Question to the Department for Business and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what steps he is taking to hold online marketplaces to account for dangerous products sold through their platforms; and when he plans to launch a consultation on the Product Regulation and Metrology Act 2025's measures in relation to product safety.

Answered by Kate Dearden - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade)

UK product safety law is clear: all products must be safe before being placed on the market. However, we recognise that the supply of unsafe goods via online marketplaces is a significant issue. The Government has therefore put in place the Product Regulation and Metrology Act (2025), which allows us to introduce new and clearer responsibilities for e-commerce businesses, whilst promoting consumer safety and ensuring fairer competition.

Government has committed to consult on proposals to modernise and clarify these responsibilities at the earliest opportunity, building upon best practice to create an effective and proportionate regulatory framework.

Question to the Department for Business and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what steps he is taking to regulate online marketplaces to prevent the sale of unsafe products.

Answered by Kate Dearden - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade)

UK product safety law is clear: all products must be safe before being placed on the market. However, we recognise that the supply of unsafe goods via online marketplaces is a significant issue. The Government has therefore put in place the Product Regulation and Metrology Act (2025), which allows us to introduce new and clearer responsibilities for e-commerce businesses, whilst promoting consumer safety and ensuring fairer competition.

Government has committed to consult on proposals to modernise and clarify these responsibilities at the earliest opportunity, building upon best practice to create an effective and proportionate regulatory framework.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what steps he has taken to support good (a) mental and (b) physical health amongst retired veterans.

Answered by Louise Sandher-Jones - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence)

This Government remains dedicated in recognising our veterans for their service and is fully committed to ensuring that veterans are able to access the care and support they need.

In England, NHS England provides Op COURAGE, which delivers a broad range of specialist mental health wellbeing care and support for service leavers, reservists, and veterans. Op RESTORE provides specialist care and support to veterans who have physical health problems as a result of their service. Separate provision is available for veterans living in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.

Earlier this year we launched VALOUR, a new national programme designed to make it easier for veterans across the UK to access support when it is needed. The £27 million VALOUR development funding programme will deliver VALOUR Recognised Centres across the country, which will help cohere service provision and ensure that veterans can meet and discuss their issues with others who understand their unique experiences, within their communities, to further enhance their wellbeing.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what assessment his Department has made of the implications for her policies of the United States’ recent decision to ease sanctions on Belarus following the release of political prisoners.

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

We welcome the release of political prisoners in September, secured through US diplomatic efforts in close coordination with the UK and other international partners, and call for the immediate and unconditional release of all remaining political prisoners. Our Embassy in Minsk regularly attends trials and engages with the families of political prisoners.

We regularly engage with Belarusian civil society and democratic forces in exile.

We do not comment on other countries' sanctions. To date, the UK has issued over 200 sanctions in response to human rights violations in Belarus and activities destabilising or threatening to destabilise Ukraine, including through the Government of Belarus' support for Russia's aggression in Ukraine.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what assessment she has made of the level of night time medical evacuation capability in Montserrat, and what steps she is taking to ensure that residents have access to safe and timely emergency medical evacuation comparable to that available in other UK Overseas Territories.

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

The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) is supporting the Government of Montserrat and Air Safety Support International to scope extending Montserrat's airport operations to night time, including to enable night time medical evacuations. The FCDO has also supported construction of a new air traffic control tower to ensure regulatory compliance, operational readiness and staff safety, due to complete this year.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether her Department will undertake a review of Montserrat’s emergency medical evacuation arrangements including (a) nighttime capability and (b) the use of pre-evacuation financial liability agreements.

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

The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) is supporting the Government of Montserrat and Air Safety Support International to scope extending Montserrat's airport operations to night time, including to enable night time medical evacuations. The FCDO has also supported construction of a new air traffic control tower to ensure regulatory compliance, operational readiness and staff safety, due to complete this year.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether the Government will consider providing technical or financial assistance to establish night time air or sea medical evacuation capability in Montserrat.

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

The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) is supporting the Government of Montserrat and Air Safety Support International to scope extending Montserrat's airport operations to night time, including to enable night time medical evacuations. The FCDO has also supported construction of a new air traffic control tower to ensure regulatory compliance, operational readiness and staff safety, due to complete this year.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what steps the Government is taking to engage with Belarusian civil society and democratic forces in exile.

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

We welcome the release of political prisoners in September, secured through US diplomatic efforts in close coordination with the UK and other international partners, and call for the immediate and unconditional release of all remaining political prisoners. Our Embassy in Minsk regularly attends trials and engages with the families of political prisoners.

We regularly engage with Belarusian civil society and democratic forces in exile.

