Written questions by Chamberlain.

How many in-person inspections were carried out by the Health and Safety Executive in Scotland in each of the last five years.

The table below shows the number of proactive inspections that the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has carried out for the last 6 years in Scotland. Six years has been provided, not 5, as the period requested includes the COVID 19 pandemic where additional COVID specific visits which were carried out as a response to that situation. For that reason, we have included the year 2019/2020 for pre-COVID context.Total Number of Proactive Inspections Undertaken by HSE since 1st April 2019 at sites in Scotland Government Office Region 2019/202020/212021/222022/232023/242024/25Total with COVID 19 inspections173220851566157013411444Total not including COVID 19 inspections17285591295156913411444k To note: The figures are based on raw live data and can be subject to change due to updates to historical cases. Therefore these figures may differ to the figures published in HSE’s Annual Reports.

How many in-person inspections were carried out by Gangmasters and Labour Abuse Authority officers on farms in Scotland in 2025.

The GLAA does not record ‘Complaints’ about licensed entities. Instead, it records ‘General Issues’ (referrals from members of the public, victims, workers, etc.) which may or may not be negative in nature.Since 1 January 2025, the GLAA has received 11 ‘General Issues’ referrals relating to Scottish farms.Since 1 January 2025, GLAA Officers have undertaken 16 in person inspection visits to farms in Scotland. These figures include compliance and enforcement inspections, as well as joint operations with other enforcement bodies.As of November 2025, the GLAA has a total headcount of 117, with 2 members of staff currently based in Scotland.The GLAA deploys members of staff from all over the UK to support operations wherever they are required. It is therefore not possible to provide an accurate breakdown of the number of staff who cover Scotland as part of their roles and responsibilities, as this will change depending on demand.

Department how many UK Visas and Immigration seasonal worker visa scheme compliance visits were conducted in a) England, b) Scotland and c) Wales in 2025.

UKVI does not produce published data on seasonal worker visa scheme compliance visits.

How many complaints were received by the Gangmasters and Labour Abuse Authority with reference to farms in Scotland in 2025.

The GLAA does not record ‘Complaints’ about licensed entities. Instead, it records ‘General Issues’ (referrals from members of the public, victims, workers, etc.) which may or may not be negative in nature.Since 1 January 2025, the GLAA has received 11 ‘General Issues’ referrals relating to Scottish farms.Since 1 January 2025, GLAA Officers have undertaken 16 in person inspection visits to farms in Scotland. These figures include compliance and enforcement inspections, as well as joint operations with other enforcement bodies.As of November 2025, the GLAA has a total headcount of 117, with 2 members of staff currently based in Scotland.The GLAA deploys members of staff from all over the UK to support operations wherever they are required. It is therefore not possible to provide an accurate breakdown of the number of staff who cover Scotland as part of their roles and responsibilities, as this will change depending on demand.

How many in-person inspections were carried out by the Employment Agencies Standards Inspectorate in Scotland in each of the last five years.

The Employment Agency Standards Inspectorate (EAS) has the budget for 35 members of staff.EAS currently have one member of staff that is based in Scotland, but all staff can be deployed across the whole of Great Britain as required.Based on EAS management information, the table below sets out the number of in person or online visits conducted at the time due to covid restrictions.Employment Agencies Standards Inspectorate – Scotland Inspections (Last Five Years)Financial YearNumber of Inspections2020/20210 (Covid restrictions)2021/202226 (Online inspections due to Covid restrictions)2022/2023292023/202402024/202555Total110

How many Health and Safety Executive inspection officials are based in (a) Scotland, (b) England and (c) Wales.

As the table below shows, as of 31 October 2025, the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) currently employs 899 full time equivalent (FTE) inspector staff in all grades and roles including trainees, managers and specialists with warrants. There are currently 666 FTE Band 3 and 4 inspectors who undertake the delivery of the operational division workplans. This includes inspections and investigations into reported incidents and concerns and where non-compliance with health and safety legislations is identified, the inspectors take regulatory action in accordance with HSE’s published Enforcement Policy Statement. Although HSE staff work across England, Scotland and Wales, these figures are based on the office location where the staff are employed. Job BandEnglandScotlandWalesTotalSCS91010Band 1253432Band 21532711191Band 34029642540Band 498199126Total68614666899

What is the total number of Employment Agencies Standards Inspectorate staff; and how many of these staff are a) based in Scotland and b) cover Scotland in their role responsibilities.

