Written questions by Jogee.

What assessment she has made of the adequacy of flight connections between England and Northern Ireland.

We recognise the importance of maintaining a thriving and competitive aviation sector in the UK that supports Union connectivity. The Department continues to joint-fund a Public Service Obligation route between London and Derry/Londonderry. During March 2025, around 4,000 passenger flights were operated by airlines including Aer Lingus, British Airways, easyJet, Loganair and Ryanair, between several airports across England and Northern Ireland.

When she last met with the leadership of the Criminal Cases Review Commission.

The Secretary of State met the incoming interim Chair of the Criminal Cases Review Commission, Dame Vera Baird DBE KC, on 3 June 2025.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether he has had recent discussions with his Trinidad and Tobago counterpart on trade.

An opportunity for the Foreign Secretary to discuss trade with his Trinidad & Tobago counterpart has not presented itself since their Government was elected on 28 April 2025.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what recent assessment he has made of the potential implications for his policies of the (a) political and (b) security situation in South Korea.

I look forward to the opportunity of working with the newly elected Korean administration to develop our UK-ROK relationship even further. I hope to work together with the new government to build on the strong foundations of the Downing Street Accord and our global strategic partnership across all our shared interests.

What assessment he has made of the link between the installation of solar panels on new build homes and the cost of energy for those residents.

Solar panels benefit households by reducing electricity bills significantly and providing payment for excess electricity generated through the Smart Export Guarantee.Future standards this year will set our newbuild homes on a path that moves away from relying on fossil fuels and ensures readiness for a net zero future. We will encourage the installation of solar panels on these developments, where appropriate. We received a lot of feedback on the Future Homes Standard consultation proposals relating to solar and are mindful of the opportunity it represents. We are committed to ensuring that the standards we set are ambitious and technically achievable. We are working to get the technical detail right and will provide an update soon.

What recent assessment she has made of the effectiveness of the work of the Criminal Cases Review Commission.

The Lord Chancellor has appointed Dame Vera Baird DBE KC to carry out a thorough review of the operation of the Criminal Cases Review Commission, to increase public confidence in the organisation and the important work it undertakes investigating potential miscarriages of justice.

Food and Rural Affairs, what recent engagement he has had with the British and Irish Association of Zoos and Aquariums.

Baroness Hayman of Ullock, Defra Animal Welfare Minister, periodically meets with the British and Irish Association of Zoos and Aquariums (BIAZA). Most recently the Minister met both the Chair and Chief Executive Officer of the British and Irish Association of Zoos and Aquariums (BIAZA) at a visit to Chester Zoo on 22 May 2025, ahead of the launch of the new Standards of Modern Zoo Practice for Great Britain and also hosted an Animal Welfare Strategy development roundtable, which BIAZA attended. Defra officials also have regular meetings with BIAZA.

Food and Rural Affairs, what recent steps he has taken to update the Standards of Modern Zoo Practice for Great Britain.

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. The new Standards reflect the latest in best practice for keeping wild animals in zoos and aquariums.

Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of updates to the Standards of Modern Zoo Practice for Great Britain on animal welfare standards at zoos.

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. The new Standards reflect the latest in best practice for keeping wild animals in zoos and aquariums.

If she will meet with the hon. Member for Newcastle-under-Lyme to discuss the potential merits of a police station providing a 24-hour public reception in Newcastle-under-Lyme constituency.

Decisions about local resourcing and the police force estate, including police stations and their opening hours, are a matter for Chief Constables and directly elected, independent Police and Crime Commissioners (or equivalents). They are best placed to make these decisions based on their knowledge of local need and experience.

Food and Rural Affairs, what steps he plans to take to tackle livestock worrying in (a) Newcastle-under-Lyme and (b) Staffordshire.

This Government recognises the distress livestock worrying can cause animals and their keepers. The Government is supporting a Private Members’ Bill which will amend and update the Dogs (Protection of Livestock) Act 1953. The Bill will modernise definitions and scope, strengthen police powers and increase the maximum penalty from a fine of £1,000 to an “unlimited” fine to act as a deterrent. The legislation will apply to England and Wales.

