Every parliamentary written question tabled by Wendy Morton this session, with the full answer and department. See how every department answers, or back to the MP page.
Showing 141–160 of 1,692 · this parliament
Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what role British International Investment is playing in UK-backed projects in Ethiopia announced during her February 2026 visit; and what total value those projects represent.
Full details of the announcements made, and issues discussed, during the Foreign Secretary's visit to Ethiopia were set out on GOV.UK on 2 February at the link below: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/foreign-secretary-sets-out-new-cooperation-on-illegal-migration.
Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of UK-supported law enforcement cooperation in the Horn of Africa on disrupting organised people-smuggling routes to Europe.
Full details of the announcements made, and issues discussed, during the Foreign Secretary's visit to Ethiopia were set out on GOV.UK on 2 February at the link below: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/foreign-secretary-sets-out-new-cooperation-on-illegal-migration.
Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what steps UK law enforcement agencies are taking with Ethiopian authorities to share intelligence on criminal smuggler gangs operating from the Horn of Africa.
Full details of the announcements made, and issues discussed, during the Foreign Secretary's visit to Ethiopia were set out on GOV.UK on 2 February at the link below: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/foreign-secretary-sets-out-new-cooperation-on-illegal-migration.
Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what role the Independent Commission for Aid Impact plays in assessing value for money in the UK’s multilateral Official Development Assistance contributions.
I refer the Rt Hon Member to the statement made to the House by the Foreign Secretary on 19 March setting out the Official Development Assistance allocations for the period up to 2028-29, and to the accompanying documents detailing the forecast impact of those allocations, and the ways in which their impact will be assessed.
Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what objectives the Ethiopia Investment Advisory Facility II is intended to achieve; and how progress against those objectives will be measured.
Full details of the announcements made, and issues discussed, during the Foreign Secretary's visit to Ethiopia were set out on GOV.UK on 2 February at the link below: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/foreign-secretary-sets-out-new-cooperation-on-illegal-migration.
Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether her Department conducted an impact assessment ahead of the increased use of technical assistance in UK Official Development Assistance programmes.
I refer the Rt Hon Member to the statement made to the House by the Foreign Secretary on 19 March setting out the Official Development Assistance allocations for the period up to 2028-29, and to the accompanying documents detailing the forecast impact of those allocations, and the ways in which their impact will be assessed.
Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether she committed to providing humanitarian funding to Ethiopia during her visit in February 2026.
Full details of the announcements made, and issues discussed, during the Foreign Secretary's visit to Ethiopia were set out on GOV.UK on 2 February at the link below: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/foreign-secretary-sets-out-new-cooperation-on-illegal-migration.
Representing the Restoration and Renewal Client Board, with reference to the proposed relocation and permanent reprovision of the Education Centre, what assessment the client board has made of the potential merits of relocating the Education Centre as part of the core Restoration and Renewal scope rather than retaining or upgrading its temporary arrangements; what the estimated capital and lifecycle costs of relocation are; whether alternative options involving refurbishment of existing facilities were costed; and how relocation contributes to (a) fire safety, (b) building services, (c) asbestos remediation and (d) fabric conservation.
As set out in the Restoration and Renewal (R&R) Client Board’s recent report, Delivering restoration and renewal of the Palace of Westminster: the costed proposals (HC Paper 1576), the preferred scope for the R&R works will deliver a permanent Education Centre. Early designs propose that the centre is based within the Palace.The current Education Centre on the Victoria Tower Gardens site was always intended to be a temporary facility and it is not sited on Parliamentary estate land. The land is owned by the Royal Parks and Parliament’s license for its use is with the Department for Culture, Media and Sport. The temporary planning and license agreements for the Victoria Gardens site expire at the end of 2030. The relevant statutory bodies have said that any further application for extension of the current Education Centre temporary permission and licence will not be granted. A new location for the centre is therefore required after this date.The proposed Education Centre accounts for 0.3% of Palace construction costs under the full decant option and 1.6% under the enhanced maintenance and improvement plus (EMI+) option. This is based on the base construction costs for the Palace project set out in Annex 2, table 2 of the report, which exclude risk and inflation.The net reduction in Palace lifecycle costs as a result of the renewal of the Palace does not isolate a specific change for the Education Centre. The cost of refurbishing existing facilities was not considered given their temporary nature and the known requirement to move the facility.The location of the new education centre has been considered as part of the wider fire strategy, though its provision does not directly contribute to the fire safety, building services, asbestos remediation or fabric conservation outlined in the R&R Client Board’s report.