We do not comment on other countries' sanctions. To date, the UK has issued over 200 sanctions in response to human rights violations in Belarus and activities destabilising or threatening to destabilise Ukraine, including through the Government of Belarus' support for Russia's aggression in Ukraine.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what steps the Government is taking to support the release of political prisoners detained in Belarus.

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

We welcome the release of political prisoners in September, secured through US diplomatic efforts in close coordination with the UK and other international partners, and call for the immediate and unconditional release of all remaining political prisoners. Our Embassy in Minsk regularly attends trials and engages with the families of political prisoners.

We regularly engage with Belarusian civil society and democratic forces in exile.

We do not comment on other countries' sanctions. To date, the UK has issued over 200 sanctions in response to human rights violations in Belarus and activities destabilising or threatening to destabilise Ukraine, including through the Government of Belarus' support for Russia's aggression in Ukraine.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, pursuant to the Answer of 6 November 2025 to Question 86191, what steps her Department has taken to improve the development of health services and specialist medical care in Montserrat.

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

I refer the Hon. Member to the answer I gave on 6 November to Question 86192.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, how a) treatment plans b) payment plans are determined based on the patient’s status of i) British Citizen ii) Citizen of a British Overseas territory.

Answered by Karin Smyth - Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)

Treatment plans are agreed between clinicians and patients based on clinical needs. Only those who are not ordinarily resident in the United Kingdom are required to pay for healthcare in England unless an exemption applies. Payment plans are agreed between trusts and the patient based on their individual circumstances, and where it is appropriate to do so.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what discussions he has had with the Government of Montserrat regarding the requirement that patients accept full financial liability for medivac costs and all overseas medical expenses prior to emergency evacuation, and whether this policy is consistent with UK support for the territory’s health budget and obligations under Article 73 of the UN Charter.

Answered by Zubir Ahmed - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)

The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office provides budget support to the Government of Montserrat. Specific healthcare budget allocations are a matter for the Government of Montserrat. The United Kingdom Government fulfils all its responsibilities under Article 73 of the United Nations Charter to promote the political, economic, social, and educational advancement of the overseas territories.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what information her Department holds on the proportion of parking fines administered by local authorities that have been overturned in every year since 2010.

Answered by Simon Lightwood - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)

The Department for Transport does not hold this data. Local authorities publish some financial information relating to parking fines on their websites.

All local authorities have a statutory responsibility to provide appropriate traffic management schemes for their roads; therefore they are free to make their own decisions about the streets under their care, provided they take account of the relevant legislation. They are accountable to local people for their decisions and their performance.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what information her Department holds on the amount of money that has been collected by local authorities through the administration of parking fines in every year since 2010.

Answered by Simon Lightwood - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)

The Department for Transport does not hold this data. Local authorities publish some financial information relating to parking fines on their websites.

All local authorities have a statutory responsibility to provide appropriate traffic management schemes for their roads; therefore they are free to make their own decisions about the streets under their care, provided they take account of the relevant legislation. They are accountable to local people for their decisions and their performance.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what information her Department holds on the number of parking fines that have been administered by the London Borough of Havering in every year since 2010.

Answered by Simon Lightwood - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)

The Department for Transport does not hold this data. Local authorities publish some financial information relating to parking fines on their websites.

All local authorities have a statutory responsibility to provide appropriate traffic management schemes for their roads; therefore they are free to make their own decisions about the streets under their care, provided they take account of the relevant legislation. They are accountable to local people for their decisions and their performance.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps he has taken to reduce the number of parking fines administered by local authorities.

Answered by Simon Lightwood - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)

The Department for Transport does not hold this data. Local authorities publish some financial information relating to parking fines on their websites.

All local authorities have a statutory responsibility to provide appropriate traffic management schemes for their roads; therefore they are free to make their own decisions about the streets under their care, provided they take account of the relevant legislation. They are accountable to local people for their decisions and their performance.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps he has taken to help reduce cases of hypoglycaemia in a) England and b) the parliamentary constituency of Romford.

Answered by Ashley Dalton - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)

The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) has published advice on the management of type 1 diabetes, including advice on managing hypoglycaemia and hyperglycaemia, which is available at the following link:

https://cks.nice.org.uk/topics/diabetes-type-1/management/

NICE’s guidance includes the use of hybrid close loops (HCL) for type 1 diabetes which provide real time monitoring of glucose levels and administer insulin when needed to prevent hypoglycaemia and hyperglycaemia.

Following NICE’s guidance, NHS England developed a five-year national strategy with guidance to National Health Service providers on the phased uptake approach of HCL systems. The guidance applies nationally, including to Romford. Rollout started last year. Further information is available at the following link:

https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/ta943

NHS England also commissions diabetes digital structured education services, which support users to self-manage their condition.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps he has taken to help reduce cases of hyperglycaemia in a) England and b) the parliamentary constituency of Romford.

