Written questions by Shannon.

What guidance her Department issues on inviting people sanctioned by foreign Governments to the UK.

The Immigration Rules provide for the refusal of entry clearance, permission to enter and permission to stay on general grounds, regardless of the category in which an individual makes an application.A person will usually be refused on general grounds if there is any evidence in their background, immigration history, criminal records or past behaviour which shows that they should not be allowed to enter or stay in the UK.Guidance is published on Gov.UK.

If he will make an estimate of the number of (a) onshore and (b) offshore windfarms in the UK.

At the end of 2023 there were (a) 9,627 onshore and (b) 48 offshore wind sites in the UK.Source: Regional Renewable Statistics

What steps she is taking to help ensure cyber security and resilience in (a) schools, (b) academies and (c) other educational establishments.

Education is a devolved matter, and the response outlines the information for England only.Whilst education institutions are responsible for their own IT, the department supports schools, colleges and other education institutions to enhance their cyber resilience through various initiatives.The department has published a set of 11 core digital and technology standards. These can be found here: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/meeting-digital-and-technology-standards-in-schools-and-colleges/cyber-security-standards-for-schools-and-colleges. Developed by technical and educational experts, these standards provide guidance on the essential technology and infrastructure required to meet both business and teaching needs. The standards cover key areas, including connectivity, cyber security, filtering and monitoring, cloud services, servers and storage, digital accessibility, leadership and governance and devices.Adhering to these cyber security standards helps schools and colleges mitigate the risk of cyber-attacks and minimise disruption in the event of a cyber incident. Additionally, compliance ensures sensitive data is securely protected and critical data is backed up effectively.The department has a dedicated sector cyber security team that provides appropriate advice and guidance to help schools and colleges meet these standards and maintain robust cyber security practices.Further support is available through the department’s Risk Protection Arrangement (RPA), which has included cyber incident cover as a standard benefit since the 2022/23 membership year. RPA members have access to a 24/7 Incident Response Service in the event of a cyber incident, with 56% of schools in England currently participating in the RPA.The department also collaborates with the National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC), Jisc and other organisations to further support educational institutions. This includes providing access to the NCSC’s Protective DNS (PDNS) service, part of its Active Cyber Defence suite, which offers ongoing protection against malware and other network-based threats for schools, colleges and universities.Further guidance on cyber security for schools can be found here: https://www.ncsc.gov.uk/section/education-skills/cyber-security-schools.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether he has had recent discussions with his Canadian counterpart on taking steps to help tackle religious hate crimes towards Jewish communities in that country.

The UK and Canada are close partners and friends. The Foreign Secretary and Foreign Minister Joly engage regularly on a wide range of topics. They last spoke on 25 November. I briefly met Minister Joly in the margins of the NATO Foreign Ministers' meeting on 3 December. The UK will continue to work with its partners to tackle all forms of extremism to ensure the safety of our communities. We are clear that incitement of violence or hatred against individuals based on their religion or belief is unacceptable.

If she will make an assessment of the potential impact of recent tax increases on small and medium businesses.

The Government inherited a very difficult fiscal situation and so we are asking businesses to contribute to fixing the public finances and our public services. At the Autumn Budget, the Government announced tax reforms to support smaller businesses. Including, more than doubling the employment allowance to £10,500; committing in the Corporate Tax Roadmap to maintain the Small Profits Rate and marginal relief at their current rates and thresholds, as well as maintaining the Annual Investment Allowance; and freezing the small businesses multiplier for 2025/26. In the transition to permanently lower business rates burden for the high street, through lower multipliers for Retail, hospitality, and leisure (RHL) businesses from April 2026, RHL business rates relief will also be extended for one year at 40% (up to a cash cap of £110,000 per business). If the Government had not acted, the current RHL relief would have ended entirely in April 2025.

What assessment she made with Cabinet colleagues of the potential impact of ADHD medication shortages on the attendance of young people at school.

Education is a devolved matter, and the response outlines the information for England only.The Department for Health and Social Care (DHSC) has been working hard with industry to help resolve supply issues with some attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) medicines, which are affecting the United Kingdom and other countries around the world.As a result of intensive work, some issues have been resolved, and all strengths of lisdexamfetamine, atomoxetine capsules and guanfacine prolonged-release tablets are now available. DHSC is continuing to work to resolve supply issues, where they remain, for methylphenidate prolonged-release tablets. They are engaging with all suppliers to assess the challenges faced and the action taken to address them.DHSC are also directing suppliers to secure additional stocks, expedite deliveries where possible and review plans to further build capacity to support continued growth in demand for the short and long term. Supplies in the UK are expected to improve throughout the rest of 2024. However, DHSC anticipates supply to be limited for some strengths and we continue to work with all suppliers to ensure the remaining issues are resolved as soon as possible.Departmental guidance sets clear expectations to schools, trusts and local authorities to provide a ‘support-first’ approach to school attendance. This guidance can be accessed at: https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/66bf300da44f1c4c23e5bd1b/Working_together_to_improve_school_attendance_-_August_2024.pdf.The department knows that some pupils face more complex barriers to attendance, including pupils who have special educational needs and disabilities (SEND). Their right to an education is the same as any other pupil and therefore the attendance ambition for these pupils should be the same as it is for any other pupil. However, additional support may need to be provided to deliver those ambitions.For pupils with SEND, schools are expected to work closely with parents to develop tailored support strategies and ensure pupils receive the provisions in their education, health and care plans. This includes implementing strategies to remove in-school barriers, such as considering reasonable adjustments to uniform, routines, lunchtime arrangements and access to support.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, if he will make it his policy to call for the immediate release of Jimmy Lai from solitary confinement.

