Written questions by Smith.

What mechanisms his department uses to ensure integrated care boards commission children’s palliative care services effectively and in accordance with national quality standards.

The Government is developing a Palliative Care and End of Life Care Modern Service Framework for England. I refer the Hon. Member for Leicester South and the Rt. Hon. Member for Chingford and Woodford Green to the Written Ministerial Statement HCWS1087 I gave to the House on 24 November 2025.We are supporting the hospice sector with a £100 million capital funding boost for eligible adult and children’s hospices in England to ensure they have the best physical environment for care. We are providing £80 million for children’s and young people’s hospices over the next three financial years, giving them stability to plan ahead and focus on what matters most, caring for their patients.

What assessment he has made of the potential merits of modelling how much integrated care boards should spend on the health elements of children's palliative care.

The Government is developing a Palliative Care and End of Life Care Modern Service Framework for England. I refer the Hon. Member for Leicester South and the Rt. Hon. Member for Chingford and Woodford Green to the Written Ministerial Statement HCWS1087 I gave to the House on 24 November 2025.We are supporting the hospice sector with a £100 million capital funding boost for eligible adult and children’s hospices in England to ensure they have the best physical environment for care. We are providing £80 million for children’s and young people’s hospices over the next three financial years, giving them stability to plan ahead and focus on what matters most, caring for their patients.

What percentage of drones, including IOTs (small communicating modular devices), procured by the MOD are made with Chinese components.

We do not procure Chinese manufactured drones for use in operations, and we review our critical supply chains regularly to identify and mitigate potential risks to our National Security. The MOD does not routinely comment on the relative percentages on the origin or percentages of specific components of our planned or in service capabilities.

Whether the interest accruing on the frozen proceeds from the sale of Chelsea Football Club is subject to UK taxation.

HM Treasury and His Majesty’s Revenue and Customs (HMRC) are unable to comment on the tax affairs of specific taxpayers. UK source interest is chargeable to UK tax. The quantum and timing of that charge are dependent on the status of the recipient and the precise nature of the arrangements that lead to that interest.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what recent discussions she has had with her Chinese counterpart on the ongoing transnational repression of the Falun Gong; and what steps she is taking to ensure their protection in the UK.

I refer the Hon. Member to the answer given to question 43452 on 09 April.

Whether the interest accrued on the frozen proceeds from the sale of Chelsea Football Club is intended to benefit any future foundation established to support victims of the war in Ukraine.

The Government is determined to see the full proceeds from the sale of Chelsea Football Club reach humanitarian causes in Ukraine, following Russia’s illegal full-scale invasion. We are deeply frustrated that it has not been possible to reach agreement on this with Mr Abramovich so far.While the door for negotiations will remain open, we are fully prepared to pursue this through the courts if required, to ensure people suffering in Ukraine can benefit from these proceeds as soon as possible.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether he plans to provide technical or financial assistance to support the establishment of the International Claims Commission and its associated compensation fund.

We are clear that Russia must be held accountable for its illegal actions in Ukraine. The UK is a founding member of the Register of Damage and Chair of the Conference of Participants, under the auspices of the Council of Europe. The process to establish a Claims Commission as the next stage in an international compensation mechanism is still ongoing. The UK has participated in all four rounds of negotiations and continues to actively engage.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether he has considered the practice of forced passportization in territories of Ukraine currently under Russian occupation.

It has been widely-documented that residents in Russia-occupied Ukrainian territories are being compelled to take Russian passports to access essential services such as healthcare, education and pensions, with those who refuse facing detention, deportation, and the loss of property rights. This is a clear breach of international humanitarian law, and we continue to condemn it in international fora, including the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) and the UN.

Innovation and Technology, pursuant to the Answer of 4 November 2025 to Question 85691 on Government Digital Service: Taiwan, whether it is the policy of the government that Taiwan is not a place of residence for the purposes of government digital services.

I refer the Hon. Member to the answer I gave on 4 November 2025 to Question 85691.

If she will make an assessment of the adequacy of the steps taken to ensure that adults who receive positive reasonable grounds decisions can enter support through the Modern Slavery Victim Care Contract.

Government is committed to identifying and supporting victims of modern slavery, to assist with their recovery needs and help them begin rebuilding their lives.All adult potential victims who receive a positive reasonable grounds decision can access support through the Modern Slavery Victim Care Contract (MSVCC), subject to their consent which can be given at the time of the NRM referral, or when transitioning from child to adult support structures.Where consent is provided, The Salvation Army (TSA) will attempt to contact the victim on multiple occasions, at different times of day, and may use legal representatives or first responders to confirm contact details if necessary.If contact has not been made within 48 hours, the victim or their legal representative can contact TSA directly to arrange entry into support.Home Office do not currently publish data on numbers of potential victims who choose not to consent to MSVCC support.For potential victims transitioning from child to adult support structures, we are also developing information packs for victims and the professionals who support them, which aim to enhance understanding of the consent process and adult support offer to improve informed decision making on accessing support.

