Written questions by Leishman.

Whether the Child Poverty Strategy will take into account the potential impact of the planned reforms to the Work Capability Assessment on children living in households where at least one parent or guardian is in receipt of Limited Capability for Work or Limited Capability for Work and Work-Related Activity allowances.

Delivering our manifesto commitment to tackle child poverty is an urgent priority for this Government, and the Ministerial Taskforce is working to publish a Child Poverty Strategy which will deliver lasting change. The Strategy will look at levers across four key themes of increasing incomes, reducing essential costs, increasing financial resilience; and better local support especially in the early years. This will build on the reform plans underway across government and work underway in Devolved Governments.As part of the Strategy's development, the Taskforce is considering the potential impact of policies across government, including the potential impacts of the planned reforms to the Work Capability Assessment.

With reference to the Government Response to the Work Capability Assessment: Activities and Descriptors Consultation, CP973, updated on 22 November 2023, if she will publish (a) her Department's Impact Assessment and (b) any estimates made by her Department of the impact of the proposals on (i) the number of people in poverty, (ii) the number of children in poverty and (iii) the number of disabled people in poverty.

In January 2025 the High Court determined that the Work Capability Assessment: Activities and Descriptors consultation was unlawful. The court found the previous government failed to explain their proposals adequately or to allow people sufficient time to respond. As the previous consultation has been struck down, we will reconsult on the WCA changes as part of our Green Paper in spring 2025 that will bring forward wider proposals to reform the health and disability benefits system.

How many families in receipt of Universal Credit that include an award for Limited Capability for Work and Work-Related Activity due to physical or mental health conditions have (a) no children, (b) one child, (c) two children and (d) three or more children.

This data is published and accessible using the following link: https://stat-xplore.dwp.gov.uk/

If he will make an assessment of the potential implications for his policies on trade with illegal settlements in the Occupied Palestinian Territory 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, published on 19 July 2024.

The UK government considers Israeli settlements illegal under international law and is clear that goods produced in these settlements are not entitled to benefit from tariff and trade preferences under the UK’s current trade agreements with the Palestinian Authority and Israel. This will not change with an updated UK-Israel FTA. We advise British businesses to bear in mind the UK Government's view on the illegality of settlements under international law when considering their investments and activities in the region. Our commitment to a two-state solution is unwavering, as is our commitment to international law. We respect the independence of the International Court of Justice, and we are carefully considering the Court’s advisory opinion.

If he will bring forward secondary legislation under the Sanctions and Anti-Money Laundering Act 2018 to prevent the importation of goods from illegal Israeli settlements.

The Government does not comment on future sanctions measures, as to do so would reduce their impact.The UK government considers Israeli settlements illegal under international law and goods produced in these settlements are not entitled to benefit from tariff and trade preferences under the UK’s current trade agreements with the Palestinian Authority and Israel.We support accurate labelling of settlement goods, so as not to mislead the consumer. We routinely update our guidance to British businesses on the Overseas Business Risk website and advise British businesses to bear in mind the UK Government's view on the illegality of settlements under international law when considering their investments and activities in the region.

Which officials attended meetings with Israeli Major General Oded Basyuk on 22 January 2025; and for what reason.

As part of the concerted UK effort to reduce the risk of escalation in the Middle East and to achieve a peaceful resolution in Gaza and Lebanon, the Ministry of Defence (MOD) hosted counterparts from Israel on 22 January, led by Major General Basyuk. UK attendees included officials from the MOD, FCDO and Cabinet Office, and discussions included UK calls to implement all phases of the Gaza ceasefire deal in full and establish a pathway to lasting peace and security for the region.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether Israeli Major General Oded Basyuk and his delegation were granted special mission diplomatic immunity for the visit.

Government officials from any country can apply for and be granted special mission certificates as part of official visits to the UK. As set out in a Written Ministerial Statement by the former Foreign Secretary dated 4 March 2013, a special mission is a temporary mission, representing a State, which is sent by one State to another with the consent of the latter, in order to carry out official engagements on behalf of the sending State. The FCDO gave consent for special mission status for the visit to the UK on 21-22 January of Major General Oded Bassiuk, Head of the Operations Directorate J3 of the Israel Defense Forces, and delegation, to attend meetings with the Ministry of Defence as part of the concerted UK effort to reduce the risk of escalation in the Middle East and to achieve a peaceful resolution in Gaza and Lebanon.

