Written questions by Glen.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, pursuant to the Answer of 3 October 2025 to Question 75586, whether safeguards, oversight mechanisms and conditions apply to UK assistance to Bangladesh to help ensure that such funding does not contribute to discrimination or persecution of Hindu minority communities.

All UK official development assistance (ODA) funded programmes operate under the Foreign, Commonwealth, and Development Office's Programme Operating Framework, which requires robust controls, mandatory oversight, and compliance with cross‑government project delivery standards, alongside strengthened safeguarding due‑diligence measures and transparency obligations to ensure accountable, safe, and effective use of public funds.

What discussions he has had with Ministers in the devolved nations regarding establishing a UK wide sodium valproate redress scheme.

Though the Patient Safety Commissioner’s report covered England-only, we recognise that any response by the Government to the recommendations of the Hughes Report in England will likely have implications for the devolved administrations and their constituents.Government officials are therefore working closely with officials across the United Kingdom in considering the recommendations in the Hughes Report. I recently met with my counterparts across the four nations and will continue productive engagement as we progress work in this area.The Department continues to take forward work to explore redress for those affected by pelvic mesh and sodium valproate, which includes recommendations made by the Patient Safety Commissioner in the Hughes Report.We recognise the importance of these issues for all those affected. This remains a cross-Government policy area involving multiple organisations, and given the complexity of the issues involved, it is important we get this right.I also met with the Patient Safety Commissioner in December 2025, to discuss progress following the Hughes Report and have made clear the Department’s expectation of continued, proactive engagement with the Patient Safety Commissioner and key stakeholders.

What steps his Department is taking to help improve coordination between health, education, and social care services for families affected by sodium valproate.

Everyone who has been harmed from sodium valproate has our deepest sympathies.The Independent Medicines and Medical Devices Safety Review, First Do No Harm, identified significant shortcomings in National Health Service care pathways for people harmed by sodium valproate. NHS England has acknowledged variation in the availability and adequacy of care pathways, the impact of delayed diagnosis and misdiagnosis on long-term outcomes, and the need for improved care coordination for those requiring lifelong support, including co-ordination with non-health care services.In response, NHS England has commissioned a Fetal Exposure to Medicines Services Pilot, being delivered by the NHS in Newcastle and Manchester. The pilot provides multidisciplinary diagnostic assessment and is informing the development of improved care pathways, better coordination of care, and reduced reliance on emergency care. Findings from the pilot will inform future decisions on the commissioning of services, subject to funding.In addition, we work closely with the Department for Education and across the Government to ensure co-ordination between health, education, and social care services for children and their families. The Health and Opportunity Missions of the Government highlight the importance of joined up working and integrated delivery.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether she has had discussions with her Egyptian counterpart on the detention of Saeid Mansour Abdulraziq.

The UK champions freedom of religion or belief for all and, where appropriate, will raise these issues with the Egyptian authorities.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether she has had discussions with her counterpart in Venezuela on the (a) vandalism of the Cuasia Church and (b) death threats issued towards Fr. Juan Manuel León.

Protecting the Freedom of Religion or Belief is an important objective for the UK all over the world. As part of our efforts to press for a peaceful, democratic transition in Venezuela, we will reinforce the importance of ensuring that the rights of all Venezuelans are upheld, including members of the church.

With reference to the Chancellor's written statement of 5 January 2026, UIN HCWS1219, whether the government's response to the Office for Budget Responsibility's Spring forecast will be an oral or written statement to Parliament.

As set out in a written statement to Parliament last week, the Chancellor has asked the Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR) to prepare an economic and fiscal forecast for publication on 3 March 2026. The Chancellor will deliver an oral statement to the House in response.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what recent diplomatic steps she has taken with the Government of Nicaragua on restrictions on the importation and distribution of religious materials; and what assessment she has made of the potential impact of those restrictions on freedom of religion or belief.

I refer the Hon Member to the answer provided on 3 November in response to Question 85308.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what assessment she has made of the implications for her policies of recent attacks on Afro-Brazilian religious temples in Brazil; and what discussions she has had with her Brazilian counterparts on protecting freedom of religion or belief.

The UK is committed to protecting freedom of religion or belief, as guaranteed under international human rights law. During the G20 Energy and Environment Working Group in October, the Minister for Equalities met Brazilian Minister for Women Marcia Lopes to discuss challenges faced by marginalised communities. In the build-up to COP30 in November, the UK organised a visit for a group of MPs to a 'Quilombo', home to a community targeted with violence and discrimination. This and other Afro-descendant communities are supported by the Amazon Catalyst for Forest Communities (AMCAT) programme, which strengthens tenure security, territorial governance and personal protection for Indigenous and Afro-descendant communities in the Amazon Basin. The UK and Brazil remain committed to ensuring the rights of Indigenous peoples and local communities are protected.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what recent discussions she has had with her Indian counterpart on reports of recent forced burning of Bibles in the Rohtak State of Haryana.

