Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what estimate her Department has made of the number of people who have faced identity fraud through impersonation.

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

Cifas, a not-for-profit fraud prevention organisation, holds records of first and third-party fraud risk, including identity fraud. In the first six months of 2025, Cifas reported that over 118,000 identity fraud cases were reported to their NFD in their Fraudscape 2025 six-month update (Fraudscape 2025 - Cifas).

Identity theft is not a standalone criminal offence and not included in official crime statistics The Independent Review of Fraud Offences will consider whether a specific offence for identity theft is needed.

We also recognise that one of the most effective ways of preventing identity theft enabled fraud is to improve the safety and security of the identity systems we use. The Government is developing proposals for a digital identity system, to enable people to prove their identity securely, without physical documents, with the aim of reducing identity-enabled fraud and crime. Information on digital identity and the Trust Framework can be found here: UK digital identity and attributes trust framework - GOV.UK.

It is also important to empower the public to protect themselves and keep their identities safe. That is why we have introduced a checklist, providing advice and steps on how to prevent the misuse of identities: Identity fraud victims' checklist.

Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what steps she is taking to help protect people from identity fraud through impersonation.

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

Cifas, a not-for-profit fraud prevention organisation, holds records of first and third-party fraud risk, including identity fraud. In the first six months of 2025, Cifas reported that over 118,000 identity fraud cases were reported to their NFD in their Fraudscape 2025 six-month update (Fraudscape 2025 - Cifas).

Identity theft is not a standalone criminal offence and not included in official crime statistics The Independent Review of Fraud Offences will consider whether a specific offence for identity theft is needed.

We also recognise that one of the most effective ways of preventing identity theft enabled fraud is to improve the safety and security of the identity systems we use. The Government is developing proposals for a digital identity system, to enable people to prove their identity securely, without physical documents, with the aim of reducing identity-enabled fraud and crime. Information on digital identity and the Trust Framework can be found here: UK digital identity and attributes trust framework - GOV.UK.

It is also important to empower the public to protect themselves and keep their identities safe. That is why we have introduced a checklist, providing advice and steps on how to prevent the misuse of identities: Identity fraud victims' checklist.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what steps her Department is taking to help tackle potential barriers to home ownership for local people in popular tourist destinations.

Answered by Matthew Pennycook - Minister of State (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

The government recognise that excessive concentrations of short-term lets and second homes impact on the availability and affordability of homes for local residents to buy and rent, as well as local services.

Local authorities are now able to apply a premium of up to 100% extra on the council tax bills of second homes. The premium will provide additional funding for councils and help local leaders to address the impacts of second homes and improve the sustainability of communities where they consider it necessary.

From 31 October 2024, the higher rates of Stamp Duty Land Tax (SDLT) on additional dwellings were increased from three percentage points above standard rates to five percentage points above standard rates. This is to ensure that those looking to move home, or purchase their first property, have a greater advantage over second home buyers, landlords, and businesses purchasing residential property.

We are considering what additional powers we might give local authorities to enable them to respond to the pressures created by short-term lets and second homes.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what assessment her Department has made of the potential impact of short term holiday lets on accessibility to local housing stock.

Answered by Matthew Pennycook - Minister of State (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

The government recognise that excessive concentrations of short-term lets and second homes impact on the availability and affordability of homes for local residents to buy and rent, as well as local services.

Local authorities are now able to apply a premium of up to 100% extra on the council tax bills of second homes. The premium will provide additional funding for councils and help local leaders to address the impacts of second homes and improve the sustainability of communities where they consider it necessary.

From 31 October 2024, the higher rates of Stamp Duty Land Tax (SDLT) on additional dwellings were increased from three percentage points above standard rates to five percentage points above standard rates. This is to ensure that those looking to move home, or purchase their first property, have a greater advantage over second home buyers, landlords, and businesses purchasing residential property.

We are considering what additional powers we might give local authorities to enable them to respond to the pressures created by short-term lets and second homes.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what assessment her Department has made of the potential impact of short term holiday lets on accessibility to local housing stock for communities in the Scottish Highlands.

Answered by Matthew Pennycook - Minister of State (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

As the hon. Member will be aware, housing within Scotland is a matter for the Scottish Government.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment he has made of the importance of (a) early intervention and (b) prevention before the cure in eating disorder treatment.

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

The Government recognises that the earlier that treatment is provided, the better the chance of short-term recovery. We are committed to ensuring that everyone with an eating disorder can access specialist help.

As part of our mission to build an NHS fit for the future, there is a critical need to shift treatment of eating disorders from hospital to the community. NHS England is currently seeking to expand the capacity of children’s community eating disorder services, to allow for crisis care and intensive home treatment. Improved care in the community will give young people early access to evidence-based treatment involving families and carers, improving outcomes and preventing relapse. By preventing eating disorders from progressing to adulthood, we will build on our aim of raising the healthiest generation of children.

Early intervention is a priority for adults with eating disorders too, as set out in NHS’s Adult Community Mental Health Framework. NHS England have established 15 Provider Collaboratives focusing on adult eating disorders. These Collaboratives are working to redesign care pathways, and focus resources on community services. By providing treatment earlier and closer to home, we will see better outcomes for adults with eating disorders and their families.

Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what recent assessment her Department has made of the effectiveness of AI-driven detection technologies in preventing online child sexual abuse.

Answered by Jess Phillips - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Home Office)

The Home Office, in collaboration with the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology, the Alan Turing Institute, and the Accelerated Capability Environment has led the Deepfake Detection Challenge. This initiative brought together experts to develop and evaluate detection tools, which are essential in addressing serious harms including online child sexual abuse. As offenders increasingly exploit AI, we must harness its potential for good.

A key outcome has been the creation of a tool which enables scientific evaluation of detection technologies, offering actionable metrics to support informed procurement decisions and helping end users select the most effective solutions. This capability is now being considered as a potential global standard.

The next phase of the Challenge will continue to identify and benchmark AI-driven solutions. The Government remains committed to investing in innovation to combat this appalling crime.

The Home Office has also introduced world leading measures by becoming the first country in the world to criminalise the possession, creation and distribution of AI tools to generate child sexual abuse material, and criminalised the possession of paedophile manuals that teach others how to create tools for this purpose.

Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what recent discussions she has had with her international counterparts on tackling livestreamed child sexual abuse.

Answered by Jess Phillips - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Home Office)

The Government is unequivocal in its commitment to protecting children from all forms of child sexual exploitation and abuse. This includes ensuring that we are working to combat livestreamed abuse and ensuring that offenders cannot use technology to harm children with impunity.

The Home Office continues to invest in a network of Undercover Online Officers (UCOLs) in Regional Organised Crime Units. UCOLs deploy online to identify and pursue offenders seeking to sexually exploit children, including those who consume and facilitate livestreaming of child sexual abuse. Home Office funding supports the National Crime Agency to use its unique capabilities to disrupt high harm offenders, including those based overseas who seek to livestream abuse.

The UK is leading the way in supporting the building and developing thematic knowledge and operational capabilities of other international law enforcement agencies to work together to pursue offenders and safeguard children. In addition, the NCA is leading a number of initiatives with industry and engagement with the financial sector, to specifically prevent and detect livestreaming offending. This includes work to build on the UK-supported report by the Financial Action Taskforce (FATF) ‘Detecting, Disrupting and Investigating Online Child Sexual Exploitation’.

The Online Safety Act introduces world-leading protections for children. It places robust duties on tech companies to prevent and swiftly remove illegal content, including child sexual abuse material, and to take proactive steps to protect children from harm. Ofcom, as the regulator, will have strong enforcement powers to ensure compliance.

We also recognise the importance of device-level protections in preventing livestreaming abuse and we support the development and deployment of safety technologies that can help prevent abuse before it happens. This includes exploring the role of on-device tools that can detect and disrupt livestreamed abuse and other image-based harms, while respecting users’ privacy and maintaining end-to-end encryption.

The Government continues to work closely with law enforcement, industry, and child protection experts to ensure that the UK remains at the forefront of efforts to tackle online child sexual abuse.

Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what steps her Department is taking to tackl livestreamed child sexual abuse being accessed in the UK.

Answered by Jess Phillips - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Home Office)

The Government is unequivocal in its commitment to protecting children from all forms of child sexual exploitation and abuse. This includes ensuring that we are working to combat livestreamed abuse and ensuring that offenders cannot use technology to harm children with impunity.

The Home Office continues to invest in a network of Undercover Online Officers (UCOLs) in Regional Organised Crime Units. UCOLs deploy online to identify and pursue offenders seeking to sexually exploit children, including those who consume and facilitate livestreaming of child sexual abuse. Home Office funding supports the National Crime Agency to use its unique capabilities to disrupt high harm offenders, including those based overseas who seek to livestream abuse.

The UK is leading the way in supporting the building and developing thematic knowledge and operational capabilities of other international law enforcement agencies to work together to pursue offenders and safeguard children. In addition, the NCA is leading a number of initiatives with industry and engagement with the financial sector, to specifically prevent and detect livestreaming offending. This includes work to build on the UK-supported report by the Financial Action Taskforce (FATF) ‘Detecting, Disrupting and Investigating Online Child Sexual Exploitation’.

The Online Safety Act introduces world-leading protections for children. It places robust duties on tech companies to prevent and swiftly remove illegal content, including child sexual abuse material, and to take proactive steps to protect children from harm. Ofcom, as the regulator, will have strong enforcement powers to ensure compliance.

We also recognise the importance of device-level protections in preventing livestreaming abuse and we support the development and deployment of safety technologies that can help prevent abuse before it happens. This includes exploring the role of on-device tools that can detect and disrupt livestreamed abuse and other image-based harms, while respecting users’ privacy and maintaining end-to-end encryption.

The Government continues to work closely with law enforcement, industry, and child protection experts to ensure that the UK remains at the forefront of efforts to tackle online child sexual abuse.

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 Scottish Health Minister on the importance of focusing on early intervention in eating disorders in Scotland.

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

Close collaboration between the devolved governments is important and takes place on a regular basis. Although no recent specific discussions have taken place with the Scottish Health Minister on this topic, we acknowledge that specialist expertise and facilities are shared between the four nations to combat eating disorders.

The Government recognises that the earlier that treatment is provided, the better the chance of short-term recovery, and is committed to ensuring that everyone with an eating disorder can access specialist help.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what plans he has to improve healthcare provision for people with Friedreich’s Ataxia.

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

The Government is committed to improving the lives of those living with rare diseases, such as Friedreich’s ataxia. The UK Rare Diseases Framework sets out four priorities collaboratively developed with the rare disease community. These are: getting a final diagnosis faster; increasing awareness of rare diseases among healthcare professionals; better coordination of care; and improving access to specialist care, treatments, and drugs. We published the annual England Rare Diseases Action Plan in February 2025, where we reported on the steps we have taken to advance these priorities.

NHS England has revised the national service specification for specialised neurology following extensive consultation. The service specification was published on 13 August 2025 and includes guidance on both specialised and core neurology services. The specification includes an Annex which provides greater clarity for neurology sub-specialties, including the categories of both movement disorders and neurogenetics into which Friedreich’s Ataxia would fall.

Additionally, the national specialised commissioning neurology transformation programme has developed guidance as part of an integrated care system toolkit, specifically to support the implementation of the service specification. Every specialised neurology centre could and should see patients with Friedreich’s Ataxia.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what estimate she has made of the value of political donations received by UK political parties from UK-registered companies with beneficial owners based outside the UK since 2019.

Answered by Samantha Dixon - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

Stakeholders have raised concerns for more than a decade that our legal framework regulating political donations makes it too easy for determined actors to facilitate illegal donations, allowing foreign states to influence politics and decision-making in the UK. That is why, as pledged in our manifesto, we are strengthening the rules around donations to political parties.

In July, we published our Strategy for Modern Elections which set out a number of reforms to political donations rules. These changes will mean greater transparency in political funding, stronger protections against foreign or illicit influence, and increased public confidence in the integrity of our democratic institutions. This includes a measure which will ensure that in future, ‘shell companies’ will not be permitted to make political donations to UK political parties.

