Written questions by Wild.

Pursuant to his oral contribution of 13 October 2025, Official Report, column 67 which (a) minister and (b) civil servant gave the Deputy National Security Adviser full freedom to provide evidence without interference.

The decision that the Deputy National Security Advisor would give evidence was taken under the last Government in 2023.When this government came into office in 2024, the Deputy National Security Advisor was a witness in a criminal prosecution. That is why, as this Government has repeatedly stated, that no Ministers or special advisors have played any role in the provision of evidence.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what steps her Department is taking to increase (a) intelligence-sharing and (b) border security cooperation with (i) central Asian partners and (ii) Türkiye, in the context of the level of threat posed by ISIS-K.

The UK continues to work closely with our international partners to maintain a relentless assault on the organisation, financing, recruitment and terrorist activities of Daesh in all regions where they or their affiliates are operating. In June, UK officials took part in the latest small group meeting of the Global Coalition, hosted by the Spanish government, where these collective efforts were discussed. The official statement emerging from that meeting can be found here: https://theglobalcoalition.org/en/meeting-of-the-global-coalition-to-defeat-isis-small-group/.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what plans her Department has for future UK contributions to the Global Coalition against Daesh.

The UK continues to work closely with our international partners to maintain a relentless assault on the organisation, financing, recruitment and terrorist activities of Daesh in all regions where they or their affiliates are operating. In June, UK officials took part in the latest small group meeting of the Global Coalition, hosted by the Spanish government, where these collective efforts were discussed. The official statement emerging from that meeting can be found here: https://theglobalcoalition.org/en/meeting-of-the-global-coalition-to-defeat-isis-small-group/.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what (a) stabilisation and (b) counter-terrorism support measures she is pursing with international counterparts in West Africa in the context of Islamic State activity in the Sahel region.

The UK continues to work closely with our international partners to maintain a relentless assault on the organisation, financing, recruitment and terrorist activities of Daesh in all regions where they or their affiliates are operating. In June, UK officials took part in the latest small group meeting of the Global Coalition, hosted by the Spanish government, where these collective efforts were discussed. The official statement emerging from that meeting can be found here: https://theglobalcoalition.org/en/meeting-of-the-global-coalition-to-defeat-isis-small-group/.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what recent assessment she has made of the level of (a) presence and (b) activity of Daesh in (i) Iraq and (ii) Syria.

The UK continues to work closely with our international partners to maintain a relentless assault on the organisation, financing, recruitment and terrorist activities of Daesh in all regions where they or their affiliates are operating. In June, UK officials took part in the latest small group meeting of the Global Coalition, hosted by the Spanish government, where these collective efforts were discussed. The official statement emerging from that meeting can be found here: https://theglobalcoalition.org/en/meeting-of-the-global-coalition-to-defeat-isis-small-group/.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what training the UK armed forces (a) provide and (b) plan to provide in future to the Iraqi Security Forces.

The UK continues to work closely with our international partners to maintain a relentless assault on the organisation, financing, recruitment and terrorist activities of Daesh in all regions where they or their affiliates are operating. In June, UK officials took part in the latest small group meeting of the Global Coalition, hosted by the Spanish government, where these collective efforts were discussed. The official statement emerging from that meeting can be found here: https://theglobalcoalition.org/en/meeting-of-the-global-coalition-to-defeat-isis-small-group/.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what steps she is taking to support (a) the Iraqi Security Forces, (b) the Kurdish Peshmerga, (c) the Syrian Democratic Forces and (d) other regional partners in the context of Islamic State activity.

The UK continues to work closely with our international partners to maintain a relentless assault on the organisation, financing, recruitment and terrorist activities of Daesh in all regions where they or their affiliates are operating. In June, UK officials took part in the latest small group meeting of the Global Coalition, hosted by the Spanish government, where these collective efforts were discussed. The official statement emerging from that meeting can be found here: https://theglobalcoalition.org/en/meeting-of-the-global-coalition-to-defeat-isis-small-group/.

Whether it is his policy that offenders to be deported under Clause 32 in the Sentencing Bill would be required to serve any custodial sentence in their home country.

The Sentencing Bill will amend the Early Removal Scheme (ERS) to allow eligible Foreign National Offenders (FNO) serving determinate sentences to be removed from prison for the purposes of immediate deportation any time after sentencing. FNOs removed under ERS are not subject to further imprisonment after they are removed from the UK but are barred from ever returning to the UK. If they return unlawfully, they will be liable to serve the rest of their sentence from the point they were deported.Those serving life and other indeterminate sentences are not eligible for removal under ERS. Offenders serving a terrorism or terrorism-connected offence are also excluded from removal. ERS can be refused by HMPPS in certain circumstances for example if there is serious evidence an offender is planning a further crime.Prisoner Transfer Agreements, where prisoners continue to serve their sentence in their home countries, will still be used in certain circumstances where we have an agreement in place and there is cooperation with the receiving country. Enhancing our prisoner transfer capability with partner countries remains important to the Ministry of Justice.

