Written questions by Gilbert.

Whether his Department has considered establishing an appeals process for any applicant who is refused a Special Categorisation Mechanism payment as part of their overall compensation offer from the Infected Blood Compensation Authority.

Anyone is able to appeal against a decision made by the Infected Blood Compensation Authority (IBCA) about any aspect of their infected blood compensation scheme application. Information on how this can be done can be found here: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/appeal-an-infected-blood-compensation-decision

What steps his Department is taking to implement the findings of the Sullivan Review.

We have reviewed the recommendations of the Sullivan Review and examined how sex and gender data are currently collected across the main Ministry of Justice data systems. Currently, there is variation in terminology and approaches across these different systems.We are therefore taking forward work to improve consistency in data collection. In doing so, we will align our approach to the Office for National Statistics’ ongoing harmonisation work on sex and gender data to ensure that our data collection is robust, comparable and consistent.

What steps her Department is taking to implement the findings of the Sullivan Review.

The Sullivan Review, commissioned by the previous administration made a number of recommendations concerning how data on sex and gender identity is collected. Individual departments are now considering these findings as part of their ongoing policy work.The Government Statistical Service (GSS) is currently developing harmonised data standards for sex and gender identity, with harmonised standards and guidance on the collection of sex data scheduled for publication in the Autumn. This programme of work aims to improve and standardise how sex and gender identity data are collected across government and beyond. It has been informed by the findings of the Sullivan Review, alongside wider evidence gathered through stakeholder engagement and ongoing research activity.

What steps his Department is taking to implement the findings of the Sullivan Review.

The Department is taking forward work to consider the findings of the Sullivan Review, which sets out a number of recommendations relating to the collection of data on sex and gender identity. We are assessing these recommendations in the context of ongoing work on data harmonisation standards. As all public bodies, and therefore all public data and statistics, were in scope for the review, it is important that we consider the findings collaboratively across government.The Government Statistical Service Harmonisation Programme, a cross-government work programme looking to improve the comparability and coherence of data and statistics, is developing harmonised standards for sex and gender identity. More information is available at the following link:https://blog.ons.gov.uk/2024/12/11/developing-harmonised-standards-for-sex-and-gender-identity/NHS England is leading work to develop the United Information Standard for Protected Characteristics, which focusses on the Equality Act 2010’s nine protected characteristics, including both sex and gender reassignment.Through the Health and Care Statistics Leadership Forum, a group convening statistical leaders across health organisations at the national level to ensure statistical collaboration and coherence, work is underway to catalogue and improve descriptions of how sex and gender data is collected within our statistical publications, ensuring that labels accurately describe the data being collected. More information about the forum is available at the following link:https://osr.statisticsauthority.gov.uk/blog/guest-blog-challenges-and-opportunities-for-health-and-care-statistics/

What steps his Department is taking to simplify the Pension Credit application process.

The Department is committed to modernising the Pension Credit service and regularly reviews the user experience to balance simplification with ensuring accurate awards. We are streamlining application routes by using information held internally to reduce the number of questions customers need to answer. Claims can be made online, by telephone, or by post. The most popular method is online, where claims can be made 24/7 with help from a family member, friend, or third party. The online form now requires a maximum of 48 questions, and for some customers as few as 35. On average, it takes just 16 minutes to complete, with around 90% of new customers applying online or by phone. For telephone claims, callers are guided through the process by an agent. We will continue to keep the Pension Credit application process under review to ensure it remains simple and accessible.

What steps his Department is taking to ensure that illegal settlements in the West Bank are covered by UK sanctions.

The UK government has a clear position that Israeli settlements in Palestine are illegal under international law. The UK has sanctioned individuals, illegal settler outposts and organisations supporting violence against Palestinian communities in the West Bank, as well as Minister of National Security, Itamar Ben Gvir, and Minister of Finance, Bezalel Smotrich, in their personal capacity for inciting violence towards Palestinians. Goods originating from illegal Israeli settlements are not entitled to tariff and trade preferences.

Whether he has made an assessment of the potential merits of allowing patient records to be used to research the impact of the use of puberty blockers on people throughout their lives.

We are committed to supporting the NHS in making research central to new gender services for children and young people.This includes a retrospective data linkage study to identify associations in former GIDS patients’ experiences and outcomes, through analysis of available digital information within health records and other nationally held databases. This will not, however, establish causation.The rigorous, randomised controlled PATHWAYS clinical trial which will offer puberty suppression within comprehensive NHS assessment and support will provide robust evidence needed to guide future NHS gender care decisions. Participants will also be asked to consent to long-term follow-up into adult life.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of the Israeli government’s decision to suspend 37 aid groups on the humanitarian situation in Gaza.

I refer the Hon Member to the statement I made on 5 January.

With reference to Written Statement UIN HCWS1171 on Upgraded Free Trade Agreement with the Republic of Korea: negotiation update, what impact the deal will have on the a) salmon and b) whisky industry.