I refer the Rt Hon. Member to the answer provided on 27 October in response to Question 83419.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what discussions she has had with the Mexican Government concerning the proposed restrictions on the online expression of Catholic clergy; and what assessment she has made of the implications for freedom of religion or belief in Mexico.

The UK is committed to promoting freedom of religion or belief and freedom of expression globally. Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office officials discussed these issues with the Mexican Government during the Mexico-UK Human Rights Dialogues in January 2024 and May 2025. We understand that the bill proposed in Mexico's Congress to limit online expression by religious groups was withdrawn by its author following his engagement with faith groups. We continue to monitor developments.

Food and Rural Affairs, pursuant to the answers of 4 and 12 November 2025 to questions 84180 and 87719 on Alpacas: Bluetongue Disease, if her Department will consider reassessing restrictions for animals in which no cases of Bluetongue Disease have been identified.

As Great Britain is currently not recognised by the EU as bluetongue disease-free, the export of all susceptible live animals from the whole of GB territory, including alpacas, to EU and EFTA countries, is suspended. The same restrictions also apply for imports into GB from EU and EFTA countries. The EU and GB rules for trade from BTV affected territories reflect the World Organisation for Animal Health’s (WOAH) Terrestrial Code that sets international standards for Animal Health.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what recent discussions she has had with her Iranian counterpart on the imprisonment of Aida Najaflou; and what diplomatic steps she is taking to help ensure her release.

Further to the answer I gave on 29 October to Question 83265, we are concerned by Aida Najaflou's case and we continue to monitor the situation for Christians in Iran.

Pursuant to the Answer of 4 November 2025 to Question 85742 on Infected Blood Inquiry, when he expects the report for the Infected Blood Inquiry for the financial year 2024-2025 to be published.

The Infected Blood Inquiry 2024-25 financial report was published on 6 November, the same day that the audited figures were approved for publication. The report can be found here: https://www.infectedbloodinquiry.org.uk/about/financial-reports

Pursuant to the Answer of 5 November 2025 to Question 85743 on Infected Blood Inquiry, how much remuneration the Chair of the Infected Blood Inquiry receives for his work on that inquiry each year.

The Chair of the Infected Blood Inquiry has been paid at the level of a High Court judge, except that he has declined any pension as a result of his work for the Inquiry. The Ministry of Justice publishes the judicial salaries each year. The Chair of the Infected Blood Inquiry is currently receiving one tenth of this salary in recompense for his work.

Food and Rural Affairs, pursuant to the answer of 4th November 2025 to question 84180 on Alpacas: Bluetongue Disease, what restrictions there are on the export of alpacas to (a) Ireland and (b) mainland Europe as a result of the Bluetongue virus.

As Great Britain is currently not recognised as bluetongue disease-free, the export of all susceptible live animals, including alpacas, to EU and EFTA countries is suspended.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what assessment she has made of the potential implications for her policies of the airstrike on a Buddhist festival in Sagaing Region, Myanmar; and what diplomatic steps she is taking with international counterparts to help ensure the protection of civilians in that country.

I refer the Hon. Member to my answer to question 75108 on 17 September.

Whether the Financial Reports for the Infected Blood Inquiry for the financial year 2024-2025 will be published.

Published costs for the Infected Blood Inquiry can be found on the inquiry webpage. The latest financial report was published on 27 August 2024. Additionally, the Infected Blood Compensation Authority has published an annual report enclosing a financial statement up to 31 March 2025.

Whether the Chair of the Infected Blood inquiry is remunerated for his work on the inquiry.

Like all Inquiry Chairs, the Chair of the Infected Blood Inquiry is remunerated for the work he undertakes.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what recent discussions she has had with international partners on measures to provide support to the Hazara Muslim population in Afghanistan; and what diplomatic steps she is taking to ensure their protection.

Ministers do not engage with the Taliban, but Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office officials regularly press the Taliban to respect the human rights of all Afghans, most recently in October. The Government is working with international partners to maintain collective pressure on the Taliban to reverse their inhuman restrictions. We continue to support the UN Special Rapporteur and his mandate to document human rights abuses in Afghanistan. Upholding human rights and gender equality is not only a moral imperative but also essential for building a stable, inclusive and prosperous country for all Afghans.

Food and Rural Affairs, how many cases of bluetongue virus in alpacas have been recorded since October 2023.

There have been no confirmed cases of bluetongue virus in alpacas since October 2023. Bluetongue is a notifiable disease, which means all suspected cases must be reported to the Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA).