Written questions by Mohamed.

What information his Department holds on whether Government Departments have sought advice from Labour Together on policy development.

This information is not held centrally.

What information his Department held on Labour Together's report into journalists prior to the hon. Member for Makerfield’s appointment as Parliamentary Secretary.

There is an established process in place for the appointment of Ministers. Advice, which may or may not have been provided to the Prime Minister as part of this process, is treated in confidence.

What discussions the Prime Minister had with the then-UK Ambassador to the US on visiting Palantir head offices in Washington DC in February 2025.

I refer the Hon Member to my answer of 10th March 2026, Official Report, PQ 112839.

What was the purpose of the Prime Minister's visit to Palantir head offices in Washington DC in February 2025.

I refer the Hon Member to my answer of 10th March 2026, Official Report, PQ 112839.

If his Department will take steps to (a) review all existing contract with Palantir and (b) suspend any further engagement with company until the investigations into Peter Mandelson are completed.

All contracts for any firm go through rigorous departmental processes and their decision makers. Contracts procured by Government departments are done so in line with procurement law. This was the case with all contracts to Palantir. We utilise a range of suppliers based on operational requirements, value for money, and compliance with our security and legal obligations, with all suppliers subject to rigorous due diligence. There are robust processes in place to ensure government contracts are awarded fairly and transparently.

With reference to her comments to the BBC on 11 August 2025, whether her Department presented information to the courts during legal proceedings relating to the proscription of Palestine Action on people who are objecting to that proscription because they don't know the full nature of the organisation as a result of court restrictions on reporting while serious prosecutions are under way; and if she will publish this information.

The material relied upon by the Court in its decision making is referenced throughout the judgment which is publicly available here: R (Ammori) v SSHD OPEN Judgment (final)The open material referred to during the proceedings can be requested from the court in accordance with the Civil Procedure Rules on Court documents see: PART 5 – COURT DOCUMENTS – Civil Procedure Rules – Justice UK. Any material submitted in closed proceedings is protected by the Justice and Security Act 2013 and will not be disclosed for reasons of national security. It would not be appropriate to comment further during ongoing legal proceedings.The Independent Reviewer of Terrorism Legislation has access to secret and sensitive national security information in order to carry out his role. He routinely publishes his findings in reports that are available on his website: https://terrorismlegislationreviewer.independent.gov.uk/

If he will include AI loss-of-control scenarios will be included in the next edition of the National Risk Register.

The UK is facing an ever-changing and growing set of risks. All risks in the National Risk Register are kept under review to ensure that they are the most appropriate scenarios to inform emergency preparedness and resilience activity.The challenges posed by artificial intelligence are referenced in the 2025 National Risk Register as a chronic risk, and incorporated in the Chronic Risks Analysis, the UK's first bespoke assessment for medium to long-term challenges facing the nation.The Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT)’s AI risk register covers the full spectrum of AI risks that could impact the UK, spanning national security, defence, the economy and society. The AI Risk Register includes AI-loss-of control scenarios. The Government is committed to protecting UK citizens against the risks that advanced AI could bring, while ensuring we can maximise AI's potential for growth and public service delivery.

Food and Rural Affairs, what steps she is taking to help ensure that retailers and supermarkets display clear and consistent animal welfare information on packing and labels to help consumers to make informed choices.

As set out in the Government’s animal welfare strategy, we are committed to ensuring that consumers have access to clear information on how their food was produced. To support this, the Government will continue working with relevant stakeholders, including the farming and food industry, scientists and NGOs to explore how improved animal welfare food labelling could provide greater consumer transparency, support farmers and promote better animal welfare. The Government will set out next steps in due course.

Food and Rural Affairs, if will she publish clear timelines for the delivery of all commitments in the Animal Welfare Strategy.

