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1728324

	registered interest
	date	09/09/2024
	answering body	Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office
	answering dept id	208
	answering dept short name	Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office
	answering dept sort name	Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office
	hansard heading	Iraq: Politics and Government
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what recent assessment he has made of the potential impact of Iranian-backed militias on the stability of the Nineveh Plains; and what steps his Department is taking to support the indigenous Christian communities in that region.
	tabling member constituency	Newport West and Islwyn
	tabling member printed	Ruth Jones
	uin	4892
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 12/09/2024 answer text <p>It is vital that the Government of Iraq keep Iraqi militia groups in line and ensure democracy is adhered to. We are closely monitoring the impact of developments in Nineveh on the safety of Nineveh's Christian community.</p><p>The UK is firmly committed to protecting the Christian community and other ethnic and religious minorities and are strong advocates of greater Freedom of Religion or Belief (FoRB) in Iraq. We regularly engage with the Government of Iraq and the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) on this issue, in particular the importance that minorities are included in national and local government as well as reconciliation efforts.</p> answering member constituency Lincoln answering member printed Mr Hamish Falconer question first answered 12/09/2024 16:56:42 answering member 5148
	tabling member	4716 label Biography information for Ruth Jones

1728325

	registered interest
	date	09/09/2024
	answering body	Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office
	answering dept id	208
	answering dept short name	Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office
	answering dept sort name	Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office
	hansard heading	Iraq: Politics and Government
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what (a) diplomatic steps his Department is taking to help tackle and (b) recent discussions he has had with the Iraqi Prime Minister on the influence of external forces on regional governance in the Nineveh Plains.
	tabling member constituency	Newport West and Islwyn
	tabling member printed	Ruth Jones
	uin	4893
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 12/09/2024 answer text <p>HMA Baghdad has regular engagement with diplomatic colleagues as well as the Prime Minister of Iraq. We are closely monitoring the impact of these developments on the safety of Nineveh's Christian community.</p><p>The UK is firmly committed to protecting the Christian community and other ethnic and religious minorities and are strong advocates of greater Freedom of Religion or Belief (FoRB) in Iraq. We regularly engage with the Government of Iraq and the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) on this issue, in particular the importance that minorities are included in national and local government as well as reconciliation efforts.</p> answering member constituency Lincoln answering member printed Mr Hamish Falconer question first answered 12/09/2024 16:58:31 answering member 5148
	tabling member	4716 label Biography information for Ruth Jones

1728326

	registered interest
	date	09/09/2024
	answering body	Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office
	answering dept id	208
	answering dept short name	Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office
	answering dept sort name	Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office
	hansard heading	Iraq: Politics and Government
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what steps his Department is taking with (a) the US and (b) other international partners to help (i) tackle the destabilisation of the Nineveh Plains by Iranian-backed militias and (ii) ensure the protection of (A) Christians and (B) other vulnerable communities in that region.
	tabling member constituency	Newport West and Islwyn
	tabling member printed	Ruth Jones
	uin	4894
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 12/09/2024 answer text <p>HMA Baghdad regularly engages with diplomatic colleagues in Iraq on a variety of topics, including the destabilising effects of militias in Iraq. It is vital that these groups are kept in line. We are closely monitoring the impact of developments in Nineveh on the safety of the region's Christian community, as well as other vulnerable communities.</p><p>The UK is firmly committed to protecting the Christian community and other ethnic and religious minorities and are strong advocates of greater Freedom of Religion or Belief (FoRB) in Iraq. We regularly engage with the Government on this issue, in particular the importance that minorities are included in national and local government as well as reconciliation efforts.</p> answering member constituency Lincoln answering member printed Mr Hamish Falconer question first answered 12/09/2024 16:57:54 answering member 5148
	tabling member	4716 label Biography information for Ruth Jones

1728361

	registered interest
	date	09/09/2024
	answering body	Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office
	answering dept id	208
	answering dept short name	Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office
	answering dept sort name	Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office
	hansard heading	Bangladesh: Press Freedom
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what discussions he has had with his Bangladeshi counterparts on the safety of journalists.
	tabling member constituency	Newport West and Islwyn
	tabling member printed	Ruth Jones
	uin	4929
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 12/09/2024 answer text <p>The UK recognises the fundamental value of journalism in creating free and open societies, enabling people to learn about and understand their rights and holding governments to account. The British High Commission in Bangladesh regularly meet with journalists through the UK Government's engagement with the Media Freedom Coalition. The UK works with partners in the Media Freedom Coalition to advocate for media freedom and the safety of journalists. The UK raised protection of journalists and media freedom during the 44th Universal Periodic Review of Bangladesh in November 2023.</p> answering member constituency Hornsey and Friern Barnet answering member printed Catherine West question first answered 12/09/2024 15:05:34 answering member 4523 label Biography information for Catherine West
	tabling member	4716 label Biography information for Ruth Jones