British national Jimmy Lai's case is a priority for the UK Government, and we are closely monitoring his trial. The Foreign Secretary has been consistent in raising Jimmy Lai's case with counterparts in the Chinese Government, including during his meeting with China's Foreign Minister in Beijing on 18 October. The Minister for Indo-Pacific also raised Lai's case with the Hong Kong and Chinese authorities when she visited Hong Kong on 14-15 November.The UK Government has consistently called for Jimmy Lai's release and raised concerns about his case directly with the Hong Kong and Chinese authorities.

Innovation and Technology, what assessment he has made of the adequacy of cyber safety laws on the use of AI.

Artificial Intelligence is a vital technology and is at the heart of the government’s economic growth plans. AI safety has been a vital part of the government’s work since the AI Safety Summit.DSIT is working to address cyber risks to AI and recently consulted on a Code of Practice setting baseline security requirements for AI systems. This will be the basis of a global standard. DSIT will respond in 2025.Government has also published a cyber security risk assessment on AI and other related research.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, if he will make an assessment of the implications for his policies of the cancellation of the Religious Leaders Forum and Graduation Ceremony for freedom of religion or belief in South Korea.

The UK government is committed to defending freedom of religion or belief for all and promoting respect between different religious and non-religious communities. The UK and South Korea share a close partnership. Our Downing Street Accord commits us to such fundamental freedoms. This includes rights and freedoms relating to religion or beliefs, as set out in the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights treaty, which ROK has been a member party of since 1990.

If he will make an assessment of the potential impact of proposed reforms to the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency's statutory fees structures on (a) the Agency, (b) industry, (c) the NHS and (d) patients.

The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) regulates medicines, medical devices, and blood components for transfusion in the United Kingdom.Most of the MHRA’s income comes from charging fees for its services. Its fees are set to recover the full cost of delivering the respective services. This is in compliance with the HM Treasury guidance, Managing Public Money.The MHRA aims to update its fees every two years, so that it can continue to recover its costs. This ensures the agency’s continued financial sustainability, and the ongoing delivery of its services.The MHRA has recently consulted on its current fee uplift. The consultation has now closed, and they are analysing the responses. The Government response to the consultation should be published in the new year. With regards to the expected impacts:the fees uplift will ensure the MHRA’s continued financial sustainability and the ongoing delivery of its services;the MHRA’s fees will increase for industry, as by ensuring that the MHRA is fully recovering costs, it will be in a better position to deliver the level of service that the industry wants and expects;the MHRA’s fees will increase for everyone, including the National Health Service, however, the impact on the NHS is expected to be small as it represents a small proportion of the MHRA’s total income, and the increase in its costs is also expected to be small; andthe fees uplift it will ensure the MHRA is sufficiently resourced to deliver its public health duties for patients, and additionally, the charging fees mean that the regulated bear the cost of regulation, rather than the taxpayer and patients themselves.

Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment he has made of the potential implications for his policies of local authorities charging homeowners to dispose of garden waste.

Local authorities have had the option to charge for a garden waste collection since 1992, as per the Controlled Waste (England & Wales) Regulations [2012]. As stated in our most recently published Final Impact Assessment for Simpler Recycling, around 65% of local authorities charged for garden waste collections in 2018/19. In 2021, the Government consulted on introducing free garden waste collections for all households in England. We explored the impact of this policy in our Final Impact Assessment which included evidence that the average garden waste yield for local authorities who provide a charged service is lower when compared to yields associated with a free service. However, the impact assessment identified that overall, there was not a sufficient economic or environmental case to require local authorities to offer a free garden waste collection service. Officials are working with WRAP to develop guidance on what is a reasonable charge for garden waste collection and will continue to review the evidence on uptake on garden waste services.

If he will make a comparative assessment of (a) the UK's regulatory system and (b) those of international comparators.

The Government is committed to delivering a regulatory system that addresses market failures, creates economic certainty, and drives innovation to stimulate growth while protecting consumers and businesses. As part of this, HMG regularly makes comparative assessments of the UK's regulatory system and those of international comparators.

