Written questions by Wrigley.

What assessment she has made of the potential impact of the transition from the 1987 Police Pension Scheme to the 2015 Career Average Revalued Earnings Scheme on officers who served nearly 20 years under the 1987 scheme.

The main public service pension schemes – including the police pension schemes – were reformed following the recommendations of the Independent Public Service Pensions Commission in 2011. This reviewed the public service pensions landscape and the potential reforms in depth.The 2015 scheme offers valuable pensions, improves affordability and sustainability, and is fairer to lower and middle earners. It is backed by the taxpayer, index-linked, and offers guaranteed benefits on retirement. Police officers, like the firefighters and the armed forces, also benefit from a normal pension age in the 2015 scheme of age 60, while other public service schemes have a normal pension age aligned to State Pension Age.The 2015 scheme introduced valuable protections for the benefits that members have accrued in their legacy schemes (including the 1987 pension scheme): protecting the point at which they can draw those legacy benefits, maintaining a link to their final salary against their pensionable service and where applicable, a link to the enhanced accrual rate.

If she will provide a path for settlement for Ukrainians in the UK linked to the 100 year partnership with Ukraine.

We recognise the Ukrainian government’s desire for the future return of its citizens to Ukraine to assist in the rebuilding of the country. It is important our approach respects these wishes.This is why the temporary sanctuary Ukraine visa Schemes do not lead to settlement in the UK.There are other routes available for those who wish to settle in the UK permanently, if they meet the requirements.

If she will bring forward legislative proposals to enable the repurposing of assets seized from sanctions violations to fund reparation for victims and survivors of serious human rights or humanitarian law violations and serious corruption.

Prosecutors and/or law enforcement agencies are currently able to confiscate or permanently seize assets where someone has benefitted from their offending or where their assets have or will have links to criminality, by making use of powers under the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002.This includes powers to allow law enforcement agencies to take civil proceedings to enable the permanent seizure of assets that are demonstrated to have been obtained through unlawful conduct or which are intended for use in unlawful conduct.We are committed to exploring all lawful routes through which Russian assets can be used to support Ukraine.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, if the Government will ratify the agreement on the Conservation and Sustainable Use of Marine Biological Diversity of Areas beyond National Jurisdiction.

The Government is completely committed to ratification of the Agreement under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea on the Conservation and Sustainable Use of Marine Biological Diversity of Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ Agreement, also known as the "High Seas Treaty" or "Global Ocean Treaty"), which is in line with our determination to reinvigorate the UK's wider international leadership on climate and nature. Legislation to implement the BBNJ Agreement will be introduced as soon as the legislative timetable allows.

Communities and Local Government, what assessment she has made of the adequacy of the level of Community Infrastructure Levy monies being contributed towards childcare provision and infrastructure.

The Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) is used to fund infrastructure needed to support development in a local authority’s area. This may include childcare facilities.Any local planning authority that has received developer contributions is required to publish an Infrastructure Funding Statement (IFS) at least annually. The IFS report should include summary details of CIL expenditure during the reported year, including the items of infrastructure to which CIL has been applied.There is no statutory requirement for a consolidated Infrastructure Funding Statement for England to be published, and one has not been published to date.The government is committed to strengthening the existing system of developer contributions to ensure new developments provide necessary affordable homes and infrastructure. Further details will be set out in due course.

If he will (a) hold discussions and (b) take steps with Super Humans Ukraine to provide (i) training, (ii) equipment for (A) prosthetics and (B) medical (1) assistance and (2) training and (iii) other support in Ukraine.

As a world leader in military rehabilitation, the UK Ministry of Defence, in consultation with our Ukrainian partners has chosen to contribute to the NATO Comprehensive Assistance Package (CAP) funded Project RENOVATOR, a project to support the development of increased rehabilitation capacity and capability within Ukraine to help deal with the thousands of injured military personnel.Project RENOVATOR supports the building of infrastructure and the provision of equipment and delivery of training and education, including specialist physiotherapy and prosthetic capabilities. The ultimate aim is to provide five modernised rehabilitation facilities across the country, supporting Ukraine to develop a modern military healthcare system.

If he will review the inclusion of international students in net migration figures.

