Written questions by Heylings.

What discussions he has had with his US counterpart on the potential impact of the United States leaving the Paris Climate Agreement on the global, collective effort to lower fossil fuel emissions and tackle climate change.

Decisions on participation in the Paris Agreement are for individual countries to make. The UK supports the UNFCCC and wants to see as many countries as possible participate. The UK will continue to work with all countries to tackle the urgency of the climate crisis, and will pursue an energy policy that gives us energy security and helps get bills down for good.

Food and Rural Affairs, if her Department is assessing reports of widespread abuses of the de minimis exemption to Biodiversity Net Gain; and whether this exemption is still needed in light of the new exemptions for sites below 0.2 hectares.

A full consultation response and impact assessment to the Biodiversity Net Gain small, medium and brownfield development consultation will be published soon. This will set out whether any changes will be made to the de minimis exemption alongside the introduction of the new 0.2-hectare area exemption.

Innovation and Technology, what her timeline is for rolling out the data sharing project between her Department, the Department of Energy Security and Net Zero, the Department for Work and Pensions and HM Revenue and Customs; and what impact that project will have on energy bills.

I am pleased to say that we have been working on this project since September and are currently conducting a three-month discovery exercise to inform the development of potential data solutions. Depending on the solutions identified, we intend to commence a pilot phase in the spring. Once a suitable solution is developed and tested, we will work with departments to explore the potential to integrate improved household income data into new and existing energy bill and other support schemes. Better data will allow government to target energy bills support more accurately, allowing us to reduce the bills of those who most need help.

How his Department plans to tackle skills shortages in retrofitting and home decarbonisation.

The Warm Homes Plan will create good jobs across the country, with 180,000 additional high-quality, well-paid, future-proofed jobs in energy efficiency and clean heating by 2030. We are investing £15 billion to upgrade up to five million homes by 2030; the biggest ever public investment to upgrade British homes. This demonstrates our commitment to ramp up retrofit delivery. Chapter Six of the plan outlines the actions that the Government will be taking to support and facilitate growth, jobs and innovation, including establishing a new Workforce Taskforce in partnership with the Trade Unions Congress. The Plan will unlock £38 billion in total investment across the Parliament, and with additional funding for skills, innovation and UK manufacturing, we will ensure that British workers and businesses reap the benefits.

When the review of the Carr-Hill formula will conclude; and when he plans to publish its findings.

The review of the Carr-Hill formula has been commissioned through the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) and commenced in October 2025. The first phase of the review is expected to conclude in March 2026. Subject to ministerial decision, further work would be undertaken to technically develop and model any proposed changes to the formula.Findings from the review will be published in due course by the NIHR. Members of Parliament will be updated once the review findings are available.Implementation of any new funding approach would be subject to ministerial decision and consultation with the General Practice Committee of England, of the British Medical Association, in the context of the available funding and our commitment to substantively reform the General Medical Services Contract within this Parliament.

Communities and Local Government, what assessment he has made of the potential merits of publishing a call for evidence for the independent review into foreign financial interference in UK politics.

Decisions made about the Rycroft Review, within the scope of its terms of reference, are a matter for the independent reviewer and his team. The review team’s email address is published online alongside the terms of reference here. The review findings will be delivered to the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government and the Security Minister by the end of March 2026.

Communities and Local Government, what steps he plans to take to help ensure that the consultation process for the independent review into foreign interference in UK politics remains (i) transparent and (ii) accessible to people outside major political parties.

Decisions made about the Rycroft Review, within the scope of its terms of reference, are a matter for the independent reviewer and his team. The review team’s email address is published online alongside the terms of reference here. The review findings will be delivered to the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government and the Security Minister by the end of March 2026.

What assessment he has made of the potential merits of introducing social energy tariffs to reduce fuel poverty.

The Government knows that more needs to be done to support vulnerable households which are struggling with bills whilst we transition to clean power. That is why the Autumn Budget acted to take an average £150 of costs off people’s energy bills. This support comes on top of the £150 off energy bills provided for around 6 million families under the Warm Home Discount this winter, cutting fuel poverty. DESNZ is working closely with other Government Departments through the ‘Kickstarter’ programme to test how public sector data can be better joined up to improve access to government programmes. This project will help pave the way for better targeted help to ensure those who are struggling to pay their bills get the support they need.

