Written questions by Eastwood.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what recent assessment he has made of whether the delivery of aid to Gaza compiles with the UNHCR's Humanitarian principles, as endorsed UN General Assembly resolutions 46/182 and 58/114; and whether he has made representations to his international counterparts that such aid is delivered only through (a) UN and (b) international humanitarian agencies.

As I told the House on 14 May, Israel's denial of aid is appalling. Israel must lift the block on aid entering Gaza now and enable the UN and all humanitarians to save lives. In our statement to the UN Security Council on 13 May, we made clear that the UK will not support any aid mechanism that seeks to deliver political or military objectives or puts vulnerable civilians at risk. Humanitarian partners such as the UN and humanitarian Non-Governmental Organisations must be allowed to operate in line with their principles. Baroness Chapman met with the United Nations Relief and Work Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) Commissioner-General Philippe Lazzarini on 12 May where she reiterated our support for the organisation and its critical role in delivering desperately needed aid and services to Palestinians.

If she will make an assessment of the potential merits of reducing VAT on beauty and hair salons.

VAT is the UK’s third largest tax. It is forecast to raise £180 billion in 2024/25, which funds public services. VAT is a broad-based tax on consumption, and the 20 per cent standard rate applies to most goods and services. Exceptions to the standard rate have always been limited and balanced against affordability considerations.

If she will make an assessment of the number of people who are currently in receipt of PIP who are likely to lose their entitlement under the proposals in the Health and Disability Green Paper, broken down by primary health condition.

No such assessment will be made. PIP is not based on primary medical condition diagnosis but on functional disability as the result of one or more conditions, and is awarded as a contribution to the additional costs which result.Information on the impacts of the Pathways to Work Green Paper has been published here ‘Pathways to Work: Reforming Benefits and Support to Get Britain Working Green Paper’.Impacts of the proposed changes depend on many factors including how the mix of conditions among claimants evolves over time, and behavioural responses. These impacts are uncertain at an overall England and Wales level, and it would not be possible to make an informed assessment at such a granular level as individual primary medical conditions.There will be no immediate changes. Our intention is these changes will start to come into effect from November 2026, subject to parliamentary approval. They will only apply at the next award review after November 2026. The average award review period is about three years. At the award review, claimants will be seen by a trained assessor or healthcare professional and assessed on individual needs and circumstances.We are consulting on how best to support those who are affected by the new eligibility changes, including how to make sure health and eligible care needs are met.

If she will make an assessment of the potential merits of reducing the rate of VAT applicable to beauty and hair salons.

VAT is the UK’s third largest tax. It is forecast to raise £180 billion in 2024/25, which funds public services. VAT is a broad-based tax on consumption, and the 20 per cent standard rate applies to most goods and services. Exceptions to the standard rate have always been limited and balanced against affordability considerations.

If she will make an estimate of the potential impact of her Department's proposals to freeze the Limited Capability for Work and Work-Related Activity element of Universal Credit until 2029-30 on disabled people.

Some information on the impacts of the Pathways to Work Green Paper has been published in the evidence pack, impacts analysis and equalities analysis at:[https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/pathways-to-work-reforming-benefits-and-support-to-get-britain-working-green-paper]The proposals have been carefully designed to protect the finances of severely disabled people. However, there will be no immediate changes. The rebalancing of Universal Credit (UC) is not coming into effect immediately. Our intention is these changes will start to come into effect from April 2026, subject to parliamentary approval.A further programme of analysis to support development of these proposals will be developed and undertaken in the coming months.

What steps her Department has taken with (a) disabled people and (b) disabled people’s organisations to develop the Health and Disability Green Paper; and what plans she has to work with disabled people to develop the (i) design and (ii) delivery of any proposed reforms.

