theodi/ndl-core-corpus huggingface dataset:
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Adam Jogee:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps she is taking to mitigate the impact of increases in rail fares on residents in (a) Newcastle-under-Lyme and (b) Staffordshire. \p Keir Mather: We have announced that regulated rail fares will be frozen, for a year from March 2026, for the first time in 30 years putting money back in the pockets of hardworking people. Passengers will benefit from savings on over a billion journeys with season tickets, peak return tickets on commuter routes, and off-peak return tickets on longer-distance routes all protected.
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Adam Jogee:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what the cost of an off peak return ticket between Stafford Railway Station and London Euston Railway Station was in each of the last 15 years. \p Keir Mather: The cost of an off-peak return ticket in each of the last 15 years between Stafford and London Euston was:

2010

£49.90

2011

£52.80

2012

£56.00

2013

£58.40

2014

£60.20

2015

£61.70

2016

£62.30

2017

£63.40

2018

£65.60

2019

£67.60

2020

£69.50

2021

£71.30

2022

£74.00

2023

£78.40

2024

£82.20

2025

£86.00
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Adam Jogee:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what the cost of an off peak return ticket between Crewe Railway Station and London Euston Railway Station was in each of the last 15 years. \p Keir Mather: The cost of an off-peak return ticket in each of the last 15 years between Crewe and London Euston was:

2010

£60.10

2011

£63.60

2012

£67.40

2013

£70.20

2014

£72.40

2015

£74.20

2016

£74.90

2017

£76.30

2018

£79.00

2019

£81.50

2020

£83.80

2021

£86.00

2022

£89.30

2023

£94.60

2024

£99.20

2025

£103.80
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Callum Anderson:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what the cost of a standard class annual rail season ticket from (a) Bletchley and (b) Milton Keynes to London Euston was in 2010. \p Keir Mather: The cost of an annual season ticket in 2010 between London and a) Bletchley was £3,316 and b) Milton Keynes was £3,832.
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Alison Taylor:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what assessment she has made of the potential merits of a rail link to Glasgow International Airport from Glasgow Central Station via Paisley Gilmour St. \p Keir Mather: Transport matters in Scotland are devolved to the Scottish Government. This would be a matter for Transport Scotland.
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Mr Richard Holden:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, pursuant to the Answer of 21 November 2025 to Question 90403 on the Electric Car Grant, if she will publish the internal impact assessment produced for the Electric Car Grant criteria. \p Keir Mather: The Government does not plan to publish the internal impact assessment for the Electric Car Grant. Officials continue to monitor the grant and assess its impact.
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Dr Roz Savage:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether her Department has considered introducing an automatic payment option for clean air zone charges nationwide, similar to the system operating in London; and whether she will review the level of penalty charges for late or non-payment to ensure they are proportionate. \p Keir Mather: Autopay, where a driver could register their vehicle with the service and payment is taken automatically when that vehicle enters a Clean Air Zone, was considered as part of the CAZ digital service user research and design phases. This is not an existing feature of GOV.UK Pay.

Autopay was not taken forward at the time because it would have added significant cost and complexity to the service and would have delayed the point at which the service (and therefore the first CAZs) could go live. Penalty Charges for late payment are a matter for local authorities.
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Mr Richard Holden:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, with reference to the Interim Settlement: Investment and Management of the Strategic Road Network from April 2025 to March 2026, what the estimated quantity is of life-expired steel barrier that will be replaced with concrete barrier as part of the delivery of 261 kilometres of vehicle restraint systems. \p Simon Lightwood: For the Interim Settlement period of 2025-2026, National Highways are currently forecasting to deliver 14 kilometres of concrete barrier replacing life-expired steel barrier.
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Mr Richard Holden:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, how many Departures from Standard have been granted to permit the replacement of life-expired steel barrier with further steel barrier in the last two years; and what the kilometre length is of steel barrier covered by those departures. \p Simon Lightwood: A total of four Departures from Standards have been granted to permit the replacement of life-expired steel barrier with further steel barrier in the last two years, covering a total length of 12.22km.
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Rachel Taylor:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether her Department holds data on the average price of train journeys for (a) Atherstone to London, (b) Atherstone to Nuneaton, (c) Atherstone to Tamworth, (d) Atherstone to Birmingham, (e) Coleshill to Birmingham, (f) Water Orton to Birmingham, (g) Birmingham International to Birmingham New St. (h) Bedworth to Coventry, (j) Bedworth to Nuneaton in (i) 2010 and (ii) 2024. \p Keir Mather: The Department does not hold this information. The Rail Delivery Group and individual train operating companies will hold this data.
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Jim McMahon:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what discussions have taken place with National Highways since July 2024 on the effectiveness of litter removal and general grounds maintenance of its assets. \p Simon Lightwood: The Department’s officials have held regular discussions with National Highways since July 2024 on these topics. These discussions have generally taken place as part of wider meetings on topics such as reviewing performance against National Highways’s agreed performance indicators (including on litter); planned improvements on the Strategic Road Network; research into driver littering behaviour; and plans to trial innovative interventions such as geofencing.
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Mr Richard Holden:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, how many kilometres of life-expired steel barrier have been replaced with concrete barrier on the Strategic Road Network in each of the last four years excluding upgrades delivered through the Smart Motorways Programme and the Smart Motorways Alliance; and what her projection is for steel-to-concrete barrier replacement outside the smart motorway programme in 2025–26. \p Simon Lightwood: Through its renewals programme, National Highways has delivered 52.6 kilometres of concrete barrier over the last four years and are projecting to deliver a further 14 kilometres of concrete barrier in 2025-26. This is excluding upgrades delivered through the Smart Motorways Programme and Smart Motorways Alliance.

