Written questions by Vickers.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what recent discussions he has had with his Chinese counterpart on the proposed new Chinese Embassy.

The Foreign Secretary has met his Chinese counterpart, Wang Yi, on a number of occasions. They have discussed the breadth of priority foreign policy and bilateral issues.

What steps his Department is taking to support the use of blockchain technologies in (a) trade, (b) commerce, (c) logistics and (d) supply chains.

The Department for Business and Trade supports the adoption and deployment of technologies to increase productivity in these areas. The upcoming Industrial Strategy will set out our vision and the ambitious set of actions we will take, in partnership with business and academia, to support the tech sector and power the economy of the future. The Industrial Strategy, alongside the upcoming Trade Strategy, will also set out further detail on the steps we are taking to enhance supply chain resilience.As well, the Department for Transport will publish a new freight plan later this year. While currently under development, we anticipate this will consider the role of technology in enabling the sector to boost economic growth.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what recent discussions he has had with his US counterpart on the policy of the US administration on Iran.

We work closely with the US on all our Middle East priorities, and the Foreign Secretary has specifically discussed Iran with Secretary Rubio on multiple occasions.We fully support the US efforts to reach a negotiated solution on Iran's nuclear programme.In parallel, we will continue to work with the US to hold Iran to account for both its malign regional activity and its state threats activity against UK-based targets, including in multilateral fora and through our sanctions regimes.

Whether she has made an assessment of the causes of the recent improvement in the apprenticeship achievement rate.

The apprenticeship achievement rate for apprenticeship standards increased by 6 percentage points to 60.5% for the 2023/24 academic year.There are a range of drivers of non-achievement, and the department worked in partnership with providers, employers and apprentices to understand and directly address these.The Apprenticeship Accountability Framework has supported and challenged providers to take proactive steps to improve the quality of their provision. Where performance falls short, the framework enables targeted challenge and intervention. As a result, most providers with an Accountability Framework Improvement Plan significantly improved their achievement rates between 2021/22 and 2023/24.In addition, the support and guidance available to employers and apprentices has been enhanced and the department has worked with the Learning and Work Institute to produce a number of guides to support apprentices’ on-programme experience, including a line manger guide to apprenticeships.The department has also introduced tools to provide timely feedback on quality and reasons for withdrawal so that we can continue to drive forward progress in the coming years, in partnership with the sector.

If she will protect apprenticeship funding for (a) SMEs and (b) young people when the Growth and Skills Levy is introduced.

I refer the hon. Member for Stockton West to the answer of 12 May 2025 to Question 49739.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what diplomatic steps he is taking to help secure the release of the remaining hostages held by Hamas in Gaza.

Since day one, this Government has been clear that we need to see an immediate ceasefire, the release of all hostages cruelly detained by Hamas, better protection of civilians, significantly more aid consistently entering Gaza, and a path to long-term peace and stability. The remaining hostages must be released and the way to return them safely is through a deal. All parties must re-engage with negotiations to get hostages out. The Foreign Secretary has visited Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territories three times since taking office and has pressed for a resolution, to secure a ceasefire and see the return of hostages.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what diplomatic steps he is taking to help prevent Russia from continuing its invasion of Ukraine.

Putin's illegal invasion of Ukraine is a gross breach of international law and the UN Charter and directly threatens Euro-Atlantic security. The UK remains fully committed to working with our international partners to secure a just and lasting peace in Ukraine and stop future Russian aggression. We have been clear that Putin must stop his barbaric attacks on innocent civilians and agree an unconditional ceasefire. Our focus is putting Ukraine in the strongest possible position for negotiations.To that end, we have worked with our G7 partners to implement the Extraordinary Revenue Acceleration Loans to Ukraine scheme. The UK is contributing £2.26 billion earmarked for military spending, and the first two of three payments were made in March and April, enabling Ukraine to procure the equipment it needs to stay in the fight.We are also working with partners to increase the economic pressure on Putin, to hinder Russia's ability to wage war and bring Putin to the table to agree an enduring ceasefire and to engage in meaningful peace talks. In May, we announced our largest ever sanctions package targeting Russia's shadow fleet and a further package of over 100 targets from Russia's financial and energy sectors, and its military industrial complex, amongst others. Sanctions have deprived Russia of at least $450 billion since February 2022 restricting Putin's war machine and degrading his military.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what diplomatic steps he is taking with his international counterparts to procure additional aid for Ukraine.