Our Green Paper, “Pathways to Work: Reforming Benefits and Support to Get Britain Working” is an important staging post on a journey of reform, building on the vision and approach set out in the Get Britain Working White Paper in November 2024. It sets out our vision, strategy and proposals for change. Our conversations with disabled people and people with health conditions, as well as experts, have already shaped and informed this Green Paper. We are committed to continuing this dialogue and drawing on a wide range of insights and experiences to get these reforms right.The Pathways to Work consultation invites people to share their views on our proposals, and we hope that a wide range of voices will respond before it closes on the 30 June 2025. Our schedule of virtual and in-person public consultation events across the country will further facilitate input and help us to hear from disabled people and stakeholder organisations directly. Full details of how to respond to the consultation and join the events can be found on.gov.uk.We have also committed to the establishment of a panel to consult disabled people on our reforms, and of ‘collaboration committees’ to develop them further, both on design and delivery. These committees will involve bringing together groups of disabled people, representative organisations, and other experts for specific work areas to collaborate and provide discussion, challenge, and recommendations.

For what reason her Department's consultation on the Health and Disability Green Paper, published on 18 March 2025, does not include proposals to (a) abolish the Work Capability Assessment, (b) freeze the Universal Credit Limited Capability for Work and Work-Related Activity element and (c) make change to the PIP daily living component; and if she will (i) change that consultation to include those measures and (ii) extend the consultation period.

The Pathways to Work Green Paper set out our plans and proposals for reform to health and disability benefits and employment support. This includes urgently needed reforms to PIP eligibility and Universal Credit rates that are not subject to consultation but which Parliament will fully debate and vote on. The reforms are included in the Green Paper to provide the wider context. We are also scrapping the Work Capability Assessment to end the dysfunctional process which drives people into dependency – delivering on the Government’s commitment to reform or replace it. The details will be set out in a White Paper in autumn 2025, following the Green Paper consultation, which closes on 30 June. This will be followed by further primary legislation, which we expect to take forwards in the second session, subject to parliamentary approval. We will not be changing the scope of the consultation or extending the consultation period. The Green Paper does consult on many key elements of the reform package, including employment support and Access to Work, which are at the centre of our plans to improve the system for disabled people. We hope that a wide range of voices will respond to the consultation, and we are holding a programme of public consultation events across the country to help facilitate input. We are also developing other ways to facilitate the involvement of stakeholders and disabled people in our reforms. In addition to the consultation itself, we will establish ‘collaboration committees’ that bring groups of people together for specific work areas and our wider review of the PIP assessment will bring together a range of experts, stakeholders and people with lived experience.

What progress she has made on the publication of the Government’s conversion practices legislation.

Conversion practices are abuse. Such practices have no place in society and must be stopped.As outlined in the King’s Speech, this Government is committed to bringing forward a full, trans-inclusive ban on conversion practices.We continue to work cross government on this important issue with a view to publishing our draft Bill later this session.

What (a) mandatory and (b) voluntary registration processes are in place for businesses seeking to operate within the private security sector.

The Security Industry Authority (SIA) is a Home Office arm’s length body established by the Private Security Industry Act 2001 (PSIA) as the regulator of the private security industry. The SIA sets standards and licenses individuals seeking to perform certain licensable roles in private security. Licensing ensures individuals are appropriately trained, qualified, and vetted to ensure that they are ‘fit and proper’ to hold a licence.Businesses seeking to supply private security operatives under a contract for services must ensure all their partners, directors, managers and supervisors are licensed by the SIA, as well as any frontline staff who perform certain security roles specified in the Act (for example door supervisors and security guards).It is a criminal offence under s.3 of the PSIA for a person to engage in licensable conduct without a licence, and an offence under s.5 of that Act for a business to supply unlicensed security operatives to perform licensable activities.Businesses can also choose to sign up to the SIA’s voluntary quality assurance scheme, the Approved Contractor Scheme (ACS).

What support is available for businesses awaiting admission to the UK Internal Market Scheme.

