash access needs and put in place reasonable alternatives. This seeks to ensure that branch closures are implemented in a way that treats customers fairly. Firms are not able to close cash facilities, including bank branches, until any additional cash services identified as needed in the relevant assessment are available. Customers can access everyday banking services in a range of ways that suit their needs. This includes telephone banking, digital channels such as mobile or online banking and in person via bank branches and banking hubs. This mix of options helps ensure that people, particularly those who are less digitally engaged, can continue to manage their money confidently and securely. The Post Office plays a key role in supporting access to banking services. Under the Banking Framework, a commercial agreement between the Post Office and 30 banking firms, personal and business customers can withdraw and deposit cash, check their balance, pay bills and cash cheques at 11,500 Post Office branches across the UK. Decisions about what services are available at the Post Office, such as cheque deposits, are made by the banks as part of their commercial arrangements. While there has been a decline in overall cheque volumes, they continue to be used by many individuals, charities and businesses. In addition to traditional deposit methods, cheques can also be deposited digitally via mobile apps using cheque imaging technology. Beyond banking hubs and Post Office services, some banks provide further points of access through initiatives like pop-up services in libraries and community centres, or mobile banking vans serving remote areas. The Government supports these initiatives.

Whether she has had discussions with the Financial Conduct Authority on improving guidance for debt purchasers on responding to disclosures of consumer vulnerability.

The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) is responsible for the regulation of firms carrying out debt purchasing activities in respect to credit or consumer hire agreements. The FCA expects that these firms treat customers fairly, including those in vulnerable circumstances. Under the FCA’s Consumer Duty, firms are required to take steps to identify and respond to signs of vulnerability, support customers to disclose their needs, and make them aware of available assistance.In March 2025, the FCA published examples of good and poor practice, identifying areas for improvement in how firms deliver good outcomes for customers in vulnerable circumstances. When an Individual Voluntary Arrangement (IVA) is completed, it is the responsibility of the Insolvency Practitioner to inform Credit Reference Agencies (CRAs) of the completion. Additionally, debt purchasers who report to CRAs are expected to update the credit information they provide to reflect payments made towards debts that formed parts of the IVA. CRAs also receive public data on IVAs from the Individual Insolvency Register, which is maintained by the Insolvency Service, and retain this information for six years from the date the IVA was approved.

What assessment she has made of the adequacy of regulatory oversight of debt purchasing companies in ensuring that credit reference data is updated promptly following the completion of an Individual Voluntary Arrangement.

The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) is responsible for the regulation of firms carrying out debt purchasing activities in respect to credit or consumer hire agreements. The FCA expects that these firms treat customers fairly, including those in vulnerable circumstances. Under the FCA’s Consumer Duty, firms are required to take steps to identify and respond to signs of vulnerability, support customers to disclose their needs, and make them aware of available assistance.In March 2025, the FCA published examples of good and poor practice, identifying areas for improvement in how firms deliver good outcomes for customers in vulnerable circumstances. When an Individual Voluntary Arrangement (IVA) is completed, it is the responsibility of the Insolvency Practitioner to inform Credit Reference Agencies (CRAs) of the completion. Additionally, debt purchasers who report to CRAs are expected to update the credit information they provide to reflect payments made towards debts that formed parts of the IVA. CRAs also receive public data on IVAs from the Individual Insolvency Register, which is maintained by the Insolvency Service, and retain this information for six years from the date the IVA was approved.

What assessment he has made of the potential impact of excluding (a) household members and (b) carers from eligibility for covid-19 vaccinations on clinically extremely vulnerable people.

The Government is committed to protecting those most vulnerable to COVID-19 through vaccination, as guided by the independent Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI). The primary aim of the national COVID-19 vaccination programme remains the prevention of serious illness, involving hospitalisations and deaths, arising from COVID-19.In its advice for autumn 2024, the JCVI advised that in the era of highly transmissible Omicron sub-variants, any protection offered by the vaccine against transmission of infection from one person to another is expected to be extremely limited. Therefore, the indirect benefits of vaccination, namely vaccinating an individual such as a carer or household member to reduce the risk of severe disease in other people, are less evident now compared with previous years. Accordingly, in line with JCVI advice, carers were not eligible for a COVID-19 vaccination in autumn 2024.In line with the JCVI advice, the autumn 2025 programme is focused on targeted vaccination of the oldest adults, namely those aged 75 years old and over, residents in care homes for older adults, and individuals who are immunosuppressed. These are the groups who continue to be at higher risk of serious disease, including mortality. Any carer or household member who is eligible for vaccination through age or immunosuppression is encouraged to take up the offer of vaccination.

