Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Minister of State, Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, whether he has made recent representations to his Ugandan counterpart on the (a) detention and (b) treatment of climate protesters in that country.

Answered by Andrew Mitchell - Minister of State (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office) (Minister for Development)

Through our High Commission in Kampala, we have previously raised concerns around detentions of climate protesters in Uganda; both I and the High Commission regularly engage with the Ugandan government on human rights, both bilaterally and with likeminded countries.

The UK continues to work with Ugandans to advocate for democratic freedoms and respect for human rights. We are also committed to working with partners in Uganda to address the effects of climate change.

Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, whether he has had recent discussions with Cabinet colleagues on how his Department can take steps to help tackle labour shortages in the fishing industry.

Answered by Tom Pursglove - Minister of State (Minister for Legal Migration and Delivery)

The Skilled Worker route has a number of eligible occupations linked to the fishing sector, and the sector also benefits from a generous package of support provided by the Home Office when it comes to making visa applications.

Nevertheless, labour shortages cannot be solved through the immigration system alone and there is regular engagement between departments when developing policy. We will continue to strike the balance between reducing overall net migration and ensuring that businesses have the skills they need to support economic growth.

Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, if he will make an assessment of the effectiveness of his Department's policies on tackling labour shortages in the fishing industry.

Answered by Tom Pursglove - Minister of State (Minister for Legal Migration and Delivery)

The Skilled Worker route has a number of eligible occupations linked to the fishing sector, and the sector also benefits from a generous package of support provided by the Home Office when it comes to making visa applications.

Nevertheless, labour shortages cannot be solved through the immigration system alone and there is regular engagement between departments when developing policy. We will continue to strike the balance between reducing overall net migration and ensuring that businesses have the skills they need to support economic growth.

Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what recent progress he has made in negotiations of a new international, legally binding plastics treaty.

Answered by Robbie Moore - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)

The United Nations Environment Assembly Resolution 5/14 set an ambitious timetable for the agreement of a new international, legally binding plastics treaty by end of 2024. The fourth round of negotiations (INC-4) will take place in Ottawa from 23 – 29 April which will continue discussions on the draft treaty text.

The UK is a founding member of the High Ambition Coalition to End Plastic Pollution, a group of over 60 countries calling for an ambitious and effective treaty. The UK has been a vocal proponent of a strong and comprehensive agreement that covers the whole lifecycle of plastics, including restraining and reducing the production and consumption of plastic to sustainable levels, promoting a circular economy for plastic, managing plastic waste in an environmentally sound and safe manner, and preventing and reducing releases of plastics into the environment.

The Government is committed to securing an agreement on the text by the end of the year and is working closely with other Parties and stakeholders to facilitate progress at INC-4. In particular, the UK co-led with Brazil an informal, technical work programme to support continued dialogues on how to identify chemicals and polymers of concern, and problematic plastic products within the treaty.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Minister of State, Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, what discussions he has had with his Israeli counterpart on increasing the amount of aid entering Gaza.

Answered by Andrew Mitchell - Minister of State (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office) (Minister for Development)

The Foreign Secretary visited Israel on 17 April and met with Israeli counterparts. During his visit he said to Prime Minister Netanyahu and Foreign Affairs Minister Katz that we must maintain focus on getting more aid into Gaza and getting hostages out.

Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, how many people are employed in the gas and oil industry; and what methodology her Department uses to calculate this statistic.

Answered by Justin Tomlinson - Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)

The Department uses widely recognised industry estimates provided by Offshore Energies UK (OEUK). According to OEUK’s 2022 workforce estimates (https://oeuk.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/OEUK-Workforce-Insight-2022.pdf), oil and gas companies support around 200,000 jobs across the supply chain and wider local economy. This includes 30,000 people who are employed directly by the sector.

Information on the methodology used by OEUK to estimate workforce numbers was provided in the answer given to the hon. Member for Brighton Pavilion on 25 March 2024 to Question UIN 18876.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what assessment he has made of the potential merits of increasing the childcare tax free cap.

Answered by Laura Trott - Chief Secretary to the Treasury

Tax-Free Childcare provides financial support for working parents with their childcare costs. For every £8 parents pay into their childcare account, the Government adds £2 up to a maximum of £2,000 in top up per year for each child up to age 11 and up to £4,000 per disabled child until they’re 17.