The UK Internal Market Scheme (UKIMS) was launched in June 2023, allowing businesses across the United Kingdom to apply, and HMRC has successfully encouraged over 10,000 traders to get authorised. HMRC is required to take a decision regarding the outcome of a UKIMS application within 120 days. Applications are typically processed with an average turnaround time of 12 to 15 working days. HMRC must undertake a range of checks to verify eligibility for the scheme and, in certain cases, seek further information from businesses. More guidance can be found on gov.uk at: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/apply-for-authorisation-for-the-uk-internal-market-scheme-if-you-bring-goods-into-northern-irelandhttps://www.gov.uk/guidance/check-if-you-can-declare-goods-you-bring-into-northern-ireland-not-at-risk-of-moving-to-the-eu

What assessment she has made of the adequacy of the time taken to process business applications to join the UK Internal Market Scheme.

The UK Internal Market Scheme (UKIMS) was launched in June 2023, allowing businesses across the United Kingdom to apply, and HMRC has successfully encouraged over 10,000 traders to get authorised. HMRC is required to take a decision regarding the outcome of a UKIMS application within 120 days. Applications are typically processed with an average turnaround time of 12 to 15 working days. HMRC must undertake a range of checks to verify eligibility for the scheme and, in certain cases, seek further information from businesses. More guidance can be found on gov.uk at: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/apply-for-authorisation-for-the-uk-internal-market-scheme-if-you-bring-goods-into-northern-irelandhttps://www.gov.uk/guidance/check-if-you-can-declare-goods-you-bring-into-northern-ireland-not-at-risk-of-moving-to-the-eu

Whether she is taking steps to improve processing time for applications to join the UK Internal Market Scheme.

The UK Internal Market Scheme (UKIMS) was launched in June 2023, allowing businesses across the United Kingdom to apply, and HMRC has successfully encouraged over 10,000 traders to get authorised. HMRC is required to take a decision regarding the outcome of a UKIMS application within 120 days. Applications are typically processed with an average turnaround time of 12 to 15 working days. HMRC must undertake a range of checks to verify eligibility for the scheme and, in certain cases, seek further information from businesses. More guidance can be found on gov.uk at: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/apply-for-authorisation-for-the-uk-internal-market-scheme-if-you-bring-goods-into-northern-irelandhttps://www.gov.uk/guidance/check-if-you-can-declare-goods-you-bring-into-northern-ireland-not-at-risk-of-moving-to-the-eu

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, with reference to his Department's policy paper entitled Summary of the International Humanitarian Law (IHL) process, decision and the factors taken into account, published on 2 September 2024, and the Export Control Act 2002 and the Export Control Order 2008, if he will undertake a further review of whether Israel is complying with International Humanitarian Law.

Our International Humanitarian Law (IHL) assessments continue to assess Israel's compliance and commitment to IHL. Since the 2 September 2024 announcement, subsequent assessments continue to find possible breaches of IHL in the areas of humanitarian access and in the treatment of detainees. The suspension of export licences therefore remains in place.We are appalled by civilian casualties in Gaza and urgently call for an immediate return to a ceasefire. All parties must re-engage with negotiations to get hostages out, surge aid, and secure a permanent end to this conflict.

What his planned timeline is for the Government's response to the Hughes Report, published on 7 February 2024.

The Government is carefully considering the valuable work done by the Patient Safety Commissioner and the resulting Hughes Report, which set out options for redress for those harmed by valproate and pelvic mesh. This is a complex area of work, involving several Government departments, and it is important that we get this right. We will be providing an update to the Patient Safety Commissioner’s report at the earliest opportunity. Although the Hughes Report and its recommendations only cover patients harmed in England, the Government recognises that any response will likely have implications for the whole of the United Kingdom, and is therefore engaging with the devolved administrations on the Hughes Report.

What recent progress his Department has made in preparing Government's response to the Hughes Report, published on 7 February 2024.

The Government is carefully considering the valuable work done by the Patient Safety Commissioner and the resulting Hughes Report, which set out options for redress for those harmed by valproate and pelvic mesh. This is a complex area of work, involving several Government departments, and it is important that we get this right. We will be providing an update to the Patient Safety Commissioner’s report at the earliest opportunity. Although the Hughes Report and its recommendations only cover patients harmed in England, the Government recognises that any response will likely have implications for the whole of the United Kingdom, and is therefore engaging with the devolved administrations on the Hughes Report.

