Written questions by Gethins.

If his Department will make an assessment of the potential merits of providing unredacted access to the war records of ancestors of members of Polish forces who fought alongside the British Army in World War Two.

The Ministry of Defence (MOD) has no plans to provide unredacted access to the records of service of Polish military personnel who served alongside British Forces during World War Two. The MOD assesses the release of information on a case-by-case basis in response to requests processed in accordance with Freedom of Information and Data Protection legislation, subject to any exemptions that may apply, to protect third-party personal data and information that is either sensitive or confidential.

Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment his Department has made of the potential impact of Darwin Plus on maintaining the British Overseas Territories' environmental heritage.

Darwin Plus remains a funding programme that continues to improve outcomes for the unique biodiversity and environmental heritage of the UK Overseas Territories and we note the strong support for that continuation. Defra has confirmed funding for the continuation of existing projects throughout 2025/2026 and to support additional projects beginning this year. We have contacted all applicants shortlisted from our most recent funding rounds to discuss commencement of their individual project proposals and details of those successful projects will be published on the Darwin Plus website in due course.

Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment his Department has made of the potential merits of reinstating Darwin Plus.

Darwin Plus remains a funding programme that continues to improve outcomes for the unique biodiversity and environmental heritage of the UK Overseas Territories and we note the strong support for that continuation. Defra has confirmed funding for the continuation of existing projects throughout 2025/2026 and to support additional projects beginning this year. We have contacted all applicants shortlisted from our most recent funding rounds to discuss commencement of their individual project proposals and details of those successful projects will be published on the Darwin Plus website in due course.

With reference to her Department's White Paper entitled Restoring Control over the Immigration System, published on 12 May 2025, when she plans to publish further information on the expansion to the points-based system for immigration.

As part of our Plan for Change, this Government is taking decisive action to bring net migration down and restore control over the immigration system.In July we began implementing the first set of reforms outlined in the Immigration White Paper – Restoring Control over the Immigration System. These reforms represent a fundamental shift in the UK’s approach to immigration, focusing on higher skills, lower numbers and tighter controls. Our approach will end the UK’s reliance on overseas recruitment and ensure the system better supports investment in the domestic workforce.The July package of measures included:raising the skills threshold for Skilled Worker visas, removing 111 eligible occupationsclosing the social care worker visa route to overseas recruitment in response to widespread abuse and exploitationonly allowing time-limited access below degree level through a targeted immigration salary list and temporary shortage list, for critical roles only, with strict requirements for sectors to grow domestic skillscommissioning the Migration Advisory Committee (MAC) to conduct a review of the temporary shortage list including occupations, salaries and benefitsBy the end of this year, we will also:Begin uplifting language requirements across the immigration systemLaunch a consultation on the Earned Settled model, andMake statements on family migration reform.Over the course of this Parliament, we will continue to roll out additional measures to further strengthen our immigration system. Details of these will be announced in due course.

Communities and Local Government, with reference to the Answer of 2 April 2025 to Question 41875, when she plans to respond to correspondence from the hon. Member for Arbroath and Broughty Ferry of 31 January 2025.

I apologise for the delay in responding to your correspondence, I will respond as soon as possible.

What estimate her Department has made of the average wait time for callers to HMRC helplines; and what steps her Department is taking to reduce waiting times for callers to HMRC helplines.

HMRC publishes its call waiting times on GOV.UK https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/hmrc-quarterly-performance-updates Improving day-to-day performance is a key priority for HMRC. Last year, HMRC recruited and deployed additional customer service advisers. They are also investing in new technology which will significantly enhance the customer experience.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what discussions he has had with European counterparts on offering support to Bosnia and Herzegovina on the rule of law.

Following the appeal ruling by the Court of Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH) against Milorad Dodik, former President of Republika Srpska, we have worked with European and international counterparts to stress the importance of respect for the judgement and that all actors should uphold the rule of law. In July, the Foreign Secretary spoke with the EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy about safeguarding BiH's rule of law, and officials have regular coordination meetings with Quint counterparts. We will continue to work with our BiH and international partners to support local actors in upholding the rule of law.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what steps his Department is taking to support state-level institutions in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

The UK remains committed to the stability and constitutional order of Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH), including supporting its state institutions and the Office of the High Representative. On 17 June, the Foreign Secretary and I underlined that commitment to BiH Presidency Members Becirovic and Komsic. We continue to condemn secessionist actions by Milorad Dodik, former President of Republika Srpska, which undermine BiH's stability and state institutions. Our Official Development Assistance (ODA) programmes also support the country's state institutions to deliver their mandates. Our projects provide support to the judiciary and have worked to combat corruption and serious organised crime.I recently discussed the situation in BiH with the European External Action Service and regularly discuss our work to maintain peace and stability with Quint partners. We will host the Berlin Process this autumn.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what discussions he has had with European counterparts on export tariffs for the British Overseas Territories.

We recognise the impact tariffs have on the Overseas Territories exporting to the EU, particularly the Falkland Islands and Tristan da Cunha. These tariffs stem from the fact that the UK-EU Trade & Cooperation Agreement agreed by the previous UK government did not cover the Overseas Territories.We recognise the significant issue of these tariffs for the OTs and industry and continue to engage closely with the Overseas Territories on this and other issues to identify opportunities to improve their trading and business environment, not only with Europe but globally, including securing recent US Government agreement to reduce US tariffs on Falklands exports from a proposed 42 per cent to 10 per cent.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what discussions he has had with (a) EU, (b) Canadian and (c) US counterparts on the release of frozen Russian assets to Ukraine.