The Government recognizes the importance of supporting parents with the costs of childcare and continues to support families with a range of other childcare offers, including the free hours offer, and support through Universal Credit childcare.

Question to the Department for Levelling Up, Housing & Communities:

To ask the Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, how much and what proportion of levelling up funding allocated to Northern Ireland has been for projects in Belfast South constituency.

Answered by Jacob Young - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities)

Levelling Up funding is not allocated by constituency. In total, Northern Ireland has received £435 million of levelling up funding since 2019. I was delighted to visit the Innovation Factory in Belfast recently and see how the UK Shared Prosperity Fund is benefiting Northern Ireland through projects like Go Succeed.

South Belfast constituency benefits from a share of around £104 million of UKSPF funding for Northern Ireland. This includes, for example, £240,367 for installation of a new path and community garden in the Botanic Gardens.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, if he will make it his policy to review the (a) rate of and (b) threshold for Stamp Duty Land Tax in Northern Ireland in the context of trends in average house prices.

Answered by Nigel Huddleston - Financial Secretary (HM Treasury)

The government keeps all tax policy under review and changes are announced at a fiscal event as part of the normal tax policy making process.

Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what progress her Department has made on achieving its target to eliminate avoidable plastic waste by the end of 2042.

Answered by Robbie Moore - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)

We are making progress to address this concerning issue. In December 2018, the UK Government published its Resources and Waste Strategy. This sets out how we will achieve a circular economy for plastic and achieve our ambition to eliminate all avoidable plastic waste by 2042. Our goal is to maximise resource efficiency and minimise waste (including plastic) - by following the principles of the waste hierarchy: Reduce, Reuse, Recycle – to keep plastic in circulation for longer. We will do this by making producers more responsible for the plastic they make with our incoming Collection and Packaging Reforms.

Single-use plastics are a particularly problematic type of plastic that makes up much of our waste. To get us closer to our ambition to eliminate all avoidable plastic waste by 2042, we have introduced bans on the supply of many unnecessary single-use plastic items. We implemented one of the world’s toughest bans on microbeads in rinse-off personal care products and brought in measures to restrict the supply of plastic straws, plastic drink stirrers, and plastic-stemmed cotton buds in October 2020. The use of single-use carrier bags has been reduced in the main supermarkets by over 98% with our five pence charge. In May 2021 we increased the charge to 10 pence and extended it to all retailers to build on its success to date and create a level playing field for all businesses. In October 2023 we introduced a ban on the supply of single-use plastic plates, bowls, and trays to the end-user and ban the supply of single-use plastic cutlery and single-use plastic balloon sticks and expanded and extruded polystyrene food and drinks containers, including cups. We will continue to review the latest evidence on problematic products and/ or materials to take a systematic approach to reducing the use of unnecessary single-use plastic products.

We are preparing for the fourth round of negotiations in April, to develop a new legally binding UN treaty to end plastic pollution. As a founding member of the High Ambition Coalition to End Plastic Pollution, the UK is pushing for an ambitious and effective UN Treaty to address the problem of plastic waste globally.

Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what assessment he has made of the potential impact for his Department's policies of defined benefit pensions.

Answered by Paul Maynard - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Work and Pensions)

The defined benefit pensions landscape remains central for the retirement plans of millions of current and future pensioners. There have been significant changes over recent years and the Government has been alive to the resulting risks and opportunities. The revised DB funding arrangements, which will be implemented in the Autumn, will help to keep members hard earned benefits safe and support the vision set out in our recent DB consultations to ensure that assets can work as hard as possible for the benefit of members, sponsoring employers, and the wider economy.

Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many hotels are being used to house asylum seekers in Northern Ireland.

Answered by Tom Pursglove - Minister of State (Minister for Legal Migration and Delivery)

The Home Office has been clear that the use of hotels is a temporary and short-term measure to ensure we meet our statutory obligation to accommodate destitute asylum seekers. We have already made significant progress by ending the use of 100 hotels by 31 March 2024, including 6 in Northern Ireland.

Data on the number of supported asylum seekers in accommodation (including in contingency hotels and other contingency accommodation) is published in table Asy_D11 here: Asylum and resettlement datasets - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk). Data is published on a quarterly basis. The Home Office does not publish a breakdown of statistics which disaggregates the number of hotels used to house asylum seekers by region.

Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what discussions he has had with Cabinet colleagues on plans to tackle labour shortages in the fishing industry.

