Written questions by Wilson.

What assessment he has made of the potential impact of a delay in the implementation of reforms to the UK Emissions Trading Scheme treatment of Sustainable Aviation Fuel on sustainable aviation fuel producers.

The UK ETS Authority is consulting on the future treatment of SAF in the UK ETS, with this work progressing as planned. The Government recognises the importance of a cohesive SAF policy landscape across both demand and supply sides of the UK SAF market, including for SAF producers. Any changes to the UK ETS treatment of SAF will take this, and consultation responses, into account. With the UK and EU in negotiations in pursuit of linking the UK ETS and EU ETS, the Authority will also need to consider any implications of ETS linking once negotiations have concluded.

Whether his Department plans to bring forward the timetable for recognising emissions reductions associated with Sustainable Aviation Fuel under the UK Emissions Trading Scheme.

The UK ETS already allows aircraft operators to recognise emissions reductions from eligible SAF when meeting their allowance surrender obligations, in line with existing legislative requirements, including the annual reporting deadline of 31 March. The UK ETS Authority is consulting on the future treatment of SAF in the UK ETS. Any changes would be informed by consultation responses and set out in a consultation response. With the UK and EU in negotiations in pursuit of linking the UK ETS and EU ETS, the Authority will also need to consider any implications of ETS linking once negotiations have concluded.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what recent assessment she has made of the potential impact of British Council programs in Northern Ireland on that country; and whether she plans to support the continuation of those programs.

The British Council plays a crucial role supporting the UK's interests around the world, including in Northern Ireland, supported by its work in education, arts and culture, and promoting the English language. The British Council is operationally independent from the UK Government.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of Cultural and Educational Programs on UK soft power in Ireland.

Awaiting answer.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of UK (a) bilateral and (b) multilateral assistance to Pakistan on (i) improvements in freedom of religion or belief and (ii) protection of minority communities.

The UK is committed to defending freedom of religion or belief for all in Pakistan, and we regularly raise the rights and safety of religious minorities with the Government of Pakistan at the highest levels. UK assistance to Pakistan is delivered through trusted partners, subject to due diligence and regularly reviewed; it supports work that promotes interfaith dialogue and tackles online hate speech, helping protect vulnerable minority communities. We will continue to urge Pakistan to guarantee the rights of all people in accordance with international standards.

Did the Northern Ireland Executive receive a Barnett consequential payment as a result of the £42.3 million top-up to the English apprenticeship budget for the year 2025/2026.

The Barnett formula was applied in the normal way to changes in the English apprenticeships budget at Main Estimates 2025/26 and at Budget 2025, and the resulting consequentials were added to the Northern Ireland Executive’s existing block grant.

What measures has his Department put in place to support UK firms supplying defence equipment to Ukraine to adopt rapid innovation cycles based on operational experience.

It has not proved possible to respond to the hon. Member in the time available before Prorogation.

What support his Department is providing to UK companies exporting defence technologies to Ukraine to help them leverage battlefield-tested innovations for wider international markets.

It has not proved possible to respond to the hon. Member in the time available before Prorogation.

Media and Sport, what discussions she has had with the Games Rating Authority on their proposals for monitoring compliance with the minimum age requirement for games featuring loot boxes.

The government engages with the Games Rating Authority (GRA), who are designated to ensure all games are appropriately rated using the Pan European Games Information (PEGI) age ratings. These ratings provide clear and detailed information on the content that can be found in a game such as violence, bad language, or the presence of paid random items (i.e. loot boxes). In partnership with the GRA and other European regulators, PEGI has recently reviewed how their age ratings can better protect young players. As a result, four new risk categories have been developed, one of which directly addresses loot boxes, setting a minimum age rating of 16 for games which contain them. The government supports the GRA’s strict enforcement of these new PEGI ratings, which come into force in June 2026. We will closely follow the implementation and expect that the new ratings will provide players, parents and video game developers with clear information on how loot boxes can be used in an age-appropriate way.

Media and Sport, what assessment she has made of the effectiveness of PEGI’s self-regulatory framework in enforcing age ratings for video games containing loot boxes.

The government engages with the Games Rating Authority (GRA), who are designated to ensure all games are appropriately rated using the Pan European Games Information (PEGI) age ratings. These ratings provide clear and detailed information on the content that can be found in a game such as violence, bad language, or the presence of paid random items (i.e. loot boxes). In partnership with the GRA and other European regulators, PEGI has recently reviewed how their age ratings can better protect young players. As a result, four new risk categories have been developed, one of which directly addresses loot boxes, setting a minimum age rating of 16 for games which contain them. The government supports the GRA’s strict enforcement of these new PEGI ratings, which come into force in June 2026. We will closely follow the implementation and expect that the new ratings will provide players, parents and video game developers with clear information on how loot boxes can be used in an age-appropriate way.

What steps his Department is taking with Cabinet colleagues to facilitate knowledge transfer from Ukraine’s battlefield innovation experience to UK-based defence SMEs.

Since 2024 the MOD has run seven defence trade missions to Ukraine in conjunction with the Trade Association ADS. These have facilitated engagement for UK business of all sizes, but with a particular focus on SMEs, with Ukrainian industry and government. We will continue our support for business and create an enduring presence for UK industry in Kyiv through the establishment of a UK Business Centre, while working to develop capabilities alongside the Ukrainian defence ecosystem.

