Written questions by Morton.

Food and Rural Affairs, what steps his Department is taking to help support the Falkland Islands government to preserve its (a) marine biodiversity, (b) sustainable fishing practices and (c) other aspects of its ecological environment.

Defra officials work closely with the Falkland Islands Government to ensure that Falkland Island interests are represented in international fisheries meetings at the UN and FAO, and that challenges in ensuring sustainable management of high seas fisheries in the South West Atlantic are addressed. Defra primarily supports the UK Overseas Territories, including the Falkland Islands, to protect their unique biodiversity and natural environments through the Darwin Plus programme. In the past 5 years, Darwin Plus has awarded funding to 28 projects of benefit to the Falkland Islands worth over £4 million, including 8 worth over £2 million dedicated to marine conservation. Projects have been working to:Strengthen protection for marine mammals and predators, such as seals, whales, dolphins, porpoises, and seabirds;Restore breeding habitat for Magellanic penguins;Solve why fur seal bycatch by commercial fisheries has been increasing and inform prevention measures; andPredict the impact of climate change on key species to support fishery and ecosystem resilience.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what steps he is taking to support civilians in (a) Zamzam IDP camp and (b) El Fasher in Sudan to reach safety.

The UK is appalled by the continued violence in and around El Fasher and the Zamzam Internally Displaced Person camp. On 24 April, the Foreign Secretary issued a statement highlighting the unacceptable levels of civilian harm and called on the warring parties to urgently de-escalate. The Foreign Secretary also stated that the UK will continue to use all tools available to hold those responsible for atrocities to account. Through our ongoing humanitarian programme in Sudan the UK is supporting Emergency Response Rooms who play an integral role in identifying safe areas and exit routes for civilians from combat zones and coordinating their transportation options.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what steps he is taking to help ensure that the warring parties in Sudan implement United Nations Security Council Resolution 2736.

The UK continues to use all diplomatic levers at its disposal to press all parties in Sudan to comply with UN Security Council Resolution (UNSCR) 2736. Despite the disgraceful Russian veto in November 2024 of a UK-Sierra Leone led resolution to build on UNSCR 2736, the UK has continued to work with UNSC partners to galvanise Council action on Sudan. This has included securing a UNSC press statement on 17 April which called for the end of hostilities around El Fasher and full implementation of Resolution 2736.

What steps she is taking to ensure businesses are aware of National Insurance contributions relief for employers with apprentices under 25.

HMRC maintains comprehensive Gov.uk guidance to help employers understand the Class 1 NICs relief for apprentices under the age of 25, which has been in place since 2016. It can be found here: Paying employer National Insurance contributions for apprentices under 25 - GOV.UK. Beyond the NICs relief, the Government is committed to supporting apprenticeships as a key component of its growth mission to achieve growth. The Autumn Budget provided £40 million to help to deliver new foundation and shorter apprenticeships in key sectors.

Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment he has made of the potential merits of publishing a local authority league table for incidences of fly-tipping.

This Government has not made an assessment of the potential merits of publishing a local authority league table for incidences of fly-tipping. Local authorities in England are required to report fly-tipping incidents and actions to Defra, which are published annually at https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/fly-tipping-in-england. In assessing the figures local authorities should not be classified as ‘good’ or ‘poor’ performers based purely on numbers of fly-tips and comparisons between local authorities should be made with care.

What assessment she has made of the potential merits of ringfencing the skills levy for funding apprenticeships.

I refer the hon. Member for Aldridge-Brownhills to the answer of 7 April 2025 to Question 40142.

What estimate she made of the number of apprenticeship starts in Aldridge-Brownhills constituency in (a) 2024-25 and (b) 2023-24.

The number of apprenticeship starts in the Aldridge-Brownhills constituency are published in the apprenticeships accredited official statistics publication: https://explore-education-statistics.service.gov.uk/data-tables/permalink/2d7a8365-ec14-40eb-96d3-08dd85738b16.These were last published in March 2025. They include full year figures for the 2023/24 academic year, and year to date figures for the 2024/25 academic year.

