Written questions by Osamor.

Innovation and Technology, what steps her Department is taking to ensure new restrictions on stranger communications on online services do not negatively impact online learning platforms.

Awaiting answer.

What steps her Department is taking to help students from Gaza who hold places at UK universities to come to the UK for studies beginning this year.

Awaiting answer.

With reference to the judgment in the matter of an application by JR87 and another for Judicial Review (Appellant) UKSC/2024/0095, if she will review the enforcement of collective worship in schools following t

Collective worship remains an important part of school life, supporting pupils to reflect on the concept of belief and the role it plays in our country’s traditions and values. We are clear the guidance in Circular 1/94 needs to be updated. We recognise t...

Communities and Local Government, with reference to the Fifth Special Report of the Housing, Communities and Local Government Committee of Session 2024-26 on The Funding and Sustainability of Local Government Fin

The final 2026-27 Local Government Finance Settlement, published on 9 February 2026, makes over £4.6 billion additional funding for available adult social care in 2028-29, compared to 2025-26, including £500 million for the first-ever Fair Payment Agreeme...

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what steps her Department is taking to help prevent human rights abuses and atrocities in Amhara in Ethiopia.

The ongoing conflict in Amhara has led to significant humanitarian needs, including rising food insecurity, and widespread conflict-related human rights violations and abuses. In coordination with international partners, the UK continues to use its voice ...

What assessment his Department has made of the potential impact of introducing statutory paid leave for kinship carers on levels of recruitment and staff retention.

The Parental Leave and Pay Review is considering all parental leave and pay entitlements as well as the support available for those who do not currently qualify for existing protections, including kinship carers. This is an evidence-based Review and is ta...

About the steps his Department is taking to improve the (a) fairness and (b) transparency of the Single Justice Procedure.

Fairness and transparency remain a Government priority for the Single Justice Procedure. This is why the Ministry of Justice consulted on “Regulation and oversight of private prosecutions and strengthening safeguards in the Single Justice Procedure”, whic...

What steps her Department is taking to increase the level of engagement with and representation of people with SEND, carers and SEND professionals in future government campaigns and communications on SEND.

The department is committed to ensuring that people with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND), their families and carers, and the professionals who support them are meaningfully represented in our communications, and their experiences reflect...

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, with reference to the Answer of 6 August 2025 to Question 68333 on Hussam Abu Safiya, what recent steps he has taken to help ensure the immediate and unconditional release of

We are aware of recent reporting that Dr Safiya has been moved to solitary confinement. We have raised our concerns about this case on a number of occasions.We will continue to monitor developments closely and raise issues where appropriate. As and when t...

With reference to the proposals by the Living Wage Foundation, whether he has made an assessment of the potential merits of all publicly funded institutions paying staff the real living wage as calcula

The government is committed to creating an economy that delivers for working people and businesses alike. The National Living Wage is set by the government, following recommendations from the independent Low Pay Commission, which considers a range of fact...

What assessment his department has made of the potential impact of Investor-State Dispute Settlements on the transition away from fossil fuels.

The Government is aware of the interest in ISDS, and is engaging with energy and climate stakeholders on its impact on UK priorities. In line with HMG’s Trade Strategy, the UK will continue to work with partners through multilateral forums, including the ...

Which Departments are able to grant developed vetting clearance against the recommendation of UK Security Vetting.

It has not proved possible to respond to the Hon Member in the time available before Prorogation

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what considerations her Department has made on the potential merits of supporting the reconvening of a United Nations Group of Friends on Children and Armed Conflict in Sudan.

One of the key principles of the International Sudan Conference in Berlin on 15 April was to take collective action to protect civilians, including children, from the horrendous atrocities taking place in Sudan. This is outlined in the Conference Co-Chairs' statement, linked below, issued by the UK, Germany, France, the EU, US, and African Union. A proposal to reconvene the Diplomatic Group of Friends on Children and Armed Conflict in Sudan is under consideration by the Coalition for Atrocity Prevention and Justice, launched by the UK and partners on 26 February. A meeting between the members and Non-Governmental Organisation partners will take place in due course to discuss and evaluate the proposal. The UK remains firmly committed to the Children and Armed Conflict agenda and we will continue to champion it, ensuring that the rights, safety and future of Sudanese children remain at the forefront of the international response.https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/third-international-sudan-conference-april-2026-co-hosts-statement/third-international-sudan-conference-berlin-co-hosts-statement-15-april-2026

What assessment her Department has made of the potential merits of alternative measures to blanket nationality-based suspensions of student visas, such as targeted enforcement measures based on individual risk assessment.

