Written questions by Eastwood.

If she will take steps to create a visa scheme for Palestinians that is similar to the Ukraine Family Scheme.

Immediate family members of British citizens, and those settled in the UK, who wish to come and live in the UK and do not have a current UK visa can apply under one of the existing family visa routes. There are no plans to create a bespoke family reunion scheme at this stage.Further details are available here: https://www.gov.uk/uk-family-visa.We will accept applications, which would normally have to be made in the country where the person is living, at any of the UK’s Visa Application Centres.Visa Application Centres are open and operating in Egypt, in both Cairo and Alexandria, and Amman in Jordan.The FCDO is also providing consular assistance to those with British nationality, or dual nationality including British, who are in Gaza or who have left Gaza to a third country. Dual national British-Palestinians are not required to make a visa application as they have the right of abode in the UK. Our embassy staff are ready to provide support as appropriate.

What steps he is taking to help reduce inequalities of care for blood cancer patients.

I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave on 8 October 2024 to Question 5808.

What assessment he has made of the adequacy of blood cancer data.

The National Disease Registration Service, through the National Cancer Registration and Analysis Services (NCRAS), collects information on how many people in England are diagnosed with or treated for cancer. Blood cancer is included as a distinct category, labelled haematological neoplasms. This creates a clinically rich data resource that is used to measure diagnosis, treatment, and outcomes for patients diagnosed with cancer. The data held by the NCRAS supports service provision and commissioning in the National Health Service, clinical audits, and public health and epidemiological research, all of which contribute to improved outcomes for those diagnosed with cancer, including those with blood cancer. The information is available at the following link: https://www.cancerdata.nhs.uk/National Disease Registration Service analysts attend quarterly meetings with United Kingdom and Ireland Association of Cancer Registries analysts to discuss any differences in the reporting of cancer data and how these can be made analogous. Annual performance indicators, including key performance indicators for haematology, are available at the following link:https://ukiacr.org/kpis

How many departmental bids have been (a) received and (b) approved by the Northern Ireland Public Sector Transformation Board.

Following the establishment of an Interim Public Sector Transformation Board in May 2024, the interim Board ran a process to consider the 47 proposals which were received from Northern Ireland Departments. The Interim Board has recommended several proposals to the Northern Ireland Minister of Finance which it considers have the greatest potential to deliver real transformation and service improvement across a number of Executive priority areas in the draft Programme for Government.

With reference to the Department of Health and Social Care's press release entitled Biggest investment into hospices in a generation, published on 19 December 2024, whether any Barnett consequentials will be made av

The Barnett formula applies to all increases or decreases to UK Government Departmental Expenditure Limits (DEL). As this funding for adult and children’s hospices is being re-allocated from within existing Department of Health and Social Care budgets the...

What steps he is taking to support British-based businesses to appoint a responsible person under the General Product Safety Regulations to access to Northern Ireland and EU markets.

The Government is supporting small businesses to understand and comply with the new General Product Safety Regulation. We have published guidance on the new Regulation in Northern Ireland, which we will keep under review, and we are continuing to engage d...

Whether he plans to have discussions with political parties on the future of Northern Ireland's political institutions.

I meet regularly with the Northern Ireland parties to discuss a range of issues, including the UK Government’s commitment to ensuring the long-term stability of Northern Ireland institutions.

If he will make an assessment of the potential merits of reforming the process for appointing the (a) First Minister and (b) Deputy First Minister.

I meet regularly with the Northern Ireland parties to discuss a range of issues, including the UK Government’s commitment to ensuring the long-term stability of Northern Ireland institutions.

Whether he is taking steps to ensure that small businesses in Great Britain are aware of his Department's guidance entitled General product safety regulations: Northern Ireland: Guidance for businesses

My officials have been engaging regularly with businesses on the new General Product Safety Regulations in Northern Ireland. The guidance for businesses has been shared with the business community in Great Britain and Northern Ireland through existing cha...

If she will make an assessment of the potential merits of appointing a representative from Northern Ireland to the Financial Inclusion Committee.

On 5 December, I convened a Financial Inclusion Committee which has been established to tackle the problems of financial exclusion. Through this committee, I will work with consumer groups and industry on the development of a Financial Inclusion Strategy....

Whether his Department plans to monitor the application of the guidance entitled General product safety regulations: Northern Ireland: Guidance for businesses on Regulation 2023/988, published on 5 Dec

The Department will be monitoring the application of the new General Product Safety Regulation in Northern Ireland and will keep the guidance on the Regulation under review to ensure we are supporting businesses to trade freely across the UK.

What discussions she has had on the potential merits of appointing a Northern Ireland representative to the Financial Inclusion Committee.

On 5 December, I convened a Financial Inclusion Committee which has been established to tackle the problems of financial exclusion. Through this committee, I will work with consumer groups and industry on the development of a Financial Inclusion Strategy....

What discussions he has had with the Secretary of State for Business and Trade on the potential impact of the General Product Safety Regulations 2023 on the ability of consumers in Northern Ireland to bu

The updated General Product Safety Regulations largely formalises how businesses are already operating in the UK and the measures are therefore likely to have limited impact in practice. Where businesses need to make changes, we expect that they will be a...

If he will meet with online consumers in Northern Ireland experiencing difficulties buying goods from Great Britain.

The Department for Business and Trade (DBT) is committed to implementing the Windsor Framework in good faith and are constructively working with all stakeholders, including consumer groups, to protect the UK Internal Market. HM Government continues to sup...

What assessment he has made of the impact of the General Product Safety Regulations on the ability of consumers in Northern Ireland to buy goods from Great Britain.

The updated General Product Safety Regulations largely formalises how businesses are already operating in the UK and the measures are therefore likely to have limited impact in practice. Where businesses need to make changes, we expect that they will be a...

What his planned timetable is for establishing the Ethics and Integrity Commission.

I refer the Hon Member to the answer of 31 July 2024, Official Report, PQ 1251.

What discussions he has had with the Northern Ireland Executive on supporting smokers in Northern Ireland to quit.

The landmark Tobacco and Vapes Bill was introduced into Parliament on 5 November 2024 and will be the single biggest public health intervention since the Government banned smoking in indoor public spaces.This bill goes further than ever before. It will cr...

Whether he has had recent discussions with the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government on the introduction of votes at 16 in Northern Ireland.

The introduction of votes at 16 will be a major change to the franchise. I will of course work closely with my Ministerial counterparts across Government and other stakeholders on the development and implementation of this change.

Whether he plans to introduce votes at 16 before (a) elections to the Northern Ireland Assembly and (b) local elections take place.

This Government will legislate to lower the voting age to 16 during this Parliament. This change will strengthen our democracy and empower young people to participate in it.

Whether he has made an assessment of the potential merits of introducing residence-based voting rights in Northern Ireland.

The Government has no plans to revise the franchise for any elections based on residency. The right to vote at Parliamentary elections is consistent across the UK and it is important that all MPs are elected on a consistent franchise.In order to register ...