Cameron Thomas MP: written questions

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps her Department is taking to strengthen financial support and working rights for unpaid carers.

Answer: Details of the steps being taken to strengthen financial support and employment rights for unpaid carers can be found in the Unpaid Carers Action Plan, published on 14 July 2026.

Answered 15 Sept 2026

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what steps his Department is taking to ensure better safeguards are put in place for service personnel who receive court correspondence while deployed on exercise.

Answer: Service personnel are subject to the same court procedures and protections as other court users. Where an individual is deployed on military duties and this affects their ability to receive, respond to, or act upon court correspondence, the court may take...

Answered 10 Sept 2026

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what steps her Department is taking to speed up the full implementation of the Leasehold and Freehold Reform Act 2024.

Answer: No published answer in this record yet.

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what steps she is taking to lower the price of lease extensions for leasehold properties.

Answer: No published answer in this record yet.

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what steps he is taking to ensure Armed Forces personnel who are away on duty are protected from Default Judgements for claims brought by private parking companies.

Answer: It is the responsibility of Service personnel to resolve issues such as car parking judgements before they deploy. If needed, they should seek assistance from a solicitor or support group such as Citizens Advice. If there is no evidence that Service perso...

Answered 14 Sept 2026

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what steps he is taking to lower the legal fees involved in acquiring a Deed of Variation.

Answer: A deed of variation allows beneficiaries to a deceased persons estate to alter what they are entitled to receive under the terms of a will, or under the rules of intestacy if there is no valid will. It must be agreed and signed by all affected beneficiari...

Answered 9 Sept 2026

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what steps he plans to take to allow independent celebrants to conduct legally recognised weddings.

Answer: On 16 July, the Government published the consultation ‘Tying the Knot: Reforming weddings law in England and Wales’. The Government has taken the initial view that independent officiants should be permitted to conduct legally binding weddings as part of a...

Answered 9 Sept 2026

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what recent assessment his Department has made of the potential impact of allowing celebrant-led weddings to be legally recognised on the economy.

Answer: On 16 July, the Government published the consultation ‘Tying the Knot: Reforming weddings law in England and Wales’, alongside an impact assessment which considers the potential economic impacts of the proposed reforms, including allowing independent offi...

Answered 8 Sept 2026

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps her Department is taking to end avoidable deaths linked to delays in accident and emergency departments.

Answer: I refer the Hon. Member to the answer provided on 24 June to Question 11440.

Answered 14 Sept 2026

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps her Department is taking to improve the quality of, and customer experience on, rural train services, including those operated by CrossCountry.

Answer: The Government recognises the importance of rural rail services in connecting people, supporting economic growth and providing access to opportunities. It remains committed to improving rail services for passengers across the network through investment in...

Answered 8 Sept 2026

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, whether her Department plans to review the School Standards and Framework Act 1998 to ensure that it makes appropriate provision for the accessibility requirements of disabled people.

Answer: No published answer in this record yet.

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what recent assessment her Department has made of the effectiveness of class size limits in primary schools.

Answer: Measures are in place to limit and reduce class sizes, particularly for younger children. Legislation caps the size of an infant class at 30 pupils per qualified teacher. Infant classes are those in which most pupils turn five, six, or seven during the sc...

Answered 8 Sept 2026

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what steps her Department is taking to improve primary education provision in rural areas.

Answer: The government is committed to improving outcomes for children in all parts of the country, including those attending rural primary schools. Through our Regional Improvement for Standards and Excellence (RISE) programme, we are providing targeted support ...

Answered 8 Sept 2026

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether her Department has reviewed the eligibility requirements for riders progressing from a 50cc motorcycle to a 125cc motorcycle.

Answer: The Government has announced a consultation on a package of reforms to the training, testing and licensing regime for category A moped and motorcycle licences in Great Britain.The consultation, opened on 7 January and closed on 11 May 2026. The responses ...

Answered 3 Sept 2026

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps her Department is taking to improve road safety for motorcyclists.

Answer: Everyone who uses our roads has a right to feel safe, including motorcyclists. With that in mind, the Department included motorcyclists in the new Road Safety Strategy. The Strategy sets an ambitious target to reduce the number of people killed or serious...

Answered 4 Sept 2026

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps her Department is taking to help support councils to tackle industrial scale fly-tips from organised criminal operators.

Answer: Enforcement and disruption of industrial-scale waste crime is carried out by the Environment Agency. Through the Waste Crime Action Plan Defra has granted the Environment Agency an additional £45 million for waste crime enforcement over three years. The E...

Answered 17 Sept 2026

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what recent discussions she has had with Cabinet colleagues on ensuring that housing targets are supported by investment in NHS infrastructure and services.

Answer: We understand the challenges that significant housing growth can place on National Health Service infrastructure. Whilst we have big ambitions to further boost house building, we recognise it must be sensitive to local needs, including health care provisi...

Answered 8 Sept 2026

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what steps she is taking to facilitate special consideration by exam boards for pupils and students affected by sustained strike activity at educational bodies.

Answer: Special consideration is available where a student experiences a temporary illness, injury or other unforeseen event immediately before or during an exam or assessment that significantly affects their performance. It is intended to address disruption at t...

Answered 4 Sept 2026

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what steps she is taking to provide mitigation in examination results for pupils and students affected by sustained strike activity.

Answer: Special consideration is available where a student experiences a temporary illness, injury or other unforeseen event immediately before or during an exam or assessment that significantly affects their performance. It is intended to address disruption at t...

Answered 4 Sept 2026

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what discussions she has had with trade unions involved in sustained strike activity at educational bodies.

Answer: Strike action is damaging to pupils’ education and the department encourages unions and employers to work together constructively to resolve disputes. Through the department’s ‘Handling strike action in schools’ guidance, we provide advice to headteachers...

Answered 4 Sept 2026

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what steps she is taking to minimise the impact upon pupils and students of sustained strike activity at educational bodies.

Answer: Strike action is damaging to pupils’ education and the department encourages unions and employers to work together constructively to resolve disputes. Through the department’s ‘Handling strike action in schools’ guidance, we provide advice to headteachers...

Answered 4 Sept 2026

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what assessment her Department has made of the potential impact of sustained strike activity at educational bodies on pupils and students.

Answer: Strike action is damaging to pupils’ education and the department encourages unions and employers to work together constructively to resolve disputes. Through the department’s ‘Handling strike action in schools’ guidance, we provide advice to headteachers...

Answered 4 Sept 2026

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what steps she is taking to ensure whistleblowers, families, and other stakeholders are able to submit evidence in relation to SEND practices.

Answer: In our recent ‘SEND Reform: Putting children and young people first’ consultation, we set out proposals to strengthen accountability and improve parental confidence that local authorities will act on tribunal judgments, and to ensure that improvements are...

Answered 7 Sept 2026

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what steps she is taking to ensure local authorities maintain clear written records of meetings, telephone calls and key decisions with regards to SEND practices.

Answer: In our recent ‘SEND Reform: Putting children and young people first’ consultation, we set out proposals to strengthen accountability and improve parental confidence that local authorities will act on tribunal judgments, and to ensure that improvements are...

Answered 7 Sept 2026

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, whether her Department has considered commissioning an audit of late tribunal concessions and the length of time SEN children were left without appropriate educational provision.

Answer: In our recent ‘SEND Reform: Putting children and young people first’ consultation, we set out proposals to strengthen accountability and improve parental confidence that local authorities will act on tribunal judgments, and to ensure that improvements are...

Answered 7 Sept 2026

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, whether her Department has considered commissioning an independent investigation into how local authorities are handling SEND practices.

Answer: In our recent ‘SEND Reform: Putting children and young people first’ consultation, we set out proposals to strengthen accountability and improve parental confidence that local authorities will act on tribunal judgments, and to ensure that improvements are...

Answered 7 Sept 2026

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what steps she is taking to ensure local authorities follow the appropriate procedures for SEND practices and EHCP reviews.

Answer: The department recognises that the education, health and care (EHC) plan review process can be a stressful time in the lives of children and families and that this can have an impact on their mental health.We expect local authorities to work closely with ...

Answered 7 Sept 2026

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what recent assessment she has made of the potential impact of the system of EHCP reviews on the mental health of children and families.

Answer: The department recognises that the education, health and care (EHC) plan review process can be a stressful time in the lives of children and families and that this can have an impact on their mental health.We expect local authorities to work closely with ...

Answered 7 Sept 2026

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, what assessment her Department has made of the potential impact on young people from lower socio-economic backgrounds, of Sony Interactive Entertainment Europe's decision to retire physi

Answer: The decision to retire physical media is ultimately a commercial decision for Sony Interactive Entertainment, but we encourage all businesses to consider the impacts of such decisions on consumers, including young people from lower socio-economic backgrou...

Answered 7 Sept 2026

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade, what steps his Department is taking to ensure that Sony Interactive Entertainment Europe complies with UK law, following its decision to retire physical media on its gaming systems

Answer: The Department keeps the consumer protection framework under review to ensure that it is effective in protecting consumers but has not made a specific assessment of the potential impact on high street retailers of Sony Interactive Entertainment Europe's d...

Answered 2 Sept 2026

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade, what assessment he has made of the potential impact on high street retailers of Sony Interactive Entertainment Europe's decision to retire physical media on its gaming systems.

Answer: The Department keeps the consumer protection framework under review to ensure that it is effective in protecting consumers but has not made a specific assessment of the potential impact on high street retailers of Sony Interactive Entertainment Europe's d...

Answered 2 Sept 2026

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps his Department is taking to reduce congestion on local roads in rural areas resulting from major planning developments.

Answer: It is for local planning authorities, in consultation with the relevant highways and transport authorities, to assess the impact of major development on the local road network. Where necessary, they can seek to mitigate those impacts through local transpo...

Answered 16 Jul 2026

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what steps his Department is taking to ensure that transport infrastructure is delivered in conjunction with major developments such as new housing and renewable energy projects.

Answer: The National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) makes clear that transport issues should be considered from the earliest stages of plan-making and development proposals, using a vision-led approach to identify transport solutions that deliver well-designed,...

Answered 22 Jul 2026

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps his Department is taking to ensure patients (a) preparing for and (b) recovering from a major surgery are not deregistered by their GP.

Answer: NHS England has always worked with general practices to regularly review their lists and improve their accuracy. Where there is evidence that a patient may no longer be resident in the United Kingdom, NHS England initiates the standard process under which...

Answered 14 Jul 2026

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps his Department is taking to ensure adequate GP services in areas of high housing development.

Answer: We recognise the pressure that housing developments can place upon local health infrastructure. These impacts can be particularly acute for general practice, which is often the first point of contact for people seeking healthcare.Integrated care boards ar...

Answered 14 Jul 2026

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps his Department is taking to ensure patients are given adequate warning by GPs before they are deregistered.

Answer: NHS England has always worked with general practices to regularly review their lists and improve their accuracy. Where there is evidence that a patient may no longer be resident in the United Kingdom, NHS England initiates the standard process under which...

Answered 14 Jul 2026

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what steps his Department is taking to ensure water companies are consulted on planning applications.

Answer: Water companies are not statutory consultees on individual planning applications, but they are consulted as part of the preparation of local development plans. The government has no plans to change these arrangements.

Answered 17 Jul 2026

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps her Department is taking to support homeowners with insurance costs in areas deemed to have high flood risk.

Answer: Flood Re is a joint Government and industry flood reinsurance scheme designed to promote the affordability and availability of insurance for households at highest risk. In 2025/26, Flood Re provided cover for over 353,000 household policies, with 742,000 ...

Answered 14 Jul 2026

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps her Department is taking to ensure the Environment Agency deals with issues causing flooding in a timely manner.

Answer: The Environment Agency (EA) has a strategic overview of the management of all sources of flooding and coastal change in England and is the lead authority for managing flood risk from main rivers, estuaries and the sea. The EA is delivering the Government’...

Answered 13 Jul 2026

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps she is taking to ensure the Environment Agency has adequate powers to pre-emptively tackle flooding in areas of high risk.

Answer: The Environment Agency (EA) has a strategic overview of the management of all sources of flooding and coastal change in England and is the lead authority for managing flood risk from main rivers, estuaries and the sea. The EA is delivering the Government’...

Answered 13 Jul 2026

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps her Department is taking to give local authorities more power to deal with flooding.

Answer: Lead Local Flood Authorities (unitary authorities and county councils) are responsible for managing local flood risks and have statutory duties including investigating flood incidents and publishing local flood risk management strategies. Defra is support...

Answered 14 Jul 2026

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps his Department is taking to improve the NHS online GP booking service, Anima, with specific reference to people experiencing mental health conditions.

Answer: General practices (GPs) are contractually required to provide an online consultation tool, such as Anima, as an option for patients to contact them. These tools are designed to accommodate a wide range of patient needs and to enhance accessibility across ...

Answered 13 Jul 2026

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps his Department is taking to improve the NHS online GP booking service, Anima, for patients.

Answer: General practices (GPs) are contractually required to provide an online consultation tool, such as Anima, as an option for patients to contact them. These tools are designed to accommodate a wide range of patient needs and to enhance accessibility across ...

Answered 13 Jul 2026

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, whether her Department is taking steps to support people applying for settlement via the UK Ancestry route who miss the deadline to renew their permission due to complex personal circumstances, such a

Answer: The Government expects individuals to make any application to extend their stay or settle in the UK before their existing permission expires. Decisions on immigration applications are made in accordance with the Immigration Rules.The Immigration Rules con...

Answered 14 Jul 2026

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what steps his Department is taking to help improve mental health and wellbeing support in the media production industry.

Answer: The Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 and related regulations require employers and the self-employed to protect the health, safety and welfare of workers. Under Regulation 3 of the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999, employers...