The UK has committed £18 billion in support of Ukraine and we have been clear that we will support Ukraine for as long as it takes. We continue to work with our international partners to put Ukraine in the strongest possible position. This includes engaging with partners to galvanise support in preparation for the 2025 Ukraine Recovery Conference in Rome in July and beyond.We are coordinating urgent military support for Ukraine with partners through the Ukraine Defence Contact Group. At the most recent meeting on 4 June, the Defence Secretary announced we are investing a record £350 million to increase the supply of drones to 100,000 in 2025, as well as spending a further £247 million on training the Armed Forces of Ukraine this year. Two thirds of our £2.26 billion contribution to the G7 Extraordinary Revenue Acceleration Loans for Ukraine scheme has also been transferred to Ukraine so they can procure vital military equipment. This is all part of the £4.5 billion in military support that we are providing to Ukraine this year. This complements the support provided by the international Capability Coalitions, and we remain committed to co-leading the Maritime Capability Coalition with Norway and the Drone Capability Coalition with Latvia.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, which development programmes will continue to be funded following the planned reduction of the official development assistance budget.

Official Development Assistance (ODA) allocations and the impact on programmes are being worked through. We are taking a rigorous approach to ensure all ODA delivers value for money.We will publish final 2025/26 ODA programme allocations in the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office Annual Report & Accounts this summer.

What assessment she has made of the potential impact of increases in employer National Insurance contributions on employment in Wales.

We have protected the smallest businesses and more than doubled the Employment Allowance to £10,500, meaning that over half of small and micro businesses will pay less or no national insurance contributions at all. Small and medium-sized enterprises account for 99.3% of total enterprises in Wales. UK Government analysis shows that 865,000 UK businesses will pay no NI contributions at all as a result of these measures. In addition, more than half of employers with NI contribution liabilities will either see no change or an overall gain from 2025.

How many farms in Wales will be impacted by changes to (a) agricultural property relief and (b) business property relief.

The Government believes its reforms to agricultural property relief and business property relief from 6 April 2026 get the balance right between supporting farms and businesses, and fixing the public finances. The reforms reduce the inheritance tax advantages available to owners of agricultural and business assets, but still mean those assets will be taxed at a much lower effective rate than most other assets. Despite a tough fiscal context, the Government will maintain very significant levels of relief from inheritance tax beyond what is available to others and compared to the position before 1992. Where inheritance tax is due, those liable for a charge can pay any liability on the relevant assets over 10 annual instalments, interest-free. Information from claims is not recorded to enable regional or national breakdowns of the number of estates expected to be affected. However, the Government has set out that around 1,500 estates across the UK only claiming business property relief are expected to pay more inheritance tax in 2026-27, with around 1,000 of these expected to only hold shares designated as “not listed” on the markets of recognised stock exchanges, such as the Alternative Investment Market. These reforms mean that around three-quarters of estates claiming business property relief in 2026-27 (excluding those estates only holding shares designated as “not listed”) will not pay any more inheritance tax in 2026-27. The reforms to agricultural property relief and business property relief are forecast to raise a combined £520 million in 2029-30. The independent OBR certified this costing at Autumn Budget 2024 and it does not expect the reforms to have a significant macroeconomic impact.

What assessment she has made of the adequacy of the level of performance of the Welsh economy.

Growth is the number one mission of the government. I have worked with UK and Welsh Government colleagues to drive over £1.5 billion in private investment from the likes of Eren Holding and Copenhagen Infrastructure Partners into Wales. We are creating tens of thousands of jobs in every corner of Wales through our Freeports, Investment Zones, support for steelworkers, inward investments and our thriving green industries. Our new Industrial Strategy is central to the Growth Mission and will channel support to eight growth-driving sectors – those in which the UK excels today and will excel tomorrow. The Strategy will play to Wales’s sectoral strengths, including Advanced Manufacturing, Clean Energy, Life Sciences and Creative Industries. My department has been working closely across UK Government and the Welsh Government on the Industrial Strategy. I have also established the Welsh Economic Growth Advisory Group, a group that brings together business, industry, university and union leaders to discuss key economic topics across Wales. The positive impact our UK and Welsh Labour Governments are having is clear in how the Welsh economy is changing. Unemployment fell significantly last quarter. And, since we came into office, real wages have continually increased while interest rates have been cut four times. We are creating jobs and putting more pounds in the pockets of working families across Wales.

What assessment she has made of the potential impact of changes to the eligibility criteria for the Winter Fuel Payment on vulnerable groups in Wales.

The Government wants to expand eligibility for Winter Fuel Payments, recognising the goals of supporting these pensioners, meeting need and of sustainable public finances. Any change will be announced to Parliament in the normal way.

What steps he is taking to replace the Northern Ireland Troubles (Legacy and Reconciliation) Act 2023.