In the development of these reforms we have worked and continue to work closely with the Electoral Commission, and considered relevant analysis. We will legislate to bring forward these reforms as soon as parliamentary time allows.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what recent assessment her Department has made of the potential risk of political donations being made via UK-registered companies controlled by individuals who are not registered electors in the UK.

Answered by Samantha Dixon - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

Stakeholders have raised concerns for more than a decade that our legal framework regulating political donations makes it too easy for determined actors to facilitate illegal donations, allowing foreign states to influence politics and decision-making in the UK. That is why, as pledged in our manifesto, we are strengthening the rules around donations to political parties.

In July, we published our Strategy for Modern Elections which set out a number of reforms to political donations rules. These changes will mean greater transparency in political funding, stronger protections against foreign or illicit influence, and increased public confidence in the integrity of our democratic institutions. This includes a measure which will ensure that in future, ‘shell companies’ will not be permitted to make political donations to UK political parties.

In the development of these reforms we have worked and continue to work closely with the Electoral Commission, and considered relevant analysis. We will legislate to bring forward these reforms as soon as parliamentary time allows.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, whether she has had discussions with the Electoral Commission on donations made through UK-registered companies (a) owned and (b) controlled by foreign nationals.

Answered by Samantha Dixon - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

Stakeholders have raised concerns for more than a decade that our legal framework regulating political donations makes it too easy for determined actors to facilitate illegal donations, allowing foreign states to influence politics and decision-making in the UK. That is why, as pledged in our manifesto, we are strengthening the rules around donations to political parties.

In July, we published our Strategy for Modern Elections which set out a number of reforms to political donations rules. These changes will mean greater transparency in political funding, stronger protections against foreign or illicit influence, and increased public confidence in the integrity of our democratic institutions. This includes a measure which will ensure that in future, ‘shell companies’ will not be permitted to make political donations to UK political parties.

In the development of these reforms we have worked and continue to work closely with the Electoral Commission, and considered relevant analysis. We will legislate to bring forward these reforms as soon as parliamentary time allows.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what recent steps her Department has taken to help strengthen safeguards against foreign interference in UK political funding.

Answered by Samantha Dixon - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

Stakeholders have raised concerns for more than a decade that our legal framework regulating political donations makes it too easy for determined actors to facilitate illegal donations, allowing foreign states to influence politics and decision-making in the UK. That is why, as pledged in our manifesto, we are strengthening the rules around donations to political parties.

In July, we published our Strategy for Modern Elections which set out a number of reforms to political donations rules. These changes will mean greater transparency in political funding, stronger protections against foreign or illicit influence, and increased public confidence in the integrity of our democratic institutions. This includes a measure which will ensure that in future, ‘shell companies’ will not be permitted to make political donations to UK political parties.

In the development of these reforms we have worked and continue to work closely with the Electoral Commission, and considered relevant analysis. We will legislate to bring forward these reforms as soon as parliamentary time allows.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what steps his Department is taking to support families posted abroad with pets following the new Consumer Charter that makes it easier for armed forces families to own pets.

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

The Department is currently trialling a new ‘Global Mobility Allowance’ for Service personnel who are posted overseas. This allowance provides a fixed sum of money at the start and end of an overseas posting. This provides our Service personnel with greater choice and flexibility, allowing them to prioritise expenditure according to their specific needs, which could include transporting a pet overseas.

Allowances for Service personnel and their accompanying families are subject to periodic review. In addition, each Service may propose that a particular allowance be reviewed, or a new allowance introduced, in response to feedback from Service personnel, Continuous Attitude Surveys, Family Federations and other Service-related organisations. The cost associated with relocating pets abroad has not yet been raised via any of those forums and therefore there is no immediate plan to review the topic.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether he plans to review financial assistance available for armed forces personnel for the costs associated with relocating pets to an assigned duty station abroad.

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

The Department is currently trialling a new ‘Global Mobility Allowance’ for Service personnel who are posted overseas. This allowance provides a fixed sum of money at the start and end of an overseas posting. This provides our Service personnel with greater choice and flexibility, allowing them to prioritise expenditure according to their specific needs, which could include transporting a pet overseas.

Allowances for Service personnel and their accompanying families are subject to periodic review. In addition, each Service may propose that a particular allowance be reviewed, or a new allowance introduced, in response to feedback from Service personnel, Continuous Attitude Surveys, Family Federations and other Service-related organisations. The cost associated with relocating pets abroad has not yet been raised via any of those forums and therefore there is no immediate plan to review the topic.

Question to the Department for Business and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what steps he is taking to improve the enforcement of legal protections for women returning to work after maternity leave.

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

Women returning from maternity, adoption, or six continuous weeks of shared parental or neonatal leave are entitled to enhanced redundancy protection. However, the government is strengthening legal protections, as we know this group continues to face a particular risk to their job security.

We'll make it unlawful to dismiss pregnant women, mothers on maternity leave, and mothers returning to work for a six-month period - except in specific circumstances. This starts with the Employment Rights Bill, with protections in force from 2027. From April 2026, the Fair Work Agency will strengthen the enforcement of rights, with women expected to particularly benefit.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, whether she plans to provide financial support to maintain long wave radio services.

Answered by Ian Murray - Minister of State (Department for Science, Innovation and Technology)

The BBC is operationally and editorially independent from the Government, and the Government cannot intervene in the BBC’s day-to-day operations. The decision on transmissions and distribution of BBC radio services, including for how much longer the BBC maintains Radio 4 long wave, is wholly a matter for the BBC.

The Government understands how important it is that citizens can access information in times of national emergency. Radio plays an important role in providing such access in a range of different emergency scenarios, including scenarios where other communications may be disrupted. The BBC has specific requirements under its Framework Agreement in relation to broadcast security and resilience, and works closely with DCMS in ensuring its networks are able to support emergency communications.

Question to the Attorney General:

To ask the Solicitor General, what assessment her Department has made of the cost to the public purse of prosecutions arising from protest activity by Palestine Action.

Answered by Ellie Reeves - Solicitor General (Attorney General's Office)

Prosecutions relating to Palestine Action arrests are currently ongoing and at different stages of progression.

