Written questions by Rosindell.

What steps she has taken to support the motor finance industry.

The Government recognises the central role of the motor finance industry in helping consumers and businesses access vehicles and in supporting the wider automotive sector. Ensuring that consumers can access motor finance on manageable and affordable terms is therefore of vital importance and the Government wants to see this issue resolved in an efficient and orderly way that provides certainty for consumers and firms. The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), as the independent regulator, has consulted on proposals for a motor finance consumer redress scheme. Throughout the consultation period, which closed on December 12, the Government encouraged all stakeholders to fully engage with the process so that their views can be considered by the FCA. The FCA has indicated it will finalise the rules of the scheme in February or March.

Whether she has reviewed the Financial Conduct Authority’s proposed motor finance consumer redress scheme.

The Government recognises the central role of the motor finance industry in helping consumers and businesses access vehicles and in supporting the wider automotive sector. Ensuring that consumers can access motor finance on manageable and affordable terms is therefore of vital importance and the Government wants to see this issue resolved in an efficient and orderly way that provides certainty for consumers and firms. The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), as the independent regulator, has consulted on proposals for a motor finance consumer redress scheme. Throughout the consultation period, which closed on December 12, the Government encouraged all stakeholders to fully engage with the process so that their views can be considered by the FCA. The FCA has indicated it will finalise the rules of the scheme in February or March.

What steps she has taken to ensure that the Financial Conduct Authority’s proposed motor finance consumer redress scheme is proportionate.

The Government recognises the central role of the motor finance industry in helping consumers and businesses access vehicles and in supporting the wider automotive sector. Ensuring that consumers can access motor finance on manageable and affordable terms is therefore of vital importance and the Government wants to see this issue resolved in an efficient and orderly way that provides certainty for consumers and firms. The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), as the independent regulator, has consulted on proposals for a motor finance consumer redress scheme. Throughout the consultation period, which closed on December 12, the Government encouraged all stakeholders to fully engage with the process so that their views can be considered by the FCA. The FCA has indicated it will finalise the rules of the scheme in February or March.

What steps he has taken to support the recruitment of (a) apprentices and (b) graduates to the British defence industry.

The Ministry of Defence already supports over 460,000 jobs and 24,000 apprenticeships across the UK, providing sustainable, high-quality, well-paying jobs. As part of the Defence Industrial Strategy, the Ministry of Defence has announced a £182 million skills package which includes a range of initiatives that will support apprentices and graduates. These include Defence Technical Excellence Colleges, the Defence Universities Alliance and the Graduate and Apprentice Clearing System.

Communities and Local Government, how many stop notices under section 35C of the Building Act 1984 the Building Safety Regulator issued in 2025.

The Building Safety Regulator (BSR) has identified four Compliance Notices that have been made under Section 35B of the Building Act 1984 in 2025. These include three that are in draft, and one that has been issued. The BSR has identified that there have been five stop notices made under Section 35C of the Building Act 1984 in 2025. These include three that are in draft, and two that have been issued.

Communities and Local Government, how many compliance notices under section 35B of the Building Act the Building Safety Regulator has issued in 2025.

The Building Safety Regulator (BSR) has identified four Compliance Notices that have been made under Section 35B of the Building Act 1984 in 2025. These include three that are in draft, and one that has been issued. The BSR has identified that there have been five stop notices made under Section 35C of the Building Act 1984 in 2025. These include three that are in draft, and two that have been issued.

Communities and Local Government, with reference to Regulation 11 of The Building (Higher-Risk Buildings Procedures) (England) Regulations 2023, how many Building Control Applications were received by the Building Safety Regulator for remedial works for transfer slab defects in 2025.

The Building Safety Regulator has not identified any emergency work or building control approval applications related to remedial work for transfer slabs in 2025.

Communities and Local Government, with reference to Regulation 10 of The Building (Higher-Risk Buildings Procedures) (England) Regulations 2023, how many emergency works notices were received by the Building Safety Regulator for remedial works for transfer slab defects in 2025.

