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

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what steps his Department is taking to help ensure that local authorities have the resources to activate the Severe Weather Emergency Protocol promptly and provide sufficient safe accommodation during periods of extreme cold.

Answered by Alison McGovern - Minister of State (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

Local authorities should plan services which meet the needs of people in their area, which includes planning for periods of extreme cold. The government is providing more than £3.3 billion in homelessness and rough sleeping funding from 2026/27 to 2028/29 through the Local Government Finance Settlement, and councils can use this and their wider settlement to plan and deliver safe accommodation during periods of extreme weather.

Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of current move‑on and eviction notice periods from asylum accommodation on refugee homelessness.

Answered by Alex Norris - Minister of State (Home Office)

For individuals granted leave to remain, we are committed to successfully transitioning them from asylum accommodation, which is why we have extended the grace period to 42 days, from 28 days. In limited circumstances, the 42 day period can be extended on a discretionary basis. Information on extensions can be found in published guidance on GOV.UK here: www.gov.uk/government/publications/ceasing-asylum-support-instruction

In reaching this position, a range of evidence, including key findings from a 56-day pilot evaluation, operational data, and forecasted impacts on the asylum accommodation estate were considered. The Home Office will continue to work closely with our partners to reduce barriers and support effective transitions from asylum accommodation.

Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what discussions he has had with energy providers, including Bunch Energy, on improving customer services.

Answered by Martin McCluskey - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)

The Government takes the issue of the quality of customer service offered by suppliers very seriously. The Supplier Licence conditions set down by the industry regulator Ofgem require suppliers to meet certain conditions with respect of customer enquiries. These include offering a range of methods to meet the needs of customers, and be available to receive enquiries and offer assistance, guidance, or advice at times that meet the needs of customers.

My Rt. Hon. Friend the Secretary of State has regular meetings with stakeholders on a range of issues. Details of Ministers' and Permanent Secretaries' meetings with external individuals and organisations are published quarterly in arrears on GOV.UK.

Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to her written statement of 2 March 2026 on Asylum changes, by what date her department intends to have operationalised a Named Community Sponsorship scheme for refugee resettlement.

Answered by Alex Norris - Minister of State (Home Office)

In the Restoring Order and Control policy statement, the Government committed to transforming its approach to safe and legal routes. This included the creation of a named sponsorship scheme to enable community groups to sponsor refugees and displaced persons.

Work is underway to deliver the named community sponsorship route.

Further details, including timeframes for the launch of the route and the volume of beneficiaries, will be set out in due course.

Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to her written statement of 2 March 2026 on Asylum changes, what assessment her department has made of the adequacy of the timeline for establishing a Named Community Sponsorship scheme.

Answered by Alex Norris - Minister of State (Home Office)

In the Restoring Order and Control policy statement, the Government committed to transforming its approach to safe and legal routes. This included the creation of a named sponsorship scheme to enable community groups to sponsor refugees and displaced persons.

Work is underway to deliver the named community sponsorship route.

Further details, including timeframes for the launch of the route and the volume of beneficiaries, will be set out in due course.

Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to her written statement of 2 March 2026 on Asylum changes, what the target number of resettlements is under a Named Community Sponsorship scheme.

Answered by Alex Norris - Minister of State (Home Office)

In the Restoring Order and Control policy statement, the Government committed to transforming its approach to safe and legal routes. This included the creation of a named sponsorship scheme to enable community groups to sponsor refugees and displaced persons.

Work is underway to deliver the named community sponsorship route.

Further details, including timeframes for the launch of the route and the volume of beneficiaries, will be set out in due course.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether she plans to review VAT on veterinary services.

Answered by Dan Tomlinson - Exchequer Secretary (HM Treasury)

VAT is a broad-based tax on consumption, and the 20 per cent standard rate applies to most goods and services. Tax breaks reduce the revenue available for public services, and must represent value for money for the taxpayer.

Exceptions to the standard rate have always been limited and balanced against affordability considerations.

One of the key considerations for any potential new VAT relief is whether the cost saving is likely to be passed on to consumers. Evidence suggests that businesses only partially pass on any savings from lower VAT rates, meaning that cutting VAT may not be an effective way to reduce prices for consumers.

The Chancellor makes decisions on tax policy at fiscal events in the context of the overall public finances. Since taking office the Government has taken a number of decisions on tax, welfare, and spending to fix the public finances, fund public services, and restore economic stability. This stability is critical to boosting investment and growth, and to making people across the UK better off.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether she has made an assessment of the potential merits of applying a (a) reduced and (b) zero rate of VAT to essential veterinary (i) treatment and (ii) medicines.

Answered by Dan Tomlinson - Exchequer Secretary (HM Treasury)

VAT is a broad-based tax on consumption, and the 20 per cent standard rate applies to most goods and services. Tax breaks reduce the revenue available for public services, and must represent value for money for the taxpayer.

Exceptions to the standard rate have always been limited and balanced against affordability considerations.

One of the key considerations for any potential new VAT relief is whether the cost saving is likely to be passed on to consumers. Evidence suggests that businesses only partially pass on any savings from lower VAT rates, meaning that cutting VAT may not be an effective way to reduce prices for consumers.

