Question to the Ministry of Justice:

To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what steps she is taking to ensure that the Victims' Code is enforceable; and what mechanisms are available to victims to ensure that criminal justice agencies comply with that code.

Answered by Alex Davies-Jones - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Justice)

We are committed to ensuring that victims receive the service they deserve under the Code. This is why earlier this year we commenced the new statutory obligation from the Victims and Prisoners Act 2024, which requires those who provide Code services to comply with the Code unless there is a good reason not to. We have also commenced other measures from the 2024 Act that will help the Victims’ Commissioner to hold bodies to account for how they are delivering for victims, including by placing a duty on certain authorities to respond to the Commissioner’s recommendations and to cooperate with reasonable requests from the Commissioner.

We are building on these powers through the Victims and Courts Bill, which will provide the Victims’ Commissioner with new tools to drive systemic change. We will also consult on a new Code in due course to make sure we get the foundations for victims right.

If victims feel that they have not received the service they can expect as set out in the Victims’ Code, there are formal complaints processes that service providers are required to provide. If victims are not happy with a service provider’s complaint response, they can now complain directly to the Parliamentary Health Service Ombudsman without going through an MP.

The Government is committed to ensuring that victims can access the information and support they need. The Victims and Prisoners Act 2024 created a framework to monitor criminal justice agencies' compliance with the Victims' Code, including legislative duties for agencies to collect and share information on Code compliance.

The framework has not yet been commenced - preparatory work is underway, for example actively engaging with criminal justice agencies on the underlying data that will support the development of the framework.

Question to the Ministry of Justice:

To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, when she plans to commence section 8 of the Victims and Prisoners Act 2025; and what steps she is taking produce the framework to review compliance with the Victims Code.

Answered by Alex Davies-Jones - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Justice)

We are committed to ensuring that victims receive the service they deserve under the Code. This is why earlier this year we commenced the new statutory obligation from the Victims and Prisoners Act 2024, which requires those who provide Code services to comply with the Code unless there is a good reason not to. We have also commenced other measures from the 2024 Act that will help the Victims’ Commissioner to hold bodies to account for how they are delivering for victims, including by placing a duty on certain authorities to respond to the Commissioner’s recommendations and to cooperate with reasonable requests from the Commissioner.

We are building on these powers through the Victims and Courts Bill, which will provide the Victims’ Commissioner with new tools to drive systemic change. We will also consult on a new Code in due course to make sure we get the foundations for victims right.

If victims feel that they have not received the service they can expect as set out in the Victims’ Code, there are formal complaints processes that service providers are required to provide. If victims are not happy with a service provider’s complaint response, they can now complain directly to the Parliamentary Health Service Ombudsman without going through an MP.

The Government is committed to ensuring that victims can access the information and support they need. The Victims and Prisoners Act 2024 created a framework to monitor criminal justice agencies' compliance with the Victims' Code, including legislative duties for agencies to collect and share information on Code compliance.

The framework has not yet been commenced - preparatory work is underway, for example actively engaging with criminal justice agencies on the underlying data that will support the development of the framework.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what steps he is taking to uphold International Humanitarian Law.

Answered by Hamish Falconer - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)

The UK is a champion of International Humanitarian Law and committed to promoting compliance. Where the UK is involved in military action, this is conducted in full accordance with UK and international law. If we see signs that violations of International Humanitarian Law may occur, we raise the alarm – directly with the countries involved, with nearby nations, and through international organisations. It is the UK government’s long-standing position that determinations of breaches of International Humanitarian Law are a matter for courts, and not for governments.

Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, whether she has made an assessment of the potential merits of rolling out sheltered employment work schemes for adults with learning disabilities.

Answered by Stephen Timms - Minister of State (Department for Work and Pensions)

There is an international and domestic evidence-base demonstrating that sheltered employment, when delivered in line with one of the recognised Supported Employment models, is effective in supporting disabled people, people with health conditions and complex barriers to employment to find sustained work.

That is why we have announced, as part of the Get Britain Working Strategy, the locally led, voluntary, Supported Employment programme, Connect to Work, that will help disabled people, people with health conditions and those with complex barriers to employment to get into and retain work. Connect to Work funding will provide Supported Employment programmes throughout all of England and Wales.

