Written questions by Morton.

Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment her Department has made of the impact of the extended producer responsibility scheme on (a) glass manufacturing and (b) the jobs it supports.

In autumn last year my department published an updated assessment of the impact of introducing the Extended Producer Responsibility for Packaging (pEPR) scheme on packaging producers as a whole when the regulations were laid in parliament. This does not include an assessment of the impact on specific materials or sectors however, my department has engaged extensively with the glass manufacturing sector to understand the impacts on them. This engagement will continue.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what (a) monitoring and (b) evaluation mechanisms are in place to measure the impact of UK-supported programmes under the Global Fund on mortality rates for (i) AIDS, (ii) tuberculosis and (iii) malaria.

I refer the Hon. Member to the answer she received on 3 November in response to Question 84226.

Pursuant to the Answer of 29 October 2025 to Question 83834, with reference to his Department’s decision to withdraw funding for Level 7 apprenticeships from January 2026, what evidence from Skills England informed the conclusion that there would be no significant or unavoidable fall in the supply of these skills; whether that evidence will be published.

The government's decision on defunding Level 7 apprenticeships, except for young apprentices under the age of 22, and those under 25 who are care leavers or have an Education, Health and Care Plan, including a summary of the evidence that informed that decision, is published here: Written Statements - Hansard - UK Parliament. This includes Skills England’s engagement with over 700 stakeholders including representatives from various sectors, employer representative bodies, and young people.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what consideration her Department has given to exploring new minilateral partnerships to deliver aid.

The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office keeps all aspects of its Official Development Assistance programmes under review to ensure the maximum impact on our objectives, in consultation with other government departments and a wide range of other stakeholders.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what coordination mechanisms exist between her Department, the Ministry of Defence and the Home Office to align aid spending with (a) defence, (b) resilience and (c) counter-malign influence objectives.

The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office keeps all aspects of its Official Development Assistance programmes under review to ensure the maximum impact on our objectives, in consultation with other government departments and a wide range of other stakeholders.

Pursuant to the Answer of 29 October 2025 to Question 83834, what discussions his Department has had with the Department of Health and Social Care on the potential impact on NHS workforce (a) recruitment and (b) retention; and how many (i) current and (ii) planned Level 7 nursing apprenticeships are expected to be affected by the withdrawal of funding.

The department continues to work closely with the Department for Health and Social Care (DHSC), to support apprenticeships and skills provision. The DHSC has confirmed that it will fund the ongoing provision of level 7 apprenticeships in five professions including Specialist community public health nurse, District nurse and Advanced clinical practitioner. The department continues to fund level 7 apprenticeships for young people under the age of 22, and those under 25 who are care leavers or have an Education, Health and Care Plan. The government completed an equality impact assessment ahead of making its decision on the changes to level 7 apprenticeship funding.

Pursuant to the Answer of 29 October 2025 to Question 83834, what assessment his Department has made of the (a) short and (b) medium term impact of this policy on the number of nurses in training between 2026 and 2030; whether an equality impact assessment has been undertaken.

The department continues to work closely with the Department for Health and Social Care (DHSC), to support apprenticeships and skills provision. The DHSC has confirmed that it will fund the ongoing provision of level 7 apprenticeships in five professions including Specialist community public health nurse, District nurse and Advanced clinical practitioner. The department continues to fund level 7 apprenticeships for young people under the age of 22, and those under 25 who are care leavers or have an Education, Health and Care Plan. The government completed an equality impact assessment ahead of making its decision on the changes to level 7 apprenticeship funding.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what recent assessment she has made of the potential impact of Official Development Assistance-funded programmes in countering (a) disinformation and (b) destabilisation efforts by hostile states in (i) general and (ii) the Western Balkans.

The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office keeps all aspects of its Official Development Assistance programmes under review to ensure the maximum impact on our objectives, in consultation with other government departments and a wide range of other stakeholders.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what steps she is taking to safeguard budgets for Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning within aid programmes.

I refer the Hon. Member to the answer she received on 6 May 2025 in response to Question 48105.

What discussions has she had with HM Treasury on reinstating funding for Aldridge train station.

Officials from the Department for Transport and HM Treasury have regular discussions on a range of transport issues. The designs are being funded by West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA) via its devolved City Region Sustainable Transport settlement fund.

What discussions she has had with the Mayor of the West Midlands on reinstating funding for Aldridge train station.

I refer the hon Member to the answer given to Question UIN 87314 on 11 November 2025.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what discussions she has had with (a) other donor countries and (b) the private sector on encouraging further pledges to the Global Fund.