The Chancellor makes decisions on tax policy at fiscal events in the context of the overall public finances. Since taking office the Government has taken a number of decisions on tax, welfare, and spending to fix the public finances, fund public services, and restore economic stability. This stability is critical to boosting investment and growth, and to making people across the UK better off.

Question to the Department for Science, Innovation & Technology:

To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what steps her Department is taking to support early-career researchers funded through the Science and Technology Facilities Council, in the context of funding uncertainty.

Answered by Kanishka Narayan - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Science, Innovation and Technology)

The Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT) has committed a record £58.5 billion investment in R&D over the next 4 years. This includes £38.6 billion allocated to UKRI. The overall Government spend on R&D over the next 4 years is £86 billion.

The Science and Technology Facilities Council (STFC) within UKRI has a flat budget across this period and is currently working with the sector to model different spending scenarios for its overall portfolio including in particle physics, astronomy and nuclear physics (PPAN). The impacts of different modelled scenarios across the broad and diverse range of STFC-funded facilities and programmes (which includes the Jodrell Bank Observatory), will be considered alongside feedback from the sector when taking final decisions. The current level of post-doctoral researchers and flow of PhD students will be maintained across the SR period.

DSIT has asked UKRI to ensure that its specific investment decisions are informed by meaningful engagement with the scientific research community and a robust assessment of potential consequences for the UK’s scientific capability, research institutions and international standing.

Question to the Department for Science, Innovation & Technology:

To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of changes to STFC funding on (a) the Jodrell Bank Observatory and (b) other research facilities.

Answered by Kanishka Narayan - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Science, Innovation and Technology)

The Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT) has committed a record £58.5 billion investment in R&D over the next 4 years. This includes £38.6 billion allocated to UKRI. The overall Government spend on R&D over the next 4 years is £86 billion.

The Science and Technology Facilities Council (STFC) within UKRI has a flat budget across this period and is currently working with the sector to model different spending scenarios for its overall portfolio including in particle physics, astronomy and nuclear physics (PPAN). The impacts of different modelled scenarios across the broad and diverse range of STFC-funded facilities and programmes (which includes the Jodrell Bank Observatory), will be considered alongside feedback from the sector when taking final decisions. The current level of post-doctoral researchers and flow of PhD students will be maintained across the SR period.

DSIT has asked UKRI to ensure that its specific investment decisions are informed by meaningful engagement with the scientific research community and a robust assessment of potential consequences for the UK’s scientific capability, research institutions and international standing.

Question to the Department for Science, Innovation & Technology:

To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of changes to Science and Technology Facilities Council funding on the UK’s global position in astronomy and physics research.

Answered by Kanishka Narayan - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Science, Innovation and Technology)

The Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT) has committed a record £58.5 billion investment in R&D over the next 4 years. This includes £38.6 billion allocated to UKRI. The overall Government spend on R&D over the next 4 years is £86 billion.

The Science and Technology Facilities Council (STFC) within UKRI has a flat budget across this period and is currently working with the sector to model different spending scenarios for its overall portfolio including in particle physics, astronomy and nuclear physics (PPAN). The impacts of different modelled scenarios across the broad and diverse range of STFC-funded facilities and programmes (which includes the Jodrell Bank Observatory), will be considered alongside feedback from the sector when taking final decisions. The current level of post-doctoral researchers and flow of PhD students will be maintained across the SR period.

DSIT has asked UKRI to ensure that its specific investment decisions are informed by meaningful engagement with the scientific research community and a robust assessment of potential consequences for the UK’s scientific capability, research institutions and international standing.

Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many Muslim organisations have applied for funding through the Places of Worship Protective Security Scheme in every year since it was established; and of these, how many have been successful in obtaining funding.

Answered by Dan Jarvis - Minister of State (Cabinet Office)

The Places of Worship Protective Security Scheme is open to places of worship from all faith communities, except for Muslim and Jewish sites, which are supported through separate schemes. Muslim organisations are therefore not eligible for the Places of Worship Protective Security Scheme. Instead, mosques and their associated faith community centres can access protective security measures through the Protective Security for Mosques Scheme.

However, between 2016 and the launch of the Protective Security for Mosques Scheme in 2023, Muslim communities were eligible to apply to the Places of Worship Protective Security Scheme.

To protect the integrity of the scheme and ensure the continued safety of vulnerable sites, the Home Office does not publish data on processing of applications or the specific offers made to individual sites. Releasing this information could inadvertently disclose sensitive details about faith communities and their security arrangements.

Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what steps her Department is taking to ensure local and regional government leaders have sufficient information about the Better Futures Fund application process ahead of the Summer 2026 bidding round opening.

Answered by Stephanie Peacock - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Culture, Media and Sport)

DCMS is currently in the design stages of the Better Futures Fund and is currently in dialogue with Mayoral Strategic Authorities to assess their capacity for participation in delivery. DCMS intends to launch a dedicated capacity and capability building programme in the autumn this year, that will include ongoing support and information for regional and local commissioners.

