Written questions by Harding.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, how many letters relating to the British Council were received by her Department in each year from 2019 to 2024, and what proportion received a substantive response in each year.

Details of ministerial meetings with external individuals and organisations are routinely published by the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office on a quarterly basis. The requested data on correspondence could only be collated and verified for the purposes of answering this question at disproportionate cost.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, how many meetings her predecessors held with the Chief Executive or Chair of the British Council in each calendar year from 2019 to 2025.

Details of ministerial meetings with external individuals and organisations are routinely published by the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office on a quarterly basis. The requested data on correspondence could only be collated and verified for the purposes of answering this question at disproportionate cost.

What plans his Department has to increase the number of specialist Parkinson's nurses serving residents of Esher and Walton constituency.

The Government will publish a 10 Year Workforce Plan to set out action to create a workforce ready to deliver the transformed service set out in the 10-Year Health Plan, including specialists across the full scope of National Health Service care. It will ensure that the NHS has the right people in the right places, with the right skills to care for patients, including those with Parkinson’s disease, when they need it. This 10 Year Workforce Plan will set out how we will deliver that change by making sure that staff are better treated, have better training, more fulfilling roles, and hope for the future.We have set up a United Kingdom-wide Neuro Forum, facilitating formal, twice-yearly meetings across the Department, NHS England, devolved administrations, and health services and Neurological Alliances of all four nations. The new forum brings key stakeholders together to share learnings across the system and discuss challenges, best practice examples, and potential solutions for improving the care of people with neurological conditions, including Parkinson’s. The forum has identified areas for initial focus, including the workforce, which featured as a key item on the agenda at the second meeting of the forum in September 2025.

What assessment she has made of the adequacy of industry-led standards, including those of the London Bullion Market Association, to prevent conflict-linked gold from Sudan entering the United Kingdom market; and whether she plans to introduce statutory oversight of gold-supply-chain due diligence.

The trade of illicit gold funds undermines the rule of law and perpetuates human rights abuses. Gold extraction and smuggling operations represent a significant loss to Sudan and undermine effective resource governance. The UK has imposed sanctions on a number of individuals and businesses who are allegedly involved in the exploitation of gold resources in Sudan. Companies must conduct appropriate due diligence to ensure full compliance with these sanctions. The UK Government engages with the gold industry, in particular the London Bullion Market Association (LBMA) and the World Gold Council, as well as the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) to support responsible sourcing and rigorous due diligence standards to enhance resilience to illicit gold and identify malign actors in the supply chain. As the UK is an OECD member, businesses in the UK apply the OECD's Due Diligence Guidance for Responsible Supply Chains of Minerals from Conflict-Affected and High-Risk areas, including the LBMA. The UK is a global leader in tackling illicit gold flows, recently hosting a joint FCDO-HMRC Gold Conference and launching a public-private partnership with industry to clamp down on illicit flows. The Government recognises the importance of high regulatory standards in financial markets. For over-the-counter wholesale markets for precious metals like the London Bullion Market, the Financial Conduct Authority recognises the Global Precious Metals Code, which sets out the standards and best practice expected from market participants in these markets.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what information her Department holds on the potential risk of gold imported into the United Kingdom via Switzerland originating from conflict-affected areas of Sudan, including gold transiting through and refined in the United Arab Emirates; whether her Department has assessed the adequacy of due-diligence requirements for transit and refining hubs such as the UAE; and what steps she is taking to improve enforcement and traceability to prevent conflict gold entering UK supply chains.

I refer the Hon Member to the answer provided on 4 December 2025 in response to Question 95190.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether she has made representations to her United Arab Emirates counterpart on reports of gold originating from Sudan being exported to, processed in and re-exported from the UAE.