Answered 13 Jul 2026

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, whether his Department is taking steps in response to breaches of the Working Time Regulations 1998 by employers, with specific reference to the live events and media production industry.

Answer: The Working Time Regulations 1998 set out rights for workers and employer obligations on working time, including maximum weekly working time, limits on night work, rest periods and paid annual leave. They apply across sectors, including the live events an...

Answered 14 Jul 2026

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what steps his Department is taking to improve working conditions for those working in the live events and production industry.

Answer: The Employment Rights Act will benefit over 18 million workers across the country, including those in the creative sector . Changes include ending one-sided flexibility for workers on zero-hours or similar contracts by introducing a right to guaranteed ho...

Answered 10 Jul 2026

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what assessment her Department has made of the potential for the proposed M5 Junction 9 and A46 (Ashchurch) Transport Scheme to mitigate collisions on the M5.

Answer: Gloucestershire County Council’s proposals for this scheme have focused on developing a relief road to mitigate increased traffic from the planned Tewkesbury Garden Community and to offer relief to Junction 9 of the M5. The traffic modelling for the prop...

Answered 7 Jul 2026

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps her Department is taking to improve traffic management and congestion patterns on motorways.

Answer: National Highways is responsible for operating motorways in England. Through the third Road Investment Strategy (RIS3), published in March 2026, the Government has set National Highways several targeted key performance indicators covering; average delay, ...

Answered 10 Jul 2026

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what preventative measures her Department is considering to reduce serious collisions and improve motorway safety.

Answer: Road safety is a matter the Government takes very seriously and National Highways is committed to reducing the number of people killed or seriously injured on England’s motorways and major A-roads. National Highways works closely with the Police and other...

Answered 9 Jul 2026

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether her Department conducts regular strategic reviews of collision hotspots and fatal incidents on the M5.

Answer: Road safety is a matter the Government takes very seriously and National Highways is committed to reducing the number of people killed or seriously injured on England’s motorways and major A-roads. National Highways works closely with the Police and other...

Answered 9 Jul 2026

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps she is taking to bring down the number of serious and fatal collisions on the M5 motorway.

Answer: Road safety is a matter the Government takes very seriously and National Highways is committed to reducing the number of people killed or seriously injured on England’s motorways and major A-roads. National Highways works closely with the Police and other...

Answered 9 Jul 2026

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of a third platform at Ashchurch for Tewkesbury Station on supporting growth in the Gloucestershire area.

Answer: The Department currently has no plans to provide a third platform at Ashchurch for Tewkesbury station. We encourage Network Rail, train operating companies, and local stakeholders to develop the case for future station improvements for consideration at fu...

Answered 25 Jun 2026

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether she has made an assessment of the potential merits of introducing a third platform at Ashchurch for Tewkesbury Station to support business travel between Bristol and Birmingham.

Answer: The Department currently has no plans to provide a third platform at Ashchurch for Tewkesbury station. We encourage Network Rail, train operating companies, and local stakeholders to develop the case for future station improvements for consideration at fu...

Answered 25 Jun 2026

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps she is taking to deliver improvements to Ashchurch for Tewkesbury Station to support growth in the Tewkesbury area.

Answer: The Department currently has no plans to provide a third platform at Ashchurch for Tewkesbury station. We encourage Network Rail, train operating companies, and local stakeholders to develop the case for future station improvements for consideration at fu...

Answered 25 Jun 2026

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what assessment she has made of the potential merits of a third platform at Ashchurch for Tewkesbury Station.

Answer: The Department currently has no plans to provide a third platform at Ashchurch for Tewkesbury station. We encourage Network Rail, train operating companies, and local stakeholders to develop the case for future station improvements for consideration at fu...

Answered 25 Jun 2026

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps he is taking to ensure NHS contractors such as HealthHarmonie are regularly monitored.

Answer: The Care Quality Commission (CQC) registers, inspects, and monitors health and care providers in England.Integrated care boards (ICBs) are responsible for assuring the quality, effectiveness, and value of the services they commission for their populations...

Answered 29 Jun 2026

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment has the Department made of adequacy of respite breaks for unpaid carers.

Answer: The Government recognises the vital role unpaid carers play and is committed to ensuring they have access to the support they need, including opportunities for respite.Under the Care Act 2014, local authorities have a duty to assess carers who appear to h...

Answered 22 Jun 2026

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps is he taking to help ensure funding for services for unpaid carers is sustainable.

Answer: The Government recognises the vital role of unpaid carers and is committed to ensuring they have the support they need.The Care Act 2014 sets out local authorities’ duties regarding people caring for their family and friends.Local authorities are required...

Answered 22 Jun 2026

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps he is taking to limit the transfer of patient data to overseas contractors.

Answer: There are strong protections in law to ensure that health and care information is used in a safe, secure, and legal way. This includes the UK General Data Protection Regulation and Data Protection Act 2018, which establishes a legal framework for processi...

Answered 29 Jun 2026

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps is he taking to strengthen protections against unauthorised access to patient data.

Answer: All organisations that have access to National Health Service patient data and systems must use the Data Security and Protection Toolkit (DSPT) to provide assurance on an annual basis that they are practising good data security and that personal informati...

Answered 29 Jun 2026

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps he is taking to ensure patient data privacy regarding the use of AI software in the NHS.

Answer: The Government is committed to ensuring that patient data is protected to the highest standards as artificial intelligence (AI) is adopted across the National Health Service. All use of data remains subject to UK General Data Protection Regulation, suppor...

Answered 29 Jun 2026

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether the current in-development framework regarding the regulation of AI in healthcare will introduce a medical device classification for AI software requiring external assessment, and whether t

Answer: The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) is currently undertaking a programme of regulatory reform for medical devices. This includes ensuring there is proportionate regulation of artificial intelligence (AI) as a medical device, whi...

Answered 29 Jun 2026

Question: To ask the Minister for Women and Equalities, what safeguards exist to help that ensure procedural compliance with the Draft Code of Practice for Services, Public Functions and Associations (2026) does not replace substantive disability rights.

Answer: The Equality and Human Rights Commissions’ (EHRC’s) updated statutory guidance - the draft Code of Practice for Services, Public Functions and Associations (the “Code”) provides guidance to service providers, associations and those exercising public funct...

Answered 30 Jun 2026

Question: To ask the Minister for Women and Equalities, with reference to the Draft Code of Practice for Services, Public Functions and Associations (2026), whether she has undertaken with Cabinet colleagues an equality and human rights impact assessment of its pot

Answer: The Public Sector Equality Duty requires the Secretary of State to have due regard to its three aims when making a decision on whether to approve the draft Code, before laying in Parliament. We have followed the correct process for considering the Code. T...

Answered 15 Jun 2026

Question: To ask the Minister for Women and Equalities, what steps she is taking to ensure the new Draft Code of Practice for Services, Public Functions and Associations (2026) provides adequate and enforceable support for disabled and neurodivergent people.

Answer: The Equality and Human Rights Commissions’ (EHRC’s) updated statutory guidance - the draft Code of Practice for Services, Public Functions and Associations (the “Code”) provides guidance to service providers, associations and those exercising public funct...

Answered 15 Jun 2026

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what steps her Department is taking to support traditional stained glass window making.

Answer: The Government is committed to supporting heritage crafts such as stained glass window making. The Department for Culture, Media and Sport is having discussions with Skills England, the Department for Education and the Department for Work and Pensions to ...

Answered 11 Jun 2026

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what assessment her Department has made of the potential impact of HSE's review of the current laws on working safely with lead on traditional stained glass window making.

Answer: The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) is consulting on proposed changes to the Control of Lead at Work Regulations 2002, the response deadline was 7 June 2026. This will allow HSE to gather evidence to assess the impact of these proposed lead exposure lev...

Answered 11 Jun 2026

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what recent diplomatic discussions she has had with European counterparts about the potential merits of agreeing a combined minerals strategy.

Answer: As set out in the UK's Critical Mineral Strategy, our ambition is that by 2035 no more than 60 per cent of the UK's annual demand for critical minerals in the aggregate is supplied by any one country.That strategy also sets out the UK's vision for securin...

Answered 8 Jun 2026

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what recent diplomatic discussions she has had with allies about decreasing dependence on China for minerals.

Answer: As set out in the UK's Critical Mineral Strategy, our ambition is that by 2035 no more than 60 per cent of the UK's annual demand for critical minerals in the aggregate is supplied by any one country.That strategy also sets out the UK's vision for securin...

Answered 8 Jun 2026

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment he has made of the potential merits of recognising lobular breast cancer as a distinct disease in the NICE Treatment Guidelines.

Answer: The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) is not currently producing guidance specifically on lobular breast cancer. Patients with invasive lobular breast cancer can access NICE-recommended targeted treatments on the same basis as other...

Answered 1 Jun 2026

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps his Department is taking to improve (a) detection and (b) diagnosis of specifically lobular breast cancer.

Answer: The Department is committed to getting the National Health Service diagnosing cancer earlier and treating it faster so that more patients, including those with lobular breast cancer, survive this horrible set of diseases. There are multiple NHS initiative...

Answered 4 Jun 2026

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what plans his Department has to increase funding for liver disease, including non-alcoholic cirrhosis care.

Answer: Services to manage and treat patients with liver disease are commissioned at a local level and are considered alongside other healthcare priorities. Specific investment in services is decided locally, reflecting local population need.The liver transformat...

Answered 1 Jul 2026

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps he is taking to improve (a) treatment and (b) care for patients suffering from non-alcoholic cirrhosis.

Answer: Liver health and liver cancer remain a priority for the National Health Service. NHS England has established a liver transformation programme focussing on awareness, prevention, diagnosis, detection, and treatment of all forms of liver disease, such as ci...

Answered 1 Jul 2026

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps he is taking to improve diagnosis for non-alcoholic cirrhosis.

Answer: Liver health and liver cancer remain a priority for the National Health Service. NHS England has established a liver transformation programme focussing on awareness, prevention, diagnosis, detection, and treatment of all forms of liver disease, such as ci...

Answered 1 Jul 2026

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what steps his Department is taking to mitigate the potential impact of the delayed publication of the Defence Investment Plan on small and medium defence manufacturers.

Answer: We will publish the Defence Investment Plan (DIP) as soon as we can. We will continue to award contracts to SMEs, but must allow sufficient time to ensure that decisions in the DIP are robust and drive the necessary transformation of our Armed Forces desc...

Answered 2 Jun 2026

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what assessment her Department has made of the potential economic impact of the M5 Junction 9 and A46 (Ashchurch) Transport Scheme.

Answer: The M5 Junction 9 and A46 (Ashchurch) scheme is currently under review as part of the Major Road Network and Large Local Majors programme. A decision on the future of the scheme will be announced by early summer. Until such time, it would not be appropri...

Answered 2 Jun 2026

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what assessment her Department has made of the implications for its policies of reported threats against Trading Standards officers made by criminal gangs.

Answer: Serious and organised crime has a direct and damaging impact on local communities, undermining legitimate businesses, fuelling wider criminality, and eroding public confidence in the safety and vitality of our high streets.This Government will not tolerat...

Answered 3 Jun 2026

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what steps her Department is taking to diversify teaching styles within traditional school settings.

Answer: Schools and teachers have the professional autonomy to decide their approach to teaching, provided they demonstrate the Teachers’ Standards.The in-school factor which makes the biggest difference to pupil outcomes is the quality of teaching. Therefore, th...

Answered 19 Jun 2026

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what assessment her Department has made of the potential merits of kinaesthetic learning.

Answer: We support teachers to use evidence-based approaches and their professional judgement to choose the teaching methods that will best support their pupils to learn and progress, including active and hands-on approaches where appropriate.Work is now underway...

Answered 3 Jun 2026

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what assessment her Department has made of the implications for its policies of parents home educating their children.

Answer: Parents have a right to home educate and those parents who choose to do so must provide an efficient, suitable full-time education if the child is of compulsory school age. Through the Children Not in School measures of the Children’s Wellbeing and School...

Answered 2 Jun 2026

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what assessment has her Department made of the potential merits of increasing financial support for parents who home educate.

Answer: Parents have a right to home educate and those parents who choose to do so must provide an efficient, suitable full-time education if the child is of compulsory school age. Through the Children Not in School measures of the Children’s Wellbeing and School...

Answered 2 Jun 2026

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what discussions she has had with counterparts around the world about ending modern slavery.

Answer: The UK is committed to playing its part in eradicating all forms of modern slavery, forced labour and human trafficking. We continue to work with partners through a range of multilateral bodies including the G7, the United Nations, the Organization for Se...

Answered 27 May 2026

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what assessment she has made of the potential implications for her policies of potential links between high street barber shops and organised crime.

Answer: The Government is taking significant action to tackle high street money laundering and the organised crime that drives it, which has become an increasingly visible threat in our communities. Organised crime groups are exploiting cash intensive businesses ...

Answered 21 May 2026

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what assessment she has made of the potential implications for her policies of potential links between vape shops and organised crime.

Answer: The Government is taking significant action to tackle high street money laundering and the organised crime that drives it, which has become an increasingly visible threat in our communities. Organised crime groups are exploiting cash intensive businesses ...

Answered 21 May 2026

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what steps her Department is taking to tackle organised crime on high streets.

Answer: The Government is taking significant action to tackle high street money laundering and the organised crime that drives it, which has become an increasingly visible threat in our communities. Organised crime groups are exploiting cash intensive businesses ...

Answered 21 May 2026

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what assessment her Department has made of the levels of criminal gangs operating illegal businesses on high streets.

