Written questions by Burgon.

How the Child Poverty Strategy will integrate with (a) the Child Health Action Plan and (b) other strategic activities; and what assessment she has made of the potential impact of the Strategy on the work undertaken in the devolved nations.

This government is committed to tackling child poverty, with our ambitious Child Poverty Strategy due to be published in the autumn.The publication will set out how we intend to monitor and evaluate the impacts of the strategy from this year and in future years, including understanding how this varies across the UK and for different groups.As part of the strategy, the Child Poverty Taskforce is prioritising better local services, especially in the early years, for children living in poverty. We have announced close to £1.5 billion over the next three years on improving family services and early years education. Best Start Family Hubs are backed by £500 million of this investment between 2026 and 2029.Details of how the Child Poverty Strategy interacts with other policies across government will be set out when the strategy is published, including child health.The Strategy will be UK wide, drawing on devolved and reserved levers and working closely with devolved governments.

When she last held a meeting with Ministers responsible for the Child Poverty Strategy to discuss the (a) potential implication of lengthened immigration routes and (b) No Recourse to Public Funds condition for children’s living standards; and when she plans to hold the next meeting.

The earned settlement proposals are subject to consultation, which will be launched later this year. No final decisions on the policy will be made until the consultation concludes.The Home Office has agreed that children whose families have No Recourse to Public Funds (NRPF) should be included in the scope of the Government’s Child Poverty Strategy. The Child Poverty Strategy is due to be published later this year. I will continue to discuss and shape the approach with my officials and Government Ministers ahead of its publication.

What assessment she has made with Cabinet colleagues of the potential impact of the (a) lengthening of immigration routes to settlement and (b) No Recourse to Public Funds condition on the ability to meet objectives under the Child Poverty Strategy.

The earned settlement proposals are subject to consultation, which will be launched later this year. No final decisions on the policy will be made until the consultation concludes.The Home Office has agreed that children whose families have No Recourse to Public Funds (NRPF) should be included in the scope of the Government’s Child Poverty Strategy. The Child Poverty Strategy is due to be published later this year. I will continue to discuss and shape the approach with my officials and Government Ministers ahead of its publication.

Whether her Department (a) is engaging in the development of the Child Poverty Strategy and (b) will implement an exemption for families with children under 18 from the No Recourse to Public Funds condition.

The earned settlement proposals are subject to consultation, which will be launched later this year. No final decisions on the policy will be made until the consultation concludes.The Home Office has agreed that children whose families have No Recourse to Public Funds (NRPF) should be included in the scope of the Government’s Child Poverty Strategy. The Child Poverty Strategy is due to be published later this year. I will continue to discuss and shape the approach with my officials and Government Ministers ahead of its publication.

Pursuant to the Answer of 15 October 2025 to Question 77510 on Israeli Settlements: Import Controls, how many companies have been found by HMRC to be in breach of mis-declaring goods from the Occupied Palestinian Territories as Israeli products in each financial year since 2010-11.

The UK Government has a clear position that Israeli settlements in Palestine are illegal under international law. Goods produced in these settlements are not entitled to benefit from preferential tariff treatment under the UK’s current trade agreements with the Palestinian Authority and Government of Israel.Where there are doubts about the origin of goods that have been declared as being of Israeli origin, HMRC will undertake checks to verify the origin of those goods to ensure fiscal compliance. HMRC does not however provide specific details regarding checks as it may serve to undermine compliance activity.

Whether he is taking steps to ensure that people seeking a potential diagnosis of multiple sclerosis are seen by a neurologist within 12 weeks.

Unplanned hospital admissions for people with multiple sclerosis (MS) are detrimental to patient wellbeing, the health and care system and the economy.That is why the Government is investing in additional capacity to deliver appointments to help bring lists and waiting times down, including for patients with MS.The Elective Reform Plan, published in January 2025, sets out the specific productivity and reform efforts needed to return to the constitutional standard, that 92% of patients to wait no longer than 18 weeks from Referral to Treatment, by March 2029.NHS England's revised service specification aims to improve diagnosis times for MS by reducing waiting times and enhancing care coordination. The new service specification, published in August 2025, is part of the larger Neurology Service Transformation Programme aimed at improving the delivery and experience of neurology services through clear minimum standards for both specialised and core services, including earlier diagnosis.Additionally, the shifts outlined in our 10-Year Health Plan will free up hospital-based consultants’ time by shifting care from hospitals to communities, utilising digital technology to reduce administrative burdens, and promoting prevention to reduce the onset and severity of conditions that lead to hospital admissions. This includes expanding community-based services, employing artificial intelligence for productivity, developing integrated neighbourhood health teams, and investing in digital tools and data. These shifts will allow specialists to focus on more complex cases, enabling earlier identification and management, and improved patient outcomes, including for people with MS.

