Written questions by Gelderd.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, if he will list the project (a) title, (b) code and (c) cost of International Climate Finance projects under the international forest (i) indigenous peoples and local communities, (ii) Congo basin and (ii) Amazon pledge in (A) 2021-22, (B) 2022-23, (C) 2023-24 and (D) 2024-25 financial year.

At COP26, the UK committed £1.5 billion International Climate Finance (ICF) for forests from April 2021 to March 2026, including £200 million for the Congo Basin (to 2029) and £300 million for the Amazon. This forms the UK's contribution toward the Global Forest Finance Pledge, Congo Basin Pledge, and Indigenous People and Local Communities Forest Tenure Pledge. The UK invested £682 million over financial years 2021/22 (£155 million), 2022/23 (£200 million), 2023/24 (£327 million). Data is not yet finalised for 2024/2025. The UK Government publishes detail of ICF programmes through our online resource DevTracker and pledge reports can also be found online for consultation.

Whether he has made an assessment of the potential impact of welfare reforms on (a) unpaid carers and (b) their access to (i) respite and (ii) support services.

The Government is committed to supporting unpaid carers, who provide invaluable support to elderly or disabled people.In the recent Pathways to Work Green Paper, published on 18 March 2025, we announced a broad package of reforms to the health and disability benefit and support system, including changes to the Personal Independence Payment (PIP). For those who are affected by the new eligibility changes, including for linked entitlements such as Carer’s Allowance, we are consulting on how best to support this group, including how to make sure health and eligible care needs are met.The Government will consider the impacts on benefits for unpaid carers as part of its wider consideration of responses to the consultation as it develops its detailed proposals for change. Through the Green Paper we are consulting on the support needed for those who may lose any entitlements as a result of receiving PIP daily living and what this support could look like. The Department for Work and Pensions will also work closely with the Department of Health and Social Care and others on how the health and eligible care needs of those who would lose entitlement to PIP could be met outside the benefits system.Local authorities have duties to support people caring for their family and friends. The Care Act 2014 requires local authorities to deliver a wide range of sustainable, high-quality care and support services.The Better Care Fund includes funding that can be used for unpaid carer support, including short breaks and respite services for carers.

What steps she is taking to ensure that (a) coastal and (b) rural areas are not disproportionately impacted by housing insecurity as a result of welfare policy changes.

The Government is providing £1 billion, including Barnett impact, to extend the Household Support Fund in England and Discretionary Housing Payments (DHPs) in England and Wales in 2025-2026. DHPs can be paid to those entitled to Housing Benefit or UC who face a shortfall in meeting their housing costs and DHP funding includes over £1m ring-fenced for the most rural LAs in England and Wales.Alongside delivering on our Get Britain Working White Paper to support people into good jobs and make everyone better off, we’re increasing the Living Wage, uprating benefits and supporting 700,000 of the poorest families by introducing a Fair Repayment Rate on Universal Credit (UC) deductions to help low-income households.Our reforms will ensure we can always protect people who need it. But, for those that can, we know that work is the best route out of poverty. Many sick and disabled people want to work and have been denied the opportunity. They deserve the same chances and choices to work as everyone else, and our £1 billion employment support package will start to provide that across the country, including in coastal and rural areas.

Whether she plans to review legislation on (a) aiding and (b) abetting suicide through the (i) online promotion and (ii) sale of lethal substances.

It is already an offence to do an act capable of encouraging or assisting suicide under section 2(1) of the Suicide Act 1961 where that act is intended to encourage or assist suicide or attempted suicide.The Government has no plans to review that offence. There are also a number of criminal offences relating to the supply of regulated poisons to the public under the Poisons Act 1972. In addition, the Online Safety Act 2023 requires in-scope services to have proportionate systems and processes in place to prevent users from encountering illegal content via their service. This includes the online sale and promotion of lethal substances and illegal suicide and self-harm content.

What recent discussions she has had with Cabinet colleagues on the potential impact of proposed reforms to the Personal Independence Payment.

The reforms to the Personal Independence Payment (PIP) eligibility criteria will be brought forward via Primary Legislation, so that Parliament can fully consider, debate and vote on these changes. We have and will continue to consider the potential impacts of our reforms, including through engagement with other departments. That is why, for those who are affected by the new PIP eligibility changes, we are consulting on how best to support this group. We will also work closely with the DHSC and others on how the health and eligible care needs of those who would lose entitlement to PIP could be met outside the benefits system. We also intend to launch a wider review of the PIP assessment which I will lead. We will bring together a range of experts, stakeholders and people with lived experience to consider how best to do this and to start the process as part of preparing for a review. We will provide further details as plans progress.

What assessment her Department has made of the potential impact of welfare changes on the mental health of claimants in (a) South East Cornwall constituency, (b) rural areas and (c) coastal areas.

No assessment has been made. A further programme of analysis to support development of the proposals in the Green Paper will be developed and undertaken in the coming months.

