Question to the Ministry of Justice:

To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of the Office of the Public Guardian’s fee exemption criteria for Lasting Powers of Attorney on people migrated from income-related Employment and Support Allowance to Universal Credit.

Answered by Catherine Atkinson

The criteria for the remission of or exemption from fees are prescribed in secondary legislation, namely the Public Guardian (Fees etc.) Regulations 2007 (Fees Regulations). The Fees Regulations require the Office of the Public Guardian (OPG) to grant a full exemption from fees if the applicant is in receipt of a number of qualifying benefits; these include income-related Employment and Support Allowance but not Universal Credit.

Where the applicant is not eligible for one of the qualifying benefits, but their gross annual income does not exceed £12,000, the Fees Regulations require OPG to grant a 50% remission of fees. The Fees Regulations provide OPG with a discretionary power to reduce or remit (but not exempt) fees if the applicant is in receipt of Universal Credit.

OPG’s operational practice is to include any income derived from Universal Credit as a component of gross annual income when assessing applications for a 50% remission of fees. Applicants who were previously in receipt of Income-related Employment and Support Allowance but have been migrated to Universal Credit will therefore no longer be eligible for a full exemption of fees but they will be eligible for a 50% remission of fees provided their gross annual income does not exceed £12,000.

OPG has recently published updated guidance on the application process for an exemption or remission of fees which is available on Gov.UK. This includes a breakdown of the eligibility requirements for both an exemption and a 50% remission of fees and the evidence required to support the application. This includes instructions for applications where the applicant is in receipt of Universal Credit.

In the 2024 to 2025 financial year, OPG exempted or remitted fees for103,333 powers of attorney applications. The total value of fees exempted or remitted was £8.471 million.

OPG remains committed to ensuring that its services are accessible to everyone, which includes those from lower socio-economic backgrounds. The Fees Regulations provide OPG with a discretionary power to reduce or remit fees further if the payment of a given fee would involve undue hardship to the applicant. Where applicants provide evidence that payment of OPG fees would incur significant financial hardship, OPG will agree to a reduction of the fee, taking into account the specific circumstances of the case.

Amnesty International UK report on the anti-rights movement in the UK

Found: Hanna; Adam Jogee; Mike Kane; Mr Paul Kohler; Katrina Murray; Gavin Robinson; Sir Alec Shelbrooke; David Smith

Found: David Smith, a property lawyer, told the magazine that “if ministers are serious about wanting their

Found: Labour; Cumbernauld and Kirkintilloch) Gavin Robinson (Democratic Unionist Party; Belfast East) David Smith

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what steps her Department is taking to encourage the Nigerian authorities to (a) investigate and (b) prosecute those responsible for violence against (i) Christian women and girls and (b) members of other religious minority communities.

Answered by Chris Elmore - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)

Since my statement to the House on 27 November 2025 (HWCS1105), we have continued to raise the importance of Freedom of Religion or Belief (FoRB) with the Nigerian authorities on a regular basis, as well as the security situation for women and girls at risk of violence and abduction.

The Special Envoy for FoRB, David Smith MP, visited Nigeria in May, where he met with Nigerian Government figures including the National Security Advisor and Minister of Information to discuss promoting interreligious dialogue and tackling the causes of insecurity.

In April, the Minister of State for International Development and Africa, Baroness Chapman, attended the opening of the Nigeria Peace Summit, bringing together senior Muslim and Christian leaders to support Nigerian-led approaches to reducing intercommunal violence.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what assessment she has made of the effectiveness of UK-funded programmes in Nigeria in protecting women and girls from religious minority communities who are vulnerable to violence and persecution.

Answered by Chris Elmore - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)

Since my statement to the House on 27 November 2025 (HWCS1105), we have continued to raise the importance of Freedom of Religion or Belief (FoRB) with the Nigerian authorities on a regular basis, as well as the security situation for women and girls at risk of violence and abduction.

The Special Envoy for FoRB, David Smith MP, visited Nigeria in May, where he met with Nigerian Government figures including the National Security Advisor and Minister of Information to discuss promoting interreligious dialogue and tackling the causes of insecurity.

