Written questions by Naish.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what assessment he has made of the potential implications for his Department’s policies of maintaining the BN(O) visa scheme with a five-year pathway to indefinite leave to remain.

The Government is committed to supporting members of the Hong Kong community who have relocated to the UK and those who may come here in future. As the Foreign Secretary stated in the latest Six-monthly Report on Hong Kong, our commitment to the BN(O) visa route remains steadfast.Further details of all measures announced in the Immigration White Paper will be set out in the normal way in due course, and where necessary, will be subject to consultation.We regularly engage with representatives of the Hong Kong diaspora in the UK on issues related to the BN(O) visa.

Whether she has considered granting British National (Overseas) visa holders parity with EU nationals who retain a five-year route to settled status under the UK-EU Withdrawal Agreement.

The Government is committed to supporting members of the Hong Kong community who have relocated to the UK and those who may come here in future.Further details of all measures announced in the Immigration White Paper will be set out in due course.We regularly engage with representatives of the Hong Kong diaspora in the UK on issues related to the BN(O) visa and will continue to do so.

If she will make an estimate of the revenue to the public purse from the taxes paid by British National (Overseas) visa holders since 2021.

An estimate of the revenue to the public purse from the taxes paid by British National (Overseas) visa holders since 2021 is not available, as the information is not held.

What her Department's planned timetable is for issuing guidance to dependents of BN(O) visa holders who plan to start university in 2026 on whether they will be eligible for home fee status.

The creation of a bespoke immigration route for Hong Kong British National (Overseas) (BN(O)), which is a pathway to settlement, reflects the unique and unprecedented circumstances in Hong Kong and the UK’s historic and moral commitment to BN(O) citizens. Subject to meeting the normal eligibility requirements, Hong Kong BN(O) status holders will be able to qualify for student finance and home fee status once they have acquired settled status in the UK. There are no plans to amend the eligibility requirements for these persons given that they are in line with those that apply to most other persons on routes to settlement.The Student Loans Company publishes guidance about the eligibility requirements for accessing student finance.The department has not made an estimate of the number of BN(O) visa holders or their dependents who are excluded from home fee status.

What estimate she has made of the potential impact of extending the qualifying period for indefinite leave to remain for British National (Overseas) visa holders on the number of young people who (a) hold those visas and (b) are dependents of those visa holders who will be ineligible for (i) home fee status and (ii) student finance support at university.

The creation of a bespoke immigration route for Hong Kong British National (Overseas) (BN(O)), which is a pathway to settlement, reflects the unique and unprecedented circumstances in Hong Kong and the UK’s historic and moral commitment to BN(O) citizens. Subject to meeting the normal eligibility requirements, Hong Kong BN(O) status holders will be able to qualify for student finance and home fee status once they have acquired settled status in the UK. There are no plans to amend the eligibility requirements for these persons given that they are in line with those that apply to most other persons on routes to settlement.The Student Loans Company publishes guidance about the eligibility requirements for accessing student finance.The department has not made an estimate of the number of BN(O) visa holders or their dependents who are excluded from home fee status.

What steps his Department is taking to recognise overseas professional qualifications held by British National (Overseas) migrants.

The government recognises that many British National Overseas (BNO) visa holders have valuable professional qualifications. Recognition of overseas professional qualifications is determined by independent occupational regulators, many of which accept qualifications from Hong Kong.The government understands the recognition process can be challenging for BNO visa holders and refugees. DBT has worked with regulators to develop the Regulated Professions Register, which Hongkongers can use to access information on entry requirements and relevant regulators. DBT has also published guidance on GOV.UK to support refugees navigating the recognition process. DBT continues to work with regulators to develop further profession-specific guidance.

What estimate her Department has made of the number of British National (Overseas) visa holder dependent school pupils who are excluded from home fee status.