Local Authorities are required to deliver Connect to Work through two models of Supported Employment, Individual Placement and Support and Supported Employment Quality Framework. The latter model, in particular, has been shown to benefit individuals with learning disabilities who are seeking sustained employment.

Connect to Work is rolling out on a phased basis, shaped by local authorities’ own timetables. Local areas are opening their Connect to Work programmes through 2025, with the first areas – covering the West London Alliance partnership of London Boroughs and East Sussex now open for participants. We expect more areas to go live this summer, with progressively more each month through 2025.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of reductions in Official Development Assistance spending on (a) internal structuring and (b) staffing levels in his Department.

Answered by Catherine West - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)

The Foreign Secretary has been clear about the reform needed in the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) to ensure it is fit for the future and is delivering for the British people. The FCDO will consider the size and shape of its workforce in the context of the wider Spending Review settlement, to ensure that it remains affordable. The Foreign Secretary is working closely with the Treasury to ensure our diplomatic, intelligence and development footprint will align with our priorities. We expect the department to become smaller as a result but will retain its experience.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, which staffing grades in his Department have been most impacted by reductions in Official Development Assistance spending; and what steps he is taking to ensure that levels of expertise are maintained in those areas.

Answered by Catherine West - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)

The Foreign Secretary has been clear that the reduction in the Official Development Assistance (ODA) budget does not automatically lead to staffing reductions. Our development capability and expertise will continue to have an important role to play in our partnerships with developing countries.

The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) is investing in its development capability through our expert advisory cadres, the in-house Development Faculty, a stronger programme management offer through cross-government accreditation to the Government Project Delivery Profession and mandatory pre-posting training for Heads of Missions. We are increasing our programme management and technical expertise through a new Project Delivery Support Unit and a Central Advisory Hub.

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 potential impact of a veterinary agreement with the EU on conservation.

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

As announced at the UK-EU Leaders' Summit on May 19, 2025, the UK and EU have agreed to work towards a common Sanitary and Phytosanitary Area. With the principles and framework of an SPS agreement now agreed, we will now negotiate the detail of an agreement that aims to reduce administrative burden by streamlining SPS checks and certification. Defra is committed to ensuring that the unique needs of the zoo and wildlife sector, particularly in relation to conservation animal transfers, are considered as part of this process – recognising the critical role that UK zoos and aquariums play in global conservation programmes.

Defra is actively engaging with the zoo and wildlife and conservation sectors to better understand the challenges and opportunities faced. This engagement will help to secure the best possible outcome for the sector, and Defra remains committed to working closely with a wide range of stakeholders to deliver a future framework that supports the UK’s biosecurity, trade and conservation objectives.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what plans his Department has to improve the enforcement of zoo licensing.

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

The Government published new Standards of Modern Zoo Practice for Great Britain on 24 May 2025. The Standards will come into force from May 2027 and will replace the current 2012 Secretary of State’s Standards of Modern Zoo Practice.

One of the objectives in updating the Standards has been to make requirements clearer to aid enforcement and compliance. The Department will continue to work with the Zoos Expert Committee – as well as the Animal Health and Plant Agency and others – to ensure the Standards are effectively implemented.

Found: Indo-Pacific King Charles Street London SW1A 2AH Email: fcdo.correspondence@fcdo.gov.uk Sarah Champion

Found: Indo-Pacific King Charles Street London SW1A 2AH Email: fcdo.correspondence@fcdo.gov.uk Sarah Champion

Found: Yours sincerely, Sarah Champion MP Chair of the International Development Committee 20 Article

Found: Sarah Champion has added her name, as have David Smith, Valerie Vaz, Siobhain McDonagh, Iain Duncan

Found: Watch the meeting Members present: Sarah Champion (Chair); Tracy Gilbert; Noah Law; Brian Mathew; James

Found: Caribbean King Charles Street London SW1A 2AH psministerchapmanaction@fcdo.gov.uk Sarah Champion

Found: Development, Latin America and the Caribbean King Charles Street London SW1A 2AH Sarah Champion

Found: Development, Latin America and the Caribbean King Charles Street London SW1A 2AH Sarah Champion

Found: Oppong-Asare MP Parliamentary Secretary Cabinet Office 70 Whitehall London SW1A 2AS Sarah Champion