Communities and Local Government, what assessment she had made of the potential impact of a new national scheme of delegation in the Planning and Infrastructure Bill on local democratic oversight.

The Planning and Infrastructure Bill includes regulation-making powers to issue statutory guidance on a national scheme of delegation. The government intend to formally consult on these proposals alongside the Bill’s passage.

What estimate she has made of the number of SMEs using National Insurance relief for apprentices aged under 25 in Aldridge-Brownhills constituency.

HMRC publishes estimates of the number of employers who benefit from the relief on employer National Insurance contributions for apprentices under 25, which are available here: https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/main-tax-expenditures-and-structural-reliefs

What steps she is taking to financially support local authorities in (a) providing rent subsidies and (b) providing homelessness services caused by accommodating dispersed asylum seekers.

This Government inherited an asylum system under exceptional strain, with tens of thousands of people stuck in limbo without any prospect of having their claims processed. At their peak use under the previous government, in the autumn of 2023, more than 400 asylum hotels were being leased by the Home Office, at a cost of almost £9 million a day.Inevitably, due to the size of the backlog we inherited, the Government has been forced to continue with the use of hotels for the time being. It remains our absolute commitment to end the use of hotels over time, as part of our reduction in overall asylum accommodation costs.The Home Office continues to work closely with local authorities to manage all the pressures arising from the provision of asylum accommodation including the impact on wider local authority obligations and plans.

What steps she is taking to encourage SMEs to participate in the apprenticeships scheme.

I refer the hon. Member for Aldridge-Brownhills to the answer of 19 March 2025 to Question 37179.

What estimate she has made of the potential change in the number of people supported by local authorities under the (a) Afghan and (b) Ukraine resettlement schemes caused by births in the UK.

Arrivals under Afghan Resettlement Programme (ARP) are granted indefinite leave to remain (ILR).Afghan children born in the UK with parents who have ILR automatically become British citizens and are therefore eligible for support like any British Citizen. This does not impact the number of people supported by local authorities under the Afghan Schemes.The Home Office does not hold data on the number of children born in the UK to Ukrainian nationals. However, to support guests to fully integrate into communities and rebuild their lives, local authorities continue to receive a tariff of £5,900 per Homes for Ukraine arrival in their area. Councils can use this funding flexibly to support households as best suits the local area.Children who are born in the UK, to a Ukrainian national parent who holds permission to stay in the UK under the Ukraine Schemes, are able to apply for the Ukraine Permission Extension (UPE) scheme, to gain permission to stay for up to 18 months.

Communities and Local Government, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of a new oversight board at the West Midlands Fire Service on the quality of service provided.

I am responding as the Minister now with responsibility for Fire. It is the government’s priority to drive meaningful culture change across the fire and rescue sector.  Our fire professionals work under significant pressure and in challenging circumstances, so it is important that the Fire and Rescue Authorities and the Fire and Rescue Services create a culture where every member of the team can thrive.The West Midlands Fire and Rescue Authority have established, through working with the Local Government Association, the corporate governance improvement board. The board provides challenge and support to the West Midlands Fire and Rescue Authority and works to identify potential areas of improvement.I am supportive of the board’s work and my officials remain in regular contact with the Local Government Association to keep abreast of its ongoing work.To further support the West Midlands Fire and Rescue Service, in December 2024, the Home Secretary decided to commission a ‘Best Value Inspection’ of the West Midlands Fire and Rescue Authority to ascertain whether the authority is meeting its Best Value obligations, particularly regarding governance. We will ensure partners are kept updated on the development of this Best Value Inspection.

What assessment she has made of the potential impact of the removal of Winter Fuel Payments on older residents in (a) urban, (b) rural, (c) northern and (d) southern areas.

Winter Fuel Payment statistics are published annually, for the previous winter, and cover parliamentary constituencies, Local Authority areas, regional breakdowns, and international payments, amongst other things. The next release of annual Winter Fuel Payment statistics covering winter 2024 to 2025 will be published on 16 September 2025.

What steps is she taking to support Ukrainians in the UK to obtain Skilled Worker visas.

