Written questions by Campbell.

How many applications were approved under the Music Export Growth Scheme from Northern Ireland in (a) 2024 and (b) 2025.

Four.

What comparative assessment he has made of levels of long term sickness absence in the Civil Service between (a) 2020 and (b) 2025.

Civil Service sickness absence data was published on 16 December 2025 and includes trends in long term absences in the Civil Service between 2020 and 2025. (Source: Civil Service sickness absence data published on 16 December 2025)

What his planned timetable is for Release on Temporary Licence pilot scheme to be completed.

As set out in the Government’s IPP Action Plan (2025/26), we are progressing work to expand opportunities for IPP sentence progression, including piloting Release on Temporary Licence in Progression Regime Prisons. This work is ongoing, and further details on implementation will be set out in due course.

What assessment he has made of the implications for his policies of the recent announcement by the International Energy Agency that the UK's domestic energy costs are significantly higher than those of comparable nations.

High UK energy costs have been driven by our dependence on global fossil fuel markets. The Government’s clean energy mission is the best way to break this dependence and protect billpayers permanently. The Government also acted at Budget to take an average £150 of costs off domestic bills in Great Britain from April, and it continues to work with the NI Executive on measures to bring down energy costs for households in Northern Ireland.

Media and Sport, if she will hold discussions with the BBC on ensuring its (a) TV and (b) radio programming is made across the UK.

The Secretary of State meets regularly with the Chair to discuss a wide range of issues. Under the current Charter, Ofcom is required to set the BBC quotas for programme making in the regions and nations. Looking ahead, the Government is currently undertaking a review of the BBC’s Royal Charter. The Green Paper sets out our ambition for the BBC to tell a unifying national story that represents all communities across the UK, and to drive growth in the nations and regions. We are looking at a range of options to deliver this, which include further quotas or obligations relating to programme making, and the BBC moving more commissioning staff out of London.

What estimate his Department has been made of the change in the amounts claimed in Universal Credit between (a) September 2024 and (b) September 2029.

Benefits’ expenditure and caseloads, in outturn and forecast, are published here: Benefit expenditure and caseload tables 2025 - GOV.UK

What assessment her Department has made of the effectiveness of Operation Gull in Northern Ireland in the last 15 years.

To maintain the highest standards of accuracy, the Home Office prefers to refer to published data, as this has been subject to rigorous quality assurance under National Statistics protocols prior to publication. Information about the effectiveness of Operation Gull is not available in our published data Our published national data on enforcement activity is available at the following link and includes data on detected irregular arrivals to the UK: Immigration system statistics, year ending September 2025 - GOV.UK

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, when she last met her Irish counterpart face to face to discuss people arriving illegally and crossing the border into Northern Ireland.

The current Foreign Secretary has not yet had a face-to-face meeting with her Irish counterpart but looks forward to doing so when schedules allow, and continuing the constructive discussions they have already had by telephone, on the range of subjects set out in previous answers. UK and Irish Ministers and officials regularly meet to discuss issues of importance, including on ensuring the integrity and security of the Common Travel Area.

When she expects to receive the report by the FCA into hidden commission costs connected with car purchase loan schemes.

The Government wants to see this issue resolved in an efficient and orderly way that provides certainty for consumers and firms. The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), as the independent regulator, has consulted on proposals for a motor finance consumer redress scheme. The FCA has indicated that it will finalise the rules of the scheme by the end of March.

Pursuant to the Answer of 27 November 2025 to WPQ 93664, whether any ongoing assessment is being made of the success of the take up campaign aimed at the 750,000 people who have not yet claimed their matured Child Trust Fund Savings Accounts.

The Government is committed to reuniting all young adults with their Child Trust Funds (CTF). HMRC works with CTF providers, industry representatives, and others to enable account owners to be aware of and trace their accounts. Regular HMRC press releases and messages on Facebook, Instagram and Snapchat are supplemented by targeted activities likely to appeal to the demographic. HMRC plans to expand its CTF communications by adding TikTok to its strategy, continuing work with UCAS, and maintaining regular social media activity. HMRC also provides a free tracing tool on Gov.uk to help people find their CTF provider (www.gov.uk/child-trust-funds/find-a-child-trust-fund) and has experienced a significant increase in its use this year.

Media and Sport, if she will hold discussions with the (a) Science Museum and (b) Victoria and Albert Museum on making items available online for residents in Northern Ireland.

