Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, if he will publish a list of engagements for the UK-EU Withdrawal Agreement Protocol Specialised Committee in 2025 and 2026.

Answered by Nick Thomas-Symonds - Paymaster General and Minister for the Cabinet Office

The UK-EU Withdrawal Agreement established six Specialised Committees to supervise the implementation of distinct elements of the agreement. Each committee is co-chaired by officials from the UK Government and the European Commission.

The list of meetings, agendas and joint statements of the Specialised Committees can be found on GOV.UK at: https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/withdrawal-agreement-joint-committee#meetings-of-the-withdrawal-agreement-joint-committee.

Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, how many new Jewish places of worship have been granted planning permission by local authorities in (a) England and (b) greater London in every year since 1997.

Answered by Matthew Pennycook - Minister of State (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

My Department does not hold the requested information.

Although quarterly planning application statistics are collected and published on gov.uk here, separate figures on places of worship that have been granted planning permission are not collected.

Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, how many new Christian places of worship have been granted planning permission by local authorities in (a) England and (b) greater London in every year since 1997.

Answered by Matthew Pennycook - Minister of State (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

My Department does not hold the requested information.

Although quarterly planning application statistics are collected and published on gov.uk here, separate figures on places of worship that have been granted planning permission are not collected.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, which Government departments, agencies, non‑departmental public bodies and other public authorities have been instructed to implement the new “UK Government” brand identity; and if he will publish any guidance issued on timelines for implementation, exemptions permitted, and arrangements for oversight or enforcement.

Answered by Nick Thomas-Symonds - Paymaster General and Minister for the Cabinet Office

For information relating to the UK Government branding update, I refer the Hon. Member to Questions HL14450, HL14451 and HL14452.

For information relating to stakeholder engagement, I refer the Hon. Member to Question 112168.

Government communications use “UK Government” as the primary identity for public-facing communications. This is not an introduction of a new UK Government brand identity. The Government Communication Service routinely reviews its branding to ensure it remains effective, accessible and fit for purpose across all channels, including digital platforms.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, whether his Department has conducted any evaluations, stakeholder reviews or assessments of the public understanding, effectiveness or impact of the new UK Government brand identity since its introduction; and if he will publish any related correspondence or internal assessments.

Answered by Nick Thomas-Symonds - Paymaster General and Minister for the Cabinet Office

For information relating to the UK Government branding update, I refer the Hon. Member to Questions HL14450, HL14451 and HL14452.

For information relating to stakeholder engagement, I refer the Hon. Member to Question 112168.

Government communications use “UK Government” as the primary identity for public-facing communications. This is not an introduction of a new UK Government brand identity. The Government Communication Service routinely reviews its branding to ensure it remains effective, accessible and fit for purpose across all channels, including digital platforms.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, with reference to reported spending of £532,000 on the GOV.UK brand refresh, of which £421,750 was attributed to the Cabinet Office and £110,250 to the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology, whether any additional costs have been incurred or authorised in relation to the wider “UK Government” branding programme.

Answered by Nick Thomas-Symonds - Paymaster General and Minister for the Cabinet Office

For information relating to the UK Government branding update, I refer the Hon. Member to Questions HL14450, HL14451 and HL14452.

For information relating to stakeholder engagement, I refer the Hon. Member to Question 112168.

Government communications use “UK Government” as the primary identity for public-facing communications. This is not an introduction of a new UK Government brand identity. The Government Communication Service routinely reviews its branding to ensure it remains effective, accessible and fit for purpose across all channels, including digital platforms.

Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, how many new Islamic places of worship have been granted planning permission by local authorities in (a) England and (b) greater London in each year since 1997.

Answered by Matthew Pennycook - Minister of State (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

My Department does not hold the requested information.

Although quarterly planning application statistics are collected and published on gov.uk here, separate figures on places of worship that have been granted planning permission are not collected.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, if she make an assessment of the potential merits of introducing educational scholarships for citizens of the British Overseas Territories.