Whether his Department has undertaken an equality impact assessment for the covid-19 autumn vaccination eligibility criteria for households containing clinically extremely vulnerable people.

The Government is committed to protecting those most vulnerable to COVID-19 through vaccination, as guided by the independent Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI).In line with JCVI advice, the autumn 2025 programme is focussed on targeted vaccination of those aged 75 years old and over, residents in care homes for older adults, and individuals who are immunosuppressed. These are the groups who continue to be at higher risk of serious disease, including mortality.Equality Impact Assessments were undertaken to inform the development of the COVID-19 autumn 2024 and autumn 2025 vaccination campaigns and eligibility criteria.

What discussions she has had with the Israeli authorities on the sharing of (a) intelligence, (b) biometric data and (c) watchlists in relation to people released under prisoner agreements related to conflict in the Middle East.

It is the long-standing policy of successive governments not to comment publicly on discussions related to the UK sharing intelligence with international partners. The Home Office uses various tools to detect and disrupt travel by terrorists, by criminals and by individuals excluded from the UK; previously deported from the UK; or using lost, stolen or revoked documents and visas. This includes the use of domestic and international watchlists. It is a longstanding policy that HMG does not comment on the specific data held on the watchlist, how the data is used, or its source, as to do so would be harmful to the national security of the UK.

What steps she has taken to ensure that (a) the Border Force and (b) UK national security agencies are aware of the identities of high-risk individuals released in prisoner exchanges in the Middle East.

The Home Secretary has not had any engagement with Israeli authorities to discuss these matters. Since October 2023, a specialist team of experts from the FCDO have been providing support to family members in the UK and Israel. Officials have offered support to the hostage families forum, including through ministerial and senior official engagement.We have also connected the families with specialist agencies and organisations that can offer practical and psychological support, including FCDO-funded partner Hostage International.The Home Office uses various tools to detect and disrupt travel by terrorists, by criminals and by individuals excluded from the UK; previously deported from the UK; or using lost, stolen or revoked documents and visas. This includes the use of domestic and international watchlists.It is a longstanding policy that HMG does not comment on the specific data held on the watchlist, how the data is used, or its source, as to do so would be harmful to the national security of the UK.

What vetting processes are in place to prevent people with a history of violence or extremism from being granted asylum, in the context of recent developments in the Middle East.

All asylum claimants are subject to mandatory security checks to establish their identity and to link it to their biometric details for the purpose of immigration, security and criminality checks. These checks are critical to the delivery of a safe and secure immigration system.In line with the Refugee Convention, we will apply the relevant exclusion criteria and deny the benefits of refugee status to those who commit serious crimes and are a danger to the community or those who are a threat to national security.Extremists and other criminals who are denied protection status who cannot be removed because doing so would breach our obligations under the European Convention on Human Rights, may be granted shorter more restrictive leave and will be subject to regular review. They are not eligible for the same range of benefits as those with protection status and cannot qualify for settlement. Such individuals are not welcome in the UK and will be removed at the earliest opportunity.

How she plans to maintain the integrity of UK borders while fulfilling international obligations towards asylum seekers, in the context of evolving security risks.

