Patricia Ferguson

We are committed to reducing waiting times for Access to Work and are considering the best way to deliver that for customers. We have increased the number of staff processing Access to Work claims and applications from customers who are about to start a job or who are renewing are prioritised.

The Pathways to Work: Reforming Benefits and Support to get Britain Working’ Green Paper was published on 18 March. Alongside the Access to Work reform proposals introduced in the Green Paper, we are considering further options to reduce the waiting time for customers

The department administers a wide range of benefits, and as such the information you have requested is not held centrally and to provide it would incur disproportionate cost.

The Department for Work and Pensions seeks to identify individuals who have complex user needs and/or require additional support to enable them to access our benefit and services; this includes people who are vulnerable and are claiming, or need to claim, Universal Credit. We provide a tailored service that recognises those with complex needs at any point throughout their journey and aims to make appropriate support available quickly.

Advances are available to ensure those who need it can receive financial support as soon as possible. Financial support is important so customers are not reliant on high-cost lenders, but may be able instead to get some of their Universal Credit early, interest free, as an advance.

The delivery of compensation is a matter for the Infected Blood Compensation Authority, an independent arms-length body. The Cabinet Office is the sponsor department for the authority. My Rt Hon. Friend, the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care has not discussed the proposed timetable for payments to family members of those affected with the Infected Blood Compensation Authority.

However, on 12 February 2025, the Infected Blood Compensation Scheme Regulations 2025 were laid before Parliament. Subject to Parliamentary approval, the Government is aiming for these regulations to be in place by 31 March 2025, to support our goal that family members of those who have been affected can start receiving payment this year.

In addition, the Government has committed in legislation to pay £100,000 to the estates of the deceased infected persons. The process under which estates can apply for interim compensation payments opened in October 2024, and so far over 350 interim payments have been paid to the estates of deceased infected people, totalling over £35 million. This is important progress in getting money into the hands of the families of victims of the infected blood scandal.

We are deeply concerned by reports from the UN Group of Experts that M23 and Rwanda are illegally extracting critical minerals from the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and are clear that such activity must stop immediately.

We are committed to addressing risks around conflict minerals and protecting human rights. The UK works through several international mechanisms to deliver on this, including encouraging compliance with the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development Due Diligence Guidance for Responsible Mineral Supply Chains which enables businesses to operate responsibly from conflict-affected areas and the European Partnership for Responsible Minerals which aims to increase the proportion of responsibly sourced minerals in supply chains.

We are deeply concerned by reports from the UN Group of Experts that M23 and Rwanda are illegally extracting critical minerals from the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and are clear that such activity must stop immediately.

We are committed to addressing risks around conflict minerals and protecting human rights. The UK works through several international mechanisms to deliver on this, including encouraging compliance with the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD's) Due Diligence Guidance for Responsible Mineral Supply Chains which enables businesses to operate responsibly from conflict-affected areas and the European Partnerships for Responsible Minerals which aims to increase the proportion of responsibly sourced minerals in supply chains.

The Government recognises the importance of high regulatory standards in financial markets. For Over-The-Counter wholesale markets for precious metals like the London Bullion Markets, the Financial Conduct Authority recognises the Global Precious Metals Code.

The UK is committed to supporting and promoting academic freedom and is aware of the excellent work that the Council of At-Risk Academics does in helping academics in dangerous situations all over the world. The UK also recognises the essential role that civil society and human rights defenders, which can include academics, play in promoting and protecting human rights, democracy, and the rule of law. Our Embassies and Missions support those at risk in a number of ways, including monitoring cases, observing trials and raising issues with host governments.

As with all taxes and allowances, the Government keeps flat rates expenses, including Overseas Scale Rates, under review.

Any decisions on future changes in this area will be taken in the context of the wider public finances.

The Government published information about the reforms to agricultural property relief and business property relief at www.gov.uk/government/publications/agricultural-property-relief-and-business-property-relief-reforms.

As with other tax changes, HM Revenue and Customs will update its guidance in due course in the usual way.

The Government is determined to secure a ceasefire in Gaza and rapidly increase aid, ensuring humanitarian support is reaching people there.

The government is keeping existing visa pathways under review in response to events. Palestinians and academics from the Middle East affected by conflict who wish to come to the UK can do so via the existing range of visa routes available.

Any application for a UK visa will be assessed against the requirements of the Immigration Rules.

The requirements for each route, including how to prove the requirements are met, are set out in the Immigration Rules and accompanying guidance. There is additional guidance available for when to apply evidential flexibility, which decision makers will refer to when considering applications from applicants who may have lost documents due to ongoing conflict.

All decisions on visa applications are undertaken on a case-by-case basis, dependent on what applicants have stated on their application forms. The supporting documents guidance sets out the additional evidence required for the different types of visits – https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/visitor-visa-guide-to-supporting-documents/guide-to-supporting-documents-visiting-the-uk.

The Government welcomes academics from across the globe and recognises the importance of international collaboration in this field. Academic visitor visa applications are assessed in the round, looking at all the factors of the case, in line with immigration rules.

If there is a need for a product recall this will be managed by the F-35 Joint Program Office (JPO) through its global industry supply chain.

Air accident investigation is undertaken by the F-35 Partner Nation that has experienced the accident. They will be supported by the JPO and any findings impacting air safety will be shared with all Partner Nations.

The F-35 Lightning II Joint Program Office, part of the US Department of Defence, manages the F-35 programme for all F-35 Partner Nations through its global industry supply chain.

I refer the hon Member to the answer given to Question UIN 40375 on 27 March 2025.