Written questions by Pritchard.

If he will take legislative steps to amend the Public Interest Disclosure Act 1998 to protect whistleblowers from (a) illegal and (b) unethical work placed practices.

Workers in Great Britain are protected from detriment or dismissal under the whistleblowing framework in the Employment Rights Act 1996, as amended by the Public Interest and Disclosure Act 1998, if they ‘blow the whistle’ on wrongdoing and certain conditions in the legislation are met. The Government recognises that the whistleblowing framework may not be operating as effectively as it should and recently committed through the Anti-Corruption Strategy 2025 to explore opportunities for reform. We welcome continued engagement with parliamentarians and stakeholders on this important area of public policy.

What steps he is taking to counter engagement with extreme online political content by members of the armed forces.

The Ministry of Defence remains vigilant to the risks associated with Service personnel engaging with extremist or extreme online political content and treats such matters with the utmost seriousness. Such behaviour is wholly incompatible with the values and standards of the Armed Forces.Defence maintains clear expectations of conduct, requiring all personnel to uphold the core values of respect, integrity and commitment, and to adhere to strict rules on political impartiality. It also voluntarily applies the Government’s Prevent Duty. Service regulations set out clear restrictions on online and public activity to ensure personnel do not engage in behaviour that could undermine the reputation, neutrality or operational effectiveness of the Armed Forces. Through a combination of clear behavioural standards, mandatory training, counter-terrorism intelligence, vetting and robust personnel policies, Defence works to reduce the risk of Armed Forces personnel engaging with extreme online political content.

What steps he is taking to counter espionage within the civil service.

The Government Security Group (GSG) is part of the Cabinet Office and is the centre of the Government Security Function. GSG is responsible for the oversight and coordination of protective security within all central government departments, their agencies, and arm’s length bodies. GSG works with stakeholders across government to mitigate risks posed to government security from a range of threats, including espionage, and is constantly seeking to develop and strengthen measures to improve its risk mitigation capability.

If she will take steps to ensure illegal migrants accommodated in (a) hotels and (b) other government supported accommodation are (i) kept securely within that accommodation and (ii) limited in the number of hours they are permitted to leave that accommodation.

The Home Office provides accommodation and support to destitute asylum seekers under statutory provisions such as Sections 95 and 98 of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999. This accommodation is non‑detained, and the Department does not have legal powers to keep individuals securely within it or limit the hours they may leave.Some individuals may be on immigration bail, which is an alternative to detention and requires them to comply with one or more conditions. These may include residing at a specific address or reporting to the Home Office. Breach of a bail condition is a criminal offence and may result in detention or other enforcement action.Absence from accommodation does not automatically mean a person has absconded. A person is only considered to have absconded if they fail to comply with their immigration bail conditions and the Home Office cannot re‑establish contact. A dedicated tracing team works closely with the police and other partners to locate such individuals.Accommodation providers must report when service users are absent from their address, and the Home Office investigates these cases as possible breaches of asylum support conditions. If a person is found to have left their accommodation without good reason, their support may be discontinued. Providers are also expected to escalate concerns where someone may be at risk or potentially a victim of modern slavery.

If she will take steps to ensure illegal migrants accommodated in (a) hotels and (b) other government supported accommodation who leave that accommodation and do not report back within 72 hours are reported to UK Visas and Immigration and the police as having absconded except in pre-arranged and agreed exceptional circumstances.

The Home Office provides accommodation and support to destitute asylum seekers under statutory provisions such as Sections 95 and 98 of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999. This accommodation is non‑detained, and the Department does not have legal powers to keep individuals securely within it or limit the hours they may leave.Some individuals may be on immigration bail, which is an alternative to detention and requires them to comply with one or more conditions. These may include residing at a specific address or reporting to the Home Office. Breach of a bail condition is a criminal offence and may result in detention or other enforcement action.Absence from accommodation does not automatically mean a person has absconded. A person is only considered to have absconded if they fail to comply with their immigration bail conditions and the Home Office cannot re‑establish contact. A dedicated tracing team works closely with the police and other partners to locate such individuals.Accommodation providers must report when service users are absent from their address, and the Home Office investigates these cases as possible breaches of asylum support conditions. If a person is found to have left their accommodation without good reason, their support may be discontinued. Providers are also expected to escalate concerns where someone may be at risk or potentially a victim of modern slavery.

If he will convene the pensions forfeiture committee to meet and agree to cease the pensions of ex-UK armed forces personnel who are fighting in support of the Russian Federation's illegal war in Ukraine.