Representing the Restoration and Renewal Client Board, with reference to the overall Programme scope set out in Chapter 2, what criteria were used to distinguish between essential works necessary to prevent catastrophic failure and additional enhancement projects intended to improve visitor experience and public engagement; whether a reduced core safety and resilience only scope was fully costed; and what the estimated difference in capital expenditure would be between such a reduced scope and the level 4 reasonably ambitious scope.
Section 2(5) of the Parliamentary Buildings (Restoration and Renewal) Act 2019, which established the framework for the Restoration and Renewal (R&R) Programme, requires the Programme to have regard to (amongst other things) the need to ensure the Parliamentary building works represent good value for money, the need for improved visitor access to the Palace of Westminster after completion of the works, and the need to ensure that educational and other facilities are provided for people visiting the Palace after completion of the works. The Act did not specify whether any of these areas should be prioritised over others.In 2022 the Houses agreed four priority areas for the R&R Programme—fire safety and protection, building services, asbestos, and building fabric conservation. 84% of the Palace construction costs for the full decant option and 86% of the Palace construction costs for the enhanced maintenance and improvement plus (EMI+) option relate to these priority works.In 2024 the R&R Client Board considered the scope of the R&R Programme: that is, the improvements and benefits to be achieved in the end-state Palace, to which both Houses of Parliament will return. Having considered various scope levels, the Client Board decided against the most "transformational" scope but selected a scope which it agreed would deliver improvements while maintaining value-for-money.No other scope options have been fully costed to the maturity presented in the R&R Client Board’s report. The R&R Programme Board considered cost estimates for all scope options in 2023 as part of the work for the R&R Strategic Case. Following the R&R Client Board’s publication of the R&R Strategic Case in 2024 (HC Paper 621), designs were progressed to align with the selected scope and provide fully costed proposals. The costs as set out in the R&R Client Board’s recent report, Delivering restoration and renewal of the Palace of Westminster: the costed proposals (HC Paper 1576), will not be comparable with those considered in 2023 because they have been developed in more detail and take into account the four different delivery methods.
Representing the Restoration and Renewal Client Board, with reference to the concept proposals for the creation of a new visitor plaza and underground space beneath Central Lobby, whether those proposals are necessary for delivering the core safety and resilience objectives of the Programme; what the estimated capital cost of the proposed underground plaza and associated works is; what risk assessment has been undertaken in relation to archaeological disturbance; and whether this element was included in earlier scope levels.