The Government has already begun the process of repealing and replacing the previous Government's Legacy Act. On 4 December 2024, I laid a proposed draft remedial order before Parliament that, if adopted, will remove from the Act a number of provisions that have been found by the NI courts to be incompatible with the UK’s human rights obligations. These include all those relating to the immunity scheme, and the bar on new civil cases. While we want to make progress as swiftly as possible, we remain committed to engaging widely with all interested parties to help determine what provisions should be included in new primary legislation. At the British Irish Intergovernmental Conference (BIIGC) on 24 April, the Governments discussed Legacy issues, including proposals for legislative reform, and the Government remains committed to introducing primary legislation when Parliamentary time allows.

What steps he is taking to help improve public services in Northern Ireland.

Alongside providing £235 million in funding for projects through the Public Sector Transformation Board, we have strengthened the exchange of best practice on improving public services. £129 million of this funding has already been allocated to services in health, SEN and education, waste rainwater management, planning and justice. We continue to work with the Executive as it prioritises spending, progresses transformation, and focuses on reducing waiting lists. For example, following the publication of the NHS Plan: Reforming Elective Care for Patients in February, we have now agreed to further collaboration between UK Government and Executive health departments to improve access to timely, high-quality care for patients in Northern Ireland and across the UK. This Government is committed to working with our Executive colleagues on our shared goal of improving public services.

With reference to her Department's publication Network North transforming British transport published in October 2023, when she plans to release this funding.

The previous government announced investment for several transport capital schemes which were unfunded, and this government has had to make difficult decisions about priorities for infrastructure and transport investment. This process is still continuing, and further plans for investment in transport infrastructure will be set out at the multi-year spending review next month.

What assessment her Department has made of the potential impact of fully funding apprenticeships for under-22s in SMEs on apprenticeship starts.

I refer the hon. Member for Stockton West to the answer of 9 April 2025 to Question 42594.

What discussions she has had with small businesses on their needs from the apprenticeship system.

Small businesses are a vital part of our economy and apprenticeship system. They provide valuable opportunities in priority sectors for young people and apprentices from disadvantaged areas.This is why the department will continue to provide an effective levy-funded training offer for learners and employers. Our new growth and skills offer, with apprenticeships at the heart, represents a positive step towards better meeting the skills needs of employers, delivering greater flexibility for learners and employers in England.The department engages with small employers regularly to promote apprenticeships. During National Apprenticeship Week 2025, we held a round table with small and medium employers and other key partners to better understand the challenges they are facing in recruiting apprentices. This insight allows us to better target engagement activities with small businesses.Moreover, Skills England will play a key role in engagement with businesses and will be establishing effective forums for collaboration, ensuring that employer voices shape the skills agenda and drive meaningful outcomes. It will work with large and small businesses in the delivery of its functions to identify and tackle skills needs.

What assessment she has made of the potential impact of increases in employer National Insurance contributions on wages in Wales.

Raising the revenue required to fund public services and restore economic stability requires difficult decisions on tax, which is why we are asking employers to contribute more. The changes broadly return NICs revenues as a proportion of GDP to the level they were before the previous government’s cuts to employee and self-employed NICs, but do so in a way that does not result in higher taxes in people’s payslips. This Government has taken quick and sensible action to boost wages for millions of lower paid workers who are the backbone and future of our economy. Around 150,000 workers across Wales received a record pay rise through the UK Government’s increases to the living wage and minimum wage. For full time workers 21 and over, this will provide up to £1,400 a year more for these individuals and up to £2,500 a year more for full time workers between 18-20. Real total wages have continually increased since this Labour Government was formed in July 2024, and are up 1.7% on the year for January 2025 to March 2025. These increased incomes are set to boost financial stability for millions of families, improve spending power and deliver economic growth.

What steps she plans to take to encourage a greater emphasis on developing skills for work in (a) schools and (b) colleges.

The government has established an independent Curriculum and Assessment Review, covering ages 5 to 18, to ensure a rich, broad, inclusive and innovative curriculum that readies young people for life and work.The Review is being undertaken in close consultation with education professionals and other experts, parents, children and young people, and other stakeholders such as employers, universities and trade unions. The Review has consulted employers and further education (FE) providers through events and meetings and has received call for evidence submissions from a variety of employers, colleges and representatives.FE colleges already prepare people of all ages for the skills they need for work, delivering on wide range of technical education and training. This includes the following:T Levels which also include an industry placement to prepare young people for work.Apprenticeship training linked to an actual job.Skills Bootcamps giving learners the chance to build sector-specific skills with a job interview on completion.Free Courses for Jobs giving eligible learners the chance to access high value Level 3 qualifications for free, which can support them to gain higher wages or a better job.A wide range of FE provision and qualifications to prepare learners for their chosen career.