We are committed to standing with Ukraine and providing stability for those we have welcomed to the UK and those who still need our sanctuary.The Ukraine Permission Extension (UPE) scheme, which opened to applications on 4 February 2025, provides up to an additional 18 months’ permission to stay in the UK for those with existing Ukraine Scheme permission.The scheme provides the same rights and entitlements to access work, benefits, healthcare and education as the current Ukraine schemes.We keep the Ukraine schemes under continuous review in line with the ongoing conflict and the Ukrainian government’s desire for the future return of its citizens to Ukraine.Those granted permission under one of the Ukraine schemes can switch into other visa routes for which they qualify, if they choose to do so. More information on the application process and the requirements on the Skilled Worker route can be found on Gov.uk at: Skilled Worker visa: Overview - GOV.UK.

Whether she has considered extending the Ukraine Permission Extension scheme.

We are committed to standing with Ukraine and providing stability for those we have welcomed to the UK and those who still need our sanctuary.The Ukraine Permission Extension (UPE) scheme, which opened to applications on 4 February 2025, provides up to an additional 18 months’ permission to stay in the UK for those with existing Ukraine Scheme permission.The scheme provides the same rights and entitlements to access work, benefits, healthcare and education as the current Ukraine schemes.We keep the Ukraine schemes under continuous review in line with the ongoing conflict and the Ukrainian government’s desire for the future return of its citizens to Ukraine.Those granted permission under one of the Ukraine schemes can switch into other visa routes for which they qualify, if they choose to do so. More information on the application process and the requirements on the Skilled Worker route can be found on Gov.uk at: Skilled Worker visa: Overview - GOV.UK.

Communities and Local Government, whether her Department has consulted with (a) local authorities and (b) planning professional bodies on the proposed delegation reforms in the Planning and Infrastructure Bill.

On 13 February 2025, the government published a Planning Committees Planning Reform Working Paper inviting views on models for a national scheme of delegation, which the government has committed to introduce to support better decision making in the planning system. We received feedback to the working paper from a range of stakeholders including local authorities and planning professional bodies such as the Royal Town Planning Institute.My Department continues to engage with a wide range of stakeholders as we progress detailed proposals for consultation alongside the Planning and Infrastructure Bill.

What assessment he has made of the potential impact of the high growth accelerator programme in the West Midlands on the levels of investment secured by SMEs in Aldridge-Brownhills constituency.

The High Growth Accelerator is a great example of locally led business growth delivered by the West Midlands Combined Authority through Business Growth West Midlands. Last year’s pilot saw fifty SMEs on track to boost investment and turnover by £20m with the West Midlands. The High Growth Accelerator continues into its second year, and the Department will be working closely with the Combined Authority to support its outcomes. DBT will be launching its New Business Growth Service which will make it easier and quicker for SMEs to find government advice and support and will be an integral part of the SME Strategy that will be published in 2025.

What assessment he has made of the potential impact of the high growth accelerator programme in the West Midlands on the number of new SMEs created in Aldridge-Brownhills constituency.

The High Growth Accelerator is a great example of locally led business growth delivered by the West Midlands Combined Authority through Business Growth West Midlands. Last year’s pilot saw fifty SMEs on track to boost investment and turnover by £20m with the West Midlands. The High Growth Accelerator continues into its second year, and the Department will be working closely with the Combined Authority to support its outcomes. DBT will be launching its New Business Growth Service which will make it easier and quicker for SMEs to find government advice and support and will be an integral part of the SME Strategy that will be published in 2025.

What assessment he has made of the potential impact of the high growth accelerator programme in the West Midlands on the number of new jobs created in Aldridge-Brownhills constituency.

The High Growth Accelerator is a great example of locally led business growth delivered by the West Midlands Combined Authority through Business Growth West Midlands. Last year’s pilot saw fifty SMEs on track to boost investment and turnover by £20m with the West Midlands. The High Growth Accelerator continues into its second year, and the Department will be working closely with the Combined Authority to support its outcomes. DBT will be launching its New Business Growth Service which will make it easier and quicker for SMEs to find government advice and support and will be an integral part of the SME Strategy that will be published in 2025.