The Building Safety Regulator has not identified any emergency work or building control approval applications related to remedial work for transfer slabs in 2025.

Communities and Local Government, with reference to Section 21 of The Building (Higher-Risk Buildings Procedures) (England) Regulations 2023, how many change control applications were (a) received and (b) approved in 2025 by the Building Safety Regulator; and what was the average time taken by the regulator to approve the applications.

The Building Safety Regulator (BSR) can confirm that in 2025 there were 159 Regularisation Applications received with 47 approvals being delivered. The average time in which an approval was made was 33 weeks. In 2025 BSR received 2335 Completion Certificate Applications, granting 664 approvals. The average time in which an approval has been made was 28 weeks. The BSR can confirm that in 2025 there were 514 Change Control requests received with 148 of these marked as complete. The average time taken by the BSR to approve the applications cannot be determined as the Change Requests do not have a definitive outcome date. Last June, MHCLG announced a new phase for the BSR, including strengthened leadership, steps to address operational challenges to speed up decision making, and plans for a new body for the BSR. Enhanced operating models are delivering significant progress. A new Innovation Unit has dramatically reduced processing time for new build applications, with the highest quality applications approved within the 12-week target, whilst the BSR continues to make strong headway tackling cases already in the system. BSR continue publish performance data monthly to support transparency and accountability.

Communities and Local Government, with reference to Section 47 of The Building (Higher-Risk Buildings Procedures) (England) Regulations 2023, how many regularisation certificate applications were (a) received and (b) approved by the Building Safety Regulator in 2025; and what was the average time taken by the regulator to approve these applications.

The Building Safety Regulator (BSR) can confirm that in 2025 there were 159 Regularisation Applications received with 47 approvals being delivered. The average time in which an approval was made was 33 weeks. In 2025 BSR received 2335 Completion Certificate Applications, granting 664 approvals. The average time in which an approval has been made was 28 weeks. The BSR can confirm that in 2025 there were 514 Change Control requests received with 148 of these marked as complete. The average time taken by the BSR to approve the applications cannot be determined as the Change Requests do not have a definitive outcome date. Last June, MHCLG announced a new phase for the BSR, including strengthened leadership, steps to address operational challenges to speed up decision making, and plans for a new body for the BSR. Enhanced operating models are delivering significant progress. A new Innovation Unit has dramatically reduced processing time for new build applications, with the highest quality applications approved within the 12-week target, whilst the BSR continues to make strong headway tackling cases already in the system. BSR continue publish performance data monthly to support transparency and accountability.

Communities and Local Government, with reference to Section 40 of The Building (Higher-Risk Buildings Procedures) (England) Regulations 2023, how many completion certificate applications were (a) received and (b) approved in 2025 by the Building Safety Regulator; and what was the average time taken by the regulator to approve these applications.

The Building Safety Regulator (BSR) can confirm that in 2025 there were 159 Regularisation Applications received with 47 approvals being delivered. The average time in which an approval was made was 33 weeks. In 2025 BSR received 2335 Completion Certificate Applications, granting 664 approvals. The average time in which an approval has been made was 28 weeks. The BSR can confirm that in 2025 there were 514 Change Control requests received with 148 of these marked as complete. The average time taken by the BSR to approve the applications cannot be determined as the Change Requests do not have a definitive outcome date. Last June, MHCLG announced a new phase for the BSR, including strengthened leadership, steps to address operational challenges to speed up decision making, and plans for a new body for the BSR. Enhanced operating models are delivering significant progress. A new Innovation Unit has dramatically reduced processing time for new build applications, with the highest quality applications approved within the 12-week target, whilst the BSR continues to make strong headway tackling cases already in the system. BSR continue publish performance data monthly to support transparency and accountability.