What assessment she has made of the potential impact of not including refined products within the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism from January 2028.

The government recognises the role that refineries play in energy security and the UK’s industrial base. The Government published a call for evidence (https://www.gov.uk/government/calls-for-evidence/future-of-the-uk-downstream-oil-sector/future-of-the-uk-downstream-oil-sector-call-for-evidence) on the future of the fuel sector on 23rd February 2026 in order to help understand the current state of the refining sector. Following a strategic and technical assessment by HMG, it has been decided not to expand the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) to refined oil products in January 2028. We are continuing to work with the sector to assess the options and case for expanding CBAM to refined oil products at a later date.

Whether her Department has made an assessment of the potential impact of including refined products in the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism on the the level of economic growth.

The government recognises the role that refineries play in energy security and the UK’s industrial base. The Government published a call for evidence (https://www.gov.uk/government/calls-for-evidence/future-of-the-uk-downstream-oil-sector/future-of-the-uk-downstream-oil-sector-call-for-evidence) on the future of the fuel sector on 23rd February 2026 in order to help understand the current state of the refining sector. Following a strategic and technical assessment by HMG, it has been decided not to expand the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) to refined oil products in January 2028. We are continuing to work with the sector to assess the options and case for expanding CBAM to refined oil products at a later date.

Whether the Government plans to integrate lessons from operational innovation in Ukraine into UK defence procurement and research strategy.

One of the key lessons for the Ministry of Defence from the war in Ukraine is the importance of pace and technical innovation in procurement if our Armed Forces are to retain an edge over, and therefore deter, our adversaries. Ongoing reforms across the National Armaments Director (NAD) Group are putting these lessons into practice. For example, the new segmented approach to procurement tailors acquisition processes according to the type of capability, supplier and risk involved, speeding delivery. Similarly, the Accelerating Commercial Pathways and Commercial X programmes are reducing the time taken to complete commercial processes and get procurements on contract. With the creation of UK Defence Innovation (UKDI) we have put innovation at the centre of defence procurement. With a ring-fenced budget, UKDI will ensure we are able to quickly acquire the cutting-edge capabilities our Armed Forces need to keep pace with the evolving nature of warfare.

Food and Rural Affairs, whether she has identified any peatland site which has been demonstrated to be wildfire resilient because of rewetting alone.

There are a number of examples of peatland sites which have increased their wildfire resilience due to restoration across the country, including at The Roaches and Dove Stone in the Peak District. Rewetting peat takes time, and reducing burning is essential to allow sites the opportunity to recover. Peatland management varies across landscapes, but rewetting can significantly improve a site's resilience to wildfire. This resilience does not mean a site becomes fireproof; rather, rewetted peat is better able to resist ignition, limit the spread of fire, act as a fire break, and recover more quickly than dry or degraded peatlands.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what discussions she has had with her Malaysian counterpart on the protection and support of Rohingya refugees.

I refer the Rt Hon Member to the response provided on 10 February to Question 110802.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what representations she has made to her Pakistani counterpart on the denial of bail to Nadeem Masih; and what diplomatic steps she is taking to help tackle the impact of Pakistan’s blasphemy laws on freedom of religion or belief for religious minorities.

I refer the Hon Member to the answer given on 3 October to question 75585.

What assessment her Department has made of the potential impact of the building of the third runway at Heathrow on flights from non-London airports.

We are currently reviewing the Airports National Policy Statement (ANPS) and plan to consult on a revised ANPS in July 2026. The Department also plans to publish updated aviation passenger forecasts alongside the consultation. These forecasts will take account of the potential impact of the building of a third runway at Heathrow on flights from non-London airports. As part of the review of the ANPS, the Department is also considering domestic connectivity from Heathrow.

Innovation and Technology, what steps she is taking to phase out of the use of animals in science.

I refer the hon. Member to the answer given on 25th November 2025 to Question UIN 91769

What plans she has to review the adequacy of her Department's enforcement of section 2A of the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986.

The Home Office maintains a rigorous approach to enforcing Section 2A of the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986, which embeds the statutory principles of replacement, reduction and refinement (the 3Rs). All applications proposing the use of animals undergo a robust assessment to ensure that non-animal alternatives have been fully explored, that any animals use is fully justified and that potential harms are minimised. Compliance with the 3Rs is actively monitored through a programme of audit and follow-up enforcement activity.Animal Welfare and Ethical Review bodies (AWERBs) have an essential and statutory responsibility under ASPA in challenging the need for animal use and advising on the application of the 3Rs within establishments. The Home Office has commissioned the Animals in Science Committee for advice on enhancing the effectiveness and consistency of AWERBs across the system.In November 2025, the Government published “Replacing animals in science: a strategy to support the development, validation and uptake of alternative methods”. This strategy commits to delivery of recommendations published in the ‘Rawle Report’, which involve strengthening Home Office processes for assuring full implementation of the 3Rs. The report is available here: The role of review and regulatory approvals processes for animal research in supporting implementation of the 3Rs