Answered by Chris Elmore - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)

The Chevening Scholarships programme (established 1983) and the Commonwealth Scholarships programme (established 1959) are available to citizens from the Overseas Territories. Further information on the programmes including how to apply is available here: https://www.chevening.org/scholarships/ and https://cscuk.fcdo.gov.uk/.

Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what recent steps his Department has taken to support Havering Council in tackling its budget deficit.

Answered by Alison McGovern - Minister of State (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

By 2028-29, this government will have made available a 24.3% increase in Core Spending Power, worth £16.6 billion since coming into power in 2024-25. For Havering, the Settlement makes available up to £329.7 million, which is an increase of 33.5% compared to 2024-25.

Our local government finance reforms get money to where it is needed, but we recognise the challenging context for councils as they continue to deal with the legacy of the previous system. The government has announced a further £77m of Exceptional Financial Support to enable the Council to set a balanced budget in 2026-27 and continues to work closely with the Council.

Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what recent steps his Department has taken to help ensure that local authorities under financial constraints prioritise essential services.

Answered by Alison McGovern - Minister of State (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

We are investing in local government. The government will provide over £5.6 billion of new grant funding towards local government services over the next three years. By the end of the multi-year Settlement (2028-29), the government will have provided a 15.5% increase in Core Spending Power for local authorities in England, worth over £11.4 billion, compared to 2025-26. The government has also announced £4 billion investment over three years for new programmes to deliver improvements in SEND.

The government is introducing a fairer and evidence-based funding system. Our reforms ensure that this funding is allocated fairly, and that the places and services that need it most are supported. We are supporting all authorities to maintain services and manage their updated funding positions with transitional arrangements.

The government recognises that some councils remain in a challenging financial position as they continue to deal with the legacy of the previous system. Any council that has concerns about its financial sustainability should approach the department in the first instance where we will treat all discussions in confidence

The majority of funding in the Local Government Finance Settlement is unringfenced recognising that local leaders are best placed to identify local priorities.

Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, if she will make it her policy to introduce mandatory CPD for all teachers to enable them to (a) identify the common signs of dyslexia and (b) adapt their classroom teaching to support dyslexic children.

Answered by Georgia Gould - Minister of State (Education)

The department is committed to improving support for all children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND), including pupils with dyslexia. In January, we announced the most ambitious SEND training offer ever seen in the English education system. Backed by £200 million, the new offer will cover children with SEND from 0 to 25. More details on the training are available at:

https://www.gov.uk/government/news/200-million-landmark-send-teacher-training-programme.

The English Hubs programme is dedicated to improving the teaching of reading. As part of teachers’ continuous professional development, the ‘Reading Ambition for All’ programme will improve outcomes for children in primary who need additional support.

The SEND code of practice is clear that meeting the needs of a child with SEN does not require a diagnostic label or test. Instead, we expect teachers to monitor the progress of all pupils and put support in place where needed.

To identify need, we are strengthening the evidence base to improve early identification in mainstream settings. Recently published evidence reviews will help drive inclusive practices, highlighting what the best available evidence suggests are the most effective tools, strategies and approaches.  The ‘What Works in SEND’ research programme is researching tools that settings can use to identify the needs of neurodivergent children and young people.

From 2024, the national professional qualification for special educational needs co-ordinators (SENCOs) became the mandatory qualification for SENCOs, supporting participants to develop the essential knowledge and skills needed to set the strategic direction of SEND policy in schools and understand the conditions in which pupils with SEND can thrive.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, if she will provide an assessment of the effectiveness of the Atlantic Child Advocacy Alliance.

Answered by Stephen Doughty - Minister of State (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)

I refer the Hon. Member to the November 2025 Joint Ministerial Council Communique. Overseas Territories are being supported to define their local needs so that tailored child advocacy support can be offered.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, if she will make an assessment of the effectiveness actions taken by the Commonwealth Enterprise and Investment Council (CWEIC) and UK Export Finance's to promote tourism and connections in Anguilla.

