Written questions by McDonald.

What steps her Department is taking to increase the uptake of pension credit by those eligible in Middlesbrough and Thornaby East constituency.

The latest available Pension Credit take-up statistics cover the financial year 2021 to 2022 and are available at: Income-related benefits: estimates of take-up: financial year ending 2022 - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk). These statistics are only available at Great Britain level and cannot be broken down to smaller geographical areas.The Government is determined to ensure that the poorest pensioners get the support they need.As part of the current Pension Credit Week of Action, we have joined forces with national charities, broadcasters and local authorities to encourage pensioners to check their eligibility and make a claim.From 16 September, we will be running a national marketing campaign on a range of channels. The campaign will target potential pension-age customers, as well as friends and family who can encourage and support them to apply.Our future campaign messaging will also focus on encouraging pensioners to apply for Pension Credit before the 21 December 2024, which is the last date for making a successful backdated claim for Pension Credit in order to receive a Winter Fuel Payment.We will work with external partners, local authorities and the Devolved Governments to boost the take-up of Pension Credit.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, with reference to his oral contribution of 19 July 2024, Official Report, column 307, if he will publish all assessments made by the Government on whether international law has been breached in Gaza since 7 October 2023 before the Summer recess.

As the Foreign Secretary has made clear, he is not able to look back on advice made available to previous Government Ministers. That review process is underway. It is complex and requires careful consideration. The Foreign Secretary has committed to being transparent when making decisions on International Humanitarian Law assessments.

Food and Rural Affairs, with reference to the Written Statement of 18 July 2024 on First steps to reform water sector, what steps he is taking to establish customer panels; and what mechanisms for accountability to customers will the customer panels have.

The Secretary of State recently announced a series of initial steps towards ending the crisis in the water sector. This included announcing consumers will gain new powers to hold water company bosses to account through powerful new customer panels. For the first time in history, customers will have the power to summon board members and hold water executives to account.We will provide further details on these panels in the coming months.I would also refer the hon. Member to the Written Statement made by the Secretary of State on 18 July: Written statements - Written questions, answers and statements - UK Parliament.

Food and Rural Affairs, with reference to the Written Statement of 18 July 2024 on First steps to reform water sector, HCWS3, under what circumstances compensation payments to customers will be triggered through the proposed strengthened protection and compensation for households and business measures.

The Secretary of State recently announced a series of initial steps towards ending the crisis in the water sector. This included strengthening protection and compensation for households and businesses when their basic water services are affected through the Guaranteed Standards Schemes (GSS). Subject to consultation, the amount of compensation customers are legally entitled to when key standards are not met will more than double and payments will also be triggered by a wider set of circumstances including Boil Water Notices. The Guaranteed Standards Scheme (GSS) covers incidents of interruption to supply, low water pressure, and customer service incidents. This includes failing to respond to written complaints, keep appointments, and sewer flooding to customer properties. Subject to consultation, the scope these standards may be broadened. I would also refer the hon. Member to the Written Statement made by the Secretary of State on 18 July: Written statements - Written questions, answers and statements - UK Parliament.

With reference to the oral contribution of the Prime Minister of 17 July 2024, official report, column 57, what the terms of reference are for the Child Poverty Taskforce; and when she expects the Child Poverty Taskforce to complete its work.

The new Ministerial Taskforce will drive cross-government action on child poverty, starting with overseeing the development of our ambitious new strategy, in line with the Opportunity Mission. After initial engagement, the formal work to develop the new child poverty strategy will begin and we will publish a Full Terms of Reference in the coming weeks. Recognising the wide-ranging causes of child poverty, we will explore how we can use all the available levers we have across government and wider society to drive forward the change our children need.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, if he will make an assessment of the potential implications for his Department's policies of the International Court of Justice Advisory Opinion entitled Legal Consequences arising from the Policies and Practices of Israel in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including East Jerusalem of 19 July 2024 on Israel’s settlement policy.

We have received the Advisory Opinion issued by the International Court of Justice on Friday 19 July and are considering it carefully before responding. The UK respects the independence of the International Court of Justice. The government is absolutely clear on the fundamental importance of the international rule of law.