Innovation and Technology, what assessment has he made of the effectiveness of the Online Safety Act in tackling forums and websites that promote suicide methods.

Under the Online Safety Act, in-scope services, regardless of their size, must prevent all users from encountering illegal suicide content, and children from harmful suicide content. On 9 April, Ofcom launched an investigation into whether the provider of a pro-suicide forum failed to comply with its duties under the Act. This first enforcement action taken by Ofcom demonstrates that harmful suicide forums are a high priority for enforcement.

What steps she is taking to ensure that welfare changes do not disproportionately impact (a) disabled people and (b) people with mental health conditions in South East Cornwall constituency.

The Pathways to Work Green Paper set out our plans to reform the health and disability and employment support system. As we bring forward changes, we will ensure that the most vulnerable and severely disabled people everywhere are protected, so that they can live with dignity and security. We are taking steps to make sure that people, across the country, are supported. For those affected by the changes to PIP eligibility, we are consulting on how best to support this group, including how to make sure health and eligible care needs are met. For new claimants on the Universal Credit health element after April 2026, we are proposing that those with the most severe, life-long health conditions, who will never be able to work, will see their incomes protected. We hope that a wide range of voices, including from your constituency, will respond to our consultation and as we develop detailed proposals for change, we will continue to consider the potential impacts of reforms.

Innovation and Technology, whether his Department has assessed the potential impact of online forums on the purchase of (a) sodium nitrate and (b) other substances for the purpose of suicide by vulnerable individuals; and what steps she is taking to (i) identify and (ii) remove harmful online content.

Under the Online Safety Act, in-scope services, regardless of their size, must prevent all users from encountering illegal suicide content, and children from harmful suicide content. On 9 April, Ofcom launched an investigation into whether the provider of a pro-suicide forum failed to comply with its duties under the Act. This first enforcement action taken by Ofcom demonstrates that harmful suicide forums are a high priority for enforcement.

Whether her Department has made an assessment of the adequacy of the capacity of Jobcentre Plus to support claimants in South East Cornwall constituency.

The Government has set a long-term ambition to achieve an 80% employment rate, building on our plan for growth. The Get Britain Working White Paper sets out the fundamental reforms needed to realise our ambitions, including the vision to reform Jobcentres - to a new Jobs and Careers Service to meet the needs of local labour markets, people and employers. Across Great Britain, the new service will enable everyone to access support to find good, meaningful work, and support to help them to progress in work, including through an enhanced focus on skills and careers. Central to the new service will be our use of technology, enabling us to reinvest time in supporting people more effectively. We are starting a test and learn approach to develop the new service. We are currently running two large-scale tests testing reducing the frequency of engagement with customers and the mode of mandatory engagement for Universal Credit claimants that are looking for work or are in lower paid jobs. These will help us to better understand what will work best for the individual.   Residents of Southeast Cornwall are served by Liskeard, Launceston and Devonport Job Centres who are responsible for ensuring residents of Southeast Cornwall can access the Jobcentre offer and a wide range of programmes with partner organisations. This includes the Work Well Pilot, delivering a range of tailored work and health support, the YEP! Programme (SPF), the People Hub working with people who are unemployed or under employed with a range of training and pre-employability help and the Restart Programme. Area specific needs are met by a range of Jobcentre and partner bespoke offers, which includes Disability Employer Advisor outreach in GP surgeries, working with refugees in Torpoint and Saltash, and the IPS programme delivering support to those with addiction and Mental Health issues. Recent Sector Based Work Academy Programmes (SWAPs) have assisted residents of Southeast Cornwall into security, retail and care work.

What steps his Department is taking to support veterans to mentor young people in (a) conservation, (b) rural training initiatives and (c) general.

This Government is determined to ensure that the value veterans bring to civil society and UK businesses across all sectors is fully recognised, and that industries make the most of the talents they have to offer. This includes the opportunity for veterans to share the experiences, and the skills developed throughout their Armed Forces service, with young people. The Career Transition Partnership (CTP) is the Ministry of Defence's official resettlement programme and provides employment advice and support for those leaving military service, during the 'transition' phase, up to two years before and after leaving service. CTP also supports employers looking to recruit Armed Forces Service leavers into their organisations. We have recently expanded the employment support available for veterans under Op ASCEND, which is run by the Forces Employment Charity. This service will align more closely with CTP and will provide access to specialised pathways for veterans and their families into nationally significant sectors of societal and economic value. The Great Place to Work for Veterans Scheme encourages and supports veterans seeking opportunities within the Civil Service, including in the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs. All civil service employees, including veterans, have access to a broad learning and development offer and mentoring initiatives.

What assessment she has made of the potential impact of employment programmes on rates of poverty resulting from changes to Personal Independence Payment.

A further programme of analysis to support development of the proposals in the Green Paper will be developed and undertaken in the coming months.Information on the impacts of the Pathways to Work Green Paper will be published in due course, and some information was published alongside the Spring Statement. These publications can be found in ‘Pathways to Work: Reforming Benefits and Support to Get Britain Working Green Paper’.

