Every parliamentary written question tabled by Callum Anderson this session, with the full answer and department. See how every department answers, or back to the MP page.
Showing 621–640 of 837 · this parliament
Communities and Local Government, what changes to Homes England’s structure or governance her Department is making to designate its subsidiary as a Public Financial Institution under the National Housing Bank proposal.
I refer the hon. Member to the Written Ministerial Statement made on 18 June 2025 (HCWS712).
What steps he is taking to ensure alignment between the special measures for British Steel and the UK’s obligations under international trade and subsidy control agreements.
During the development of the Special Measures Act my department ensured that the Government’s actions were and remain consistent with our obligations under international trade and subsidy control agreements. We remain mindful of those obligations as we work on determining the best long-term future for the company.
What assessment she has made of the potential impact of the work of the London Coalition on Sustainable Sovereign Debt on the (a) accessibility and (b) resilience of sovereign borrowing frameworks in emerging markets.
The mission of the London Coalition on Sustainable Sovereign Debt is to work closely with the private sector to drive pragmatic, market-based solutions that support long-term, stable capital flows to emerging and developing economies (EMDEs) and improve outcomes in debt restructurings. By providing a formal platform for engagement with private creditors, across both bonded and non-bonded debt, the Coalition is advancing innovations in debt contracts, such as Natural Disaster Clauses (NDCs) and Majority Voting Provisions (MVPs), to promote transparency, orderly restructurings, and more resilient borrowing frameworks. Enhanced transparency, grounded in strong governance and comprehensive data reporting, strengthens creditworthiness, facilitating greater market access, and expedites restructurings, giving countries quicker access to fiscal space when needed. To further bolster resilience, the Coalition is advancing contractual innovations like NDCs, which allow for the temporary suspension of debt service repayments in response to exogenous shocks, supporting macroeconomic stability and fiscal flexibility. The UK’s approach to international sovereign debt extends beyond private sector engagement. The government is working through the G20 and the Global Sovereign Debt Roundtable to promote transparent and sustainable lending practices. This includes encouraging the publication of self-assessments under the G20 Operational Guidelines for Sustainable Financing and advocating for a more responsive and effective Common Framework, including pushing to expand its coverage to middle income countries. Promoting debt sustainability for EMDEs is good for developing countries, creditors global prosperity. Tackling unsustainable debt is a key development priority for this government and a fundamental part of the international development toolkit. The UK’s Trade Strategy, published in June 2025, underlines our commitment to supporting developing economies, simplifying access to the UK market, and deepening partnerships with the Global South to diversify supply chains and support development.
What role the London Coalition on Sustainable Sovereign Debt will play in shaping the UK’s approach to sustainable debt financing in developing economies.
The mission of the London Coalition on Sustainable Sovereign Debt is to work closely with the private sector to drive pragmatic, market-based solutions that support long-term, stable capital flows to emerging and developing economies (EMDEs) and improve outcomes in debt restructurings. By providing a formal platform for engagement with private creditors, across both bonded and non-bonded debt, the Coalition is advancing innovations in debt contracts, such as Natural Disaster Clauses (NDCs) and Majority Voting Provisions (MVPs), to promote transparency, orderly restructurings, and more resilient borrowing frameworks. Enhanced transparency, grounded in strong governance and comprehensive data reporting, strengthens creditworthiness, facilitating greater market access, and expedites restructurings, giving countries quicker access to fiscal space when needed. To further bolster resilience, the Coalition is advancing contractual innovations like NDCs, which allow for the temporary suspension of debt service repayments in response to exogenous shocks, supporting macroeconomic stability and fiscal flexibility. The UK’s approach to international sovereign debt extends beyond private sector engagement. The government is working through the G20 and the Global Sovereign Debt Roundtable to promote transparent and sustainable lending practices. This includes encouraging the publication of self-assessments under the G20 Operational Guidelines for Sustainable Financing and advocating for a more responsive and effective Common Framework, including pushing to expand its coverage to middle income countries. Promoting debt sustainability for EMDEs is good for developing countries, creditors global prosperity. Tackling unsustainable debt is a key development priority for this government and a fundamental part of the international development toolkit. The UK’s Trade Strategy, published in June 2025, underlines our commitment to supporting developing economies, simplifying access to the UK market, and deepening partnerships with the Global South to diversify supply chains and support development.
Communities and Local Government, what monitoring systems will be introduced to ensure consistent exemption of victims of domestic abuse and young care leavers from local connection tests in all English local authorities.
The department will monitor the implementation of the exemption of victims of domestic abuse and young care leavers from local connection tests for social housing in all English local authorities through the Local Authority Housing Statistics data collection.
Media and Sport, with reference to her Department's press release entitled £380 million boost for creative industries to help drive innovation, regional growth and investment, published on 23 June 2025, how she plans to measure the regional economic impact of the fund.
