Written questions by Huq.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, on what legal basis her Department defers to a foreign police force's classification of the death of a British national abroad over the determination of an officially appointed pathologist and an official death certificate in circumstances where those findings would constitute grounds for a homicide investigation in England and Wales.

I am aware of the case that she raises, and I know the honourable member has written to the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office about it and that officials are in touch with her constituent. There is no guidance on the specific circumstances she raises.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what recent assessment she has made of the potential impact of the activities of the Popular Mobilisation Forces in Iraq on regional security.

The UK has long been clear that the influence of armed militias operating outside effective state control remains one of Iraq's most pressing challenges, threatening both Iraq and the wider region's long-term stability. A stable and effective Iraqi state requires a monopoly on the legitimate use of force, exercised in accordance with the rule of law. Through our diplomatic engagement and programming, the UK supports efforts to strengthen accountable and capable state institutions, improve governance, reduce corruption and uphold due process, and we regularly engage with the Government of Iraq to urge further action to restrain militia activities.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what outcomes have resulted from the UK High Commission in Islamabad’s engagement with civil society and human rights defenders.

Our High Commission in Islamabad engages regularly with civil society organisations and human rights defenders to monitor risks and to inform UK advocacy and programming. This engagement has helped shape UK funded work that has, for example, delivered the first Child Labour Surveys in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Punjab in nearly two decades; provided technical support to strengthen child protection laws and policies, including the establishment of model Child Protection Units; and supported community level initiatives that improve access to services and justice for vulnerable groups. The High Commission has also supported efforts to advance media freedom, including UK backed advocacy that contributed to Pakistan's Protection of Journalists and Media Professionals Act (2021). We continue to use insights from this engagement to advocate for fundamental freedoms and due process for all Pakistan's citizens.

What assessment she has made of the potential impact of student loan debt on parents returning to education.

Borrowers will be liable to repay after leaving study once their earnings exceed the earnings threshold, paying 9% of income above that level. Unlike commercial loans, student loans carry significant protections for borrowers and student loan repayments are linked to income, rather than the amount borrowed or interest applied.If a borrower’s income drops below the repayment threshold, or they are not earning, their repayments will stop. Any outstanding loan including interest built up, is cancelled at the end of the loan term with no detriment to the borrower, and debt is never passed on to family members or descendants. This is a deliberate government investment in students and the economy.

What assessment she has made of the potential consequences for her policies of the Office for National Statistics' assessment of RPI as a measure of inflation.

The Office for National Statistics has undertaken a substantial programme of work over the past two years to enhance how inflation is measured and this will be carried over into student loans. The Office for Budget Responsibility has confirmed that from 2030, at the earliest, movements in RPI will be aligned with CPIH as viewed here: https://obr.uk/box/the-long-run-difference-between-rpi-and-cpi-inflation/.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, pursuant to the answer of 29 January 2026 to PQ 108008, what the outcome was of her Department’s engagement concerning religious minority political representation in Syria; and what initiatives she is supporting to promote inclusive governance and improved conditions for those communities.

In all of our engagement with the Syrian Government, we have been clear of the importance of ensuring a fair representation of Syria's diverse communities in positions of authority and consulting widely on planned next steps for Syria's transition. We believe that this is fundamental to re-building trust and supporting Syria's longer-term stability. The Foreign Secretary raised the importance of inclusive governance and the need for greater representation of all groups, including women, with the Syrian Foreign Minister al- Shaibani during his visit to London in November. I also recently met with members of the UK Kurdish community to discuss their views on the 30 January agreement and their hopes for the future.Since the recent escalation began, we have regularly engaged both the Syrian Government and the Syrian Democratic Forces and continue to press both sides to implement the 30 January agreement peacefully and in full, whilst also safeguarding humanitarian space and ensuring Kurdish participation in decision-making.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what assessment her Department has made of the potential implications for its policies of reports of the use of cryptocurrency exchanges by the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps via UK-based platforms.

As I said when this issue was raised in the Urgent Question debate on 19 January, we have a robust sanctions enforcement regime in place, and - while it would not be appropriate to comment on individual cases - we will continue to investigate and take action against any individuals and entities, including cryptocurrency exchanges, involved in any unlawful attempts to circumvent our sanctions regime.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether she has had recent discussions with her Syrian counterpart on the representation of Kurdish people in the Syrian Government.

The Foreign Secretary spoke to Foreign Minister al Shaibani on 20 January to urge the Syrian Government to uphold the ceasefire in North-East Syria, halt further violence, and protect Kurdish rights. We have consistently advocated for an inclusive political transition and underlined the importance of protecting the rights of all Syrians, including the Kurdish community, both publicly and as part of our engagement with the Syrian Government.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what recent information she has on the condition of Craig and Lindsay Foreman.

I refer the Hon Member to the answer given on 20 January to Question 106167. Last week, Minister Falconer met members of the Foreman family, and we continue to raise the case directly with the Iranian authorities.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what steps she is taking to support de-escalation between the Syrian transitional Government and the Syrian Democratic Forces.

The UK welcomes the announcement of a ceasefire in Aleppo between the Syrian Government and the Syrian Democratic Forces. We are concerned by reports of further violence. It is vital that all parties now focus on de-escalation, the protection of civilians, and a return to dialogue. We continue to engage with both sides, as well as regional and international partners, in support of the ceasefire and the resumption of negotiations to deliver a lasting political settlement.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, if she will summon the Israeli Ambassador to discuss recent reports of summary killings in the West Bank.