The Animal Welfare Strategy sets out the priority issues the Government will address, focusing on the changes and improvements Defra aims to achieve by 2030. Policies will be delivered throughout this time. Defra has already launched consultations on phasing out cages for laying hens and improving lamb welfare which run until 9 March. Defra has also confirmed that a public consultation seeking views on how to deliver a full ban on trail hunting will be held this year. Other commitments in the strategy will be taken forward in a phased approach to keep up momentum on improving the lives of millions of animals.

Food and Rural Affairs, what recent discussions she has had with the Food Standards Agency on the 2024 Fairer Food Labelling consultation; and if will she implement a mandatory method-of-production labelling on animal food products in England.

As set out in the Government’s animal welfare strategy, we are committed to ensuring that consumers have access to clear information on how their food was produced. To support this, the Government will continue working with relevant stakeholders, including the farming and food industry, scientists and NGOs to explore how improved animal welfare food labelling could provide greater consumer transparency, support farmers and promote better animal welfare. The Government will set out next steps in due course.

Food and Rural Affairs, if she will take steps with Cabinet colleagues to secure a debate on animal welfare and progress on the animal welfare strategy.

A Westminster Hall Debate on the Animal Welfare Strategy was held on 21 January 2026. Parliament will be updated in the usual way as the Strategy progresses.

What steps he is taking to provide accessible scientific evidence to help ensure public confidence in food safety and environmental policy when new chemical additives are introduced.

All food and feed additives permitted for use in the United Kingdom must undergo a comprehensive, evidence‑based safety assessment before approval. This process evaluates potential risks and ensures additives can only be used in specified food categories, at controlled levels, and with any necessary labelling requirements. The Food Standards Agency (FSA) is responsible for assessing and authorising new additives and for reviewing changes to existing approvals. To support transparency and public confidence, the FSA publishes its scientific risk assessments and consults publicly on proposed authorisations so that stakeholders and consumers can provide their views before decisions are made.

Innovation and Technology, whether he plans to publish an AI Security Strategy.

This government is taking a long‑term, science‑led approach to understanding and preparing for emerging AI risks, including the possibility of very rapid progress with transformative impacts on society and national security.Through close collaboration with industry and international allies, the government has deepened its understanding of risks, improved AI model security, and built UK resilience against threats.The Government’s National Security Strategy sets out our intent to build the UK national security agenda for AI and other frontier technologies. This agenda will support the development of the UK's AI-enabled defence and security capabilities.This is complimented by the work of the AI Security Institute (AISI), which focuses on emerging AI risks with serious security implications, including cyber misuse, chemical or biological risks, and autonomous AI capabilities.The Government will remain vigilant and prepare for new AI risks, including rapid advancements that could affect society and national security.

Innovation and Technology, whether he will make an assessment of the potential merits of legislative powers of direction over AI developers in the event of a loss-of-control incident.

AI models have the potential to pose novel risks by behaving in unintended or unforeseen ways. The possibility that this behaviour could lead to loss of control over advanced AI systems is taken seriously by many experts.The AI Security Institute (AISI) is researching the development of AI capabilities that could contribute towards AI’s ability to evade human control, as well the propensity of models to engage in misaligned actions.Furthermore, through the Alignment Project – a funding consortium distributing up to £27m for research projects – AISI is supporting further foundational research into methods to develop AI systems that operate according to our goals, without unintended or harmful behaviours.The Government has been clear that we will legislate on AI where needed but we will do so on the basis of evidence where any serious gaps exist.

Innovation and Technology, whether his Department has undertaken scenario planning exercises for AI loss-of-control events.

AI models have the potential to pose novel risks by behaving in unintended or unforeseen ways. The possibility that this behaviour could lead to loss of control over advanced AI systems is taken seriously by many experts.The AI Security Institute (AISI) is researching the development of AI capabilities that could contribute towards AI’s ability to evade human control, as well the propensity of models to engage in misaligned actions.Furthermore, through the Alignment Project – a funding consortium distributing up to £27m for research projects – AISI is supporting further foundational research into methods to develop AI systems that operate according to our goals, without unintended or harmful behaviours.The Government has been clear that we will legislate on AI where needed but we will do so on the basis of evidence where any serious gaps exist.