With regard to the Animals in Science Regulation Unit Annual Report 2024, published in December 2025, what action her Department took against the provider that re-used mice in a second experiment without project licence approval; and what steps her Department is taking to prevent animals from being used in unlicensed experiments.

Regarding the case of non-compliance in question, Inspector advice was issued to the licensee. The licensee was notified on what provision was breached and what is expected in future to prevent recurrence. All cases of non-compliance and actions taken are published and available here: www.gov.uk/government/collections/animals-in-science-regulation-unit-annual-reports.All licensed establishments must fully uphold the required standards for animal welfare as set out in the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986 (ASPA) and the Code of Practice for the Housing and Care of Animals Bred, Supplied or Used for Scientific Purposes. The Animals in Science Regulation Unit (ASRU) conducts audits to assure establishments’ compliance and takes matters of non-compliance very seriously.ASRU has published its compliance framework (www.gov.uk/guidance/animal-testing-and-research-compliance-with-aspa) which explains how it identifies and investigates potential incidents of non-compliance and decides on appropriate and proportionate measures and remedies where non-compliance has been found to occur.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what support her Department is providing to the Turks and Caicos Islands Government for the proposed airport expansion in Providenciales.

The UK is committed to expanding economic cooperation with the Overseas Territories, recognising the importance of sustainable economic prosperity to the whole UK family. The 2025 Joint Ministerial Council included discussions with UK Export Finance regarding their infrastructure offer and credit finance opportunities in the UK, as well as a business engagement session involving UK companies with infrastructure expertise, including airports.

What assessment he has made of the potential security implications for British Overseas Territories in the Caribbean following the US’s intervention in Venezuela.

The UK Government is committed to safeguarding the security of all our Overseas Territories, including those in the Caribbean. The Ministry of Defence undertakes regular assessments of the requirements for Defence support to those Overseas Territories.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what assessment she has made of the implications of the arrest of Nicolás Maduro for Venezuela’s territorial ambitions in Guyana.

I refer the Hon Member to the statement made to the House by the Foreign Secretary on 5 January, and her responses to questions raised in that debate. Furthermore, let me point out the Essequibo border was settled more than 125 years ago, through international arbitration. The UK's support for Guyana's sovereignty is unwavering. We will continue to work with allies and regional partners to avoid escalation in tensions on the Venezuela/Guyana border.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether she has spoken with the Secretary-General of the Commonwealth on support for Guyana in light of (a) ongoing instability in Venezuela and (b) Venezuela’s territorial ambitions in Guyana.

I refer the Hon Member to the statement made to the House by the Foreign Secretary on 5 January, and her responses to questions raised in that debate. Furthermore, let me point out the Essequibo border was settled more than 125 years ago, through international arbitration. The UK's support for Guyana's sovereignty is unwavering. We will continue to work with allies and regional partners to avoid escalation in tensions on the Venezuela/Guyana border.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether she has engaged with the UN or Gulf partners on the escalation in southern Yemen between Saudi and Emirati-aligned forces.

I refer the Hon Member to my statement to the House on 5 January, where I set out the UK's position in relation to the recent tensions in Southern Yemen. I will provide further such updates in due course as necessary.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what implications have heightened tensions in Yemen had to the free flow of trade through the Suez Canal and Red Sea.

I refer the Hon Member to my statement to the House on 5 January, where I set out the UK's position in relation to the recent tensions in Southern Yemen. I will provide further such updates in due course as necessary.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what assessment she has made of the potential implications for her policies of the Southern Transitional Council’s aim to hold a referendum on independence in the coming years.

I refer the Hon Member to my statement to the House on 5 January, where I set out the UK's position in relation to the recent tensions in Southern Yemen. I will provide further such updates in due course as necessary.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether her Department has had discussions with international partners on coordinated responses to the suppression of protests in Iran.

I refer the Hon Member to my statement to the House on 5 January, where I set out the UK's position in relation to the recent protests in Iran. I will provide further such updates in due course as necessary.