The upgraded FTA secures several provisions to reduce administrative burden and costs for UK businesses. It streamlines clearance processes for the release of perishable goods like Salmon and ensures Scottish salmon raised from imported seedstock qualify for tariff-free access to the Republic of Korea, commitments welcomed by the Scottish salmon industry. The FTA also locks in our Geographical Indication protection for Scotch Whisky, preventing the sale of fake Whisky in Republic of Korea. New rules of origin provisions will make it easier to export via distribution hubs without being charged tariffs, a key facilitation welcomed by the industry.

What steps her Department is taking to improve digital connectivity for passengers on East Coast Main Line services.

As part of the Spending Review, the Department was successful in securing funding to deploy low earth orbit satellite connectivity for all mainline trains to improve on-train WiFi for passengers. This will include London North Eastern Railway, which will see improvements as part of this deployment.The Department has also been working with Network Rail to deliver improved connectivity on the rail network. Project Reach will renew fibre optic cables and address 4G / 5G mobile signals in 57 key mainline tunnels.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what steps her Department is taking to help establish diplomatic relations with Palestine.

The Foreign Secretary has exchanged letters with Palestinian Minister of Foreign Affairs Dr. Varsen Aghabekian Shahin, formally establishing diplomatic relations with Palestine.

What guidance he provides on whether JobCentre Work Coaches can accept (a) discounts and (b) similar benefits from clients.

Job Centre Work Coaches must uphold the highest standards of propriety and regularity. Under the Bribery Act 2010, it is a criminal offence to offer, give, request, or accept any financial or other advantage intended to improperly influence official duties. This includes gifts, cash, discounts, or hospitality.As a general rule, staff should decline all gifts, including cash, vouchers, goods, or services.All offers must be reported and recorded in the Departmental Gifts and Hospitality Register.

What his Department’s policy is for tidal stream in the upcoming Contracts for Difference allocation round.

Six new tidal stream projects secured contracts in Allocation Round 6 (AR6) of the Contracts for Difference Scheme. The UK is now on track to have 130MW of tidal stream deployed by 2029. The parameters for Allocation Round 7 (AR7) were published in July and the budget for technologies including tidal will be published later in the year. This will include any minima, maxima or ringfencing information.

How many training materials (a) produced and (b) utilised by his Department include examples of income from OnlyFans creating.

DWP technical learning is only available internally to DWP staff. Work coach role-specific learning includes examples to illustrate various self-employed income streams. This learning supports work coaches to build competence, assessing income for customers’ benefit award. Two references to income from OnlyFans creating were produced as part of wider learning but were subsequently removed from utilisation.

How many (a) dental nurses and (b) dentists have been refused Skilled Worker visas since 22 July 2025.

We do not routinely publish data on visas refused by occupation.The Home Office publishes data on entry clearance visas by quarter and visa type in the ‘Immigration System Statistics Quarterly Release’. Data on grants of visas by occupation are published in table ‘Occ_D02’ of the sponsored work visas by occupation and industry dataset, and data on the outcomes of visas, including visas refused, are published in table ‘Vis_D02’ of the detailed entry clearance dataset. Please note the data does not show the number of visas refused by occupation.Information on how to use the dataset can be found in the ‘Notes’ page of the workbook. Data is from January 2005 up to the end of June 2025.Data on entry clearance visas for 2025 Q3 (July to September) will be published on 27 November 2025. Information on future Home Office statistical release dates can be found in the ‘Research and statistics calendar’.

What discussions she has had with Cabinet colleagues on the potential for the development of offshore wind in Wales.

This government is supporting offshore wind projects in Wales which will deliver jobs, boost economic growth and clean power.Under this government, the 1.5GW Mona offshore wind farm off the North Wales coast was awarded development consent, with the potential to support over 3,000 jobs.And Floating Offshore Wind projects are progressing in the Celtic Sea, which could support over 5,000 new jobs and deliver a £1.4 billion-pound boost to the UK economy.

Whether she has made an estimate of the annual income tax collected from people working in the UK with indefinite leave to remain immigration status.

HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) does not hold data on the immigration status of taxpayers.

Whether she has made an estimate of the annual (a) employees and (b) employers National Insurance contributions collected from people working in the UK with indefinite leave to remain immigration status.

HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) does not hold data on the immigration status of taxpayers.

Whether his Department has issued guidance to work coaches on (a) suggesting and (b) requiring job seekers to become Only Fans creators.

The Department has issued no such guidance.

If he will make an assessment of (a) the health impacts of egg retrieval on and (b) the financial motivations of the 829 women aged between 18 and 20 who donated their eggs between 2000 and 2022.

The Department does not plan to undertake an assessment, however, academic research in the United Kingdom has consistently found that donating eggs and sperm is driven by altruism.The compensation rate for egg donation is set by the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority (HFEA), as provided for in the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Act 1990. The HFEA has advised that the donor compensation levels originally set in 2011 followed a thorough ethical review, which identified a set of principles that ensured altruism remained at the heart of donation and that there weren’t any unjustifiable barriers to donation.HFEA published data shows that egg and sperm donors in England from 2011 to 2020 lived in similar or more affluent socio-economic areas than the general population.The HFEA’s Scientific and Clinical Advances Advisory Committee recently reviewed the published evidence of health outcomes for those having fertility treatment, including egg donors. The last 10 years of evidence were reviewed and the HFEA will update the relevant information on its website as needed.