1727421

	registered interest
	date	04/09/2024
	answering body	Department for Work and Pensions
	answering dept id	29
	answering dept short name	Work and Pensions
	answering dept sort name	Work and Pensions
	hansard heading	Pension Credit
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, when Pension Credit was last (a) reviewed and (b) adjusted.
	tabling member constituency	Newport West and Islwyn
	tabling member printed	Ruth Jones
	uin	4249
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 09/09/2024 answer text <p>The rates of Pension Credit were last reviewed in Autumn 2023 as part of the Secretary of State’s annual statutory review of State pension and benefit rates. Following that review, the Pension Credit standard minimum guarantee was increased by 8.5%, in line with the percentage increase in average earnings, to £218.15 a week for a single pensioner and £332.95 a week for a pensioner couple, with effect from 8 April 2024. Other Pension Credit amounts, including the maximum rate of Savings Credit and additional amounts for those with a severe disability or caring responsibilities, were increased by 6.7% in line with price inflation.</p><p> </p><p>The next review will be undertaken this Autumn with the new rates taking effect from 7 April 2025.</p> answering member constituency Wycombe answering member printed Emma Reynolds question first answered 09/09/2024 14:06:14 answering member 4077 label Biography information for Emma Reynolds
	tabling member	4716 label Biography information for Ruth Jones

1718463

	registered interest
	date	15/05/2024
	answering body	Department for Work and Pensions
	answering dept id	29
	answering dept short name	Work and Pensions
	answering dept sort name	Work and Pensions
	hansard heading	Unemployment: Wales
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what recent steps the Government has taken to reduce levels of economic inactivity among women aged between 45 and 60 in (a) Newport West constituency and (b) Wales.
	tabling member constituency	Newport West
	tabling member printed	Ruth Jones
	uin	26605
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 22/05/2024 answer text <p>Local Jobcentre teams are supporting customers into work and helping those in work to progress to higher paid jobs. We are working with local and national employers to help fill vacancies quickly, recruitment days, Job Fairs, wellbeing events and work trials, all of which can help support women across Wales to return to work.</p><p> </p><p>Eligible older jobseekers on Universal Credit benefit from additional time with their Work Coach and the delivery of Mid Life MOTs in Jobcentres which support people to review their health, wealth and skills, with sessions delivered in Newport Jobcentre and across Wales. DWP also offers the digital MOT which is available online to help anyone who needs help to assess their finances, skills and work.</p><p> </p><p>In addition, Newport Jobcentre offers bespoke support for over 50s including Job Clubs in collaboration with C4W+, offering 4-weeks of employability skills support, events with Springboard Charity focused on the hospitality sector, providing training, qualifications and work placements, and events with 1st Impressions, a charity that supplies clothing to women attending interviews or starting work.</p><p> </p><p>Further planned support in Newport includes a Digital Skills course and wellbeing hubs as part of our 50Plus offer, myth busting sessions with Admiral Insurance and coaching support from Business in the Community. Activity across Wales includes a six week back to work programme for over 50s in Llandudno, and sessions delivered by local provider, Groundworks, to support customers in Shotton, both of which were well attended by local women.</p><p> </p><p>We also work with businesses and the Government's Menopause Employment Champion to drive awareness of issues surrounding the menopause and work; encouraging employers to develop policies that create a more supportive environment to help women return to, stay in and progress in work. As part of the 50plus choices offer, 50plus Champions have delivered presentations to Jobcentre teams in Newport and across Wales on the menopause and the support available.</p> answering member constituency Bury St Edmunds answering member printed Jo Churchill question first answered 22/05/2024 11:37:05 answering member 4380 label Biography information for Jo Churchill
	tabling member	4716 label Biography information for Ruth Jones

