Written questions by Osamor.

Food and Rural Affairs, what plans her Department has to improve transparency in (a) method-of-production welfare labelling and (b) country of origin labelling.

The Government's animal welfare strategy was published on 22 December 2025 and is available here on GOV.UK. As set out in the strategy, we are committed to ensuring that consumers have access to clear information on how their food was produced. To support this, we will continue working with relevant stakeholders, including the farming and food industry, scientists and NGOs to explore how improved animal welfare food labelling could provide greater consumer transparency, support farmers and promote better animal welfare. We are also committed to working with stakeholders in ongoing discussions about further improving transparency and consumer trust in country-of-origin labelling.

What steps his Department is taking to support the night-time economy in Edmonton and Winchmore Hill constituency.

The Government recognises the significant pressures facing the night-time economy, including those in Edmonton and Winchmore Hill, and the Government is providing support through various measures to help ease these pressures. We’ve introduced permanently lower tax rates for retail, hospitality and leisure properties with a ratable value under £500,000, worth nearly £900 million annually, benefitting over 750,000 properties. The new relief rates are permanent, giving businesses certainty and stability, and there will be no cap so all qualifying properties will benefit. The Chancellor announced a new National Licensing Policy Framework as part of her budget. This sets out a vision for a proportionate licensing system that supports good businesses while continuing to tackle bad operators.

Whether she plans to take steps to introduce a national supply register for teachers.

Schools, academies and local authorities are responsible for the recruitment of their supply teachers, which includes deciding whether to use private supply agencies to fill temporary posts or cover teacher absence. The department recognises the role that agencies play in helping to keep schools running when they face teacher shortages and absences. We are committed to helping schools achieve better value for money when using agencies, which is why we have established the agency supply deal in conjunction with the Crown Commercial Service. The deal has established a list of preferred suppliers that schools can access, all of which will be transparent with schools about the rates they charge. Our most recent announcement on maximising value for pupils is available at this link: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/maximising-value-for-pupils/maximising-value-for-pupils. The department has no plans to take steps to introduce a national supply register for teachers.

Whether she plans to take steps to reduce the use of large commercial agencies in the supply teaching sector.

Schools, academies and local authorities are responsible for the recruitment of their supply teachers, which includes deciding whether to use private supply agencies to fill temporary posts or cover teacher absence. The department recognises the role that agencies play in helping to keep schools running when they face teacher shortages and absences. We are committed to helping schools achieve better value for money when using agencies, which is why we have established the agency supply deal in conjunction with the Crown Commercial Service. The deal has established a list of preferred suppliers that schools can access, all of which will be transparent with schools about the rates they charge. Our most recent announcement on maximising value for pupils is available at this link: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/maximising-value-for-pupils/maximising-value-for-pupils. The department has no plans to take steps to introduce a national supply register for teachers.

If he will make an assessment of the implications for his policies of the report by Independent Age entitled Too Little Too Late, published on 15 May 2025.

The Government is absolutely committed to supporting pensioners and giving them the dignity and security they deserve in retirement. From the end of this Parliament, as a result of our commitment to protect the Triple Lock, spending on State Pensions is forecast to be around £34 billion more a year, compared with 2024/25. This will see pensioners’ yearly incomes rising by up to £2,100. We have revived the Pensions Commission which will consider the broader questions of adequacy, fairness, and sustainability to guide the long-term future of our pensions system. Amongst other things, the Commission will look at how to improve retirement outcomes, especially for those on the lowest incomes and at the greatest risk of poverty or under-saving. Maximising the take-up of Pension Credit remains a key priority. That is why we have been running the biggest ever Pension Credit take-up campaign, promoting Pension Credit to eligible pensioners and their family and friends. And we are making better use of data to directly target potentially eligible households. Since February, all new Housing Benefit claimants who may be eligible have been invited to apply for Pension Credit. Looking ahead, aligning the administration of Pension Credit with pensioner Housing Benefit will help ensure that more pensioners receive the financial support they are entitled to. The Department keeps policies and processes under regular review, including monitoring poverty through annual statistics and research into retirement planning, as well as considering the contributions of stakeholders such as the reports by Independent Age and others.