A breakdown of National Highways’ delivery over the four-year period:

2021-22

2022-23

2023-24

2024-25

RIS2 Total

Concrete Barrier (KM)

3.1

9.8

13.6

26.1

52.6
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Jim McMahon:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether National Highways has included improvement works at Costco, Broadway, Oldham in its capital programme. \p Simon Lightwood: National Highways is considering the case for improvements to Junction 21 of the M60 as part of its proposed new National Programme of small scale enhancements to the strategic road network, for possible delivery in the third Road Investment Strategy period, covering 2026-2031.
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Jim McMahon:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what assessment she has made of trends in the level of surface flooding due to inadequate drainage on the M60 motorway. \p Simon Lightwood: National Highways’ data shows the number of reported flooding events have decreased on the M60 motorway in recent years. This follows targeted investigations by National Highways and the implementation of measures to reduce flooding risks.

National Highways undertakes regular inspections and maintenance to keep drainage systems functioning effectively. It has also delivered several improvement schemes on the M60 and plans to start further upgrades later this financial year.
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Sarah Champion:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether her Department has received completed Post Opening Project Evaluation (POPE) reports from National Highways since 2021. \p Simon Lightwood: National Highways publishes POPE reports once they have completed governance and assurance stages online at:

https://nationalhighways.co.uk/our-roads/post-opening-project-evaluation-pope-of-major-schemes/

We will provide an update on the publication of POPE reports the Department has received from National Highways in due course and I will ensure my honourable Friend is made aware when that happens.
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Helen Hayes:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps she is taking to investigate the use of defeat devices in diesel vehicles. \p Simon Lightwood: The Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency’s Market Surveillance Unit (MSU) is investigating cases of possible non-compliant diesel emissions in cars and vans. The investigations aim to ensure any non-compliance found is fixed as soon as reasonably possible, working together with manufacturers to achieve real-world impacts on air quality.

Where an investigation into the emissions has identified emissions that do not meet the required standard, the MSU will work with the manufacturer to implement improvement plans and, where necessary, recall affected vehicles.
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Sojan Joseph:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, pursuant to the Answer of 16 October 2025 to Question 81640 on Parking: Disability, whether her Department has had recent discussions with Kent County Council on its use of powers under Part IV of the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984 to mark out disabled parking bays. \p Simon Lightwood: Kent County Council, as the traffic authority for Kent, are wholly responsible for exercising their powers under Part IV of the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984. Whilst the Department does not typically intervene in local authority decision making on marking out disabled parking bays, it publishes guidance to local authorities to support them in carrying out their responsibilities. These can be found on GOV.UK.
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Andrew Rosindell:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what information her Department holds on the proportion of parking fines administered by local authorities that have been overturned in every year since 2010. \p Simon Lightwood: The Department for Transport does not hold this data. Local authorities publish some financial information relating to parking fines on their websites.