Answer: The Government is taking significant action to tackle high street money laundering and the organised crime that drives it, which has become an increasingly visible threat in our communities. Organised crime groups are exploiting cash intensive businesses ...

Answered 21 May 2026

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what assessment she has made with Cabinet colleagues of the potential impact of new technologies on the grooming and exploitation of children.

Answer: The Government is unequivocal in its commitment to protecting children from all forms of child sexual exploitation and abuse.The Online Safety Act is a landmark and foundational step in tackling online child sexual exploitation and abuse, placing new duti...

Answered 28 May 2026

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what steps her Department is taking to tackle the operations of trafficking gangs in the UK.

Answer: The Home Office works closely with the National Crime Agency, the police and prosecution services to strengthen the operational response to modern slavery and human trafficking to drive performance. There has been a significant uplift in police activity o...

Answered 28 May 2026

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what steps her Department is taking to end modern slavery.

Answer: Modern slavery is a vicious crime that dehumanises people. Our government is committed to tackling this scourge in all its forms. We are taking forward a multi-pronged approach to tackling modern slavery through delivery, reform and integration across wid...

Answered 28 May 2026

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether his Department is taking steps to increase funding for stroke aftercare.

Answer: The Government set an ambition to reduce premature mortality from heart disease and stroke by a quarter in the next ten years. To accelerate progress and tackle unwarranted variation across the country, we will publish a new Cardiovascular Disease Modern ...

Answered 3 Jun 2026

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps he is taking to help ensure the availability of rapid paramedic treatment for people experiencing a stroke.

Answer: Suspected and confirmed strokes are serious emergencies and require timely intervention. The Government recognises that in past years, ambulance response times, including for Category 2 emergencies which includes strokes, have not met the high standards p...

Answered 1 Jun 2026

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps he is taking to improve stroke treatment.

Answer: The Government set an ambition to reduce premature mortality from heart disease and stroke by a quarter in the next ten years. To accelerate progress and tackle unwarranted variation across the country, we will publish a new Cardiovascular Disease Modern ...

Answered 3 Jun 2026

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment he has made of the potential implications for his policies of current statistics for stroke treatment in England.

Answer: The Government set an ambition to reduce premature mortality from heart disease and stroke by a quarter in the next ten years. To accelerate progress and tackle unwarranted variation across the country, we will publish a new Cardiovascular Disease Modern ...

Answered 3 Jun 2026

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what steps his Department is taking to mitigate the impact on armed forces personnel from any delay in announcing the 2026/27 Armed Forces pay round.

Answer: The Armed Forces’ Pay Review Body (AFPRB) has submitted its report and recommendations. The details of this year’s pay award will be confirmed as soon as possible, and any pay award will be backdated to the start of the Armed Forces pay year on 1 April 20...

Answered 28 May 2026

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, when he plans to announce final pay figures for the 2026/27 Armed Forces pay round.

Answer: The Armed Forces’ Pay Review Body (AFPRB) has submitted its report and recommendations. The details of this year’s pay award will be confirmed as soon as possible, and any pay award will be backdated to the start of the Armed Forces pay year on 1 April 20...

Answered 28 May 2026

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what assessment her Department has made of the potential impact on social mobility of priority given for student placements to Russell Group universities.

Answer: Universities are autonomous bodies, independent from government and responsible for their own admissions decisions. The department knows that higher education (HE) is a vital engine of economic growth and opportunity and we are committed to helping every ...

Answered 28 May 2026

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what consideration the Government has given to extending Freeview as a service beyond 2034.

Answer: The Department for Culture Media and Sport is leading a project to assess the future of digital terrestrial television (DTT), also known as Freeview, beyond 2034. The project is continuing to gather and evaluate evidence and the Government has made no dec...

Answered 18 May 2026

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what recent diplomatic discussions she has had with allies about decreasing dependence on China for minerals.

Answer: It has not proved possible to respond to the hon. Member in the time available before Prorogation.

Answered 29 Apr 2026

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what recent diplomatic discussions she has had with European counterparts about the potential merits of agreeing a combined minerals strategy.

Answer: It has not proved possible to respond to the hon. Member in the time available before Prorogation.

Answered 29 Apr 2026

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what steps he is taking to secure the UK's supply of critical minerals.

Answer: The Government recognises the vital role of critical minerals in economic security, clean energy, and advanced manufacturing. Through the Critical Minerals Strategy, we are strengthening domestic resilience by supporting UK capabilities in processing, rec...

Answered 22 Apr 2026

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what steps her Department is taking to improve co-ordination between police forces in cases of stalking.

Answer: Stalking is an insidious crime that can leave victims living in fear just going about their daily lives. The Crime Survey for England and Wales for the year ending March 2025 estimated that 3.5% of people aged 16 to 59 years had experienced stalking in th...

Answered 21 Apr 2026

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what recent estimate her Department has made of the incidence of stalking cases being mishandled due to incidents occurring across the borders of two or more police forces.

Answer: Stalking is an insidious crime that can leave victims living in fear just going about their daily lives. The Crime Survey for England and Wales for the year ending March 2025 estimated that 3.5% of people aged 16 to 59 years had experienced stalking in th...

Answered 21 Apr 2026

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what steps her Department is taking to support victims of stalking.

Answer: Stalking is an insidious crime that can leave victims living in fear just going about their daily lives. The Crime Survey for England and Wales for the year ending March 2025 estimated that 3.5% of people aged 16 to 59 years had experienced stalking in th...

Answered 21 Apr 2026

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what steps she is taking to tackle stalking.

Answer: Stalking is an insidious crime that can leave victims living in fear just going about their daily lives. The Crime Survey for England and Wales for the year ending March 2025 estimated that 3.5% of people aged 16 to 59 years had experienced stalking in th...

Answered 21 Apr 2026

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what recent assessment she has made of trends in the level of stalking in the UK.

Answer: Stalking is an insidious crime that can leave victims living in fear just going about their daily lives. The Crime Survey for England and Wales for the year ending March 2025 estimated that 3.5% of people aged 16 to 59 years had experienced stalking in th...

Answered 21 Apr 2026

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps he is taking to improve oral health for those without access to preventative dental care.

Answer: The Government is working to improve oral health and reduce inequalities for those without access to preventative dental care by addressing the main risk factors of dental disease. These include sugar reduction, restrictions on less healthy food and drink...

Answered 21 Apr 2026

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps he is taking to help ensure early detection of dental issues for adults who cannot access NHS dental services.

Answer: The Government is acting to improve early detection of dental issues and care for adults. Over the past year, integrated care boards (ICBs) have been commissioning additional urgent dental appointments and there is now an urgent care safety net available ...

Answered 21 Apr 2026

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether he has a strategy on delivering preventative oral health education to adults outside of dental practices.

Answer: Promoting oral health advice and education is a fundamental pillar of contemporary health care and relevant to a wide range of professionals and commissioned services. For example, in England local authorities are responsible for assessing oral health nee...

Answered 21 Apr 2026

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what estimate he has made of the number of hospital admissions related to dental infections or complications preventable through earlier oral health education and intervention.

Answer: No estimate is available for the number of hospital admissions related to dental infections or complications preventable through earlier oral health education and intervention. However, official statistics on hospital tooth extractions for children and yo...

Answered 23 Apr 2026

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps his Department is taking to address oral health inequalities among adults who cannot access NHS dental care.

Answer: The Government is working to improve oral health and reduce inequalities for those without access to preventative dental care by addressing the main risk factors of dental disease. These include sugar reduction, restrictions on less healthy food and drink...

Answered 21 Apr 2026

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what estimate he has made of the cost to the NHS of preventable conditions resulting from lack of access to oral health education and care.

Answer: No estimate is available of the costs to the National Health Service of preventable conditions resulting from lack of access to oral health education and care. The costs to the NHS of hospital admissions for decay-related tooth extractions, which are larg...

Answered 23 Apr 2026

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps he is taking to ensure patients with systemic conditions linked to poor oral health, like diabetes and cardiovascular disease, receive appropriate oral health education.

Answer: A range of actions support the provision of appropriate oral health education to patients with systemic conditions such as cardiovascular disease and diabetes. For example, the Delivering Better Oral Health guidance, which is available at the following li...

Answered 22 Apr 2026

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, who is responsible for providing preventative oral health advice to individuals unable to access an NHS dentist.

Answer: Promoting oral health advice and education is a fundamental pillar of contemporary health care and relevant to a wide range of professionals and commissioned services. For example, in England local authorities are responsible for assessing oral health nee...

Answered 21 Apr 2026

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what steps she is taking to ensure access to musical instruments and instruction for children from vulnerable and marginalised children.

Answer: The government has committed £76 million per year for the Music Hubs programme, including the 2025/26 academic year. The 43 Music Hubs partnerships across England offer a range of services, including musical instrument tuition, instrument loaning, and who...

Answered 21 Apr 2026

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what steps she is taking to ensure SEN children have access to suitable educational provision.

Answer: We are investing £4 billion in special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) reform programmes over the next three years to strengthen inclusive provision. This includes £1.6 billion to help expand readily available support in schools, early years set...

Answered 21 Apr 2026

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what steps she is taking to support access to education for children from vulnerable and marginalised families.

Answer: This government is committed to breaking down barriers to opportunity so that all children can achieve and thrive.The ‘Every Child Achieving and Thriving’ White Paper sets out steps to improve school readiness through family support, strengthen teacher re...

Answered 28 Apr 2026

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what steps he is taking to support the pottery sector.

Answer: The Government is aware of the pressures facing the ceramics industry. Department for Business and Trade (DBT) officials regularly engage with ceramics businesses and the sector’s main trade association, Ceramics UK, to explore how the sector can be suppo...

Answered 16 Apr 2026

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what steps he is taking to support British legacy industries through trade deals.

Answer: Free Trade Agreements (FTAs) are an important component of DBT’s approach to supporting businesses across the UK to grow and export, benefits include tariff reductions, simplification of customs procedures, and enhanced protections for investment. DBT’s s...

Answered 16 Apr 2026

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what steps he is taking to support British legacy industries.

Answer: The Industrial Strategy is backing eight growth-driving sectors, and the foundational industries that underpin them, to drive growth and create high quality jobs. This includes action to reduce electricity bills through the British Industrial Competitiven...

Answered 21 Apr 2026

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what consideration he has given to introducing loyalty incentives for mental health support workers in CAMHS.

Answer: There are no plans to introduce loyalty incentives for mental health support workers in Children and Young People’s Mental Health Services.As set out in the 10-Year Health Plan, the Government is committed to making the National Health Service the best pl...

Answered 16 Apr 2026

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what recent assessment he made of the rate of turnover for mental health support workers in CAMHS.

Answer: NHS England commissions an annual census of the children and young people’s mental health workforce in England which receives data from National Health Service trusts as well as local authorities, voluntary sector organisations, independent providers, and...

Answered 16 Apr 2026

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what steps she is taking to ensure teachers are equipped to deal with student mental health challenges.

Answer: The government will provide access to NHS-funded mental health support teams (MHSTs) in every school by 2029, with around six in ten pupils expected to have access by April 2026. Data for 2024/25 is available here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publicatio...

Answered 13 Apr 2026

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, whether she plans to provide additional support to schools to help students with their mental health.

Answer: The government will provide access to NHS-funded mental health support teams (MHSTs) in every school by 2029, with around six in ten pupils expected to have access by April 2026. Data for 2024/25 is available here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publicatio...

Answered 13 Apr 2026

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what steps she is taking to streamline the process of safeguarding referrals from schools to local authorities.

Answer: Through the Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill, we are strengthening the role of education and childcare in multi-agency safeguarding arrangements to better protect children from abuse, neglect, and exploitation.All schools must also have regard to the...

Answered 13 Apr 2026

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps he is taking to ensure those receiving adult social care are given adequate, detailed notice of the potential cost to the individual beforehand.

Answer: Under the Care Act 2014, charging is based on a number of principles, including that people should not be charged more than it is reasonably practicable for them to pay and that charging approaches should be clear, transparent, and comprehensive so people...

Answered 13 Apr 2026

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps he is taking to ensure the current level of the Minimum Income Guarantee is fair for those receiving pensions.

Answer: The Minimum Income Guarantee (MIG) is reviewed annually and published in the Local Authority Circular, at the following link:https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/social-care-charging-for-local-authorities-2026-to-2027/social-care-charging-for-care-a...

Answered 13 Apr 2026

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what recent assessment he has made of the adequacy of the level of the Minimum Income Guarantee for those receiving local authority-arranged care and support.

Answer: The Minimum Income Guarantee (MIG) is reviewed annually and published in the Local Authority Circular, at the following link:https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/social-care-charging-for-local-authorities-2026-to-2027/social-care-charging-for-care-a...

Answered 13 Apr 2026

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what number of settlement visas have been issued in total for Gurkha veterans who retired prior to 1 July 1997.

Answer: The information requested is not currently available from published statistics, and the relevant data could only be collated and verified for the purpose of answering this question at disproportionate cost.Official statistics published by the Home Office ...

Answered 26 Mar 2026

Question: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what recent assessment she has made of the potential impact of rules on tax relief on touring costs in Europe.

Answer: The Government recognises the importance of the creative industries, and supports the sector through a range of tax reliefs which are among the most generous in the world, providing over £2.4 billion of support in 2023–24. The reliefs support the sector w...

Answered 27 Mar 2026

Question: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what steps she is taking to change cultural tax reliefs to account for the cost of touring.

Answer: The Government recognises the importance of the creative industries, and supports the sector through a range of tax reliefs which are among the most generous in the world, providing over £2.4 billion of support in 2023–24. The reliefs support the sector w...

Answered 27 Mar 2026

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what steps her Department is taking to ensure that touring in Europe is viable for UK artists.

