Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what information her Department holds on the number of local councils that plan to increase the local fire precept to fund fire services in the 2025-26 financial year.

Answered by Jim McMahon - Minister of State (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

This is a devolved policy issue, you will appreciate I am unable to comment on any levels which may be set outside of England. However, in England, decisions on council tax levels are for individual local authorities including fire authorities and councils which are responsible for the fire services in their area. The government will publish data on the council tax levels set by all English authorities for 2025-26 in March.

Question to the Ministry of Justice:

To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, if she will make it her policy to publish a victim’s charter.

Answered by Alex Davies-Jones - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Justice)

In England and Wales, we have the Victims’ Code rather than a Victim Charter. The Victims’ Code sets out the services and minimum standard for these services that must be provided to victims of crime by service providers. It first came into force in 2005 following the Domestic Violence, Crime and Victims Act 2004, and has been updated several times since then, most recently in April 2021.

The Victims and Prisoners Act 2024 requires a new Victims’ Code to be issued, which we will consult on this year as part of our commitment to ensure that victims of crime have the information and support they need.

Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how much funding her Department has provided to fire and rescue services in each of the last five years.

Answered by Diana Johnson - Minister of State (Home Office)

Government funding for fire and rescue services in England is provided by the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) through the Local Government Finance Settlement in the form of revenue support grant (RSG) and retained business rates.

The amount of funding that fire and rescue services receive is determined and distributed using a formula owned by MHCLG. The amount of funding received by fire and rescue services in each of the last five years is as follows:

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what assessment he has made of the potential implications for his policies of attacks on Christian communities in the Democratic Republic of the Congo; and what steps he is taking to help improve the (a) security and (b) humanitarian situation in the east of that country.

Answered by Catherine West - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)

Recent attacks by IS-affiliated Allied Democratic Forces (ADF) are alarming and we are saddened by the loss of life. The ADF has been sanctioned by the UN since 2014. Protection of civilians, promotion of respect between different religious and non-religious groups, and human rights are priorities for the UK. We continue to work through UN bodies to promote and protect these rights in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). The humanitarian situation in eastern DRC is critical because of the current conflict. The UK will continue to call for an immediate cessation of hostilities, humanitarian access, and respect for International Humanitarian Law. The UK has announced £79 million in humanitarian support this year.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether he has plans to meet with his counterpart from the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus.

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

The UK's long-standing position is not to recognise the so-called "Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus" as an independent state. This is in accordance with several UN Security Council Resolutions and in line with the rest of the international community, with the sole exception of Turkey. While there are currently no plans for the Foreign Secretary to meet Mr Ertuğruloğlu, we continue to work with the UN towards a lasting Cyprus Settlement.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether he has made representations to the United Nations on the creation of a United Nations Convention on the Rights of Older Persons.

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

The UK Government is committed to equality and opportunity for all, with a particular focus on those most likely to be marginalised and discriminated against, including on the grounds of their age. We are open in principle to the idea of a multilateral instrument dedicated to the human rights of older people and will continue to play a constructive role in discussions on this issue at the UN and other relevant fora. UK officials continue to discuss the issue with international counterparts.

Commemorating 200 years of the modern railway

Jallianwala Bagh massacre of 1919

Cash acceptance

Snares

Certificate of Common Sponsorship

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