As such, no Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) costs assessments have been made at this stage, but the CPS continues to keep resourcing under review.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, if she will make an assessment of the adequacy of internet connectivity on long-distance rail services between Scotland and London.

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

An assessment was carried out as part of the spending review business case. This determined the Low Earth Orbit approach on all mainlines.

As a result of the spending review, we secured funding to deliver low earth orbit satellite technology on all mainline trains to improve on train passenger wifi. This will include services between London and Scotland such as LNER and Avanti West Coast.

However, we know satellite connectivity will not work in tunnels. The Department has also been working with Network Rail to deliver improved connectivity on the rail network. Project Reach, which will renew fibre optic cables and address 4G / 5G mobile signals in 57 key mainline tunnels and stations was signed 26 June 2025 between Network Rail, and telecoms companies, Neos Networks and Freshwave. Once the mobile operators are signed up, passengers will see a boost in their mobile connection in these tunnels.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what discussions his Department has had with the British Medical Association on medical students receiving less than two hours of teaching on eating disorders throughout their undergraduate training.

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

The Department has not had conversations with the British Medical Association about the amount of teaching on eating disorders in undergraduate medical training. The standard of training for doctors is the responsibility of the General Medical Council (GMC). The GMC sets the outcome standards expected at undergraduate level and approves courses and medical schools to write and teach the curricula content that enables their students to meet the GMC’s outcome standards.

Since the 2024/25 academic year, medical students graduating from UK universities have been required to pass the Medical Licensing Assessment, for which the GMC has published a content map documenting the conditions which students are expected to have knowledge. This is available at the following link: https://www.gmc-uk.org/-/media/documents/mla-content-map-_pdf-85707770.pdf. Eating disorders are included in the content map.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether her Department has had discussions with stakeholders in the banking sector on the use of a mother’s maiden name as an (a) online and (b) telephone security question.

Answered by Lucy Rigby - Economic Secretary (HM Treasury)

Strong Customer Authentication (SCA) in the Payment Services Regulations 2017 sets out the requirements which firms must follow when customers are accessing their payment accounts online, including the use of two-factor authentication to verify a customer’s identity. However, the specific questions firms should use to authenticate a customer’s identity are not prescribed, which is a matter for individual firms.

Therefore, the Government has not had discussions with banking stakeholders on the specific uses of first school attended, mother’s maiden name, pet’s name or birthplace as online banking or telephone security questions.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what discussions her Department has had with stakeholders in the banking sector on the use of a birthplace as an (a) online and (b) telephone security question.

Answered by Lucy Rigby - Economic Secretary (HM Treasury)

Strong Customer Authentication (SCA) in the Payment Services Regulations 2017 sets out the requirements which firms must follow when customers are accessing their payment accounts online, including the use of two-factor authentication to verify a customer’s identity. However, the specific questions firms should use to authenticate a customer’s identity are not prescribed, which is a matter for individual firms.

Therefore, the Government has not had discussions with banking stakeholders on the specific uses of first school attended, mother’s maiden name, pet’s name or birthplace as online banking or telephone security questions.

Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, whether his Department requires operators of biomass power stations to publish annual data on the quantity and composition of ash produced.

Answered by Mary Creagh - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)

All installations permitted under the Environmental Permitting (England and Wales) Regulations 2016 are required to supply pollution inventory data annually. For biomass power stations, this includes the amount of ash produced, but not it’s composition. Pollution Inventory data is published after it has been verified by the Environment Agency. Pollution Inventory data can be found here: Pollution Inventory - data.gov.uk.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what discussions her Department has had with stakeholders in the banking sector on the use of a pet’s name as an (a) online and (b) telephone security question.

Answered by Lucy Rigby - Economic Secretary (HM Treasury)

Strong Customer Authentication (SCA) in the Payment Services Regulations 2017 sets out the requirements which firms must follow when customers are accessing their payment accounts online, including the use of two-factor authentication to verify a customer’s identity. However, the specific questions firms should use to authenticate a customer’s identity are not prescribed, which is a matter for individual firms.

Therefore, the Government has not had discussions with banking stakeholders on the specific uses of first school attended, mother’s maiden name, pet’s name or birthplace as online banking or telephone security questions.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what discussions her Department has had with stakeholders in the banking sector on the use of a first school as an (a) online and (b) telephone security question.

Answered by Lucy Rigby - Economic Secretary (HM Treasury)

Strong Customer Authentication (SCA) in the Payment Services Regulations 2017 sets out the requirements which firms must follow when customers are accessing their payment accounts online, including the use of two-factor authentication to verify a customer’s identity. However, the specific questions firms should use to authenticate a customer’s identity are not prescribed, which is a matter for individual firms.

Therefore, the Government has not had discussions with banking stakeholders on the specific uses of first school attended, mother’s maiden name, pet’s name or birthplace as online banking or telephone security questions.

Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what discussions her Department has had with the Scottish Cabinet Secretary for Education on teaching the importance of early detection of testicular cancer to young people.

Answered by Georgia Gould - Minister of State (Education)

Education is a devolved matter, and the response outlines the information for England only.

It is important to educate people about the causes and symptoms of cancer and the department is supportive of efforts to do this at an early age.

The revised relationships, sex and health education (RSHE) statutory guidance was published on 15 July. Cancer awareness and other specific cancer-related content is included. At secondary school, as part of the ‘Health protection and prevention, and understanding the healthcare system’ topic, pupils are taught the importance of taking responsibility for their own health and the benefits of regular self-examination and screening.

Schools may also teach about cancer awareness in other areas of the national curriculum. For example, the secondary science curriculum ensures pupils are taught about non-communicable diseases, such as cancer, and the impact of lifestyle factors on the incidence of these diseases. Furthermore, in design and food technology, schools highlight the importance of nutrition and a healthy diet.

Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what discussions her Department has had with the Scottish Cabinet Secretary for Education on teaching the importance of early detection of breast cancer to young people.

Answered by Georgia Gould - Minister of State (Education)

Education is a devolved matter, and the response outlines the information for England only.

It is important to educate people about the causes and symptoms of cancer and the department is supportive of efforts to do this at an early age.

