Written questions by Rhodes.

What assessment he has made of the compatibility of ISDS mechanisms with the UK’s stated commitment to supporting a just and equitable transition away from fossil fuels.

Awaiting answer.

What steps his Department is taking to ensure that the UK's investment and trade policy does not undermine its international leadership on climate action.

Awaiting answer.

What assessment she has made of the potential impact of the proposed agri-food tariff reductions on the ability of small-scale farmers in the Global South to benefit from preferential tariff arrangements under the UK’s Developing Country Trading Scheme.

Awaiting answer.

What his priorities are for the International Conference on Just Transition Away from Fossil Fuels; and whether he plans to support measures to remove legal and financial barriers to climate action at this conference.

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

What discussions he has had with the Scottish Government on the adequacy of levels of UK Government funding for the Glasgow City Region.

This UK Government has committed more than £870 million to deliver long term economic growth across the Glasgow City Region, including investing more than £350 million over the next three years.Furthermore, the region will be up to £15m better off under our new pride in place and local growth investments than if the UK Shared Prosperity Fund had been continued.Since the election in 2024, the UK Labour Government has also provided the Scottish Government with £12 billion of additional funding to spend on devolved priorities.I am sure my Honourable Friend will agree with me that there is no excuse for the SNP Scottish Government's cuts to Scottish local authority budgets.

What steps his Department is taking to help terminally ill people with increased energy costs.

The Government is committed to supporting people nearing the end of life. The Department for Work and Pensions’ ‘Special Rules for End of Life', help terminally ill people to get faster, easier access to certain benefits, without needing to attend a medical assessment, serve waiting periods, and in most cases, receive the highest rate of benefit.     In addition, everyone with a domestic energy contract will benefit from our action to take money off energy bills to tackle the cost of living. They may also be eligible for support such as the Warm Home Discount and we urge anyone in such a challenging situation to contact their energy supplier or Citizens Advice to see what further support is available.   Vulnerable consumers who need extra support are also able to sign up for the Priority Services Register for free.

With reference to his Department's publication entitled Consultation outcome for the Green Paper: Future of Post Office, updated on 25 February 2026, what progress has been made with holding joint discussions between the Post Office and banks to expand the range of banking services available at post offices.

As set out in the Government response, there was a constructive joint discussion between government, the Post Office and the banking sector in January 2026. Several areas of mutual interest were discussed including banking services, financial inclusion, the need for modernisation and the importance of continuing to improve financial crime safeguards. Attendees agreed to further explore opportunities for continued collaboration on a voluntary basis and to provide an update in six months.

What the UK's negotiating objectives are with regard to discussions on investor-state dispute settlement reform led by the (a) OECD and (b) UN.

In line with the Trade Strategy, the UK continues to work with trading partners multilaterally, at the OECD and the UN, to pursue opportunities to improve ISDS practice, such as promoting transparency in ISDS proceedings. The proposals being discussed at the UN Commission for International Trade Law (UNCITRAL) and the OECD can be found on their respective websites.

When his Department plans to publish the UK-Kazakhstan critical minerals agreement.

The UK-Kazakhstan Memorandum of Understanding on Critical Minerals Cooperation has not been published and there are no plans to do so. However, it is referenced in UK's Critical Minerals Strategy published in November 2025.

What proposals UK negotiators have made on the transparency of investor-state dispute settlement arbitration at the (a) OECD and (b) UN.

In line with the Trade Strategy, the UK continues to work with trading partners multilaterally, at the OECD and the UN, to pursue opportunities to improve ISDS practice, such as promoting transparency in ISDS proceedings. The proposals being discussed at the UN Commission for International Trade Law (UNCITRAL) and the OECD can be found on their respective websites.

What support she plans to offer to UK universities and Gaza students who hold offers to begin their studies in Autumn 2026.

The Government provided exceptional support to enable the departure of fully funded scholarship students from Gaza, for students whose courses began before 31 December 2025. This support was for students who met the relevant requirements of the Immigration Rules. The Government is reviewing the impact of the policy and any decision on further support will depend on the evolving international situation. We will continue to keep the policy under review.

What steps he is taking with Cabinet colleagues to support higher education institutions with health research.