All local authorities have a statutory responsibility to provide appropriate traffic management schemes for their roads; therefore they are free to make their own decisions about the streets under their care, provided they take account of the relevant legislation. They are accountable to local people for their decisions and their performance.
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Jim McMahon:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, if the government has carried out a review of the effect of highway one way systems on congestion and pollution. \p Simon Lightwood: The Government has made no such assessment. Local authorities are responsible for the day to day management of their roads, including decisions on implementing traffic management measures such as one way systems. These are one measure available to them to consider but it is for them to consider if they are appropriate, taking into account local factors such as traffic flow and road layout.
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Matt Vickers:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps are being taken to improve transport accessibility for people with disabilities in smaller stations. \p Simon Lightwood: Whenever the rail industry installs, replaces or renews station infrastructure, this needs to comply with current accessibility standards. We have also continued to fund the Access for All programme, which has delivered more than 270 accessible routes at stations and smaller improvements at around 1500 stations, including many smaller and rural stations. We have also installed platform edge tactile paving at all stations across Britain, to aid visually impaired passengers.
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Alex Mayer:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what information her Department holds on the number of ticket sales for season tickets from (a) Leighton Buzzard to Euston, (b) Cambridge to Kings Cross, (c) Bath to Paddington, (d) Three Bridges to Victoria, and (e) Guildford to Waterloo in 2024-2025 financial year. \p Keir Mather: The number of season tickets is shown below:

Origin

Destination

Number Of Season Tickets

BATH SPA

LONDON TERMINALS (Paddington)

1,535

CAMBRIDGE

LONDON TERMINALS (Kings Cross)

13,026

GUILDFORD

LONDON TERMINALS (Waterloo)

26,655

LEIGHTON BUZZARD

LONDON TERMINALS (Euston)

25,914

THREE BRIDGES

LONDON TERMINALS

564

THREE BRIDGES

VICTORIA LONDON

1,397

Where London Terminals is listed as the destination, this is used rather than the mainline station as a destination. London Terminals is the London all terminals ticket, this gives the passenger flexible travel into London when multiple terminal options exist.
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James McMurdock:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what assessment she has made of whether road maintenance issues contribute to the pattern of road-traffic collisions in South Basildon and East Thurrock. \p Lilian Greenwood: The Department has not made an assessment of whether road maintenance issues contribute to the pattern of road-traffic collisions in South Basildon and East Thurrock.

This Government takes the condition of our country’s roads very seriously and is committed to supporting local authorities in maintaining and renewing the local highway network. At the Autumn Budget, the Chancellor announced that by 2029-30, the Government will commit over £2 billion annually for local authorities to repair and renew their roads and fix potholes – doubling funding since coming into office. This record level of funding is enough to fill millions of potholes each year, enabling the Government to exceed its commitment to fix an additional one million potholes per year.

Local highway authorities have a duty under Section 41 of the Highways Act 1980 to maintain the highways network in their area. The Act does not set out specific standards of maintenance, as it is for each individual local highway authority to assess which parts of its network need repair and what standards should be applied, based upon their local knowledge and circumstances.
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James Cartlidge:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether her Department plans to review its consultation process on Volumetric Concrete Mixers. \p Keir Mather: The Department has no plans to review its consultation process on Volumetric Concrete Mixers (VCMs).

The outcome of my department’s review into VCMs was published on 18 March 2025. This can be found at the following link:

https://www.gov.uk/government/calls-for-evidence/volumetric-concrete-mixers-review
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Mrs Sureena Brackenridge:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what information her Department holds on the cost of a standard class annual rail season ticket from Wolverhampton to Birmingham New Street in (a) 2010 and (b) 2024. \p Keir Mather: The Department does not hold information on the cost of these Annual Season tickets directly. Transport for West Midlands should be able to provide this.
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Jim McMahon:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what assessment her Department has made of the level of (a) heavy goods vehicle and (b) large goods vehicle driver vacancies; and what steps her Department is taking to help (i) train and (ii) retain drivers. \p Keir Mather: The Department for Transport publishes data on heavy goods vehicle (HGV) driver vacancies which is collected as part of the domestic road haulage survey, sent to businesses which operate an HGV. The data releases can be found at: https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/road-freight-statistics-2024/heavy-goods-vehicle-driver-vacancies-in-the-united-kingdom-2024

In addition, the Department meets regularly with the road haulage sector through the Freight Workforce Group and Road Freight Industry meetings to discuss industry concerns, including skills shortages.

The Government has confirmed £136 million for Skills Bootcamps in 2025-26 to support more than 40,000 learners, including in HGV driving. Skills Bootcamps are now funded through Mayoral Strategic Authorities and local areas directly, empowering local leaders with greater control over skills development. Local leaders are considering what occupations to prioritise.