What assessment she has made of the link between trends in the number of international students and the number of courses at universities.

This government’s position on international students is clear. We are committed to a United Kingdom that is outward looking and welcomes international students who make a positive impact on the UK’s higher education (HE) sector, our economy and society as a whole.The Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA) collects and publishes data on student enrolments across UK HE providers.Counts of student enrolments in UK HE providers by permanent address are published in Table 1 of HESA’s Student Data and can be accessed here: https://www.hesa.ac.uk/data-and-analysis/students/table-1.

Food and Rural Affairs, for what reasons wildfire warning signs have been installed on English moorland.

The decision to install signage has been made at a local level by Moors for the Future Partnership and Peak District National Park Authority.

What recent steps he has taken with Cabinet colleagues to help increase job (a) creation and (b) retention in (i) industrial communities, (ii) Newcastle-under-Lyme constituency and (iii) Staffordshire.

There is a strong ecosystem of skills and employment support, across Staffordshire and Newcastle -Under Lyme, co-ordinated through county, district and borough councils, in partnership with national government and not for profit organisations.The Department for Business and Trade offers a range of business support services which we will be building with measures being announced in the Small Business Strategy later this year. Our support helps businesses start, grow, invest, and export, creating opportunities across the country, including communities in Staffordshire and Newcastle-under-Lyme.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what steps he has taken to advance recognition of the State of Palestine since 20 May 2025.

The UK commitment to a two-state solution is unwavering.  We are committed to recognising a Palestinian state at a time that has the most impact in achieving this reality and is most conducive to long-term prospects for peace. We are clear that does not need to be at the end of a process. UK bilateral recognition is the single most important action the UK can take with regard to Palestinian statehood. That is why it is important to get the timing right so that it creates genuine momentum and is not simply a symbolic gesture. We are continuing to engage all partners on advancing a two-state solution and supporting the foundations of Palestinian statehood.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what recent assessment he has made of the potential implications for his policies of the (a) political and (b) security situation in Libya.

We are deeply concerned by the recent violence in Tripoli and we are continuing to monitor developments closely. We welcome the truces that have been agreed, urge all parties to respect them unconditionally and work towards agreeing a permanent ceasefire. This latest unrest highlights the urgent need for a sustainable political solution. Libyan actors must take responsibility for peace and security by engaging constructively with the UN to achieve a Libyan-led political agreement. The UK remains committed to supporting the United Nations Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL) and will continue engaging a broad range of political stakeholders to help build a more stable, democratic, and prosperous Libya.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what recent assessment he has made of the potential implications for his policies of the (a) political and (b) security situation in Iraq.

The UK wants to see a stable, peaceful and prosperous Iraq. In partnership with the Iraqi Government, we aim to counter threats and foster stability and development, while promoting UK interests and values. We are encouraged by this period of relative security stability in the country and will continue to work with Iraq and other regional partners to ensure this continues. With the transition of the Global Coalition Against Daesh's military mission, Operation Inherent Resolve, set for September this year, the UK is working at pace to implement new defence and security agreements with the Government of Iraq.Elections are due to take place in Iraq in November this year. We continue to monitor the election build-up and look forward to a free and fair election.

What discussions she has had with her counterparts in (a) Southern African Development Community and (b) Carribbean Community countries on investment opportunities.

The Department for Business and Trade discusses a number of issues with partners across the Caribbean and the Southern Africa community aimed at increasing bilateral investment. In addition, the UK’s Trade Envoys for those regions will seek to develop high level relationships with key decision makers to help further increase trade and investment.

Whether she has discussed the Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill with representatives of the Welsh Government.

The Secretary of State has not discussed the Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill with counterparts in the Welsh Government.The Government is neutral on the matter of assisted dying and the passage of the Bill.

Which Ministers attended the 4th Commonwealth Sustainable Energy Transition Forum on 20 May 2025.

Details of Ministerial meetings are published quarterly in arrears on gov.uk.