Answered by Ashley Dalton - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)

The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) has published advice on the management of type 1 diabetes, including advice on managing hypoglycaemia and hyperglycaemia, which is available at the following link:

https://cks.nice.org.uk/topics/diabetes-type-1/management/

NICE’s guidance includes the use of hybrid close loops (HCL) for type 1 diabetes which provide real time monitoring of glucose levels and administer insulin when needed to prevent hypoglycaemia and hyperglycaemia.

Following NICE’s guidance, NHS England developed a five-year national strategy with guidance to National Health Service providers on the phased uptake approach of HCL systems. The guidance applies nationally, including to Romford. Rollout started last year. Further information is available at the following link:

https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/ta943

NHS England also commissions diabetes digital structured education services, which support users to self-manage their condition.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps she has taken to reduce instances of pavement parking.

Answered by Lilian Greenwood - Government Whip, Lord Commissioner of HM Treasury

The Department has been considering all the views expressed in response to the 2020 pavement parking consultation and is currently working through the policy options and the appropriate means of delivering them. We will announce the next steps and publish our formal response as soon as possible.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what steps the Government is taking to coordinate with allies, including Japan and the United States, to uphold peace and security in the Taiwan Strait.

Answered by Seema Malhotra - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)

The UK's longstanding position on Taiwan has not changed. The UK has a clear interest in peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait and considers the Taiwan issue one to be settled by people on both sides of the Strait through constructive dialogue, without the threat or use of force or coercion in any context. We support all actions to de-escalate tensions that are not conducive to peace and stability.

Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what steps he has taken to work with local authorities to prepare elderly social housing residents for cold temperatures.

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

The Warm Homes: Social Housing Fund (WH: SHF) (Wave 3) will upgrade a significant amount of the social housing stock below EPC C up to that standard, delivering warm homes and tackling fuel poverty. Delivery began in April 2025 and will deliver up to £1.29 billion to 143 projects across England.

Wave 3 was open to all registered providers of and charities providing social housing except the West Midlands and Greater Manchester Combined Authorities which received 13.5% of this funding through their Integrated Settlements.

The affordability crisis is the biggest issue facing this country. That is why we have acted in the Budget to take £150 of costs off people’s energy bills.  On top of this, support is available through the Warm Home Discount schemes which provide eligible low-income households across Great Britain with a further £150 off their winter energy bill.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps she has taken to reduce casualties on railways in a) England and b) the parliamentary constituency of Romford.

Answered by Keir Mather - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)

Britain’s railways remain among the safest in the world, with casualty rates steadily declining in recent decades. The rail industry continues to act to reduce casualty rates across the entire network, in accordance with its statutory duties, which are enforced by the Office of Rail and Road, Britain’s independent rail safety regulator. In recent years, the industry has launched public safety initiatives, upgraded level crossing, signalling and civil infrastructure, integrated new technologies to improve risk detection and intervention, and enhanced training for staff on the railways, among other steps.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what steps his Department has taken to improve the electronic warfare capabilities of His Majesty’s Armed Forces.

Answered by Luke Pollard - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)

The Strategic Defence Review (SDR) designates the Cyber and Electromagnetic (CyberEM) domain as a strategic priority. In response, UK Strategic Command has transitioned to become Cyber & Specialist Operations Command (CSOC), providing explicit four-star leadership for the CyberEM domain alongside pan-Defence responsibility for Electronic Warfare (EW) concepts, doctrine, and capability development.

Additionally, CSOC has now established the Defence Cyber and EM Force (DCEMF) at two-star level to support operational commanders in integrating Electronic Warfare across the range of military effects.

Current EW programmes and projects continue to be funded and supported in service. Future proposals for additional EW capabilities are being considered through the Defence Investment Plan.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what steps he has taken to streamline his Department’s procurement procedures.

Answered by Luke Pollard - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)

Implementation of the procurement and acquisition reforms set out in the Defence Industrial Strategy is underway, under the new National Armaments Director who took up post on 14 October 2025.

We are introducing service-agnostic capability portfolios, aligned with wider departmental reforms. The portfolio-driven approach will increase pace and adaptability, enabling us to maximise the output from our investment, reduce waste and be more market aligned.

Five commercial pathways have been launched for Spiral, Urgent, Design to Cost, Digital & Technology and Low Complexity Procurement. Further Commercial Pathways are being developed including for S&T and Experimentation, National Security, and Infrastructure with a focus on harnessing commercial flexibilities to drive pace and adaptability.