The Government also continues to support the sector with skills training through the Urban Driver and Large Goods Vehicle (LGV) driver apprenticeships, and through Sector-based Work Academy Programmes (SWAPs) via Jobcentre Plus.
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James McMurdock:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what assessment she has made of the effect of reduced rural bus services on access to essential services, such as a) GP appointments, b) hospitals and c) educational facilities. \p Simon Lightwood: The Government knows that in rural areas, bus services can be a lifeline for many and can be the only means of accessing essential services, including healthcare and education, as well as other modes of public transportation such as rail links. The Government is taking action to help improve local bus services across the country and encourage greater integration between transport modes.

We have introduced the Bus Services Act 2025 to put the power over local bus services back into the hands of local leaders, including in rural areas. In addition, the Government has confirmed over £1 billion for the 2025 to 2026 financial year to support and improve bus services in England outside London. Essex County Council and Thurrock Council have been allocated £17.8 million and £2 million of this funding respectively, helping to improve bus services and connectivity across these areas.

The Government also intends to publish its integrated national transport strategy soon to set the long-term vision for domestic transport across England. It will focus on creating a transport network that works well for people, including those in rural areas.
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Mr Gregory Campbell:To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what recent discussions she has had with the Natural History Museum on taking steps to enable sales to customers living in Northern Ireland to take place. \p Ian Murray: My officials have been in talks with the Natural History Museum on this issue. The Museum hopes to resume sales to Northern Ireland during 2026.
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Bell Ribeiro-Addy:To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, whether her Department plans to take steps with museums and other institutions to repatriate African ancestral remains to their countries of origin. \p Ian Murray: Museums are independent of the government and so decisions related to their collections are for their trustees to make. However, DCMS has previously issued Guidance for the Care of Human Remains in Museums which encouraged museums to establish an advisory framework to assist in determining repatriation claims and provided a set of criteria which need to be taken into account in assessing claims. Museums publish their own policies under this guidance. We are considering how best to update the guidance, which is now 20 years old.

A number of museums, working in close partnership with the communities or countries of origin, have returned human remains to communities or countries in Africa, including the National Army Museum returning locks of hair of Emperor Tewodros II to Ethiopia, and Glasgow University’s Hunterian Museum recently returning ancestral remains of six people to South Africa.
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Bell Ribeiro-Addy:To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, with reference to the All Party-Parliamentary Group on Afrikan-Reparations's report entitled Laying Ancestors to Rest, published in March 2025, what assessment her Department has made of the potential merits of reviewing the Human Tissue Act 2004 to require the repatriation of human remains over 100 years old. \p Ian Murray: Museums are independent of the government and are responsible for decisions relating to the care and management of their collections, including the return of human remains, therefore no such assessment has been undertaken.

However, DCMS has previously issued Guidance for the Care of Human Remains in Museums which encouraged museums to establish an advisory framework to assist in determining repatriation claims and provided a set of criteria which need to be taken into account in assessing claims. Individual museums publish policies on their approach. We are considering how best to update the guidance, which is now 20 years old.

A number of museums, including the Natural History Museum, the Horniman Museum, and the Pitt Rivers Museum, working in close partnership with the communities or countries of origin, have returned human remains.

Separately, the Museums Minister met this month with DHSC to discuss broader issues of human remains including those relating to the Human Tissue Act 2004.
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Bell Ribeiro-Addy:To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, with reference to the All Party-Parliamentary Group on Afrikan-Reparations's report entitled Laying Ancestors to Rest, published in March 2025, what assessment her Department has made of the potential merits of banning the (a) sale and (b) public display in UK institutions of African ancestral remains. \p Ian Murray: The Government is aware of the issues this report raises and, whilst no such assessments have been made, The Museums Minister met separately recently with DHSC to discuss options on the sale of human remains following the Minister for Museums, Heritage and Gambling’s commitment in a Lords debate in March.

Under the current framework it is for businesses to decide whether to prohibit sales of human remains, while taking into account provisions in the Human Tissue Act 2004 and their own professional standards. We would however expect those involved to consider the ethical implications of this activity. All human remains should be treated with respect and dignity.

DCMS issued Guidance for the Care of Human Remains in Museums in 2005 which covers the curation, care and display of human remains in museums. We are considering how best to update the guidance, which is now 20 years old.

