Written questions by McMurdock.

With reference to the Trade Remedies Authority's press release entitled Anti-dumping measure on ironing boards from China maintained, published on 12 February 2026, whether he plans to add further anti-dumping measures to the duties approved.

The UK currently applies 45 trade remedy measures, 28 of which are on goods from China. All live trade remedy cases can be viewed on their public file, online, including those investigations on goods of Chinese-origin. I am not aware of any plans from the Trade Remedies Authority (TRA), or representations from the ironing board sector, to recommend changes to the current duties in place on imports of ironing boards.Unfair international trading practices can have a deleterious effect on domestic producers, which is why the TRA was established as the UK’s independent body responsible for conducting trade remedies investigations, to tackle injury caused by practices such as dumping or subsidisation. The remit of the TRA also includes assessing applications from industry for new investigations, doing so in line with domestic legislation and WTO rules. I would consider any recommendation to impose further trade remedy measures if the TRA were to make one, in accordance with the legislation.

With reference to the Trade Remedies Authority's press release entitled Anti-dumping measure on ironing boards from China maintained, published on 12 February 2026, whether the dumping of Chinese goods was raised during the Prime Minister's recent visit to Beijing.

No, my decision to extend the existing anti-dumping measure on ironing boards from China was not raised during the Prime Minister’s recent visit to Beijing.

With reference to the Trade Remedies Authority's press release entitled Anti-dumping measure on ironing boards from China maintained, published on 12 February 2026, what recent assessment he has made of the potential impact of Chinese dumping on UK industries.

The UK currently applies 45 trade remedy measures, 28 of which are on goods from China. All live trade remedy cases can be viewed on their public file, online, including those investigations on goods of Chinese-origin. I am not aware of any plans from the Trade Remedies Authority (TRA), or representations from the ironing board sector, to recommend changes to the current duties in place on imports of ironing boards.Unfair international trading practices can have a deleterious effect on domestic producers, which is why the TRA was established as the UK’s independent body responsible for conducting trade remedies investigations, to tackle injury caused by practices such as dumping or subsidisation. The remit of the TRA also includes assessing applications from industry for new investigations, doing so in line with domestic legislation and WTO rules. I would consider any recommendation to impose further trade remedy measures if the TRA were to make one, in accordance with the legislation.

With reference to the Trade Remedies Authority's press release entitled Anti-dumping measure on ironing boards from China maintained, published on 12 February 2026, whether other Chinese goods have been recommended for anti-dumping measures.

The UK currently applies 45 trade remedy measures, 28 of which are on goods from China. All live trade remedy cases can be viewed on their public file, online, including those investigations on goods of Chinese-origin. I am not aware of any plans from the Trade Remedies Authority (TRA), or representations from the ironing board sector, to recommend changes to the current duties in place on imports of ironing boards.Unfair international trading practices can have a deleterious effect on domestic producers, which is why the TRA was established as the UK’s independent body responsible for conducting trade remedies investigations, to tackle injury caused by practices such as dumping or subsidisation. The remit of the TRA also includes assessing applications from industry for new investigations, doing so in line with domestic legislation and WTO rules. I would consider any recommendation to impose further trade remedy measures if the TRA were to make one, in accordance with the legislation.

Food and Rural Affairs, whether she has met with Surfers Against Sewage to discuss the impact of pollution in waterways and the sea.

The Department values the important contribution made by environmental campaigners and non-governmental organisations such as Surfers Against Sewage. Ministers and officials remain in regular contact with stakeholders, including Surfers Against Sewage, as we take forward measures to improve the water environment.

How many and what proportion of staff in the Department have (a) office-based, (b) hybrid and (c) remote-working contracts.