All asylum and human rights claims are carefully considered on their individual merits in accordance with our international obligations so that we do not remove anyone to a country where they would face persecution or serious harm. All asylum claimants are subject to mandatory security checks to confirm their identity and to link it to their biometric details for the purpose of immigration, security and criminality checks. These checks are critical to the delivery of a safe and secure immigration system.The Home Office conducts mandatory identity and security checks on all irregular arrivals. We capture the given identity, and biometric (facial and fingerprint) data. This biographic and biometric data is checked and compared against relevant Home Office systems and police databases, including domestic and international data so we can establish whether the person is a known threat to public safety. Checks are conducted by the Home Office for a number of purposes, primarily for effective immigration control, safeguarding national security, and preventing, detecting and investigating serious and organised crime.Anyone convicted of a ‘particularly serious crime’, defined as being convicted by a final judgment and sentenced to a period of imprisonment of at least 12 months, and are considered a danger to the UK, will be denied asylum and considered for removal from the UK.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what recent discussions her Department has had with their Vietnamese counterparts on the use of counter-terrorism laws to target (a) Montagnard Indigenous Peoples and (b) Christian religious minorities in the country.

The UK Government continues to raise concerns with the Vietnamese authorities about the use of national security legislation to target Montagnard Indigenous Peoples and Christian religious minorities. These issues were most recently raised by the former Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for the Indo-Pacific, Catherine West MP, during meetings with Vice Foreign Minister Le Thi Thu Hang in London on 17 March 2025 and in Hanoi on 23-24 October 2024. The UK also raised the case of Y Quynh Bdap, a Montagnard activist facing extradition from Thailand, in our statement at the UN Human Rights Council in September 2025.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what recent steps his Department has taken with international partners to support imprisoned human rights supports in China, in the context of reports of (a) torture and (b) denial of medical treatment.

I refer the Hon Member to the answer provided on 1 September to Question 70115.

Communities and Local Government, what recent steps he has taken to support (a) religious freedom and the (b) protection of minority faith groups.

Freedom of religion or belief is a fundamental human right. Everyone in Britain has the right to feel safe and at ease where they live. The Government is committed to protecting individuals’ right to practise their religion freely and will not tolerate religious hatred in any form. Those who incite religious hatred will face the full force of the law.Faith Groups in England and Wales that are particularly vulnerable to religiously or racially motivated hate crime are eligible for funded protective security measures through the Places of Worship Protective Security Scheme. This scheme offers physical security enhancements, such as CCTV, intruder alarms, and secure perimeter fencing.An Antisemitism Working Group has been established to advise the Government on effective strategies to tackle hate against Jewish communities. Additionally, the government continues to work with the independent advisor Lord Mann in combating antisemitism through meaningful engagement with diverse communities.The Government has also established an independent working group to advise on a non-statutory definition of Anti-Muslim Hatred. The working group have engaged widely to ensure their proposed definition accounts for the variety of backgrounds and experiences of communities across the United Kingdom.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what assessment she has made of the potential implications for her polices of the armed attack on the Ahmadiyya Muslim community in Rabwah, Pakistan, on 10 October 2025.

We are aware of the recent attack at Baitul Mahdi Mosque in Rabwah and continue to monitor the situation with concern. Our High Commission in Islamabad regularly raises the persecution of Ahmadi Muslims with the Government of Pakistan at the highest levels, and has raised this incident with Pakistan's Human Rights Minister. I raised my concern over violence against the Ahmadiyya community in a meeting with Pakistan's Deputy Prime Minister in August. We continue to urge the Government of Pakistan to fully investigate incidents of violence, prosecute those responsible and provide justice to victims and their families. On the international stage, the UK continues to highlight freedom of religion or belief (FoRB) violations and abuses through our position at the UN, G7 and as an active member of the Article 18 Alliance, ensuring joint international action on FoRB.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether she plans to take steps to encourage the formation of an independent investigation into the 10 October 2025 attack on the Ahmadiyya Muslim community in Rabwah, Pakistan.

We are aware of the recent attack at Baitul Mahdi Mosque in Rabwah and continue to monitor the situation with concern. Our High Commission in Islamabad regularly raises the persecution of Ahmadi Muslims with the Government of Pakistan at the highest levels, and has raised this incident with Pakistan's Human Rights Minister. I raised my concern over violence against the Ahmadiyya community in a meeting with Pakistan's Deputy Prime Minister in August. We continue to urge the Government of Pakistan to fully investigate incidents of violence, prosecute those responsible and provide justice to victims and their families. On the international stage, the UK continues to highlight freedom of religion or belief (FoRB) violations and abuses through our position at the UN, G7 and as an active member of the Article 18 Alliance, ensuring joint international action on FoRB.