Section 2(5) of the Parliamentary Buildings (Restoration and Renewal) Act 2019, which established the framework for the Restoration and Renewal (R&R) Programme, requires the Programme to have regard to (amongst other things) the need for improved visitor access to the Palace of Westminster after the completion of the Parliamentary building works.As set out in the R&R Client Board’s recent report, Delivering restoration and renewal of the Palace of Westminster: the costed proposals (HC Paper 1576), the preferred scope for the R&R works will deliver a fit-for-purpose and accessible visitor arrival space, including higher capacity security search and screen areas that will reduce the likelihood of queuing outside. The current proposal is to use the area in the basement directly below Central Lobby for visitors as an access point into the public areas of the remainder of the Palace.The majority of the construction costs for the Palace relate to the priority areas which both Houses agreed for the R&R Programme in 2022—namely, fire safety and protection, building services, asbestos, and building fabric conservation. 84% of the Palace construction costs for the full decant option and 86% of the Palace construction costs for the enhanced maintenance and improvement plus (EMI+) option relate to these priority areas.The new visitor arrival space is not defined as a ‘priority area’ for the R&R Programme as agreed by the Houses. However, its delivery does contribute to safety and security objectives, for example by improving the search and screen capacity at the visitor entrance, improving secure routes through the Palace for the public and members, and supporting new accessible visitor routes. These improvements could not be delivered through enhancements to the existing entrance in Cromwell Green (largely due to inadequate space requirements).The proposed visitor arrival space and route account for 0.5% of Palace construction costs under the full decant option and 1.1% under the EMI+ option. This is based on the base construction costs for the Palace project set out in Annex 2, table 2 of the report, which exclude risk and inflation.The proposed location for the visitor arrival space in the basement of the Palace was selected in part because it aligns with the footprint of existing plantroom which was constructed in the 20th century. These areas are expected to require extension regardless of the visitor search and screening facility, as they will need to accommodate increased plant capacity in future. As a result, any archaeological impact is likely to be primarily driven by the final below‑ground plant requirements, rather than by the co‑location of search and screening functions. The visitor arrival space therefore does not independently introduce a new or additional archaeological impact beyond what would already be required for plant expansion.In 2024 the R&R Client Board considered the scope of the R&R Programme: that is, the improvements and benefits to be achieved in the end-state Palace, to which both Houses of Parliament will return. Having considered various scope levels, the Client Board decided against the most "transformational" scope but selected a scope which it agreed would deliver improvements while maintaining value-for-money. The selected scope including provision for improved visitor services is set out in the R&R costed proposals report. Earlier scope levels at previous stages in the Programme also included improvements to visitor and educational facilities.
Communities and Local Government, what assessment he has made of the extent to which housing delivery shortfalls are being used to justify development on protected land; how many homes approved on appeal in the last 12 months were on land previously designated as green belt; and what proportion of those approvals were opposed by the relevant local planning authority and ward councillors.
The National Planning Policy Framework sets out clear safeguards for land which is designated for its environmental or amenity value. While a poor score on the Housing Delivery Test (HDT) is a strong indicator of housing need in an area not being met sufficiently, HDT failure does not mean that planning permission for housing will be automatically granted. In 2025, the Planning Inspectorate approved approximately 3,000 homes on Green Belt land, of which 88% had been originally refused by the relevant Local Planning Authority. My Department does not hold information in relation to opposition to specific applications by individual ward councillors.
Communities and Local Government, what assessment he has made of the consistency of Planning Inspectorate decisions where local plans are absent, emerging or under review; how often inspectors have cited housing land supply shortfalls to justify approving development on protected land; and whether he will review the weighting given to local democratic decisions versus national housing targets in such cases.
My Department has made no such assessment. The Planning Inspectorate does not compile data on the number of instances Inspectors have cited Housing Land Supply shortfalls to allow an appeal on designated land, such as a protected site.
Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether the Government intends to provisionally apply any provisions of the proposed UK-EU Agreement in respect of Gibraltar from 10 April 2026 in connection with the introduction of the Entry/Exit System (EES).
I refer the Hon Member to the statement I made to the House on 26 February, and to my answers to the questions raised in response to that statement.
Commonwealth and Development Affairs, when the UK-EU Agreement in respect of Gibraltar will be laid before Parliament under the provisions of the Constitutional Reform and Governance Act 2010; and whether the Government intends to allow a scrutiny period longer than the statutory 21 sitting days.
I refer the Hon Member to the statement I made to the House on 26 February, and to my answers to the questions raised in response to that statement.
Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether the Government has obtained legal advice on the implications of the proposed UK-EU Agreement in respect of Gibraltar for (a) sovereignty, (b) jurisdiction and (c) the exercise of enforcement powers on Gibraltar territory; and whether that advice, or a summary of it, will be published.