The revised relationships, sex and health education (RSHE) statutory guidance was published on 15 July. Cancer awareness and other specific cancer-related content is included. At secondary school, as part of the ‘Health protection and prevention, and understanding the healthcare system’ topic, pupils are taught the importance of taking responsibility for their own health and the benefits of regular self-examination and screening.

Schools may also teach about cancer awareness in other areas of the national curriculum. For example, the secondary science curriculum ensures pupils are taught about non-communicable diseases, such as cancer, and the impact of lifestyle factors on the incidence of these diseases. Furthermore, in design and food technology, schools highlight the importance of nutrition and a healthy diet.

Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what steps his Department is taking to alert householders of the potential dangers from spray foam insulation.

Answered by Michael Shanks - Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)

Under the conditions of government energy efficiency schemes the government does not specify which types of insulation are appropriate for a particular property. They require that each must be assessed individually by a qualified professional to establish what is best on a property-by-property basis.

Any measures fitted under government schemes must be fitted to the highest standards with issues promptly and properly rectified. Installations of any insulation under current Government schemes must be installed in accordance with the PAS 2030 and PAS 2035 standards.

In any instance where insulation is installed improperly under a government-backed scheme, consumers may be entitled to remediation by their installer or, failing that, the insurance-backed guarantee.

Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what steps he is taking to support people to remove spray foam insulation from their homes.

Answered by Michael Shanks - Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)

Any measures fitted under government schemes must be fitted to the highest standards with issues promptly and properly rectified. Consumers are entitled to repair work by the original installer or, failing that, they can use their guarantee provided on installation. TrustMark can support them through this process.

The Government recognises that the consumer protection system that we inherited needs reform, we will press ahead with a sweeping overhaul through the Warm Homes Plan.

Question to the Ministry of Justice:

To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what discussions she has had with the Scottish Cabinet Secretary for Justice and Home Affairs on the standardised 21-week wait for the Information Commissioner’s Office complaints department.

Answered by Alex Davies-Jones - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Justice)

No discussions have taken place between the former Secretary of State for Justice and the Scottish Cabinet Secretary for Justice and Home Affairs on the standardised 21-week wait for the Information Commissioner’s Office complaints department.

Question to the Ministry of Justice:

To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what discussions she has had with the Scottish Cabinet Secretary for Justice and Home Affairs on the adequacy of the staffing of the Information Commissioner’s Office to deal with complaints.

Answered by Alex Davies-Jones - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Justice)

No discussions have taken place between the former Secretary of State for Justice and the Scottish Cabinet Secretary for Justice and Home Affairs regarding the adequacy of the staffing of the Information Commissioner’s Office to deal with complaints.

Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what estimate his Department has made of the total value of community benefit payments from renewable energy infrastructure to communities in (a) the UK, (b) Scotland and (c) the Highland Council area in 2024.

Answered by Michael Shanks - Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)

The Department does not hold data on the value of community benefits payments made by onshore and offshore renewables across Great Britain. Community benefit schemes are administered by the projects themselves and provided voluntarily. We have however, recently publishing a Working Paper on mandatory community benefits and responses to this will help inform our evidence base.

The Scottish Government maintains a public register of projects that includes detailed information on community benefit schemes operating across Scotland.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what recent assessment he has made of the adequacy of NHS diagnostic services in helping to prevent avoidable deaths.

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

NHS England places the utmost importance on optimising the performance of diagnostic services in support of improved patient outcomes. Integrated care boards and trusts are being supported to improve diagnostic performance, including through capital investment, with the aim to significantly shorten long waits for diagnostic tests, reducing the risk of avoidable harm while patients are waiting for them.

Where evidence of patient harm emerges, NHS England has taken a proactive approach to addressing the lessons from any incidents and supporting providers to make the necessary changes. An example of this is NHS England’s response in addressing the systemic failings highlighted by the Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman’s report Unlocking Solutions in Imaging, published July 2021, and subsequent investigations by the Healthcare Safety Investigation Branch. In this case, NHS England formed a dedicated board to review the recommendations and oversee changes, which included:

• the publication of the Radiology lifecycle by the Royal College of Radiologists (RCR) in February 2025 outlining the roles and responsibilities of clinicians at each stage of the imaging journey, with further information available at the following link: https://www.rcr.ac.uk/media/4mnpxmhw/rcr-publications-radiology-lifecycle-guidance.pdf;
• the establishment of national standards for reporting turnaround times, published August 2023, with further information available at the following link: https://www.england.nhs.uk/long-read/diagnostic-imaging-reporting-turnaround-times/;
• the development of a culture of continuous learning through network and regional Radiology Events and Learning Meetings, or REALMS. The RCR launched an online learning hub, REAL online, in 2023, which is an interactive learning resource for radiologists. Further information is available at the following link: https://www.rcr.ac.uk/cpd-and-events/radiology-events-and-learning-real/; and
• investment in improvements in digital interoperability and connectivity through national capital to support faster, more reliable access to imaging data across the system.

My Rt Hon. Friend, the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care often meets with families who have faced failings in their care whilst using the National Health Service. It is important to learn from the experiences of patients and families to improve care in the NHS and learn from any failings.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether he has met with families who have lost relatives following missed diagnoses within the NHS.

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

NHS England places the utmost importance on optimising the performance of diagnostic services in support of improved patient outcomes. Integrated care boards and trusts are being supported to improve diagnostic performance, including through capital investment, with the aim to significantly shorten long waits for diagnostic tests, reducing the risk of avoidable harm while patients are waiting for them.

Where evidence of patient harm emerges, NHS England has taken a proactive approach to addressing the lessons from any incidents and supporting providers to make the necessary changes. An example of this is NHS England’s response in addressing the systemic failings highlighted by the Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman’s report Unlocking Solutions in Imaging, published July 2021, and subsequent investigations by the Healthcare Safety Investigation Branch. In this case, NHS England formed a dedicated board to review the recommendations and oversee changes, which included:

• the publication of the Radiology lifecycle by the Royal College of Radiologists (RCR) in February 2025 outlining the roles and responsibilities of clinicians at each stage of the imaging journey, with further information available at the following link: https://www.rcr.ac.uk/media/4mnpxmhw/rcr-publications-radiology-lifecycle-guidance.pdf;
• the establishment of national standards for reporting turnaround times, published August 2023, with further information available at the following link: https://www.england.nhs.uk/long-read/diagnostic-imaging-reporting-turnaround-times/;
• the development of a culture of continuous learning through network and regional Radiology Events and Learning Meetings, or REALMS. The RCR launched an online learning hub, REAL online, in 2023, which is an interactive learning resource for radiologists. Further information is available at the following link: https://www.rcr.ac.uk/cpd-and-events/radiology-events-and-learning-real/; and
• investment in improvements in digital interoperability and connectivity through national capital to support faster, more reliable access to imaging data across the system.