What consultation process has been followed with devolved nations in preparation for the Government's response to the Hughes Report, published on 7 February 2024.

The Government is carefully considering the valuable work done by the Patient Safety Commissioner and the resulting Hughes Report, which set out options for redress for those harmed by valproate and pelvic mesh. This is a complex area of work, involving several Government departments, and it is important that we get this right. We will be providing an update to the Patient Safety Commissioner’s report at the earliest opportunity. Although the Hughes Report and its recommendations only cover patients harmed in England, the Government recognises that any response will likely have implications for the whole of the United Kingdom, and is therefore engaging with the devolved administrations on the Hughes Report.

With reference to the Post Office Transformation Plan published on 13 November 2024; whether he has made an assessment of the potential merits of the recommendation to provide additional payments to postmasters in the 2025-26 financial year; and when he expects to conclude his assessment of the plan.

On 13 November, the Post Office Chair Nigel Railton announced a Transformation Plan, which aims to create a long-term sustainable future for Post Offices in communities all across the UK. Through the Transformation Plan, Post Office aims to deliver a "New Deal" for Postmasters, which includes increases to renumeration. The government welcomes both the ambition to put postmasters at the centre of the business, and in particular recent announcements about increases to remuneration, which historically have not kept up with inflation. We will continue to work with the Post Office on their plans including further payments to postmasters.

Innovation and Technology, what recent assessment he has made of the potential merits of raising the digital age of consent.

When Information Society Services, such as social media or live streaming sites, rely on consent to process children’s data, consent is only lawful in respect of children under the age of 13 when parental authority has been granted. The current age of consent was set by Parliament in the Data Protection Act 2018. We will continue to keep the evidence for and against change in this area under review.

Communities and Local Government, for what reasons the 2025-26 allocation of the UK Shared Prosperity Fund wasn't an open competition.

My officials meet regularly with representatives of the voluntary and community sector and local authorities through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund Northern Ireland Partnership Group, as well as officials from the Northern Ireland Executive Departments of Finance, Economy and Communities, to seek views and insight on funding allocation, local priorities and alignment with other provision and policies in Northern Ireland. I met with Northern Ireland Executive ministers to discuss the UK Shared Prosperity Fund, and with the Northern Ireland Partnership Group and project deliverers to hear first-hand the impact that the fund is having on people and communities across Northern Ireland. Taking account of partner feedback and to avoid a hiatus in delivery of support for people and businesses, my department determined the most appropriate approach to funding for 2025-26 was to invite continuation applications. This has avoided a significant delay in delivery that new funding competitions would have created. UK Shared Prosperity Fund project information for Northern Ireland is published on gov.uk. This will be updated for 2025-26 funding allocations following the conclusion of the selection process.

What plans he has to meet young people with cancer to discuss their experiences during Teenage and Young Adult Cancer Awareness Month in April 2025.

NHS England and other National Health Service organisations, nationally and locally, publish information on the signs and symptoms of many different types of cancer, including those that are most common in teenagers and young adults. Further information on cancer signs and symptoms is available on the NHS.UK website.The Department is committed to improving outcomes for teenagers and young adults with cancer. That’s why we have relaunched the Children and Young People Cancer Taskforce. The taskforce will explore opportunities for improvement in England, including detection and diagnosis, genomic testing and treatment, research and innovation, and patient experience. The taskforce will ensure that the unique needs of children and young people, including teenagers with cancer, are carefully considered as part of the National Cancer Plan for England, due to be published later this year.As part of this work, the Department is committed to directly engaging with patients and their families to discuss their experiences. We are working with taskforce members to assemble a Patient Experience Panel, made up of young people with lived experience of cancer and their families, which will feed directly into the work of the taskforce.