Answer: We have reset our relationship with the European Union and are determined to improve the UK’s trade and investment relationship with the EU and help our touring artists. This is in full recognition of the challenges that creative and cultural professional...

Answered 26 Mar 2026

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what steps she is taking to ensure funding disbursed by Arts Council England is fairly distributed across the country.

Answer: The Secretary of State believes that while talent is everywhere, opportunity is not. As part of our Plan for Change, we are committed to ensuring that arts and culture thrives in every part of the country, with more opportunities for people to engage, ben...

Answered 26 Mar 2026

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what recent assessment has she made of the effectiveness of the Arts Council England’s Incentivising Touring scheme.

Answer: The government welcomes the continued success of this fund, which expands domestic touring into new areas. This investment will enrich our cultural landscape and boost local economies by bringing popular productions to communities nationwide, allowing mor...

Answered 26 Mar 2026

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what assessment she has made of the implications for her policies of Baroness Hodge’s independent review of Arts Council England; and whether she will implement the recommendations.

Answer: The government’s full response to Baroness Hodge’s independent review of Arts Council England was published on 26 March and deposited in the House Library.

Answered 26 Mar 2026

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether his Department will commit to regularly publishing clear and transparent figures of Whole Genome Sequencing as described in the National Cancer Plan, broken down by trust, tumour type and o

Answer: Since 2023, NHS England has published National Health Service genomic testing activity data on the NHS England website, at the following link:https://www.england.nhs.uk/statistics/statistical-work-areas/genomic-testing-activity/This standardised data is p...

Answered 18 Mar 2026

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, when he expects the National Specialty Lead for Rare Cancers to be appointed and whether a job specification has already been created.

Answer: The National Cancer Plan, published on 4 February 2026, sets out several commitments and ambitions, to be delivered within the next 10 years. We will implement the Rare Cancers Act, which received Royal Assent on 5 March 2026, including by designating a N...

Answered 30 Mar 2026

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps his Department is taking to increase the number of clinical trials running in the UK for people with brain cancer; and whether he has any specific targets on this to reduce the number of

Answer: The Department is committed to turbocharging clinical research and delivering better patient care, to make the United Kingdom a world-leading destination for clinical research. We are working to fast-track clinical trials to drive global investment into l...

Answered 19 Mar 2026

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, following the announcement on the19 December 2025 on the NIHR Brain Tumour Research Consortium, when the additional announcements will be made on further funding into brain tumour treatment trials

Answer: Research is crucial in tackling cancer, which is why the Department invests over £1.7 billion per year in research through the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR). The NIHR Brain Tumour Research Consortium was announced as part of the G...

Answered 19 Mar 2026

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, over what period he expects the £13.7 million initial funding in the Brain Tumour Research Consortium to be disbursed.

Answer: Research is crucial in tackling cancer, which is why the Department invests over £1.7 billion per year in research through the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR). The NIHR Brain Tumour Research Consortium was announced as part of the G...

Answered 19 Mar 2026

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what recent assessment his Department has made of the adequacy of the pace at which the NIHR Brain Tumour Research Consortium is developing; and when the organisations that constitute the research

Answer: Research is crucial in tackling cancer, which is why the Department invests over £1.7 billion per year in research through the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR). The NIHR Brain Tumour Research Consortium was announced as part of the G...

Answered 19 Mar 2026

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what consideration her Department has given to paying national non-domestic rates on behalf of early years education settings.

Answer: It is our ambition that all families have access to high quality, affordable and flexible early education and care, giving every child the best start in life and delivering on our Plan for Change.The small business rate relief scheme provides up to 100% r...

Answered 23 Mar 2026

Question: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether she plans to take steps to lower business rates on early years education settings.

Answer: Business rates are a broad-based tax on the value of non-domestic properties, including early years education settings. At the Budget, the Government announced a £4.3 billion support package to support ratepayers across all sectors seeing bill increases. ...

Answered 19 Mar 2026

Question: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what assessment she has made of the impact of business rates on early years education settings.

Answer: Business rates are a broad-based tax on the value of non-domestic properties, including early years education settings. At the Budget, the Government announced a £4.3 billion support package to support ratepayers across all sectors seeing bill increases. ...

Answered 19 Mar 2026

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what insurance packages is he preparing to assist households with a potential energy price shock.

Answer: The Government recognises that families and businesses across the country will see the recent global events and once again be concerned about the impact on their energy bills. We continue to monitor the situation closely and we are looking at what further...

Answered 18 Mar 2026

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what recent assessment has he made of the potential impact of recent oil price rises on household energy prices in the UK over the next six months.

Answer: The Government recognises that families and businesses across the country will see the recent global events and once again be concerned about the impact on their energy bills. We continue to monitor the situation closely and we are looking at what further...

Answered 18 Mar 2026

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what steps he is taking to limit price increases for heating oil during the current conflict in the Middle East.

Answer: Unlike the gas and electricity markets, heating oil is bought on the spot market, making it more exposed to short‑term volatility in global oil prices, which we recognise is a significant concern for those reliant on it. The Secretary of State has written...

Answered 18 Mar 2026

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what assessment she has made of the potential merits of reducing the price of a Certificate of Entitlement to the Right of Abode to that of an Electronic Travel Authorisation.

Answer: The Home Office has not assessed in isolation the specific impact of the potential merits of reducing the price of a Certificate of Entitlement to the Right of Abode to that of an Electronic Travel Authorisation.Fees for immigration and nationality applic...

Answered 17 Mar 2026

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what assessment she has made of the potential merits of the use of birth certificates and marriage certificates as proof of right to abode for British citizens living abroad.

Answer: The Immigration Act 1971 specifies that a British citizen must use a British citizen passport or a certificate of entitlement to the right of abode to enter the UK. There are no plans to change the law in this respect. Birth and marriage certificates on t...

Answered 17 Mar 2026

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what steps she is taking to improve passport renewal and acquisition times.

Answer: His Majesty’s Passport Office consistently exceeds the performance indicator for its standard service within the UK, with over 98.5% of customers receiving their passport within three weeks where no further information is required.Information about the pe...

Answered 17 Mar 2026

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what steps her Department is taking to facilitate British dual nationals living abroad to visit the UK.

Answer: We recognise the potential impact of changing travel requirements on dual British nationals who are seeking to travel to the UK without a valid British passport. We have therefore issued temporary operational guidance to carriers, who may at their own dis...

Answered 17 Mar 2026

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps is his Department taking to increase recruitment of paediatric pathologists.

Answer: NHS England established a national programme in late 2022 to address paediatric and perinatal pathologist workforce challenges and has undertaken significant work in relation to workforce funding, training, and incentives. This has included making additio...

Answered 18 Mar 2026

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps his Department is taking to ensure adequate funding for post-mortem examinations for children.

Answer: NHS England is aware of the workforce challenges within perinatal pathology, which can impact on waiting times. A national programme was established in late 2022 to address this, and significant work has been undertaken in relation to workforce funding, t...

Answered 7 Apr 2026

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps his Department is taking to ensure timely access to post-mortem examinations for children.

Answer: NHS England is aware of the workforce challenges within perinatal pathology, which can impact on waiting times. A national programme was established in late 2022 to address this, and significant work has been undertaken in relation to workforce funding, t...

Answered 7 Apr 2026

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what recent assessment has he made of the potential implications for his policies of trends in the length of the waiting list for post-mortem examinations for children.

Answer: NHS England is aware of the workforce challenges within perinatal pathology, which can impact on waiting times. A national programme was established in late 2022 to address this, and significant work has been undertaken in relation to workforce funding, t...

Answered 7 Apr 2026

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what steps her Department is taking to help ensure that children’s programming is culturally relevant and promotes positive values.

Answer: The Government recognises the importance of children’s programming and the positive impact it can have on a child’s development. This can be supported not only through educational programming, but through high-quality narratives and storytelling, building...

Answered 9 Mar 2026

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what steps her Department is taking to support age-appropriate news content for children that promotes civic engagement.

Answer: The Government recognises the importance of children’s programming and the positive impact it can have on a child’s development. This can be supported not only through educational programming, but through high-quality narratives and storytelling, building...

Answered 9 Mar 2026

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what steps her Department is taking to support funding for effective UK-produced programming for children.

Answer: The Government recognises the importance of children’s programming and the positive impact it can have on a child’s development. This can be supported not only through educational programming, but through high-quality narratives and storytelling, building...

Answered 9 Mar 2026

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what assessment she has made of the potential implications for her policies of plans for the future of children’s programming.

Answer: The Government recognises the importance of children’s programming and the positive impact it can have on a child’s development. This can be supported not only through educational programming, but through high-quality narratives and storytelling, building...

Answered 9 Mar 2026

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what assessment she has made of the contribution of educational children’s programming to children's development.

Answer: The Government recognises the importance of children’s programming and the positive impact it can have on a child’s development. This can be supported not only through educational programming, but through high-quality narratives and storytelling, building...

Answered 9 Mar 2026

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what assessment she has made of the potential implications for her Department of the report by BBC Children’s & Education entitled Socioeconomic Impact of BBC Children’s and Education, published

Answer: The Government has noted the BBC report on Socioeconomic Impact of BBC Children’s and Education, published on 3 March 2026, and strongly supports the BBC providing high quality children’s and educational content. The BBC’s Royal Charter sets out its Missi...

Answered 9 Mar 2026

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps he is taking to ensure that patients with ADHD have reliable access to prescriptions for essential medication.

Answer: The Department has made significant progress in improving the availability of medicines for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), working closely with industry and key stakeholders to overcome previous supply challenges. Through intensive colla...

Answered 11 Mar 2026

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps he is taking to ensure adequate levels of staffing for ADHD services.

Answer: The Government has recognised that, nationally in England, demand for assessments for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) has grown significantly in recent years and that people are experiencing severe delays accessing such assessments. The Go...

Answered 19 Mar 2026

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps he is taking to improve the efficiency of ADHD services.

Answer: The Government has recognised that, nationally in England, demand for assessments for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) has grown significantly in recent years and that people are experiencing severe delays accessing such assessments. The Go...

Answered 19 Mar 2026

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what discussions she has had with her Polish counterpart on their membership of the Joint Expeditionary Force.

Answer: Poland is a vital UK ally and a NATO member, playing a central role in the defence of NATO's eastern flank and security in the Baltic region. Poland is also a crucial partner in supporting Ukraine, including through military, humanitarian and logistical a...

Answered 3 Mar 2026

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, if she will have discussions with Cocos Island National Park Rangers on the repurposing of discarded fishing equipment into anti-drone nets for Ukraine.

Answer: This would not be a matter for the UK Government, but I thank the Hon Member for his commitment to the Ukrainian cause, and he may wish to consider writing to the Costa Rican and Ukrainian ambassadors so they can jointly consider his suggestion.

Answered 4 Mar 2026

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what steps she is taking to promote teaching as a career path for young people and current teachers.

Answer: Since July 2024, this government has taken targeted action to boost teacher supply. This work started with our reset of the relationship with the sector, to re-establish teaching as an attractive profession, making it one that existing teachers want to re...

Answered 24 Mar 2026

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what steps she is taking to support leadership development pathways for teachers.

Answer: High quality professional development is important for teachers at all stages of their careers, ensuring they receive appropriate support and can continually improve their practice. The department offers five leadership National Professional Qualification...

Answered 2 Mar 2026

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what steps she is taking to support the mental health of teachers.

Answer: The department takes the wellbeing and mental health of teachers very seriously. We have worked with the sector to develop the Education Staff Wellbeing Charter which sets out commitments from the department, Ofsted, schools and colleges to protect and pr...

Answered 2 Mar 2026

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what recent assessment her Department has made of mental health and wellbeing amongst teachers.

Answer: Supporting the wellbeing of our expert education workforce is critical to this government’s mission to break down the barriers to opportunity for children and young people.​​The department tracks teacher wellbeing through the longitudinal study, the Worki...

Answered 2 Mar 2026

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what steps her Department is taking to produce a Teacher Retention Strategy.

Answer: The department has published detailed plans on how we will recruit and retain more teachers in our 6,500 additional teachers delivery plan, which is available here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/every-child-achieving-and-thriving. Better rete...

Answered 2 Mar 2026

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what recent assessment she has made of the rates of teacher retention in further education.

Answer: Having sufficient and skilled further education (FE) teachers is key to deliver on the government’s skills missions and help learners achieve good outcomes. The department continues to assess retention in the FE workforce based on available data and secto...

Answered 26 Mar 2026

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what recent assessment she has made of the rates of teacher retention amongst secondary school educators.

Answer: The department has published detailed plans on how we will recruit and retain more teachers in our 6,500 additional teachers delivery plan, which is available here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/every-child-achieving-and-thriving. Better rete...

Answered 2 Mar 2026

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what recent assessment she has made of the rates of teacher retention amongst primary school educators.

Answer: The department has published detailed plans on how we will recruit and retain more teachers in our 6,500 additional teachers delivery plan, which is available here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/every-child-achieving-and-thriving. Better rete...

Answered 2 Mar 2026

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what recent assessment she has made of the rates of teacher retention amongst early years educators.

Answer: The turnover rate for all early years educators in private group-based and school-based providers is 16% and 7% respectively. A breakdown by qualification level is unavailable. To boost recruitment and retention of early years teachers (EYTs) and meet the...

Answered 3 Mar 2026

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether there is a backlog of medical reviews of licenses for elderly drivers.

Answer: The Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) aims to process all applications as quickly as possible. In the interests of road safety, the DVLA must be satisfied that the required medical standards are met before a licence is issued. Applications that r...

Answered 26 Feb 2026

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps she is taking to ensure adequate funding for medical review of licenses for elderly drivers.

