Written questions by Rosindell.

What steps he is taking to improve the export licence process.

The Export Control Joint Unit (ECJU) is implementing a new digital export licensing system, LITE, to provide a modern digital service that streamlines the export licence application process. ECJU has an ongoing programme of Continuous Improvement and we routinely identify and implement opportunities to make targeted improvements to the way we operate and manage the export licensing service to help us adapt to the changing demands on the system.

How much British Transport Police has spent on the implementation of infrastructure to accommodate electric police vehicles in each of the past 5 years.

The British Transport Police has provided the following figures: 2020-212021-222022-232023-242024-25TotalElectric Vehicle infrastructure cost (Capital & Revenue, VAT inclusive)£0£0£952,256£109,287£37,884£1,099,427

How much British Transport Police has spent on electric vehicles in each of the past 5 years.

The British Transport Police have provided the following figures: 2020-212021-222022-232023-242024-25TotalFully Electric Vehicles (VAT inclusive)£0£495,544£2,509,465£0£0£3,005,009

If she will make her policy that local authorities that employ an internal team of certificated enforcement agents to collect fees under the (a) Taking Control of Goods Regulations 2014 and (b) Taking Control of Goods (Fees) Regulations 2014 must be accredited by the Enforcement Conduct Board.

The Government is committed to ensuring that there are fair and sustainable enforcement processes available to judgment creditors for the enforcement of judgment debts and fines. We also want to ensure that those facing enforcement action, particularly the most vulnerable in society, are treated fairly.The Government notes the findings of the 2023 review of the Taking Control of Goods (Fees) Regulations 2014 and will set out the way forward shortly.The Government supports the important work undertaken by the Enforcement Conduct Board to ensure that people facing enforcement action are treated fairly. We are actively considering whether further legislation is required to ensure appropriate oversight of enforcement firms and enforcement agents using the Taking Control of Goods procedure.The Government will set out its approach in due course.

What steps she is taking with Cabinet colleagues to provide sustainable funding to the British Transport Police.

The British Transport Police’s (BTP) budget is set independently by the British Transport Police Authority (BTPA) and the Department of Transport has no powers to intervene in this process. BTPA sets the BTP’s budget annually following proposals from the Force and views from industry. Set against a backdrop of wider public sector efficiencies and affordability by the rail industry it has agreed a budget increase for the financial year 2025/26 of 5.9%. This is comparable with the budget settlements of Home Office police forces. The cost of policing the rail network in Great Britain is primarily covered through the funding agreements that the British Transport Police Authority holds with Network Rail, the rail operators and Transport for London.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether he has made recent representations to the United Nations on UN Special Rapporteur Francesca Albanese.

The Foreign Secretary has not made representations to the United Nations (UN) on UN Special Rapporteur Francesca Albanese.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether he has met with the Human Rights Council of the United Nations to discuss the reappointment of UN Special Rapporteur Francesca Albanese.

The Foreign Secretary has not met with the Human Rights Council to discuss the reappointment of the UN Special Rapporteur Francesca Albanese. UN Appointments are a matter for the UN.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, if he will make an assessment of the effectiveness of the work of the UN Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in the Palestinian Territories.

The Foreign Secretary has not conducted an assessment on the effectiveness of the work of the UN Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in the Occupied Palestinian Territories.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, pursuant to the Answer of 24 October 2024 to Question 9120 on Francesca Albanese, whether (a) Ministers and (b) officials in his Department have (i) met and (ii) had discussions with UN Special Rapporteur Francesca Albanese since 24 October 2024.

There have been no meetings between FCDO Ministers/Officials and UN Special Rapporteur Francesca Albanese since 24 October 2024.

What steps his Department is taking to support the retention of social workers in the NHS.

The Government is committed to making the National Health Service the best place to work, to ensure the retention of our hardworking and dedicated staff, including social workers.NHS England is leading the National Retention Programme to drive a consistent, system-wide approach to staff retention across NHS trusts. This ensures trusts have access to proven retention strategies, data-driven monitoring, and can foster a more stable, engaged, productive, and supported workforce.In addition, the Department currently funds the Assessed Year in Employment to support the development and retention of newly qualified social workers employed within the statutory, private, voluntary, or independent sectors. This is a 12-month, employer led and employment-based programme of support and assessment for newly qualified social workers.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether he has made recent representations to the United Nations on statements by UN Special Rapporteur Francesca Albanese on (a) Israel and (b) the causes of the 7 October attacks.

The Foreign Secretary has not made representations to the United Nations (UN) on UN Special Rapporteur Francesca Albanese.

How much his department has spent on private emergency ambulance service companies in each of the last three years for which figures are available.

