Written questions by Mohamed.

What steps he is taking to ensure controlled UK miliary items are not exported without proper authorisation.

Any exporter seeking to export controlled items is subject to the UK’s Export Control regime as established under the Export Control Act 2002. All applications for export licences are assessed against the Strategic Export Licensing Criteria. Overall responsibility for enforcement of export controls rests with HMRC. HMRC works closely with Border Force to conduct customs checks to ensure exports are appropriately licences and, where necessary, seize goods at the port. The export of goods in contravention of our licensing controls is a serious offence and can result in a substantial prison sentence.

Media and Sport, what discussions she has had with the Charity Commission on the risk of charities offering to help British citizens move to illegal settlements in the West Bank.

It has not proved possible to respond to the Hon Member in the time available before Prorogation.

What steps her Department is taking to ensure that Gift Aid is not given to charities linked to illegal activity.

The Government implements safeguards to prevent payments to charities associated with illegal activity. Most charities are required to be registered with their local regulator such as the Charity Commission for England and Wales (CCEW), Office of the Scottish Charity Regulator (OSCR), and Charity Commission for Northern Ireland (CCNI). In order to claim Gift Aid, they must also be registered with HMRC. This ensures that only organisations subject to regulatory oversight, trustee accountability and enforcement powers can access tax reliefs such as Gift Aid. HMRC conducts validation and risk-based checks at registration and thereafter. These checks involve reviewing Gift Aid claims supplied by the charity. Charities must also obtain valid Gift Aid declarations from all donors in respect of whom Gift Aid is claimed. They must maintain records linking each donation to a valid declaration, including donor identity and donation details. HMRC monitors charities through risk assessments and sector trends to ensure funds are used appropriately and reliefs are granted only where entitled. The government introduced legislation, enacted in Finance Act 2026, which strengthens HMRC’s ability to challenge illegal and abusive arrangements.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what steps her Department is taking to monitor and prevent the movement of British citizens to illegal settlements in the West Bank.

I refer the Hon Member to the answer I gave on this issue during the most recent session of departmental oral questions on 21 April.

Innovation and Technology, whether the Sovereign AI fund will invest in companies that train AI models on copyrighted work without a license.

The Government has been clear that copyright rules should be respected. Use of copyright works to train AI in the UK requires a licence unless an exception applies. Companies supported by the Sovereign AI Fund are expected to comply with applicable UK law.

If his Department will publish the legal direction under Section 254 of the Health and Social Care Act 2012 that disapplies patient opt-outs for the NHS Federated Data Platform.

All directions made by my Rt Hon. Friend, the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, under section 254 of the Health and Social Care Act 2012 are published at the following link: https://digital.nhs.uk/about-nhs-digital/corporate-information-and-documents/directions-and-data-provision-notices/secretary-of-state-directions/secretary-of-state-directions-a-z The National Data Opt-Out does not currently apply to the NHS Federated Data Platform (NHS FDP). This is not because of a direction but because there are currently no products within the NHS FDP which are required to apply the National Data Opt-Out. If the purpose of processing means that the National Data Opt-Out should apply, then the data controller must apply the opt-out. This is covered in the NHS FDP Information Governance Framework, which can be found at the following link: https://www.england.nhs.uk/long-read/federated-data-platform-information-governance-framework/ Further information on where the National Data Opt-Out does not apply is available at the following link: https://www.nhs.uk/your-nhs-data-matters/where-your-choice-does-not-apply/

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what steps her Department is taking to help ensure that the rights of older people are integrated into the humanitarian and recovery strategies to be discussed at the Sudan Conference in Berlin.

It is standard practice to consider the particular needs of marginalised groups, including older people, when planning our humanitarian responses, and this will be reflected in our ongoing discussions with international partners and non-governmental organisations on the crisis in Sudan.

How many Investor-State Dispute Settlement cases involving the UK (a) are ongoing, (b) have been settled and (c) have been concluded.

The UK has 77 BITs with Investor-State Dispute Settlement (ISDS) provisions. The Government is defending two active arbitrations, neither of which have been settled or concluded. The Government has acted consistently with domestic and international law obligations. In view of the ongoing proceedings, it would be inappropriate for the Government to comment further at this stage.

Whether his Department has undertaken a review of the continued inclusion of Investor-State Dispute Settlement provisions in UK trade and investment agreements.

Investor State Dispute Settlement (ISDS) provides an independent means for investors to resolve disputes with states where they believe they have experienced arbitrary, discriminatory or unfair treatment or expropriation without compensation. The Government is aware of the interest in this important policy area and, in line with HMG’s Trade Strategy, the UK will continue to work with trading partners multilaterally, such as the OECD and the UN, to pursue opportunities to improve ISDS practice.