The Employment Agency Standards Inspectorate (EAS) has the budget for 35 members of staff.EAS currently have one member of staff that is based in Scotland, but all staff can be deployed across the whole of Great Britain as required.Based on EAS management information, the table below sets out the number of in person or online visits conducted at the time due to covid restrictions.Employment Agencies Standards Inspectorate – Scotland Inspections (Last Five Years)Financial YearNumber of Inspections2020/20210 (Covid restrictions)2021/202226 (Online inspections due to Covid restrictions)2022/2023292023/202402024/202555Total110

How many staff are employed by HMRC in national minimum wage enforcement in 2025-26; and how many of these staff are a) based in Scotland and b) cover Scotland in their role responsibilities.

As of September 2025, HMRC employed 442 people as part of its National Minimum Wage (NMW) Enforcement unit. Of these, 44 are based in Scotland. The NMW teams which are based in Edinburgh and East Kilbride are part of HMRC’s National NMW compliance function. These team’s work not only incorporates NMW compliance activity within Scotland, but it also covers activity across the UK. Some NMW compliance activity in Scotland is also undertaken by other UK based NMW teams.

What is the total number of Gangmasters and Labour Abuse Authority staff; and how many of these staff are a) based in Scotland and b) cover Scotland in their role responsibilities.

The GLAA does not record ‘Complaints’ about licensed entities. Instead, it records ‘General Issues’ (referrals from members of the public, victims, workers, etc.) which may or may not be negative in nature.Since 1 January 2025, the GLAA has received 11 ‘General Issues’ referrals relating to Scottish farms.Since 1 January 2025, GLAA Officers have undertaken 16 in person inspection visits to farms in Scotland. These figures include compliance and enforcement inspections, as well as joint operations with other enforcement bodies.As of November 2025, the GLAA has a total headcount of 117, with 2 members of staff currently based in Scotland.The GLAA deploys members of staff from all over the UK to support operations wherever they are required. It is therefore not possible to provide an accurate breakdown of the number of staff who cover Scotland as part of their roles and responsibilities, as this will change depending on demand.

With reference to the Government's Future of Post Office Green Paper, if a date has been set for the planned roundtable with Post Office and key banks on potentially expanding the banking services available at post offices.

The Government recognises the importance of access to cash and banking services for businesses and individuals, including those who may be in vulnerable groups or require assistance and is supportive of industry initiatives that improve access to these vital services. The Post Office plays a key role in supporting access to banking services. Under the Banking Framework, a commercial agreement between the Post Office and 30 banking firms, personal and business customers can withdraw and deposit cash, check their balance, pay bills and cash cheques at 11,500 Post Office branches across the UK. The specific services provided under the Framework are subject to commercial negotiations between individual banks and the Post Office, and the Government has no role in deciding what these arrangements are. The Government would welcome continued collaboration between Post Office and the banking sector, on a commercial basis and will look to host joint discussions with Post Office and the banking sector in the coming months.

Media and Sport, what discussions she has had with the Gambling Commission of the risk profile of charity lotteries, including the People's Postcode Lottery.

The department and the Gambling Commission have regular discussions covering gambling regulation, including society lotteries.

Media and Sport, what discussions she has had with the Gambling Commission on the society lotteries sales limit.

The department and the Gambling Commission have regular discussions covering gambling regulation, including society lotteries.

When was the most recent evacuation under the (a) Afghan Citizens Resettlement Scheme and (b) Afghan Relocations and Assistance Policy; and when are the next planned evacuations.

The UK made an ambitious and generous commitment to help at-risk people in Afghanistan and, so far, we have brought around 38,700. people to safety, including thousands of people eligible for our Afghan schemes.Afghanistan Resettlement Schemes operational data is published quarterly with the last publication on the 21 August 2025.Data on recent and planned resettlement is not available due to the operational nature of the schemes. For operational security reasons, we are unable to provide additional information on plans for future resettlement flights.The data published within: immigration system statistics release  (year ending June 2025, published 21 August 2025) provides a breakdown of arrivals by quarter. The number of individuals resettled under the schemes is as follows: 19,048 under ARAP. 10,160 individuals under ACRS Pathway 1, 1,406 individuals under ACRS Pathway 2 and 1,679 individuals under ACRS Pathway 3.Afghan Operational data is viewable at: Afghan Resettlement Programme: operational data - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)(opens in a new tab)

How many Afghans were evacuated from Pakistan under the (a) Afghan Citizens Resettlement Scheme and (b) Afghan Relocations and Assistance Policy each month from January 2025 to the latest month for which data is available.

