Written questions by Wilson.

Media and Sport, what assessment has been made of the effectiveness of current regulatory protections, such as age verification and advertising restrictions, in preventing gambling among young people.

All gambling operators in the UK must comply with robust advertising codes, which are enforced by the Advertising Standards Agency (ASA) independently of Government. These codes apply across all advertising platforms, including broadcast, online and social media. The codes are regularly reviewed and updated and include a wide range of provisions designed to protect children and vulnerable adults from harm. DCMS regularly engages with the ASA to discuss these changes and the impact of the regulations.In addition, all operators in the UK are required to comply with the Gambling Commission’s Licence Conditions and Codes of Practice, which includes new provisions relating to direct marketing and socially responsible promotions and bonuses. The impact of these measures will be assessed in due course.We are also working with colleagues across Government and other regulators to assess the effectiveness of age assurance tools on online platforms. We are considering a wide range of evidence to ensure children are best protected from gambling related harm.

Media and Sport, what assessment she has made of the effectiveness of current regulatory frameworks governing gambling advertising across broadcast, online, and social media platforms.

All gambling operators in the UK must comply with robust advertising codes, which are enforced by the Advertising Standards Agency (ASA) independently of Government. These codes apply across all advertising platforms, including broadcast, online and social media. The codes are regularly reviewed and updated and include a wide range of provisions designed to protect children and vulnerable adults from harm. DCMS regularly engages with the ASA to discuss these changes and the impact of the regulations.In addition, all operators in the UK are required to comply with the Gambling Commission’s Licence Conditions and Codes of Practice, which includes new provisions relating to direct marketing and socially responsible promotions and bonuses. The impact of these measures will be assessed in due course.We are also working with colleagues across Government and other regulators to assess the effectiveness of age assurance tools on online platforms. We are considering a wide range of evidence to ensure children are best protected from gambling related harm.

What steps he is taking to help ensure that the value of hydrogen and fuel cell exports reaches the target set out in the Industrial Strategy.

The Industrial Strategy Clean Energy Industries sector plan notes the export market for UK manufacturers across hydrogen technologies could range between £800 million and £2.2 billion to 2030. The government has committed targeted support to boost exports of hydrogen technologies by showcasing UK capabilities through our global network and increasing access to international supply chains.To support these opportunities, the UK's export credit agency, UK Export Finance aims to deliver £10bn in clean growth financing by 2029, alongside options to support overseas sales, including loan guarantees for foreign buyers, and working capital, insurance and bond support products to assist UK suppliers.

Whether his Department will assess the economic and environmental impacts of exporting aluminium scrap to non-EU countries.

The Department for Business and Trade will continue to work with stakeholders to understand the role of aluminium scrap exports in terms of our economic interests and environmental responsibilities. We plan to listen to the perspectives of all involved parties.

Food and Rural Affairs, if she will make an assessment of the potential impact of farmers and gamekeepers on fighting wildfires.

The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) are the lead Department for wildfire. I refer you to their response of 21 November 2025 to PQ UIN 90164.

When he will publish the Hydrogen Allocation Round 3 market engagement exercise.

We plan to publish our Market Engagement on the Third Hydrogen Allocation Round (HAR3), alongside the updated Hydrogen Strategy, in due course. This will seek feedback on the proposed design and delivery of HAR3 ahead of its intended launch in 2026, as set out in the Industrial Strategy.

To what extent the Critical Minerals Strategy will align with the EU’s Steel and Metals Action Plan.

While there are certain industrial metals in scope of the new Critical Minerals Strategy (such as aluminium), the strategy focuses on securing the critical minerals the UK needs rather than directly addressing the challenges of decarbonisation and trade in line with the EU Steel and Metals Action Plan. The Government is also bringing forward a Steel Strategy that will set a long-term vision for a revitalised and sustainable steel industry in the UK.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what assessment she has made of the potential implications for her policies of reports of increased prison restrictions for human rights activist Zhang Zhan; and what diplomatic steps she has taken with international partners to help ensure her release.

I refer the Hon Member to the answer provided on 20 October to Question 81324.

What steps he is taking to introduce monitoring and evaluation to determine the health and success of the UK hydrogen supply chain.

Developing domestic supply chains is a government priority, as demonstrated through our Industrial Strategy and comprehensive public financial institution offer which will provide direct support to UK hydrogen supply chains. DESNZ collects supply chain data through the Hydrogen Allocation Rounds and welcomes the industry’s voluntary 50% local content ambition. We are developing options to strengthen our approach to domestic supply chains in future allocation rounds and will be launching our HAR3 market engagement exercise setting out our proposals in due course.

What steps he is taking to increase the levels of UK content used in hydrogen production projects as part of the upcoming Hydrogen Allocation Round 3.

We welcome the industry-led voluntary ambition of 50% UK local content for hydrogen across the value chain from 2030. We will work with industry to introduce monitoring and evaluation to determine the health and success of the supply chain in relation to the existing industry voluntary content ambition, which could include exploring stronger incentives around reporting. We plan to publish a market engagement exercise setting out our proposals for HAR3 in due course.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what recent discussions she had with international counterparts concerning ongoing reports of (a) detention and (b) killing of the Falun Gong in China.

