Written questions by Timothy.

What progress has been made by law enforcement on apprehending those responsible for the Legal Aid Agency cyber attack.

Since April 2025 there has been a net increase to the number of providers contracted to deliver legal aid services. The Legal Aid Agency (LAA) publishes data about provider numbers as part of its official statistics (table 9.6). Data for the period April to December 2025 is scheduled for release on 26 March 2026. The LAA also routinely publishes data about the volume and value of legal aid cases across all legal aid schemes as part of its official statistics. As above, data for the period April to December 2025 is scheduled for release on 26 March 2026. As set out in my response to PQ 98862, since the serious criminal attack on the LAA’s digital services was identified we have worked closely with relevant law enforcement agencies and Police. As sensitive investigations remain ongoing it would not be appropriate to comment on the nature or detail of this engagement.

What discussions he has had with the Secretary of State for Defence on the effectiveness of introducing a statutory duty of candour on the military.

The Bill will apply to all public authorities, including the military.Appropriate safeguards for sensitive information will be in place and we are clear that nothing should undermine our national security.

With reference to the Written Statement of 22 January 2026 on Response to Legal Aid Agency cyber attack, HCWS1265, how much funding will be allocated to the transformation programme for Legal Aid Agency digital services.

The amount of funding which will be allocated to the transformation programme for Legal Aid Agency digital services is subject to final budget allocation decisions, which are currently ongoing.

Communities and Local Government, what plans he has to establish a development corporation in support of construction related to the Forest City 1 plan to build a city of a million people between Newmarket and Haverhill.

The government has no current plans to establish a development corporation in support of construction related to the Forest City 1 proposal.

What Border Force's policy is on the interception of (a) sodium nitrate and (b) other toxic materials at the border.

Border Force controls imports and exports of sodium nitrate and other toxic materials in line with legislation. Where appropriate, Border Force uses powers in the Customs and Excise Management Act 1979 (CEMA), The Police and Crime Evidence Act 1984, The Police and Criminal Evidence (Northern Ireland) Order 1989, and common law powers to detain or seize such goods, when they are liable to forfeiture under CEMA or evidence of an offence, referring to other law enforcement agencies for actioning as necessary.

Innovation and Technology, what steps Ofcom is taking to help tackle websites that provide instructions on committing suicide.

The Online Safety Act requires in-scope services to prevent all users from encountering illegal suicide and self-harm content, and children from legal content encouraging, promoting, or providing instructions for suicide or self-harm.The independent regulator Ofcom enforces compliance with the Act. Ofcom’s first investigation under the Act targeted a pro-suicide forum. On 6 January, Ofcom confirmed it has informed the forum provider that Ofcom is working towards issuing a provisional notice of contravention in relation to Act breaches.Ofcom has also established a dedicated small but risky supervision taskforce, focusing on small services posing the most severe risk of harm.

On what grounds Border Force might allow (a) sodium nitrate and (b) other toxic materials onward passage to a postal address.

Border Force controls imports and exports of sodium nitrate and other toxic materials in line with legislation. Where appropriate, Border Force uses powers in the Customs and Excise Management Act 1979 (CEMA), The Police and Crime Evidence Act 1984, The Police and Criminal Evidence (Northern Ireland) Order 1989, and common law powers to detain or seize such goods, when they are liable to forfeiture under CEMA or evidence of an offence, referring to other law enforcement agencies for actioning as necessary.

What estimate he has made of the cost and feasibility of undergrounding new electricity transmission infrastructure in rural areas, including Suffolk.

Network developers, not Government, are responsible for assessing the cost and feasibility of construction methods for new electricity transmission infrastructure. This includes consideration of whether construction methods are technically deliverable and an assessment of any environmental impacts. Undergrounding is significantly more expensive, with the Institution of Engineering and Technology (April 2025) estimating that it costs around four and a half times more than overhead lines. As these costs are ultimately borne by electricity bill payers, overhead lines are the Government’s starting presumption for new transmission infrastructure.

What plans his Department has to include physiotherapy graduates in the Graduate Guarantee Scheme.

There are currently no plans to expand the Graduate Guarantee to physiotherapy graduates.

What discussions she has had with her US counterpart on the US sanctions applied to Zaher Birawi and the Popular Conference for Palestinians Abroad; and if she will make an assessment of the potential merits of designating Zaher Birawi under the Counter-Terrorism (Sanctions) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019.

HMT is unable to provide details on any OFSI actions or investigations that may or may not be ongoing. HMT regularly reviews targets for designation to explore whether they meet our criteria for designation under the Counter-Terrorism (Sanctions) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019.

What representations did he receive from women with (a) endometriosis and (b) adenomyosis on provisions within the Employment Rights Bill to support employees with these conditions.