If she will make an assessment the factors that can prevent adults with positive reasonable grounds decisions from entering support through the Modern Slavery Victim Care Contract; and what steps her Department is taking to ensure all those eligible for support can receive it.

Government is committed to identifying and supporting victims of modern slavery, to assist with their recovery needs and help them begin rebuilding their lives.All adult potential victims who receive a positive reasonable grounds decision can access support through the Modern Slavery Victim Care Contract (MSVCC), subject to their consent which can be given at the time of the NRM referral, or when transitioning from child to adult support structures.Where consent is provided, The Salvation Army (TSA) will attempt to contact the victim on multiple occasions, at different times of day, and may use legal representatives or first responders to confirm contact details if necessary.If contact has not been made within 48 hours, the victim or their legal representative can contact TSA directly to arrange entry into support.Home Office do not currently publish data on numbers of potential victims who choose not to consent to MSVCC support.For potential victims transitioning from child to adult support structures, we are also developing information packs for victims and the professionals who support them, which aim to enhance understanding of the consent process and adult support offer to improve informed decision making on accessing support.

How many adults with a positive Reasonable Grounds decision do not go on to enter support through the Modern Slavery Victim Care Contract.

Government is committed to identifying and supporting victims of modern slavery, to assist with their recovery needs and help them begin rebuilding their lives.All adult potential victims who receive a positive reasonable grounds decision can access support through the Modern Slavery Victim Care Contract (MSVCC), subject to their consent which can be given at the time of the NRM referral, or when transitioning from child to adult support structures.Where consent is provided, The Salvation Army (TSA) will attempt to contact the victim on multiple occasions, at different times of day, and may use legal representatives or first responders to confirm contact details if necessary.If contact has not been made within 48 hours, the victim or their legal representative can contact TSA directly to arrange entry into support.Home Office do not currently publish data on numbers of potential victims who choose not to consent to MSVCC support.For potential victims transitioning from child to adult support structures, we are also developing information packs for victims and the professionals who support them, which aim to enhance understanding of the consent process and adult support offer to improve informed decision making on accessing support.

What steps her Department has taken to ensure adults with a positive Reasonable Grounds decision can enter support through the Modern Slavery Victim Care Contract; how many attempts are made to contact a person; and what happens if the person cannot be contacted.

Government is committed to identifying and supporting victims of modern slavery, to assist with their recovery needs and help them begin rebuilding their lives.All adult potential victims who receive a positive reasonable grounds decision can access support through the Modern Slavery Victim Care Contract (MSVCC), subject to their consent which can be given at the time of the NRM referral, or when transitioning from child to adult support structures.Where consent is provided, The Salvation Army (TSA) will attempt to contact the victim on multiple occasions, at different times of day, and may use legal representatives or first responders to confirm contact details if necessary.If contact has not been made within 48 hours, the victim or their legal representative can contact TSA directly to arrange entry into support.Home Office do not currently publish data on numbers of potential victims who choose not to consent to MSVCC support.For potential victims transitioning from child to adult support structures, we are also developing information packs for victims and the professionals who support them, which aim to enhance understanding of the consent process and adult support offer to improve informed decision making on accessing support.

What recent assessment she has made of the level of threat posed by people motivated by Jihadi ideology to (a) public safety and (b) the safety of (i) synagogues, (ii) Jewish educational establishments and (iii) other Jewish community sites; what assessment she has made of the trends in the level of this threat over the last five years; and what recent assessment she has made of whether levels of security provided to (A) synagogues, (B) Jewish educational establishments and (C) other Jewish community sites is adequate to respond to levels of threat.