What recent assessment he has made of the effectiveness of the points-based immigration system in the recruitment and retention of UK-trained newly qualified doctors.

No recent specific assessment has been made of the effectiveness of the points-based immigration system in the recruitment and retention of United Kingdom-trained newly qualified doctors.However, the number of applications to foundation and speciality training has increased over recent years, both from people graduating from UK medical schools, UK medical graduates, and from graduates of international medical schools, international medical graduates.For specialty training, the number of international medical graduates applying for places has significantly increased since 2020. Data from the General Medical Council (GMC) shows that the number of non-UK trained doctors applying for Core Training Year One and Specialty Training Year One places has increased from 5,326 in 2019 to 18,857 in 2024, a 254% increase. Over the same period, the number of UK trained applicants increased from 8,836 to 11,319, a 28% increase.Internationally trained doctors may also be seeking employment outside of medical specialty training posts and GMC data shows that the proportion of doctors taking up or returning to a GMC licence to practice who were trained outside of the UK was 57% in 2019, which has increased to 66% in 2024.

What assessment she has made of the potential merits of making applications for Further Leave to Remain on Family and Private Life grounds subject to published service standards.

The Home Office keeps all aspects of the immigration system under regular review, including service standards for processing visa applications.

What steps her Department is taking to improve the availability and quality of facilities for HGV drivers, including secure parking, welfare facilities and overnight rest areas; and what assessment has she made of the implications of the current provisions for driver welfare.

The HGV Parking Matched Funding Grant Scheme (MFGS) was launched in 2022 to fund investment in: HGV driver welfare facilities, lorry parking provision, site security, and decarbonisation. The scheme is supporting truck stop operators across 30 counties in England. Through the MFGS the Department and industry partners are projected to deliver up to £35.7m of joint investment to enhance truck stops across England. This significant investment is in addition to joint investment by National Highways and industry of up to a further £30 million, aimed at improving lorry parking facilities along the strategic road network. The National Survey of Lorry Parking, which was published on 29 September 2022, is the Department for Transport’s primary evidence base on the availability of HGV parking facilities. The survey showed an average shortage across England of around 4,500 HGV parking spaces for the month of March 2022 and identified driver concerns with the quality of welfare facilities and security of lorry parks. A further National Survey of Lorry Parking is planned for 2026.

Food and Rural Affairs, if she will make an assessment of the potential (a) implications for her policies of routine use of fungicides in the seed supply chain and (b) impact of their use on (i) integrated pest management, (ii) soil health restoration and (iii) pesticide use..

Plant protection products (PPPs – also known as pesticides) may only be placed on the market in Great Britain (GB) if they have been authorised by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE), GB’s pesticide regulator. This only happens following a thorough scientific risk assessment that concludes all safety standards are met. Pesticides that pose unacceptable risks are not authorised. Our strict, science-based regulation is supplemented with policies to encourage safe and minimal use. Integrated Pest Management (IPM) lies at the heart of the government’s approach to minimise the environmental impact of PPPs, including fungicides. IPM practices can reduce the risks associated with pesticide use, helping to protect wildlife, and enhance soil and water quality.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what recent assessment her Department has made of the humanitarian situation in Sudan.

I refer the Hon Member to the statement made to the House by the Foreign Secretary on 18 November 2025, and to the most recent Urgent Question debate on 15 December 2025.

What steps he is taking to help ensure porcine insulin is available to users who are dependent on it.

The Department is aware of the global discontinuation of insulin porcine vials, including Hypurin Porcine Isophane, Hypurin Porcine Neutral, and Hypurin Porcine 30/70 Mix vials, by Wockhardt. We have issued comprehensive management guidance to the National Health Service, including all general practitioners (GPs) and community pharmacists, on 23 July 2025. This management guidance contains information on alternative licensed medicines including Hypurin Porcine cartridges.Hypurin Porcine Isophane and Hypurin Porcine Neutral cartridges remain available. Following a short-term supply issue from 1 January 2026, Hypurin Porcine 30/70 Mix cartridges will be available from the week closing on 19 January 2026.Patients and/or patient representatives should speak to their GP on the most appropriate treatment option.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what steps her Department is taking to support international peacekeeping efforts.