Answered by Stephen Doughty - Minister of State (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)

UK Export Finance (UKEF) and the Commonwealth Enterprise and Investment Council (CWEIC) participated in the 2025 Joint Ministerial Council, as part of discussions on economic growth. Overseas Territory officials also attended UKEF's recent UK Trade and Export Forum, strengthening understanding of financing tools for tourism and wider economic projects. My officials continue to work closely with UKEF to support Overseas Territories' sustainable economic development, and with the CWEIC to expand Overseas Territories' commercial links with Commonwealth partners.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, with reference to the UK and Overseas Territories Joint Ministerial Council 2025: communiqué published November 2025, if she will list UK support to Anguilla following the JMC.

Answered by Stephen Doughty - Minister of State (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)

The Government of Anguilla is responsible for Anguilla's water infrastructure, health services, environment, economic development, and representational premises. The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office works closely to support Anguilla, including providing £500,000 to improve Anguilla's water infrastructure this financial year, and over £4 million to support security since 2024. In total, since Hurricane Irma the UK Government has provided over £100 million in funding to Anguilla, which included the construction of new schools, health clinics, port facilities and a new ferry terminal.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what long-term funding mechanisms is she considering to support Anguilla’s the resilience of infrastructure against hurricanes.

Answered by Stephen Doughty - Minister of State (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)

The Government of Anguilla is responsible for Anguilla's water infrastructure, health services, environment, economic development, and representational premises. The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office works closely to support Anguilla, including providing £500,000 to improve Anguilla's water infrastructure this financial year, and over £4 million to support security since 2024. In total, since Hurricane Irma the UK Government has provided over £100 million in funding to Anguilla, which included the construction of new schools, health clinics, port facilities and a new ferry terminal.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, with reference to the answer of 31 May 2023 to question 186054, whether she is continuing funding for retro-fitting ferries in Anguilla with battery powered engines.

Answered by Stephen Doughty - Minister of State (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)

The Government of Anguilla is responsible for Anguilla's water infrastructure, health services, environment, economic development, and representational premises. The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office works closely to support Anguilla, including providing £500,000 to improve Anguilla's water infrastructure this financial year, and over £4 million to support security since 2024. In total, since Hurricane Irma the UK Government has provided over £100 million in funding to Anguilla, which included the construction of new schools, health clinics, port facilities and a new ferry terminal.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether she has contingency plans for RAF ships to provide support to Anguilla in the case of natural disasters.

Answered by Stephen Doughty - Minister of State (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)

The Government of Anguilla is responsible for Anguilla's water infrastructure, health services, environment, economic development, and representational premises. The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office works closely to support Anguilla, including providing £500,000 to improve Anguilla's water infrastructure this financial year, and over £4 million to support security since 2024. In total, since Hurricane Irma the UK Government has provided over £100 million in funding to Anguilla, which included the construction of new schools, health clinics, port facilities and a new ferry terminal.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what discussions she has had with the Government of Anguilla on the proposed Port Nimara superyacht marina.

Answered by Stephen Doughty - Minister of State (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)

The Government of Anguilla is responsible for Anguilla's water infrastructure, health services, environment, economic development, and representational premises. The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office works closely to support Anguilla, including providing £500,000 to improve Anguilla's water infrastructure this financial year, and over £4 million to support security since 2024. In total, since Hurricane Irma the UK Government has provided over £100 million in funding to Anguilla, which included the construction of new schools, health clinics, port facilities and a new ferry terminal.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what assessment she has made in trends in the levels of sargassum seaweed influxes in Anguilla.

