Asked by: Susan Murray (Liberal Democrat - Mid Dunbartonshire)
Question to the Cabinet Office:
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, how many people were unemployed for over last 12 months in (a) Glasgow and (b) Edinburgh in each of the last 12 months; and what proportion of those people were unemployed for 18 months or more in each month.
Answered by Josh Simons - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Science, Innovation and Technology)
The information requested falls under the remit of the UK Statistics Authority.
A response to the Hon lady’s Parliamentary Question of 30th January is attached.
Asked by: Susan Murray (Liberal Democrat - Mid Dunbartonshire)
Question to the Department for Science, Innovation & Technology:
To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what discussions her Department has had with Ofcom on (a) the annual increase in the cost of mobile data for consumers, (b) the consumer protections available in relation to such increases and (c) the impact of flat-rate price increases on consumers on lower-priced tariffs.
Answered by Kanishka Narayan - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Science, Innovation and Technology)
Government engages regularly with Ofcom on consumer issues. This includes, most recently, on Ofcom’s recent changes to annual in-contract price increases rules.
Under Ofcom’s rules, providers must set out clearly, before a contract is agreed, how and when any price changes will occur, and that this must be in plain English and presented pounds-and-pence terms. If prices rise by more than was agreed at the point of sale, consumers can end the contract without penalty
On 31 October, the Secretary of State wrote to Ofcom setting out the government’s expectations on transparency, consumer empowerment and support for those who may be struggling with telecoms costs. Ofcom has agreed to undertake an interim review of the January 2025 pounds-and-pence rules, ahead of a full review in 2027.
Government recognises that the impact of flat‑rate price increases on lower‑priced tariffs increases can have a proportionately greater effect on consumers. We continue to engage with Ofcom and industry on how pricing can be made as transparent as possible, and on how consumers can be supported to make informed choices, and switch more easily at the end of their contracts. If a customer does want to move to another provider, under One Touch Switching, this is now easier, including through text‑to‑switch.
We continue to engage with Ofcom and monitor the market.
Asked by: Susan Murray (Liberal Democrat - Mid Dunbartonshire)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what video footage and imagery is held by his Department from RAF reconnaissance flights over Gaza on 31 March 2024; and whether his Department has any plans to publish or otherwise release any such material to the public.
Answered by Al Carns - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence) (Minister for Veterans)
Since the terrorist attacks against Israel of 7 October 2023, the UK Government has been working with partners across the region to secure the release of hostages, including British nationals, who were kidnapped.
In support of these efforts the Ministry of Defence (MOD) conducted surveillance flights over the Eastern Mediterranean, including operating in air space over Israel and Gaza from December 2023. The surveillance aircraft were always unarmed, did not have a combat role, and were tasked solely to locate hostages.
The UK Government strictly controlled what information was passed on and only information relating to hostage rescue was passed to the relevant Israeli authorities.
Following the agreement of the Gaza peace plan between Israel and Hamas, and the release of remaining hostages, the MOD has ceased surveillance flights over Gaza. The last fight took place on 10 October 2025.
We will not comment further on detail relating to intelligence matters to protect operational security and preserve the MOD’s ability to respond to future hostage incidents around the world.
Asked by: Susan Murray (Liberal Democrat - Mid Dunbartonshire)
Question to the Home Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of the proposals in the consultation paper entitled A Fairer Pathway to Settlement: statement and accompanying consultation on earned settlement, published on 28 November 2025, on (a) the number of Hong Kong British National (Overseas) visa holders eligible for indefinite leave to remain and (b) the time taken to qualify for settlement; and whether she plans to publish an impact assessment on the proposed English language level B2 requirement and a contribution to the Exchequer criteria.
Answered by Mike Tapp - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Home Office)
The Government remains steadfast in its support for members of the Hong Kong community in the UK.
BN(O) visa holders will attract a 5-year reduction in the qualifying period for settlement, meaning they will continue to be able to settle in the UK after 5 years’ residence, subject to meeting the mandatory requirements.