Answered by Mark Spencer - Minister of State (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)

My officials and I regularly engage both other departments and the fishing industry, including in Northern Ireland, to understand their labour needs. In March 2023 Defra commissioned a survey to further understand the labour needs of the UK fishing fleet. The Government continues to support the sector to attract the labour it needs, having recently rejected the Migration Advisory Committee’s recommendation that fishing occupations (51190 and 9119) be removed from the new Immigration Salary List. This means that those recruiting workers in these occupations will need to pay £30,960 instead of £38,700 when making use of the Skilled Worker visa.

We note, however, the Migration Advisory Committee’s concerns about exploitation in the fishing industry and the limited evidence of the sector’s efforts to reduce its reliance on immigration. It is important that industry looks to the domestic workforce to fill vacancies. However, the Government recognises that the sector needs further support to address some of these issues. Labour shortages cannot be solved through the immigration system alone and there is regular engagement between departments when developing policy. We will continue to strike the balance between reducing overall net migration and ensuring that businesses have the skills they need to support economic growth.

Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment he has made of the adequacy of the labour supply in the fishing industry.

Answered by Mark Spencer - Minister of State (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)

My officials and I regularly engage both other departments and the fishing industry, including in Northern Ireland, to understand their labour needs. In March 2023 Defra commissioned a survey to further understand the labour needs of the UK fishing fleet. The Government continues to support the sector to attract the labour it needs, having recently rejected the Migration Advisory Committee’s recommendation that fishing occupations (51190 and 9119) be removed from the new Immigration Salary List. This means that those recruiting workers in these occupations will need to pay £30,960 instead of £38,700 when making use of the Skilled Worker visa.

We note, however, the Migration Advisory Committee’s concerns about exploitation in the fishing industry and the limited evidence of the sector’s efforts to reduce its reliance on immigration. It is important that industry looks to the domestic workforce to fill vacancies. However, the Government recognises that the sector needs further support to address some of these issues. Labour shortages cannot be solved through the immigration system alone and there is regular engagement between departments when developing policy. We will continue to strike the balance between reducing overall net migration and ensuring that businesses have the skills they need to support economic growth.

Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, if he will make an assessment of the implications for his policies of the ability of the fishing industry to attract seasonal workers.

Answered by Mark Spencer - Minister of State (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)

My officials and I regularly engage both other departments and the fishing industry, including in Northern Ireland, to understand their labour needs. In March 2023 Defra commissioned a survey to further understand the labour needs of the UK fishing fleet. The Government continues to support the sector to attract the labour it needs, having recently rejected the Migration Advisory Committee’s recommendation that fishing occupations (51190 and 9119) be removed from the new Immigration Salary List. This means that those recruiting workers in these occupations will need to pay £30,960 instead of £38,700 when making use of the Skilled Worker visa.

We note, however, the Migration Advisory Committee’s concerns about exploitation in the fishing industry and the limited evidence of the sector’s efforts to reduce its reliance on immigration. It is important that industry looks to the domestic workforce to fill vacancies. However, the Government recognises that the sector needs further support to address some of these issues. Labour shortages cannot be solved through the immigration system alone and there is regular engagement between departments when developing policy. We will continue to strike the balance between reducing overall net migration and ensuring that businesses have the skills they need to support economic growth.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, pursuant to the Answer of 17 April 2024 to Question 21426 on Childcare: Taxation, if he will make it his policy to increase the childcare tax free cap in line with inflation.

Answered by Laura Trott - Chief Secretary to the Treasury

The £2,000 Tax-Free Childcare top-up, which can be claimed per year and per child, was set at this level because the Government believes it strikes the right balance between helping parents with their childcare costs, and managing the public finances in a responsible way.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Minister of State, Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, with reference to paragraph 2.22 of the National Audit Office's report entitled Progress with the merger of the Foreign & Commonwealth Office (FCO) and the Department for International Development (DFID), published on 25 March 2024, what assessment he has made of the implications for his policies of the conclusion that development capability has reduced since the merger.

Answered by Andrew Mitchell - Minister of State (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office) (Minister for Development)

The NAO report notes FCDO has made progress in key areas, including on development.

The White Paper on international development published in November set out UK ambition and commitment on this agenda. These commitments have begun to be implemented including through the appointment of a second permanent undersecretary focused on development and wider action on strengthening FCDO and HMG development capacity.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, if he will make an assessment of the implications for his policies of the number of commercial long haul (a) routes and (b) flights operating from airports in Northern Ireland.