My Rt Hon. Friend, the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care often meets with families who have faced failings in their care whilst using the National Health Service. It is important to learn from the experiences of patients and families to improve care in the NHS and learn from any failings.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps her Department is taking with the (a) Civil Aviation Authority and (b) Maritime and Coastguard Agency to help enable community-owned helipads used for hospital patient transfers to (a) meet CAP1264 Version 3 guidance requirements and (b) be safely reopened for Coastguard Search and Rescue helicopter use.

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

The Department for Transport, the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) and the Coastguard have regular engagement with NHS Scotland, the Scottish government and operators to promote safety at helipads. The Civil Aviation Authority CAA publication “Standards for Helicopter Landing Areas at Hospitals (CAP 1264, 3rd edition)” provides best practice for hospital helipads, and the CAA offers training courses for hospital staff on CAP1264 guidance. While there is currently no specific guidance for third-party helipads, The Maritime Coastguard Agency, The Department for Transport and the CAA engage regularly with hospitals and other stakeholders to help them comply with CAP1264 guidance. Ultimately the decision whether to land at third party helipads is determined by the safety procedures of the helicopter operator as well as the dynamic risk assessment of the duty captain.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what discussions her Department has had with (a) NHS Scotland, (b) the Scottish Government and (c) helicopter operators on (i) establishing responsibility for the use of community-owned helipads for hospital patient transfers and (ii) to help restore their use.

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

The Department for Transport, the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) and the Coastguard have regular engagement with NHS Scotland, the Scottish government and operators to promote safety at helipads. The Civil Aviation Authority CAA publication “Standards for Helicopter Landing Areas at Hospitals (CAP 1264, 3rd edition)” provides best practice for hospital helipads, and the CAA offers training courses for hospital staff on CAP1264 guidance. While there is currently no specific guidance for third-party helipads, The Maritime Coastguard Agency, The Department for Transport and the CAA engage regularly with hospitals and other stakeholders to help them comply with CAP1264 guidance. Ultimately the decision whether to land at third party helipads is determined by the safety procedures of the helicopter operator as well as the dynamic risk assessment of the duty captain.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of Coastguard Search and Rescue helicopters having to land at alternative, un-surveyed sites instead of community-owned helipads on the safety of (a) patients, (b) aircrew and (c) the public.

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

The Civil Aviation Authority publication “Standards for Helicopter Landing Areas at Hospitals (CAP 1264, 3rd edition)” provides guidance on standards for hospital helipads. When operating a Search and Rescue mission, the duty captain of the helicopter can land wherever they deem safe; the Coastguard deploys Coastguard Rescue Teams where needed to support the safe landing and take off its aircraft. Ultimately the decision whether to land at any helipad is determined by the safety procedures of the helicopter operator, as well as the dynamic risk assessment of the duty captain, who will consider factors including any CAA guidance on safe landing sites that their operator deems relevant.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what guidance her Department provides on the (a) accountability and (b) operational documentation required for third-party helipads to be used for hospital patient transfers by Coastguard Search and Rescue helicopters.

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

The Civil Aviation Authority publication “Standards for Helicopter Landing Areas at Hospitals (CAP 1264, 3rd edition)” provides guidance on standards for hospital helipads. When operating a Search and Rescue mission, the duty captain of the helicopter can land wherever they deem safe; the Coastguard deploys Coastguard Rescue Teams where needed to support the safe landing and take off its aircraft. Ultimately the decision whether to land at any helipad is determined by the safety procedures of the helicopter operator, as well as the dynamic risk assessment of the duty captain, who will consider factors including any CAA guidance on safe landing sites that their operator deems relevant.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps his Department is taking with devolved Administrations to help reduce waiting times from GP referral to first routine dermatology appointments.

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

It is unacceptable that patients across the United Kingdom continue to wait lengthy periods for treatment. Although health is a devolved matter, bringing down the elective waiting lists, including for dermatology, is a top priority across the four nations of the UK. We are working collaboratively with the devolved administrations to drive forward our objective of supporting people to lead more independent, healthier lives for longer.

This includes special cross-border arrangements for patients who live on the English and Welsh border to make sure they receive healthcare without confusion or delay, and that patient data can be accessed by relevant professionals. We will continue to ensure these arrangements support high-quality care for patients in both England and Wales.

We continue to work with colleagues across all the devolved administrations to share knowledge and insights into National Health Service data and performance across all specialities, including dermatology.

Question to the Department for Science, Innovation & Technology:

To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what steps his Department is taking to help improve enforcement where employers (a) delay and (b) withhold data in response to subject access requests.

Answered by Ian Murray - Minister of State (Department for Science, Innovation and Technology)

The ICO can and does take action against organisations, as a result of people’s complaints about their right of access to personal data. Information about the ICO’s enforcement action is available at: https://ico.org.uk/action-weve-taken/.

A requester may also apply for a court order requiring an organisation to comply with a subject access request or to seek compensation. It is a matter for the court to decide, in each particular case, what action to take.

The ICO is currently consulting on changes to how it handles complaints, with a view to improving data protection compliance. The consultation closes on 31 October: https://ico.org.uk/about-the-ico/ico-and-stakeholder-consultations/2025/08/ico-consultation-on-draft-changes-to-how-we-handle-data-protection-complaints/.

Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what discussions her Department has had with the Scottish Cabinet Secretary for Education on the allocated number of domestic places at the University of the Highlands and Islands.