Answer: The Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) aims to process all applications as quickly as possible. In the interests of road safety, the DVLA must be satisfied that the required medical standards are met before a licence is issued. Applications that r...

Answered 26 Feb 2026

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what the annual electricity consumption at MoD Ashchurch was, provided as Half-Hourly electricity data, for the most recent 12-month period.

Answer: The Ministry of Defence (MOD) does not hold information on the annual electricity consumption at MOD Ashchurch, provided as Half-Hourly electricity data, for the most recent 12-month period.

Answered 27 Feb 2026

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what recent assessment his Department has made of the potential impact of installing renewable energy sources at MoD Ashchurch on i) energy cost savings and ii) carbon reduction.

Answer: The Vehicle Storage and Support Programme (VSSP) at MOD Ashchurch is delivering modern, sustainable storage solutions for the Army’s Stored Fleets. The project, on track for completion in March 2027, includes the installation of a photovoltaic (PV) array ...

Answered 27 Feb 2026

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of levels of consistency in the (a) classification and (b) processing of safeguarding allegations in national institutions on the adequacy of level

Answer: This Government is committed to strengthening safeguarding practices across all institutions and ensuring children are kept safe from a range of harms. This requires a cross-government and cross-sector effort, and we are taking forward an ambitious range ...

Answered 2 Mar 2026

Question: To ask the hon. Member for Battersea, representing the Church Commissioners, what assessment she has made of the potential challenges for Clergy Disciplinary Measure processes involving senior Archbishops to be held within existing episcopal structures.

Answer: I refer the Hon Member for Tewkesbury to the previous answer UIN 108534Additionally, the current Clergy Discipline Measure was approved by Parliament in 2003 and came into operation in 2006. The legislation requires allegations of misconduct against a bis...

Answered 5 Mar 2026

Question: To ask the hon. Member for Battersea, representing the Church Commissioners, whether current Church safeguarding guidance on engagement with parishes during live criminal investigations is consistent with national safeguarding and policing best practice.

Answer: Internal church safeguarding processes run in tandem with those conducted by statutory services. Criminal investigations will always take primacy over internal processes, which must do nothing to frustrate criminal proceedings. Safeguarding Case Managemen...

Answered 5 Mar 2026

Question: To ask the hon. Member for Battersea, representing the Church Commissioners, how potential conflicts between safeguarding outcomes and reputational and legal risk management are identified and managed during safeguarding decision-making.

Answer: Safeguarding risks are managed through a Safeguarding Case Management Group (SCMG) process under the 2025 managing allegations code of practice. The role of the group includes managing both individual and organisational (reputational) risks, whilst being ...

Answered 5 Mar 2026

Question: To ask the hon. Member for Battersea, representing the Church Commissioners, what formal processes exist to (a) identify and (b) manage conflicts of interest during senior Church appointments where safeguarding concerns have been raised.

Answer: I refer the Hon Member for Tewkesbury to the previous answer UIN 108535 In addition, all those involved in Crown Nominations Commissions (CNCs) are asked to declare any conflicts of interest, with professional advice sought and appropriate action taken to...

Answered 5 Mar 2026

Question: To ask the hon. Member for Battersea, representing the Church Commissioners, what criteria are used to assess whether safeguarding arrangements in the Church of England are adequate.

Answer: In response to the recommendations made in the IICSA Enquiry, an independent audit programme delivered by INEQE was commissioned across all dioceses, cathedrals & the National Safeguarding Team. INEQE use the National Safeguarding Standards to measure...

Answered 5 Mar 2026

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, pursuant to the answer of 24 November 2025 to question 91566, on Fishing Vessels: Monitoring, what progress has been made on the volunteer early adopter phase for Remote Electronic Mon

Answer: In December 2025 Defra successfully completed the first Remote Electronic Monitoring early adopter project with a volunteer vessel from Fishery A, pelagic trawls over 24m. Defra is seeking volunteers for further fisheries.

Answered 23 Feb 2026

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment her Department has made of the ongoing impact of large scale industrial bottom trawling on the small-scale inshore fishing fleet.

Answer: No assessment has been made of these impacts. However, the activities of all vessels fishing in our waters, including large scale industrial vessels, are monitored by the Marine Management Organisation (MMO). If it is considered that the activities of one...

Answered 25 Feb 2026

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, when does her Department plan to announce the results of the Marine protected areas Stage 3 Consultation.

Answer: I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to the hon. Member for Ely and East Cambridgeshire on 13 November 2025, PQ 88509.

Answered 23 Feb 2026

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what recent assessment has she made of the benefits of a complete ban on bottom trawling in Marine Protected Areas.

Answer: Bottom trawling in our Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) needs to be managed appropriately due to the significant damage it can have on protected seabed habitats. Fisheries regulators make detailed assessments of the impact of all fishing activities on the pr...

Answered 23 Feb 2026

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps is she taking to reduce the harmful impacts of long lining.

Answer: Longlining is a method of fishing used in parts of the UK. It is recognised that bycatch can occur in this fishery. To address this, Defra funds the Clean Catch programme, a research programme dedicated to better monitoring and reducing bycatch of sensiti...

Answered 23 Feb 2026

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps is she taking to improve marine conservation efforts.

Answer: The Government is committed to strengthening marine conservation both at home and overseas. The UK’s National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan (NBSAP) commits the UK, in line with the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework, to effectively con...

Answered 24 Feb 2026

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what steps he is taking to increase the level of funding for the Planning Inspectorate.

Answer: The government is committed to the efficient handling of planning casework, including ensuring that there is sufficient resourcing in the Planning Inspectorate (PINS) to support such activity. In 2025/26, funding increased for PINS’s Resource Delivery bud...

Answered 24 Feb 2026

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what recent assessment he has made of the adequacy of the Planning Inspectorate's recruitment of inspectors.

Answer: The government is committed to the efficient handling of planning casework, including ensuring that there is sufficient resourcing in the Planning Inspectorate (PINS) to support such activity. In 2025/26, funding increased for PINS’s Resource Delivery bud...

Answered 24 Feb 2026

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what steps he is taking to tackle the Planning Inspectorate’s backlog of cases awaiting a site visit.

Answer: The government is committed to the efficient handling of planning casework, including ensuring that there is sufficient resourcing in the Planning Inspectorate (PINS) to support such activity. In 2025/26, funding increased for PINS’s Resource Delivery bud...

Answered 24 Feb 2026

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what steps her Department is taking to ensure children, especially from lower-income families, have access to regular, free community sports activities.

Answer: The Government is committed to ensuring that everyone, including children and young people, have access to and benefit from quality sport and physical activity opportunities.The Government provides the majority of support for community sport through Sport...

Answered 11 Feb 2026

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what steps her Department is taking to ensure stable, long-term funding for free community sports activities.

Answer: The Government is committed to ensuring that everyone, including children and young people, have access to and benefit from quality sport and physical activity opportunities.The Government provides the majority of support for community sport through Sport...

Answered 11 Feb 2026

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what steps she is taking to improve environmental education in schools.

Answer: The current national curriculum includes topics relating to ecosystems, soil health, and climate adaptation within the context of UK food security, and they can also be studied at GCSE and A level.Work is now underway to deliver a new curriculum and asses...

Answered 26 Feb 2026

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what recent assessment her Department has made of the adequacy of resources to support schools to reach net zero.

Answer: I refer the hon. Member for Tewkesbury to the answer of 16 January 2026 to Question 104584.

Answered 10 Feb 2026

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what steps his Department is taking to streamline the recruitment process for the armed forces.

Answer: The Government is focused upon improving Armed Forces recruitment, modernising and refining our policies and processes to attract the best possible talent. We have delivered this through policies which have included a 35% pay increase for new recruits; on...

Answered 11 Feb 2026

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what steps his Department is taking to streamline the transition between regular and reserve service.

Answer: As part of a wider programme to enable a more flexible workforce we are examining our policies and regulations to make transition between all parts of the Armed Forces as seamless as possible. The first step in this is a measure in the Armed Forces Bill 2...

Answered 11 Feb 2026

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what steps he is taking to ensure the reliability of issued kit.

Answer: The appropriate reliability requirement for items of defence equipment is identified during the early stages of a project. During the stages prior to introduction to service the supplier provides evidence via the Reliability Case that the item will meet t...

Answered 11 Feb 2026

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what recent assessment his Department has made of the potential merits of a joint procurement plan for the nations making up the Coalition of the Willing.

Answer: Alongside France, the UK is jointly leading the Coalition of the Willing to support Ukraine's long-term security. The Coalition remains focused on increasing pressure on Russia, sustaining the flow of military assistance to Ukraine, and tightening economi...

Answered 11 Feb 2026

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment his Department has made of the potential implications for its policies of the preliminary findings of the ELSA Study that screens children for Type 1 diabetes.

Answer: The Government is guided by the UK National Screening Committee (UK NSC), an independent scientific advisory committee which makes its recommendations based on internationally recognised criteria and a rigorous evidence review and consultation process. It...

Answered 6 Feb 2026

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps his Department is taking to support the development of experimental treatments for Type 1 diabetes.

Answer: The Early Surveillance for Autoimmune diabetes (ELSA) study is currently screening children across the United Kingdom to identify those at risk of developing type 1 diabetes. More information is available at the following link: https://www.elsadiabetes.nh...

Answered 16 Mar 2026

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps his Department has taken to reduce the financial cost of blood ketone tests.

Answer: The Department is updating the NHS Drug Tariff Part IX, starting with the category of Point of Care Testing and Hypodermic Equipment, which includes blood ketone testing strips. The intention behind these updates is to ensure that the products listed on t...

Answered 9 Feb 2026

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps his Department has taken to improve diagnosis of Type 1 diabetes in children.

Answer: The Early Surveillance for Autoimmune diabetes (ELSA) study is currently screening children across the United Kingdom to identify those at risk of developing type 1 diabetes. More information is available at the following link: https://www.elsadiabetes.nh...

Answered 16 Mar 2026

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what assessment she has made of the potential implications for his Department of the report by Resilience & Reconstruction entitled Disinformation, UK Democracy, and Attitude

Answer: I refer the Hon Member to the answer provided on 21 January in response to Question 105450.

Answered 5 Feb 2026

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, whether she plans to support civic education initiatives aimed at strengthening resilience to foreign propaganda.

Answer: Improved media literacy builds resilience to misinformation and disinformation and fosters critical thinking. The government is improving media literacy through coordinated cross-government work, including funding innovative community-based interventions ...

Answered 4 Feb 2026

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what steps she is taking to help tackle gaps in public knowledge on the origins of the Russian invasion of Ukraine.

Answer: Improved media literacy builds resilience to misinformation and disinformation and fosters critical thinking. The government is improving media literacy through coordinated cross-government work, including funding innovative community-based interventions ...

Answered 4 Feb 2026

Question: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what steps he is taking to help improve cross-government coordination to counter hostile state narratives promoted through domestic voices.

Answer: The Defending Democracy Taskforce has a mandate to drive forward a whole-government response to the full range of threats to our democracy, including foreign information operations.This response includes the Counter Political Interference and Espionage Ac...

Answered 5 Feb 2026

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, whether she plans to take steps to the Government plans to engage civil society on strengthening trusted information ecosystems.

Answer: Making information ecosystems stronger requires collaboration between Government, industry and civil society. Last year, Ofcom established the Online Information Advisory Committee, bringing together civil society and industry to build a deeper understand...

Answered 4 Feb 2026

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what recent assessment she has made of the potential impact of fragmented media systems on democracy.

Answer: It is essential that the public has access to a wide range of views from a variety of accurate and trusted sources to support democratic participation. DCMS is committed to supporting the future sustainability of the media sector and is working across Gov...

Answered 4 Feb 2026

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what recent discussions she has had with the BBC Board on ensuring that it continues to report on local and regional stories of interest.

Answer: The Secretary of State meets regularly with the Chair to discuss a wide range of issues.The Government is currently undertaking a review of the BBC’s Royal Charter. The Green Paper sets out our ambition for the BBC to tell a unifying national story that r...

Answered 4 Feb 2026

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what steps she is taking to support regional and local media.

Answer: Supporting and sustaining local and regional media across the country is a particular concern for this Government, including in Tewkesbury and more broadly across Gloucestershire. The Government understands the important work that local and regional media...

Answered 4 Feb 2026

Question: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, whether he has had recent discussions with the Church of England on taking steps to help ensure that senior appointments within the Church uphold (a) accountability and (b) safeguarding culture.

Answer: Senior appointments within the Church are undertaken under the Standing Orders of the Church of England laid down by the Church’s elected body, the General Synod, which govern the Crown Nominations Commission, the committee which nominates Archbishops and...

Answered 9 Feb 2026

Question: To ask the hon. Member for Battersea, representing the Church Commissioner, what steps her Department is taking to help ensure the communication of the outcomes of Clergy Disciplinary Measures of the Church of England within the Church.

Answer: The National Church Institutions are in the final process of updating the Clergy Discipline Measure. The Legislative Committee of the General Synod will ask Members of the General Synod at its sitting in February 2026 to give their final approval to one m...

Answered 4 Feb 2026

Question: To ask the hon. Member for Battersea, representing the Church Commissioners, what steps her Department is taking to help ensure appropriate safeguarding measures are in place within the Church of England.

Answer: The Archbishops’ Council, as part of the National Church Institutions, is responsible for overseeing the work of the National Safeguarding Team (NST).The NST continues to strengthen safeguarding across the Church of England at all levels. All national saf...

Answered 5 Feb 2026

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what steps her Department is taking to help strengthen public confidence in safeguarding within the Church of England.

Answer: All charities should be safe and trusted spaces for everyone; whether employees, volunteers or members of the public. The Charity Commission for England and Wales recently issued a Regulatory Action Plan to the Archbishops' Council of the Church of Englan...