If he will outline the (a) type and (b) length of sentences being served by foreign national offenders in prisons in England and Wales.

Details of sentences being served by foreign national offenders are published as part of the Ministry of Justice’s Offender Management Statistics Quarterly. The information requested can be found at Table 1_A_24 in the Annual Prison Population tables at the following link: prison-population-30-June-2025.ods.

How many foreign national offenders have (a) been deported more than once and (b) returned to the UK since being deported in each year since 2019.

The Home Office publishes data on FNO returns in the quarterly Immigration System Statistics release. Quarterly data on enforced, voluntary and port FNO returns (of which ‘deportations’ are a legal subset) are published in table Ret_D03 of the Returns detailed datasets accompanying the release.Information on FNOs who have been deported more than once, or who have returned to the UK after deportation, is not currently available from published statistics, and the relevant data could only be collated and verified for the purpose of answering this question at disproportionate cost.A deportation order requires a person to leave the UK and prohibits them from lawfully entering the UK while it remains in force. Entering in breach of a deportation order is a criminal offence under section 24(1)(a) of the 1971 Act, with a maximum sentence of five years under section 40 of the Nationality and Borders Act 2022.

How many foreign national offenders are serving life sentences.

Details of sentences being served by foreign national offenders are published as part of the Ministry of Justice’s Offender Management Statistics Quarterly. The information requested can be found at Table 1_A_24 in the Annual Prison Population tables at the following link: prison-population-30-June-2025.ods.

Whether the former Deputy Prime Minister has received a Ministerial severance payment.

On 21 July 2025, this Government announced reforms to Ministerial severance pay to ensure severance payments are proportionate and fair. These changes came into effect from 13 October. Before this, decisions as to whether a Minister accepted a severance payment were for the outgoing minister, in line with the practice of previous administrations. Details of ministerial severance payments are published in the relevant department’s annual report and accounts.

What assessment she has made of the potential impact of the proposed higher business rates multiplier on employment in the retail sector.

The Government is creating a fairer business rates system that protects the high street, supports investment, and is fit for the 21st century. As set out at Autumn Budget 2024, the Government will introduce permanently lower tax rates for retail, hospitality, and leisure (RHL) properties with ratable values (RVs) below £500,000 from 2026-27. This permanent tax cut will ensure they benefit from much-needed certainty and support. This tax cut must be sustainably funded, and so the Government will introduce a higher rate on the most valuable properties in 2026/27 - those with RVs of £500,000 and above. These represent less than one per cent of all properties, but cover the majority of large distribution warehouses, including those used by online giants. The final design, including the rates, for the new business rates multipliers will be announced at Budget 2025, so that the Government can factor the revaluation outcomes and broader economic and fiscal context into decision-making. When the new multipliers are set, HM Treasury intends to publish analysis of the effects of the new multiplier arrangements.

Pursuant to the Answer of 29 January 2025 to Question 25328 on the Queen Elizabeth Hospital King's Lynn, whether he has received a copy of the report; and, with reference to his Department policy paper entitled New Hospital Programme; plan for implementation, published on 20 January 2025, what his planned timetable is for the publication of the site-by-site report of the RAAC hospitals.

The safety of staff and patients at the seven predominantly reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete (RAAC) hospitals remains our utmost priority.The completion date for the report has been extended to ensure a detailed understanding of the complex data and issues considered, including the RAAC condition, planned and current mitigations, and the remaining expected life of the hospital sites. By building a better understanding, we can support each scheme to move forward more effectively. We expect the report will be complete this year. A decision has not yet been taken regarding the publication of the report.In the interim, the seven predominantly RAAC hospitals continue their programme of RAAC mitigation works and the plans for the replacement hospitals continue at pace.

How many learner drivers did not attend their practical driving test (a) nationally, (b) in Norfolk and (c) in North West Norfolk constituency in each of the last five years.

The number of learner drivers who fail to attend their driving test represents just 3% of all tests taken accounting for around 60,000 tests. With unprecedented demand for tests, the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) is doing all it can to further reduce unused test slots and encourage learners to inform them so that the test slot can be utilised. DVSA issues text reminders to learners between 2 and 12 days beforehand to help learners plan for their test. Learners can also get email alerts, check their test details online, and find resources on the GOV.UK website and through the official "Ready to Pass?" campaign. If a test is cancelled within 10 days of their test date, the learner loses their driving test fee.The tables below show how many learner drivers did not attend their practical driving test (a) nationally, (b) in Norfolk and (C) in North West Norfolk constituency in each of the last five years. Financial Year 2021/22Total tests completedFailed to attendPercentageNational1,465,74761,5034.20Norfolk (King's Lynn, Norwich Peachman Way, Norwich Jupiter Road)16,0515023.13North West Norfolk constituency (King's Lynn)5,4571703.12Financial Year 2022/23Total tests completedFailed to attendPercentageNational1,609,58362,5303.88Norfolk (King's Lynn, Norwich Peachman Way, Norwich Jupiter Road)20,9419654.61North West Norfolk constituency (King's Lynn)6,6483044.57Financial Year 2023/24Total tests completedFailed to attendPercentageNational1,783,04559,4833.34Norfolk (King's Lynn, Norwich Peachman Way, Norwich Jupiter Road)22,5969834.35North West Norfolk constituency (King's Lynn)6,9272954.26Financial Year 2024/25Total tests completedFailed to attendPercentageNational1,768,25852,0542.94Norfolk (King's Lynn, Norwich Peachman Way, Norwich Jupiter Road)21,3606663.12North West Norfolk constituency (King's Lynn)7,2752453.37Financial Year 2025/26 (year to date)Total tests completedFailed to attendPercentageNational904,17429,2073.23Norfolk (King's Lynn, Norwich Peachman Way, Norwich Jupiter Road)9,2212953.20North West Norfolk constituency (King's Lynn)3,3611313.90

