Asked by: David Smith (Labour - North Northumberland)
Question to the Home Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what assessment her Department has made of the potential implications for her policies on China of the case of Carmen Lau.
Answered by Dan Jarvis - Minister of State (Cabinet Office)
Upholding national security and keeping the public safe is the first duty of Government.
The Government, working alongside operational partners, keeps potential threats to the UK and its residents, including from China, under constant review and, where necessary, we use all the tools at our disposal to mitigate these.
Where we identify individuals at heightened risk, we are front footed in deploying protective security guidance and other measures as appropriate.
Where individuals have concerns for their safety, they are advised to contact the police via 101, a local police station or dial 999 in an emergency.
Asked by: David Smith (Labour - North Northumberland)
Question to the Home Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of the influence of the Chinese state on British residents.
Answered by Dan Jarvis - Minister of State (Cabinet Office)
Upholding national security and keeping the public safe is the first duty of Government.
The Government, working alongside operational partners, keeps potential threats to the UK and its residents, including from China, under constant review and, where necessary, we use all the tools at our disposal to mitigate these.
Where we identify individuals at heightened risk, we are front footed in deploying protective security guidance and other measures as appropriate.
Where individuals have concerns for their safety, they are advised to contact the police via 101, a local police station or dial 999 in an emergency.
Asked by: David Smith (Labour - North Northumberland)
Question to the Department for Business and Trade:
To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, whether he has had discussions with Ukrainian egg farmers on improving the welfare standards of imported eggs.
Answered by Chris Bryant - Minister of State (Department for Business and Trade)
Ministers have not had direct discussions with Ukrainian egg farmers or with Ukrainian counterparts on egg production standards. However, as set out in the UK’s Trade Strategy, the Government will not lower food standards and will uphold high animal welfare standards. All agri-food products must comply with our import requirements in order to be placed on the UK market.
Government officials regularly meet with Ukraine counterparts to discuss trade as part of the Political, Free Trade and Strategic Partnership Agreement.
Asked by: David Smith (Labour - North Northumberland)
Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, when he plans to publish the research commissioned on the costs of different approaches to decarbonising the most complex housing archetypes.
Answered by Martin McCluskey - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
The Government commissioned research to gather data on the costs of different approaches to decarbonising the most complex housing archetypes, including the use of alternative low-carbon heating solutions where appropriate.
The results of this research are expected to be received by the end of the year, and we aim to publish findings by Spring/Summer 2026. This research supports the Warm Homes Plan which will be published by the end of the year. We are working across government on a comprehensive plan which aims to upgrade up to five million homes by accelerating the installation of efficient new heat technologies.
Asked by: David Smith (Labour - North Northumberland)
Question to the Department for Business and Trade:
To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of an agreement with Ukraine on egg imports on domestic egg production,.
Answered by Chris Bryant - Minister of State (Department for Business and Trade)
Under our Free Trade Agreement with Ukraine, tariffs on all goods are temporarily removed until March 2029, except for poultry and eggs, where the liberalisation is due to end on 31 March 2026.
We consistently consider the views and impact on our domestic industry, and this is reflected in our approach to tariff liberalisation support for Ukraine. We will continue to take these views into account as part of our policy development process.