Written questions by Wrigley.

What recent discussions her Department has had with relevant stakeholders on (a) the Armed Forces Covenant and (b) the Defence Employer Recognition Scheme.

In developing policy to support putting the Armed Forces Covenant fully into law, we have been, and remain, actively engaged with a range of stakeholders across the UK. These include Devolved Governments and Covenant partners across Government, the Armed Forces community, local authorities, and the service charity and welfare sectors; over 150 organisations have taken part in roundtable discussions and workshops. This forms part of an extensive research and engagement programme to both identify areas where the Armed Forces community may experience disadvantage and to design the extended Covenant Duty to address this. Active engagement concerning the Employer Recognition Scheme continues similarly. At recent Mansion House events such as the Lord Mayor’s City Breakfast (21 July 2025) and the Defence and Security Lecture (20 October 2025), the Secretary of State championed the need for more organisations to engage with both the Armed Forces Covenant and the Employer Recognition Scheme, whilst thanking those already involved for their commitment and continued advocacy.

If she will bring forward legislative proposals to clarify the meaning of regulation 27 of the Road Vehicles (Registration and Licensing) regulations 2002.

Regulation 27 of the Road Vehicles (Registration and Licensing) Regulations 2002 permits the disclosure of vehicle keeper information for a range of authorised purposes, subject to appropriate safeguards. Information will only be released to private individuals and companies where reasonable cause can be shown. While reasonable cause is not defined in legislation the Government’s policy is that the request for vehicle keeper information should relate to the vehicle or its use following incidents where there may be liability on the part of the driver. Guidance on what constitutes reasonable cause is published online at: www.gov.uk/request-information-from-dvla. It is considered necessary to provide information to allow private parking management as landowners would have great difficulty exercising their rights if motorists were able to park with impunity on private land. There are no plans to amend Regulation 27 of the Road Vehicles (Registration and Licensing) Regulations 2002 to remove the ability of private parking companies to request vehicle keeper information. The Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) sets fees to recover the full cost of providing its services and regularly reviews fee levels to ensure that charges are maintained at an appropriate level.

If she will make an assessment of the potential merits of updating the Signs for road works and temporary situations guidance to recommend that in cases of road closures the name of the road is included in signage that says 'Road Closed Ahead'.

The Department recognises that clearer signage can help drivers make informed decisions. Including road names on ‘Road Closed Ahead’ signs may improve clarity, but it also raises safety concerns due to potential driver distraction. Its usefulness also depends on drivers’ familiarity with local road networks. Digital tools such as Street Manager and navigation apps already provide detailed location information, complementing physical signage. The Government will consider this suggestion with relevant stakeholders as part of ongoing work to improve street works communication and safety.

What steps his Department is taking to help support the Wessex Reserve Forces and Cadets Association.

This Government greatly appreciates all its Reserves and Cadets and is committed to making sure all Reserve Forces and Cadets Associations (RFCAs) receive the support they both need and deserve. All RFCAs from across the thirteen regionally focused RFCAs, including Wessex, receive the same level of support from the Ministry of Defence (MOD). While the MOD provides policy guidance and the appropriate budget to cover the RFCAs’ operating costs and contractual requirements, it is the single Service commands and the supporting agencies (such as the Defence Infrastructure Organisation) that provide the bulk of support on a day-to-day basis. That support is driven by formalised Service Level Agreements with agreed Key Performance Indicators; these are regularly reviewed to ensure compliance and delivery.

Innovation and Technology, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of the outage of Amazon Web Services in October 2025 on Government web services.

I refer the hon. Member for Newton Abbot to the answer given on 27 October 2025 to Question 83776.

Innovation and Technology, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of the outage of Amazon Web Services in October 2025 on the technology sector.

DSIT has communicated with AWS extensively throughout and in the immediate aftermath of the outage, to understand the situation and to ensure recovery was underway. All services have since been restored and we remain in regular contact with AWS.We continue to work across government and with businesses to understand the full impact of the outage, identify lessons, and look at how we can mitigate impacts and ensure resilience in future.The forthcoming Cyber Security and Resilience Bill will protect the services the public rely on to go about their normal lives. This will include expanding the scope of the regulations to include more types of essential and digital services and making sure they adhere to robust cyber security practices.

Whether he has had discussions with the Secretary of State for the Home Department on granting support for Indefinite Leave to Remain for international medical graduates who have completed their training.

My Rt Hon. Friend, the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, has regular discussions with my Rt Hon. Friend, the Home Secretary, on a range of subjects including immigration policy.As part of the Immigration White Paper, published in May 2025, my Rt Hon. Friend, the Home Secretary, announced a proposed contribution-based settlement model which will include the expansion of the settlement qualifying period from five years to ten years, though some people will be able to qualify earlier. The Home Office will be consulting on the new settlement rules later this year.

What assessment she had made of the potential impact of the Amazon Web Services outage in October 2025 on NHS services.

We are not aware of any impact to National Health Services resulting from the outage at Amazon Web Services.

If he will make an assessment of the potential merits of introducing an investment standard for general practice.