Whether his Department plans to develop a respiratory action plan to support patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

The 10-Year Health Plan will consider the change needed to meet the three Health Mission goals, those being: a fairer system where everyone lives well for longer; a National Health Service that is there when people need it; and fewer lives lost to the biggest killers.We will carefully be considering policies with input from the public, patients, health staff, and our stakeholders as we develop the plan.NHS England is leading on the development of an approach for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease management, to proactively manage rising risk patients in winter, to reduce demand on primary and secondary care. This includes the identification of rising risk patients, optimisation of care, support and management through remote monitoring and a greater focus on self-management and education, and access to strengthened support in the community.

If he will make an assessment of the potential impact of the proposed reform of Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency statutory fees on investment in the UK market by medical technology companies in the (a) short and (b) long term.

The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) regulates medicines, medical devices, and blood components for transfusion in the United Kingdom.Most of the MHRA’s income comes from charging fees for its services. Its fees are set to recover the full cost of delivering the respective services. This is in compliance with the HM Treasury guidance, Managing Public Money.The MHRA aims to update its fees every two years, so that it can continue to recover its costs. This ensures the agency’s continued financial sustainability, and the ongoing delivery of its services.The MHRA has recently consulted on its current fee uplift. The consultation has now closed, and they are analysing the responses. The Government response to the consultation should be published in the new year.By ensuring that the MHRA is fully recovering costs, it is in a better position to deliver the level of service that industry, patients, and the public want and expect. The fees uplift is not expected to adversely impact the UK favourability in the short- or the long-term. Regular fee increases are standard practice across all regulators.

Whether she has had discussions with mortgage providers on the availability of fixed term mortgages to first time buyers.

The Government is regularly in contact with mortgage lenders on all aspects of their business, including the provision of finance to first time buyers. This Government will turn the dream of owning a home into a reality by fixing the planning system and building 1.5 million more homes, as well as helping buyers who are struggling to save for a large deposit by introducing a permanent Mortgage Guarantee Scheme.

If he will take steps to ensure Integrated Care Systems are resourced to provide medicines for (a) chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and (b) other life-threatening respiratory diseases.

As part of the 2024 Autumn Budget, the Government has allocated the National Health Service an extra £25.7 billion over this year and the next.Medicines for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and other respiratory diseases are commissioned by local NHS integrated care boards, who are responsible for developing commissioning policies in line with national guidance.NHS England has established 13 Respiratory Clinical Networks across the country. These have been vital in providing clinical leadership for respiratory services and supporting services in primary care.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, if he will suspend all visits from (a) Chinese and (b) Hong Kong officials whilst hon. Members are sanctioned by the Chinese Government.

China's retaliatory sanctions, including against Parliamentarians, are unwarranted and unacceptable. They are incomparable to the sanctions announced by the UK in 2021, which were based on compelling and widespread evidence of serious and systematic human rights violations in Xinjiang. This Government consistently raises the issue of UK Parliamentarians sanctioned by China. The Foreign Secretary has called on China to lift its sanctions including against Parliamentarians at every meeting he has had with his counterpart.The Government believes that it should engage with China where there are clear UK and global interests. There are currently no plans to suspend all visits from Chinese and Hong Kong officials in relation to sanctions against Parliamentarians.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether he plans to issue guidance on EU visa waivers.

Entry requirements for British nationals travelling to the EU are set out in the FCDO's travel advice pages on gov.uk. The guidance is based on information provided by the EU and its Member States. FCDO travel advice is regularly updated to reflect our latest understanding of these requirements, with links for further information provided within the travelling abroad pages on gov.uk. The new European Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS) scheme is not a visa, and we continue to discuss its implementation with the European Commission and European Union Member States.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what assessment he has made of the potential implications for his policies of reported clashes between Chinese and Philippine patrol vessels.

In the South China Sea, we are committed to international law, the primacy of the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), and to freedom of navigation and overflight. We oppose any action that raises tensions or the risk of miscalculation and take no sides in the sovereignty disputes. We encourage all parties to settle their disputes peacefully through the existing legal mechanisms, particularly UNCLOS. During the Foreign Secretary's recent visit to China, he raised the importance of sustained dialogue on issues of mutual concern, and the UK's interests in regional peace and stability.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what assessment he has made of the potential implications for his policies of reports of criminal gangs taking over the streets in Gaza.

The breakdown of law and order in Gaza is hugely concerning. The humanitarian situation in Gaza is catastrophic and completely unacceptable. The fighting must stop now. A ceasefire would help protect civilians in Gaza and pave the way for much-needed stability. The international community will need to support long-term reconstruction, governance and security in Gaza, including through reforming and empowering the Palestinian Authority so it is fit to govern and provide security for the civilians living in Gaza.