The creation of a bespoke immigration route for Hong Kong British National (Overseas) (BN(O)), which is a pathway to settlement, reflects the unique and unprecedented circumstances in Hong Kong and the UK’s historic and moral commitment to BN(O) citizens. Subject to meeting the normal eligibility requirements, Hong Kong BN(O) status holders will be able to qualify for student finance and home fee status once they have acquired settled status in the UK. There are no plans to amend the eligibility requirements for these persons given that they are in line with those that apply to most other persons on routes to settlement.The Student Loans Company publishes guidance about the eligibility requirements for accessing student finance.The department has not made an estimate of the number of BN(O) visa holders or their dependents who are excluded from home fee status.

What estimate she has made of the number of people impacted by the Loan Charge Scandal.

The Government has commissioned an independent review of the Loan Charge to help bring the matter to a close for those affected whilst ensuring fairness for all taxpayers. HMRC is currently providing updated information that the review has requested. It would be wrong to pre-empt the outcome of the review by disclosing that information before the review has concluded. The information provided to the review will be published in due course.

How many people are affected by the Loan Charge that have open pre-2010 enquiries.

The Government has commissioned an independent review of the Loan Charge to help bring the matter to a close for those affected whilst ensuring fairness for all taxpayers. HMRC is currently providing updated information that the review has requested. It would be wrong to pre-empt the outcome of the review by disclosing that information before the review has concluded. The information provided to the review will be published in due course.

How many people have settled with HMRC to avoid the Loan Charge.

The Government has commissioned an independent review of the Loan Charge to help bring the matter to a close for those affected whilst ensuring fairness for all taxpayers. HMRC is currently providing updated information that the review has requested. It would be wrong to pre-empt the outcome of the review by disclosing that information before the review has concluded. The information provided to the review will be published in due course.

If she will make an assessment of the potential merits of increasing funding for specialist advice services.

We recognise the importance of access to justice and the key role that legal advice and support services play in helping people resolve their legal issues.This year we have invested over £6 million of grant funding to 60 organisations in 2025-26, via the Improving Outcomes Through Legal Support Grant and the Online Support and Advice Grant, to support the delivery of essential advice and support services.We are also working with the advice sector to co-develop and implement a long-term strategy to make the legal support system more sustainable, effective and efficient. We have established the Legal Support Strategy Delivery Group, comprised of key stakeholders from across the advice sector, to support this work. The workplan focuses on three key themes: service delivery, data and evidence, and funding. The funding theme is exploring options for unlocking more sustainable and consistent funding streams for advice services, as well as how to drive more collaborative and joined-up funding of the advice sector across funders.

What steps he is taking to (a) increase and (b) ensure the ongoing availability of medical radioisotopes for NHS services.

The Department regularly engages with suppliers, specialist clinicians, the British Nuclear Medicine Society, and the UK Radiopharmacy Group to support the continued supply of medical radioisotopes for the National Health Service. The Department continues to work with the NHS and other parts of the Government to better understand future needs for medical radioisotopes.

Whether he has had discussions with his counterparts in the (a) European Commission and (b) European Defence Agency on UK-EU defence industrial cooperation.

As part of our recent Security and Defence partnership with the EU, we have agreed to explore closer co-operation and joint investment in our defence industrial base. In the first instance, the partnership creates a basis for broad consultations on defence readiness and defence industry and also means the UK now meets the criteria for discussing participation in common procurement under SAFE. We have set an ambition with the EU to swiftly explore possibilities for mutually beneficial cooperation under the SAFE mechanism. We will work closely with our European partners to take this, and discussion on any further areas for defence industrial cooperation, forward, in accordance with the EU’s necessary processes.

What discussions he had at the NATO Summit on 24 and 25 June 2025 on (a) strengthening Europe's ability to take independent strategic decisions and (b) developing corresponding military capabilities in response to (i) Russia and (ii) global instability.

Last week’s NATO Summit saw Allies reaffirm their ironclad commitment to collective defence and Euro-Atlantic Security. At the Summit, Allies committed to investing 5% of GDP annually on defence and security, composed of 3.5% core defence spending and 1.5% security and resilience spending, by 2035. This historic commitment on defence investment, underpinned by the recent agreement of ambitious new Capability Targets, demonstrates the collective and firm commitment of Allies to building and equipping a stronger, fairer and more lethal NATO to meet the threats we face.