The information requested is not held. Decisions on the use of private ambulance companies to increase capacity are taken at a local level by the relevant ambulance trust.At a national level, the Government and NHS England are committed to improving ambulance services. The National Health Service’s 2025/26 priorities and operational planning guidance set national priorities, which include improving accident and emergency waiting times and ambulance response times compared to 2024/25.

How much funding his Department is providing the London Ambulance Service.

Responsibility for commissioning ambulance services is a matter for the local integrated care board. The London Ambulance Service received £704.2 million in the financial year 2024/25.

What steps he is taking to decrease reliance on private emergency ambulance service companies.

The information requested is not held. Decisions on the use of private ambulance companies to increase capacity are taken at a local level by the relevant ambulance trust.At a national level, the Government and NHS England are committed to improving ambulance services. The National Health Service’s 2025/26 priorities and operational planning guidance set national priorities, which include improving accident and emergency waiting times and ambulance response times compared to 2024/25.

What steps she is taking to tackle money laundering in (a) shops and (b) other services using high street premises.

The Government recognises that cash intensive businesses such as barber shops and nails bars can be exploited by criminals who seek to legitimise their criminal cash, enabling them to profit from their illegal activities. Addressing cash-based money laundering is one of the strategic priorities of the National Economic Crime Centre, which sits within the National Crime Agency, who are currently working with partners to drive an increased operational response to this threat, including money laundering through cash intensive businesses.In parallel, the National Police Chiefs Council economic crime co-ordinators are engaged in the development of Clear Hold Build strategies to help police forces tackle serious and organised crime. Clear Hold Build aims to reclaim and rebuild neighbourhoods affected by organised crime and increase public confidence in the police and partner agencies. This includes tackling financial crime on the high street.While businesses such as barber shops are not regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority they interact with regulated businesses, such as banks, who under the Money Laundering Regulations are required to undertake customer due diligence and under the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002 submit reports to the National Crime Agency if they suspect money laundering.

What steps she is taking to prevent illegal street vending in Greater London.

Responsibility for tackling illegal street vending in Greater London is a matter for the relevant local police forces.

What steps she is taking to prevent pedal cycle theft within the Havering London Borough.

Bike theft has a significant impact on individuals and for too long, many victims have felt not enough was being done to prevent their bikes being stolen or track down the thieves responsible.As part of this Government’s Plan for Change, our Safer Streets Mission is determined to clamp down on the crime that damages our communities, and affects people’s lives, and tackling theft is a crucial part of that work.The BTP-led National Cycle Crime Group, working with DfT, have set up Cycle Crime Reduction Partnerships across the country to coordinate regional enforcement activity to disrupt organised cycle theft.We are also delivering on our commitment to restore and strengthen neighbourhood policing, recruiting 13,000 police personnel into neighbourhood roles, ensuring every community has a named officer to turn to, and doubling investment to £200 million to kickstart this.

What steps she is taking to support victims of human trafficking in Havering London Borough.

The Government is committed to tackling modern slavery, ensuring that all victims are provided with the support they need to begin rebuilding their lives and that those responsible are prosecuted.The Government offers support to all adult potential and confirmed victims of modern slavery in England and Wales through the Modern Slavery Victim Care Contract (MSVCC). Consenting adults who are potential victims of human trafficking can access safe and secure accommodation and financial support where necessary, and a support worker who will facilitate access to other support including medical assistance and mental health support, through the Modern Slavery Victim Care Contract.Local authorities are responsible for safeguarding and promoting the welfare of all children in their area, including child victims of modern slavery. The Independent Child Trafficking Guardianship (ICTG) service, which is being piloted in Havering London Borough, also provides support to potential child victims of modern slavery. An ICTG offers direct or indirect support and advocacy to ensure the child is protected from further harm, and promote their child's recovery.

What steps he is taking to increase recruitment and retention within the Royal Navy Reserves.

Our Reserve Forces help the UK Armed Forces meet the threats we face at home and overseas, with the scale, skills, agility and connection to society that we need, in a cost-effective way. We are actively recruiting for the Royal Navy Reserve through our engaging social media campaign. Key themes for recruitment and retention include growth on the Maritime Reserves along with meaningful, diverse, and rewarding employment, reviewing and evolving administrative models for Part Time Volunteer Reserves to make sure they are fit for purpose, optimising selection processes for specialisations, credible career development pathways, and the modernising and flexibility of training pipelines.

What proportion of invoices from UK suppliers her Department paid within 10 days of receipt between September 2024 and February 2025.

All Government departments publish payment performance on a quarterly basis, showing the percentage of invoices paid in 5 days, the percentage of invoices paid in 30 days, and net debt interest liability. This is available on GOV.UK.The Home Office’s payment performance is available at:Home Office prompt payment data 2024 to 2025 (accessible) - GOV.UKThe specific information requested is not readily available, and could only be collated and verified for the purposes of answering this question at disproportionate cost.