Written questions by Western.

Food and Rural Affairs, what progress the Government has made in its target to deliver half of the food in the public sector from local and sustainable sources.

The Government remains committed to ensuring that at least half of public sector food is locally sourced or meets higher environmental standards within legal constraints. There is limited existing data about the origin and sustainability of food in the public sector supply chain and the data landscape is complex and fragmented. Defra has therefore begun data collection, which will provide us with detailed insights on the extent to which public sector settings are serving food from local and sustainable sources, and what more can be done.

Whether his Department has made an assessment of the risks that private prosecutions in the United Kingdom may be used by well‑resourced organisations to (a) target and (b) intimidate individuals associated with pro‑Palestinian advocacy.

Any individual or organisation in England and Wales has the right to bring a private prosecution where a criminal offence has been committed.The Government expects all organisations that bring private prosecutions to do so where there is sufficient evidence that the defendant has committed an offence, and where the prosecution is in the public interest.The Ministry of Justice held a consultation on the regulation of private prosecutors – to ensure consistency, accountability, and transparency in private prosecutions – last year and the Government will set out its next steps shortly.

If he will deposit case papers in the case R. v. Nathan Gill in the Library of the House of Commons.

The Law Officers will not deposit case papers in this matter.This was a CPS prosecution and the Attorney General’s involvement was only to provide consent for one of the offences charged. This offence has been left to lie on file, following pleas from Nathan Gill to substantive offences of bribery.

Whether his Department holds data on communication between members of the European Parliament, UK Parliament and members of UK devolved legislatures and Oleh Voloshyn in the period between 2014-2019.

The department has conducted a search of the electronic materials currently available to it. No data on communications within the scope of this question was identified.

What date is the earliest evidence of bribery in the case of R. v. Nathan Gill.

The dates of the bribery offences are a matter of public record, the earliest being 6 December 2018.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what progress he has made in appointing a special envoy for complex detention cases.

I refer the Hon. Member to the answer provided on 19 March to question 37752.

When his Department plans to launch the steel strategy.

The Government is developing a Steel Strategy to be published in 2025 that will set out a long-term vision for a bright and sustainable steel sector in the UK and the actions needed to get there.The strategy will articulate what is needed to create a competitive business environment in the UK with the aim of attracting new private investment to secure and expand UK steelmaking capability and capacity which is aligned with our Net Zero goals.

Innovation and Technology, pursuant to the Answer of 23 June 2025 to Question 59879 on Cybersecurity: Public Sector, what recent progress she has made on the development of an implementation plan to support the delivery of the Government Cyber Security Strategy.

DSIT expects to publish the Government Cyber Action Plan later this Winter. The plan sets out how we will adopt a radical shift in our approach to cyber and digital resilience risks across the public sector, strengthening accountability and investing in central capabilities to mitigate the most severe and systemic risks. It sets out the underlying milestones and a performance framework for measuring Government’s progress towards these goals.

Innovation and Technology, with reference to the Cabinet Office's policy paper entitled National security strategy 2025: security for the British people in a dangerous world, updated on 29 August 2025, when her Department will publish the Research Security Strategy.

The Research Security Strategy, led by my Department, will for the first time present a single, coordinated Government view on research security and set out a clear narrative on how a thriving R&D sector, supported by a strong research security culture, is fundamental to secure national security, resilience and economic growth.Work is progressing and the Strategy will be published when it is complete.

When his Department plans to publish the National Cyber Strategy.

I refer the Honourable Gentleman to the response given to Question 80985, tabled on 10th October 2025.

If he will make an assessment of the potential merits of providing exemptions to the Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Act (2024) to enable people who pay for charity subscriptions to continue to claim gift aid on membership subscriptions.

The government understands the vital role that Gift Aid income provides for charities. The government intends that charities will be able to comply with both the consumer protections in the subscription chapter of the Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Act 2024 and, where eligible, continue to claim Gift Aid. HM Revenue and Customs are working through the technical details and will continue to engage with the charity sector as this work progresses. Individuals, where eligible, will also be able to continue to complete Gift Aid declarations.

Whether it remains her Department's policy to (a) phase out the sale of new petrol and diesel vehicles by 2030 and (b) ensure that all new car sales are for Zero Emission Vehicles by 2035.

On 7 April the Government confirmed it is committed to phasing out the sale of new cars that rely solely on a petrol or diesel engine by 2030, and phasing out all new non-zero emission cars and vans by 2035.

If she will make an assessment of the potential impact of (a) reducing VAT rates on hospitality businesses during the covid-19 pandemic on that sector and (b) reducing VAT to 12.5% on the hospitality sector on the economy.

VAT is the UK’s third largest tax. It is forecast to raise £180 billion in 2025/26, which funds public services. VAT is a broad-based tax on consumption, and the 20 per cent standard rate applies to most goods and services. Exceptions to the standard rate have always been limited and balanced against affordability considerations. The exceptional VAT relief for tourism and hospitality during the Covid-19 pandemic cost over £8 billion. The Covid Inquiry is investigating the UK’s response to and impact of the Covid-19 pandemic. The Government is cooperating fully with the Inquiry in its extensive and detailed work.