Answered by Josh MacAlister - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Education)

Education and training is a devolved matter. This means that the Scottish Government set education and training policy in Scotland, including the policy to limit the number of publicly funded undergraduate places available to Scottish-domiciled students. Students from the rest of the UK are not subject to the same recruitment caps as Scottish students.

Higher education providers are independent from government and are responsible for their own admissions decisions. The number of places available for students from the rest of the UK is managed separately by institutions who will set recruitment targets in line with their own institutional strategy.

Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what discussions her Department has had with the Scottish Cabinet Secretary for Education on the allocated number of domestic places at the University of Stirling.

Answered by Josh MacAlister - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Education)

Education and training is a devolved matter. This means that the Scottish Government set education and training policy in Scotland, including the policy to limit the number of publicly funded undergraduate places available to Scottish-domiciled students. Students from the rest of the UK are not subject to the same recruitment caps as Scottish students.

Higher education providers are independent from government and are responsible for their own admissions decisions. The number of places available for students from the rest of the UK is managed separately by institutions who will set recruitment targets in line with their own institutional strategy.

Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what discussions her Department has had with the Scottish Cabinet Secretary for Education on the allocated number of domestic places at the University of Aberdeen.

Answered by Josh MacAlister - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Education)

Education and training is a devolved matter. This means that the Scottish Government set education and training policy in Scotland, including the policy to limit the number of publicly funded undergraduate places available to Scottish-domiciled students. Students from the rest of the UK are not subject to the same recruitment caps as Scottish students.

Higher education providers are independent from government and are responsible for their own admissions decisions. The number of places available for students from the rest of the UK is managed separately by institutions who will set recruitment targets in line with their own institutional strategy.

Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what discussions her Department has had with the Scottish Cabinet Secretary for Education on the allocated number of domestic places at the University of St. Andrews.

Answered by Josh MacAlister - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Education)

Education and training is a devolved matter. This means that the Scottish Government set education and training policy in Scotland, including the policy to limit the number of publicly funded undergraduate places available to Scottish-domiciled students. Students from the rest of the UK are not subject to the same recruitment caps as Scottish students.

Higher education providers are independent from government and are responsible for their own admissions decisions. The number of places available for students from the rest of the UK is managed separately by institutions who will set recruitment targets in line with their own institutional strategy.

Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what discussions her Department has had with the Scottish Cabinet Secretary for Education on the allocated number of domestic places at the University of Edinburgh.

Answered by Josh MacAlister - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Education)

Education and training is a devolved matter. This means that the Scottish Government set education and training policy in Scotland, including the policy to limit the number of publicly funded undergraduate places available to Scottish-domiciled students. Students from the rest of the UK are not subject to the same recruitment caps as Scottish students.

Higher education providers are independent from government and are responsible for their own admissions decisions. The number of places available for students from the rest of the UK is managed separately by institutions who will set recruitment targets in line with their own institutional strategy.

Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what discussions her Department has had with the Scottish Cabinet Secretary for Education on the allocated number of domestic places at the University of Glasgow.

Answered by Josh MacAlister - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Education)

Education and training is a devolved matter. This means that the Scottish Government set education and training policy in Scotland, including the policy to limit the number of publicly funded undergraduate places available to Scottish-domiciled students. Students from the rest of the UK are not subject to the same recruitment caps as Scottish students.

Higher education providers are independent from government and are responsible for their own admissions decisions. The number of places available for students from the rest of the UK is managed separately by institutions who will set recruitment targets in line with their own institutional strategy.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment he has made of the potential merits of developing new NICE criteria for rare conditions that do not meet the 300 patient threshold for the Highly Specialised Technology appraisal system.

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

Decisions on whether medicines should be evaluated through the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence’s (NICE) highly specialised technologies (HST) programme are taken by NICE itself against a set of published criteria that have been developed through public and stakeholder engagement.

NICE recently reviewed and consulted on updates to its HST criteria and the refined criteria have been implemented since April 2025. The purpose of the review was not to change the number or nature of the topics that are evaluated through the HST Programme, but to ensure that the criteria are sufficiently clear and predictable for companies and patient groups and are aligned to the HST vision.

There are currently no plans for NICE to develop new criteria for conditions that do not meet the 300-patient threshold outlined in the current HST criteria. However, NICE’s standard medicines evaluation process has been proven to be suitable for the evaluation of rare disease medicines, where companies are willing to price their medicines fairly.

NICE’s approval rate for medicines for rare diseases is in line with its overall approval rate for new medicines. Between April 2024 and April 2025, NICE recommended all 15 of the rare disease drugs that it evaluated through its standard technology appraisal programme, which are now available for the treatment of NHS patients.

Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, whether she has made an assessment of the adequacy of reasonable adjustment processes for employees with (a) neurodivergent and (b) mental health conditions.

Answered by Diana Johnson - Minister of State (Department for Work and Pensions)

Employers are crucial in enhancing employment opportunities and supporting disabled people and those with health conditions to thrive in the workforce. All employers have a duty under the Equality Act 2010(opens in a new tab) to make ‘reasonable adjustments’ in the workplace where a disabled person would otherwise be put at a substantial disadvantage compared with their colleagues. The Equality and Human Rights Commission is responsible for enforcing the Equality Act and providing guidance on reasonable adjustments.

In our Get Britain Working White Paper, published November 2024, we committed support for employers to recruit, retain and develop staff. As part of that, the Secretaries of State for Work and Pensions and Business and Trade have asked Sir Charlie Mayfield to lead ‘Keep Britain Working’, an independent review to consider how best to support and enable employers to recruit and retain more people with health conditions and disabilities, promote healthy workplaces, and support more people to stay in or return to work from periods of sickness absence. Sir Charlie Mayfield will deliver a final report with recommendations in the autumn.

In January this year, we launched an expert academic panel to advise us on boosting neurodiversity awareness and inclusion at work. The panel will consider the reasons why neurodivergent people have poor experiences in the workplace, and a low overall employment rate, making their recommendations later this autumn.

There are a range of existing initiatives that already provide support. The Disability Confident Scheme encourages employers to create disability inclusive workplaces and to support disabled people to get work and get on in work. The scheme covers all disabilities, including hidden disabilities. It provides employers with the knowledge, skills, and confidence they need to attract, recruit, retain and develop disabled people in the workplace and to take positive action to address the issues disabled employees face.

Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what steps her Department is taking to help support employees with invisible disabilities to access adjustments under the Equality Act 2010.

Answered by Diana Johnson - Minister of State (Department for Work and Pensions)

Employers are crucial in enhancing employment opportunities and supporting disabled people and those with health conditions to thrive in the workforce. All employers have a duty under the Equality Act 2010(opens in a new tab) to make ‘reasonable adjustments’ in the workplace where a disabled person would otherwise be put at a substantial disadvantage compared with their colleagues. The Equality and Human Rights Commission is responsible for enforcing the Equality Act and providing guidance on reasonable adjustments.

In our Get Britain Working White Paper, published November 2024, we committed support for employers to recruit, retain and develop staff. As part of that, the Secretaries of State for Work and Pensions and Business and Trade have asked Sir Charlie Mayfield to lead ‘Keep Britain Working’, an independent review to consider how best to support and enable employers to recruit and retain more people with health conditions and disabilities, promote healthy workplaces, and support more people to stay in or return to work from periods of sickness absence. Sir Charlie Mayfield will deliver a final report with recommendations in the autumn.

In January this year, we launched an expert academic panel to advise us on boosting neurodiversity awareness and inclusion at work. The panel will consider the reasons why neurodivergent people have poor experiences in the workplace, and a low overall employment rate, making their recommendations later this autumn.

There are a range of existing initiatives that already provide support. The Disability Confident Scheme encourages employers to create disability inclusive workplaces and to support disabled people to get work and get on in work. The scheme covers all disabilities, including hidden disabilities. It provides employers with the knowledge, skills, and confidence they need to attract, recruit, retain and develop disabled people in the workplace and to take positive action to address the issues disabled employees face.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether her Department has made an assessment of the potential impact of satellite technology on (a) mobile and (b) internet connectivity on long-distance rail services between Scotland and London.

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

There have been no recent discussions with Starlink on satellite services for trains.

The Department has made an assessment of the potential impact of satellite technology on (a) mobile and (b) internet connectivity on long-distance rail services between Scotland and London and as a result of the spending review, we secured funding to deliver low earth orbit satellite technology on all mainline trains to improve on train passenger wifi. This will include services between London and Scotland, such as LNER and Avanti West Coast.

However, we know satellite connectivity will not work in tunnels. Network Rail's Project Reach will address mobile connectivity in 57 key mainline tunnels which will include tunnels along the East Coast Mainline and West Coast Mainline.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether her Department has had recent discussions with Starlink on satellite services for trains.

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

There have been no recent discussions with Starlink on satellite services for trains.

The Department has made an assessment of the potential impact of satellite technology on (a) mobile and (b) internet connectivity on long-distance rail services between Scotland and London and as a result of the spending review, we secured funding to deliver low earth orbit satellite technology on all mainline trains to improve on train passenger wifi. This will include services between London and Scotland, such as LNER and Avanti West Coast.

However, we know satellite connectivity will not work in tunnels. Network Rail's Project Reach will address mobile connectivity in 57 key mainline tunnels which will include tunnels along the East Coast Mainline and West Coast Mainline.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps her Department is taking to improve mobile and internet connectivity on long-distance rail services between Scotland and London.

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

There have been no recent discussions with Starlink on satellite services for trains.

The Department has made an assessment of the potential impact of satellite technology on (a) mobile and (b) internet connectivity on long-distance rail services between Scotland and London and as a result of the spending review, we secured funding to deliver low earth orbit satellite technology on all mainline trains to improve on train passenger wifi. This will include services between London and Scotland, such as LNER and Avanti West Coast.

However, we know satellite connectivity will not work in tunnels. Network Rail's Project Reach will address mobile connectivity in 57 key mainline tunnels which will include tunnels along the East Coast Mainline and West Coast Mainline.

Eating disorders and online harms

Career of Sharon Cornwell

Air Ambulance Week 2025 (No. 2)

Final delivery plan on Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS)

Public service of PCSO Elaine Cave and PCSO Bev Jackson

National Federation of Young Farmers’ Clubs (NFYFC) grant

First female Astronomer Royal

Access to rail in Hazel Grove

Judith Hammond

INtuition

Oversight of automated moderation by social media companies

40mph default speed limit on country lanes

30th anniversary of Drylaw Community Centre

Tom Dunlop's UK racecourse charity cycle

Grower’s Garden

Motor neurone disease

Prostate screening in Hampshire

Ben Russell Salon

The Castle School’s World of Work celebration

Scottish Takeaway Awards 2025

Conrad N. Hilton Humanitarian Prize awarded to Mines Advisory Group

General Tarleton reopening and Jeopardy Hospitality

Award of honorary posthumous England cap to Frank Soo

East Neuk Kilnhouse Great Taste recognition

200th anniversary of the Church of St Martin of Tours, Epsom

Fertility funding access for LGBTQIA+ people

Winnersh Film Studios

Independence of Healthwatch England

University of St Andrews support for the Blue Carbon Action Plan

Dame Annette Brooke

Edinburgh Kiltwalk 2025

Neurodivergent children at school

Jackie Ingle’s service to Street Library

Commemoration of H G Wells’ birthday

Tribute to Councillor Nick Cottle

Lucy Bull

Mental health care in Gaza

Dentistry in Taunton and Wellington

Funding for The Wharf Marple

Found: Watch the meeting Members present: Patricia Ferguson (Chair); Lillian Jones; Mr Angus MacDonald; Douglas

Found: National Party; Angus and Perthshire Glens) Lillian Jones (Labour; Kilmarnock and Loudoun) Mr Angus MacDonald

Found: Martin Wrigley Calum MillerAlison BennettSarah Dyke Charlotte CaneJohn CooperOlly Glover Mr Angus MacDonald

Found: Martin Wrigley Calum MillerAlison BennettSarah Dyke Charlotte CaneJohn CooperOlly Glover Mr Angus MacDonald

Found: Martin Wrigley Calum MillerAlison BennettSarah Dyke Charlotte CaneJohn CooperOlly Glover Mr Angus MacDonald