In April, the Minister of State for International Development and Africa, Baroness Chapman, attended the opening of the Nigeria Peace Summit, bringing together senior Muslim and Christian leaders to support Nigerian-led approaches to reducing intercommunal violence.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government what action they are taking to stop the continuing persecution and killing of Christians in Nigeria; and what representations they have made internationally on behalf of Christians enduring persecution.

Answered by Baroness Chapman of Darlington

We continue to support the Nigerian authorities in tackling violence against Christians, and other communities affected by violence in Nigeria, as set out in my Written Ministerial Statement on 27 November 2025 (HLWS1104), and the response provided on 5 June to Question HC5325, which - for ease of reference - is reproduced below:

During his visit to Nigeria in May 2026, the UK's Special Envoy for Freedom of Religion or Belief (FoRB), David Smith MP, met senior Nigerian government representatives, including the National Security Adviser, Governor of Plateau State and Minister for Information. He engaged a broad cross-section of senior Muslim and Christian religious leaders including the Sultan of Sokoto and President of the Christian Association of Nigeria, and Nigerian-led civil society and peacebuilding partners.

Discussions highlighted the importance of interfaith engagement in addressing violence affecting individuals of all religions or beliefs, alongside wider drivers including land, resource and ethnic tensions. The Special Envoy also raised concerns about the misuse of blasphemy and Sharia laws, including the cases of Yahiya Sharif Aminu and Deborah Samuel, and observed examples of peaceful inter-religious coexistence. The UK will continue working with the Nigerian government and international partners to protect FoRB for individuals of all faiths or beliefs in Nigeria.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what recent discussions she has had with the Government of Kyrgyzstan on registration requirements affecting Council of Churches Baptist congregations and their ability to meet for worship.

Answered by Stephen Doughty - Minister of State (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)

The UK champions Freedom of Religion or Belief (FoRB) for all, including in Kyrgyzstan. On 8 July, the UK's Special Envoy for Religious Freedom, David Smith MP, set out the Government's new strategy on FoRB, providing a framework for engagement with other countries, and describing the links between the protection of FoRB and other goals including the prevention of conflict. As part of this strategy, the UK continues to support FoRB on the international stage, through our position in the United Nations, G7 and Article 18 Alliance.

The UK raised concerns regarding several human rights issues, including freedom of expression in the 2025 UN universal periodic review into Kyrgyzstan, the most recent iteration.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what steps her Department is taking to tackle the global persecution of the Baha'i community in (i) Iran, (ii) Yemen, (iii) Qatar, (iv) Egypt and (v) elsewhere.

Answered by Hamish Falconer - Minister of State (Cabinet Office) (Jointly with the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)

The UK strongly condemns the persecution of Baha'i communities in many countries around the world. Last July, shortly before launching the Government's strategy on Freedom of Religion or Belief (FoRB), the UK Special Envoy for FoRB, David Smith MP, met the then Baha'i International Community UN Representative, Simin Fahandej, to discuss the persecution of the Baha'i in Iran and elsewhere.

The UK has also raised the targeting of Baha'i communities in international statements, including at the UN Human Rights Council, and supported action to strengthen international scrutiny of Iran. The Special Envoy engages regularly with Baha'i representatives, including the Director of the UK Baha'i Office of Public Affairs, Padideh Sabeti, who also contributed to the launch of the Government's FoRB Strategy.

We will continue to raise the persecution of Baha'i communities with relevant countries, and in multilateral fora as appropriate.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what discussions she has had with her Nigerian counterpart on the release of people abducted from churches and improving protection for places of worship in the last three months.

Answered by Chris Elmore - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)

Since my statement to the House on 27 November 2025 (HWCS1105), we have continued to raise the importance of Freedom of Religion or Belief (FoRB) with the Nigerian authorities on a regular basis.

The Special Envoy for FoRB, David Smith MP, visited Nigeria in May, where he met with Nigerian Government figures including the National Security Advisor and Minister of Information to discuss promoting interreligious dialogue and tackling the causes of insecurity.

