Written questions by Morton.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what recent discussions he has had with (a) Israel, (b) the USA, (c) the UAE and (d) other countries in the region on the ceasefire agreement between Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territories.

As the Foreign Secretary said to the House on 20th March, we strongly oppose Israel's resumption of hostilities. We urgently want to see a return to a ceasefire. More bloodshed is in no-one's interest. Hamas must release all the hostages and negotiations must resume. We want Israel and Hamas to re-engage with negotiations, we continue to condemn Hamas, of course, for their actions on October 7th 2023, their refusal to release the hostages, and their ongoing threat to Israel, but we are also resolute in calling on Israel to abide by international law and to lift the unacceptable restrictions on aid and demand the protection of civilians. Since the renewed outbreak of hostilities, the Foreign Secretary has spoken to US Secretary of State Rubio, to EU High Representative Kallas, to UN Emergency Relief Coordinator Tom Fletcher and plans to speak to his Israeli counterpart Gideon Sa'ar and Palestinian Prime Minister Mustafa.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what steps he is taking to support the ceasefire agreement between Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territories.

As the Foreign Secretary said to the House on 20th March, we strongly oppose Israel's resumption of hostilities. We urgently want to see a return to a ceasefire. More bloodshed is in no-one's interest. Hamas must release all the hostages and negotiations must resume. We want Israel and Hamas to re-engage with negotiations, we continue to condemn Hamas, of course, for their actions on October 7th 2023, their refusal to release the hostages, and their ongoing threat to Israel, but we are also resolute in calling on Israel to abide by international law and to lift the unacceptable restrictions on aid and demand the protection of civilians. Since the renewed outbreak of hostilities, the Foreign Secretary has spoken to US Secretary of State Rubio, to EU High Representative Kallas, to UN Emergency Relief Coordinator Tom Fletcher and plans to speak to his Israeli counterpart Gideon Sa'ar and Palestinian Prime Minister Mustafa.

Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment his Department has made of the potential impact of the closure of the Sustainable Farming Incentive on the effectiveness of the Environmental Land Management scheme.

Defra has closed the Sustainable Farming Incentive (SFI) for the submission of new applications, but existing agreements will continue. We now have over 37,000 live SFI agreements. Every penny in all existing SFI agreements will be paid to farmers, and outstanding eligible applications that have been submitted will be processed. We will provide further details about the reformed SFI offer once the Spending Review has been completed.

How many Pension Credit applications her Department has processed in the latest period for which data is available.

On 27 February 2025 we published Pension Credit applications and award statistics. This publication provides application volumes up to 23 February 2025. Pension Credit Applications and Awards - February 2025. Please note, the figures presented are from DWP’s Pension Credit system which has previously been collected for internal departmental operations use only and has not been quality assured to Official Statistics publication standards.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what steps he is taking to ensure the UK's active involvement in discussions on the ceasefire agreement between Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territories.

As the Foreign Secretary said to the House on 20th March, we strongly oppose Israel's resumption of hostilities. We urgently want to see a return to a ceasefire. More bloodshed is in no-one's interest. Hamas must release all the hostages and negotiations must resume. We want Israel and Hamas to re-engage with negotiations, we continue to condemn Hamas, of course, for their actions on October 7th 2023, their refusal to release the hostages, and their ongoing threat to Israel, but we are also resolute in calling on Israel to abide by international law and to lift the unacceptable restrictions on aid and demand the protection of civilians. Since the renewed outbreak of hostilities, the Foreign Secretary has spoken to US Secretary of State Rubio, to EU High Representative Kallas, to UN Emergency Relief Coordinator Tom Fletcher and plans to speak to his Israeli counterpart Gideon Sa'ar and Palestinian Prime Minister Mustafa.

Food and Rural Affairs, what plans he has for participation at the 2025 UN Ocean Conference by (a) officials and (b) Ministers.

The third UN Ocean Conference (UNOC3), co-hosted by France and Costa Rica in June, will be at a critical time for the ocean and a stocktake of progress towards UN Sustainable Development Goal 14: Life Below Water. The UK is supportive of an action-orientated UNOC and looks forward to the event. Defra is leading on the planning for UK attendance at the Conference and is considering along with other relevant departments appropriate official-level attendance in line with UK priorities for UNOC. Formal invitations from the co-hosts have been shared and Defra is considering appropriate Ministerial attendance.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what discussions he has had with (a) Israel and (b) regional partners on the future governance of Gaza.