Pension forfeiture for public service pension schemes, including the Armed Forces Pension Scheme, is governed by primary and secondary legislation, notably the Pensions Act 1995 and the Occupational Pension Schemes (Assignment, Forfeiture, Bankruptcy etc.) Regulations 1997. Under this legislative framework, an Armed Forces pension may only be forfeited following certain serious criminal convictions, except in cases involving a monetary obligation. The Ministry of Defence (MOD) is not aware of any successful convictions of active or former Service Personnel for fighting on behalf of Russia in Ukraine. If the MOD becomes aware of any such convictions, we will consider the implementation of forfeiture policy where relevant.

Media and Sport, if she will review the decision taken earlier this year not to award funding to the Wellington Orbit from the Creative Foundations Fund.

The Creative Foundation Fund, announced in 2025 as part of the Arts Everywhere Fund, is being delivered by Arts Council England. The Arts Council makes decisions about which organisations and projects to fund independently of government and Ministers, which means there is no question of any political involvement in arts funding decisions. It would, therefore, be inappropriate for Ministers to ask Arts Council England to revisit their decision on the application made by Wellington Orbit. Demand for this fund in its first round was extremely high, with a large number of applicants demonstrating the ability to meet the programme aims. As a result, the Arts Council had to make very difficult decisions about which applicants to invite to the full application stage. This was to ensure that applicants did not spend time and resources completing an application with very limited chance of success in that round. The Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport has recently announced a new round of the Arts Everywhere Fund, including up to £340 million of new funding for the Creative Foundations Fund, which will be invested from 2026/27 up to and including 2029/30. Wellington Orbit may wish to submit an application. Arts Council England will announce further details regarding the application process and eligibility criteria in due course.

If he will increase stockpiles of the component parts of the D5 Trident II.

Enabled by the 1963 Polaris Sales Agreement, as amended for Trident in 1982, the United Kingdom buys title to an agreed number of a shared stock of Trident II D5 missiles from the United States of America (US). These missiles are maintained at the Kings Bay Submarine Base, Georgia. The UK is working with US partners to extend the life and replenish the Trident II D5 missiles to meet the future programme requirements of both Nations. These life extension programmes will provide sufficient missile packages, including spares, to support the UK’s requirement.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, if she will introduce pre-confirmation hearings for ambassadorial candidates.

I refer the Rt. Hon Member to the appearances made before the Foreign Affairs Committee by the Foreign Secretary on 16 December 2025 and by the Permanent Under Secretary to the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office on 3 November 2025.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what action she is taking to help stop illegal Israeli settlements in the West Bank.

I refer the Hon Member to the answers given to Question 907375 on 20 January, Question 77510 on 15 October 2025, and Question 74580 on 17 September 2025.

Representing the Church Commissioners, what representations she has received on the reduction in the budget for the Listed Places of Worship Grant Scheme from (i) the Bishop of Hereford and (ii) the Bishop of Lichfield and (iii) any other senior clergy within the Diocese of Hereford or the Diocese of Lichfield.

The Department of Culture, Media and Sport announced the replacement scheme to the Listed Places of Worship Grant Scheme on the 21st January.The National Church Institutions welcomed the new Places of Worship Renewal Fund and await details of how it will operate with interest. The operational details are yet to be published, and the current scheme ends on the 31st March 2026. The full press release from the National Church Institutions can be found here: https://www.churchofengland.org/media/news-and-press-releases/national-treasures-common-good-new-repairs-fund-announcedThe Diocese of Hereford and the Diocese of Lichfield are still examining the implications of the new scheme. They continue to work closely with the National Church Institutions on the best strategy to maximise the help available to local parishes.The Lord Bishop of Hereford asked a question in the House of Lords about the operation of the new scheme on Monday, 26th January, 2026. In response, the Rt. Hon. Lord Livermore, Financial Secretary to the Treasury, said “the details of the new scheme would be published soon”. In subsequent correspondence with the Minister, the Bishop of Hereford has sought assurance that the new grant scheme would keep to a minimum the administrative burdens on parishes. We welcome the Government’s indication that it will work with the Church of England to ensure the scheme is fair and transparent.

If he will update the Memorandum of Understanding between the Government and the Intelligence and Security Committee of Parliament.

The Prime Minister values the independent and robust oversight which the Intelligence and Security Committee (ISC) provides. Following discussions with the Committee, the Cabinet Office is conducting a review of the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the Prime Minister and the Committee. Any changes made to the MOU would need to be agreed by both the Prime Minister and the ISC.

Whether any (i) UK and (ii) Commonwealth armed forces personnel have had their Armed Forces Pension revoked as a consequence of fighting with the Russian Federation against Ukraine.