We are seeking views on earned settlement through the public consultation A Fairer Pathway to Settlement and will continue to listen to the views of Hong Kongers. Details of the earned settlement model will be finalised following that consultation. An impact assessment will be developed alongside the finalised policy and published in due course.
In the meantime, the current rules for settlement under the BN(O) route will continue to apply.
Asked by: Susan Murray (Liberal Democrat - Mid Dunbartonshire)
Question to the Department for Business and Trade:
To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what assessment his Department has made of the adequacy of (a) postal provision in Scotland, (b) postal provision in Mid Dunbartonshire constituency and (c) Royal Mail delivery services for time-sensitive correspondence, including medical information.
Answered by Blair McDougall - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade)
The government does not collect or hold this information. Ofcom, as the independent regulator of postal services, has a duty to secure the provision of a financially sustainable and efficient universal postal service. It monitors Royal Mail’s provision of the universal service and has powers to investigate and take enforcement action if Royal Mail fails to achieve its performance targets as appropriate, taking account of all relevant factors.
Asked by: Susan Murray (Liberal Democrat - Mid Dunbartonshire)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of changes to National Insurance contributions on economic growth.
Answered by Dan Tomlinson - Exchequer Secretary (HM Treasury)
The Government made fair and necessary decisions on tax, welfare, and spending to help fix the public finances and fund public services.
The Government of course carefully considers the impacts of all policies, including the changes to employer National Insurance.
An assessment of the changes announced at Autumn Budget 2024 on Employer National Insurance Contributions was published by HMRC in their Tax Information and Impact Note
Further, the OBR’s October 2024 Economic and Fiscal Outlook sets out the expected macroeconomic impact of the changes to employer National Insurance contributions.
Asked by: Susan Murray (Liberal Democrat - Mid Dunbartonshire)
Question to the Home Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, whether she has made an assessment of the potential impact of extending the qualifying period for Indefinite Leave to Remain to ten years on the finances of families with children; and what steps she is taking to ensure that this change does not affect (a) integration and (b) long-term stability for families with children.
Answered by Mike Tapp - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Home Office)
Fees for immigration and nationality applications are kept under review.
Relevant impact assessments will be carried out in relation to the earned settlement proposals, which were set out in the Immigration White Paper.
Asked by: Susan Murray (Liberal Democrat - Mid Dunbartonshire)
Question to the Home Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what estimate she has made of the additional (a) visa fees and (b) immigration health surcharge costs that (i) applicants and (ii) their families will be required to pay following the extension of the qualifying period for Indefinite Leave to Remain from five years to ten years.
Answered by Mike Tapp - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Home Office)
Fees for immigration and nationality applications are kept under review.
Relevant impact assessments will be carried out in relation to the earned settlement proposals, which were set out in the Immigration White Paper.
Asked by: Susan Murray (Liberal Democrat - Mid Dunbartonshire)
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 ensure that (a) Dr Abu Safiya and (b) other Gazan healthcare workers who remain imprisoned in Israel are (i) released and (ii) allowed to return to providing healthcare in Gaza.
Answered by Hamish Falconer - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
I refer the Hon. Member to the answer provided on 6 August to question 68153.
Asked by: Susan Murray (Liberal Democrat - Mid Dunbartonshire)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what assessment her Department has made of the potential implications for her policies of reports regarding extrajudicial killings in the Punjab region.
Answered by Seema Malhotra - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
We are aware of the human rights concerns raised about the activities of the Crime Control Department in Punjab, and we are monitoring the situation closely. Promoting human rights and the rule of law is a core part of the UK's diplomatic engagement in Pakistan, and we consistently urge the Pakistani authorities to investigate and address any breaches of those standards. Through UK Official Development Assistance (ODA), we are also supporting progress on human rights in Pakistan through dialogue, technical assistance, and targeted programming.