Written questions by Ribeiro-Addy.

What steps his Department is taking to support businesses transitioning to a four-day working week.

A four-day week is an example of a flexible working arrangement. All employees have the right to request flexible working, and we are changing legislation through the Employment Rights Bill to make it more likely that feasible requests are accepted.The government continues to monitor the impacts of flexible working. As the full results of the latest four-day week trial have not yet been published, it has not been possible to determine any implications for business productivity or government policy.Employers considering changes in working practices can draw on flexible working guidance on gov.uk and the Help to Grow website, as well as the new Business Growth Service which will launch shortly.As we have no plans to mandate a four-day week, government is not planning to establish a working time council or business forum focussed on this topic. Our priority is to consult with and support businesses and employees with the planned changes to the flexible working measures as part of the wider Plan to Make Work Pay.

Innovation and Technology, what assessment he has made of the potential for AI-driven productivity gains to support reduced working hours without loss of pay.

The Government is working to harness the benefits that AI can bring in terms of economic growth, productivity gains, rising living standards, and improved worker wellbeing; while mitigating the risks. The Government is planning for a range of plausible outcomes and closely monitoring the data that will help us track and prepare for these. We will continue to work closely with other government departments through the AI Opportunities Action Plan to ensure we shape AI to deliver economic prosperity for the UK.

Whether he has made an assessment of the potential merits of establishing a working time council to explore the wider implementation of a four-day working across the economy.

A four-day week is an example of a flexible working arrangement. All employees have the right to request flexible working, and we are changing legislation through the Employment Rights Bill to make it more likely that feasible requests are accepted.The government continues to monitor the impacts of flexible working. As the full results of the latest four-day week trial have not yet been published, it has not been possible to determine any implications for business productivity or government policy.Employers considering changes in working practices can draw on flexible working guidance on gov.uk and the Help to Grow website, as well as the new Business Growth Service which will launch shortly.As we have no plans to mandate a four-day week, government is not planning to establish a working time council or business forum focussed on this topic. Our priority is to consult with and support businesses and employees with the planned changes to the flexible working measures as part of the wider Plan to Make Work Pay.

Pursuant to the Answer of 2 July 2025 to Question 63048 on Blood: Donors, whether he will provide a breakdown of the top 10 countries travelled to by the 4,493 donors deferred due to travel.

NHS Blood and Transplant (NHSBT) is responsible for blood donation in England. NHSBT has confirmed that they do not hold the requested data.

What assessment he has made of the productivity outcomes of the latest four-day week pilot facilitated by the 4 Day Week Foundation.

A four-day week is an example of a flexible working arrangement. All employees have the right to request flexible working, and we are changing legislation through the Employment Rights Bill to make it more likely that feasible requests are accepted.The government continues to monitor the impacts of flexible working. As the full results of the latest four-day week trial have not yet been published, it has not been possible to determine any implications for business productivity or government policy.Employers considering changes in working practices can draw on flexible working guidance on gov.uk and the Help to Grow website, as well as the new Business Growth Service which will launch shortly.As we have no plans to mandate a four-day week, government is not planning to establish a working time council or business forum focussed on this topic. Our priority is to consult with and support businesses and employees with the planned changes to the flexible working measures as part of the wider Plan to Make Work Pay.

Pursuant to the Answer of 2 July 2025 to Question 63048 on Blood: Donors, what the ethnic breakdown is of the 4,493 donors deferred due to travel; and what this is as a proportion of (a) total deferrals and (b) total deferrals per ethnic group.

NHS Blood and Transplant (NHSBT) is responsible for collecting blood donations across England, in order to fulfil hospital requests to meet patient need.From 1 June 2024 to 31 May 2025, a total of 4,493 donors deferred due to travel. The following table shows the ethnic breakdown of these deferrals as a proportion of (a) total deferrals and (b) total deferrals per ethnic group:EthnicityTotal DeferralsDeferrals due to Travel% of Total Deferrals% Total Deferrals by EthnicityAny other Asian background3,448630.0%1.8%Any other Black/African/Caribbean background724210.0%2.9%Any other ethnic group*1,409440.0%3.1%Any other Mixed / Multiple ethnic background2,114380.0%1.8%Any other White background17,3432730.1%1.6%Arab1,005200.0%2.0%Asian Bangladeshi817110.0%1.3%Asian Indian7,1761570.1%2.2%Asian Pakistani2,1262320.1%10.9%Black- African6,5622650.1%4.0%Black- Caribbean3,663660.0%1.8%Chinese1,709340.0%2.0%English/Welsh/Scottish/Northern Irish/British231,8793,1071.1%1.3%Mixed White and Asian2,071390.0%1.9%Mixed White and Black African842150.0%1.8%Mixed White and Black Caribbean2,093230.0%1.1%Not Disclosed1,516200.0%1.3%Unknown880190.0%2.2%White Irish3,634460.0%1.3%Grand Total291,0114,4931.5%1.5%Source: NHSBT’s centrally held administrative systems, extracted 27 June 2025.Note: *Any other ethnic group includes Gypsy or Irish Traveller and Roma to comply with small number suppression.

