Written questions by Morden.

What assessment he has made of the adequacy of consumer transparency, accountability and protection in complex supply chains involving sales agents, installers, finance companies, insurers and certification bodies in government‑supported energy efficiency schemes.

As set out in the Warm Homes Plan, our assessment is that the current consumer protection system is too fragmented and lacks sufficient oversight of the various actors involved in the delivery of government‑supported domestic retrofit schemes. The Department is reforming the consumer protection system to simplify delivery and bring oversight under closer government control, and will consult on options for reform this year. This includes clearer accountability across supply chains, strengthened assurance arrangements, and improved monitoring and escalation processes. We are working across Government, including MHCLG, and consumer experts from industry to develop and stress test plans.

How many domestic Green Deal installations have been identified where MCS certificates were not issued in the name of the homeowner; and what steps his Department is taking to deal with those cases.

The Department does not have an estimate for the scale of the issue as we do not hold details of all Green Deal loans issued. Lack of an MCS certificate has appeared as an element in some Green Deal complaints the Department has reviewed, though this has been uncommon. Officials are investigating complaints referred to the Secretary of State in accordance with the Green Deal Framework Regulations, and may issue decisions cancelling or reducing a Green Deal loan where they find breaches of said regulations or the Green Deal Code of Practice. This may include issues related to MCS certificates.

What mechanisms were in place to ensure that Feed‑in Tariff registrations were correctly assigned to homeowners at commissioning; and what support is available to consumers where feed-in tariffs were not correctly assigned.

Ofgem administers the Feed-in Tariff (FIT) scheme and maintains the Central FIT Register (CFR), which records accredited installations and their recipient, supporting correct assignment of payments. Suppliers must maintain accurate records on the CFR, which is subject to regular audit activity. In some cases, payments may be assigned to a third party under separate contractual agreements. Such arrangements are commercial in nature and fall outside the FIT framework.To confirm the recipient, homeowners may request information from Ofgem via an Ownership Register Query. Where appropriate, they may raise the matter with the relevant supplier, with unresolved complaints escalated to the Energy Ombudsman.

Communities and Local Government, what assessment has been made of the potential impact of the system of installer self‑certification through Competent Person schemes on consumer protection for Green Deal participants.

Both the Green Deal and the competent person schemes contain consumer protections but they work independently of each other. Therefore, work paid for through the Green Deal and carried out by a competent person scheme installer will benefit from both sets of consumer protections. The Department has done no recent research of the effects of competent person schemes on consumer protection for Green Deal participants. The Green Deal is a Department for Energy Security and Net Zero policy. It was a loan scheme that existed to help people make energy saving improvements to their home that was mostly active during 2013-2015. The Green Deal has its own consumer protection system provided for by the Green Deal Framework Regulations and Code of Practice, and its own system of participant authorisation requiring certification of installers by the Green Deal Oversight and Registration Body. Competent person scheme operators register and oversee installers who can self-certify that their work meets the building regulations. These schemes have existed for more than 20 years and cover small building work such as plumbing and electricity. The scheme operators offer consumer protections such as ensuring registered installers are properly qualified and dealing with complaints.

What assessment his Department has made of the potential impact of the Crown Proceedings Act 1947 not being applied retrospectively on the ability of veterans to claim compensation; and what assessment he has made of the potential merits of legislating to remove this restriction.

I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave on 25 November 2025 to Question 91751 to the hon. Member for Inverness, Skye and West Ross-shire (Mr Angus MacDonald).

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what recent discussions she has had with her Caribbean counterparts on migration on the island of Hispaniola.

The UK is deeply concerned about the serious security and humanitarian crisis in Haiti, which is driving significant migration pressures on Hispaniola and neighbouring islands. We are working with international partners to address this, including through the creation of the Gang Suppression Force and support for UN sanctions on those responsible for instability in Haiti. In October, I spoke with the Haitian Foreign Minister, Jean-Baptiste, and the Dominican Vice Minister for Multilateral Affairs, Rubén Silié Valdez, about the significant challenges in Haiti. The Minister for International Development also met the Haitian Foreign Minister on 17 November. During my visit to Jamaica last week, migration from Haiti to nearby islands was raised in discussions with partners.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether she has taken recent steps to support Armenian cybersecurity.

I refer the Hon Member to the answer given on 8 December to question 96636.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what steps she is taking to help support recent progress by Haiti’s transitional presidential council to hold elections.