1717075

	registered interest
	date	10/05/2024
	answering body	Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
	answering dept id	13
	answering dept short name	Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
	answering dept sort name	Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
	hansard heading	Furs: Overseas Trade
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what estimate he has made of the volume of (a) imported and (b) exported animal (i) fur and (ii) fur products in the last 10 years.
	tabling member constituency	Newport West
	tabling member printed	Ruth Jones
	uin	25710
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 20/05/2024 answer text <p>i) We are continuing to build our evidence base on the fur sector, which will be used to inform any future action on the fur trade.  We have also commissioned a report from our expert Animal Welfare Committee into the issue of what constitutes responsible sourcing in the fur industry. This report will support our understanding of the fur industry and help inform our next steps.</p><p>ii) HMRC statistics for the import and export of fur and fur products over the 10-year period 2014-23 are available online and can be accessed at <a href="https://eur03.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.uktradeinfo.com%2Ftrade-data%2Fots-custom-table%2F&amp;data=05%7C02%7Cpqteam%40defra.gov.uk%7Cbb32ac8c707044759a8c08dc7594b7f7%7C770a245002274c6290c74e38537f1102%7C0%7C0%7C638514528801907679%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&amp;sdata=e2J9Klf1dDbRlXeluzBGfXwbfMKXzNa70Qb1xOlWAf8%3D&amp;reserved=0" target="_blank">Overseas trade data table - UK Trade Info</a> using the relevant HS4 codes (4301, 4302 and 4303).</p> answering member constituency Sherwood answering member printed Sir Mark Spencer question first answered 20/05/2024 14:47:57 answering member 4055 label Biography information for Sir Mark Spencer
	tabling member	4716 label Biography information for Ruth Jones

1716991

	registered interest
	date	09/05/2024
	answering body	Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
	answering dept id	13
	answering dept short name	Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
	answering dept sort name	Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
	hansard heading	Furs: Zoonoses
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment he has made of the risk of infectious zoonotic diseases (a) mutating in and (b) spreading from fur farms to other mammals; and what steps he is taking to mitigate that risk.
	tabling member constituency	Newport West
	tabling member printed	Ruth Jones
	uin	25581
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 17/05/2024 answer text <p>The Government shares the British public’s high regard for animal welfare. Fur farming has been banned in England and Wales since 2000 (2002 in Scotland and Northern Ireland). Fur farming is legal in some EU countries. Where outbreaks of SARS-CoV-2 and avian influenza virus have occurred in fur farms in Europe in recent years, the governments in those countries took action to cull the affected farms to mitigate the risk of spread.</p><p> </p><p>Nevertheless, together with the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) we are keeping a close eye on the findings of zoonotic pathogens such as SARS-CoV-2 and avian influenza in mink, foxes and other animals farmed for fur and the possible risk to human and animal health. We are vigilant to changes in risk and continue to use our established systems which include international disease monitoring programmes in the Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) and UKHSA to monitor the situation the outcomes of which are reviewed through our Veterinary Risk Group (VRG) and the <a href="https://eur03.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.gov.uk%2Fgovernment%2Fcollections%2Fhuman-animal-infections-and-risk-surveillance-group-hairs&amp;data=05%7C02%7Cpqteam%40defra.gov.uk%7Ca4d6b6aa49024b8117ad08dc70d28617%7C770a245002274c6290c74e38537f1102%7C0%7C0%7C638509296692323090%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&amp;sdata=wN1YPicxpEPw5WL3O50gYl%2BQ03K6dwT8SfHka1WkHRA%3D&amp;reserved=0" target="_blank">Human Animal Infections and Risk Surveillance (HAIRS) group</a>. The HAIRS group have published a <a href="https://eur03.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.gov.uk%2Fgovernment%2Fpublications%2Fhairs-risk-assessment-avian-influenza-ah5n1-in-non-avian-uk-wildlife&amp;data=05%7C02%7Cpqteam%40defra.gov.uk%7Ca4d6b6aa49024b8117ad08dc70d28617%7C770a245002274c6290c74e38537f1102%7C0%7C0%7C638509296692334965%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&amp;sdata=ums5KF2%2BfAA8srJqFApXuw%2Bm2tiaf%2Fv5u4cPfVYpZwE%3D&amp;reserved=0" target="_blank">risk assessment on the transmission from animals to humans of influenza of avian origin</a> and on the <a href="https://eur03.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.gov.uk%2Fgovernment%2Fpublications%2Fhairs-risk-assessment-on-sars-cov-2-in-mustelinae-population&amp;data=05%7C02%7Cpqteam%40defra.gov.uk%7Ca4d6b6aa49024b8117ad08dc70d28617%7C770a245002274c6290c74e38537f1102%7C0%7C0%7C638509296692342651%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&amp;sdata=nKgulv3KkoaqcOz0lNhnyDcmNPvq8wa0t52wVt4J8DA%3D&amp;reserved=0" target="_blank">risk SARS-CoV-2 infection in UK captive or wild Mustelidae populations presents to the UK human population</a>. There is no direct exposure to infected fur farms for kept or wild mammals in the UK and there is no evidence to suggest an increased risk to wildlife.</p><p> </p><p>International collaboration and knowledge exchange on avian influenza and other zoonotic pathogens is facilitated through discussions between the UK Chief Veterinary Officer and representatives from our national and international reference laboratories, and their counterparts in the EU and globally through the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH), the QUADs alliance and allied projects. Including through the joint WOAH-FOA Scientific Network on animal influenza <a href="https://eur03.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.offlu.org%2F&amp;data=05%7C02%7Cpqteam%40defra.gov.uk%7Ca4d6b6aa49024b8117ad08dc70d28617%7C770a245002274c6290c74e38537f1102%7C0%7C0%7C638509296692351670%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&amp;sdata=bEJVKWc6SnGFu3jNgvkASrg9ASiyfFrhmMLRccBpuKA%3D&amp;reserved=0" target="_blank">OFFLU</a>.</p> answering member constituency Sherwood answering member printed Sir Mark Spencer question first answered 17/05/2024 12:01:33 answering member 4055 label Biography information for Sir Mark Spencer
	tabling member	4716 label Biography information for Ruth Jones