These pathways underpin the new segmented approach to procurement which sets ambitious targets to drastically reduce the timescales to get new projects on contract by tailoring processes and timelines to the type of acquisition supplier and risk involved. This includes the Rapid Commercial Exploitation segment to allow us to pull the latest technology into operations and increase innovation.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what recent discussions she has had with her Pakistani counterparts concerning the detention of Asif Pervaiz; and what diplomatic steps she is taking to support his release.

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

I refer the Hon. Member to the answer given on 12 June to question 58220.

Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what steps she has taken to tackle illegal firearm possession.

Answered by Sarah Jones - Minister of State (Home Office)

The Government works closely with the police and the National Crime Agency (NCA) to ensure that we have the right laws, intelligence, detection and enforcement capabilities to tackle the threat posed by the unlawful possession and use of firearms. While incidents of gun crime, including where illegally held guns are involved, are relatively rare in this country, we recognise the significant and long-lasting impact of such incidents on victims and local communities when they do occur.

Our work with the police and the NCA includes recent and ongoing multi-agency action to target the importation and supply of imitation firearms that can be readily converted by criminals to fire live ammunition, which has seen significant numbers of these guns removed from circulation, helping to ensure the safety of our communities.

We have also included measures in the Border Security, Asylum and Immigration Bill, currently before Parliament, to make it an offence to possess or supply templates for the 3D printing of firearms. This is part of a broader multi-agency response to the threat posed by the illegal possession of firearms manufactured unlawfully in part, or fully, using 3D printing technology.

There are significant penalties for those convicted of the unlawful possession of firearms, including the maximum penalty of life imprisonment for possession of a firearm with intent to endanger life or injure property.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what assessment she has made of the potential merits of registering people involved in the distribution and sale of excise goods in a national scheme administered by HMRC.

Answered by Dan Tomlinson - Exchequer Secretary (HM Treasury)

The existing excise regime is already well regulated, with HMRC operating several registration and approval schemes for those who deal in excise goods, for example the Alcohol Wholesaler Registration Scheme (AWRS), the Tobacco Trace and Trace system and the Registered Dealers in Controlled Oils (RDCO) scheme.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, for what reason tobacco duty increased above the rate of inflation in the Autumn Budget 2025.

Answered by Dan Tomlinson - Exchequer Secretary (HM Treasury)

At Autumn Budget 2024, the Government renewed the commitment to a tobacco duty escalator, which increases duty by 2 percent above RPI inflation at each Budget, until the end of the current Parliament. At Autumn Budget 2025, the duty on all tobacco products was increased in line with this commitment. The government also confirmed further increases of 2% above RPI plus an additional £2.20 per 100 cigarettes and per 50g of other tobacco products to take effect from 1 October 2026, alongside the introduction of Vaping Duty. This is part of the Government’s focus on health prevention and to continue our drive to reduce smoking prevalence.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of planned double duty increases on tobacco products on inflation.

Answered by Dan Tomlinson - Exchequer Secretary (HM Treasury)

Forecasting the economy, including the effect of Government policy decisions on inflation, is the responsibility of the independent Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR). The OBR set out the impact of policy measures on inflation in its Autumn Budget 2025 forecast, including the rise in tobacco duty. The OBR have not adjusted their inflation forecast for the rise in tobacco duty.

The Chancellor asked departments to prioritise reducing inflation when developing policies for the Autumn Budget, ensuring decisions support stability and long-term growth. Considering all policies, the OBR expect budget measures to reduce CPI inflation by 0.4pp in 2026/27.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, pursuant to the Answer of 6 November 2025 to Question 86606, what steps he has taken to ensure that citizens of British Overseas Territories have access to NHS services whilst resident in the UK.

Answered by Karin Smyth - Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)

National Health Service care is provided free at the point of use to people who are ordinarily resident in the United Kingdom. Being ordinarily resident broadly means living in the UK on a lawful and properly settled basis. People who are not considered ordinarily resident in the UK are required to pay for healthcare in England unless an exemption applies.

If citizens of British Overseas Territories are assessed as being ordinarily resident in the UK, they are able to access NHS care free at the point of use.

Speed of deportation of foreign offenders

Thanking postal workers

Kidnapping of school children in Nigeria

Bulphan Church of England Academy

International Day of Human Rights and the persecution of Christians

Tackling antisemitism and hatred

Christmas (No. 2)

Tackling Islamist extremism

Postal workers and Royal Mail staff

Acquittal of Shaun O’Sullivan, free speech and religious freedom

Digital ID and civil liberties

Review of deportation powers

Cancelled mayoral elections

Asylum reform proposals

National debt

Gig economy and illegal workers

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what recent progress he has made on developing StormShroud.

Answered by Luke Pollard - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)

I refer the hon. Member to the answer my predecessor gave to the hon. Member for Romford (Andrew Rosindell) on 1 September 2025 to Question 68745.