Written questions by Hollinrake.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether her Department has received representations from Inter Mediate on removing sanctions against Syria.

I refer the Hon Member to the answer given on 3 June 2025 to Question 52690.

With reference to the policy paper entitled UK-EU Summit - Common Understanding, published on 22 December 2025, whether he expects the UK to make financial contributions to the European Union as a consequence of the provisions on competition cooperation.

The UK will not make financial contributions to the European Union as a consequence of the provisions on competition cooperation. The UK‑EU Competition Cooperation Agreement signed on 25 February 2026 facilitates enhanced dialogue and operational cooperation between the Competition and Markets Authority, the European Commission and the National Competition Authorities of EU Member States. The agreement will be laid before Parliament under the Constitutional Reform and Governance Act 2010 (CRaG) in due course.

Whether the Prime Minister plans to appoint a permanent Chief of Staff.

A complete list of Special Advisers is published on an annual basis in the Special Advisers Annual Report. It would not be appropriate to comment on individual staffing matters.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, with reference to the written statement of 23 February 2026, HCWS1342, on Media Freedom Coalition, if she will take steps to protect British journalists from being (a) harassed and (b) intimidated by political actors in the United Kingdom.

I refer the Hon Member to the continuing absence of an apology from the leader of his party for her public attacks on the journalist Nadine White in January 2021, which led to extensive online harassment and abuse directed at Ms White, and which was condemned by organisations including the Society of Editors, the National Union of Journalists, the Resource Centre on Media Freedom in Europe, and the Platform to promote the protection of journalism.By contrast, this Government is committed to upholding media freedom and ensuring journalists are able to operate without fear of threat and harassment, both in the UK and around the world. The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office plays a role in the UK National Committee for the Safety of Journalists, which is led jointly at Ministerial level by the Home Office and the Department of Culture, Media and Sport, and we are also co-chairing the international Media Freedom Coalition, as set out in my written ministerial statement on 23 February (HCWS1342).

Pursuant to the answer of 27 February 2026 to Question 113802 on British Business Bank, what the name is of the Aegon pension scheme and its default funds.

The British Business Bank’s workplace pension is provided by Aegon. Aegon Workplace Default (ARC) is the default fund.

Whether his Department had correspondence with Global Counsel between 10 February 2025 and 11 September 2025.

Yes. Cabinet Office are collating a cross-government response to the Humble Address related to Lord Mandelson and relevant papers will be provided to the House.

What her policy is on the annual uprating of fuel duty by inflation.

Rates will only gradually return to early 2022 levels by March 2025. At Budget 2025, the Government extended the 5 pence–per litre cut for a further five months, until the end of August this year. The Government has also cancelled the increase in line with inflation for 2026/27; instead, rates will only gradually return to early 2022 levels by March 2027. The 5p cut was introduced at following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022, when prices reached a peak of over £1.90 per litre.Since Budget 2024, the Government's decisions to freeze fuel duty will save the average motorist over £90 – or 8-11 pence per litre – compared to the plans inherited from the previous government.

Pursuant to the answer of 21 January 2026 to Question 105914 on Cryptocurrencies, whether the Tether cryptocurrency is audited by any UK body.

HM Treasury is not privy to any information regarding Tether’s auditing arrangements.

Whether she has made an assessment of the potential implications for her policies of changes in Montenegro's money laundering legislation.

The Government is committed to protecting the UK’s financial system and identifying risks to our system. The National Risk Assessment for money laundering and terrorist financing was published in July 2025 and assessed international risks the UK faces, including risks linked to the Western Balkan region.The National Risk Assessment provides up-to-date risk information to enable the UK public and private sector to respond to evolving threats. The Government intends to develop a new public-private strategy focused on anti-money laundering and asset recovery in the coming months to respond to the risks identified.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, pursuant to the answer of 25 February 2026 to Question 113793 on Diplomatic Service, how many Notes Verbale have been issued to EU institutions since July 2024.

I refer the Hon Member to the answer he references in his question.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, pursuant to the answer of 25 February 2026 to Question 113793 on Diplomatic Service, how many Notes Verbale have been issued to China since July 2024.

I refer the Hon Member to the answer he references in his question.

With reference to page 79 of the Budget Policy Costings 2025, published in November 2025, what assessment her Department has made of the potential impact of the reduction of the Cash ISA limit to £12,000 on revenues to the Exchequer, separate to the other measures included in that estimate.