With reference to the UN report entitled A/HRC/59/23: From economy of occupation to economy of genocide - Report of the Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in the Palestinian territories occupied since 1967, published on 16 June 2025, whether she has had discussions with the University of Edinburgh on the report.

Since education is a devolved matter, no meetings have taken place between my right hon. Friend, the Secretary of State for Education and the University of Edinburgh concerning the United Nations report.

With reference to the UN report entitled A/HRC/59/23: From economy of occupation to economy of genocide - Report of the Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in the Palestinian territories occupied since 1967, published on 16 June 2025, whether he is taking steps to review contracts with companies listed in the report.

It is the long-standing policy of successive British Governments that judgement as to whether genocide has occurred is for a competent national or international court. Genocide is a crime and whether it has occurred should be decided after consideration of all the evidence available in the context of a credible judicial process. The UK Government is committed to upholding international law and promoting human rights in all its operations, including procurement. We expect all suppliers to uphold the highest of ethical standards and to comply with all applicable laws and regulations. Public sector procurement is subject to a legal framework set out by the Procurement Act 2023 which came into force in February 2025. Individual contracting authorities are responsible for their own procurement and contract award decisions under the Act.

With reference to the UN report entitled A/HRC/59/23: From economy of occupation to economy of genocide - Report of the Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in the Palestinian territories occupied since 1967, published on 16 June 2025, what steps he is taking to raise concerns on the accusations contained within the report with (a) UK-based companies and (b) companies with UK government contracts listed in the report.

It is the long-standing policy of successive British Governments that judgement as to whether genocide has occurred is for a competent national or international court. Genocide is a crime and whether it has occurred should be decided after consideration of all the evidence available in the context of a credible judicial process. The UK Government is committed to upholding international law and promoting human rights in all its operations, including procurement. We expect all suppliers to uphold the highest of ethical standards and to comply with all applicable laws and regulations. Public sector procurement is subject to a legal framework set out by the Procurement Act 2023 which came into force in February 2025. Individual contracting authorities are responsible for their own procurement and contract award decisions under the Act.

With reference to the recent UN report A/HRC/59/23 entitled, From economy of occupation to economy of genocide - Report of the Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in the Palestinian territories occupied since 1967, published on 16 June 2025, whether his Department will consider updating procurement processes to ensure companies implicated in genocide do not receive (a) public money and (b) Government contracts.

It is the long-standing policy of successive British Governments that judgement as to whether genocide has occurred is for a competent national or international court. Genocide is a crime and whether it has occurred should be decided after consideration of all the evidence available in the context of a credible judicial process. The UK Government is committed to upholding international law and promoting human rights in all its operations, including procurement. We expect all suppliers to uphold the highest of ethical standards and to comply with all applicable laws and regulations. Public sector procurement is subject to a legal framework set out by the Procurement Act 2023 which came into force in February 2025. Individual contracting authorities are responsible for their own procurement and contract award decisions under the Act.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, with reference to the UN report entitled A/HRC/59/23: From economy of occupation to economy of genocide - Report of the Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in the Palestinian territories occupied since 1967, published on 16 June 2025, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of the report on (a) UK-based companies and (b) companies with UK government contracts listed in the report.

No formal assessment has been made. We are of the clear view that Israel must fully respect International Humanitarian Law and should bring an end to its presence in the Occupied Palestinian Territories (OPTs) as rapidly as possible - this must be done in a way that creates the conditions for negotiations towards the two-state solution. The UK Government has a clear position that Israeli settlements in the OPTs are illegal under international law. Goods from illegal Israeli settlements are not eligible for tariff or trade preferences under UK agreements with Israel or the Palestinian Authority. The UK does not support economic or financial activities in these settlements due to associated risks. Businesses are advised to seek legal counsel before engaging in such activities. Official guidance on handling goods from Israel and the OPTs is available on gov.uk to help UK operators make informed decisions.

Whether overseas NHS staff on band three Agenda for Change pay will be eligible for visa renewals under current immigration salary requirements.