Innovation and Technology, what (a) short, (b) medium (c) and long-term actions he is taking to help anticipate and mitigate the potential risks of AI loss-of-control.

AI models have the potential to pose novel risks by behaving in unintended or unforeseen ways. The possibility that this behaviour could lead to loss of control over advanced AI systems is taken seriously by many experts.The AI Security Institute (AISI) is researching the development of AI capabilities that could contribute towards AI’s ability to evade human control, as well the propensity of models to engage in misaligned actions.Furthermore, through the Alignment Project – a funding consortium distributing up to £27m for research projects – AISI is supporting further foundational research into methods to develop AI systems that operate according to our goals, without unintended or harmful behaviours.The Government has been clear that we will legislate on AI where needed but we will do so on the basis of evidence where any serious gaps exist.

Innovation and Technology, what mechanisms are in place to coordinate cross-government preparedness for AI loss-of-control scenarios.

AI models have the potential to pose novel risks by behaving in unintended or unforeseen ways. The possibility that this behaviour could lead to loss of control over advanced AI systems is taken seriously by many experts.The AI Security Institute (AISI) is researching the development of AI capabilities that could contribute towards AI’s ability to evade human control, as well the propensity of models to engage in misaligned actions.Furthermore, through the Alignment Project – a funding consortium distributing up to £27m for research projects – AISI is supporting further foundational research into methods to develop AI systems that operate according to our goals, without unintended or harmful behaviours.The Government has been clear that we will legislate on AI where needed but we will do so on the basis of evidence where any serious gaps exist.

Innovation and Technology, whether his Department has been designated as the lead department for AI loss-of-control risks.

AI models have the potential to pose novel risks by behaving in unintended or unforeseen ways. The possibility that this behaviour could lead to loss of control over advanced AI systems is taken seriously by many experts.The AI Security Institute (AISI) is researching the development of AI capabilities that could contribute towards AI’s ability to evade human control, as well the propensity of models to engage in misaligned actions.Furthermore, through the Alignment Project – a funding consortium distributing up to £27m for research projects – AISI is supporting further foundational research into methods to develop AI systems that operate according to our goals, without unintended or harmful behaviours.The Government has been clear that we will legislate on AI where needed but we will do so on the basis of evidence where any serious gaps exist.

Innovation and Technology, what protocols are in place to help ensure rapid information-sharing with AI companies during a national AI emergency.

This government is taking a long‑term, science‑led approach to understanding and preparing for emerging AI risks, including the possibility of very rapid progress with transformative impacts on society and national security.Through close collaboration with industry and international allies, the government has deepened its understanding of risks, improved AI model security, and built UK resilience against threats.The Government’s National Security Strategy sets out our intent to build the UK national security agenda for AI and other frontier technologies. This agenda will support the development of the UK's AI-enabled defence and security capabilities.This is complimented by the work of the AI Security Institute (AISI), which focuses on emerging AI risks with serious security implications, including cyber misuse, chemical or biological risks, and autonomous AI capabilities.The Government will remain vigilant and prepare for new AI risks, including rapid advancements that could affect society and national security.

Innovation and Technology, what emergency powers the Government holds to direct private AI developers during a national security incident involving advanced AI systems.

This government is taking a long‑term, science‑led approach to understanding and preparing for emerging AI risks, including the possibility of very rapid progress with transformative impacts on society and national security.Through close collaboration with industry and international allies, the government has deepened its understanding of risks, improved AI model security, and built UK resilience against threats.The Government’s National Security Strategy sets out our intent to build the UK national security agenda for AI and other frontier technologies. This agenda will support the development of the UK's AI-enabled defence and security capabilities.This is complimented by the work of the AI Security Institute (AISI), which focuses on emerging AI risks with serious security implications, including cyber misuse, chemical or biological risks, and autonomous AI capabilities.The Government will remain vigilant and prepare for new AI risks, including rapid advancements that could affect society and national security.