The UK is supporting international efforts to stabilise security in Haiti, and advance Haitian-led solutions. We welcome the Haitian Government's efforts to agree an electoral timetable, while acknowledging that continued gang violence remains a major obstacle. We are backing the UN-supported international Gang Suppression Force, which aims to tackle that violence, and enable progress towards free and fair elections. I spoke with the Haitian Foreign Minister in October and met with the Coordinator of Haiti's Transitional Presidential Council in November to reaffirm UK support.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what recent assessment she has made of the threat of Russian-backed disinformation campaigns to (a) peace negotiations between Armenia and Azerbaijan, (b) Armenian democracy and (c) relations between Armenia and the United Kingdom.

Together with our international partners, we remain committed to supporting lasting peace between Armenia and Azerbaijan, and to safeguarding Armenia's electoral integrity and democratic resilience, including against any attempted acts of information manipulation and interference by Russia. Working closely with our international partners, we are always ready to defend the information environment and will always act to disrupt any malign activity targeting democratic elections. I held constructive discussions with the Foreign Ministers of Armenia and Azerbaijan at the OSCE Ministerial on 4 December.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what recent assessment she has made of allegations of the use of bromobenzyl cyanide by Georgian authorities against demonstrators.

I was deeply concerned by the BBC report alleging that Georgian police used toxic chemicals against protesters in Tbilisi in late 2024, and we expect Georgia to fulfil its obligations under the Chemical Weapons Convention to ensure that any alleged breaches of the Convention's prohibitions on uses of toxic chemicals are properly investigated.

Media and Sport, what recent assessment she has made of the availability on designated internet programme services of public service broadcasters’ live regional programming.

The Media Act 2024 introduces a new prominence regime that, once commenced, will require particular online major TV platforms to carry and give appropriate prominence to designated public service broadcaster apps (referred to in the legislation as designated internet programme services). Ofcom will designate which internet programme services this new regime will apply to according to clear criteria, which includes stipulating that any designated service must make a significant contribution towards their public service remit and that remit content within the designated service must be readily discoverable. We expect an important outcome of the way we have designated the new regime will achieve appropriate prominence for public remit content, which includes provision of content that reflects the lives and concerns of different communities and regions across the UK. Ofcom is also required to issue a statement on their proposed methodology they will apply when making their designation decisions for internet programme services, which they have consulted on. Ofcom issued their final Statement on their methodology on 22 July 2025.

Media and Sport, what assessment she has made of the potential merits of requiring public service broadcasters to make all regional programming widely available live on their designated internet programme services.

The Media Act 2024 introduces a new prominence regime that, once commenced, will require particular online major TV platforms to carry and give appropriate prominence to designated public service broadcaster apps (referred to in the legislation as designated internet programme services). Ofcom will designate which internet programme services this new regime will apply to according to clear criteria, which includes stipulating that any designated service must make a significant contribution towards their public service remit and that remit content within the designated service must be readily discoverable. We expect an important outcome of the way we have designated the new regime will achieve appropriate prominence for public remit content, which includes provision of content that reflects the lives and concerns of different communities and regions across the UK. Ofcom is also required to issue a statement on their proposed methodology they will apply when making their designation decisions for internet programme services, which they have consulted on. Ofcom issued their final Statement on their methodology on 22 July 2025.

What assessment she has made of the adequacy of the current timescales for members of the Teachers Pension Scheme, who have submitted their remedial service statement and are awaiting payment of funds owed, to be paid those funds.

​​As the Teachers’ Pensions Scheme administrator, Capita are processing Remediable Service Statement (RSS) choices and aim to complete payments as quickly as possible. The relevant regulations provide for a member’s RSS choice to be put into payment as soon as is reasonably practicable. As part of the implementation arrangements for payments, it was not possible to start payments until June 2025 as time was needed to allow for recruitment, training, development of instructions, and IT enhancements to be made and implemented.​Members’ original pension benefits will continue to be paid until their choice has been implemented, at which point backdated interest will be applied to their payment.​Payment of members’ RSS choices is a high priority, and the department is continually exploring ways to improve payment and processing times with Capita, which includes providing further funding for additional staff and automating payment and processing functions.

Pursuant to the Answer of 10 June to Question 56493 on Teachers: Workplace Pension, what the updated planned timetable is for issuing cash equivalent transfer value details from Teachers’ Pensions.

