Jessica Morden

Our mission to spread opportunity will break the link between background and success. That’s why we’re extending free school meals to all children in households on Universal Credit – lifting 100,000 children across England out of poverty

We’re working to create a fairer Britain, where every child has the opportunity to succeed, no matter their background.

The Equality Act 2010 already protects many care leavers under the indirect discrimination provisions, because a disproportionately high number are likely to be from particular sub groups within characteristics such as race, disability and age.

This Government is delivering for care leavers; younger care leavers will be exempt from rules which require a connection to a local area before accessing social housing. We have also established a care leaver Ministerial Board, which brings together Ministers from key Departments, to improve support for care leavers across Government.

Research and innovation is key to delivering the government’s missions, and universities are essential for this.

We are increasing Core Research funding to over £6.1bn to deliver on the government’s research priorities and offer real terms protection to the UK's world leading universities.

This Government has committed to record funding of R&D in the recent budget. Total HMG investment in R&D is rising to a record allocation of £20.4bn in 2025/26

The Media Act 2024 introduces a new prominence regime that, once commenced, will require particular online major TV platforms to carry and give appropriate prominence to designated public service broadcaster apps (referred to in the legislation as designated internet programme services).

Ofcom will designate which internet programme services this new regime will apply to according to clear criteria, which includes stipulating that any designated service must make a significant contribution towards their public service remit and that remit content within the designated service must be readily discoverable.

We expect an important outcome of the way we have designated the new regime will achieve appropriate prominence for public remit content, which includes provision of content that reflects the lives and concerns of different communities and regions across the UK.

Ofcom is also required to issue a statement on their proposed methodology they will apply when making their designation decisions for internet programme services, which they have consulted on. Ofcom issued their final Statement on their methodology on 22 July 2025.

The Media Act 2024 introduces a new prominence regime that, once commenced, will require particular online major TV platforms to carry and give appropriate prominence to designated public service broadcaster apps (referred to in the legislation as designated internet programme services).

Ofcom will designate which internet programme services this new regime will apply to according to clear criteria, which includes stipulating that any designated service must make a significant contribution towards their public service remit and that remit content within the designated service must be readily discoverable.

We expect an important outcome of the way we have designated the new regime will achieve appropriate prominence for public remit content, which includes provision of content that reflects the lives and concerns of different communities and regions across the UK.

Ofcom is also required to issue a statement on their proposed methodology they will apply when making their designation decisions for internet programme services, which they have consulted on. Ofcom issued their final Statement on their methodology on 22 July 2025.

​​As the Teachers’ Pensions Scheme administrator, Capita are processing Remediable Service Statement (RSS) choices and aim to complete payments as quickly as possible. The relevant regulations provide for a member’s RSS choice to be put into payment as soon as is reasonably practicable. As part of the implementation arrangements for payments, it was not possible to start payments until June 2025 as time was needed to allow for recruitment, training, development of instructions, and IT enhancements to be made and implemented.

​Members’ original pension benefits will continue to be paid until their choice has been implemented, at which point backdated interest will be applied to their payment.

​Payment of members’ RSS choices is a high priority, and the department is continually exploring ways to improve payment and processing times with Capita, which includes providing further funding for additional staff and automating payment and processing functions.

As at the end of September 2025, the number of unresolved Cash Equivalent Transfer Value (CETV) cases has been reduced to 400 from 3,062 at the end of October 2024. This includes recent CETV applications and as such there will always be a number of outstanding CETV cases at any given time.

The scheme administrator is now working through the most complex cases for members who have retired. These cases can currently only be processed clerically and the estimated calculation times are between 20 and 65 hours per case. The department is funding IT changes for the scheme administrator that are expected to significantly reduce processing times.

This issue remains a top priority for the department and the scheme administrator, and the above actions are currently expected to result in the delayed CETVs being cleared by spring 2026.

The Carer’s Credit allows people who provide care for a person on specified disability benefits for at least 20 hours per week to protect their National Insurance records for the purposes of their State Pension.

The Department is unable to estimate the number of people who may meet the eligibility criteria for the Carer’s Credit but do not make a claim. Information on the Carer’s Credit and how to claim for it can be found by searching for “Carer’s Credit” on gov.uk.