Answered 3 Feb 2026

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what recent assessment her Department has made of the potential impact of merging (i) shotgun and (ii) rifle licensing systems on (a) Police Firearms forces and (b) the number of officers dealing with

Answer: The Government response to the 2023 firearms licensing consultation, published on 13 February 2025, included a commitment to having a public consultation on strengthening the licensing controls on shotguns to bring them more into line with the controls on...

Answered 27 Jan 2026

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what recent assessment her Department has made of the potential impact of merging (i) shotgun and (ii) rifle licensing systems on people undertaking wildlife management.

Answer: The Government response to the 2023 firearms licensing consultation, published on 13 February 2025, included a commitment to having a public consultation on strengthening the licensing controls on shotguns to bring them more into line with the controls on...

Answered 27 Jan 2026

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what recent assessment her Department has made of the potential impact of merging (i) shotgun and (ii) rifle licensing systems on clay target shooting businesses.

Answer: The Government response to the 2023 firearms licensing consultation, published on 13 February 2025, included a commitment to having a public consultation on strengthening the licensing controls on shotguns to bring them more into line with the controls on...

Answered 27 Jan 2026

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what recent assessment her Department has made of the potential impact of merging (i) shotgun and (ii) rifle licensing systems on the backlog for firearms licensing.

Answer: The Government response to the 2023 firearms licensing consultation, published on 13 February 2025, included a commitment to having a public consultation on strengthening the licensing controls on shotguns to bring them more into line with the controls on...

Answered 27 Jan 2026

Question: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what recent assessment her Department has made of the potential impact of ending the crown exemption for the Duchy of (a) Lancaster and (b) Cornwall on reducing the budget deficit.

Answer: The income from the Duchies of Lancaster and Cornwall forms part of the King’s and Prince of Wales’s private income. The tax treatment of that income is as set out in the in the Memorandum of Understanding on Royal Taxation, which can be found at: www.gov...

Answered 27 Jan 2026

Question: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what consideration her Department has given to ending the crown exemption for the Duchy of Lancaster and Duchy of Cornwall.

Answer: The income from the Duchies of Lancaster and Cornwall forms part of the King’s and Prince of Wales’s private income. The tax treatment of that income is as set out in the in the Memorandum of Understanding on Royal Taxation, which can be found at: www.gov...

Answered 27 Jan 2026

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what recent assessment his Department has made of the potential impact of the M5 Junction 10 improvement scheme on local housing development and economic growth.

Answer: The government is committed to boosting housing supply and unlocking economic growth. My Department is providing an additional £71.5 million in funding to the M5 Junction 10 Housing Infrastructure Funding project. The project is expected to directly unloc...

Answered 23 Jan 2026

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what recent assessment his Department has made of the potential impact of the time taken to fund the M5 Junction 10 improvement scheme on housing development.

Answer: I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to Question UIN 104999 on 19 January 2026.

Answered 23 Jan 2026

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, if his Department will provide additional funding required to enable the development of the M5 Junction 10 Improvements Scheme.

Answer: The government is committed to boosting housing supply and unlocking economic growth. My Department is providing an additional £71.5 million in funding to the M5 Junction 10 Housing Infrastructure Funding project. The project is expected to directly unloc...

Answered 23 Jan 2026

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what recent assessment his Department has made of further access to MoD establishments, assets and personnel by Chinese foreign students enrolled on MoD courses beyond the scope of that course since 2010.

Answer: The Ministry of Defence (MOD) recognises that Defence establishments, assets and personnel are attractive targets for foreign intelligence services and takes the threat they pose extremely seriously. This is reflected in the establishment of the Defence C...

Answered 23 Jan 2026

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what assessment his Department has made of the potential that Chinese foreign students enrolled on MoD courses since 2010 were Foreign Intelligence Services personnel.

Answer: The Ministry of Defence (MOD) recognises that Defence establishments, assets and personnel are attractive targets for foreign intelligence services and takes the threat they pose extremely seriously. This is reflected in the establishment of the Defence C...

Answered 23 Jan 2026

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what recent assessment his Department has made of the cumulative value of intelligence gathered by Chinese foreign students enrolled on MoD courses since 2010.

Answer: The Ministry of Defence (MOD) recognises that Defence establishments, assets and personnel are attractive targets for foreign intelligence services and takes the threat they pose extremely seriously. This is reflected in the establishment of the Defence C...

Answered 23 Jan 2026

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what number per year of Chinese foreign students were withdrawn from training courses at (a) BRNC Dartmouth, (b) RMA Sandhurst and (c) RAFC Cranwell since 2010; and under what circumstances they were withdrawn.

Answer: It is taking time to collate the required information to answer the hon. Member's Question. I will write to him when the information is available, and a copy of this letter will be placed in the Library of The House.

Answered 23 Jan 2026

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what number per year of Chinese foreign students completed training courses at (a) BRNC Dartmouth, (b) RMA Sandhurst and (c) RAFC Cranwell, since 2010.

Answer: It is taking time to collate the required information to answer the hon. Member's Question. I will write to him when the information is available, and a copy of this letter will be placed in the Library of The House.

Answered 23 Jan 2026

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what steps her Department is taking to help reduce rates of digital exclusion among the elderly population.

Answer: Everyone should be able to benefit from the digital world, but we know that certain groups are more likely to be digitally excluded than others. This includes older people, with statistics showing 86% of adults aged 60+ are online, compared to 95% of all ...

Answered 21 Jan 2026

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what recent assessment his Department has made of the potential impact of online appointment bookings for GP surgeries on the elderly population and those who experience digital exclusion.

Answer: The Department recognises the importance of ensuring equitable access to general practice (GP) services for all patients, including elderly individuals and those who may experience digital exclusion. Since 1 October, GPs have been required to offer acce...

Answered 23 Jan 2026

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what steps he is taking to support farmers who are victims of agricultural crime.

Answer: The Government is committed to ensuring all victims, including victims of agricultural crimes, get the information and support they need to navigate the criminal justice system. Under the Victims’ Code, victims of agricultural crimes are entitled to be gi...

Answered 15 Jan 2026

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what steps she is taking to increase funding for police forces in rural areas.

Answer: Rural crime can have devastating consequences for countryside communities and the agricultural sector. That is why this Government is committed to reducing crime in rural areas. The Home Office works in partnership with DEFRA to improve the response to ru...

Answered 15 Jan 2026

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what steps her Department is taking to help tackle rural crime.

Answer: Rural crime can have devastating consequences for countryside communities and the agricultural sector. That is why this Government is committed to reducing crime in rural areas. The Home Office works in partnership with DEFRA to improve the response to ru...

Answered 15 Jan 2026

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what recent assessment she has made of trends in the level of crime solving rates in rural areas.

Answer: Rural crime can have devastating consequences for countryside communities and the agricultural sector. That is why this Government is committed to reducing crime in rural areas. The Home Office works in partnership with DEFRA to improve the response to ru...

Answered 15 Jan 2026

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what recent assessment she has made of trends in the level of agricultural crime.

Answer: Rural crime can have devastating consequences for countryside communities and the agricultural sector. That is why this Government is committed to reducing crime in rural areas. The Home Office works in partnership with DEFRA to improve the response to ru...

Answered 15 Jan 2026

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what recent assessment she has made of trends in the level of theft in rural areas.

Answer: Rural crime can have devastating consequences for countryside communities and the agricultural sector. That is why this Government is committed to reducing crime in rural areas. The Home Office works in partnership with DEFRA to improve the response to ru...

Answered 15 Jan 2026

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps he will take in the forthcoming National Cancer Plan to improve diagnosis and treatment for penile cancer.

Answer: Reducing the number of lives lost to cancer, including penile cancer, is a key aim of the National Cancer Plan. The plan will be published early this year. It will include further details on how we will improve outcomes for patients with cancer, as well a...

Answered 15 Jan 2026

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps he will take in the forthcoming National Cancer Plan to improve diagnosis times for myeloma.

Answer: It is a priority for the Government to support the National Health Service to diagnose cancer, including blood cancers, as early and quickly as possible, and to treat it faster, to improve outcomes.To tackle the late diagnoses of blood cancers, the NHS is...

Answered 15 Jan 2026

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what recent assessment her Department has made of the expenditure of policing and prosecuting public order offences and assaults between trail hunt groups and saboteurs.

Answer: The Home Office does not hold figures on the cost of policing and prosecuting public order offences and assaults arising between trail hunt groups and saboteurs.Policing is operationally independent, and it is for local Chief Constables to determine how b...

Answered 13 Jan 2026

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what steps she is taking to help ensure that rural police forces are additionally resourced to prosecute newly proscribed rural crimes.

Answer: I refer the Hon. Member to UIN 97588 answered on 15th December 2025.

Answered 19 Jan 2026

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment has her Department made of the potential merits of amending the Hunting Act 2004 to allow only for the retrieval of a dead or wounded animal by a single dog.

Answer: The Department has not made any such assessment of the potential merits.

Answered 13 Jan 2026

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what recent assessment her Department has made of the potential impact of increasing deer populations on drivers in rural communities.

Answer: My Department has made no assessment of deer populations and road safety. We recognise that drivers are at risk of collisions with wild animals. Traffic signs warning that wild animals, including deer, may be in the road ahead are available for local auth...

Answered 13 Jan 2026

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what recent assessment her Department made of the potential impact of deer populations on rural environments.

Answer: Defra supports survey programmes that assess the ecological condition of woodlands in England. This includes the National Forest Inventory woodland ecological condition assessment, which indicated in 2020 that 40% of woodland habitat in unfavourable condi...

Answered 12 Jan 2026

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what recent modelling has her Department made of the impact of the Hunting Act 2004 on fox populations and welfare.

Answer: The Department has not undertaken any recent modelling of the impact of the Hunting Act 2004 on fox populations or welfare.

Answered 13 Jan 2026

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what assessment she has made of the compatibility of the US National Security Strategy with the UK's Strategic Defence Review.

Answer: It is for the US to answer questions about the specifics of their own National Security Strategy. The UK shares the US’s objectives of bringing the war in Ukraine to an end, strengthening Euro-Atlantic security, burden sharing through NATO and increased d...

Answered 8 Jan 2026

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what recent assessment he has made of the potential merits of isolating the cost of electricity from natural gas.

Answer: I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave on 24th October to my hon Friend the Member for Slough (TanmanJeet Singh Dhesi) to question UIN [14374].

Answered 9 Jan 2026

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what recent assessment he has made of the potential merits of community energy networking.

Answer: The Government is ambitious about the role of local and community energy in delivering our mission to make Britain a clean energy superpower. We will publish our Local Power Plan soon which will set out how we will work with communities to deliver signifi...

Answered 9 Jan 2026

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what assessment he has made of the viability of the purchase of F-35As as an expansion of the UK nuclear deterrent in the context of the US National Security Strategy.

Answer: The United Kingdom is purchasing at least 12 F-35A aircraft. The aircraft will allow the UK to participate in NATO's Dual Capable Aircraft (DCA) nuclear mission. The nuclear weapons allocated to the NATO DCA nuclear mission are United States (US) nuclear ...

Answered 8 Jan 2026

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what recent diplomatic steps she has taken to help return Ukrainian children abducted by Russia.

Answer: I refer the Hon Member to the answer provided on 20 October 2025 in response to Question 80930, and I would add that - on 3 December - the UK co-sponsored a UN General Assembly resolution for the 'Return of Ukrainian Children'.I also refer the Hon Member ...

Answered 6 Jan 2026

Question: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what recent steps she has taken to seize frozen Russian assets and use them to resource Ukraine.

Answer: The Government remains determined to ensure Russia is held accountable for the damage it has caused, and continues to cause, in Ukraine. We will continue work and coordinate with G7 and EU partners to ensure that Ukraine gets the funding it needs, ensurin...

Answered 6 Jan 2026

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what recent discussions she had with her French counterpart on nuclear support to NATO.

Answer: The Foreign Secretary regularly speaks to her French counterpart, including on matters relating to NATO defence. The NATO Strategic Concept states that the independent strategic nuclear forces of the United Kingdom and France have a deterrent role of thei...

Answered 6 Jan 2026

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, pursuant to the Answer of 1 December 2025 to Question 93580 on Eating Disorders: Mental Health Services, when the Government expects to publish the modern service framework for mental health.

Answer: The Government plans to publish the modern service framework for severe mental illness in the latter half of 2026.Engagement on the modern service framework will involve a wide range of stakeholders, such as people with lived experience, clinicians, allie...

Answered 29 Dec 2025

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, pursuant to the Answer of 1 December 2025 to Question 93580 on Eating Disorders: Mental Health Services, which external stakeholders his Department is engaging with in the development of the modern

Answer: The Government plans to publish the modern service framework for severe mental illness in the latter half of 2026.Engagement on the modern service framework will involve a wide range of stakeholders, such as people with lived experience, clinicians, allie...

Answered 29 Dec 2025

Question: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what assessment her Department has made of the potential merits of funding British content creators through the taxation of online platforms.

Answer: We support domestic film and TV production through the tax system and through funding. The Audio-Visual Expenditure Credit (AVEC) provides companies with a generous tax credit worth 34 per cent of their UK production costs on a film or high-end TV program...

Answered 22 Dec 2025

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what assessment has her Department made of the potential merits of incorporating history-based video games to enhance learning.

Answer: Schools are trusted to use their judgement to choose high quality resources and deliver their lessons in ways that work best for their pupils. The independent Curriculum and Assessment Review has recommended that the department works with experts to asses...

Answered 23 Dec 2025

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what steps is she taking to ensure that the National Curriculum includes immersive experiences.