Museums are independent of the government and are responsible for decisions relating to the care and management of their collections, including the display of human remains, and publish policies on their approach, based on the legal and ethical framework set out in the DCMS guidance.
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Bell Ribeiro-Addy:To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, whether her Department had held discussions with museums and other cultural institutions on the potential merits of engaging with communities on colonial-era acquisitions and the transatlantic slave trade. \p Ian Murray: Museums in the UK are independent from the government and so decisions on engaging with communities are operational matters for them and their trustees to decide.

The Department is in regular contact with our 15 sponsored museums, and as part of this has from time to time had discussions on these issues. The Horniman Museum informed us that it had consulted local communities regarding the Benin Bronzes in its collection, before reaching a decision to transfer legal title to the objects to the Nigerian National Commission for Museums and Monuments.

The Department is working closely with National Museums Liverpool on the development and refurbishment of the International Slavery Museum (ISM), which is being co-produced working closely with Liverpool’s communities, and will include a space for a new National Centre for Teaching Black History.
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Rachel Taylor:To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, whether the government is considering a bid to host the 2035 Ryder Cup when it returns to Europe. \p Stephanie Peacock: The Government remains committed to delivering major international sporting events with pride - building upon the UK’s global reputation for excellence in event delivery - and seeking new opportunities to do so. We prioritise support for events based on a range of criteria, which includes how far they help create social and economic benefits for the UK and contribute towards the Government's Plan for Change.

The UK has secured a strong pipeline of events over the coming years, including the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games, 2026 European Athletics Championships in Birmingham, the Grand Départ for the Tour De France and the Tour de France Femmes in 2027 and the UEFA European Championships in 2028.

We continue to work closely with our expert arm’s-length body UK Sport to identify opportunities that will strengthen the UK’s major events pipeline and will monitor developments regarding future host venues for the Ryder Cup.
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Alex Brewer:To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what steps her Department is taking to ensure that students from low socio-economic backgrounds, in rural areas, have access to funds for extra curricular activities. \p Stephanie Peacock: My department has been co-producing a new National Youth Strategy with young people from all backgrounds, including those in rural areas from low socio-economic backgrounds, and we are committed to giving all young people the chance to reach their full potential The Strategy will support better coordination of youth services across different regions, including rural areas and move away from one-size-fits-all approaches. This includes enhancing access to high-quality enrichment opportunities through an enrichment expansion programme, which will invest £22.5 million across 3 years to support up to 400 schools to provide a youth-voice led and tailored extracurricular enrichment offer.

By doing so we are providing a voice for all young people and their communities to help rebuild the youth and extra-curricular provision throughout the country.
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Mr Angus MacDonald:To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what discussions she has had with Ofcom on the regulatory handling of broadcasters with potential links to proscribed organisations. \p Ian Murray: Ofcom, by law, carries out its duties independently of the Government. Ofcom has an ongoing duty, under the Broadcasting Acts 1990 and 1996, to be satisfied that any person holding a broadcasting licence is, and remains, fit and proper to hold those licences. Ofcom can revoke a licence if it ceases to be satisfied that this is the case. In making a fit and proper assessment, Ofcom can consider all relevant circumstances, including the broadcaster’s own conduct, and the behaviour of people who exercise material influence or control over the broadcaster. This could include criminal behaviour or links to proscribed organisations.
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Dr Rosena Allin-Khan:To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, whether she has held discussions with the Competition and Markets Authority on the implications for UK consumers of further consolidation in the global streaming and entertainment market. \p Ian Murray: In our Creative Industries Sector Plan DCMS set out how the TV market is transforming, including where the convergence of broadcast, on-demand and video sharing markets is leading to greater consolidation as broadcasters and streaming services seek economies of scale and other strategic advantages. That is why we have committed to supporting our domestic TV companies, including our public service media, to ensure UK viewers continue to benefit from a wide range of high quality original programming. We will also ask the Competition and Markets Authority, working with Ofcom, to set out how changes in the sector could be taken into account as part of any future assessment of the television and advertising markets.
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Nick Timothy:To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, whether her Department has contingency funds to meet the legal liabilities of the BBC. \p Ian Murray: This is a matter for the BBC, whose lawyers are now dealing with the issue. The BBC is independent of the UK government and so it is a matter for them and the US President.
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Jim McMahon:To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, if she will hold discussions with the BBC on levels of remuneration of working class employees. \p Ian Murray: The BBC is operationally and editorially independent of the Government. Employee remuneration is therefore a matter for the BBC, and the individuals themselves.