The UK is deeply concerned about the serious security and humanitarian crisis in Haiti, which is driving significant migration pressures on Hispaniola and neighbouring islands. We are working with international partners to address this, including through the creation of the Gang Suppression Force and support for UN sanctions on those responsible for instability in Haiti. In October, I spoke with the Haitian Foreign Minister, Jean-Baptiste, and the Dominican Vice Minister for Multilateral Affairs, Rubén Silié Valdez, about the significant challenges in Haiti. The Minister for International Development also met the Haitian Foreign Minister on 17 November. During my visit to Jamaica last week, migration from Haiti to nearby islands was raised in discussions with partners.

I refer the Hon Member to the answer given on 8 December to question 96636.

I was deeply concerned by the BBC report alleging that Georgian police used toxic chemicals against protesters in Tbilisi in late 2024, and we expect Georgia to fulfil its obligations under the Chemical Weapons Convention to ensure that any alleged breaches of the Convention's prohibitions on uses of toxic chemicals are properly investigated.

Together with our international partners, we remain committed to supporting lasting peace between Armenia and Azerbaijan, and to safeguarding Armenia's electoral integrity and democratic resilience, including against any attempted acts of information manipulation and interference by Russia. Working closely with our international partners, we are always ready to defend the information environment and will always act to disrupt any malign activity targeting democratic elections. I held constructive discussions with the Foreign Ministers of Armenia and Azerbaijan at the OSCE Ministerial on 4 December.

The UK is supporting international efforts to stabilise security in Haiti, and advance Haitian-led solutions. We welcome the Haitian Government's efforts to agree an electoral timetable, while acknowledging that continued gang violence remains a major obstacle. We are backing the UN-supported international Gang Suppression Force, which aims to tackle that violence, and enable progress towards free and fair elections. I spoke with the Haitian Foreign Minister in October and met with the Coordinator of Haiti's Transitional Presidential Council in November to reaffirm UK support.

Millions of people have been successfully using eVisas for several years. They are a key part of our digital immigration system and will enhance people’s experience and increase the immigration system’s security and efficiency. eVisas are secure and cannot be lost, stolen or tampered with, unlike a physical document. They can be accessed anywhere and in real time. As of 30 November 2024, over 3 million people had created UKVI accounts, with many more creating accounts every day.

We have considered every part of the transition to eVisas and how people experience the system, listening to feedback from visa holders, stakeholders and MPs, and monitoring to identify where people are experiencing issues so that these can be addressed. We are continually streamlining and adapting our processes to ensure a smooth transition to eVisas.

There is no deadline for registering for a UKVI account to access an eVisa, although we have been encouraging people to do so before their BRP expires so that they can continue to prove their immigration status easily. If a person has not yet created an account, they can still do so now, quickly and easily, using their expired BRP if needed.

We recognise that some people are vulnerable and require additional support in switching to and navigating a digital system. That is why we have a range of support measures in place, including:

• The Assisted Digital service for people with low or no digital skills or access, or who need help with IT related aspects of creating a UKVI account.
• Up to £4 million funding to community organisations to deliver valuable support to vulnerable people so they have a smooth transition to eVisas.
• A dedicated UKVI resolution centre, where anyone can get help by email, webchat, and telephone support.

We are confident that our systems and processes will ensure no one is disadvantaged by the move to digital, but we are conscious that some people remain concerned about the transition, particularly in the context of travel. We have therefore brought in changes to reflect those concerns, including, as a temporary measure to reassure people that they will be able to travel without any issue during the transition period, allowing carriers such as airlines to accept a BRP or EUSS BRC which expired on or after 31 December 2024 as valid evidence of permission to travel, provisionally until 31 March 2025. This will be kept under review. We have also introduced a new 24/7 passenger helpline for passengers who are at port and travelling imminently.

We continue to monitor the rollout of eVisas and will ensure that any issues are resolved for those people affected.

The Secretary of State has not yet had personal discussions with his Armenian counterparts, but we do have good and growing engagement in the region, including Staff Talks in Yerevan shortly and the announcement of a resident Defence Section, due to open in Armenia later in the year. We are currently exploring the possibility of Ministerial bi-lateral engagement later in the year.