The Department, through the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR), is the United Kingdom’s largest funder of health and care research training. NIHR delivers a comprehensive research career pathway, from internships and predoctoral fellowships through to research professorships, for the full range of clinical and non-clinical academics, providing the skilled research workforce in universities to lead research. The NIHR invests over £220 million each year in research training programmes.Furthermore, the Department is working with the devolved administrations, other funders, and wider stakeholders to implement the recommendations from the recent Office for the Strategic Co-ordination of Health Research reports, to ensure there is a comprehensive, clear, and rewarding career pathway for clinical academics in health and care research. This includes the introduction of Clinical Future Leaders Fellowships, which will expand national support for clinical academic careers.The Department, through the NIHR, invests in centres of excellence and collaborations, services, and facilities to enable and deliver research in England. Collectively these form the NIHR infrastructure. NIHR infrastructure helps to support and deliver research across the National Health Service and wider health and care system, including universities. The NIHR infrastructure supports patients and the public to participate in high quality research. The Department is committed to ensuring that all patients have access to cutting-edge clinical trials and innovative, lifesaving treatments.By investing in research across public health and social care, NIHR enables universities to address wider determinants of health, support independence, reduce inequalities, and inform local decision-making. Dedicated NIHR programmes and infrastructure work alongside Higher Education Institutions to conduct research in community, local authority, and other non-clinical settings, ensuring evidence is generated where it is most needed and can be translated into meaningful improvements in care and services.

Whether consenting determinations for critical energy transmission infrastructure in Scotland will be made in line with the 52 week process needed to support the delivery of Clean Power 2030.

Consenting in Scotland is devolved to Scottish Government. The guidance at Priority Applications for Transmission Infrastructure guidance: Section 37 of the Electricity Act 1989 - gov.scot is owned and implemented by Scottish Government.

When he expects to publish the findings of the responsible business conduct review.

Soon.

What progress he has made on implementing the recommendations of the LGBT Veterans Independent Review.

I am disgusted by the mistreatment of our brave LGBT veterans who served between 1967 and 2000.I am pleased that the Government has delivered 48 of the 49 recommendations made by the Lord Etherton’s Independent Review.One of those was the unveiling of the LGBT+ Armed Forces Community Memorial. I was honoured to attend the dedication in October, alongside His Majesty the King and LGBT Veterans and Service personnel.The one outstanding recommendation recognises the unique experiences of female veterans. Work is ongoing on a number of initiatives towards this, including launch of a new Women Veterans Forum.

What steps her Department is taking to ensure (i) people can access Disabled Person’s Trust accounts from high street banks and (ii) public bodies are using powers to ensure access for families of disabled people to those accounts.

The Government is committed to ensuring that everyone can access appropriate financial services and products, which is vital for financial resilience and wellbeing and ensuring that individuals are able to fully participate in the economy.The provision of services such as trust accounts is a commercial decision for individual banks and building societies, and the Government does not intervene in these decisions.Under the Financial Conduct Authority’s (FCA) Consumer Duty, firms must consider the impact of withdrawing a product and take steps to mitigate harm. However, the FCA cannot compel firms to offer specific products. The FCA is currently engaging with industry and stakeholders to explore issues around the provision of trust accounts for disabled people, and the Government supports this work.

What discussions his Department has had with their Colombian counterparts on the Colombia-UK Bilateral Investment Treaty in the last four years.

My Department regularly engages with Colombia to discuss trade and investment matters, primarily through the UK-Andean countries trade agreement committees which have been meeting annually since 2022 and the UK-Colombia Trade Dialogue. My Department has not received a formal approach by its Colombian counterparts to discuss the UK-Colombia Bilateral Investment Treaty.

What assessment has the Government made of its overall exposure to further potential Investor-State Dispute Settlement cases over sanctions policy on Russia.

Investor State Dispute Settlement (ISDS) provides an independent means for investors to resolve disputes with states where they believe they have experienced arbitrary, discriminatory, or unfair treatment or expropriation without compensation.The UK has a longstanding track record of supporting foreign investment, including through fulfilling its obligations in the international investment agreements to which it is a party and has never faced a successful ISDS claim.The Government maintains that it has acted consistently with domestic and international law obligations in the case of the legal challenges. In view of the ongoing proceedings, it would be inappropriate to comment further.

Pursuant to the Answer of 18 November 2025 to Question 89908 on Trade Agreements: Dispute Resolution, what assessment has the Government made of the likely costs of defending the arbitration being brought against it by Mikhail Fridman.

Investor State Dispute Settlement (ISDS) provides an independent means for investors to resolve disputes with states where they believe they have experienced arbitrary, discriminatory, or unfair treatment or expropriation without compensation.The UK has a longstanding track record of supporting foreign investment, including through fulfilling its obligations in the international investment agreements to which it is a party and has never faced a successful ISDS claim.The Government maintains that it has acted consistently with domestic and international law obligations in the case of the legal challenges. In view of the ongoing proceedings, it would be inappropriate to comment further.

What review processes does the Government have in place to assess the adequacy of its trade and investment treaty commitments for the UK-Russia Bilateral Investment Treaty.

The UK’s International Investment Agreements (IIAs) aim to enhance opportunities for UK businesses to expand overseas, with commitments that seek to limit the barriers they face, make it easier to navigate local rules, and ensure investments are treated lawfully, and protected against unfair or arbitrary action. There is no specific review process within this Agreement.