The terrorist threat we see today is more diverse and complex than before. The UK National Threat Level remains at SUBSTANTIAL, meaning an attack is likely. The UK National Threat Level is set by the Joint Terrorism Analysis Centre which continually monitors the threat to the UK from all forms of terrorism.This Government is firmly committed to protecting the right of individuals to freely practise their religion at their chosen place of worship, and to ensuring the safety of our streets and communities. We recognise that recent incidents have heightened concerns about the safety of Jewish communities and places of worship, as well as those of other faiths. We take these concerns seriously and continue to work with closely with the police to assess threats and review the protections in place for communities.To support Jewish communities in the UK, the Community Security Trust (CST) has been allocated £28 million in 2025/26 through the Jewish Community Protective Security (JCPS) Grant. This includes an additional £10 million in emergency funding announced by the Prime Minister on 16 October following the terrorist attack at Heaton Park Hebrew Congregation Synagogue. This funding enables the deployment of enhanced security staff and equipment, such as CCTV, alarms and floodlights, at synagogues, Jewish educational establishments, and other community sites.We continue to engage with CST and other partners to ensure that the level of security provision remains proportionate to the assessed threat and is responsive to the needs of Jewish communities.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what assessment she has made of the potential implications for her policies of the report by (a) the Australian Strategic Policy Institute entitled Scamland Myanmar: How conflict and crime syndicates built a global fraud industry, published in September 2024, and (b) the US Institute of Peace entitled Myanmar Scam Hubs Revive Fast After China Eases Pressure on Junta, published on 26 September 2024.

The UK is acting in concert with our allies and partners to combat the growing transnational threat from scam centres, including by joining the US in sanctioning the multi-billion-pound Prince Group network in October, and sanctioning 3 individuals in 2023 for their involvement in trafficking to Myanmar-based scam centres. By exposing and severely disrupting such actors, our sanctions act as a strong deterrence and put pressure on the wider scam economy and its enablers, supporting the efforts of affected countries in the region. We keep all evidence and potential designations under close review. It would not be appropriate to speculate about potential future sanctions designations as to do so could reduce their impact.Scam centres operating in Myanmar are likely to target a wide range of nationals, including British nationals, as victims of scams and potentially for recruitment into the centres themselves. It is crucial that all British nationals carefully consider job offers in the region, especially where the offer appears too good to be true.

Innovation and Technology, for what reason the Government Digital Service does not list Taiwan as a place of residence.

Government Digital Service currently uses the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) list of recognised countries to ensure consistency across UK government services. This policy is under review.

What assessment she has made of the potential merits of proscribing Russia’s main political parties as terrorist organisations.

While the UK Government keeps the list of proscribed organisations under review, we do not routinely comment on whether an organisation is or is not being considered for proscription.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether she has had recent discussions with her counterpart in Ukraine on an extension of tariff-free access for Ukrainian (a) poultry and (b) egg products, which is due to expire in March 2026.

The extension was raised by the Ukrainians during the Foreign Secretary's visit to Kyiv on 12 September. This information was relayed to the Department for Business and Trade who lead on the UK-Ukraine Free Trade Agreement including the question of the extension of provisions for eggs and poultry. The Department for Business and Trade have confirmed that they will review the options on egg and poultry tariffs before March 2026.

Whether all British citizens are eligible to the same access to healthcare across the UK.

All British citizens who are residents in the United Kingdom are eligible to access healthcare services free at any point of need. In England, Scotland and Wales, this is provided through the National Health Service, and in Northern Ireland through Health and Social Care (HSC). These systems are founded on the principle of providing comprehensive, high-quality healthcare based on clinical need and not the ability to pay.Health is a devolved matter and the health services in each of the four nations operates under their own legislative and governance arrangements. Eligibility criteria and specific service models may vary between England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland. However, the UK Government works closely with the Devolved Governments to support a joined-up approach to healthcare, ensuring that people can receive urgent and emergency healthcare wherever they are in the UK.We will continue to collaborate with our Devolved Government counterparts across the UK through established intergovernmental structures to share best practise and improve access to high-quality healthcare for all our citizens.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, if she will make an assessment of the potential implications for her Department's policies of Fortify Rights' report entitled Crashing Down on Us, published in September 2025; and what steps she is taking to help tackle China’s reported supply of (a) funds, (b) fuel and (c) equipment for the support of the Myanmar junta’s airstrikes.

The UK is acting in concert with our allies and partners to combat the growing transnational threat from scam centres, including by joining the US in sanctioning the multi-billion-pound Prince Group network in October, and sanctioning 3 individuals in 2023 for their involvement in trafficking to Myanmar-based scam centres. By exposing and severely disrupting such actors, our sanctions act as a strong deterrence and put pressure on the wider scam economy and its enablers, supporting the efforts of affected countries in the region. We keep all evidence and potential designations under close review. It would not be appropriate to speculate about potential future sanctions designations as to do so could reduce their impact.Scam centres operating in Myanmar are likely to target a wide range of nationals, including British nationals, as victims of scams and potentially for recruitment into the centres themselves. It is crucial that all British nationals carefully consider job offers in the region, especially where the offer appears too good to be true.