The Foreign Secretary welcomed the Arab initiative of a Recovery and Reconstruction Plan for Gaza, alongside Foreign Ministers of France, Germany and Italy on 8 March. Reconstruction efforts must be based upon a solid political and security framework that provides long-term peace and security for Israelis and Palestinians alike. We are committed to working with the Arab initiative, Palestinians and Israel, including on security and governance, and are engaging international partners to support these efforts. We are clear there can be no role for Hamas. The UK supports a central role for the Palestinian Authority.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what plans he has for participation at the World Summit for Social Development 2025 by (a) officials and (b) Ministers.

The UK recognises the significance of the second World Summit for Social Development (WSSD), marking 30 years since the first World Social Summit in Copenhagen in 1995 which set strong foundational principles on poverty eradication, full and productive employment, and equalities and social inclusion as interconnected priorities - with people at the centre. WSSD will be an important moment to reinvigorate and modernise the priorities set out in the Copenhagen Declaration and Programme of Action, aligning them to the United Nation's 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. Effective modern partnerships will be essential to deliver on commitments.As we are eight months away from the conference, we have not yet finalised the UK's delegation, at official and ministerial levels. The UK is committed to attending the World Summit for Social Development at senior levels, demonstrating UK commitment to key social development agendas.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what assessment he made of the potential impact of the reduction in Official Development Assistance funding on programmes in (a) Israel and the (b) Occupied Palestinian Territories in the 20525-26 financial year.

The Prime Minister made clear in the House on 25 February that this Government is proud of the UK's pioneering record on overseas development, and we will continue to play a key humanitarian role in Gaza. The reduction in Official Development Assistance will come into effect from 2027. This will provide time for planning and adapting plans to ensure the smoothest transition possible. We cannot yet confirm funding allocations for the region in financial year 2025-26 but continue to assess all overseas development assistance.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what plans he has for participation at the Financing for Development Conference 2025 by (a) officials and (b) Ministers.

The UK views the Fourth Financing for Development Conference (FfD4) as a pivotal moment to secure global consensus on a modernised development finance landscape that addresses the interlinked challenges our world is facing: be that climate change, stagnating growth, stalling poverty reduction, increasing vulnerability or rising conflict. Reforming the Global Financial System must be at the heart of our efforts.As we are three months away from the conference, we have not yet finalised the UK's delegation, at official and ministerial levels. The UK is committed to attending FfD4 at senior levels, demonstrating UK commitment to the financing for development agenda.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what steps he is taking to help support efforts to promote conflict prevention in (a) the United Nations and (b) other multilateral fora.

As the Prime Minister said in New York in September 2024, we must put new energy and creativity into conflict prevention, reverse the trend towards ever-greater violence, make the institutions of peace fit for purpose.The UK remains a steadfast supporter of United Nations' peacebuilding efforts, including as a top donor to the UN Peacebuilding Fund.We continue to support the UN's Complex Risk Analytics Fund, investing in better data and analysis to strengthen global risk foresight and enable earlier response.We will use this year's UN Peacebuilding Architecture Review to press for more systematic focus on early warning and conflict prevention across the UN system, encouraging national prevention approaches that are supported by affected communities, including women and youth.We promote conflict prevention across our engagement with multilateral fora, including the G7, G20, Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development, the African Union, and advocate for scaled up, targeted support in fragile settings from the World Bank and other international financial institutions.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what assessment he has made of the potential implications for his policies of the UN Secretary General’s UN80 Initiative.

In its 80th year, the need for an effective UN remains clear; however, the organization needs major reform if it is to meet the complex challenges of the future.The UK welcomes the UN Secretary-General's decision to launch a UN80 Task Force on reform, to ensure that the UN focuses once again on core tasks and maximum impact. If done right, a reformed UN will serve as a multiplier for UK interests and priorities, as we work to build a safer, more prosperous and equitable world. Therefore, we will encourage the Secretary-General's reform initiative to be as ambitious and far-reaching as possible.I was able to convey our support in person when I recently met with the Secretary General in Geneva.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what assessment he has made of the adequacy of access to (a) water and (b) sanitation in Sudan.

The conflict in Sudan is causing a nationwide humanitarian crisis - the most severe and largest globally with over 30 million people in need. Water access remains woefully inadequate in part due to the targeting of water supply infrastructure by armed actors. More than 17 million people now lack access to safe drinking water with 24 million people without access to adequate sanitation facilities. Combined these factors have contributed to a huge spike in cases of cholera and malnutrition among children. These conditions will only get worse as we approach the rainy season. This financial year (2024/25) we will provide £226.5 million in life-saving aid towards the crisis. As part of this, we support the United Nations Children's Fund, who conduct a wide range of water, sanitation and hygiene interventions across Sudan.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what steps he is taking with international partners to help ensure that UN Member States pay assessed contributions (a) in full and (b) on time.