Found: Watch the meeting Members present: Sarah Champion (Chair); Tracy Gilbert; Noah Law; Brian Mathew; James

Found: 23 June 2025 4.35 pm Watch the meeting Members present: Matt Western (The Chair); Liam Byrne; Sarah Champion

Found: 23 June 2025 4.35 pm Watch the meeting Members present: Matt Western (The Chair); Liam Byrne; Sarah Champion

Found: Watch the meeting Members present: Sarah Champion (Chair); Tracy Gilbert; Monica Harding; Noah Law;

Found: Watch the meeting Members present: Sarah Champion (Chair); Tracy Gilbert; Monica Harding; Noah Law;

Found: Current membership Sarah Champion (Labour; Rotherham) (Chair) Tracy Gilbert (Labour; Edinburgh North

Found: Current membership Sarah Champion (Labour; Rotherham) (Chair) Tracy Gilbert (Labour; Edinburgh North

Found: Watch the meeting Members present: Sarah Champion (Chair); Tracy Gilbert; Monica Harding; Noah Law;

Found: Watch the meeting Members present: Sarah Champion (Chair); Tracy Gilbert; Monica Harding; Noah Law;

Found: 2025 5.30 pm Watch the meeting Members present: Lord Sedwill (The Chair); Dame Karen Bradley; Sarah Champion

Found: 2025 4.30 pm Watch the meeting Members present: Lord Sedwill (The Chair); Dame Karen Bradley; Sarah Champion

Found: _NC1 Sarah Champion .

Found: New Amendments: 1 to 7 and NC4 to NC6 _NC1 Sarah Champion .

Found: New Amendment: NC3 _NC1 Sarah Champion .

Found: New Amendment: NC2 _NC1 Sarah Champion .

Found: New Amendment: NC1 _NC1 Sarah Champion ★.

Found: Not moved_NC1 Sarah Champion .

Found: _NC1 Sarah Champion .

Found: _NC1 Sarah Champion .

Found: _NC1 Sarah Champion .

Found: _NC1 Sarah Champion .

Found: Smith Emily Darlington Torcuil Crichton Helen Hayes Richard Baker Chris Kane Rebecca Paul Sarah Champion

Found: _NC1 Sarah Champion .

Found: Helen Hayes Richard Baker Chris Kane REPORT STAGE Wednesday 18 June 2025 2 Rebecca Paul Sarah Champion

Found: REPORT STAGE Tuesday 17 June 2025 _9 Sarah Champion Apsana Begum Charlotte Nichols Rachel Gilmour

Found: REPORT STAGE Tuesday 17 June 2025 80 _9 Sarah Champion Apsana Begum Charlotte Nichols Rachel Gilmour

Found: _NC1 Sarah Champion .

Found: Withdrawn after debate_1 Chris Evans Patricia Ferguson Sarah Champion Debbie Abrahams John Whitby

Found: _NC1 Chris Evans Patricia Ferguson Tim Farron Sarah Champion Debbie Abrahams John Whitby Dr Marie

Found: REPORT STAGE Tuesday 17 June 2025 80 Not called_9 Sarah Champion Apsana Begum Charlotte Nichols Rachel

Found: REPORT STAGE Monday 16 June 2025 80 _9 Sarah Champion Apsana Begum Charlotte Nichols Rachel Gilmour

Found: Presented by Alberto Costa supported by Sarah Champion, Jim Shannon, Sir Julian Lewis, Ellie Chowns

Found: _NC1 Sarah Champion .

Found: _NC1 Chris Evans Patricia Ferguson Tim Farron Sarah Champion Debbie Abrahams John Whitby Dr Marie

Found: REPORT STAGE Friday 13 June 2025 120 _NC9 Sarah Champion Sam Carling .

Found: _NC1 Chris Evans Patricia Ferguson Tim Farron Sarah Champion Debbie Abrahams John Whitby Dr Marie

Found: Withdrawn after debate_1 Chris Evans Patricia Ferguson Sarah Champion Debbie Abrahams John Whitby

Found: _NC9 Sarah Champion .

Found: Dame Caroline Dinenage Sir Roger Gale Siân Berry Carla Denyer Rosie Duffield Alex Sobel Sarah Champion

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