The decision to introduce the visa brakes was driven by clear evidence of high levels of visa-linked asylum claims across all four nationalities. By year ending September 2025, asylum applications by students from Afghanistan, Cameroon, Myanmar and Sudan had risen to over 470% of their 2021 level. This continued and rising asylum risk from this cohort necessitated swift and decisive action through the introduction of a visa brake on a nationality basis.The brake does not apply to those who already hold a valid Student visa, nor to applications submitted before it came into force on 26 March. In order to allow those prospective students with an offer from a licensed sponsor and a valid Confirmation of Acceptance of Studies (CAS) to apply for visas, we provided 21 days’ notice of the implementation of the visa brakes. There are no plans for any further exceptions to the brake.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what steps her Department is taking to prioritise issues concerning freedom of religion or belief in future Human Rights and Democracy Reports.

The championing of Freedom of Religion or Belief (FoRB) for all is a key element of the UK's human rights work overseas, for the funding of that work, and for the reporting to Parliament that we do on that work. For further detail, I refer the Hon. Member to the strategy for the Government's international FoRB work set out by the UK Special Envoy for FoRB in July 2025:https://www.gov.uk/government/speeches/uk-approach-to-freedom-of-religion-or-belief-uk-special-envoy-on-freedom-of-religion-or-belief-speech-july-2025

What steps her Department is taking to protect (a) visa-holders and (b) those holding university offers from being affected by the suspension of study visas from Afghanistan, Cameroon, Myanmar and Sudan.

The decision to introduce the visa brakes was driven by clear evidence of high levels of visa-linked asylum claims across all four nationalities. By year ending September 2025, asylum applications by students from Afghanistan, Cameroon, Myanmar and Sudan had risen to over 470% of their 2021 level. This continued and rising asylum risk from this cohort necessitated swift and decisive action through the introduction of a visa brake on a nationality basis.The brake does not apply to those who already hold a valid Student visa, nor to applications submitted before it came into force on 26 March. In order to allow those prospective students with an offer from a licensed sponsor and a valid Confirmation of Acceptance of Studies (CAS) to apply for visas, we provided 21 days’ notice of the implementation of the visa brakes. There are no plans for any further exceptions to the brake.

Whether the Parental Leave and Pay review is considering the ability for individuals with severe illness, such as cancer, to postpone maternity leave.

A cancer diagnosis is distressing at any stage of life, and especially for mothers on maternity leave, at a time that should be focused on recovery, bonding and family life.The Department of Health and Social Care’s National Cancer Plan sets out how people with cancer, including pregnant and postnatal women, are supported before, during and after treatment, including supporting mothers to stay in work.Alongside this, the Parental Leave and Pay Review is examining how maternity leave and the wider parental leave and pay system can better support working families. The Review will report in early 2027.

What assessment her Department has made of the potential merits of extending the business rate relief granted to pubs and music venues to post offices.

The Government recognises the vital role that the Post Office plays in the economy and wider society. At the Budget, the Government acted to limit increases in business rates bills, announcing a support package worth £4.3 billion. The Government has also introduced new permanently lower tax rates for eligible retail, hospitality and leisure properties. These new tax rates are worth nearly £1 billion per year and benefit over 750,000 properties. Post offices are also eligible for 100 per cent rural rate relief if they meet certain conditions. There are a wide range of factors that the Government needs to consider when introducing new tax reliefs, for example whether these support wider Government objectives, or add disproportionate complexity into the tax system. It is likely that a new relief would have to be paid for, at least in part, by increased taxes for other taxpayers or reducing expenditure on public services. The Government keeps all taxes under review as part of the policy making process. The Chancellor will announce any changes to the tax system at fiscal events in the usual way.

What plans he has to support local post offices in the High Streets Strategy.

I refer the member for Edmonton and Winchmore Hill to the response I gave to UIN 125751 on 20 April.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what steps her Department is taking to ensure that freedom of religion or belief is integrated into aid programmes.

The championing of Freedom of Religion or Belief (FoRB) for all is a key element of the UK's human rights work overseas, for the funding of that work, and for the reporting to Parliament that we do on that work. For further detail, I refer the Hon. Member to the strategy for the Government's international FoRB work set out by the UK Special Envoy for FoRB in July 2025:https://www.gov.uk/government/speeches/uk-approach-to-freedom-of-religion-or-belief-uk-special-envoy-on-freedom-of-religion-or-belief-speech-july-2025