Answer: The government response to the Curriculum and Assessment Review, published on 5 November, sets out our plans for a refreshed curriculum to ensure that all pupils develop the knowledge and skills that we know are essential for life, work and innovation. Sc...

Answered 23 Dec 2025

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, whether her Department has made an assessment of the potential impact of the availability of low-quality, online children’s content on levels of SEND diagnosis.

Answer: Research from the European Agency for Special Needs and Inclusive Education demonstrates that rates of special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) identification are increasing internationally, and England is one of the countries with a relatively h...

Answered 23 Dec 2025

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what steps her Department is taking to ensure that online platforms offer children diversity of content.

Answer: The Government is committed to supporting high-quality, culturally relevant, UK-made children’s content, and the considerable benefits it brings. The popularity of online services, including video-sharing platforms, means there is now more choice than eve...

Answered 29 Dec 2025

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what steps her Department is taking to support children’s educational content creators on online platforms.

Answer: The Government is committed to supporting high-quality, culturally relevant, UK-made children’s content, and the considerable benefits it brings. The popularity of online services, including video-sharing platforms, means there is now more choice than eve...

Answered 29 Dec 2025

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what recent assessment his Department has made of the potential merits of issuing guidance to Independent Care Boards on the commissioning of providers for audiology care as an alternative to hospi

Answer: In line with the direction of travel set by 10-Year Health Plan, we expect integrated care boards (ICBs) to commission services to meet the reasonable needs of their populations rather than being prescriptive and adopting a one size fit all model for Engl...

Answered 5 Jan 2026

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, whether her Department plans to develop a UK major events strategy.

Answer: The UK is a world-class host for major events, and the government is investing in a decade-long pipeline to drive economic growth and community impact.Support for sporting events is already established through the Gold Framework. Additionally, DCMS will l...

Answered 24 Dec 2025

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what steps is she taking to incorporate culture and community in national strategic ambition.

Answer: Culture and community are integral to our national strategic ambition, serving as powerful catalysts for economic growth: the Creative Industry sector contributes 2.4 million jobs and £124 billion GVA to the economy, and social cohesion: evidence shows th...

Answered 22 Dec 2025

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what steps his Department is taking to support UK festival organisers with the implementation of the Employment Rights Bill, in the context of the workforce flexibility requirements of the sector.

Answer: Festivals are crucial to the UK's culture, providing a platform for emerging artists, supporting local economies and creative jobs, and bringing joy to thousands.The impact on UK festivals will depend on the regulations that we will bring forward followin...

Answered 23 Dec 2025

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what assessment his Department has made of the potential impact of the Employment Rights Bill on the Premier League and the Football League.

Answer: The Government published a comprehensive package of analysis on the impact of the Employment Rights Act and this is available here: http://www.gov.uk/guidance/employment-rights-bill-impact-assessments.

Answered 23 Dec 2025

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what steps her Department is taking to help ensure proper support for venues transitioning to the requirements of the Terrorism (Protection of Premises) Act 2025 during the implementation period.

Answer: The Terrorism (Protection of Premises) Act, also known as Martyn’s Law, received Royal Assent on 3 April 2025.An implementation period of at least 24 months is now underway, giving those responsible for premises and events sufficient time and support to m...

Answered 18 Dec 2025

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what steps her Department is taking to help ensure that the Terrorism (Protection of Premises) Act 2025 is enforced proportionally across venues of varying capacity.

Answer: The Government is committed to ensuring the Terrorism (Protection of Premises) Act 2025 is implemented in a proportionate and practicable way.An implementation period of at least 24 months is now underway, giving those responsible for premises and events ...

Answered 9 Jan 2026

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what assessment her Department has made of the potential role of business events in improving and building international partnerships.

Answer: The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) recognises that well‑designed business events play an important role in strengthening international partnerships. Through initiatives such as the Lancaster House Business Engagement Series, the Depar...

Answered 19 Dec 2025

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what assessment her Department has made of the potential impact of business events on economic growth.

Answer: Business events can generate economic growth, create jobs, and boost the visitor economy across the country. In 2024, business events contributed a reported £33.6 billion to the UK economy as a whole according to data from UK Events.The average business t...

Answered 22 Dec 2025

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what assessment her Department has made of trends in the number of students with SEND being excluded from school on the economy in the long-term.

Answer: The department regularly monitors trends in suspension and permanent exclusion rates for various pupil groups and undertakes regular reviews of the evidence concerning the long-term outcomes of pupils who have experienced a suspension or permanent exclusi...

Answered 7 Jan 2026

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what steps her Department is taking to deliver accessible training and support services for kinship carers.

Answer: Following the Care Review, the government appointed the first ever National Kinship Care Ambassador and updated the Kinship Care Statutory Guidance for Local Authorities, which can be found here: https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/670d3ed5e84a...

Answered 19 Dec 2025

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, when she plans to extend the Kinship Allowance programme to all eligible local authorities.

Answer: Following the Care Review, the government appointed the first ever National Kinship Care Ambassador and updated the Kinship Care Statutory Guidance for Local Authorities, which can be found here: https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/670d3ed5e84a...

Answered 19 Dec 2025

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what steps her Department is taking to meet to meet the ambition for kinship care set out by the Independent Review of Children’s Social Care.

Answer: Following the Care Review, the government appointed the first ever National Kinship Care Ambassador and updated the Kinship Care Statutory Guidance for Local Authorities, which can be found here: https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/670d3ed5e84a...

Answered 19 Dec 2025

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what steps she is taking to financially support kinship carers.

Answer: Following the Care Review, the government appointed the first ever National Kinship Care Ambassador and updated the Kinship Care Statutory Guidance for Local Authorities, which can be found here: https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/670d3ed5e84a...

Answered 19 Dec 2025

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what consideration her Department has given to using SEND resources to fund increased staffing and provision at mainstream schools; and if she will make an assessment of the potential impact of doing so on the

Answer: The department is committed to improving inclusivity and expertise in mainstream schools, ensuring teachers have the tools to better identify and support children before unmet needs escalate, as well as ensuring specialist special educational needs and di...

Answered 6 Jan 2026

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, how much funding her Department has provided for programmes that support the mental health of teachers and school staff in the last 12 months.

Answer: The department is funding the charity, Education Support, to deliver free mental health and wellbeing support to school and college leaders. Professional supervision enables leaders to work with qualified and experienced supervisors to develop strategies ...

Answered 19 Dec 2025

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what steps her Department is taking to support teacher health and wellbeing.

Answer: The department is working in partnership with the sector to improve staff mental health and wellbeing, and boost retention.We are continuing to fund the charity, Education Support, to provide free professional supervision and counselling to school and col...

Answered 30 Jan 2026

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what recent assessment her Department has made of the adequacy of the health and wellbeing of teachers.

Answer: Supporting the wellbeing of our expert education workforce is critical to this government’s mission to break down the barriers to opportunity for children and young people.The department tracks teacher wellbeing through the longitudinal study, the Working...

Answered 3 Feb 2026

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what assessment he has made of the potential implications for his policies of the US National Security Strategy, dated November 2025.

Answer: Just last weekend, 24 hours after the National Security Strategy was launched, I was in the US at the Reagan National Defence Forum – and spoke about this very issue with US and European Defence leaders. The US remains a critical ally and we will continue...

Answered 15 Dec 2025

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, whether he has made an assessment of the potential impact of the Autumn Budget 2025 on the mental health of (a) publicans and (b) people working in the hospitality sector.

Answer: Whilst no formal assessment has been made of the Autumn Budget’s impact on the mental health of publicans or hospitality workers, the Government recognises the pressures they face and the importance of supporting wellbeing and we welcome initiatives like ...

Answered 17 Dec 2025

Question: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what steps his Department is taking to strengthen neurodiversity awareness to ensure that every public servant can thrive equally in the workplace.

Answer: The Cabinet Office is taking a range of steps to strengthen neurodiversity awareness and support available. We have established a dedicated Neurodiversity Network, which provides a platform for colleagues to share lived experiences and access resources th...

Answered 12 Dec 2025

Question: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what recent assessment he has made of the adequacy of neurodiversity training and accountability across civil service departments.

Answer: We do not have any specific neurodiversity training available to all Civil Service departments. Civil Service Expectations is an e-learning course for all civil servants which explains why inclusion, diversity and equality is important to the Civil Servic...

Answered 12 Dec 2025

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps he is taking to help improve recruitment and training of specialists in Ehlers-Danlos syndromes.

Answer: We recognise that doctors can find it challenging to diagnose Ehlers-Danlos syndrome (EDS) because of the wide range and variability of symptoms, and that the most common type, hypermobile EDS, currently has no specific genetic test.Resources such as the ...

Answered 11 Dec 2025

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps he is taking to help improve treatment and specialist care of those with Ehlers-Danlos syndromes.

Answer: We recognise that doctors can find it challenging to diagnose Ehlers-Danlos syndrome (EDS) because of the wide range and variability of symptoms, and that the most common type, hypermobile EDS, currently has no specific genetic test.Resources such as the ...

Answered 11 Dec 2025

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps he is taking to help ensure that people with Ehlers-Danlos syndromes are quickly and accurately diagnosed.

Answer: We recognise that doctors can find it challenging to diagnose Ehlers-Danlos syndrome (EDS) because of the wide range and variability of symptoms, and that the most common type, hypermobile EDS, currently has no specific genetic test.Resources such as the ...

Answered 11 Dec 2025

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, if he will take steps to include provisions relating to the treatment and care of people with eating disorders in the forthcoming modern service framework for mental health.

Answer: The exact scope of the modern service framework for people with severe mental illness is currently under development with external stakeholders, but we expect that it will include care and treatment for people with eating disorders.

Answered 1 Dec 2025

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what measures he is taking her to support rental applications by individuals or families who are victims of domestic abuse.

Answer: This government is committed to supporting victims of domestic abuse. This is part of the government’s wider mission to halve violence against women and girls within a decade.Since 2021, local authorities in England have a statutory duty to ensure victims...

Answered 25 Nov 2025

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what steps his Department is taking to support victims of domestic abuse who urgently require alternative accommodation.

Answer: This government is committed to supporting victims of domestic abuse. This is part of the government’s wider mission to halve violence against women and girls within a decade.Since 2021, local authorities in England have a statutory duty to ensure victims...

Answered 25 Nov 2025

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what recent assessment her Department has made of the adequacy of financial support for parish choristers.

Answer: The Government supports the arts sector, including choirs and singing, through its arm’s-length body, Arts Council England (ACE). For the 2024/25 financial year, ACE has allocated £1.83 million in National Lottery Project Grants to projects classified und...

Answered 17 Nov 2025

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what steps she is taking to tackle monopolistic practices amongst broadband providers.

Answer: As the independent regulator for telecommunications, Ofcom is responsible for regulating the telecoms sector with a duty to further the interests of citizens and consumers, where appropriate by promoting competition.Where Ofcom determines a provider has s...

Answered 24 Nov 2025

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what steps she is taking to prevent the monopolisation of broadband provision in developments where the broadband provider is owned by the property developer.

Answer: Ofcom is responsible for regulating the telecoms sector, and it has a duty to further the interests of citizens and consumers, where appropriate by promoting competition.Developers decide which network operators they would like present in their buildings ...

Answered 24 Nov 2025

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what recent assessment she has made of effect of the monopolisation of broadband provision on developments where the broadband provider is owned by the property developer.

Answer: Ofcom is responsible for regulating the telecoms sector, and it has a duty to further the interests of citizens and consumers, where appropriate by promoting competition.Developers decide which network operators they would like present in their buildings ...

Answered 24 Nov 2025

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what recent assessment she has made of the adequacy of levels of responsibility on (a) banks and (b) receiving firms to (i) share information quickly and (ii) freeze funds in cases of fraud.

Answer: The Home Office continues to work with financial institutions, regulators, and law enforcement to ensure responsibilities for preventing and responding to fraud are clear and effective.The Payment Services (Amendment) Regulations 2024, effective October 2...

Answered 19 Nov 2025

Question: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what steps she is taking to help maintain (a) high street banks and (b) other non-digital alternatives to banking.

Answer: Banking is changing, with many customers benefitting from the ease and convenience of remote banking. However, Government understands the importance of face-to-face banking to communities and is committed to championing sufficient access for customers. In...

Answered 19 Nov 2025

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, whether she has had discussions with Cabinet colleagues on the potential merits of introducing increased reimbursement requirements for victims of fraud.

Answer: Tackling the threat of fraud and supporting victims is a top priority for this government.Reimbursement to victims remains an important way of mitigating the impact of fraud and incentivising industry to tackle the threat. The government and relevant regu...

Answered 19 Nov 2025

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what steps she is taking to support victims of fraud.

Answer: Tackling the threat of fraud and supporting victims is a top priority for this government.Reimbursement to victims remains an important way of mitigating the impact of fraud and incentivising industry to tackle the threat. The government and relevant regu...

Answered 19 Nov 2025

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what steps she is taking to ensure adequate accountability measures for telecom providers that help facilitate fraud.

Answer: Tackling fraud is a priority for the government and we recognise the impact that being a victim of fraud has on people. The Government works closely with Ofcom and industry and recently published the second Telecommunications Fraud Sector Charter – action...

Answered 19 Nov 2025

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what steps she is taking to help reduce public exposure to (a) fraud and (b) scams on social media platforms.

Answer: The Online Safety Act (OSA) lists fraud as a priority offence; requiring companies prevent and mitigate scams on their platforms. The OSA also requires large social media companies (‘Category 1’) to have transparent routes for users to complain about frau...

Answered 19 Nov 2025

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what steps her Department taking to help tackle digital exclusion among elderly people.