How much compensation has been paid to claimants as a result of Investor-State Dispute Settlement rulings and settlements.

The UK has 77 BITs with Investor-State Dispute Settlement (ISDS) provisions. The Government is defending two active arbitrations, neither of which have been settled or concluded. The Government has acted consistently with domestic and international law obligations. In view of the ongoing proceedings, it would be inappropriate for the Government to comment further at this stage.

What assessment his Department has made of the potential implications for his Department’s policies of Colombia's announcement that it will withdraw from the Investor-State Dispute Settlement (ISDS) system.

The Government values the role played by the UK-Colombia Bilateral Investment Treaty (BIT) in the investment relationship between our countries. It includes binding investment protection provisions under the ISDS which protect both UK and Colombian investors against unfair and discriminatory treatment, and expropriation without adequate compensation. My Department has not received a formal approach from its Colombian counterparts to discuss the UK-Colombia BIT or its ISDS provisions.

Whether his Department holds information on the number of Investor-State Dispute Settlement claims that have been initiated by UK-based investors against foreign governments in each of the last 20 years.

The Government does not keep a record of Investor-State Dispute Settlement (ISDS) claims where it is not a disputing party. The United Nations Commission on Trade and Development maintains a database of known ISDS claims, including those initiated by UK-based investors. This can be found at: https://investmentpolicy.unctad.org/investment-dispute-settlement .

What the cost to the public purse has been of responding to Investor-State Dispute Settlement claims brought against the UK since 2000, including legal fees and arbitration costs.

The UK has 77 BITs with Investor-State Dispute Settlement (ISDS) provisions. The Government is defending two active arbitrations, neither of which have been settled or concluded. The Government has acted consistently with domestic and international law obligations. In view of the ongoing proceedings, it would be inappropriate for the Government to comment further at this stage.

How many Investor-State Dispute Settlement claims have been brought against the UK in each year since 2000.

The UK has 77 BITs with Investor-State Dispute Settlement (ISDS) provisions. The Government is defending two active arbitrations, neither of which have been settled or concluded. The Government has acted consistently with domestic and international law obligations. In view of the ongoing proceedings, it would be inappropriate for the Government to comment further at this stage.

What assessment he has made of the potential impact of trends in the level of funding for management apprenticeships on social mobility.

Over the past decade we’ve seen apprenticeship starts by those aged 16-24, fall by 40%. At the same time, last year, the government spent 100% of its multi-billion pound apprenticeship budget. This Government wants to reverse that decline and support 50,000 more young people into apprenticeships. We are therefore reviewing the existing apprenticeship offer, which has grown to more than 700 standards, an outlier by international standards, to ensure it better supports young people starting their careers. From September 2026, we will withdraw funding from 16 existing apprenticeship standards.Three of these are generic leadership and management apprenticeships, which have grown significantly but are predominantly used as continuing professional development for established staff aged 25 and over. In the 2024/2025 academic year, nearly 90% of apprentices on these leadership and management standards are over 25 (compared to 50% across the programme as a whole); and 83% are long-term employees (compared to 43% across the programme as whole – which is a 10-year high). This has happened at a time when we have seen the number of young people who are not in education, employment or training (NEET) increase to nearly one million. Rebalancing the programme is necessary and proportionate to achieve our legitimate aim of rebalancing funding towards the government’s priorities supporting young people and delivering growth, whilst being aligned to the Youth Guarantee and the Industrial Strategy. We know that apprenticeships offer strong returns, and that is particularly true for young people. The changes to streamline the apprenticeship offer will help to create headroom to invest in more opportunities for young people and new apprenticeship units for adults. Employers who value these apprenticeship standards can continue to use them on a privately funded basis.

How much funding her Department has provided for management apprenticeships for its own staff in each of the last three financial years.

HM Treasury has spent the following on management apprenticeships:2023-24 – £195,1032024-25 - £749,3752025-26 - £615,591 HMRC has spent the following on management apprenticeships:2023-24 – £113,3432024-25 - £95,8112025-26 - £118,859 HM Treasury is reviewing its approach to apprenticeships and is looking to offer staff more opportunities in areas such as AI and digital.

What assessment his Department has made of the potential impact of (a) trained line managers on the implementation of the Industrial Strategy and (b) trends in the level of funding for management apprenticeships on the economy.