In April, the Minister of State for International Development and Africa, Baroness Chapman, attended the opening of the Nigeria Peace Summit, bringing together senior Muslim and Christian leaders to support Nigerian-led approaches to reducing intercommunal violence.

And earlier this month, Baroness Chapman visited Kaduna State to see how UK support is helping to address insecurity and protect communities of all faiths and beliefs.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what discussions she has had with the Government of Nigeria on securing the release of people abducted from churches and improving protection for places of worship in the last three months.

Answered by Chris Elmore - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)

Since my statement to the House on 27 November 2025 (HWCS1105), we have continued to raise the importance of Freedom of Religion or Belief (FoRB) with the Nigerian authorities on a regular basis.

The Special Envoy for FoRB, David Smith MP, visited Nigeria in May, where he met with Nigerian Government figures including the National Security Advisor and Minister of Information to discuss promoting interreligious dialogue and tackling the causes of insecurity.

In April, the Minister of State for International Development and Africa, Baroness Chapman, attended the opening of the Nigeria Peace Summit, bringing together senior Muslim and Christian leaders to support Nigerian-led approaches to reducing intercommunal violence.

And earlier this month, Baroness Chapman visited Kaduna State to see how UK support is helping to address insecurity and protect communities of all faiths and beliefs.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the annual report of the United States Commission on International Religious Freedom, published in March; and what consideration they have given to those findings in implementing the UK’s approach to freedom of religion or belief.

Answered by Baroness Chapman of Darlington

The UK continues to champion Freedom of Religion or Belief (FoRB) for all, and we welcome the contribution that the United States and other international partners are making to the understanding of this issue. Last July, the UK Special Envoy for FoRB, David Smith MP, publicly set out the Government's approach to FoRB, providing a framework for UK engagement, and identifying ten focus countries as priorities for work on the issue. As part of this strategy, the UK continues to work with other like-minded countries to raise these issues on the international stage, through our position at the UN, G7, and as an active member of the Article 18 Alliance.

Found: Spring-Statement media engagementRachel Reeves2026-03-13 00:00:00Ruth Curtis, Charles Bean, Silvana Tenreyro, David Smith

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Found: 2026-01-26 India Global Forum Lunch No David Smith 2026-18-02 CPI Dinner No David Smith 2026-02

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Found: Northern Leader Awards Dinner No Chris Johnson 22/10/2025 University of Warwick Hotel accommodation No David Smith

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Found: Clapham London SW4 BV21304252/1 Colin Ernest Smith 26/01/2013 Nottingham Nottinghamshire BV983994/1 David Smith

Found: Clapham London SW4 BV21304252/1 Colin Ernest Smith 26/01/2013 Nottingham Nottinghamshire BV983994/1 David Smith

Found: Clapham London SW4 BV21304252/1 Colin Ernest Smith 26/01/2013 Nottingham Nottinghamshire BV983994/1 David Smith

Found: Clapham London SW4 BV21304252/1 Colin Ernest Smith 26/01/2013 Nottingham Nottinghamshire BV983994/1 David Smith

Found: Clapham London SW4 BV21304252/1 Colin Ernest Smith 26/01/2013 Nottingham Nottinghamshire BV983994/1 David Smith

Found: Clapham London SW4 BV21304252/1 Colin Ernest Smith 26/01/2013 Nottingham Nottinghamshire BV983994/1 David Smith

Found: Clapham London SW4 BV21304252/1 Colin Ernest Smith 26/01/2013 Nottingham Nottinghamshire BV983994/1 David Smith

Found: Clapham London SW4 BV21304252/1 Colin Ernest Smith 26/01/2013 Nottingham Nottinghamshire BV983994/1 David Smith

Found: Clapham London SW4 BV21304252/1 Colin Ernest Smith 26/01/2013 Nottingham Nottinghamshire BV983994/1 David Smith

Found: Clapham London SW4 BV21304252/1 Colin Ernest Smith 26/01/2013 Nottingham Nottinghamshire BV983994/1 David Smith