I refer the Hon Member to the answer provided on 9 April to Question 43452.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what assessment she has made of the potential implications of her policies of the recent murder of 20 people following an attack on a Christian-run hospital in North Kivu, Democratic Republic of Congo.

I refer the Hon Member to the answer he received on 24 November in response to Question 91327.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what assessment she has made of the potential implications for her policies of the attack on a Christian-run hospital in North Kivu in the Democratic Republic of Congo.

We condemn the horrifying attacks by Islamic State-affiliated Allied Democratic Forces (ADF) on Christian communities in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). Healthcare facilities, hospitals, and other humanitarian centres must never be targeted. We remind all parties of their obligations under international humanitarian law and stress that those responsible for human rights violations and abuses must be held accountable. We have raised the actions of the ADF repeatedly at the UN and have sanctioned them under the Sanctions and Anti-Money Laundering Act. UK Ministers and senior officials regularly raise the importance of protecting civilians with the Government of DRC. We continue to work through UN bodies and other multilateral fora to promote and protect these rights.

What steps she is taking with Cabinet colleagues to (a) support careers in the maritime sector for young people and (b) create (i) green jobs for existing workers and (ii) high-quality jobs in coastal communities.

The Department is committed to ensuring the UK maritime sector continues to provide high-quality careers at sea and on shore for young people in coastal areas. Officials continue to work with industry to ensure that the green skills training offer is relevant and accessible, and that high-quality jobs are available across the sector, including on shore and in our ports, to support its transition to decarbonisation and use of new technologies including automation. For example, through the Cadet Training and Modernisation Programme, DfT and the MCA have future-proofed seafarer training by including future ‘cleaner’ fuels into the cadet curriculum. DfT officials are also engaging across government to build on the role of ports as a foundational sector in the Industrial Strategy and will support work to build a jobs plan as part of its implementation.

What progress her Department has made on supporting the maritime sector to (a) decarbonise and (b) transition to clean fuels and technologies.

In March, the Department published the Maritime Decarbonisation Strategy, which sets a pathway to zero emissions for the domestic shipping sector and sets out the policies we will implement to support this transition. This strategy provides certainty and allows the sector to unlock the private investment required to transition to clean fuels and technologies. We are delivering on the commitments we set out to the maritime sector with the UK Emissions Trading Scheme expanding to maritime from next year, and we will be consulting on domestic fuel regulations which will limit the greenhouse gas intensity of maritime fuels. To further support transition to fuels and technologies, I announced a further £448m of R&D funding for UK SHORE which is accelerating maritime decarbonisation through targeted R&D investment, funding projects across the UK from demonstrations and commercial trials to scientific research and feasibility studies. Internationally, the UK will work with others to drive forward global maritime decarbonisation efforts and provide industry with the certainty it needs.

What steps her Department is taking to encourage investment in port infrastructure.

The UK’s ports sector is largely privately owned and operated, with the Government’s role primarily to ensure that the policy and regulatory environment supports investment. Ports policy is devolved, with the Department for Transport responsible for ports in England and Milford Haven in Wales. My Department is streamlining planning and regulatory processes for these ports, including by updating the National Policy Statement for Ports.The Government provides targeted support where there are clear public benefits, such as on decarbonisation. In September the Department announced a £448 million extension to the UK SHORE programme, the biggest ever Government investment in commercial maritime across the UK. In addition, my Department is working with the National Wealth Fund, which has committed at least £5.8 billion of its capital to five sectors, including UK ports.

Communities and Local Government, what assessment he has made of the role of (a) farmers and (b) gamekeepers in fighting wildfires.

The Government recognises the valuable role that farmers and gamekeepers can play in supporting the response to wildfires. Fire and Rescue Services lead the operational response to wildfires in England and work closely with land managers, including farmers and gamekeepers, to share information and coordinate activity where appropriate. The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) is working closely with the National Resilience Wildfire Advisor, the National Fire Chiefs Council (NFCC), Defra and land management bodies to strengthen local partnerships and collaboration.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what recent discussions she had had with international counterparts on the recent rise of violence against Christian communities in Hama, Syria.

I refer the Hon. Member to the answer given on 18 September to the question 74583.

Food and Rural Affairs, when her Department plans to respond to the letter sent by the Moorland Association on 4 July 2025 on concerns that her Department's restrictions on vegetation management are increasing the risk of wildfires.

The points this later raises on peatland management and wildfire have been discussed in subsequent correspondence and meetings with senior officials. The issues were also addressed in the government response to the consultation on amendments to the Heather and Grass etc Burning Regulations (England) 2021.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what recent discussions she has had with her international counterparts on reports of the (a) detention and (b) killing of the Falun Gong in China.

I refer the Hon Member to the answer provided on 9 April 2025 to Question 43452.