The BBC’s Framework Agreement sets targets for the make-up of its workforce by the end of the current Charter. This includes a target for 25% of the workforce to be from low socio-economic groups. In its Annual Report the BBC reports on its performance against this target, as well as its pay gaps, including the socio-economic pay gap.

As part of the next Charter Review, the Government will engage with the BBC and others to consider how to ensure the BBC thrives well into the next decade and beyond. This will include discussions between the Culture Secretary and the BBC on a range of important issues.
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Vikki Slade:To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, whether she plans to remove the Television Licence exemption for people over 75 years old and in receipt of pension credit. \p Ian Murray: To ensure the BBC is on a stable financial footing, the Government has committed to the current licence fee model for the remainder of the current Charter period. Currently, TV licence concessions are available to people who are registered blind or severely sight impaired, people over-75 and in receipt of pension credit, and people living in qualifying residential care who are disabled or over 60 years old. The BBC, rather than the Government, is responsible for the concession for over-75s in receipt of pension credit.

Looking further ahead, the Secretary of State has been clear that the BBC must be funded by a model that is sustainable and fair to all those that are paying it. The Government is keeping an open mind about the future of the licence fee, and the forthcoming Charter Review is a key opportunity to set the BBC up for success long into the future.
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Helen Hayes:To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, when her Department will confirm the areas who will be an early adopter for Young Futures Hubs. \p Stephanie Peacock: The eight Young Futures Hubs early adopter Local Authority areas will be announced shortly.
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Bell Ribeiro-Addy:To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what steps her Department is taking to provide financial or technical assistance to nations affected by climate change. \p Stephen Doughty: The UK is a leading player in global efforts to support indigenous communities, and tackle climate change and nature loss, including contributing £40 million to help operationalise the Fund for responding to Loss and Damage in 2025. Our International Climate Finance has helped 137 million people adapt to the effects of climate change, provided 89 million people with improved access to clean energy, and helped to mobilise billions in private investment.

We also continue to support initiatives which strengthen climate resilience in small island developing states (SIDS). This includes the Commonwealth Climate Finance Access Hub and Commonwealth Investment Network. These initiatives were discussed at the 2025 Commonwealth Trade Ministers Meeting on 25 November.

On proposals for reparations, I refer the Hon Member to the response provided on 10 March 2025 to Question 32987.
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Kevin Hollinrake:To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what recent progress his Department has made on the proposed (a) Embassy and (b) residence redevelopment in Beijing, and whether formal state consents are still needed. \p Seema Malhotra: I refer the Hon. Member to the response to Question 22931 on 16 January.
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Adam Jogee:To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether she has had discussions with her counterparts in sub-Saharan Southern Africa on economic growth. \p Seema Malhotra: The promotion of economic growth, investment and trade is a key priority for the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office and forms a regular and essential part of our engagement with counterparts across the world, including in Europe, sub-Saharan Africa, Australia and Canada.
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Kevin Hollinrake:To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, with reference to Question 347 to 349 of Foreign Affairs Committee, Oral evidence: Work of the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, HC 385, 3 November 2025,  if he will place (a) a readout and (b) the minutes of the discussions between the Permanent Under-Secretary and the Chinese Government on the proposed Chinese Embassy in London in the Library. \p Seema Malhotra: The planning application has been called in by the Secretary of State for the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) who will make this decision independently in a quasi-judicial capacity. Consistent with long-standing policy, the Government does not routinely publish details of meetings between officials and external organisations.
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John Glen:To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what recent discussions she has had with her Indian counterpart on reports of recent forced burning of Bibles in the Rohtak State of Haryana. \p Seema Malhotra: I refer the Rt Hon. Member to the answer provided on 27 October in response to Question 83419.
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Andrew Rosindell:To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what steps the Government is taking to coordinate with allies, including Japan and the United States, to uphold peace and security in the Taiwan Strait. \p Seema Malhotra: The UK's longstanding position on Taiwan has not changed. The UK has a clear interest in peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait and considers the Taiwan issue one to be settled by people on both sides of the Strait through constructive dialogue, without the threat or use of force or coercion in any context. We support all actions to de-escalate tensions that are not conducive to peace and stability.
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Bob Blackman:To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what recent discussions she has had with her Bangladeshi counterpart on the recent Islamist rally to declare the Ahmadiyya community as non-Muslim; and what diplomatic steps she is taking with international counterparts to ensure the protection of that community. \p Seema Malhotra: I refer the Hon. Member to the answer provided on 10 November in response to Question 87224.
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Jim Shannon:To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what recent discussions she has had with international partners on the violent crackdown on protestors in Nepal. \p Seema Malhotra: The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office has consistently expressed the UK Government's support for democracy and fundamental freedoms in Nepal. In response to the violence and restrictions on peaceful protest that occurred in September, the UK joined international partners (Australia, Finland, France, Germany, Japan, Norway, the Republic of Korea, Switzerland, and the United States of America) in issuing a statement on 8 September, reaffirming our strong support for the right to peaceful assembly and freedom of expression and urging all parties to exercise restraint. Our Ambassador in Kathmandu has also reiterated the UK's commitment to democratic principles, the rule of law, and the protection of free speech and peaceful assembly.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-12-01)