Russia must pay for the damage it has caused and is causing Ukraine. This is a matter that must be considered collectively, and we are working urgently with our partners across the G7 and European Union to consider all lawful avenues to make Russia pay. It would not be appropriate to give a running commentary; it's important that we preserve the ability to have candid conversations with our international partners.

What discussions she has had with her Belgian counterpart on releasing frozen Russian assets for use by Ukraine.

The Chancellor regularly speaks to her G7 and European counterparts to progress matters in the UK national interest. Supporting Ukraine and increasing economic pressure on Russia remains a priority. The Government is firmly committed to ensuring Russia pays for the damage it has caused, and is causing, in Ukraine. The UK, together with our G7 allies, has committed to keeping Russia’s sovereign assets immobilised in our respective jurisdictions until Russia pays for this damage.

What discussions she has had with her Canadian counterpart on releasing frozen Russian assets for use by Ukraine.

The Chancellor regularly speaks to her G7 and European counterparts to progress matters in the UK national interest. Supporting Ukraine and increasing economic pressure on Russia remains a priority. The Government is firmly committed to ensuring Russia pays for the damage it has caused, and is causing, in Ukraine. The UK, together with our G7 allies, has committed to keeping Russia’s sovereign assets immobilised in our respective jurisdictions until Russia pays for this damage.

Media and Sport, what representations she has made to her EU counterparts on ensuring that UK citizens enjoy the same access to (a) museums, (b) historical sites and (c) other visitor attractions as EU citizens do.

We would welcome moves by EU partners to promote greater access to their museums, especially considering the free access we provide to our national museums and galleries, but we are not members of the EU.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what discussions he has had with his US counterparts on the United States sanctioning of the Prosecutor and judges of the International Criminal Court.

The Foreign Secretary has had multiple discussions on sanctions on the International Criminal Count (ICC) with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio. Successive UK and US administrations have taken a different view on the ICC - for example, the UK are signatories to the Rome Statute, the US are not. We support the independence of the ICC, and do not support sanctioning individual Court officials. The Court must be permitted to do its work, exercising its jurisdiction in line with the Rome Statute, investigating allegations of the international crimes that fall within its remit, and following legal process. These measures will not diminish calls for an end to impunity for the most serious international crimes. We remain fully committed to that goal.

Media and Sport, what assessment her Department has made of the potential merits of introducing legislation protecting the operability of purchased video games.

The Government is aware of concerns relating to the operability of video games including the life-span of licensed, online-only video games. We appreciate the frustrations of players of some games that have been discontinued. The Government has responded to a petition on this issue.There are no plans to amend existing consumer law on disabling video games. Those selling games must comply with existing requirements in consumer law, including the Consumer Rights Act 2015 (CRA) and Consumer Protection from Unfair Trading Regulations 2008 (CPRs). We will continue to monitor this issue.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what assessment his Department has made of the potential implications for its policies of recent arrests of political leaders in Georgia.

I am deeply concerned by the recent, politically motivated, sentencing of prominent Georgian opposition leaders. On 23 June, I urged Georgian Dream to stop misusing the judiciary to silence opposition voices, and to release all political prisoners.The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) summoned the Georgian Chargé d'Affaires to formally register our concerns about Georgian Dream's unacceptable actions. On 1 July, I spoke with a number of European partners to discuss our collective concerns and, on 11 July, the Foreign Secretary issued a joint statement condemning the politically motivated detentions of opposition politicians.While Georgian Dream's actions negatively affect our bilateral relations, the UK remains a firm supporter of the Georgian people's Euro-Atlantic aspirations and stands ready to support a return to democratic norms and European values.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what discussions he has had with his Syrian counterpart on that country's recognition of (a) South Ossetia and (b) Abkhazia.

The Foreign Secretary has not discussed Syria's recognition of South Ossetia or Abkhazia with his counterpart.

Whether funding will be made available to devolved Governments under the Barnett formula from the NHS England Ten Year Plan.

The UK Government announced last month that the Scottish Government will receive an extra £9.1 billion in funding following the Chancellor's Spending Review. This includes £5.8 billion in health-related Barnett consequentials.Funding for devolved health services in Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland is determined independently through the Barnett formula. While the UK Government’s NHS England Ten Year Plan does not directly allocate funds to devolved Governments, the Barnett formula ensures that funding remains consistent with respective devolved budgets.The devolved Governments retain responsibility for the management and delivery of health services within their jurisdictions.

Media and Sport, when the Leader of Dundee City Council can expect to receive a response to his letter dated 14 November 2024.

Thank you to the Leader of the Council for the invitations in his letter, they will be responded to shortly. I apologise for the delay.

What estimate he has made of the potential impact of a reduction in spending on asylum would have on the Scottish Government's block grant.

Phase 2 of the Spending Review confirmed that devolved expenditure by the UK Government on Justice and Home Affairs will generate £451 million of additional Barnett funding for the Scottish Government over 2026/27-2029/30. The Spending Review set a three year envelope and guarantees that the block grant will be at least £52 billion by 2029, with an additional £9.1 billion in Barnett consequentials over that time period.