The Government recognises the important role that general practice (GP) plays in the National Health Service and is committed to shifting more funding towards primary and community care services to enable early intervention and to reduce pressure on hospitals. We are committed to investing in reforms to support this shift, and to ensure sustainable resources for GPs. We’ve delivered the biggest boost to GP funding in years, an almost £1.1 billion uplift, with GPs now receiving a growing share of National Health Service resources.

What assessment his Department has made of the potential impact of the white paper entitled Restoring control over the immigration system, published on 12 May 2025, on the adequacy of (a) the supply of trainee GPs and (b) levels of access to primary care services.

We are aware of the white paper and officials are considering the implications for the general practice workforce and for access to primary care services.Whilst we hugely value our international workforce and the skills and experience they bring, we are also committed to growing homegrown talent and giving opportunities to more people across the country to join our National Health Service. The 10 Year Workforce Plan will outline strategies for improving retention, productivity, training, and reducing attrition, thereby enhancing conditions for all staff while gradually reducing reliance on international recruitment, without diminishing the value of their contributions.

Whether his Department has undertaken an equality impact assessment in relation to linking its proposed digital ID scheme with right-to-work checks.

The new digital ID will be designed to be inclusive. We will launch a public consultation in the coming weeks and have already started to engage with a range of expert organisations and community groups. These considerations, and views from the consultation, will inform ongoing assessments on the impact on equality.

If she will make an assessment of the potential merits of allowing PIP claimants to be able to claim support via the Motability Scheme when there is less than 12 months on their PIP mobility component.

Motability Foundation is independent of government and regulated by the Charity Commission so is wholly responsible for the terms and the administration of the Scheme. The Department does however work closely with Motability Foundation, and is responsible for the disability benefits that provide a passport to the Motability Scheme The Motability Scheme supports those in receipt of a qualifying mobility allowance including the higher rate mobility component of Disability Living Allowance (DLA) and the enhanced rate mobility component of Personal Independence Payment (PIP). We will continue to work with Motability to ensure the Scheme meets the transport needs of disabled people.

If she will introduce a national railcard for all ages.

There are no current plans to review railcards in advance of the transition to Great British Railways, however Great British Railways will have the opportunity to take a fresh look at the justification of the eligibility and restrictions of some railcards. Any long-term changes or concessions made to rail fares policy will require balancing against the potential impacts on passengers, taxpayers and the railway. Additionally, there are many local concessionary passes that are valid on National Rail, this includes the Devon and Cornwall Railcard, which have been introduced by local authorities and train operators.

If she will take steps to introduce a Network South West railcard similar to the Network railcard available for people in London and the South East.

There are no current plans to review railcards in advance of the transition to Great British Railways, however Great British Railways will have the opportunity to take a fresh look at the justification of the eligibility and restrictions of some railcards. Any long-term changes or concessions made to rail fares policy will require balancing against the potential impacts on passengers, taxpayers and the railway. Additionally, there are many local concessionary passes that are valid on National Rail, this includes the Devon and Cornwall Railcard, which have been introduced by local authorities and train operators.

Media and Sport, what assessment she has made of the effectiveness of the current method of funding the BBC.

The Charter Review will consider a range of issues, including how the BBC can continue to prosper, supported by a sustainable funding model.The Government is keeping an open mind about the future of the licence fee. We will work closely with the BBC, and engage with other broadcasters, stakeholders across the creative industries, as well as the British public, to inform our thinking.

If his Department will publish all consultation responses on the proposed digital ID scheme prior to the introduction of legislation.

We will follow the Cabinet Office principles for consultations and consider all responses received, from both individuals and organisations.

What (a) offline and (b) paper-based alternatives will be available for citizens without (i) digital access and (ii) smartphones under the proposed digital ID system.

To design and deliver digital ID, this government will undertake the biggest digital inclusion drive in our country's history. This will ensure everyone eligible can access and use this new digital ID, including those more likely to be digitally excluded. We are considering options like a digitally enabled physical alternative for those without access to technology, help for those who are partially sighted, in-person support for those who struggle to engage digitally, and a dedicated team of case workers to support those who may struggle to initially prove their identity and access the system. We will launch a public consultation in the coming months and have already started to engage with a range of expert organisations and community groups, including the Digital Inclusion Action Committee.

Whether it is his Department's policy that the proposed digital ID scheme will be overseen by an independent body to (a) monitor compliance, (b) investigate misuse and (c) publish annual transparency reports.

The Digital ID scheme will build on existing programmes and infrastructure. We will follow best practice on privacy and security, from both within the UK and internationally. The National Cyber Security Centre Security (NCSC) is advising how this is done to the highest standard. We will adhere to all existing UK law and governance structures, including close working with the ICO during the development of the scheme. We will examine options for appropriate oversight of the digital ID system through the upcoming consultation, which will begin in the new year.

What plans his Department has to ensure that (a) cloud hosting, (b) data processing and (c) other core components of the proposed digital ID system are under sovereign UK control.

Data associated with the Digital ID system will be held and kept safe in secure cloud environments hosted in the United Kingdom. The Government will work closely with expert stakeholders to make the programme effective, secure and inclusive, including taking insights from previous IT projects where appropriate.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether he has had discussions with his counterparts in Israel on the potential impact of drone activity in international waters on establishing new aid flotillas.

I refer the Hon. Member to the answer given on 13 October to question 77868.