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Brendan O'Hara:To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what recent discussions she has had with her Vietnamese counterpart on the recent imprisonment of Kim Som Rinh, Thach Nga and Thach Xuan Dong; and what diplomatic steps she is taking to help ensure their release. \p Seema Malhotra: The Foreign Secretary raised human rights including freedom of religion and belief with Foreign Minister Le Hoai Trung on 30 October, building on my own discussions with the Vice Foreign Minister on 13 October. Our new UK-Vietnam Comprehensive Strategic Partnership reaffirms our shared commitment to continue sincere, frank and constructive dialogue on human rights issues, including through the UN Human Rights Council and Universal Periodic Reviews. The UK will continue to raise specific cases of concern including through the work of the UK envoy on Freedom of Religion and Belief, David Smith MP.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-12-01)

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Wendy Morton:To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what steps she is taking to prevent sanctions evasion by Russia through third countries, including through shadow fleet vessels and international financial networks. \p Stephen Doughty: I refer the Hon Member to the statement on Ukraine made to the House by the Foreign Secretary on 15 October, where she set out in detail the UK's approach on these issues. We will provide further updates to the House in due course.
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Carla Lockhart:To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what recent discussions her Department has had with her Azerbaijani counterpart on reports of harassment of religious leaders, including instances of torture and sexual assault; and what steps she is taking to promote religious freedom in the country. \p Stephen Doughty: The UK is committed to standing up for Freedom of Religion or Belief (FoRB) globally. No one should live in fear because of what they do or do not believe in. We will work to uphold the right to FoRB through our position at the UN, G7 and other multilateral fora and in our bilateral work. We regularly raise human rights obligations and commitments with the Azerbaijani authorities.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-12-01)

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Wendy Morton:To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, how sanctions against Russia applied under UK human rights, chemical weapons, cyber and hybrid threat regimes complement the UK’s broader Russia sanctions framework. \p Stephen Doughty: Extensive guidance on all aspects of the UK's sanctions regime against Russia can be found on GOV.UK at the link below: https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/uk-sanctions-on-russia.
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James Wild:To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, with reference to the oral answer of 20 November 2025, Official Report, column 851, whether she will make it her policy to summon the Russian Ambassador if lasers are directed at RAF pilots by Russian vessels. \p Stephen Doughty: It is the long-standing policy of the UK Government not to set out the circumstances in which we would or would not summon the Russian Ambassador, but we maintain a number of channels for communicating with the Russian Government and holding them accountable for their actions. On the wider issues raised, I refer the Hon Member to the responses provided by the Minister for the Armed Forces in the urgent question debate on Thursday 20 November.
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Mr Tanmanjeet Singh Dhesi:To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what recent steps have been taken alongside the Home Office to prevent UK companies from facilitating evasion of sanctions on behalf of sanctioned individuals. \p Stephen Doughty: Following publication of the cross-government review of sanctions in May 2025, we are committing to making compliance easier for UK industry, deterring non-compliance, and making sure we have the right powers and capabilities to enforce breaches. For example, we published guidance in January 2025 for UK businesses on Countering Russian sanctions evasion which can be found here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/countering-russian-sanctions-evasion-and-circumvention/countering-russian-sanctions-evasion-guidance-for-exporters.

Furthermore, we have launched a sanctions hub signposting essential UK sanctions content, an enforcement page highlighting outcomes and key compliance lessons, a starter guide for UK sanctions and a navigation tool to report suspected breaches.