As of 31 January 2026,A) Office-based working contracts - 5,646 employees, representing 96.9% of the overall domestic civil servants in payroll.B) Hybrid working contracts – noneC) Remoting working contracts – 179 employees representing 3.1% of the overall domestic civil servants in payroll.DBT remains committed to flexible working and the business benefits that it offers, including supporting the Civil Service priority of ensuring continued, effective and productive delivery of the work carried out by civil servants across the full range of services.DBT operates a ‘hybrid’ approach, led by business needs, and as a result many employees will work both from home and in the workplace on an informal basis.

Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment she has made of the adequacy of the water quality of the River Thames along the South Essex shoreline.

The Environment Agency is working with Water Companies on WINEP schemes in your constituency, including three investigations due for completion in 2027 and six projects to install monitors at sewage treatment works.

How many and what proportion of staff in his Department have (a) office-based, (b) hybrid and (c) remote-working contracts.

The Ministry of Defence (MOD), along with other Government Departments, is committed to Smarter Working and much of our workforce has embraced the benefits of hybrid working, both for the business and themselves. We have implemented Government direction on increased office attendance and, as a broad average, at least 60% of time is spent working in office for office-based workers. For some this will be more, for others less, and is dependent upon the activity, business outcomes to be delivered and sometimes site capacity constraints. All employees agree their working location with their local line management and a central record of working locations is not held. The MOD does not issue specific remote working contracts and does not record centrally remote working activity; remote working falls under hybrid working, which is an informal, non-contractual arrangement.

Whether he plans to continue funding the International Labour Organisation.

The International Labour Organisation (ILO) plays an important role in setting international labour standards and holding those that fail to uphold international labour rights accountable. The UK was a founding member of the ILO; the Government is committed to maintaining its membership.The UK’s assessed annual contribution is based on the standard United Nations system of assessed contributions applied to all 187 ILO member states, broadly linked to relative levels of GDP. In 2025–26 the total UK contribution totalled £14.76 million, the majority of which is classed within the UK’s Official Development Assistance. The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) ensures that the UK financial contribution to the ILO is used effectively, demonstrates value for money and aligns with the UK’s national objectives. Through our permanent membership of the ILO Governing Body, we undertake robust scrutiny of the ILO’s budgetary proposals and administration to increase the impact, effectiveness and delivery of the Organisation.

What estimate he has made of the expected contribution to the International Labour Organisation in 2025-26.

The International Labour Organisation (ILO) plays an important role in setting international labour standards and holding those that fail to uphold international labour rights accountable. The UK was a founding member of the ILO; the Government is committed to maintaining its membership.The UK’s assessed annual contribution is based on the standard United Nations system of assessed contributions applied to all 187 ILO member states, broadly linked to relative levels of GDP. In 2025–26 the total UK contribution totalled £14.76 million, the majority of which is classed within the UK’s Official Development Assistance. The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) ensures that the UK financial contribution to the ILO is used effectively, demonstrates value for money and aligns with the UK’s national objectives. Through our permanent membership of the ILO Governing Body, we undertake robust scrutiny of the ILO’s budgetary proposals and administration to increase the impact, effectiveness and delivery of the Organisation.

Innovation and Technology, with reference to her Department’s press release entitled End to surprise phone and broadband bill hikes to help with cost of living, published on 11 February 2026, what steps her Department is taking to monitor compliance with the Telecoms Consumer Charter.

The Telecoms Consumer Charter is public a commitment made by providers, building on Ofcom’s existing rules on pricing transparency, switching and end‑of‑contract notifications, and goes further in areas where Government has identified improvements are needed.While it is not our intention to regulate, we are monitoring implementation of the commitments within the Charter through regular engagement with the sector. Ofcom continues to monitor compliance with its own regulatory measures, including transparency reforms and One Touch Switching.

With reference to his press release entitled Every child caught with a knife to get tailored support, published on 11 February 2026, if he will set out how the £320 million Youth Justice Services funding package will be allocated across England and Wales; and what proportion of that funding is new money.