If he will make an assessment of the implications for his policies of the report by Independent Age entitled Jumping Through Hoops, published on 4 March 2025.

The Government is absolutely committed to supporting pensioners and giving them the dignity and security they deserve in retirement. From the end of this Parliament, as a result of our commitment to protect the Triple Lock, spending on State Pensions is forecast to be around £34 billion more a year, compared with 2024/25. This will see pensioners’ yearly incomes rising by up to £2,100. We have revived the Pensions Commission which will consider the broader questions of adequacy, fairness, and sustainability to guide the long-term future of our pensions system. Amongst other things, the Commission will look at how to improve retirement outcomes, especially for those on the lowest incomes and at the greatest risk of poverty or under-saving. Maximising the take-up of Pension Credit remains a key priority. That is why we have been running the biggest ever Pension Credit take-up campaign, promoting Pension Credit to eligible pensioners and their family and friends. And we are making better use of data to directly target potentially eligible households. Since February, all new Housing Benefit claimants who may be eligible have been invited to apply for Pension Credit. Looking ahead, aligning the administration of Pension Credit with pensioner Housing Benefit will help ensure that more pensioners receive the financial support they are entitled to. The Department keeps policies and processes under regular review, including monitoring poverty through annual statistics and research into retirement planning, as well as considering the contributions of stakeholders such as the reports by Independent Age and others.

What steps he is taking to increase take up of Pension Credit in Edmonton and Winchmore Hill constituency.

The Government is committed to ensuring that all pensioners receive the support to which they are entitled. That is why we have been running the biggest ever Pension Credit take-up campaign, promoting Pension Credit to eligible pensioners and their family and friends through adverts on television and radio; on social media and on digital screens in GP surgeries and Post Offices, as well as in the press. The latest burst of the campaign began in September, and further promotional activity is planned until the end of the financial year. We have also engaged with all councils in Great Britain, including Enfield Council, through regular Local Authority Welfare Direct bulletins on GOV.UK and targeted email communications. Councils have actively supported the campaign by promoting it on social media and distributing promotional materials, including posters and leaflets. We are making better use of data to directly target potentially eligible households. Since February, all new Housing Benefit claimants who may be eligible have been invited to apply for Pension Credit. In September, the Department conducted a trial in partnership with Age UK and Independent Age targeting 2,000 households in England identified using HMRC and DWP data.

Food and Rural Affairs, what steps she is taking to implement provisions in the Environment Act 2021 to impose due diligence regulations for forest risk commodities.

The Government recognises the urgency of taking action to ensure that UK consumption of forest risk commodities is not driving deforestation. The Government is actively considering the best regulatory approach to address deforestation in UK supply chains; we will set out this approach in due course.

What assessment he has made of the potential merits of providing funding to the Tropical Forest Forever Facility.

The Government remains supportive of the Tropical Forests Forever Facility and is proud to have assisted Brazil to develop the initiative. TFFF is an important opportunity and we want to see it succeed. We will continue to provide support to TFFF, including through co-funding the World Bank programme that will operationalise the Facility, and through the AIM4Forests programme, which will provide critical technical assistance to support delivery of TFFF.

If she will make an assessment of the potential merits of amending the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986 to include decapod crustaceans.

The Government is committed to an evidence-based and proportionate approach to setting welfare standards for decapod. This applies both to those caught for human consumption and to those used in scientific research. The Animal Welfare (Sentience) Act 2022 recognises decapod crustaceans as sentient beings.The Home Office is carefully considering the next steps in collaboration with other relevant departments.The Government is committed to non-animal alternatives in science and will publish a strategy to support their development, validation and adoption later this year.

If she will make an assessment of the potential implications for her policies of the report by Kinship entitled Handle with Care: Annual survey of kinship carers 2025, published on 2 October 2025.

