Written questions by Logan.

Innovation and Technology, whether she plans to bring forward legislative proposals to protect consumers from a reduction in service received from private services as part of the Digital ID scheme.

The government will ensure there is no reduction in services from the digital ID scheme. Indeed, it should deliver exactly the opposite - with easier access to public and private services for more people. We remain committed to commencing and delivering the measures in Part 2 of the Data (Use and Access) Act 2025, which underpin a framework of standards.We will continue to engage with a range of organisations, including private sector digital verification services, over the coming weeks and months, including as part of the consultation to be launched by the end of this year, to ensure this commitment is delivered.

Innovation and Technology, whether her Department's financial planning anticipates that the costs of running a digital ID scheme would grow as public services become more interlinked.

The Government will launch a public consultation on the new digital ID by the end of the year. The eventual total cost and savings will depend on the design, build and delivery of the system, matters which will be included in the consultation.

What assessment he has made of the potential impact of closure of the social care visa route on the availability of staff in the social care sector.

In the technical annex published alongside the Immigration White Paper on 12 May 2025, the Home Office has estimated an annual reduction of approximately 7,000 main visa applicants as a result of ending overseas recruitment for care workers and senior care workers. This is based on their internal management information for entry visas granted covering the period of March 2024 to February 2025. This estimate reflects that there was a drop in visa grants of more than 90% compared with the 12 months ending in March 2024.The Department for Health and Social Care continues to monitor adult social care workforce capacity, bringing together national data sets from Skills for Care’s monthly tracking data, the Capacity Tracker tool, and intelligence from key sector partners.As set out in the Immigration White Paper, there will be a transition period until 2028, to be kept under review, where in-country applications, including from other visa routes, will continue to be permitted for care workers and senior care workers, provided individuals are already working in these roles in the adult social care sector. This means, for example, that care providers will continue to be able to recruit those who want to switch from student or graduate visas, who we know have provided a vital role in workforce capacity in recent years. The sector can also continue to employ individuals whose immigration status allows them to work in any sector, for example, those on a dependent visa or working whilst on a student visa.We recognise the scale of the reform needed to make the adult social care attractive as a career and are determined to ensure that those who work in care are respected as professionals. We are introducing new Fair Pay agreements for adult social care workers, with legislation currently going through Parliament, implementing the first universal career structure for adult social care, and providing £12 million this year for staff to complete training and qualifications. These changes will help attract staff to the sector, providing proper recognition and opportunities for them to build their careers.

When she plans to respond to correspondence of 30 July and 10 September 2025 from the Hon Member for Aberdeenshire North and Moray East, references SL02586/dw and MIN/1368520/25.

The Minister for Border Security & Asylum responded on 16 October 2025.

What progress her Department has made on reducing driving test wait times for test centres in Aberdeenshire North and Moray East constituency.

The Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency’s (DVSA) main priority is upholding road safety standards while it works hard to reduce car practical driving test waiting times. On the 23 April, the Secretary of State for Transport appeared before the Transport Select Committee and announced that DVSA will take further actions to reduce driving test waiting times across the country.Further information on these actions and progress on the DVSA’s plan, which was set out last year, can be found on GOV.UK. DVSA continues to run recruitment campaigns for new driving examiners (DEs). From recent campaigns, DVSA has recruited four new potential DEs at driving test centres (DTCs) that serve the Aberdeenshire North and Moray East constituency. DVSA has just completed a further recruitment campaign and hopes to make offers to the successful candidates soon. DVSA will also continue to strategically deploy examiners to ensure fair coverage across all DTCs in Aberdeenshire, including remote and outstation locations.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, when she plans to respond to correspondence of 30 June 2025 and 22 August 2025 from the Hon Member for Aberdeenshire North and Moray East with the reference SL02820/dw on Palestine Action Group.

I apologise for the delay in responding to the Hon. Member's correspondence. I issued a response to the Hon. Member on 12 September.

Whether her Department is considering a bespoke visa route similar to those in other European countries that could lead to settlement for Ukrainians.

The Government have always been clear that the Ukraine Schemes are temporary and do not lead to settlement in the UK. Similarly, time spent in the UK with permission granted under the Ukraine Schemes cannot be relied upon towards the continuous qualifying period for the purposes of a Long Residence application.We are fully committed to supporting Ukraine in its fight against Putin’s illegal war, while also providing a safe and secure haven for those fleeing the conflict. We have offered our extended sanctuary to over 300,000 Ukrainians and their families.On 1 September, the Home Secretary announced in parliament that the Ukraine Permission Extension scheme (UPE) would be extended for an additional 24 months to enable those eligible to obtain a further period of permission following their initial permission under UPE. More detail will follow in due course.There are other routes available for those who wish to settle in the UK permanently, if they meet the requirements.

If her Department plans to offer longer-term settlement for Ukrainians who (a) live in the UK and (b) cannot return to Ukraine.

The Government have always been clear that the Ukraine Schemes are temporary and do not lead to settlement in the UK. Similarly, time spent in the UK with permission granted under the Ukraine Schemes cannot be relied upon towards the continuous qualifying period for the purposes of a Long Residence application.We are fully committed to supporting Ukraine in its fight against Putin’s illegal war, while also providing a safe and secure haven for those fleeing the conflict. We have offered our extended sanctuary to over 300,000 Ukrainians and their families.On 1 September, the Home Secretary announced in parliament that the Ukraine Permission Extension scheme (UPE) would be extended for an additional 24 months to enable those eligible to obtain a further period of permission following their initial permission under UPE. More detail will follow in due course.There are other routes available for those who wish to settle in the UK permanently, if they meet the requirements.

When he plans to publish the Clean Energy Workforce Strategy.