The Sector Plan contains ambitious proposals to bolster growth in the creative industries across the UK. It includes a universal offer to drive growth in the creative industries in any place in the UK, outlining new measures to break down barriers such as access to finance, supply of skills, and new support to kickstart innovation. We've developed a detailed evaluation framework with both sector-wide and sub-sector specific metrics, including GVA growth, employment figures, export values, inward investment, business creation, and diversity of workforce. Progress will be reported annually to Parliament and the Creative Industries Council (CIC), with a major review at the midpoint. At a regional level, we will measure GVA in high potential places and their share of UK GVA. We will do this using published DCMS estimates of regional GVA and real terms changes in regional GVA. We also outline a number of metrics we will use to measure the economic impact of the CIs interventions nationally, such as an increase in business R&D expenditure and an increase in CIs exports. Where possible, we will aim to track these metrics on a regional level to ensure the economic benefits of this increased support are being felt in every community across the UK.
What assessment he has made of the potential impact of the special measures on the competitiveness of other UK steel manufacturers not subject to intervention under the Steel Industry (Special Measures) Act.
The Steel Industry (Special Measures) Act gives the Government the power to direct British Steel, and its workforce, to keep the blast furnaces running safely. Our priorities remain continuing production, stabilising operations and remedying critical health and safety issues. Competition between British Steel and other UK producers is limited, as they typically manufacture different types of steel products and serve distinct markets. The intervention is narrowly targeted and temporary, aimed at safeguarding national capability rather than conferring a commercial advantage. An impact assessment will be published in due course, following Regulatory Policy Committee scrutiny.
What governance arrangements will oversee the (a) reporting lines and (b) accountability mechanisms of the National Maternity and Neonatal Taskforce.
The Government is establishing a National Maternity and Neonatal Taskforce, chaired by my Rt Hon. Friend, the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, and made up of a panel of experts as well as family, charity, and staff representatives. Bringing family voices to the heart of this work, the taskforce will co-produce a national plan to drive improvements across maternity and neonatal care.The terms of reference are still under development with stakeholders and families, and will be released in due course.
Whether his Department has made an assessment of the potential impact of the Economic Prosperity Deal on the UK’s domestic beef sector and associated supply chains.
As part of the US deal, we have agreed new reciprocal market access on beef – with UK farmers given a guaranteed quota for 13,000 metric tonnes of beef exports at a very low tariff rate (for example, 4.4 cents per kg on many products). For the first time ever, this will open up exclusive access for UK beef farmers to the US market. This is a major opportunity for British farmers to sell their high-quality British beef to a market of over 300 million people, helping farmers grow their business.
What the Government’s planned timetable is for laying legislation to implement the preferential duty-free quota for US beef imports under the Economic Prosperity Deal.
On 16 June, we announced concrete progress towards the implementation of the UK-US trade deal as agreed on 8 May. The US Executive Order confirmed that the US will put in place the agreed quota for car exports to the US, reducing US tariffs from 27.5% to 10%. The UK will lay legislation to create our agreed beef and ethanol quotas in line with US implementation. The government remains focused on making sure British businesses can secure the benefits of the deal as soon as possible. The Economic Prosperity Deal and any implementing legislation will be presented to Parliament in due course.
Whether he plans to bring forward legislative proposals to implement the (a) ethanol and (b) beef quotas agreed as part of the US-UK Economic Prosperity Deal.
On 16 June, we announced concrete progress towards the implementation of the UK-US trade deal as agreed on 8 May. The US Executive Order confirmed that the US will put in place the agreed quota for car exports to the US, reducing US tariffs from 27.5% to 10%. The UK will lay legislation to create our agreed beef and ethanol quotas in line with US implementation. The government remains focused on making sure British businesses can secure the benefits of the deal as soon as possible. The Economic Prosperity Deal and any implementing legislation will be presented to Parliament in due course.
Whether the Windrush Commissioner will have access to departmental data relating to the Windrush Compensation Scheme.
On 18 June we announced Rev Clive Foster MBE as the new Windrush Commissioner. Rev Foster is a senior pastor at the Pilgrim Church in Nottingham with deep personal connections to the Windrush generations through his parents who migrated from Jamaica in 1959, so brings both lived experience and professional expertise to this crucial role.Once the Commissioner formally starts his role, we will work with him as he establishes his office, sets his priorities, agrees the mechanisms by which he will interact with both the Home Office and wider government.It is expected that the Commissioner’s reporting arrangements will mirror those already in place for existing Home Office appointed Commissioners.
What the reporting arrangements are between the Windrush Commissioner and ministers.
On 18 June we announced Rev Clive Foster MBE as the new Windrush Commissioner. Rev Foster is a senior pastor at the Pilgrim Church in Nottingham with deep personal connections to the Windrush generations through his parents who migrated from Jamaica in 1959, so brings both lived experience and professional expertise to this crucial role.Once the Commissioner formally starts his role, we will work with him as he establishes his office, sets his priorities, agrees the mechanisms by which he will interact with both the Home Office and wider government.It is expected that the Commissioner’s reporting arrangements will mirror those already in place for existing Home Office appointed Commissioners.