The UK is proud of its longstanding support to the UN. We continue to show leadership and, together with partners, call on Member States to pay their Regular Budget contributions "in full and on time", as the UK has done consistently. We unambiguously assert this at all international meetings that include discussions on UN budgetary issues, particularly in the current UN liquidity crisis.The UK submitted its regular budget contribution of USD $137 million for 2025 "in full and on time"; the first permanent UN Security Council member to do so and 7th overall.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether he has had discussions with regional partners on the potential reconstruction of Gaza.

The Foreign Secretary welcomed the Arab initiative of a Recovery and Reconstruction Plan for Gaza, alongside Foreign Ministers of France, Germany and Italy on 8 March. Recovery and reconstruction efforts must be based upon a solid political and security framework that provides long term peace and security for both Israelis and Palestinians alike. We are committed to working with regional partners on the Arab initiative, and Palestinians and Israel. The UK is engaging with international partners to help cohere support for Palestinian-led recovery. We are funding technical expertise to support Palestinian Authority planning for Gaza's recovery and reconstruction.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of the Sudanese Government’s response to the findings of the report by the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification entitled Famine Review Committee: Sudan, published on 24 December 2025, on the effectiveness of (a) UK and (b) multilateral nutrition and food programmes operating in that country.

The findings from the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC)'s Sudan assessment makes clear the gravity of the humanitarian context across the country. The IPC's findings show the presence of famine in at least five areas of the country and projecting it could expand into at least ten areas by May 2025. The Sudanese authorities since the report's publication have consistently denied the existence of famine and have also announced its withdrawal from IPC-led analyses. The UK remains steadfast in its support to the people of Sudan. This financial year, we will provide £226.5 million in life-saving aid towards the crisis. As part of this, we are supporting the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) who are delivering lifesaving nutrition programmes to some of the most vulnerable children in Sudan as well as the World Food Programme who are delivering urgent food aid.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what steps he is taking to ensure that the UK supports (a) normalised relations and (b) peace between Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territories.

Since day one, this Government has been clear that we need to see an immediate ceasefire, the release of all hostages cruelly detained by Hamas, better protection of civilians, significantly more aid consistently entering Gaza, and a path to long-term peace and stability. The Foreign Secretary has visited Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territories three times since taking office and has pressed for a resolution, to secure a ceasefire and see the return of hostages.The UK has always been clear that an immediate ceasefire is just the first step towards a lasting solution to this crisis. All parties must re-engage with negotiations to get hostages out, surge aid, and secure a permanent end to this conflict. Diplomacy, not more bloodshed, is how we get security for Israelis and Palestinians. We must build confidence on all sides that helps sustain the ceasefire and move towards a lasting peace. That requires a political process, and a political horizon towards a two-state solution. Only that over time will ensure the long-term peace and security of both Palestinians and Israelis.

What estimate she has made of the cost of phasing out physical proof of immigration status documents.

The transition from physical immigration status documents to eVisas has been underway since the launch of the EU Settlement Scheme in 2018, with millions of people already receiving and using eVisas successfully.eVisas offer a more secure and convenient way to prove immigration status for those living, working, or studying in the UK.The implementation of eVisas has reduced the need for the Home Office to produce and maintain physical documents such as Biometric Residence Permits (BRPs) and has led to a consequent reduction in costs.The delivery of eVisas and carrier integration also results in a net reduction in the costs of acquiring and issuing vignettes and handling physical documents at Visa Application Centres (VACs). It also reduces costs to immigration status holders by removing the fees for replacing BRPs and the travel costs associated with travel to VACs.

What estimate she has made of the number of British Nationals Overseas who have had to obtain Electronic Travel Authorisation prior to travelling to the UK.

The Government has agreed to exempt British National (Overseas) passport holders from the need to obtain an ETA when visiting the UK. This exceptional exemption will be kept under review.Data on the number of BN(O) applications made prior to this exemption being instituted is unavailable.

What estimate she has made of the number of care workers on the Skilled Worker route who no longer have sponsorship due to sponsors (a) unable to offer sufficient work and (b) having lost sponsor licences.

Between July 2022 and December 2024, the government has revoked more than 470 sponsor licences in the care sector to clampdown on abuse and exploitation. More than 39,000 workers have been associated with these sponsors since October 2020.We are unable to provide an answer concerning lost sponsor licences as this information is not centrally held and could only be collected and verified for the purpose of answering this question at disproportionate cost.