Written questions by Ward.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether he has had discussions with the Israeli government on the attack on Balata refugee camp in December 2024.

The Foreign Secretary has regularly raised issues of International Humanitarian Law compliance with the Israeli Government. Stability in the West Bank is crucial to ensure that the fragile ceasefire in Gaza can last. All sides should work to ensure a lowering of tension in the West Bank at this time. The ceasefire marks the first step in ensuring long-term peace and security for Israelis, Palestinians, and the wider region, bringing much-needed stability. Our attention must turn to how we secure a permanently better future for the Israeli and Palestinian people - grounded in a two-state solution that will guarantee security and stability for Israel, alongside a sovereign and viable Palestine state.

Innovation and Technology, what steps he is taking to tackle websites which (a) promote and (b) normalise suicide.

Under the Online Safety Act, websites that allow user-generated content must proactively prevent all users from encountering illegal suicide content, and children of all ages from encountering legal content which encourages, promotes or provides instructions for suicide. Last year, the Secretary of State wrote to Ofcom to ask about its plans to tackle suicide forums which breach their obligations under the Online Safety Act. The regulator confirmed it stands ready to move to rapid enforcement action, where necessary. The Act also provides search services with targeted duties to minimise the risk of all users encountering illegal search content either in or via search results.

How many people claimed asylum by country of origin in each month of 2024.

The Home Office publishes data on asylum in the ‘Immigration System Statistics Quarterly Release’. Data on asylum claims, by nationality, is published in table Asy_D01 of the ‘Asylum applications, initial decisions and resettlement detailed datasets’. The latest data relates to the year ending September 2024.

Communities and Local Government, what proportion of funding from the most recent round of the Community Ownership Fund was allocated to bids from Scotland.

In Round 4 Window, this government awarded £36.2 million to 85 projects across the UK, with £5 million allocated to 11 projects in Scotland.The full list of successful projects can be found on GOV.UK.

When her planned timetable is for allocating the next round of Access for All funding.

Improving the accessibility is an important element of our plan to fix Britain’s broken rail system. The Department is carefully considering the best approach to station accessibility and recognises the huge social and economic benefits it brings to communities. MPs and stakeholders will be updated in due course.

How many incidents of self-harm using (a) paracetamol, (b) ibuprofen and (c) aspirin by 16 and 17-year-olds were recorded in each of the last five years.

The information requested is not held centrally.

What the average processing time was for a (a) Skilled Worker and (b) Skilled Worker Dependent Visa in each of the last five years.

The Home Office does not publish the requested data.But, the latest Transparency Data, which does provide data on applications for various routes processed within service standards, can be found at: Visas, status and immigration data: Q3 2024 - GOV.UK

When Ministers next plan to meet trustees of the British Coal Staff Superannuation Scheme.

Details of Ministers’ meetings with external individuals and organisations are published quarterly in arrears on GOV.UK.

How many incidents of self-harm using (a) paracetamol, (b) aspirin and (c) ibuprofen were recorded amongst (i) 16 and (ii) 17 year olds in each of the last five years.

The information requested is not held centrally.

What steps she is taking to ensure staff receive training on the Scottish benefits system.

DWP learning reflects the services provided by Social Security Scotland with references and signposting to operational instructions.

What steps she is taking to (a) review and (b) consult on the rate of statutory sick pay in the Spring 2025 Spending Review.

Statutory Sick Pay (SSP) is paid entirely by employers and so the rate is not subject to departmental spending decisions that will be made at the Spring 2025 Spending Review. The rate of SSP is reviewed as part of the annual uprating process. Subject to P...

What the average processing time for the Criminal Injury Compensation Scheme was in each of the last five years.

The Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority (CICA) is responsible for implementing the Criminal Injuries Compensation Scheme. CICA recognises that timely compensation can help victims in their recovery both practically and emotionally and is committed to...

Whether he has had recent discussions with the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology on research into lobular breast cancer.

Cancer research is a critical priority for the Department of Health and Social Care, the Department of Science, Innovation and Technology, and their operational delivery partners, like the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) and the Med...

Communities and Local Government, whether she has made an assessment of the potential merits of utilising (a) High Commissions and (b) Consulates to facilitate British Overseas Voters ability to vote.

No such assessment has been made at this time. We are focused at present on delivering on our manifesto commitments to strengthen our democracy and encourage participation – including by giving 16- and 17- year olds the right to vote in all elections.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what diplomatic steps he is taking to support a cessation of military action in the north of Gaza.

The Foreign Secretary spoke to his Israeli counterpart most recently on 27 October, and reiterated that Israel must do much more to bring about an end to hostilities and get aid into Gaza. A political resolution has been a priority of this Government sinc...

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of Israeli legislation in relation to UNRWA on (a) his Department’s policies and (b) the provision of UK aid to the Occupi

The Prime Minister and Foreign Secretary have expressed serious concern at the UNRWA bills that Israel's Knesset has now passed. This legislation risks making UNRWA's essential work for Palestinians impossible, jeopardising the entire international humani...

What the average decision-making time for an Adult Dependent Relative visa application was in each of the last five years.

Current processing times for Adult Dependent Relative applications applying for entry clearance to the UK are 12 weeks. Processing times for Adult Dependent Relative applications applying from within the UK are 8 weeks.Further information on family visa p...

How many applications for an Adult Dependent Relative visa there were in each of the last five years.

The Home Office publishes data on Family visas in the ‘Immigration System Statistics Quarterly Release’. Data on visa applications are published in table ‘Vis_D01’ whilst data on the outcomes of visa applications are published in table ‘Vis_D02’ of the de...

What the acceptance rate for Adult Dependent Relative visa applications was in each of the last five years.

The Home Office publishes data on Family visas in the ‘Immigration System Statistics Quarterly Release’. Data on visa applications are published in table ‘Vis_D01’ whilst data on the outcomes of visa applications are published in table ‘Vis_D02’ of the de...

What proportion of F-35 components produced by UK companies are wear-sensitive parts.

The F-35 inventory is owned by the US Department of Defence and is managed by Lockheed Martin Aeronautics and Pratt and Whitney. The details on the proportion of F35 components produced by UK companies are not known.The F35 Programme does not classify com...