Salary thresholds are an important way of ensuring those coming to work in the UK are able to support themselves. These workers do not have access to public funds so it is important a rate is set which will ensure people are earning sufficient income without having to rely on public funds. A number of health and care and education occupations are subject to lower rates of pay than other occupations.The Migration Advisory Committee (MAC) has been asked to consider whether there should continue to be a different threshold for health and care worker visas. We look forward to receiving the MAC’s recommendations in due course.Individuals who are sponsored in roles at band 3 before the rules change on 22 July will be eligible to extend their visa providing they meet all the requirements at the time including being paid the appropriate salary. Salary thresholds and going rates are routinely updated and sponsored workers will need to meet the salary requirements in place at the time they apply for their visa to be renewed.

What assessment her Department has made of the adequacy of immigration salary thresholds for staff currently employed in the social care sector.

Salary thresholds are an important way of ensuring those coming to work in the UK are able to support themselves. These workers do not have access to public funds so it is important a rate is set which will ensure people are earning sufficient income without having to rely on public funds. A number of health and care and education occupations are subject to lower rates of pay than other occupations.The Migration Advisory Committee (MAC) has been asked to consider whether there should continue to be a different threshold for health and care worker visas. We look forward to receiving the MAC’s recommendations in due course.Individuals who are sponsored in roles at band 3 before the rules change on 22 July will be eligible to extend their visa providing they meet all the requirements at the time including being paid the appropriate salary. Salary thresholds and going rates are routinely updated and sponsored workers will need to meet the salary requirements in place at the time they apply for their visa to be renewed.

Communities and Local Government, whether she has made an assessment of the potential impact of introducing furnished tenancies in social housing on costs to the public purse.

On 2 July, the government opened a consultation on a reformed Decent Homes Standard (DHS) for the social and private rented sectors. It seeks views on a range of issues including whether landlords should provide suitable floor coverings in all rooms at the start of every tenancy. The consultation can be found on gov.uk here.

Communities and Local Government, what steps she will take to tackle the impact of furniture poverty on children in low-income families; and what assessment she has made of the potential merits of furnished tenancies in social housing on reducing the impact of furniture poverty.

On 2 July, the government opened a consultation on a reformed Decent Homes Standard (DHS) for the social and private rented sectors. It seeks views on a range of issues including whether landlords should provide suitable floor coverings in all rooms at the start of every tenancy. The consultation can be found on gov.uk here.

Communities and Local Government, whether the new Decent Homes Standard will include a requirement that at least 10% of social homes are let as furnished.

On 2 July, the government opened a consultation on a reformed Decent Homes Standard (DHS) for the social and private rented sectors. It seeks views on a range of issues including whether landlords should provide suitable floor coverings in all rooms at the start of every tenancy. The consultation can be found on gov.uk here.

What assessment his Department has made of the potential impact of immigration salary thresholds on the number of overseas NHS staff on band three Agenda for Change pay.

From 9 April 2025, the minimum salary for Health and Care Worker Visa holders increased to £25,000 per year. This applies to new Certificates of Sponsorship assigned on or after that date. Entry level National Health Service Agenda for Change band 3 roles do not meet the new minimum salary threshold for a Health and Care Worker visa.NHS Agenda for Change pay band 3 staff currently on the Health and Care Worker visa are not required to meet the new minimum salary threshold until the point at which they need to renew their visa. At this point, we expect the majority of staff to have accrued two or more years experience, and therefore be at the top of pay band 3, which is above the new minimum salary threshold.Whilst we hugely value our international workforce and the skills and experience they bring, we are also committed to growing homegrown talent and giving opportunities to more people across the country to join our NHS. The 10 Year Workforce Plan will outline strategies for improving retention, productivity, training, and reducing attrition, thereby enhancing conditions for all staff while gradually reducing reliance on international recruitment, without diminishing the value of their contributions.

Whether (a) nursing staff and (b) allied health professionals will be exempt from planned changes to the qualifying period for indefinite leave to remain.

We will be consulting on the earned settlement scheme later this year and further details on the proposed scheme will be provided at that time.

What recent assessment her Department has made of the potential risk of data breaches associated with the centralised storage of ID card information.

The Home Office keeps all aspects of the immigration system under regular review, in consultation with a wide range of experts and stakeholders.

Whether her Department has (a) commissioned and (b) reviewed research on the potential impact of mandatory ID card schemes on public trust in (i) the police and (ii) other state authorities.

The Home Office keeps all aspects of the immigration system under regular review, in consultation with a wide range of experts and stakeholders.