As at the end of September 2025, the number of unresolved Cash Equivalent Transfer Value (CETV) cases has been reduced to 400 from 3,062 at the end of October 2024. This includes recent CETV applications and as such there will always be a number of outstanding CETV cases at any given time.The scheme administrator is now working through the most complex cases for members who have retired. These cases can currently only be processed clerically and the estimated calculation times are between 20 and 65 hours per case. The department is funding IT changes for the scheme administrator that are expected to significantly reduce processing times.This issue remains a top priority for the department and the scheme administrator, and the above actions are currently expected to result in the delayed CETVs being cleared by spring 2026.

What steps she is taking with Cabinet colleagues to promote equality as part of the Government mission entitled Break Down Barriers to Opportunity.

Our mission to spread opportunity will break the link between background and success. That’s why we’re extending free school meals to all children in households on Universal Credit – lifting 100,000 children across England out of povertyWe’re working to create a fairer Britain, where every child has the opportunity to succeed, no matter their background.

What estimate she has made of the number of people eligible for but not claiming Carer's Credit.

The Carer’s Credit allows people who provide care for a person on specified disability benefits for at least 20 hours per week to protect their National Insurance records for the purposes of their State Pension. The Department is unable to estimate the number of people who may meet the eligibility criteria for the Carer’s Credit but do not make a claim. Information on the Carer’s Credit and how to claim for it can be found by searching for “Carer’s Credit” on gov.uk.

What assessment she has made of the potential merits of making care experience a protected characteristic under the Equality Act 2010.

The Equality Act 2010 already protects many care leavers under the indirect discrimination provisions, because a disproportionately high number are likely to be from particular sub groups within characteristics such as race, disability and age. This Government is delivering for care leavers; younger care leavers will be exempt from rules which require a connection to a local area before accessing social housing. We have also established a care leaver Ministerial Board, which brings together Ministers from key Departments, to improve support for care leavers across Government.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what recent discussions he has had with the BBC on the funding model for the BBC World Service.

The Government is committed to determining a long-term sustainable funding model for the World Service. This will be done through Charter Review.FCDO Ministers engage routinely with the BBC on a range of issues, including the World Service funding model.

What recent discussions he has had with his Armenian counterparts on strategic defence cooperation with that country.

The Secretary of State has not yet had personal discussions with his Armenian counterparts, but we do have good and growing engagement in the region, including Staff Talks in Yerevan shortly and the announcement of a resident Defence Section, due to open in Armenia later in the year. We are currently exploring the possibility of Ministerial bi-lateral engagement later in the year.

What recent assessment she has made of the adequacy of progress of the transition to eVisas.

Millions of people have been successfully using eVisas for several years. They are a key part of our digital immigration system and will enhance people’s experience and increase the immigration system’s security and efficiency. eVisas are secure and cannot be lost, stolen or tampered with, unlike a physical document. They can be accessed anywhere and in real time. As of 30 November 2024, over 3 million people had created UKVI accounts, with many more creating accounts every day. We have considered every part of the transition to eVisas and how people experience the system, listening to feedback from visa holders, stakeholders and MPs, and monitoring to identify where people are experiencing issues so that these can be addressed. We are continually streamlining and adapting our processes to ensure a smooth transition to eVisas. There is no deadline for registering for a UKVI account to access an eVisa, although we have been encouraging people to do so before their BRP expires so that they can continue to prove their immigration status easily. If a person has not yet created an account, they can still do so now, quickly and easily, using their expired BRP if needed. We recognise that some people are vulnerable and require additional support in switching to and navigating a digital system. That is why we have a range of support measures in place, including: The Assisted Digital service for people with low or no digital skills or access, or who need help with IT related aspects of creating a UKVI account.Up to £4 million funding to community organisations to deliver valuable support to vulnerable people so they have a smooth transition to eVisas.A dedicated UKVI resolution centre, where anyone can get help by email, webchat, and telephone support. We are confident that our systems and processes will ensure no one is disadvantaged by the move to digital, but we are conscious that some people remain concerned about the transition, particularly in the context of travel. We have therefore brought in changes to reflect those concerns, including, as a temporary measure to reassure people that they will be able to travel without any issue during the transition period, allowing carriers such as airlines to accept a BRP or EUSS BRC which expired on or after 31 December 2024 as valid evidence of permission to travel, provisionally until 31 March 2025. This will be kept under review. We have also introduced a new 24/7 passenger helpline for passengers who are at port and travelling imminently. We continue to monitor the rollout of eVisas and will ensure that any issues are resolved for those people affected.