At Autumn Budget 2025, the Government announced that the annual ISA allowance will be kept at £20,000 with the cash ISA limit set at £12,000 from April 2027 for under-65s. This is part of the wider strategy aimed at supporting people to get into investing, including Targeted Support, which will be available from April 2026. In addition, financial services firms will provide new, easily navigable ways for people to find the right UK investment for them. The Government is introducing an age carve out for those aged 65 and above in recognition that they may need more flexibility in how they manage their savings as they approach retirement. Savers over the age of 65 will continue to be able to save up to £20,000 in a cash ISA each year.The Exchequer Impact for the Reduction of the Cash ISA limit to £12,000 for under-65s from April 2027 measure in isolation is: 2026-272027-282028-292029-302030-31Exchequer Impact (£m) 0+5+15+30+45

Whether Jonathan Powell attended the meeting between the Prime Minister and Pravind Jugnauth on 23 July 2024.

The meeting between the Prime Minister and Pravind Jugnauth was before Jonathan Powell’s appointment as Special Envoy for BIOT negotiations.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what interests Jonathan Powell declared whilst he was Special Envoy to the Prime Minister on BIOT negotiations.

There are established mechanisms in place for the management of interests. In line with long-standing practice, the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office does not comment on individual cases.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, pursuant to the answer of 22 August 2025 to Question 69070 on Syria: Inter Mediate, whether there are any conditions on Inter Mediate receiving funding from foreign governments.

The same rules apply to Inter Mediate as all other UK charities, namely that they are free to receive funding from other governments, but have a responsibility to: (i) ensure that it is in the best interests of their charity when deciding whether to accept or refuse a donation, (ii) undertake necessary due diligence on the sources of funding, and (iii) comply with relevant legislation.

Whether he plans to introduce a ban on second jobs for hon. Members.

As outlined in our manifesto, the Government is committed to the principle that second jobs for Members of Parliament should be banned outside of very limited exceptions, such as maintaining professional qualifications.The Committee on Standards is currently undertaking an inquiry into MPs’ employment and outside interests, and I look forward to working with the Committee as this work progresses.

Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment Ofwat has made of the potential impact of bills of family homes with gardens from the introduction of (a) seasonal water charging tariffs and (b) progressive water charging tariffs, further to evidence from charging trials introduced to date, and from the forecast effects as such tariffs are rolled out by water companies.

All companies plan to trial new charging structures by 2030 and some of them plan to introduce them more widely for additional customers if the trials are successful. It is important that water companies challenge themselves to develop progressive and proactive behaviours which will benefit households and consumers. The trials are still ongoing across water companies. The only trial to have concluded so far is Affinity Water’s WaterSave Tariff trial, the findings of this trial showed more people to have saved money than they had originally estimated. Further information can be found here. The Government is engaging with industry leaders to further drive progress in this area and supports the innovative approaches being taken to trial new charges aiming to make bills fairer and more affordable for their customers.

With reference to the Answer of 12 March 2024 to Question 16665 on Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities: Offenders, whether Ministers are asked to declare a criminal convention when joining the Department.

I refer the Honourable Member to the government’s response to his previous question of 9 December 2025, reference 96210.

Food and Rural Affairs, pursuant to the Answer of 10 December 2025 to Question 96793 on water charges: social tariffs, what guidance Ofwat has given water companies on (a) whether tariffs from charging trials can be introduced without opt-in consent of the household and (b) whether households can opt-out of the trial.

Ofwat expects trials to follow its good practice principles, including strong customer engagement and safeguards. Companies must also consult with the Consumer Council for Water in developing their trials to ensure that appropriate safeguards are in place so that vulnerable consumers are protected or excluded from the trials.

Food and Rural Affairs, with reference to the Water White Paper, January 2026, p.31, how will the reform of the WaterSure scheme be funded, and whether there will be a cross-subsidy charged on household bills of residents who are not on the WaterSure scheme.

This Government is committed to protecting the most vulnerable and as such, is reforming the WaterSure support scheme. The regulations that provide for the scheme were made in 1999: The Water Industry (Charges) (Vulnerable Groups) Regulations 1999. We will extend eligibility to more households where a medical condition is present and increase support for up to 180,000 existing WaterSure recipients who could see a lower bill cap.