The trade of illicit gold funds conflict, undermines the rule of law, and perpetuates human rights abuses. Gold extraction and smuggling operations represent a significant loss to Sudan and undermine effective resource governance. The UK Government engages with the gold industry, in particular the London Bullion Market Association (LBMA) and the World Gold Council, as well as the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) to support responsible sourcing and rigorous due diligence standards to enhance resilience to illicit gold and identify malign actors in the supply chain. As an OECD member, we have committed to businesses in the UK applying the OECD's Due Diligence Guidance for Responsible Supply Chains of Minerals from Conflict-Affected and High-Risk areas, including the LBMA. The UK is a global leader in tackling illicit gold flows, recently hosting a joint FCDO-HMRC Gold Conference and launching a public-private partnership with industry to clamp down on illicit flows. We will continue to urge all countries to refrain from actions that prolong the crisis, including those that may financially benefit the warring parties. On 20 July 2023, the UK announced sanctions targeting 13 individuals and businesses linked to the actions of Russia's Wagner Group including alleged involvement in the exploitation of gold resources in Sudan. Sanctions policy remains under review. We do not comment on possible plans for future designations.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what assessment she has made of the effectiveness of the United Kingdom’s sanctions regime relating to Sudan in preventing gold originating from that country from entering UK markets, including where such gold has been processed or refined in third countries; and whether she plans to introduce additional sanctions and import controls.

The trade of illicit gold funds conflict, undermines the rule of law, and perpetuates human rights abuses. Gold extraction and smuggling operations represent a significant loss to Sudan and undermine effective resource governance. The UK Government engages with the gold industry, in particular the London Bullion Market Association (LBMA) and the World Gold Council, as well as the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) to support responsible sourcing and rigorous due diligence standards to enhance resilience to illicit gold and identify malign actors in the supply chain. As an OECD member, we have committed to businesses in the UK applying the OECD's Due Diligence Guidance for Responsible Supply Chains of Minerals from Conflict-Affected and High-Risk areas, including the LBMA. The UK is a global leader in tackling illicit gold flows, recently hosting a joint FCDO-HMRC Gold Conference and launching a public-private partnership with industry to clamp down on illicit flows. We will continue to urge all countries to refrain from actions that prolong the crisis, including those that may financially benefit the warring parties. On 20 July 2023, the UK announced sanctions targeting 13 individuals and businesses linked to the actions of Russia's Wagner Group including alleged involvement in the exploitation of gold resources in Sudan. Sanctions policy remains under review. We do not comment on possible plans for future designations.

What assessment he has made of the effectiveness of the regulatory framework governing the import of gold linked to conflict and human rights abuses; what steps his Department is taking to improve oversight and enforcement in that area; and whether he has compared those measures to the European Union’s approach.

The trade of illicit gold linked to conflict undermines the rule of law and has no place in UK supply chains and our global economy. The Government engages with the gold industry, in particular the London Bullion Market Association (LBMA) and the World Gold Council, as well as the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development to support responsible sourcing and rigorous due diligence standards.In the Trade Strategy, the Government launched a review into responsible business conduct. The review is still progressing and considering the effectiveness of the UK's current regime and the merits of alternative measures to support responsible business practices. We shall update the House when the review is complete.

What steps his Department is taking to help ensure that UK fashion brands comply with labour standards in their global supply chains; and what enforcement mechanisms are in place to address violations.

The Government expects all UK businesses to respect human rights and the environment throughout their supply chains in line with the OECD Guidelines and UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights. Section 54 of the UK’s Modern Slavery Act 2015 requires businesses with a turnover of £36m or more to publish modern slavery statements.The Office for Responsible Business Conduct promotes the OECD Guidelines and provides a non-judicial grievance mechanism for complaints of non-observance by UK businesses.The Government also launched a review in the Trade Strategy, into the UK’s approach to responsible business conduct, focused on tackling human rights and labour abuses and environmental harms in global supply chains. We shall update the House when the review is complete.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether she has made an assessment of the adequacy of the long-term (a) funding, (b) staffing and (c) remit of the Independent Commission for Aid Impact (ICAI); and whether she plans to bring forward proposals to (i) reduce resources, (ii) alter the independence and (iii) limit the operations of ICAI.