Found: Clapham London SW4 BV21304252/1 Colin Ernest Smith 26/01/2013 Nottingham Nottinghamshire BV983994/1 David Smith

Found: Clapham London SW4 BV21304252/1 Colin Ernest Smith 26/01/2013 Nottingham Nottinghamshire BV983994/1 David Smith

Found: Clapham London SW4 BV21304252/1 Colin Ernest Smith 26/01/2013 Nottingham Nottinghamshire BV983994/1 David Smith

Found: Clapham London SW4 BV21304252/1 Colin Ernest Smith 26/01/2013 Nottingham Nottinghamshire BV983994/1 David Smith

Found: Clapham London SW4 BV21304252/1 Colin Ernest Smith 26/01/2013 Nottingham Nottinghamshire BV983994/1 David Smith

Found: Clapham London SW4 BV21304252/1 Colin Ernest Smith 26/01/2013 Nottingham Nottinghamshire BV983994/1 David Smith

Found: the UK REPORT Prepared for: Competition & Markets Authority (CMA) Author: Kristin Hickey, David Smith

Found: Worker (A rating) Skilled Worker Davey's Chemist Huyton Liverpool Worker (A rating) Skilled Worker David Smith

Found: Worker (A rating) Skilled Worker Davey's Chemist Huyton Liverpool Worker (A rating) Skilled Worker David Smith

Found: Worker (A rating) Skilled Worker Davey's Chemist Huyton Liverpool Worker (A rating) Skilled Worker David Smith

Found: Worker (A rating) Skilled Worker Davey's Chemist Huyton Liverpool Worker (A rating) Skilled Worker David Smith

Found: Worker (A rating) Skilled Worker Davey's Chemist Huyton Liverpool Worker (A rating) Skilled Worker David Smith

Found: Worker (A rating) Skilled Worker Davey's Chemist Huyton Liverpool Worker (A rating) Skilled Worker David Smith

Found: Worker (A rating) Skilled Worker Davey's Chemist Huyton Liverpool Worker (A rating) Skilled Worker David Smith

Found: Worker (A rating) Skilled Worker Davey's Chemist Huyton Liverpool Worker (A rating) Skilled Worker David Smith

Found: Superannuation Fund Australia David Richard Phillips SMSF Australia David ROPS Fund Australia David Smith

Found: Superannuation Fund Australia David Richard Phillips SMSF Australia David ROPS Fund Australia David Smith

Found: 7 vehicle(s), 50 trailer(s) OC1062608 R SMITH BROTHERS STORES LIMITED Director(s): ANTHONY DAVID SMITH

Found: trailer(s) Transport Manager(s): ION BORTA OC2090394 SN JDS COMMERCIAL LTD Director(s): JESS DAVID SMITH

Found: Breakwell Englefield Green South East [email protected] Road & All Classes 18/04/2029 David Smith

Found: Breakwell Englefield Green South East [email protected] Road & All Classes 18/04/2029 David Smith

Found: appeals (PDF, 1.19 MB, 11 pages) Presented by Richard Schofield (Chief Planning Inspector) and David Smith

Found: appeals (PDF, 1.19 MB, 11 pages) Presented by Richard Schofield (Chief Planning Inspector) and David Smith

Found: authorisation will be 2 vehicle(s) OB1066877 R SMITH BROTHERS STORES LIMITED Director(s): ANTHONY DAVID SMITH

Found: OF0203748 SN FLOGAS BRITAIN LTD Director(s): ALAN CHARLES ROBINSON KIRK, IVAN JAMES TREVOR, DAVID SMITH

Found: FullTransferredNot LinkedGSC Estates (Wantage) Ltd, Lidl Great Britain Ltd and Richard William Smith, Roger David Smith

Submit Evidence (by 1 Sep 2026)

The committee is undertaking an inquiry into the taxation of the hospitality and tourism sectors in Northern Ireland, which will consider differences in VAT rates and other costs between Northern Ireland’s hospitality and tourism sectors compared with the Republic of Ireland. It will examine the potential impact of a reduced VAT rate and explore what other tax and policy changes could help support the sectors.