Pursuant to the Answer of 20 January 2024 to Question 23609 on Israel: F-35 Aircraft, how many components manufactured exclusively for Israel's F-35I Adir version of the F-35A fighter jet have been exported from the UK.

None. UK suppliers have not manufactured nor exported components that are exclusively used on the Israeli variant of the F-35 aircraft.

Pursuant to the Answer of 5 December 2024 to Question 16963 on Israel: F-35 Aircraft, whether any F-35 components manufactured in Britain are designed specifically for the F-35I Adir variant of the F-35 fighter jet.

F-35 components produced in the UK are crucial to the production and support of the global F-35 fleet and are present on all three variants of F-35 aircraft. Israel uses the F-35 A variant. The F-35 Lightning II Joint Program Office, part of the US Department of Defense, manages the F-35 programme for all F-35 Partner Nations through its global industry supply chain.

Whether UK forces (a) took part and (b) provided support to their Israeli counterparts in the airstrikes on Yemen on Friday 10 January 2025.

The UK did not take part in, or provide support to, Israeli airstrikes in Yemen on Friday 10 January 2025.

Whether his Department has (a) shared F-35 flight mission data files with the Israeli air force and (b) received such files from that air force since October 2023.

No.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether the attack on the World Central Kitchen convoy in Gaza on 1 April 2024 was (a) reviewed as and (b) found to be a potential violation of International Humanitarian Law

The killing of seven World Central Kitchen aid workers, including three British nationals, in an Israeli airstrike in Gaza on 1 April was appalling. We continue to press the Government of Israel to improve the safety environment for aid workers in Gaza, w...

What steps his Department is taking to ensure a just transition for oil and gas (a) communities and (b) workers.

We intend to manage the North Sea in a way that ensures a fair, orderly and prosperous transition, with no community left behind. We have already launched Great British Energy, begun the biggest ever investment in offshore wind, and are moving ahead with ...

If his Department will make an assessment of the potential merits of extending UK workers rights to people working offshore on renewable energy projects.

The Government is committed to the protection of workers’ rights and is delivering an ambitious set of reforms to ensure workplace rights are fit for a modern economy, empower working people, and contribute to economic growth. Whether workers are covered ...

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether Herzi Halevi was given special mission diplomatic immunity to visit the UK in November 2024.

Government officials from any country can apply for and be granted special mission certificates as part of official visits to the UK. As set out in a Written Ministerial Statement by the former Foreign Secretary dated 4 March 2013, a special mission is a ...

What information her Department holds on the number of applications for exemption to allow civilian cargo planes that are (a) destined for Israel and (b) transporting munitions of war to overfly British soverei

The Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) has the responsibility of issuing approvals for the carriage of munitions of war in civil aircraft. The CAA has not received any applications for exemption to allow civilian cargo aircraft that are destined for Israel an...

How many applications for exemption to overfly the UK with war munitions with a final destination of Israel have been (a) received, (b) approved and (c) rejected since 7 October 2023.

For operational security reasons and as a matter of policy, the Ministry of Defence will neither confirm, deny, nor comment on any foreign nations’ military aircraft movement or operations within UK airspace or UK overseas bases.

How many times F-35 components were sent from RAF Marham to Israel between October 2023 and August 2024.

At the request of the US led F-35 Programme there were 14 transfers of F-35 components from RAF Marham to Israel between October 2023 and August 2024. The transferred components are the property of the US Department of Defence.In keeping with the Governme...

How many times F-35 components have been sent from RAF bases in the UK, not including RAF Marham, to Israel between October 2023 and August 2024.

Excluding the 14 transfers of US Department of Defense owned F-35 components from RAF Marham, no F-35 components have been sent by the RAF from the UK to Israel between October 2023 and August 2024.

With reference to the policy paper entitled Capital Gains Tax—rates of tax, published by HMRC on 6 November 2024, if she will publish a breakdown of the £600,000 required to make changes to IT systems.

HMRC do not provide detailed costs related to policy changes. The costs given represent a high level cost estimate for the changes required to HMRC IT systems to deliver this policy change which follow a recognised standard methodology.