Answered by Anthony Browne - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)

Through their work to negotiate, update and enforce the UK’s extensive portfolio of bilateral and multilateral “Air Services Agreements” my officials seek to: maximise business opportunities and ensure a level playing field for our airlines and airports; minimise administrative and cost burdens for industry; and remove barriers to operational and commercial flexibility.

This approach helps to deliver international connectivity, choice and value for money, benefitting businesses and consumers. The rights secured by my officials enable services to and from airports throughout the UK, but whether to exercise those rights is, of course, a commercial decision for airlines.

Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, whether her Department is taking steps to help (a) mitigate the risks associated with loot boxes in video games and (b) increase awareness of the potential dangers associated with gambling for younger users.

Answered by Julia Lopez - Minister of State (Department for Science, Innovation and Technology)

Following the Government response to the call for evidence on loot boxes in video games, the Government has welcomed new industry-led guidance to improve protections for players.

We are now working closely with the industry and academics to ensure robust evaluation of implementation and the efficacy of new measures in meeting the Government’s objectives that:

• purchases of loot boxes should be unavailable to all children and young people unless and until they are enabled by a parent or guardian; and,

• all players should have access to and be aware of spending controls and transparent information to support safe and responsible gaming.

We will provide an update following the 12-month implementation period and independent academic scrutiny of the guidance's implementation and efficacy.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, pursuant to the Answers of 17 April 2024 to Question 21426 and 24 April 2024 to Question 22418 on Childcare: Taxation, if he will make a (a) comparative assessment of the average cost of childcare (i) when the tax-free childcare cap was set and (ii) at 24 April 2024 and (b) impact of that change on the effectiveness of tax-free childcare in supporting parents with costs.

Answered by Laura Trott - Chief Secretary to the Treasury

For Tax-Free Childcare, the £2 Government top-up for every £8 parents pay in, and the £2,000 cap on Government support which can be claimed per year and per child, were set at these levels because the Government believes they strike the right balance between helping parents with their childcare costs, and managing the public finances in a responsible way.

The Government keeps all aspects of childcare policy under review.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what his planned timetable is for agreeing a new fiscal framework for Northern Ireland.

Answered by Laura Trott - Chief Secretary to the Treasury

As committed to in the financial package for the restored Northern Ireland Executive, the UK Government will agree a Fiscal Framework with the Northern Ireland Executive which will outline Northern Ireland’s long-term funding arrangements.

Since the restoration of the Northern Ireland Executive, constructive engagement on the Executive’s Fiscal Framework has taken place between HM Treasury and the Northern Ireland Department of Finance officials, and between myself and the Northern Ireland Finance Minister. My officials and I will continue this regular engagement to progress these negotiations at pace.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, when his Department commenced negotiations with the Northern Ireland Minister of Finance on a new fiscal framework for Northern Ireland.

Answered by Laura Trott - Chief Secretary to the Treasury

As committed to in the financial package for the restored Northern Ireland Executive, the UK Government will agree a Fiscal Framework with the Northern Ireland Executive which will outline Northern Ireland’s long-term funding arrangements.

Since the restoration of the Northern Ireland Executive, constructive engagement on the Executive’s Fiscal Framework has taken place between HM Treasury and the Northern Ireland Department of Finance officials, and between myself and the Northern Ireland Finance Minister. My officials and I will continue this regular engagement to progress these negotiations at pace.

Scrutiny of the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs and arms exports to Israel

Dementia Action Week

Pesticide use in towns and cities

Energy transition treaty

Public ownership of water

Childcare for working parents

Two-child benefits limit

Remembering Fergie MacDonald

Cost of court transcripts

Found: Q20 Claire Hanna: Thank you very much for being with us.

Found: Wilson Mr Gregory Campbell Jim Shannon Ian Paisley Stephen Farry Paul Girvan Carla Lockhart Claire

Found: Wilson Mr Gregory Campbell Jim Shannon Ian Paisley Stephen Farry Paul Girvan Carla Lockhart Claire

Found: Wilson Mr Gregory Campbell Jim Shannon Ian Paisley Stephen Farry Paul Girvan Carla Lockhart Claire

Found: Wilson Mr Gregory Campbell Jim Shannon Ian Paisley Stephen Farry Paul Girvan Carla Lockhart Claire