What assessment she has made of the potential implications for her policies of the recommendations of the Centre for Social Justice's report entitled Lost Boys, published in March 2025.

The department wants to ensure that every child and young person can achieve and thrive in education, work and life, regardless of their gender or background. Work to tackle the impacts of disadvantage is embedded throughout the Opportunity Mission. Ensuring all children, including boys, experience the best start in life is the foundation of the Mission, recognising that children’s earliest years are crucial to their health, development and future life chances.High standards across education are the key to unlocking stronger outcomes and a better future for all children and young people. The department will drive high and rising standards in every school, delivered though excellent teaching, a high-quality curriculum and a school system which removes the barriers to learning that hold too many children back.We are determined to break down barriers to opportunity for all our young people. One in eight 16 to 24-year-olds are not in education, employment or training and as the Lost Boys report highlights, the majority of these are young men. This number is too high, and we are taking the action needed to tackle it by investing in skills training and opening up access to apprenticeships.This government’s focus on ‘Getting Britain Working’ is critical to growing the economy and aims to support young people through the new Youth Guarantee. This will ensure all young people aged 18-21 will have access to education, training or help to find a job or an apprenticeship.

Food and Rural Affairs, if she will make an assessment with Cabinet colleagues of the potential impact of the level of global deforestation on economic growth in the UK in the next five years.

The Government has no plans to assess how global deforestation specifically will affect the UK’s economic growth over the next five years. However, economic growth will be considered along with other factors in shaping our policy on deforestation. We are currently reviewing how to address deforestation in UK supply chains and will outline our approach in due course.

Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment his Department has made of the potential merits of veterans working in (a) conservation and (b) land management; and whether he plans to support (a) training and (b) mentoring initiatives for those sectors.

Defra encourages veterans to apply for vacancies across multiple sectors, which are advertised on Civil Service Jobs. Defra is a participant of the Great Place to Work for Veterans Scheme. All employees, including veterans, have access to a broad learning and development offer and mentoring initiatives. I also refer the hon. Member to the answer given on 28 April to Question 44868.

Whether the UK-China Economic and Financial Dialogue will include joint work on global deforestation.

The UK and China have agreed to hold a UK-China Climate Dialogue and a UK-China Environment Dialogue later this year to accelerate action to tackle the global climate and biodiversity crises. The details of the Dialogues will be confirmed in due course. The UK remains committed to working with all international partners to halt and reverse deforestation and forest degradation.

What recent discussions he has had with his Chinese counterparts on UK-China efforts to halt global deforestation.

The UK and China have agreed to hold a UK-China Climate Dialogue and a UK-China Environment Dialogue later this year to accelerate action to tackle the global climate and biodiversity crises. The details of the Dialogues will be confirmed in due course. The UK remains committed to working with all international partners to halt and reverse deforestation and forest degradation.

Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of deforestation in the Amazon rainforest on the UK economy.

From our modelling we know that the UK consumption of agricultural commodities was associated with 35,600 hectares of deforestation worldwide in 2022 and 12.7 million tonnes of associated carbon emissions. The UK is estimated to have been the 15th largest driver of deforestation that year. The UK Government places an economic cost of £260 per tonne of carbon emitted, and the value of ecosystem services that forests provide are estimated to range from £9,000-£22,000 per hectare depending on whether they are tropical, which would include the Amazon, or temperate.

Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of UK imports of commodities on the financial value of deforested land.

From our modelling we know that the UK consumption of agricultural commodities was associated with 35,600 hectares of deforestation worldwide in 2022 and 12.7 million tonnes of associated carbon emissions. The UK is estimated to have been the 15th largest driver of deforestation that year. The UK Government places an economic cost of £260 per tonne of carbon emitted, and the value of ecosystem services that forests provide are estimated to range from £9,000-£22,000 per hectare depending on whether they are tropical, which would include the Amazon, or temperate.

If she will publish the budget for (a) UK REACH and (b) GB CLP for 2025-26; and identify (i) income from fees, charges and other sources and (ii) expenditure including staff costs in the (A) Health and Safety Executive, (B) Environment Agency, (C) Office for Product Safety and Standards and (D) UK Health Security Agency.

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) does not publish separate budgets for the UK REACH and GB CLP regulatory regimes. For the financial year 2025-26, the full cost of the planned activity is around (a) £6.1m on UK REACH, of which approximately £2.5m are staff costs and (b) £1m on GB CLP, of which approximately £0.44m are staff costs. These costs will be met by income from several sources, including fees and charges paid by industry and allocations from government which vary each year depending on the activity being carried out. For UK REACH, fees from industry for 2025-26 are forecast to be £1.53m. The information requested on budgets and expenditures in relation to different agencies are not held by this department. You may wish to contact the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs for the Environment Agency, the Department for Business and Trade for Office for Product Safety and Standards, and the Department of Health and Social Care for UK Health Security Agency.