I refer the Hon. Member to the answer she received on 3 November in response to Question 84226.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what plans she has to enable UK life-sciences (a) companies and (b) researchers to participate in the Global Fund’s efforts to tackle (i) AIDS, (ii) tuberculosis and (iii) malaria.

I refer the Hon. Member to the answer she received on 3 November in response to Question 84226.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, when the final pledging event for the Global Fund’s eighth replenishment will take place; and what the UK’s anticipated contribution is.

I refer the Hon. Member to the answer she received on 3 November in response to Question 84226.

To what extent (a) uranium fuel used at Sizewell B and (b) Britain’s nuclear energy supply chain relies on imports from (i) Rosatom and (ii) its subsidiaries; and what steps he is taking to ensure that sanctions placed on Rosatom are enforced in relation to UK nuclear power stations.

The procurement of nuclear fuel, including uranium and enrichment services, is a commercial matter for reactor operators. The Government works closely with these operators to ensure a secure and resilient supply for the UK fleet but does not routinely collect information relating to any fuel contracts held by UK operators. This information is commercially sensitive, and disclosure would be at the discretion of the operator.The Government is committed to removing Russian nuclear fuel from UK supply chains by the end of 2028. All current and future reactor operators must comply with UK legal obligations, including any sanctions or trade measures in place against Russia.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what discussions she has had with (a) her US counterpart and (b) other international partners on the future role of UNRWA in Gaza.

The UK supports the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) both politically and financially, recognising its vital role in delivering humanitarian aid and services in Gaza and the wider region, and the historic mandate it holds for the protection of refugee rights. The Foreign Secretary met with UNRWA Commissioner-General Philippe Lazzarini on 4 November where she emphasised UK support for the agency and the important role that UNRWA plays across the region. In line with the approach taken by most other Member States, the UK has conducted extensive due diligence and are satisfied that UNRWA adequately manage UK funds. We are working very closely with the US and other partners on supporting the transition from the ceasefire to phase two of the peace plan which includes ensuring the urgent and unrestricted flow of aid into Gaza.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what safeguards are in place to ensure that UK funding to (a) UNRWA and (b) other multilateral agencies is used (i) responsibly and (ii) effectively.

The UK supports the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) both politically and financially, recognising its vital role in delivering humanitarian aid and services in Gaza and the wider region, and the historic mandate it holds for the protection of refugee rights. The Foreign Secretary met with UNRWA Commissioner-General Philippe Lazzarini on 4 November where she emphasised UK support for the agency and the important role that UNRWA plays across the region. In line with the approach taken by most other Member States, the UK has conducted extensive due diligence and are satisfied that UNRWA adequately manage UK funds. We are working very closely with the US and other partners on supporting the transition from the ceasefire to phase two of the peace plan which includes ensuring the urgent and unrestricted flow of aid into Gaza.

Food and Rural Affairs, whether she has considered reforming the Habitat Regulations in as far as they relate to planning.

The Planning and Infrastructure Bill is nearing its final stages in Parliament. The Bill establishes a strategic alternative to the Habitats Regulations Assessment in certain circumstances, although the Regulations remain in place. These provisions will accelerate housing and infrastructure development while supporting the recovery of protected sites and species. The Government is working to improve the functioning of the Habitats Regulations,including acting on the recommendations of the Corry Review and the recent Post-Implementation Review. We will also publish updated guidance on the Habitats Regulations Assessment process. We want to ensure that the Habitats Regulations deliver certainty and efficiency for developers, while protecting our most valuable habitats and species.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, pursuant to the Answer of 24 July 2025 to Question 67377, what plans he has for the Ministerial Women Peace and Security National Action Plan (WPS NAP) steering board to meet as part of the process of refreshing the WPS NAP.

I refer the Hon Member to the answer she received on 21 July 2025 in response to Question 67376.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, pursuant to the Answer of 24 July 2025 to Question 67377, which (a) Departments and (b) civil servants are represented at the (i) the Cross-Whitehall Working Group and (ii) the Cross-Whitehall Deputy Director Shadow Board.

The quarterly Cross-Whitehall Working Group on Women, Peace and Security (WPS) is jointly chaired by the Foreign Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) and the Ministry of Defence (MOD), with the Home Office, the Ministry of Justice, Scottish Government and the Northern Ireland Executive also represented. The Cross-Whitehall Deputy Director Shadow Board includes senior officials from the same UK Government departments and devolved administrations.