Pension forfeiture for public service pension schemes, including the Armed Forces Pension Scheme, is governed by primary and secondary legislation, notably the Pensions Act 1995 and the Occupational Pension Schemes (Assignment, Forfeiture, Bankruptcy etc.) Regulations 1997. Under this legislative framework, an Armed Forces pension may only be forfeited following certain serious criminal convictions, except in cases involving a monetary obligation. The Ministry of Defence (MOD) has no recorded instances of an Armed Forces pension being forfeited as a result of an individual fighting for Russia in Ukraine. Neither is the MOD aware of any successful convictions of active or former Service personnel for fighting on behalf of Russia in Ukraine.

What steps he is taking to defend the UK from (a) ballistic and (b) hypersonic missile attack.

The Ministry of Defence does not comment on specific capabilities, as doing so could provide an operational advantage to those who may seek to harm the UK.The UK has a suite of capabilities to tackle the missile threat which is advancing, proliferating and converging. The Government has announced an investment of up to £1 billion this Parliament to enhance our integrated air and missile defence with a focus on homeland defence. The UK's nuclear deterrent exists to deter the most extreme threats to the UK and our Allies. Its purpose is to preserve peace, prevent coercion, and deter aggression.

If he will take steps to amend the Contempt of Court Act 1981 to reflect public comments about trials on social media platforms.

Rules and restrictions on what can be said during ongoing court proceedings are vital to ensure that trials are fair and justice is delivered. The Government recognises that social media is putting these long-established rules under strain, especially in cases where partial and inaccurate information appears online. The Law Commission is undertaking a review of contempt law which considers whether existing legal frameworks allow us to respond effectively to publications and communications that seriously impede or prejudice the course of justice.At the Government’s request, the Commission expedited parts of the review relating to our ability to counter misinformation. That report was published in November covering liability and contempt and the role of the Attorney General in contempt proceedings.We are carefully considering the recommendations and will issue a formal response once both reports have been published.

Representing the Church Commissioners, if the Commissioners will hold discussions with the (i) Dean and (ii) Bishop of Hereford to discuss spiritual and community events and celebrations planned for 2026 to recognise 1,350 years since the founding of the Bishopric of Hereford in 676.

The Church Commissioners are in regular discussion with the Bishop of Hereford and the Dean of Hereford. The Diocese of Hereford has planned an extensive range of activities to mark the 1350th anniversary of its foundation. The full events list and resources for schools and community groups is available on the Diocese’s website.The National Church Institutions continue to give thanks for the ongoing missional work of the clergy, lay staff, and volunteers of the Diocese, and congratulate them on all their efforts to support the spiritual and community life across the Hereford Diocese.

What steps she is taking to support the prosecution of (a) individuals who post comments online about defendants prior to trial which could prejudice legal proceedings, and (b) the tech platforms on which those comments are published.

The Contempt of Court Act 1981 is clear that publishing information that creates a substantial risk of serious prejudice or impediment to any active proceedings can be contempt of court. These rules and restrictions are in place to ensure that trials are fair and justice is delivered. The Government recognises that social media is putting these long-established rules under strain especially in cases where partial or inaccurate information appears online. This is why we asked the Law Commission to expedite part of their review on contempt of court. In November 2025, the Law Commission published part 1 of their report setting out recommendations for a new framework of contempt liability. The Government is considering their recommendations.

What steps he is able to take to encourage Ofcom to sanction Royal Mail if it fails to fulfil its Universal Service Obligation.

It is for Ofcom, as the independent regulator of postal services, to decide how to use its powers to investigate and take enforcement action should Royal Mail fail to achieve its obligations without good justification. In October last year, Ofcom fined Royal Mail £21 million for failing to meet its quality of service targets and has told Royal Mail it must urgently publish and implement a credible plan that delivers major and continuous improvement. This is the third consecutive fine issued by the regulator after Royal Mail failed to meet service levels in the 2022-23 and 2023-24 financial years.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what recent assessment she has made of the potential implications for her policies of the political situation in Georgia.

Democracy in Georgia is under threat, and we are working closely with our European allies to respond to that concern.Last October, I reiterated my concerns to Georgian Foreign Minister Botchorishvili over democratic backsliding, opposition arrests and attacks on allied Ambassadors.We urge Georgia’s leadership to reverse repressive legislation, release political prisoners, and return the country to a democratic path.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, if she will publish the number of UK Ambassadors and High Commissioners appointed in May, June and July 2024.

All appointments of Ambassadors and High Commissioners made by His Majesty The King are routinely announced on GOV.UK.