The UK made an ambitious and generous commitment to help at-risk people in Afghanistan and, so far, we have brought around 38,700. people to safety, including thousands of people eligible for our Afghan schemes.Afghanistan Resettlement Schemes operational data is published quarterly with the last publication on the 21 August 2025.Data on recent and planned resettlement is not available due to the operational nature of the schemes. For operational security reasons, we are unable to provide additional information on plans for future resettlement flights.The data published within: immigration system statistics release  (year ending June 2025, published 21 August 2025) provides a breakdown of arrivals by quarter. The number of individuals resettled under the schemes is as follows: 19,048 under ARAP. 10,160 individuals under ACRS Pathway 1, 1,406 individuals under ACRS Pathway 2 and 1,679 individuals under ACRS Pathway 3.Afghan Operational data is viewable at: Afghan Resettlement Programme: operational data - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)(opens in a new tab)

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether ODA spending for Afghanistan will be ringfenced in the upcoming spending decisions.

I refer the Hon Member to the answer provided on 17 September to Question 70974.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what recent assessment she has made of the potential impact of reductions to Official Development Assistance spending on women and girls in Afghanistan.

With £151 million allocated this year, Afghanistan remains one of the UK’s largest bilateral aid programmes. We aim for women and girls to make up at least 50% of those reached, and continually assess programme effectiveness to support that goal. We regularly engage with a range of Afghans and partner organisations to inform and shape our policy and programmes.

Innovation and Technology, what steps her Department is taking to improve offline access to public services.

The Government wants to put digital inclusion at the heart of how we deliver better designed, time-saving public services, to ensure as many people as possible can access public services digitally. Our ambition is for everyone in the UK to have the access, skills, support and confidence to participate in our modern digital society, whatever their circumstances.Service Standard point 5. requires departments to consider the full range of users, including those who may lack confidence or digital skillsService Standard point 3. ensures that alternatives to digital access, such as telephone or face-to-face, are available and usable by allDigital public services provided by government departments are also subject to the Public Sector Bodies (Websites and Mobile Applications) (No. 2) Accessibility Regulations 2018. Under these regulations departments are obliged to provide reasonable adjustments, such as alternative channels for users who need additional support.

If she will place in the House of Commons Library all (a) reports, (b) reviews, (c) internal evaluation and (d) evidence gathered in relation to her Department's pilot of a 56-day move period from asylum accommodation for refugees with newly granted status to remain in the UK.

The Move-on evaluation report will be published as part of the Home Office Analysis and Insights (HOAI) Research Series subject to satisfactory peer review and Ministerial clearance. The House of Commons library and any member of the public can access all HOAI research reports which are published online here: Research at Home Office - Home Office - GOV.UK

What steps he is taking to support (a) whisky distilleries and (b) other energy intensive industries located outside the government designated clusters to decarbonise.

The Government will set out plans to support industrial decarbonisation in the Carbon Budget and Growth Delivery Plan in October and in its upcoming Industrial decarbonisation Strategy. This will draw on extensive engagement with industrial sectors, which has included representatives of the distilleries sector. The £6 million Local Industrial Decarbonisation Plans (LIDP) competition has funded 13 decarbonisation projects in local clusters, supporting dispersed industrial manufacturers not located in the UK’s largest existing industrial clusters to start their journey towards Net Zero. We are delivering on our Clean Power 2030 Mission to provide the electricity to help firms get off the rollercoaster of volatile fossil fuel prices. We are investing in the infrastructure and accelerating connections to help industrial firms across the country to electrify. And we have set our intention to design the first Hydrogen Transport and Storage Business Model allocation rounds to establish the UK’s first regional hydrogen network from 2031. Developing the first regional network is an important starting point and provides the foundations for future network expansion, including connections between regions or supporting demand further afield outside of clusters.

What steps his Department is taking to expand consumer-led flexibility solutions in rural constituencies to (a) reduce household energy bills and (b) improve grid efficiency.

Consumer-led flexibility (CLF) will help households reduce bills and improve grid efficiency in both urban and rural areas. The Clean Flexibility Roadmap sets out actions to unlock CLF across all regions, including through improved consumer engagement, smart tariffs, and support for technologies such as EV smart charging. Directly participating households can see immediate bill reductions. However all households will benefit from lower electricity system costs from a more flexible system that requires less generation and associated network infrastructure.