The information requested falls under the remit of the UK Statistics Authority. A response to the Hon gentleman’s Parliamentary Question of 24th February is attached.

Pursuant to the Answer of 8 January 2025 to Question 21470 on Hospices: Charitable Donations, if he will provide financial support to hospices to directly cover declining charitable incomes.

Integrated care boards are responsible for the commissioning of palliative and end of life care services, to meet the needs of their local populations. Most hospices are charitable, independent organisations which receive some statutory funding for providing National Health Services.Charitable hospices, as autonomous organisations, provide a range of services which go beyond that which statutory services are legally required to provide. Consequently, the funding arrangements reflect this.In addition to the record hospice funding package I mentioned in my previous answer, I recently met the major palliative and end of life care and hospice stakeholders, and long-term sector sustainability, within the context of our 10-Year Health Plan, was discussed at length.

What assessment her Department has made of changes to National Insurance Contributions to home-to-school service contract suppliers beyond March 2025.

I refer the hon. Member for Newton Abbott to the answer of 29 January 2025 to Question 26397.

If she will make an assessment of the adequacy of the 20-hour-per-week work limit for international students during term time.

I refer the Honourable Member to my response to the Member for Bournemouth East’s question of 17 October 2024 [09875].

Food and Rural Affairs, if he will make it his policy to provide additional (a) financial and (b) social support to poultry farmers affected by Avian Flu quarantine measures.

We recognize that avian influenza outbreaks are very distressing for the individual poultry farmers and businesses who are on the frontline of this terrible disease. Compensation is paid for any healthy birds culled by the Government for avian influenza disease control purposes. In response to the unprecedented outbreaks of avian influenza in October 2022 Defra’s approach to compensation was updated to involve earlier assessment of the number of healthy birds and swifter calculation of compensation. This allows Defra to provide earlier certainty about entitlement to compensation; better reflects the impact of outbreaks on premises; and leads to swifter payments to help stem any cash flow pressures. Any bird keepers whose premises are directly affected by avian influenza will receive support from the Animal and Plant Health Agency. In addition, there are numerous support networks that poultry farmers can contact for help including the rural services helpline. Defra also work in partnership with Farming Help organisations to support their work to help the farming community through challenging times. In addition, a range of grants have been made available to poultry keepers through the Animal Health and Welfare Pathway to improve biosecurity on premises and support the welfare of birds.

Communities and Local Government, whether she has made an assessment of the potential impact of changes proposed by clause 1 of the National Insurance Contributions (Secondary Class 1 Contributions) Bill on future trends in the level of local authority funding for fiscal years (a) 2025-26, (b) 2026-27 and (c) 2027-28.

Raising the revenue required to fund public services and restore economic stability requires difficult decisions on tax. The government is providing an additional £2 billion in grant funding through the Settlement, including £502 million to address the impact of employer National Insurance Contributions (NICs) changes on council budgets. A further £13 million has been allocated to Mayoral Combined Authorities, totalling £515 million. Payments will be unringfenced to allow funding to be used across direct, commissioned, and externally provided local services. Spending decisions beyond 2025-26 are a matter for the upcoming Spending Review.

What assessment she has made of the potential merits of allowing international students to reduce skills shortages in key sectors through the Graduate Route visa.

The Graduate route enables international students who have successfully completed an eligible qualification to stay in the UK and work, or look for work, at any skill level for 2 years, or 3 years for doctoral students. It includes the ability to switch into other routes, such as the Skilled Worker route, if the requirements of such routes are met.

What the average processing time was for student visa applications in the latest period for which data is available; and what steps her Department is taking to reduce processing times for such applications.

Our published transparency statistics can be found here and include data on service standards. The current publication covers to Q3 2024.Visas, status and immigration data: Q3 2024 - GOV.UKWe continue to operate within our service standard of 15 days for straightforward applications, with even faster times for our priority services.Where applications are complex and we require further information or checks, decisions may take longer. This is to prevent abuse of our immigration system. All visa applications are carefully considered on their individual merits in accordance with the immigration rules.We encourage international students to apply as early as possible and ensure they have provided all required documents, to avoid any delay to starting their studies in the UK. Visa applications can be made up to 6 months before the course start date, once the student has their Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies from their education sponsor.We work with educational institutions and partners globally to ensure students are encouraged to apply for their visa as early as possible and guided through the application process online.