Over the next three financial years, the Ministry of Justice will allocate £281 million for youth justice grants and a further £46 million of funding for the extension of the Turnaround grant programme.This is a continuation of funding levels from previous years but the Department has provided multi-year funding to youth justice services. This will give youth justice services the stability to retain staff, plan effectively with partners, and commission services more efficiently - ultimately strengthening their ability to tackle knife possession and other offences committed by children.Funding will be allocated to Youth Justice Services across England and Wales using same distribution method that has been applied for the past 13 years. We recognise that the current method for allocating youth justice funding needs updating and later this year we will undertake a consultation about long-term funding and oversight arrangements for youth justice services.

How many and what proportion of staff in his Department have (a) office-based, (b) hybrid and (c) remote-working contracts.

(a) There are 4926 employees who have an office-based contract. This is 100% of the Department. (b) and c) There are no recorded hybrid or remote-working contracts. Hybrid working is a non-contractual arrangement under which employees are expected to spend 40-60% of their working hours in the office as the norm (with a minimum of 40%) with Senior Civil Servants and Fast Stream employees aiming towards 60% office attendance during a 4-week accounting period.

With reference to the Trade Remedies Authority's press release entitled Anti-dumping measure on ironing boards from China maintained, published on 12 February 2026, what the anti-dumping duties on Chinese ironing boards will be spent on.

Revenue collected from this and other trade remedies measures is not ringfenced and is therefore part of how public services, including schools, police, and the NHS, are funded.

Innovation and Technology, what proportion of staff in his Department have (a) office-based, (b) hybrid and (c) remote-working contracts.

99.86% of the workforce has an office-based contract.0% of the workforce has a hybrid working contract. Hybrid working is a non-contractual arrangement under which employees are expected to spend 40-60% of their working hours in the office as the norm (with a minimum of 40%) with Senior Civil Servants and Fast Stream employees aiming towards 60% office attendance during a 4-week accounting period.0.14% of the workforce has a remote-working contract.

Communities and Local Government, how Thurrock and Basildon councils' debts will be distributed once local government reorganisation in Essex has concluded.

The assets, liabilities and ongoing commitments of the councils being replaced would transfer to the new authorities, in line with previous reorganisations.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, how many and what proportion of staff in her Department have (a) office-based, (b) hybrid and (c) remote-working contracts.

The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office employs approximately 17,500 staff across hundreds of locations worldwide, many of which operate with locally managed HR arrangements and procedures. The information the Hon Member has requested is therefore not centrally held and could only be collated and verified at disproportionate cost.

Communities and Local Government, how Essex County Council's debts will be distributed once local government reorganisation has concluded.

The assets, liabilities and ongoing commitments of the councils being replaced would transfer to the new authorities, in line with previous reorganisations.

What proportion of staff in her Department have (a) office-based, (b) hybrid and (c) remote-working contracts.

In the Department for Transport the majority of employees are assigned to an office or a specific workplace location within their contract. Hybrid working is not a contractual form of working and as it is agreed within individual teams based on business needs, is not centrally recorded.The only employees who could be classed as having ‘remote-working contracts’ would be those who are contractual homeworkers. Only 0.67% of employees within the core department have a recorded homeworking contract as of January 2026.

What recent assessment he has made of the value for money of the £50 million funding given to the International Labour Organisation since 2020.

The International Labour Organisation (ILO) plays an important role in setting international labour standards and holding those that fail to uphold international labour rights accountable. The UK was a founding member of the ILO; the Government is committed to maintaining its membership.The UK’s assessed annual contribution is based on the standard United Nations system of assessed contributions applied to all 187 ILO member states, broadly linked to relative levels of GDP. In 2025–26 the total UK contribution totalled £14.76 million, the majority of which is classed within the UK’s Official Development Assistance. The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) ensures that the UK financial contribution to the ILO is used effectively, demonstrates value for money and aligns with the UK’s national objectives. Through our permanent membership of the ILO Governing Body, we undertake robust scrutiny of the ILO’s budgetary proposals and administration to increase the impact, effectiveness and delivery of the Organisation.