I refer the Hon Member to the Minister for Development's appearance before the International Development Committee on 20 January, where she addressed issues around the future of the Independent Commission for Aid Impact (ICAI) at length. Decisions on how the Official Development Assistance budget will be used up to 2028/29 will be announced in the coming months.

Food and Rural Affairs, which animal products will be included in the exploration of method-of-production labelling outlined in the Animal Welfare Strategy, published in December 2025.

I refer the hon. Member to the reply given to the hon. Member for Putney, Fleur Anderson, on 26 January 2026, PQ UIN 106592.

Communities and Local Government, whether he has considered introducing lower-interest borrowing facilities for housing associations.

I refer the hon. Member to the Written Ministerial Statement published on 2 July 2025 (HCWS771).

Communities and Local Government, whether his Department plans to review grant funding levels provided through Homes England, in the context of changes in the level of construction costs and interest rates.

I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to Question UIN 95055 on 5 December 2025.

Communities and Local Government, what assessment his Department has made of the potential impact of the level of the current Homes England grant rates on the delivery of new affordable housing in high-cost areas such as Elmbridge by housing associations.

I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to Question UIN 95055 on 5 December 2025.

Communities and Local Government, whether his Department plans to provide targeted funding to support housing associations in addressing damp and disrepair issues in legacy stock.

I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to Question UIN 81035 on 20 October 2025.

Innovation and Technology, whether Ofcom has assured itself that generative-AI search services in scope of the Online Safety Act 2023 have adequate user reporting and complaints systems as required by their codes of practice.

AI services that allow users to share content with one another or that search live websites to provide results are regulated under the Online Safety Act.In-scope services are required to assess the risk of harm to users from illegal content on their services and implement measures to mitigate this risk. Where services are likely to be accessed by children, they will also need to risk assess for content harmful to children and take action to protect children from harmful content.Ofcom has a range of robust enforcement powers to ensure compliance with the Act. Ofcom publishes details on the enforcement action it takes on its website.

Innovation and Technology, whether Ofcom has enforced the obligation on in-scope generative-AI search services likely to be accessed by children to carry out a children's risk assessment as required under the Online Safety Act 2023.

AI services that allow users to share content with one another or that search live websites to provide results are regulated under the Online Safety Act.In-scope services are required to assess the risk of harm to users from illegal content on their services and implement measures to mitigate this risk. Where services are likely to be accessed by children, they will also need to risk assess for content harmful to children and take action to protect children from harmful content.Ofcom has a range of robust enforcement powers to ensure compliance with the Act. Ofcom publishes details on the enforcement action it takes on its website.

Innovation and Technology, whether Ofcom has assured itself that generative-AI search services in scope of the Online Safety Act 2023 have adequately resourced content moderation teams as required by their codes of practice.

AI services that allow users to share content with one another or that search live websites to provide results are regulated under the Online Safety Act.In-scope services are required to assess the risk of harm to users from illegal content on their services and implement measures to mitigate this risk. Where services are likely to be accessed by children, they will also need to risk assess for content harmful to children and take action to protect children from harmful content.Ofcom has a range of robust enforcement powers to ensure compliance with the Act. Ofcom publishes details on the enforcement action it takes on its website.

Innovation and Technology, whether Ofcom has enforced the obligation on in-scope generative-AI search services that they carry out child access assessments as required by section 36 of the Online Safety Act 2023.

AI services that allow users to share content with one another or that search live websites to provide results are regulated under the Online Safety Act.In-scope services are required to assess the risk of harm to users from illegal content on their services and implement measures to mitigate this risk. Where services are likely to be accessed by children, they will also need to risk assess for content harmful to children and take action to protect children from harmful content.Ofcom has a range of robust enforcement powers to ensure compliance with the Act. Ofcom publishes details on the enforcement action it takes on its website.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether the Department has assessed trends in global audience reach for state-controlled international broadcasters based in (a) Russia and (b) China over the last 10 years.

Details of funding and audience reach for the BBC World Service are published in the BBC's Annual Report and Accounts, available on the organisation's website. We do not centrally collate the equivalent data for Russian and Chinese state broadcasters.