In the set of questions submitted by the Hon Member on 12 January (UIN 105089-91 and 105093-95), she mentioned a number of important elements of the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office's (FCDO's) humanitarian and development programmes, all of which are key priorities for the Government, including our work on conflict prevention and resolution, crisis resilience, support for children in conflict zones, and the fights against global malnutrition and climate change.We provide regular updates to the House on the work we are doing in different regions towards these goals, as well as our joint international efforts through the United Nations and other multilateral organisations. The Hon Member can also find a copy of the FCDO's current humanitarian framework at the link below, which gives a good overview of our approach in all these areas: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/uk-humanitarian-framework/uk-humanitarian-framework.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what recent assessment her Department has made of the humanitarian situation in (a) Gaza and (b) the West Bank.

I refer the Hon Member to my statement on 5 January.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what steps she is taking with international partners to (a) anticipate and (b) pre-emptively mitigate humanitarian crises.

In the set of questions submitted by the Hon Member on 12 January (UIN 105089-91 and 105093-95), she mentioned a number of important elements of the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office's (FCDO's) humanitarian and development programmes, all of which are key priorities for the Government, including our work on conflict prevention and resolution, crisis resilience, support for children in conflict zones, and the fights against global malnutrition and climate change.We provide regular updates to the House on the work we are doing in different regions towards these goals, as well as our joint international efforts through the United Nations and other multilateral organisations. The Hon Member can also find a copy of the FCDO's current humanitarian framework at the link below, which gives a good overview of our approach in all these areas: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/uk-humanitarian-framework/uk-humanitarian-framework.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what steps her Department is taking to promote the rights and well-being of children in conflict zones.

In the set of questions submitted by the Hon Member on 12 January (UIN 105089-91 and 105093-95), she mentioned a number of important elements of the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office's (FCDO's) humanitarian and development programmes, all of which are key priorities for the Government, including our work on conflict prevention and resolution, crisis resilience, support for children in conflict zones, and the fights against global malnutrition and climate change.We provide regular updates to the House on the work we are doing in different regions towards these goals, as well as our joint international efforts through the United Nations and other multilateral organisations. The Hon Member can also find a copy of the FCDO's current humanitarian framework at the link below, which gives a good overview of our approach in all these areas: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/uk-humanitarian-framework/uk-humanitarian-framework.

What assessment he has made of racial inequalities in maternity care.

The Government recognises that there are stark inequalities for women and babies, and that they should receive the high-quality care they deserve, regardless of their background, location, or ethnicity.In England, maternal mortality rates are higher among women from Black and Asian ethnic groups. The risk of maternal death from Black ethnic backgrounds increased between 2022 and 2024 to nearly three times higher compared to white women, while Asian women had a slightly increased risk compared to white women.The Government is committed to setting an explicit target to close the maternal mortality gap. We are ensuring that we take an evidence-based approach to determining what targets are set, and that any targets set are women and baby-centred.Actions that have been taken to reduce inequalities includes the Perinatal Equity and Anti-Discrimination Programme, Equity and Equality action plans in the most deprived areas, and inequalities dashboard to identify areas where specific populations face the greatest disparities.To further target disparities in maternal care, Baroness Amos is chairing the National Independent Maternity and Neonatal Investigation. The investigation aims to identify the drivers and impact of inequalities faced by women, babies, and families from Black and Asian backgrounds, those from deprived groups, and those from other marginalised groups when receiving maternity and neonatal care.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what steps her Department is taking to ensure that UK Official Development Assistance reaches those most in need.

In the set of questions submitted by the Hon Member on 12 January (UIN 105089-91 and 105093-95), she mentioned a number of important elements of the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office's (FCDO's) humanitarian and development programmes, all of which are key priorities for the Government, including our work on conflict prevention and resolution, crisis resilience, support for children in conflict zones, and the fights against global malnutrition and climate change.We provide regular updates to the House on the work we are doing in different regions towards these goals, as well as our joint international efforts through the United Nations and other multilateral organisations. The Hon Member can also find a copy of the FCDO's current humanitarian framework at the link below, which gives a good overview of our approach in all these areas: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/uk-humanitarian-framework/uk-humanitarian-framework.