Written questions by Holden.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what the capital cost was of overseas renewable energy projects undertaken by her Department since 4 July 2024 by country and project type.

The Hon Member can find details of all programmes supported by the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO), including those related to climate change, at the Development Tracker website on GOV.UK. Where available, details of additional expenditure incurred in meeting the FCDO's net zero commitments is set out in the department's annual report and accounts.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what forecast expenditure her Department has made for Net Zero-related activity for each financial year from 2025–26 to 2029–30.

The Hon Member can find details of all programmes supported by the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO), including those related to climate change, at the Development Tracker website on GOV.UK. Where available, details of additional expenditure incurred in meeting the FCDO's net zero commitments is set out in the department's annual report and accounts.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what estimate her Department has made of the return on investment for overseas solar photovoltaic and battery storage projects funded since 2021.

The Hon Member can find details of all programmes supported by the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO), including those related to climate change, at the Development Tracker website on GOV.UK. Where available, details of additional expenditure incurred in meeting the FCDO's net zero commitments is set out in the department's annual report and accounts.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether additional costs have been incurred from transitioning the non-armoured overseas vehicle fleet to (a) electric and (b) low-emission vehicles.

The Hon Member can find details of all programmes supported by the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO), including those related to climate change, at the Development Tracker website on GOV.UK. Where available, details of additional expenditure incurred in meeting the FCDO's net zero commitments is set out in the department's annual report and accounts.

What estimate she has made of the annual cost of extending the statutory concessionary bus travel scheme UK-wide to include all residents aged 19 and under.

The Government knows how important affordable bus services are in enabling young people to access education, work and vital services. Concessionary travel is a devolved policy area. The English National Concessionary Travel Scheme (ENCTS) provides free off-peak bus travel to those with eligible disabilities and those of state pension age, currently sixty-six. The ENCTS costs around £795 million annually in reimbursement costs to operators. Any changes to the statutory obligations, such as expanding the eligibility criteria to include under 19’s, would need to be carefully considered for its impact on the scheme’s financial sustainability.The Government has confirmed over £3 billion from 2026/27 to support local leaders and bus operators across England to improve bus services over the spending review period. This includes multi-year allocations for local authorities under the Local Authority Bus Grant (LABG) totalling nearly £700 million per year. Essex County Council will be allocated £59.3 million under the LABG from 2026/27 to 2028/29, in addition to the £17.8 million they are already receiving this year. Funding allocated to local authorities to improve services can be used in whichever way they wish to deliver better services for passengers, which could include introducing new fares initiatives to reduce the cost of bus travel for young people.

What assessment his Department has made of the potential impact of caesarean sections on long-term health, including links to bowel and gastrointestinal conditions.

Bowel or gastrointestinal long-term conditions are not recognised consequences of caesarean section unless there have been additional complications at the time of surgery such as bowel injury. The Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists are responsible for the guidance used by healthcare professionals to support discussions with women about planned caesarean sections so that they are tailored to women’s own needs.As with most other forms of surgery there is no specific routine, long-term follow up post caesarean section. However, all women are offered a six to eight week postnatal check up with their general practitioner that will a take holistic view of their physical and mental health. Women should be supported to return to good physical health following childbirth and pregnancy, with ongoing management for conditions that existed before or which arose during pregnancy.

What his Department's spend was on sustainability and Net Zero-related estate activity managed via the Government Property Agency in 2024–25 , including a) energy efficiency measures, b) climate adaptation work and c) reporting and monitoring systems.

The department has not incurred any expenditure on energy efficiency measures, climate adaptation work and reporting and monitoring systems associated with estate activity managed via the Government Property Agency in 2024–25.

Pursuant to the Answer of 9 January 2026 to Question 100965, if he will provide a link to that impact assessment.

The impact assessment for the response to the consultation on expansion to domestic maritime emissions can be found here:https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/692591b59fd433badebc3140/uk-ets-domestic-maritime-authority-response-ia.pdf We will publish a full impact assessment on the expansion to international voyages alongside the Authority Response to the consultation.

What internal data Network Rail collects on level crossings, including a) barrier activation and down-time duration, b) complaints or reports from road users relating to barrier down-time, and c) overruns caused by incidents, failures, or timetable disruption; and whether any such data is shared routinely with her Department.

Network Rail collects a range of data regarding level crossings on its network, which helps inform the management of risk at each location. If there are complaints or feedback from members of the public in relation to level crossings, Network Rail has processes in place to respond to these. However, as the safety and management of level crossings are the legal responsibility of Network Rail, this information is not routinely shared with my department.

Whether she has made an assessment of the potential impact of the increase in civil service remuneration approval to £174,000 on civil service salaries.

Civil Servant pay is set within a pay framework which is reviewed annually by the Senior Salaries Review Body. The senior pay control process, including approvals required from HM Treasury, acts as an additional layer of scrutiny to Senior Civil Servant salaries.

Pursuant to the answer of 3 June 2025 to Question 54279 on Cabinet Office: Repairs and Maintenance, what assessment he has made of the adequacy of the refurbishment of the No. 9 media room.

A one-off refresh of the facility was undertaken in December 2024. Work was carried out to the appropriate standard.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, with reference to the letter from the Permanent Under-Secretary of the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office to the Rt hon Member for Basildon and Billericay on 24 July 2025, whether the application of the Civil Service and Diplomatic Code applies to political appointees.