Communities and Local Government, if the Department will make an assessment of the merits of redefining childcare as infrastructure.

The Planning Act 2008, Part 11, provides the legislative framework for the Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL).Section 216(1) of the 2008 Act means that CIL must be spent on the provision, improvement, replacement, operation, or maintenance of infrastructure.Section 216(2) of that Act contains an illustrative list of kinds of infrastructure that CIL may be spent on and in subsection (2)(c) express reference is made to schools and other educational facilities.This allows the levy to be used to fund a broad range of facilities, which may include childcare facilities.

What steps his Department plans to take in response to Russian use of cluster munitions in Ukraine.

As a State Party to the Convention on Cluster Munitions (CCM), the UK has made a commitment not to produce or use cluster munitions and to discourage their use. We stand by that.As President of the CCM in 2022 the UK frequently highlighted the use of cluster munitions by Russia in its invasion of Ukraine. The UK has committed £6.1million to address explosive ordnance, including cluster munitions, in Ukraine in financial year 2024-5 through the Global Mine Action Programme.

Food and Rural Affairs, if his Department will take steps to provide additional (a) funding and (b) other support to free range poultry farmers affected by Avian flu.

The UK poultry sector is highly resilient, adaptable and continues to supply healthy and affordable products in spite of the many challenges it has faced in recent years including the war in Ukraine and Avian Influenza outbreaks. In Autumn 2024 Defra announced a package of measures to help poultry farmers to deal with the impact of Avian Influenza outbreaks and to provide certainty and stability to the sector. This included: The introduction of legislation to allow free-range eggs to continue to be labelled as such for the duration of mandatory housing measures, reducing costs on producers and enabling them to continue to trade fairly with imported eggs. The Statutory Instrument came into force on 24 January 2025.A consultation on introducing similar measures for the labelling of free-range poultry meat during mandatory housing measures. The consultation closed on 16 December 2024. Responses are currently being analysed, and a summary of responses will be published in due course. We continue to work closely with the poultry and egg sectors and to monitor these markets for any supply issues and impacts to producers that arise as a result of Avian Influenza outbreaks.

Food and Rural Affairs, if he will make it his policy to trial Avian Flu vaccinations in poultry farms in Devon.

Defra have established a cross-government and industry taskforce to explore potential for use of vaccination as a preventive measure for avian influenza. In conjunction with the Veterinary Medicines Directorate (VMD), Defra will continue to monitor the development and availability of vaccines for their utility in preventing and responding to avian influenza outbreaks as they are put forward for market authorisation by vaccine manufacturers. A clinical trial to examine under field conditions the safety and/or efficacy of a veterinary vaccine, when conducted in Great Britain and/or Northern Ireland requires an Animal Test Certificate (ATC). Applications to carry out a clinical trial for avian influenza vaccination must be made to the VMD who will conduct an assessment based on the information provided and consider the application in consultation with Defra.

What steps she is taking with Cabinet colleagues to help reduce (a) hate crime and (b) discrimination against international students.

The department condemns all forms of hatred on our campuses. Every student, irrespective of their background, should feel safe to pursue their studies at university.As autonomous institutions, universities should have robust processes in place to prevent and tackle acts of harassment and abuse on campus.This government is clear that international students, who make a positive impact on UK higher education, our economy and society as a whole, are welcome in the UK. They bring significant benefits, by enriching our university campuses, forging lifelong friendships with our domestic students and becoming global ambassadors for the UK.

Innovation and Technology, whether he has had discussions with his American counterpart on the security provisions in place for UK citizens that have data held by US Government Departments, in the context of recent steps taken by the US Department of Government Efficiency to access personal data.

The UK-US special relationship continues to be critical for our security, growth and prosperity, as reiterated by the Prime Minister and President during the recent visit. Under the UK data protection regime, organisations must ensure there are appropriate safeguards in place when sending UK personal data internationally.The UK has an adequacy decision for certain transfers to the US and robustly monitors any developments that could affect that decision. Where an adequacy decision cannot be relied upon, UK organisations must ensure alternative safeguards are in place, such as contractual clauses, in accordance with Article 46 of the UK GDPR.