I refer the Hon Member to the statement I made to the House on 26 February, and to my answers to the questions raised in response to that statement.
Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what documents relating to the proposed UK-EU Agreement in respect of Gibraltar the Government intends to publish alongside the treaty text, including (a) explanatory memoranda, (b) impact assessments, (c) draft implementing legislation and (d) any administrative arrangements referenced in the Agreement.
I refer the Hon Member to the statement I made to the House on 26 February, and to my answers to the questions raised in response to that statement.
Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what support her Department is providing to British Nationals affected by travel disruption and flight cancellations in the Middle East, including those transiting through Qatar; and what guidance her Department has issued to affected travellers.
The safety and security of British nationals is our top priority. On 3 March, the Foreign Secretary spoke to the House about the consular support available to individuals in the Middle East, and assisted departures have now taken place from both Oman and Dubai. We will provide further updates on a regular basis, including details of our ongoing evacuation flights, as well as our efforts to secure an end to Iran's attacks on countries in the region, and the full resumption of normal commercial flights.
Communities and Local Government, what assessment he has made of the financial sustainability of local authorities that are implementing the maximum permitted council tax increase while also delivering more than £25 million of in-year service reductions; what information his Department holds on the number of councils that have both increased council tax by 4.99% and reduced services in excess of £25 million in the same financial year; and what monitoring his Department undertakes of council tax increases, reserves usage and projected future budget gaps.
It is for individual local authorities to decide their level of council tax, including whether to use their full flexibility and balancing the extra spending with the impact on taxpayers. Local authorities are expected to manage their financial position prudently, and the department does not monitor their day-to-day business. The department does not proscriptively set a level of expected reserves for local authorities to hold and is clear that that this should be a locally managed decision. We rely on local authorities to accurately reflect their reserve positions in the Revenue Outturn forms to ensure we have good quality data in the department to understand the reserves the sector hold. The recent Local Government Finance Settlement is our most significant step yet to make English local government more sustainable. We are delivering fairer funding, targeting money where it is needed most through the first multi-year Settlement in a decade. The department will continue to have a framework in place to support those in the most difficult positions. Any council that has concerns about its ability to set or maintain a balanced budget should approach the department in the first instance.
Communities and Local Government, what the total value of affordable housing grant funding allocated to homes recorded as started by the Greater London Authority under the 2016 to 2023 Affordable Homes Programme but not yet completed is; and how much of that funding has been (a) drawn down and (b) remains unspent.
Published statistics on new affordable housing supply in England, which can be found on gov.uk here, are broken down into starts and completions. Individual units are not tracked from start-on-site to completion. This is because the data provided directly by local planning authorities is collected on an aggregate basis to reduce burden while providing sufficient detail for use. The integrity of the data is maintained through thorough quality assurance checks, including cross checking with other data sources, while consistency and comparability are ensured through the detailed published guidance for each question. The affordable housing supply statistics have been assessed by the Office for Statistics Regulation and at the last assessment their continued Accredited Official Statistics status was confirmed.
Communities and Local Government, under what circumstances affordable homes recorded by the Greater London Authority as started under the 2016 to 2023 Affordable Homes Programme may be reclassified, adjusted, or removed from official affordable housing starts statistics; and whether any such cases have occurred to date.
Published statistics on new affordable housing supply in England, which can be found on gov.uk here, are broken down into starts and completions. Individual units are not tracked from start-on-site to completion. This is because the data provided directly by local planning authorities is collected on an aggregate basis to reduce burden while providing sufficient detail for use. The integrity of the data is maintained through thorough quality assurance checks, including cross checking with other data sources, while consistency and comparability are ensured through the detailed published guidance for each question. The affordable housing supply statistics have been assessed by the Office for Statistics Regulation and at the last assessment their continued Accredited Official Statistics status was confirmed.