Yes. Where such appointments are made, individuals are appointed on a standard Civil Service Fixed Term Contract and are subject to the provisions of the Civil Service Code.

What guidance will be issued to decision-makers on the application of paragraphs 4.7.34–4.7.35 of the draft National Policy Statement for Ports, including how “acceptable levels” of residual transport impact will be defined; and whether these provisions represent a change in policy from the 2012 Ports National Policy Statement.

We are currently considering the views received from consultation on, and Parliamentary scrutiny of, the draft revised NPS for Ports, and will lay a final text in due course.

Whether she has received a proposal for a community rail partnership for the C2C rail franchise; what assessment she has made of the potential merits of a community rail partnership for C2C services; and what steps she is taking to support the establishment of a community rail partnership for the C2C network.

Officials have not yet received a proposal for a community rail partnership from c2c. We understand the operator will be sharing a proposal in 2026/27 and officials will consider how this might best be facilitated.In terms of merits, Community Rail Partnerships bring benefits to local communities through social, environmental, and economic growth. Projects help improve the safety and inclusivity of the railway, as well as encouraging rail travel as a more sustainable mode of transport.

Pursuant to the Answer of 12 January 2026 to Question 101851, if she will publish any information held by her Department in whatever format it is held.

As set out in our answer to question 101851, the Department does not hold the data requested in a readily available form.

What recent assessment her Department has made of the potential impact of community rail partnerships on local rail services; what funding her Department has allocated to community rail partnerships in this financial year; and what steps her Department is taking to promote and expand community rail activity.

Community Rail delivers projects which bring benefits to local rail through social, environmental, and economic growth. Work carried out by Community Rail Partnerships (CRPs) includes projects to establish community hubs in underused station spaces, creation and maintenance of gardens at stations, and supporting all members of the community to travel with confidence, for example by improving station environments to accommodate all members of the community. These projects help improve the safety and inclusivity of the railway, as well as encouraging rail travel as a more sustainable mode of transport.The Department has granted over £800,000 to the Community Rail Network (CRN) via core and project funding in this financial year (FY 2025-2026). The CRN provide access to grants and resources for its members (a mix of CRPs and Station Adoption Groups). Whilst the Department does not directly fund CRPs, financial support is provided directly via the train operating companies.The Department continues to support the community rail sector, and as we move towards establishing Great British Railways (GBR), Community Rail will be integral to helping us deliver our priorities and will continue to deliver for passengers and communities. We will continue to work closely with the Community Rail Network to identify opportunities to support the community rail sector ahead of the standup of GBR.

What English language proficiency requirements apply to (a) registered nurses and (b) care staff working in regulated settings; and how compliance is monitored and enforced.

To practise as a nurse in the United Kingdom, individuals must register with the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) which sets the standards for both domestic and internationally qualified nurses. All applicants must demonstrate they have sufficient competency in English to communicate safely in clinical settings to meet NMC registration standards.UK-qualified nurses meet this requirement through an NMC-approved nursing programme. International applicants can show proficiency by providing a recent International English Language Testing System or Occupational English Test score at the required level, completing an English-taught nursing programme with significant patient interaction in English, or having one year of recent practice in a majority English-speaking country.As an independent regulator, the NMC determines how English language competence is assessed for registration.Care providers must ensure staff have adequate English skills to communicate effectively. Under Regulation 19 of the Health and Social Care Act 2008 (Regulated Activities) Regulations 2014, employers are required to only employ ‘fit and proper’ staff to provide care and treatment appropriate to their role. Failure to comply may lead to fixed penalties for providers and registered managers.Employers and providers should use robust recruitment and monitoring procedures to ensure employees are qualified and competent. NHS Employers guidance requires proportionate English language standards for public-facing roles, and human resources policies should be regularly checked against the English language requirement for public sector workers: code of practice.

Pursuant to the Answer of 13 January 2026 to Question 99932, whether the estimates referred to in that Answer are held in a form that allows net Government support per passenger journey to be calculated, and whether she will publish those estimates and the underlying calculations.

The Department does not intend to publish estimates and underlying calculations.  The Department does not routinely publish forecasts of passenger revenue due to the level of uncertainty inherent in those forecasts.  The ORR publish data that enables this information to be derived on a backwards looking basis.

What the kerbside airport drop-off charges were at each of the major UK airports in (a) July 2024 and (b) today; and whether her Department has issued guidance on airport drop-off charges.

The provision and charging of car parking at airports, including drop-off charges, is a matter for the airport operator as a commercial business to manage and justify. Government expects fees to be set in a way that is both fair and transparent for consumers.

What assessment her Department has made of the risks associated with hybrid vehicle battery fires following road traffic collisions; and whether she plans to commission guidance for manufacturers and emergency services.

The safety of hybrid-electric vehicles is of paramount importance to the Government and is kept under regular review. Insurance industry analysis suggests that hybrid vehicles are less likely to catch fire than internal combustion engine vehicles. Nevertheless, existing regulations covering vehicle construction include requirements to safeguard against the novel risks and potential concerns associated with hybrid-electric vehicles, including fire. In addition to the Department for Transport’s published guidance for road recovery operators, the National Police Chiefs’ Council and the National Fire Chiefs Council have produced guidance for their staff on dealing with hybrid and electric vehicles.