DCMS officials are in touch with the Science Museum Group and the Victoria and Albert Museum to discuss the ongoing steps they are taking to resume online sales to Northern Ireland.

When she expects a decision from the Office of Road and Rail on the prospect of approving a Newcastle to Brighton rail link.

Grand Central submitted an application to the Office of Rail and Road (ORR) on 19 December 2025 for rights to operate Open Access rail services between Newcastle and Brighton. The application has not been agreed by the infrastructure manager, Network Rail, and ORR is currently carrying out the statutory consultation with Network Rail and Grand Central. Network Rail responded on 30 January 2026 and Grand Central now has until 20 February to respond to Network Rail’s views. ORR aims to take decisions on access applications within six weeks of the date of receipt of all relevant information.

What estimate her Department has made of the change in the number of people who will be tax payers as a result of the freezing of personal allowances between 2024 and 2029.

The number of people forecast to pay Income Tax by marginal rate can be found in Table 3.19 of the Office for Budget Responsibility’s November 2025 Economic and fiscal outlook – detailed forecast tables: receipts, linked below: https://obr.uk/download/november-2025-economic-and-fiscal-outlook-detailed-forecast-tables-receipts/?tmstv=1764165511 The previous Government made the decision to maintain income tax thresholds at their current levels from April 2021 until April 2028.

If she will she hold discussions with the Northern Ireland Executive on the potential impact of Making Tax Digital on home-based childcare providers in Northern Ireland.

HM Treasury ministers and officials engage regularly with the Northern Ireland Executive. Childminders play a vital role in childcare. The Government has eased rules on working from schools and community centres and increased early years funding rates above 2023 average fees. These increases reflect increased costs, and from April 2026, local authorities must pass at least 97 per cent of funding to providers. Only a small proportion of childminders with qualifying income over £50,000 will be mandated into Making Tax Digital (MTD) for Income tax from April 2026. The government will monitor the impact of Making Tax Digital (MTD) for Income tax on childminders and other home-based childcare providers in the same way as it will for all sole traders moving to MTD for Income Tax. Childminders can continue to claim tax relief for wear and tear by deducting the actual cost of buying, repairing or replacing items. They can also deduct the cost of business expenses such as utilities, cleaning and equipment. This ensures childminders receive tax relief for all of the costs that they incur in relation to their childminding business.

When she plans to respond to correspondence from the hon. Member for East Londonderry of 13 January 2026 on an outstanding tax issue from September 2024.

The correspondence from the hon. Member for East Londonderry was transferred from HM Treasury to HMRC. HMRC responded on 2 February.

How many court cases there have been relating to not having a valid electronic travel authorisation.

The Home Office is yet to commence the legislative provision that will make it an offence to knowingly arrive in the UK without an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA). Accordingly, there have been no cases in the courts brought on this basis. Further details of how the ETA requirement is being enforced will be published in due course.

Whether the National Wealth Fund's strategic plan of investment will be allocated in all areas of the United Kingdom.

The National Wealth Fund's Strategic Plan sets out its ambition to accelerate place-based investment across all four nations of the UK, and it has dedicated directors in each nation to support this. The National Wealth Fund will continue to work closely with devolved governments and local leaders to help accelerate project delivery and drive regional growth.

When does he expect to be able to answer named day Question 105652 submitted on 14 January 2026 on the Ajax programme.

I will respond to the hon. Member shortly.

What steps she is taking to ensure ongoing liaison between the Maritime and Coastguard Agency, the Marine Accident Investigation Branch and the General Lighthouse Authorities.

The Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA), the Marine Accident Investigation Branch (MAIB) and the General Lighthouse Authorities (GLAs) maintain regular and well‑established liaison mechanisms. These include routine operational engagement, information‑sharing, and close coordination during incident response to ensure timely communication and effective delivery of respective statutory duties. The Department monitors this cooperation to ensure learning is embedded and that the highest standards of maritime safety are maintained.

If she will hold discussions with her US counterpart on the potential merits of establishing pre-clearance facilities for US bound travellers at an airport in (a) England, (b) Scotland, (c) Wales and (d) Northern Ireland.

A decision to explore the introduction of US pre-clearance at a UK airport is primarily a commercial decision for airport operators. An outline commercial agreement between an airport operator and US authorities would be required before any formal discussions between the UK and US governments could take place, however we stand ready to negotiate should this be forthcoming.