1716992

	registered interest
	date	09/05/2024
	answering body	Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
	answering dept id	13
	answering dept short name	Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
	answering dept sort name	Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
	hansard heading	Furs: Imports and Sales
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what his Department's policy is on the (a) import and (b) sale of fur in the UK.
	tabling member constituency	Newport West
	tabling member printed	Ruth Jones
	uin	25582
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 17/05/2024 answer text <p>We have committed to explore potential action in relation to animal fur, as set out in the Action Plan for Animal Welfare. We are continuing to build our evidence base on the fur sector, which will be used to inform any future action on the fur trade. We have also commissioned a report from our expert Animal Welfare Committee into the issue of what constitutes responsible sourcing in the fur industry. This report will support our understanding of the fur industry and help inform our next steps.</p> answering member constituency Sherwood answering member printed Sir Mark Spencer question first answered 17/05/2024 11:00:46 answering member 4055 label Biography information for Sir Mark Spencer
	tabling member	4716 label Biography information for Ruth Jones

1716227

	registered interest
	date	07/05/2024
	answering body	Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
	answering dept id	13
	answering dept short name	Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
	answering dept sort name	Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
	hansard heading	Materials: Recycling
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, whether he is taking steps to (a) support the development of recycling (i) infrastructure and (ii) technologies and (b) help enable increased recovery of (A) critical minerals and (B) other materials.
	tabling member constituency	Newport West
	tabling member printed	Ruth Jones
	uin	25065
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 23/05/2024 answer text <p>Defra is committed to delivering a more sustainable future for the UK and world. Supporting this it recently announced the world’s first United Nations-backed International Centre of Excellence on Sustainable Resource Management in the Circular Economy. In partnership with national and international partners the centre will deliver environmentally sustainable primary extraction of Critical Minerals and map the flow of these critical and priority minerals across there complete life cycle, from extraction to reuse, recovery to disposal.</p><p> </p><p>Defra also published a consultation and a call for evidence on reforms to the Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) Regulations 2013 with a view to improving levels of collection for re-use and recycling, improving treatment standards and critical mineral recovery from WEEE and wider measures in support of the circular economy. The consultation and call for evidence closed on 7 March. Defra is currently analysing the responses and will publish a summary of responses in due course.</p><p> </p><p>The current regulations require producers to finance the collection and proper treatment of WEEE which has stimulated investment in WEEE treatment infrastructure. Under the Producer Responsibility Obligations (Packaging Waste) Regulations 2007 obligated producers are required to obtain Packaging Waste Recycling Notes (PRNs), as evidence that a certain tonnage of packaging waste that has been recycled. The sale of PRNs generates millions of pounds of revenue a year for reprocessors and exporters of packaging waste (circa £490m in 2022), which should be re-invested to support development of the necessary recycling and reprocessing infrastructure.</p> answering member constituency Keighley answering member printed Robbie Moore question first answered 23/05/2024 12:30:04 answering member 4861 label Biography information for Robbie Moore
	tabling member	4716 label Biography information for Ruth Jones