The Government is committed to improving women’s health and supporting employees through the Employment Rights Act (ERA). Officials have engaged with women’s health organisations, including endometriosis groups, informing voluntary Employer Action Plans on menopause from April 2026. We’re helping people with health conditions stay and thrive at work through programmes such as Keep Britain Working and greater access to flexible working. Statutory Sick Pay may also apply which, from April, becomes payable from day one of sickness absence. Beyond the ERA, endometriosis and adenomyosis may be considered disabilities, and if so, employers must offer reasonable adjustments under the Equality Act 2010.

If she will meet with the Valuation Office Agency to discuss the potentail impact of changes to business rates relief on pubs and breweries.

From April, every pub and live music venue will get 15% off its new business rates bill on top of the support announced at Budget and then bills will be frozen in real terms for a further two years.Three-quarters of pubs will see bills flat or falling in April. The new relief is worth £1,650 for the average pub next year. As a sector pubs will pay 8% less in business rates in 2029 than they do right now.The Government will also launch a review which will explore how pubs are valued for business rates.

With reference to the Written Statement of 15 December 2025 on Investment in high needs place, HCWS1163, which (a) Members of Parliament and (b) local authorities met departmental officials to discuss the status of one or more of the 28 mainstream free school projects ahead of their cancellation.

The department has engaged with trusts, local authorities and other stakeholders in relation to projects in scope of the mainstream review, including reviewing the evidence they have provided. This included all of the local authorities with a project in scope.MPs with an interest in projects were invited to a ‘drop in’ session during the review and again following the announcement on 15 December 2025. Individual meetings with interested MPs have also taken place.

What evidential basis her department is using to promote resource bases for pupils with specialist needs in mainstream schools.

I refer the hon. Member for West Suffolk to the answer of 13 February 2026 to Question 103940.

If she will make it her policy to refuse consideration of the written evidence submitted by the Muslim Council of Britain to the Independent Review of Public Order and Hate Crime Legislation.

Following the appalling attack on a synagogue in Manchester on 2 October, the Home Secretary announced an independent review of public order and hate crime legislation on 5 October 2025. The Review is being led by Lord Ken Macdonald of River Glaven KC, supported by former Assistant Chief Constable Owen Weatherill KPM.The Review is engaging extensively with representatives of a wide range of sectors, including faith groups and community organisations, to ensure that all perspectives are considered. Given the Review is independent, it is for the Chair leading it to determine which groups and organisations he wishes to engage with.Once the Review concludes, the Home Secretary will carefully consider its findings and recommendations before setting out her next steps.

Whether he will take steps to prevent organisations with which the Government has a policy of non-engagement from submitting written evidence to (a) ministers, (b) officials and (c) public consultations.

The government does not and will not engage with organisations with whom they have a policy of non-engagement.

With reference to the Written Statement of 15 December 2025 on Investment in high needs place, HCWS1163, what meetings were held with the 18 local authorities that had successful bids for a (a) special and (b) AP free school ahead of the cancellation of those projects.

Meetings were held with a small number of local authorities with projects across the special and alternative provision free schools pipeline during the process of formulating policy. As set out in the Written Ministerial Statement of 15 December 2025 (HCWS1163), policy decisions have been taken to ensure that capital investment delivers specialist places more quickly and flexibly.For 18 projects where a trust had not been appointed by July 2024 and so are furthest from opening, the department concluded that local authorities are best placed to create the required places sooner than would be possible through the free school route. Each affected authority will be given an alternative funding package, calculated on a per-place basis, enabling them to expand existing provision or adapt mainstream settings as part of their local special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) strategy and in line with SEND reform.Authorities can submit representations if they disagree with the decision. The deadline for them to do so is 27 February 2026.

How much the British Army has spent on sponsorship of Premier League Football in 2025-26 financial year.

Whilst the financial aspects of the sponsorship of Premier League football on Sky Television are commercial in confidence, sponsorship of Premier League football by the Army is part of a wider Army Recruiting campaign. Other marketing events and activity are synchronised with matches to ensure they generate as much interest as possible and provide value for money. Armed Forces intake has increased by 13% when compared to previous 12 months. In the same period outflow reduced by 8%.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, how much funding from the Overseas Development Assistance budget has been directed towards housing (a) asylum seekers, (b) refugees and (c) illegal migrants in their first year living in the UK in each year since 2020.

The UK reports its Official Development Assistance spend on a calendar year basis in the Statistics on International Development, including the amount spent on in-donor refugee costs.

If her Department will make an estimate of the lifetime net cost of a small boat migrant accepted by the UK.

The Home Office has not carried out an assessment of the lifetime net cost of a small boat migrant who arrives in the UK and we have no plans to do so.