DCMS intends to publish eligibility criteria alongside an invitation to bidders in Summer 2026. This will be aimed at projects where all partners have a track record of successful social outcomes partnership delivery. The bidding will target projects and commissioners that are able to launch quickly, with a commensurate application process.

Round 1 bids will be aimed at projects where all partners have a track record of successful social outcomes partnership delivery. DCMS will ensure that appropriate information sharing and engagement is included in the application process, but anticipates working with commissioners with good foreknowledge of social outcomes partnerships.

Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what engagement her Department plans to undertake with local and regional government leaders ahead of the Summer 2026 Better Futures Fund bidding round to maximise the quality and diversity of applications received.

Answered by Stephanie Peacock - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Culture, Media and Sport)

DCMS is currently in the design stages of the Better Futures Fund and is currently in dialogue with Mayoral Strategic Authorities to assess their capacity for participation in delivery. DCMS intends to launch a dedicated capacity and capability building programme in the autumn this year, that will include ongoing support and information for regional and local commissioners.

DCMS intends to publish eligibility criteria alongside an invitation to bidders in Summer 2026. This will be aimed at projects where all partners have a track record of successful social outcomes partnership delivery. The bidding will target projects and commissioners that are able to launch quickly, with a commensurate application process.

Round 1 bids will be aimed at projects where all partners have a track record of successful social outcomes partnership delivery. DCMS will ensure that appropriate information sharing and engagement is included in the application process, but anticipates working with commissioners with good foreknowledge of social outcomes partnerships.

Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, when her Department plans to publish eligibility criteria and target outcomes for the first phase of the Better Futures Fund so that local authorities can begin preparing applications in good time.

Answered by Stephanie Peacock - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Culture, Media and Sport)

DCMS is currently in the design stages of the Better Futures Fund and is currently in dialogue with Mayoral Strategic Authorities to assess their capacity for participation in delivery. DCMS intends to launch a dedicated capacity and capability building programme in the autumn this year, that will include ongoing support and information for regional and local commissioners.

DCMS intends to publish eligibility criteria alongside an invitation to bidders in Summer 2026. This will be aimed at projects where all partners have a track record of successful social outcomes partnership delivery. The bidding will target projects and commissioners that are able to launch quickly, with a commensurate application process.

Round 1 bids will be aimed at projects where all partners have a track record of successful social outcomes partnership delivery. DCMS will ensure that appropriate information sharing and engagement is included in the application process, but anticipates working with commissioners with good foreknowledge of social outcomes partnerships.

Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what estimate she has made of the average length of time for applications to the Protective Security for Mosques Scheme to be determined since that Scheme was established.

Answered by Dan Jarvis - Minister of State (Cabinet Office)

The Protective Security for Mosques Scheme receives a high volume of applications, and each is assessed to ensure that public money is used proportionately, fairly, and in line with the Scheme’s eligibility requirements.

Processing times can vary depending on application volumes and the circumstances of individual sites. As such, the Home Office does not hold a published estimate of the average length of time for applications to be determined since the Scheme was established.

We continue to work to improve the consistency and timeliness of decisions while ensuring that assessments remain proportionate and aligned with value‑for‑money considerations.

Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how much funding was provided to Muslim institutions through the (a) Places of Worship Protective Security Scheme and (b) Protective Security for Mosques Scheme in each year since they were established.

Answered by Dan Jarvis - Minister of State (Cabinet Office)

The Home Office provides protective security for Places of Worship as part of three separate strands. These are the Protective Security for Mosques Scheme and protection for Muslim faith schools (since 2023/24), the Jewish Community Protective Security Grant (administered by the Community Security Trust) and the Places of Worship Protective Security Scheme (for all other, non-Muslim and non-Jewish, faiths). Prior to 2023/24, the Muslim community were eligible for support under the Places of Worship Protective Security Scheme.

No funding is provided directly from the Home Office to any place of worship, instead they receive protective security measures funded by the Home Office via contracts or grants.

Since the launch of the Places of Worship Protective Security Scheme and the Protective Security for Mosques Scheme, up to the following amounts have been made available.

In 2026/27, record funding of up to £73.4 million is being made available to protect faith communities. This includes £40 million through the Protective Security for Mosques Scheme and for security at Muslim faith schools, and £5 million for the places of worship and associated faith community centres of all other faiths.

Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what estimate she has made of the average length of time for security measures to be implemented following funding being approved through the Protective Security for Mosques Scheme.

Answered by Dan Jarvis - Minister of State (Cabinet Office)

The Protective Security for Mosques Scheme provides fully funded protective security measures to eligible mosques and associated community centres across the UK.

Implementation timelines under the Protective Security for Mosques Scheme can vary, as they are influenced by a range of operational and site‑specific factors. Once a site has been approved, it is referred to our delivery partners for the necessary survey and subsequent installation activity.

In some cases, additional steps may be required before installation can proceed, such as local planning permission or the production of bespoke security equipment tailored to the site. These elements, which sit outside the Home Office’s direct control, can contribute to longer timeframes.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether she has had discussions with Israeli ministers about the annexation of Sebastia in the West Bank.

Answered by Hamish Falconer - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)

I refer the Hon. Member to response given on 24 March to question 120656.