What assessment he has made of the potential impact of preventable unplanned hospital admissions for people with multiple sclerosis on (a) people with multiple sclerosis, (b) the NHS and (c) the economy.

Unplanned hospital admissions for people with multiple sclerosis (MS) are detrimental to patient wellbeing, the health and care system and the economy.That is why the Government is investing in additional capacity to deliver appointments to help bring lists and waiting times down, including for patients with MS.The Elective Reform Plan, published in January 2025, sets out the specific productivity and reform efforts needed to return to the constitutional standard, that 92% of patients to wait no longer than 18 weeks from Referral to Treatment, by March 2029.NHS England's revised service specification aims to improve diagnosis times for MS by reducing waiting times and enhancing care coordination. The new service specification, published in August 2025, is part of the larger Neurology Service Transformation Programme aimed at improving the delivery and experience of neurology services through clear minimum standards for both specialised and core services, including earlier diagnosis.Additionally, the shifts outlined in our 10-Year Health Plan will free up hospital-based consultants’ time by shifting care from hospitals to communities, utilising digital technology to reduce administrative burdens, and promoting prevention to reduce the onset and severity of conditions that lead to hospital admissions. This includes expanding community-based services, employing artificial intelligence for productivity, developing integrated neighbourhood health teams, and investing in digital tools and data. These shifts will allow specialists to focus on more complex cases, enabling earlier identification and management, and improved patient outcomes, including for people with MS.

Whether her Department plans to send a delegation to the Third Session of the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee on the UN Framework Convention on International Tax Cooperation, which will be held from 10-19 November 2025 in Nairobi.

The UK is committed to working with all stakeholders to ensure inclusive and effective international tax cooperation. The UK will continue to engage actively in negotiations at the UN over a future Framework Convention, including at the next meeting of the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee in Nairobi in November. The UK believes that a UN Tax Framework Convention has the potential to further advance international tax cooperation, but to be successful, it needs to be clear in its aims, avoid duplicating initiatives, and seek to secure the broad support and participation of members.

Whether his Department plans to send a delegation to the Third Session of the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee on the UN Framework Convention on International Tax Cooperation, to be held from 10-19 November 2025 in Nairobi.

The Department for Energy Security and Net Zero, will not be attending the Third Session of the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee on the UN Framework Convention on International Tax Cooperation, to be held from 10-19 November 2025 in Nairobi.

Whether his Department has shared footage from RAF surveillance planes over Gaza with the Foreign Office's International Humanitarian Law Cell.

Since the terrorist attacks against Israel of 7 October 2023, the UK government has been working with partners across the region to secure the release of hostages, including British nationals, who were kidnapped. In support of these efforts, the Ministry of Defence conducted surveillance flights over the Eastern Mediterranean, including operating in air space over Israel and Gaza from December 2023. The surveillance aircraft were always unarmed, did not have a combat role, and were tasked solely to locate hostages. Following the agreement of the Gaza peace plan between Israel and Hamas, and the release of remaining hostages, the Ministry of Defence has ceased surveillance flights over Gaza. The last fight took place on the 10 October 2025. We thank our UK personnel for their dedication and professionalism. I am unable to disclose the information requested as to do so would undermine Defence’s ability to respond to hostage rescue scenarios in the future.

If he will publish the flight path of the RAF surveillance plane that overflew Gaza on 1 April 2024.

