Written questions by Simmonds.

What information her Department holds on the number of people of Chagossian descent who have arrived at Heathrow Airport since 1 July 2024.

I refer the Hon Member to the answer I gave on 18 March to Question 37161.

Pursuant to the Answer of 18 March 2025 to Question 37161 on Resettlement: Chagossians, whether Hillingdon Council has claimed costs for the statutory provision of support for Chagossians who have recently migrated to the UK.

I refer the Hon Member to the answer I gave on 18 March to Question 37161.

Whether she has had discussions with local authorities on the potential impact of migrants from the Chagos Islands on levels of service provision.

The Home Office has made funding available to support local authorities in meeting their statutory duties in relation to Chagossian British citizens arriving in the UK. Alongside other responsible departments, the Home Office continues to engage in discussions and work with the local authorities most impacted by the arrival of Chagossian British citizens in the UK.

Pursuant to the Answer of 18 March 2025 to Question 37161 on Resettlement: Chagossians, if she will publish the costs for the provision of statutory support claimed by each local authority as of 31 March 2025.

I refer the Hon Member to the answer I gave on 18 March to Question 37161.

Pursuant to the Answer of 18 March 2025 to Question 37161 on Resettlement: Chagossians, what information her Department holds on the costs incurred by local authorities for the provision of statutory support for recent migrants of Chaggosian descent.

I refer the Hon Member to the answer I gave on 18 March to Question 37161.

What steps she is taking to help ensure that people of Chagossian descent who are planning to move to the UK are offered help with finding permanent accommodation.

I refer the Hon Member to the answer I gave on 18 March to Question 37161.

What discussions she has had with the Mayor of London on supporting London boroughs to house asylum seekers.

The Home Office is working closely with a range of stakeholders to fulfil its statutory obligations, while seeking to reduce the overall cost of asylum accommodation for the taxpayer.

If she will publish representations received from (a) Hillingdon council, (b) Harrow council and (c) other local authorities on the cost of supporting asylum seekers.

The Home Office is in regular contact with local authorities throughout the country in relation to the accommodation and other support provided to asylum seekers in each area.

What recent discussions she has had with local authorities in (a) London and (b) England on the adequacy of funding to support asylum seekers.

The Home Office is in regular contact with local authorities throughout the country in relation to the accommodation and other support provided to asylum seekers in each area.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, pursuant to the Answer of 16 January 2025 to Question 22931 on Beijing: Embassies, what discussions he has had with his Chinese counterpart on the steps required to secure planning permission and associated consents for the new British Embassy in Beijing.

The Foreign Secretary has met his Chinese counterpart, Wang Yi, on three occasions so far. They have discussed the breadth of priority foreign policy and bilateral issues.

Whether she plans to request an indicative vote from this House on the proposed expansion of Heathrow Airport.

The Government has invited proposals for a third runway at Heathrow to be brought forward by the summer. Once proposals have been received, the Government will review the Airports National Policy Statement, which provides the basis for decision making on granting development consent for a new runway at Heathrow. When conducting the review, the Secretary of State will comply with the consultation and parliamentary requirements of the Planning Act 2008, as is usual.

Media and Sport, if she will require that organisations in receipt of funding from (a) her Department and (b) its arms-length bodies should not participate in boycotts against (i) Israel and (ii) the participation of (a) Israelis and (b) people from Jewish backgrounds for events connected to that funding.

Sports, arts, and culture are powerful ways to bring communities together. As such, we do not support sports or cultural boycotts in principle, including in relation to Israel. The Secretary of State recently met with a delegation led by the Board of Deputies of British Jews to discuss their experiences of working in the arts and cultural sector at a time of increased tension in the Middle East. The government's view is that antisemitism is as unacceptable in our sectors, as it is anywhere else in society.Public Bodies are expected to act in line with their Framework Agreements, with their Board members required to adhere to the Code of Conduct for Board Members of Public Bodies and The Nolan Principles of Public Life. DCMS’s standard terms and conditions include requirements that grant recipients comply with statutory requirements and specifically with the Equality Act 2010.

Whether her Department has had recent discussions with the Metropolitan Police on the application for a new Chinese Embassy.

The planning application has been called in by the Secretary of State for the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government and she will make this quasi-judicial decision independent from the rest of Government.It would not be appropriate to comment on this process.The Foreign Secretary and Home Secretary submitted written representations to the Planning Inspector on 14 January. As you would expect, relevant stakeholders, including the Metropolitan Police, were consulted.

Pursuant to the Answer of 22 January 2025 to Question 24505, how many people were housed in asylum accommodation in the last 12 months.

Data on the number of supported asylum seekers in accommodation, including hotels, and by local authority can be found within the Asy_D11 tab for our most recent statistics release: Immigration system statistics data tables - GOV.UK.

If she will list each individual awarded contract to strategic suppliers for the provision of asylum accommodation and support services including the value of each contract.

The Home Office holds two contracts with SERCO for the provision of Asylum Accommodation and Support Services. Details of these agreements are published on Contract Finder at:NWAASC - Asylum Accommodation & Support Services Contract NW - Contracts Finder MEEAASC - Asylum Accommodation & Support Services Contract MEE - Contracts Finder

Whether private healthcare has been provided to asylum seekers in the last 12 months.

The Home Office does not provide asylum seekers with private healthcare.

Pursuant to the Answer of 19 December 2024 to Question 18963 on Nightclub: closures, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of the increases in (a) business rates from the reduction in rate relief and (b) National Insurance contributions for employers on the economic viability of nightclubs.

An assessment of the changes to Employers' National Insurance has been published by HMRC in their Tax Information and Impact Note, including impacts on the exchequer, the economy, individuals, households and families, equalities, and businesses including civil society organisations, alongside details on monitoring and evaluation.The Government is creating a fairer business rate system, reducing alcohol duty on qualifying draught products and transforming the apprenticeship levy to support business and boost opportunities. This work will be supported by the publication of The Small Business Strategy Command Paper which will be published later this year. Through the Hospitality Sector Council, we are addressing strategic issues for the sector related to high street regeneration, skills, sustainability, and productivity.

Pursuant to the Answer of 22 January 2025 to Question 24505 on Asylum: housing, what is the expected cost to the public purse of accommodation for asylum seekers in 2025.

The Home Office publishes information on asylum expenditure in the Home Office Annual Report and Accounts at Home Office annual reports and accounts - GOV.UK.

Media and Sport, what her policy is on (a) contested heritage and (b) retain and explain.

The policy relating to contested heritage is set out in the 2023 Guidance for custodians on how to deal with commemorative heritage assets that have become contested which was published under the previous government. I have no plans to change the guidance.

What his Department’s policy is on the continued use of imperial measures in retail and hospitality settings.

UK law requires metric units to be used for all trade purposes, including in retail and hospitality settings, with only limited exceptions. While imperial units can be used alongside metric units, the imperial markings must not be larger or more prominent than the metric ones. Imperial units can only be used on their own (without metric units) for certain products, such as the pint for sales of draught beer, cider and milk in returnable containers.We have no plans to change this policy.