Answered by Stephen Doughty - Minister of State (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)

The Government of Anguilla is responsible for Anguilla's water infrastructure, health services, environment, economic development, and representational premises. The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office works closely to support Anguilla, including providing £500,000 to improve Anguilla's water infrastructure this financial year, and over £4 million to support security since 2024. In total, since Hurricane Irma the UK Government has provided over £100 million in funding to Anguilla, which included the construction of new schools, health clinics, port facilities and a new ferry terminal.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what progress she has made on delivering the £500,000 grant to Anguilla's water infrastructure.

Answered by Stephen Doughty - Minister of State (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)

The Government of Anguilla is responsible for Anguilla's water infrastructure, health services, environment, economic development, and representational premises. The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office works closely to support Anguilla, including providing £500,000 to improve Anguilla's water infrastructure this financial year, and over £4 million to support security since 2024. In total, since Hurricane Irma the UK Government has provided over £100 million in funding to Anguilla, which included the construction of new schools, health clinics, port facilities and a new ferry terminal.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, with reference to the UK and Overseas Territories Joint Ministerial Council 2025: communiqué, published November 2025 what steps she has taken to tackle underinvestment in water supply and health services in Anguilla.

Answered by Stephen Doughty - Minister of State (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)

The Government of Anguilla is responsible for Anguilla's water infrastructure, health services, environment, economic development, and representational premises. The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office works closely to support Anguilla, including providing £500,000 to improve Anguilla's water infrastructure this financial year, and over £4 million to support security since 2024. In total, since Hurricane Irma the UK Government has provided over £100 million in funding to Anguilla, which included the construction of new schools, health clinics, port facilities and a new ferry terminal.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what assessment she has made of the effectiveness Strategic Mapping Workshop on Violence Prevention in Anguilla.

Answered by Stephen Doughty - Minister of State (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)

The Government of Anguilla is responsible for Anguilla's water infrastructure, health services, environment, economic development, and representational premises. The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office works closely to support Anguilla, including providing £500,000 to improve Anguilla's water infrastructure this financial year, and over £4 million to support security since 2024. In total, since Hurricane Irma the UK Government has provided over £100 million in funding to Anguilla, which included the construction of new schools, health clinics, port facilities and a new ferry terminal.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, if she will provide an update on the status of Anguilla House, the representatives office for the Government of Anguilla in the UK.

Answered by Stephen Doughty - Minister of State (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)

The Government of Anguilla is responsible for Anguilla's water infrastructure, health services, environment, economic development, and representational premises. The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office works closely to support Anguilla, including providing £500,000 to improve Anguilla's water infrastructure this financial year, and over £4 million to support security since 2024. In total, since Hurricane Irma the UK Government has provided over £100 million in funding to Anguilla, which included the construction of new schools, health clinics, port facilities and a new ferry terminal.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, if she will make an assessment of the effectiveness of the Blue Belt Programme Expedition to the Caribbean.

Answered by Stephen Doughty - Minister of State (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)

The Blue Belt Beyond the Reef Expedition (13 January-28 February) is a pioneering survey of the largely unexplored offshore waters of Anguilla, the Turks and Caicos Islands, and the Cayman Islands. A full assessment of findings will follow the conclusion of the survey and subsequent data analysis.

Use of catapults against wildlife

Elections in Myanmar

Brain cancer

Sir Norman Stronge and Major James Stronge

54th anniversary of IRA murders of two police officers in Londonderry

Legacy of British troops in Afghanistan and Iraq

Horse and rider road safety

Closure of Sickle Cell Day Unit at the Royal London Hospital

Cervical Cancer Awareness Month

Seafarers’ welfare

90th birthday of former hon. Member William Ross

Hospices and end of life care

50th anniversary of the King's Trust

Bird gathering licences

World Cancer Day

90th anniversary of the Spitfire

Trafficking of the victims of grooming gangs overseas

America250 and Ulster Scots connections

World Hearing Day 2026

Marie Curie Great Daffodil Appeal 2026

Proscription of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps

British couple detained in Iran