How many penalties have been issued for using a rental e-scooter without holding a provisional or full UK driving licence with a category Q entitlement in each of the last three years.

The Government does not hold centralised data on the number of penalties issued for using rental e-scooters without a valid driving licence. Local police forces are best placed to provide information on any penalties issued in their respective areas.

If she will consider the potential merits of allowing the use of privately owned e-scooters if covered by a motor vehicle insurance policy.

Private e-scooters are currently illegal to use on public roads as they meet the definition of a ‘motor vehicle’ under the Road Traffic Act 1988. As such, they must comply with all applicable legal requirements, not only the need for motor vehicle insurance policy. The Government has committed to pursuing legislative reform for micromobility vehicles when parliamentary time allows, and will consult on any new proposed regulations, including on insurance requirements, before they come into force.

What steps she is taking to reduce the number of learner drivers not attending their practical driving test.

The number of learner drivers who fail to attend their driving test represents just 3% of all tests taken accounting for around 60,000 tests. With unprecedented demand for tests, the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) is doing all it can to further reduce unused test slots and encourage learners to inform them so that the test slot can be utilised. DVSA issues text reminders to learners between 2 and 12 days beforehand to help learners plan for their test. Learners can also get email alerts, check their test details online, and find resources on the GOV.UK website and through the official "Ready to Pass?" campaign. If a test is cancelled within 10 days of their test date, the learner loses their driving test fee.The tables below show how many learner drivers did not attend their practical driving test (a) nationally, (b) in Norfolk and (C) in North West Norfolk constituency in each of the last five years. Financial Year 2021/22Total tests completedFailed to attendPercentageNational1,465,74761,5034.20Norfolk (King's Lynn, Norwich Peachman Way, Norwich Jupiter Road)16,0515023.13North West Norfolk constituency (King's Lynn)5,4571703.12Financial Year 2022/23Total tests completedFailed to attendPercentageNational1,609,58362,5303.88Norfolk (King's Lynn, Norwich Peachman Way, Norwich Jupiter Road)20,9419654.61North West Norfolk constituency (King's Lynn)6,6483044.57Financial Year 2023/24Total tests completedFailed to attendPercentageNational1,783,04559,4833.34Norfolk (King's Lynn, Norwich Peachman Way, Norwich Jupiter Road)22,5969834.35North West Norfolk constituency (King's Lynn)6,9272954.26Financial Year 2024/25Total tests completedFailed to attendPercentageNational1,768,25852,0542.94Norfolk (King's Lynn, Norwich Peachman Way, Norwich Jupiter Road)21,3606663.12North West Norfolk constituency (King's Lynn)7,2752453.37Financial Year 2025/26 (year to date)Total tests completedFailed to attendPercentageNational904,17429,2073.23Norfolk (King's Lynn, Norwich Peachman Way, Norwich Jupiter Road)9,2212953.20North West Norfolk constituency (King's Lynn)3,3611313.90

What assessment her Department has made of the potential impact of the Takata airbags no drive recall notice on (a) learner drivers and (b) practical driving test wait times.

As soon as the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency became aware of the issue, proactive communications were shared to all learner drivers who had a test booked and their driving instructors, clarifying that if a test had to be postponed as a result, the usual 10-day short notice conditions would be waived for them. The majority of vehicles were rectified before attending for test or an alternative vehicle was used. Due to the very small numbers who have been unable to go ahead with their test until a later date, there has been no impact on driving test wait times.

What steps her Department is taking to ensure that local authorities verify that rental e-scooter users have a provisional or full UK driving licence with a category Q entitlement when operating trials in their areas.

The Department has issued clear guidance for local authorities and operators participating in e-scooter trials, which includes a requirement for driving licence verification of all users. Compliance with this guidance is a condition of the legal order that enables each trial to proceed.Before renting an e-scooter, users are required to provide their name, driving licence number, and a photograph of their licence. Operators must then confirm the validity of each licence, either through automated licence-checking systems or manual verification by their customer service teams. These checks help ensure that only individuals with a valid driving licence are permitted to participate in the trials.Local authorities are responsible for ensuring that any operator they appoint adheres to all trial requirements. The Department does not carry out independent verification of operator compliance.