Answer: We know that digital exclusion is a complex issue and some demographics are more likely to be digitally excluded than others, including older people.That’s why in February; we published the Digital Inclusion Action Plan which outlines the immediate action...

Answered 19 Nov 2025

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what steps her Department is taking to increase support for parish choirs.

Answer: The Government supports the arts sector, including choirs and singing, through its arm’s-length body, Arts Council England (ACE). For the 2024/25 financial year, ACE has allocated £1.83 million in National Lottery Project Grants to projects classified und...

Answered 17 Nov 2025

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what steps her Department is taking to improve early intervention for dyslexic learners.

Answer: I refer the hon. Member for Tewkesbury to the answer of 1 December to Question 85049.

Answered 1 Dec 2025

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment her Department has made of the potential impact of the Autumn Budget 2024 on the (a) physical and (b) mental health of (i) farmers and (ii) the agricultural sector.

Answer: We regularly liaise with farming welfare charities and industry stakeholder groups to understand the issues affecting farmers mental health and any impacts resulting from poor mental health. Since 2024, Defra has funded the Farmer Welfare Grant, which sup...

Answered 5 Nov 2025

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what discussions she has had with Cabinet colleagues on raising the cap for 100% Agricultural Property Relief to £5 million.

Answer: The Secretary of State has regular discussions with Cabinet colleagues on a range of issues, Cabinet discussions are considered confidential.

Answered 4 Nov 2025

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what discussions she has had with Cabinet colleagues on the potential merits of introducing overproduction czars at the local government level that would (a) assess local overproductio

Answer: Both the Secretary of State and the food minister meet routinely with Parliamentary colleagues and key food organisations to discuss matters relating to the sector. The Government is taking action to deliver effective management of food production, and we...

Answered 6 Nov 2025

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what does she plan to set the spending cap at for the relaunched 2026 Sustainable Farming Incentive scheme.

Answer: Defra is working closely with farmers and industry stakeholders to design a future Sustainable Farming Incentive (SFI) offer that will better target the SFI in an orderly way towards our priorities for food, farming and nature. Information and plans for t...

Answered 5 Nov 2025

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, when her Department plans to announce the opening of applications for the relaunched 2026 Sustainable Farming Incentive scheme.

Answer: Defra is working closely with farmers and industry stakeholders to design a future Sustainable Farming Incentive (SFI) offer that will better target the SFI in an orderly way towards our priorities for food, farming and nature. Information and plans for t...

Answered 5 Nov 2025

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether he is taking steps to ensure accountability for the equitable provision of palliative care.

Answer: Palliative care services are included in the list of services an integrated care board (ICB) must commission. To support ICBs in this duty, NHS England has published statutory guidance and service specifications. The statutory guidance states that ICBs mu...

Answered 4 Nov 2025

Question: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, which 20 companies made the largest tax contributions to the Exchequer in the 2024-25 financial year.

Answer: HM Revenue and Customs are unable to disclose which 20 companies made the largest tax contributions to the Exchequer in the 2024-25 financial year. To do so would be a breach of HM Revenue and Customs’ duty of taxpayer confidentiality.

Answered 4 Nov 2025

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what steps she is taking to ensure that the progress of children with SEND is accurately measured.

Answer: Through the school census, the department collects data on the performance of children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities across the country. We use this to routinely publish data on the outcomes of pupils with special educat...

Answered 23 Oct 2025

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what steps she is taking to put the SEN support arrangements on a statutory footing.

Answer: This government’s ambition is that all children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) or in alternative provision receive the right support to succeed in their education and as they move into adult life.We are aware of th...

Answered 23 Oct 2025

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what steps she is taking to introduce a standardised national framework for supporting children with SEND.

Answer: This government’s ambition is that all children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) or in alternative provision receive the right support to succeed in their education and as they move into adult life.We are aware of th...

Answered 23 Oct 2025

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what steps her Department is taking to ensure provision is available for all disabled children to receive an education in schools rather than at home.

Answer: The government is committed to improving inclusivity and expertise in mainstream schools, as well as ensuring special and alternative provision schools cater to those with the most complex needs.We expect schools to welcome all pupils, including those wit...

Answered 23 Oct 2025

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, whether the recently announced £15,000 bursary for SEND-specialist teacher trainees will include those training to become multi-sensory impairment teachers.

Answer: The department recently announced that the further education (FE) initial teacher education bursaries programme will continue to be available for the 2026/27 academic year. Eligible subjects include special educational needs and disabilities (SEND), with ...

Answered 23 Oct 2025

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what recent discussions she has had with Cabinet colleagues on the potential merits of taking steps to help ensure that all local authorities employ multi-sensory impairment teachers.

Answer: It is the responsibility of local authorities, schools, and further education (FE) settings to commission appropriately qualified staff to support the education of children and young people in their area.To teach a class of pupils with sensory impairments...

Answered 24 Oct 2025

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what steps her Department is taking to improve recruitment and retention of multi-sensory impairment teachers.

Answer: It is the responsibility of local authorities, schools, and further education (FE) settings to commission appropriately qualified staff to support the education of children and young people in their area.To teach a class of pupils with sensory impairments...

Answered 24 Oct 2025

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what recent assessment her Department has made of the adequacy of the provision of multi-sensory impairment teachers.

Answer: It is the responsibility of local authorities, schools, and further education (FE) settings to commission appropriately qualified staff to support the education of children and young people in their area.To teach a class of pupils with sensory impairments...

Answered 24 Oct 2025

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what steps her Department is taking to help protect parliamentarians from espionage carried out by foreign intelligence services.

Answer: The Defending Democracy Taskforce works closely with Parliament and the Parliamentary Security Department (PSD), to raise awareness and strengthen the protection of our Parliamentarians and their teams against a range of threats including foreign interfer...

Answered 29 Oct 2025

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what recent assessment her Department has made of the effectiveness of its policies in tackling malnutrition in Nigeria.

Answer: I refer the Hon Member to the answer provided on 2 October to Question 73649.

Answered 24 Oct 2025

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what discussions she has had with NGOs on tackling malnutrition in Nigeria.

Answer: I refer the Hon Member to the answer provided on 2 October to Question 73649.

Answered 24 Oct 2025

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what discussions she has had with (a) her Nigerian counterpart and (b) governors of Nigerian states on malnutrition in that country.

Answer: I refer the Hon Member to the answer provided on 2 October to Question 73649.

Answered 24 Oct 2025

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what assessment her Department has made of the potential impact of reductions in the international aid budget on malnutrition in Nigeria.

Answer: I refer the Hon Member to the answer provided on 2 October to Question 73649.

Answered 24 Oct 2025

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, if he will make it his policy to extend the eligibility criteria for the covid-19 vaccine to include people with asthma.

Answer: The Government is committed to protecting those most vulnerable to COVID-19 through vaccination, as guided by the independent Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI). The primary aim of the national COVID-19 vaccination programme remains th...

Answered 20 Oct 2025

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what plans her Department has to allow holders of disability-related concessionary bus passes to use their passes at all times on weekdays.

Answer: The English National Concessionary Travel Scheme (ENCTS) provides free off-peak bus travel to those with eligible disabilities and those of state pension age. The ENCTS costs around £700 million annually and any changes to the statutory obligations, such ...

Answered 21 Oct 2025

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps her Department is taking to ensure that disabled people have access to all modes of public transport on every day of the week.

Answer: The government wants everyone to have access to accessible and reliable public transport every day of the week.We are committed to improving bus services, so they are more inclusive and enable everyone to travel safely and confidently. In December last ye...

Answered 20 Oct 2025

Question: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what steps her Department is taking to help mitigate the potential impact of moving the Valuation Office Agency into HMRC on the timely processing of cases.

Answer: The VOA is meeting the majority of its performance targets. In the areas where it isn’t, it has robust service recovery plans in place. These include moving staff to where there is the greatest customer demand and upskilling its workforce in a wider range...

Answered 21 Oct 2025

Question: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what steps her Department is taking to ensure the Valuation Office Agency processes cases in a timely manner.

Answer: The VOA is meeting the majority of its performance targets. In the areas where it isn’t, it has robust service recovery plans in place. These include moving staff to where there is the greatest customer demand and upskilling its workforce in a wider range...

Answered 21 Oct 2025

Question: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what steps her Department is taking to help people track the progress of cases pending with the Valuation Office Agency.

Answer: The VOA is meeting the majority of its performance targets. In the areas where it isn’t, it has robust service recovery plans in place. These include moving staff to where there is the greatest customer demand and upskilling its workforce in a wider range...

Answered 21 Oct 2025

Question: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what assessment has she made of the volume of cases waiting to be considered by the Valuation Office Agency.

Answer: The VOA is meeting the majority of its performance targets. In the areas where it isn’t, it has robust service recovery plans in place. These include moving staff to where there is the greatest customer demand and upskilling its workforce in a wider range...

Answered 21 Oct 2025

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what steps her Department is taking to help tackle anti-social behaviour in large housing developments.

Answer: Tackling anti-social behaviour (ASB) is a top priority for this Government, and a key part of our Safer Streets Mission.We understand that ASB causes great harm and misery to our communities, and, if left unchecked, can lead to more serious offending.When...

Answered 28 Oct 2025

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what recent discussions she has had with Gloucestershire Constabulary on anti-social behaviour.

Answer: Tackling Anti-Social Behaviour (ASB) is a top priority for this Government, and a key part of our Safer Streets Mission and through the Crime and Policing Bill, we are strengthening the powers available to police and other relevant agencies under the Anti...

Answered 20 Oct 2025

Question: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what steps she is taking to help ensure fair council tax valuations in areas with new residential developments.

Answer: For Council Tax purposes all homes are assessed to reflect their open market value at a valuation date set in law, which in England is 1 April 1991. This is so all properties, even new ones, are valued on a fair and consistent basis. To band a property, t...

Answered 20 Oct 2025

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what steps her Department is taking to support male victims of domestic violence.

Answer: We recognise that men and boys experience abusive and violent crimes, such as stalking, domestic abuse, and sexual violence. That is why we are committed to ensuring male victims and survivors get the support they need. We are working tirelessly across go...

Answered 20 Oct 2025

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what recent discussions she has had with Cabinet colleagues on the processing of SET DV applications.

Answer: Tackling violence against women and girls is a top priority for this government and our mission is to halve levels of violence against women and girls within a decade.Migrant victims of domestic abuse can apply via form SET(DV) for immediate settlement un...

Answered 20 Oct 2025

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what steps she is taking to enable citizenship applicants to track the progress of their applications.

Answer: Citizenship customers can submit their application for British citizenship online, however they are not currently able to track it’s progress.The service standard for the processing of a straightforward application for British citizenship is six months.Th...

Answered 20 Oct 2025

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what estimate her Department has made of the time it will take UK Visas and Immigration to process its backlog of citizenship applications for people with indefinite leave to remain.

Answer: The service standard for the processing of a straightforward application for British citizenship is six months.The most recent migration transparency data confirms that 99.36% of straightforward applications for citizenship are processed within published ...

Answered 20 Oct 2025

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, whether there is a backlog of citizenship applications from people with indefinite leave to remain.

Answer: The service standard for the processing of a straightforward application for British citizenship is six months.The most recent migration transparency data confirms that 99.36% of straightforward applications for citizenship are processed within published ...

Answered 20 Oct 2025

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps his Department is taking to help increase capacity in phlebotomy services.

Answer: Blood tests are among the most commonly requested diagnostic investigations across primary and secondary care, and they are readily available across all 27 National Health Service pathology networks. Phlebotomy – the procedure to collect blood samples – i...

Answered 20 Oct 2025

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps he is taking to ensure equality of access to tofersen by people diagnosed with SOD1 motor neurone disease across England.

Answer: The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) is the independent body responsible for developing authoritative, evidence-based recommendations for the National Health Service on whether new medicines represent a clinically and cost-effectiv...

Answered 30 Oct 2025

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what steps he is taking with the Minister for Defence to ensure that veterans in receipt of means-tested support who are living in areas with district councils are not disadvanta

Answer: There will be no changes to how we expect councils to continue to support the armed forces community throughout the local government reorganisation process.By abolishing two-tier local government across England, we will set up strong unitary councils that...

Answered 22 Oct 2025

Question: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of remote gambling harmonisation on the horse racing industry.

Answer: The Government consulted on proposals to simplify the current gambling tax system. Responses are now being analysed and a response to the consultation will be published at Autumn Budget 2025. If any changes are made to gambling duties at a future Budget f...

Answered 15 Oct 2025

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what discussions she has had with Cabinet colleagues on integrating nature risks into broader security and risk planning.

Answer: Nature risks are recognised in the Government’s National Security Strategy 2025: Security for the British People in a Dangerous World. Its implementation will ensure these risks inform security and risk planning across Government. Together with my Cabinet...

Answered 20 Oct 2025

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps her Department is taking to incentivise private investment in large nature recovery projects.

Answer: Defra has put in place a number of interventions to scale up private sector investment in nature recovery projects across England. These include:Supporting market development through our partnership with the British Standards Institution to develop a suit...

Answered 20 Oct 2025

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps she is taking to secure long-term public budgets for nature recovery.

Answer: We are prioritising investment that supports the Government’s Plan for Change and builds work to reform Defra to drive growth, while maintaining our commitment to farming, food security, and nature’s recovery. This Government has committed a record £11.8 ...

Answered 20 Oct 2025

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what recent assessment her Department has made of the adequacy of the Environmental Land Management payment scheme in supporting farmers with a clear roadmap to 2030.

Answer: This Government has committed a record £11.8 billion allocation to deliver sustainable farming and food production over this parliament. This includes increasing spend on nature-friendly farming including Environmental Land Management schemes to £2 billio...

Answered 20 Oct 2025