What discussions he has had with NATO counterparts on the potential impact of changes to US strategic priorities on Euro-Atlantic security; and what steps he is taking with his counterparts in European NATO countries to increase joint defence (a) planning and (b) capabilities.

Last week’s NATO Summit saw Allies reaffirm their ironclad commitment to collective defence and Euro-Atlantic Security. At the Summit, Allies committed to investing 5% of GDP annually on defence and security, composed of 3.5% core defence spending and 1.5% security and resilience spending, by 2035. This historic commitment on defence investment, underpinned by the recent agreement of ambitious new Capability Targets, demonstrates the collective and firm commitment of Allies to building and equipping a stronger, fairer and more lethal NATO to meet the threats we face.

What recent discussions he has had with his EU counterparts on UK's participation in the SAFE defence fund; and when he expects a decision to be made on the conditions under which UK defence firms can take part in that fund.

As part of our recent Security and Defence partnership with the EU, we have agreed to explore closer co-operation and joint investment in our defence industrial base. In the first instance, the partnership creates a basis for broad consultations on defence readiness and defence industry and also means the UK now meets the criteria for discussing participation in common procurement under SAFE. We have set an ambition with the EU to swiftly explore possibilities for mutually beneficial cooperation under the SAFE mechanism. We will work closely with our European partners to take this, and discussion on any further areas for defence industrial cooperation, forward, in accordance with the EU’s necessary processes.

Whether the Child Poverty Taskforce has had discussions with the Department for Education on family hubs.

The Ministerial Child Poverty Taskforce is co-chaired by the Secretaries of State for Work and Pensions and Education. It has met nine times to discuss the critical issues that drive child poverty. One such meeting in January focused on the role of local services in reducing poverty, including family hubs.The Taskforce will continue to explore all available levers to drive forward short and long-term action across government to reduce child poverty, including family hubs.

If she will make an assessment of the potential merits of bringing forward legislative proposals to ensure that all local authorities provide family hubs in their community.

On 11 June, my right hon. Friend, the Chancellor of the Exchequer, set out plans for spending and public sector reforms through the Spending Review 2025. This announcement confirmed departmental budgets for 2026/27 onwards and committed the government will continue to invest in and expand the Family Hubs programme, working with parents to help give children the best start in life.This builds upon my right hon. Friend, the Prime Minister’s Plan for Change, published in December 2024, which outlined the ambition to give children the best start in life by strengthening and joining up family services to improve support through pregnancy and early childhood.We are working within the department and alongside the Department for Health and Social Care to share further information about what the Spending Review settlement means for the continuation and expansion of the programme. We recognise the importance of providing local authorities with certainty of future funding across the whole programme and we will share further information when we are able to.

If she will consider ring-fenced funding for adult learners of all ages to access accredited (a) training and (b) qualifications in social-welfare advice.

The department will provide approximately £1.4 billion in funding for the Adult Skills Fund (ASF) in the 2025/26 academic year. The ASF fully funds or co-funds education and skills training for eligible adults aged 19 and above from pre-entry to level 3, to help them gain the skills they need for work, an apprenticeship or further learning.Currently, 62% of the ASF is devolved to nine mayoral strategic authorities and the Greater London Authority. These authorities are responsible for the provision of ASF-funded adult education for their residents and allocation of the ASF to learning providers. The department is responsible for the remaining ASF in non-devolved areas.Colleges and grant funded providers in non-devolved areas have the freedom and flexibility to determine how they use their ASF, in line with the funding rules, and work with local stakeholders to determine what provision best meets local needs.

What estimate he has made of the potential impact of the expanded Warm Homes Plan on average annual household spending.

The recently announced expansion of the Warm Home Discount means all households where a person or their partner is named on the energy bill and is on a qualifying means tested benefit will be eligible for the £150 Discount. This will bring around 2.7 million households into the scheme – pushing the total number of households that will receive the discount next winter up to around 6 million. We have not assessed the impact on average household spending. Further information on impacts can be found in the published Impact Assessment.