We will publish the Clean Energy Workforce Strategy later this year. This Strategy will be a first for the UK Government, and will set out how government, industry and trade unions will come together to address skills and workforce challenges to deliver the Clean Energy Superpower Mission, including Clean Power 2030.

What the additional £700 million of funding for Great British Energy announced in the Clean Energy Industries Sector Plan, published on 23 June 2025 will be spent on.

The Great British Energy (GBE) Supply Chain fund is £1 billion, as announced in the Clean Energy Industries Sector Plan published on 23 June 2025. This will help ensure the clean energy revolution is built in Britain. Up to £300 million of the fund is committed grant funding for manufacturing offshore wind components. GBE will invest a further £700 million in clean energy supply chains. Where this will be invested will be determined through market engagement and working alongside HMG Public Finance Institutions to develop the right delivery approach according to market needs.

What estimate she mas made of the number of women born in the 1950s who have died since the publication entitled Government response to PHSO’s Investigation into Women’s State Pension age, published on 17 December 2024.

The Department has made no assessment.

Whether she plans to establish an alternative disputes resolution process for people affected by changes in state pension age for women.

We have no such plans.

Food and Rural Affairs, pursuant to the Answer of 27 May 2025 to Question 53765 on Fishing and Coastal Growth Fund, whether he has held discussions with his counterpart in the Scottish government on this fund.

The Fishing & Coastal Growth Fund will be investing £360 million over the next 12 years. Ministers are committed to working closely with the industry and local communities in order to ensure investment is targeted to where it is needed most. As part of that planned engagement we will work closely with Devolved Governments. We will look to provide more details on the fund, including devolution, at the earliest possible opportunity.

Food and Rural Affairs, what funding his Department is allocating to Darwin Plus grants; and whether this funding has changed since the Spending Review 2025.

Defra is continuing to support the UK Overseas Territories through Darwin Plus. This includes bringing the new biodiversity strategy to publication thereby improving the reach and effectiveness of not just the programme but also wider efforts to improve and protect biodiversity across the territories. Following the Spending Review, the department has secured a multi-year funding commitment from HM Treasury. Whilst decisions have yet to be made in respect of the totality of future funding available to Darwin Plus, the department will continue to engage closely with stakeholders to ensure transparency and to support continuity wherever possible. The department will provide updates in the usual way as soon as they are available.

What assessment he has made of the potential impact of the proposed disability benefit reforms on claimants in Scotland.

Universal Credit is a reserved matter in Scotland, so the changes to Universal Credit will apply in Scotland. Personal Independent Payment (PIP) is an extra costs disability benefit and is a devolved matter in Scotland. By the time the Personal Independence Payment changes come into effect, PIP will have been fully replaced by the Scottish Government’s Adult Disability Payment. The changes to PIP eligibility therefore will not apply in Scotland. The interactions between the reserved and devolved systems in Scotland will need to be considered before these reforms are implemented and officials are already engaging on this.  DWP has engaged with the Scottish Government on the reforms set out in the Pathways to Work Green Paper, at both an official and Ministerial level. They will continue to work closely as they develop detailed proposals for the White Paper.

What estimate he has made of the potential impact of the reduction in spend on Carers Allowance on Scotland’s Block Grant.

In Scotland, Carers Allowance is a devolved benefit. Individual block grant adjustments linked to individual policy decisions will be published in due course. The Spending Review set a three year envelope and guarantees that the block grant will be at least £52 billion by 2029, with an additional £9.1 billion in Barnet consequentials over that time period.

What estimate he has made of the potential impact of proposed reductions in Personal Independence Payment on Scotland’s Block Grant.

In Scotland, Adult Disability Payment, a devolved benefit, replaced Personal Independence Payment. Individual block grant adjustments linked to individual policy decisions will be published in due course. The Spending Review set a three year envelope and guarantees that the block grant will be at least £52 billion by 2029, with an additional £9.1 billion in Barnet consequentials over that time period.

What discussions he has had with the Scottish Cabinet Secretary for Social Justice to ensure that changes for claimants who depend on both reserved and devolved social security are understood.

UK Government Ministers regularly meet with their Scottish government counterparts to discuss social security and claimants. Scotland Office Ministers also attend the Joint Ministerial Working Group on Welfare, alongside Ministers from the Department of Work and Pensions and Scottish Government Ministers. The most recent meeting was held on 18 June 2025. The Pathways to Work Green Paper states that interactions between the reserved and devolved systems in Scotland will need to be considered before reforms are implemented. Officials are already engaging on this.

If she will issue guidance on how disabled people can maintain their national insurance contributions needed to qualify for full state pension if (a) their household income is above the Universal Credit threshold due to a partner’s income and (b) they can only claim the replacement for new style Employment and Support Allowance for 6-12 months.

As part of the Pathways to Work: Reforming Benefits and Support to Get Britain Working Green Paper published in March 2025 we are consulting on establishing a new “Unemployment Insurance” benefit through the reform of contributory working-age benefits. Unemployment Insurance would be a new non-means tested entitlement for people who have contributed into the system and replace existing NS JSA and NS ESA. Policy on the new Unemployment Insurance is being developed, and we will be considering the detailed contributory related entitlement conditions with further detail to be published in a White Paper in Autumn..

If the National Wealth Fund will deliver £1.8 billion in ring-fenced funding for UK ports; and how much will be allocated to ports in (a) Peterhead and (b) Fraserburgh.

The National Wealth Fund will commit at least £5.8 billion over this Parliament to green hydrogen, carbon capture, ports, gigafactories and green steel sub-sectors. The National Wealth Fund’s Strategic Plan will set out where and how the NWF can deploy its capital within these sectors. The National Wealth Fund is operationally independent, including when making investment decisions. Like all proposals, any investment made into the ports sector will be subject to the investment satisfying the National Wealth Fund’s normal requirements for investable proposals.