Over the past decade we’ve seen apprenticeship starts by those aged 16-24, fall by 40%. At the same time, last year, the government spent 100% of its multi-billion pound apprenticeship budget. This Government wants to reverse that decline and support 50,000 more young people into apprenticeships. We are therefore reviewing the existing apprenticeship offer, which has grown to more than 700 standards, an outlier by international standards, to ensure it better supports young people starting their careers. From September 2026, we will withdraw funding from 16 existing apprenticeship standards.Three of these are generic leadership and management apprenticeships, which have grown significantly but are predominantly used as continuing professional development for established staff aged 25 and over. In the 2024/2025 academic year, nearly 90% of apprentices on these leadership and management standards are over 25 (compared to 50% across the programme as a whole); and 83% are long-term employees (compared to 43% across the programme as whole – which is a 10-year high). This has happened at a time when we have seen the number of young people who are not in education, employment or training (NEET) increase to nearly one million. Rebalancing the programme is necessary and proportionate to achieve our legitimate aim of rebalancing funding towards the government’s priorities supporting young people and delivering growth, whilst being aligned to the Youth Guarantee and the Industrial Strategy. We know that apprenticeships offer strong returns, and that is particularly true for young people. The changes to streamline the apprenticeship offer will help to create headroom to invest in more opportunities for young people and new apprenticeship units for adults. Employers who value these apprenticeship standards can continue to use them on a privately funded basis.

What assessment he has made of the potential impact of trends in the level of funding for management apprenticeships on leadership diversity.

Over the past decade we’ve seen apprenticeship starts by those aged 16-24, fall by 40%. At the same time, last year, the government spent 100% of its multi-billion pound apprenticeship budget. This Government wants to reverse that decline and support 50,000 more young people into apprenticeships. We are therefore reviewing the existing apprenticeship offer, which has grown to more than 700 standards, an outlier by international standards, to ensure it better supports young people starting their careers. From September 2026, we will withdraw funding from 16 existing apprenticeship standards.Three of these are generic leadership and management apprenticeships, which have grown significantly but are predominantly used as continuing professional development for established staff aged 25 and over. In the 2024/2025 academic year, nearly 90% of apprentices on these leadership and management standards are over 25 (compared to 50% across the programme as a whole); and 83% are long-term employees (compared to 43% across the programme as whole – which is a 10-year high). This has happened at a time when we have seen the number of young people who are not in education, employment or training (NEET) increase to nearly one million. Rebalancing the programme is necessary and proportionate to achieve our legitimate aim of rebalancing funding towards the government’s priorities supporting young people and delivering growth, whilst being aligned to the Youth Guarantee and the Industrial Strategy. We know that apprenticeships offer strong returns, and that is particularly true for young people. The changes to streamline the apprenticeship offer will help to create headroom to invest in more opportunities for young people and new apprenticeship units for adults. Employers who value these apprenticeship standards can continue to use them on a privately funded basis.

With reference to the proposed Growth and Skills Levy, what formal economic impact assessment he has made on the potential impact of defunding Level 3, 5 and 6 management apprenticeships on (a) economic productivity, (b) social mobility and (c) opportunities for young people, including impacts on the NEET population.

Over the past decade we’ve seen apprenticeship starts by those aged 16-24, fall by 40%. At the same time, last year, the government spent 100% of its multi-billion pound apprenticeship budget. This Government wants to reverse that decline and support 50,000 more young people into apprenticeships. We are therefore reviewing the existing apprenticeship offer, which has grown to more than 700 standards, an outlier by international standards, to ensure it better supports young people starting their careers. From September 2026, we will withdraw funding from 16 existing apprenticeship standards.Three of these are generic leadership and management apprenticeships, which have grown significantly but are predominantly used as continuing professional development for established staff aged 25 and over. In the 2024/2025 academic year, nearly 90% of apprentices on these leadership and management standards are over 25 (compared to 50% across the programme as a whole); and 83% are long-term employees (compared to 43% across the programme as whole – which is a 10-year high). This has happened at a time when we have seen the number of young people who are not in education, employment or training (NEET) increase to nearly one million. Rebalancing the programme is necessary and proportionate to achieve our legitimate aim of rebalancing funding towards the government’s priorities supporting young people and delivering growth, whilst being aligned to the Youth Guarantee and the Industrial Strategy. We know that apprenticeships offer strong returns, and that is particularly true for young people. The changes to streamline the apprenticeship offer will help to create headroom to invest in more opportunities for young people and new apprenticeship units for adults. Employers who value these apprenticeship standards can continue to use them on a privately funded basis.

Who will represent the UK at the First Conference on Transitioning away from Fossil Fuels in Colombia in April 2026; and what her Department's policy is on this transition.

The UK’s Special Representative for Climate will lead the UK delegation at the Conference. The UK is fully committed to the transition away from fossil fuels, domestically and internationally, with recent events underlining once more the risks of being exposed to volatile international fossil fuel markets.