Pursuant to the Answer of 30 April 2025 to Question 46758 on Integrated Security, Defence, Development and Foreign Policy Review, which Department is leading on drafting the National Security Strategy.

The National Security Strategy is being developed by the National Security Secretariat in the Cabinet Office, led by the National Security Adviser, Jonathan Powell, with support from academic and technical experts. The Cabinet Office has engaged a broad spectrum of stakeholders including our allies, additionally considering assessments and analytical products from think tanks, academics, and industry experts. Departments have been engaged throughout the process.

Pursuant to the Answer of 30 April 2025 to Question 46758 on Integrated Security, Defence, Development and Foreign Policy Review, which departments have been consulted in the development of the National Security Strategy.

The National Security Strategy is being developed by the National Security Secretariat in the Cabinet Office, led by the National Security Adviser, Jonathan Powell, with support from academic and technical experts. The Cabinet Office has engaged a broad spectrum of stakeholders including our allies, additionally considering assessments and analytical products from think tanks, academics, and industry experts. Departments have been engaged throughout the process.

Pursuant to the Answer of 30 April 2025 to Question 46758 on Integrated Security, Defence, Development and Foreign Policy Review, whether the National Security Strategy is being developed in consultation with (a) external stakeholders and (b) UK allies.

The National Security Strategy is being developed by the National Security Secretariat in the Cabinet Office, led by the National Security Adviser, Jonathan Powell, with support from academic and technical experts. The Cabinet Office has engaged a broad spectrum of stakeholders including our allies, additionally considering assessments and analytical products from think tanks, academics, and industry experts. Departments have been engaged throughout the process.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, with reference to the Apulia G7 Leaders’ communique, published in June 2024, what steps his Department is taking to support civil society peacebuilding efforts in (a) Israel and (b) Palestine.

In June 2024, the G7 Heads of Government included milestone new language in their communiqué, committing to "working together and with other international partners to closely coordinate and institutionalize our support for civil society peacebuilding efforts, ensuring that such efforts are part of a larger strategy to build the foundation necessary for a negotiated and lasting Israeli-Palestinian peace." This government has been clear; we are committed to pursuing a lasting solution to the Israeli/Palestinian Conflict, including through achieving a two-state solution. We continue to support efforts to this end through our aid programmes, which assist civil society in Israel and Palestine on a range of issues, including peacebuilding and conflict resolution. We further support grassroots local peacebuilding efforts between Israeli and Palestinian civil society, for example on more inclusive and conflict-sensitive journalism.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether his Department is taking steps to include Israeli-Palestinian civil society peacebuilding in diplomatic resolutions to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

The Prime Minister has pledged his support for the establishment of an International Fund for Israeli-Palestinian Peace. Speaking on December 2, 2024, he announced plans for the Foreign Secretary to convene an "inaugural meeting in London to support civil society in the region, as part of that work to negotiate a two-state solution."This government has been clear; we are committed to pursuing a lasting solution to the Israeli/Palestinian Conflict, including through achieving a two-state solution. We continue to support efforts to this end through our aid programmes, which assist civil society in Israel and Palestine on a range of issues, including peacebuilding and conflict resolution. I have met with representatives of the Alliance for Middle East Peace to discuss their proposal for an International Fund for Israeli-Palestinian peace. The Foreign Secretary and I welcome the opportunity to discuss further with civil society organisations their work and the prospects for peacebuilding. We further support grassroots local peacebuilding efforts between Israeli and Palestinian civil society, for example on more inclusive and conflict-sensitive journalism.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, if he will make an assessment of the potential merits of working with his international counterparts to establish an international fund for Israeli-Palestinian peace.

This government has prioritised working to end this conflict and secure the safe release of hostages, in co-ordination with international partners, since day one. We will continue to use every diplomatic lever to bring about a ceasefire deal as the first step towards long-term peace and security for Israelis and Palestinians, and the wider region. The Prime Minister has pledged his support for the establishment of an International Fund for Israeli-Palestinian Peace. Speaking on December 2, 2024, he announced plans for the Foreign Secretary to convene an "inaugural meeting in London to support civil society in the region, as part of that work to negotiate a two-state solution." The Foreign Secretary and I welcome the opportunity to discuss further with civil society organisations their work and the prospects for peacebuilding. The Foreign Secretary has raised the issue of securing long-term peace in all his meetings with counterparts across the region, in addition to the US, Germany and France. The UK will play our full diplomatic role in ending this conflict and creating a safe and secure Israel alongside a viable and sovereign Palestinian state.

What assessment he has made of potential disparities in access to prostate cancer screening among men of different (a) races and (b) socio-economic statuses.

Screening for prostate cancer is currently not recommended by the UK National Screening Committees (UK NSC). This is because of the inaccuracy of the current best test, called Prostate Specific Antigen (PSA).The UK NSC is carrying out an evidence review of prostate cancer screening which includes looking at the evidence for targeted screening of specific high-risk groups, such as Black Men and those with a family history. This will determine whether a PSA test-based screening programme for high-risk groups could provide more good than harm.