How the Windrush Commissioner will provide regular progress updates on the implementation of the Government’s response to the Windrush scandal to Parliament.
On 18 June we announced Rev Clive Foster MBE as the new Windrush Commissioner. Rev Foster is a senior pastor at the Pilgrim Church in Nottingham with deep personal connections to the Windrush generations through his parents who migrated from Jamaica in 1959, so brings both lived experience and professional expertise to this crucial role.Once the Commissioner formally starts his role, we will work with him as he establishes his office, sets his priorities, agrees the mechanisms by which he will interact with both the Home Office and wider government.It is expected that the Commissioner’s reporting arrangements will mirror those already in place for existing Home Office appointed Commissioners.
Whether the Windrush Commissioner’s role includes oversight of cultural change initiatives within her Department.
On 18 June we announced Rev Clive Foster MBE as the new Windrush Commissioner. Rev Foster is a senior pastor at the Pilgrim Church in Nottingham with deep personal connections to the Windrush generations through his parents who migrated from Jamaica in 1959, so brings both lived experience and professional expertise to this crucial role.Once the Commissioner formally starts his role, we will work with him as he establishes his office, sets his priorities, agrees the mechanisms by which he will interact with both the Home Office and wider government.It is expected that the Commissioner’s reporting arrangements will mirror those already in place for existing Home Office appointed Commissioners.
Food and Rural Affairs, what mechanisms have been agreed with the United States to monitor compliance with sanitary and phytosanitary standards under paragraph 2(a) of the General Terms.
On 8 May, the UK Government announced a landmark economic deal with the United States, making the UK the first country to reach an agreement with President Trump. This delivers on the commitment by the Prime Minister and the President on 27 February to agree an economic deal in our respective national interests. All food imports into the UK, including those via the new reciprocal quotas for beef agreed with the US, must comply with all of the UK’s import requirements, including sanitary and phytosanitary (SPS) rules. That means that hormone-treated beef will remain banned in the UK and will not be permitted under the economic deal with the US. The UK has effective systems and checks in place to monitor compliance with our SPS rules. Nothing has changed in this agreement with regards to how the UK controls the safety of food imported from the US. Each consignment of beef must have an export health certificate, certified by a veterinarian as compliant with British legislation, including the ban on hormone-treated beef. There are also regular checks at the UK border, including taking samples of products to look for any contaminants and drug residues. We have always been clear that this Government will protect British farmers, secure our food security and uphold our high food, animal welfare and environmental standards in trade deals. That is exactly what we have done and will continue to do. Any agricultural imports coming into the UK will have to meet our high SPS standards.
What formal mechanisms have been established to enable the Windrush Commissioner to engage with affected individuals and community organisations.
On 18 June we announced Rev Clive Foster MBE as the new Windrush Commissioner. Rev Foster is a senior pastor at the Pilgrim Church in Nottingham with deep personal connections to the Windrush generations through his parents who migrated from Jamaica in 1959, so brings both lived experience and professional expertise to this crucial role.Once the Commissioner formally starts his role, we will work with him as he establishes his office, sets his priorities, agrees the mechanisms by which he will interact with both the Home Office and wider government.It is expected that the Commissioner’s reporting arrangements will mirror those already in place for existing Home Office appointed Commissioners.
Whether the Windrush Commissioner is expected to make recommendations to government on future policy relating to affected communities.
On 18 June we announced Rev Clive Foster MBE as the new Windrush Commissioner. Rev Foster is a senior pastor at the Pilgrim Church in Nottingham with deep personal connections to the Windrush generations through his parents who migrated from Jamaica in 1959, so brings both lived experience and professional expertise to this crucial role.Once the Commissioner formally starts his role, we will work with him as he establishes his office, sets his priorities, agrees the mechanisms by which he will interact with both the Home Office and wider government.It is expected that the Commissioner’s reporting arrangements will mirror those already in place for existing Home Office appointed Commissioners.
What assessment he has made of the potential impact of the Australia-United Kingdom Free Trade Agreement Joint Committee's decisions on food and drink exporters from Buckinghamshire.
The Australia-United Kingdom Free Trade Agreement Joint Committee which met on 03/06/2025, did not include decisions specific to food and drinks exports; no assessment has therefore been made of its impact on food and drink exporters from Buckinghamshire.The Joint Statement (https://www.gov.uk/government/news/australia-uk-free-trade-agreement-joint-committee-statement) issued following the committee provides an overview of the discussion undertaken as part of the Joint Committee.The total value of UK exports of food and drink products to Australia was £429.5m in 2024, up 8.9% on 2023.
Communities and Local Government, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of new Infrastructure Levy rules on (a) housing delivery and (b) developer contributions in high-growth areas.
The government has made clear that it does not intend to implement the Infrastructure Levy as introduced in the Levelling-up and Regeneration Act 2023.Instead, we intend to focus on strengthening the existing system of developer contributions. Further details will be set out in due course.