The department is grateful to Kinship for its continued work to highlight the experiences of kinship carers. We are grateful for the insights in the ‘Handle with Care’ report from over 1,900 kinship families on the challenges and opportunities they face. The report’s findings around financial hardship, housing and access to support, reinforce the importance of our ongoing work to improve support for kinship carers and children living in kinship care.The department remains focused on delivering improvements for kinship families through our existing programmes. We will be piloting a Kinship Financial Allowance in up to 10 local authorities, following the announcement at Autumn Budget 2024. We are also updating statutory guidance and developing best practice materials on family group decision making (FGDM) to support local authorities in delivering safe and effective FGDM, including how to engage children and families in the process.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what assessment she has made of the implications for her policies of recent reports of a communications blackout being imposed by the Taliban in Afghanistan.

I refer the Hon. Member to the answer I gave on 21 October to Question 78430.

If he will make an assessment of the potential implications for his policies of Prostate Cancer Research's report entitled Prostate Cancer Screening: The Impact on the NHS, published in 14 October 2025.

The Government is guided by the independent, scientific advice of the UK National Screening Committee (UK NSC).The UK NSC Secretariat has corresponded with Prostate Cancer Research and described the committee’s formal published approach to identifying and summarising high quality, peer reviewed published evidence.The UK NSC Secretariat has read Prostate Cancer Research's report entitled Prostate Cancer Screening: The Impact on the NHS, and has discussed it with the Chair of the UK NSC.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what discussions she has had with her Syrian counterpart on recent clashes between the Syrian Army and the Syrian Democratic Forces in Aleppo.

We were concerned by the recent escalation of violence in the Kurdish-majority neighbourhoods in Aleppo on 6 October and welcomed the swift ceasefire agreement reached between the Syrian Democratic Forces and Syrian Government. It is vital that both sides continue to engage in negotiations to reach a sustainable political settlement. The UK Representative for Syria regularly engages with both parties in support of an inclusive political settlement and discussed the situation in Aleppo with the Syrian Government during her recent visit to Damascus.

Whether her Department has considered making the Digital Services Tax a permanent measure.

The Digital Services Tax is an interim solution to widely held concerns with the international corporate tax framework, and the UK remains committed to removing it once a global solution on the reallocation of taxing rights is in place.As the Chancellor has previously said, we will continue to make sure that businesses pay their fair share of tax, including businesses in the digital sector.

Whether alternative non-digital methods of identity verification will be available for company directors following the rollout of mandatory identity verification via GOV.UK One Login from 18 November 2025.

Companies House is continuing to develop alternative options that will offer more support to individuals who are unable to verify their identities through the standard route. Further guidance will be issued but, in the meantime, Companies House is ensuring that staff are on hand to help users who require assistance via its helpline and by email.

What assessment his Department has made of the the potential impact of reintroducing a nuclear role for the Royal Air Force on the UK’s commitment to nuclear disarmament under the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty.

The nuclear weapons allocated to the NATO dual capable aircraft nuclear mission, to which the United Kingdom (UK) will contribute its F-35A aircraft, are United States (US) nuclear weapons and remain under US custody and control, in full compliance with the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT). The UK remains fully committed to the long-term goal of a world without nuclear weapons in a transparent, verifiable and irreversible manner and with undiminished security for all.

What assessment his Department has made of the potential impact of compulsory identity verification via One Login on (a) small business owners and (b) people who are digitally excluded.

Identity verification creates a more reliable companies register. This supports small businesses that may have limited resources in due diligence, helping them grow. Verifying the identity of those who run or control companies also protects legitimate businesses and the wider public from those who would abuse the system for criminal purposes.Companies House has received feedback from users during the voluntary identity verification period and is developing options to support individuals unable to verify their identity through the standard route. Companies House is ensuring that staff are on hand to help users requiring assistance via its helpline and by email.

What assessment she has made of the potential merits of uprating the maximum income threshold for free school meals eligibility for children in families with No Recourse to Public Funds in line with the eligibility criteria introduced on 4 June 2025.

I refer my hon. Friend, the Member for Edmonton and Winchmore Hill, to the answer of 24 September 2025 to Question 76012.

How many children in families subject to No Recourse to Public Funds have received the concession on access to free school meals since 2022 by (a) region and (b) year.

I refer my hon. Friend, the Member for Edmonton and Winchmore Hill, to the answer of 24 September 2025 to Question 76011.