Since the terrorist attacks against Israel of 7 October 2023, the UK government has been working with partners across the region to secure the release of hostages, including British nationals, who were kidnapped. In support of these efforts, the Ministry of Defence conducted surveillance flights over the Eastern Mediterranean, including operating in air space over Israel and Gaza from December 2023. The surveillance aircraft were always unarmed, did not have a combat role, and were tasked solely to locate hostages. Following the agreement of the Gaza peace plan between Israel and Hamas, and the release of remaining hostages, the Ministry of Defence has ceased surveillance flights over Gaza. The last fight took place on the 10 October 2025. We thank our UK personnel for their dedication and professionalism. I am unable to disclose the information requested as to do so would undermine Defence’s ability to respond to hostage rescue scenarios in the future.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether his Department has granted any Special Mission Immunity certificates to any (a) visitor or (b) prospective visitor since 15 August 2025.

I refer the Hon Member to the answer provided on 8 September 2025 to Question 69421.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what steps she is taking to help (a) identify and (b) support older people in Gaza.

I refer the Hon Member to the answer given on 23 June to Question 57551.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what steps she is taking to help (a) identify and (b) support older people in Gaza.

I refer the Hon Member to the answer I have on 23rd June to question 57551.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, with reference to her predecessor's correspondence to the Chair of the International Development Committee of 1 September 2025, when her Department (a) first and (b) most recently made an assessment of the risk of genocide by Israel in Gaza.

I refer the Hon Member to the answer of 24 September to Question 69737.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what discussions she has had with her Israeli counterpart on the potential impact of the conflict in Gaza on older people's (a) mobility, (b) access to healthcare and (c) access to age-appropriate humanitarian assistance.

Marginalised groups such as people with disabilities and the elderly are disproportionately impacted by long standing conflicts including the war in Gaza, and by humanitarian provision which only allows those able to carry aid over long distances to secure food. We continue to work, alongside regional partners, including Egypt and Jordan, to enable the UN and non-governmental organisations to ensure aid reaches all those in Gaza, and we continue to urge the Israeli authorities to allow the unrestricted flow of humanitarian aid to alleviate the suffering of older people, and others.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what assessment she has made of the potential impact on (a) disabled and (b) older people in Gaza of (i) delays in, (ii) obstructions of and (iii) the suspension of the delivery of humanitarian aid; and what contingency plans her Department has to respond to such scenarios.

Marginalised groups such as people with disabilities and the elderly are disproportionately impacted by long standing conflicts including the war in Gaza, and by humanitarian provision which only allows those able to carry aid over long distances to secure food. We continue to work, alongside regional partners, including Egypt and Jordan, to enable the UN and non-governmental organisations to ensure aid reaches all those in Gaza, and we continue to urge the Israeli authorities to allow the unrestricted flow of humanitarian aid to alleviate the suffering of older people, and others.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what recent discussions she has had with international humanitarian organisations on the delivery of humanitarian aid to (a) older women with caring responsibilities and (b) older people generally in Gaza.

Marginalised groups such as people with disabilities and the elderly are disproportionately impacted by long standing conflicts including the war in Gaza, and by humanitarian provision which only allows those able to carry aid over long distances to secure food. We continue to work, alongside regional partners, including Egypt and Jordan, to enable the UN and non-governmental organisations to ensure aid reaches all those in Gaza, and we continue to urge the Israeli authorities to allow the unrestricted flow of humanitarian aid to alleviate the suffering of older people, and others.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what discussions she has had with her Israeli counterpart on the provision of (a) unimpeded and (b) sustained access for humanitarian agencies delivering aid to (i) older people and (ii) others at heightened risk in Gaza.

Marginalised groups such as people with disabilities and the elderly are disproportionately impacted by long standing conflicts including the war in Gaza, and by humanitarian provision which only allows those able to carry aid over long distances to secure food. We continue to work, alongside regional partners, including Egypt and Jordan, to enable the UN and non-governmental organisations to ensure aid reaches all those in Gaza, and we continue to urge the Israeli authorities to allow the unrestricted flow of humanitarian aid to alleviate the suffering of older people, and others.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, pursuant to the Answer of 9 June 2025 to Question 56288 on Arms Trade: Israel, if he will now publish the Research Report: Long-Range Shootings or Shootings of Minors that was included in evidence in Al-Haq v Secretary of State for Business and Trade.

In line with the long-standing practice under successive governments, we do not routinely publish the detailed analysis on which assessments of International Humanitarian Law (IHL) compliance are based.