It is the long-standing policy of the UK Government not to set out the circumstances in which we would or would not summon a particular Ambassador, but we maintain a number of channels for raising concerns with the Israeli Government when necessary. On the wider issues raised, I refer the Hon Member to the statement made to the House by the Foreign Secretary on 18 November.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what discussions she has had with international counterparts on the effectiveness of the implementation of the peace plan in Gaza.

It is the long-standing policy of the UK Government not to set out the circumstances in which we would or would not summon a particular Ambassador, but we maintain a number of channels for raising concerns with the Israeli Government when necessary. On the wider issues raised, I refer the Hon Member to the statement made to the House by the Foreign Secretary on 18 November.

Communities and Local Government, what steps his Department is taking to protect leaseholders from significant service charge increases.

I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to Question UIN 89138 answered on 21 November 2025.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what discussions she has had with her Israeli counterparts on reinstating access to Gaza for foreign journalists.

I refer the Hon. Member to the answer provided on 8 December to Question 97062.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what discussions she has had with her Israeli counterparts on the dual-use categorisation of vaccination syringes and bottles of baby formula.

We continue to urge the Israeli authorities to lift all restrictions that are delaying the flow of humanitarian supplies into Gaza, including food, medical items, and shelter kits, and to enable safe, unrestricted access for the United Nations and other organisations seeking to deliver that humanitarian relief.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, if she will issue a response to Israel’s plans to introduce a mandatory death penalty for terrorism against Israel.

The UK Government's policy on the death penalty is clear: we oppose it in all circumstances, as a matter of principle.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, if she will issue a response to the UN Committee against Torture’s recent publication on Israel.

I refer the Hon Member to the answer provided on 6 August 2025 to Question 58600.

Whether her Department holds data on the number of neurologists with specialist training in Parkinson's disease.

While the Department does not hold data specifically on the number of Parkinson’s specialist staff in England, we do hold data on the number of doctors working in the wider specialty of neurology. As of August 2025, there were 2,010 full time equivalent (FTE) doctors working in the specialty of neurology. This includes 1,025 FTE consultant neurologists.These figures are based on NHS Digital’s workforce data and reflect staff employed by National Health Service trusts and other core NHS organisations in England. They do not include doctors working in private practice or outside NHS organisations.NHS England has published a service specification for specialised adult neurology services, which includes Parkinson’s disease as part of its scope. This specification sets out requirements for multidisciplinary care, including access to Parkinson’s disease nurse specialists, consultant neurologists, and allied health professionals.NHS England is also implementing initiatives such as the Neurology Transformation Programme and the Getting It Right First Time Programme for Neurology, which aim to improve access to specialist care, reduce variation, and develop integrated models of service delivery for conditions including Parkinson’s disease. These programmes align with the National Institute for Care Excellence guidance on Parkinson’s disease, reference code NG71, which recommends that people with Parkinson’s have regular access to specialist staff with expertise in the condition.

What estimate he has made of the cost to the public purse of providing the covid-19 vaccination to pensioners under 75; and how he made that estimate.

The Government is committed to protecting those most vulnerable to COVID-19 through vaccination, as guided by the independent Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI).Population immunity to COVID-19 has been increasing due to a combination of naturally acquired immunity following recovery from infection and vaccine-derived immunity. COVID-19 is now a relatively mild disease for most people, though it can still be unpleasant, with rates of hospitalisation and death from COVID-19 having reduced significantly since COVID-19 first emerged.The focus of the JCVI advised national programme has therefore moved towards targeted vaccination of those who continue to be at higher risk of serious disease, including mortality. In line with JCVI advice, in autumn 2025 a COVID-19 vaccination is being offered to:- adults aged 75 years old and over;- residents in care homes for older adults; and- individuals aged six months old and over who are immunosuppressed.The JCVI’s advice for COVID-19 for autumn 2025 was informed by a standard cost-effectiveness assessment, in line with other routine vaccinations in the national immunisation programme, and the JCVI Code of Practice. The JCVI operates within a framework similar to that used by the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence to support optimal use of health service resources.The JCVI’s advice for autumn 2025, including the rationale and approach to cost effectiveness, is available at the following link:https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/covid-19-vaccination-in-2025-and-spring-2026-jcvi-advice/jcvi-statement-on-covid-19-vaccination-in-2025-and-spring-2026

What steps his Department is taking to make treatment available to people with Irritable bowel syndrome.

We recognise the significant impact that irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) can have on a person’s quality of life. We want a society where every person, including those with one or more long-term conditions like IBS, receives high-quality, compassionate care.To support the early diagnosis and effective management of IBS, the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) has produced guidance, which is available at the following link:https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/cg61NICE has also produced guidance specifically on the use of faecal calprotectin tests as a way of diagnosing inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). This is a non-invasive, inexpensive method for assessing patients, which has a 90% sensitivity for distinguishing between IBD and IBS.The Royal College of General Practitioners has produced an e-learning module on the IBS pathway. The course covers the investigation of patients who present with lower gastrointestinal symptoms that are likely to be IBS, the red flags to look out for, how to make a confident diagnosis in primary care, and how to manage patients in line with NICE guidance.