Question

To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, what assessment her Department has made of the effectiveness of the geographical distribution of Arts Council England funding to the arts and dance sector.

Answered by Ian Murray - Minister of State (Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport)

Arts Council England (ACE) operates at arm's length from the government, and funding decisions are made independently by ACE on merit based published criteria. However, DCMS is committed to delivering high quality arts and cultural activity in every region of the country.

The government is working with ACE on its plans for the next National Portfolio Investment Programme. To help ensure location does not disadvantage arts organisations’ access to the Portfolio, ACE will simplify the application process to make it easier to apply for funding.

In the information published in June regarding the 2028-2033 National Portfolio Investment Programme, the Arts Council confirmed that one of its objectives is to increase investment and delivery in places with historically lower investment, engagement or both. Culture Priority Places will inform decision-making in the next Portfolio, to ensure the benefits of arts and culture can be felt where need is greatest. The Arts Council will also bring in the views of local citizens into this process, to ensure that communities across England have more input into the cultural offer in their area.

According to ACE's Area Report Cornwall received £9.43 per head in 25/26, compared to £12.75 in the South West and £14.75 in England. Total ACE funding for Cornwall across the 2023–26 investment period stands at £14,522,985. This covers a range of organisations, including NPO IntoBodmin, a community and arts organisation which received £411,992 in funding for 2023–26. Total funding for dance organisations in Cornwall for 2023–26 was £277,396.

Further, as part of the £1.5 billion Arts Everywhere Fund, earlier this year, Newlyn Art Gallery & The Exchange in Cornwall was awarded £726,599 through the first round of Creative Foundations Fund, which allocated £14.4 million to eight arts and cultural venues across the South West to address urgent infrastructure needs. The second round of the Creative Foundations Fund is currently in progress.

Question

To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, what comparative assessment her Department has made of levels of Arts Council England funding between (a) Cornwall and (b) other parts of England.

Answered by Ian Murray - Minister of State (Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport)

Arts Council England (ACE) operates at arm's length from the government, and funding decisions are made independently by ACE on merit based published criteria. However, DCMS is committed to delivering high quality arts and cultural activity in every region of the country.

The government is working with ACE on its plans for the next National Portfolio Investment Programme. To help ensure location does not disadvantage arts organisations’ access to the Portfolio, ACE will simplify the application process to make it easier to apply for funding.

In the information published in June regarding the 2028-2033 National Portfolio Investment Programme, the Arts Council confirmed that one of its objectives is to increase investment and delivery in places with historically lower investment, engagement or both. Culture Priority Places will inform decision-making in the next Portfolio, to ensure the benefits of arts and culture can be felt where need is greatest. The Arts Council will also bring in the views of local citizens into this process, to ensure that communities across England have more input into the cultural offer in their area.

According to ACE's Area Report Cornwall received £9.43 per head in 25/26, compared to £12.75 in the South West and £14.75 in England. Total ACE funding for Cornwall across the 2023–26 investment period stands at £14,522,985. This covers a range of organisations, including NPO IntoBodmin, a community and arts organisation which received £411,992 in funding for 2023–26. Total funding for dance organisations in Cornwall for 2023–26 was £277,396.

Further, as part of the £1.5 billion Arts Everywhere Fund, earlier this year, Newlyn Art Gallery & The Exchange in Cornwall was awarded £726,599 through the first round of Creative Foundations Fund, which allocated £14.4 million to eight arts and cultural venues across the South West to address urgent infrastructure needs. The second round of the Creative Foundations Fund is currently in progress.

Question

To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, what steps her Department is taking to ensure that arts organisations based in Cornwall have access to national portfolio funding.

Answered by Ian Murray - Minister of State (Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport)

Arts Council England (ACE) operates at arm's length from the government, and funding decisions are made independently by ACE on merit based published criteria. However, DCMS is committed to delivering high quality arts and cultural activity in every region of the country.

The government is working with ACE on its plans for the next National Portfolio Investment Programme. To help ensure location does not disadvantage arts organisations’ access to the Portfolio, ACE will simplify the application process to make it easier to apply for funding.

In the information published in June regarding the 2028-2033 National Portfolio Investment Programme, the Arts Council confirmed that one of its objectives is to increase investment and delivery in places with historically lower investment, engagement or both. Culture Priority Places will inform decision-making in the next Portfolio, to ensure the benefits of arts and culture can be felt where need is greatest. The Arts Council will also bring in the views of local citizens into this process, to ensure that communities across England have more input into the cultural offer in their area.

According to ACE's Area Report Cornwall received £9.43 per head in 25/26, compared to £12.75 in the South West and £14.75 in England. Total ACE funding for Cornwall across the 2023–26 investment period stands at £14,522,985. This covers a range of organisations, including NPO IntoBodmin, a community and arts organisation which received £411,992 in funding for 2023–26. Total funding for dance organisations in Cornwall for 2023–26 was £277,396.

Further, as part of the £1.5 billion Arts Everywhere Fund, earlier this year, Newlyn Art Gallery & The Exchange in Cornwall was awarded £726,599 through the first round of Creative Foundations Fund, which allocated £14.4 million to eight arts and cultural venues across the South West to address urgent infrastructure needs. The second round of the Creative Foundations Fund is currently in progress.

Question

To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, what steps her Department is taking to ensure that the location of an arts organisation does not disadvantage its access to national portfolio funding.

Answered by Ian Murray - Minister of State (Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport)

Arts Council England (ACE) operates at arm's length from the government, and funding decisions are made independently by ACE on merit based published criteria. However, DCMS is committed to delivering high quality arts and cultural activity in every region of the country.

The government is working with ACE on its plans for the next National Portfolio Investment Programme. To help ensure location does not disadvantage arts organisations’ access to the Portfolio, ACE will simplify the application process to make it easier to apply for funding.

In the information published in June regarding the 2028-2033 National Portfolio Investment Programme, the Arts Council confirmed that one of its objectives is to increase investment and delivery in places with historically lower investment, engagement or both. Culture Priority Places will inform decision-making in the next Portfolio, to ensure the benefits of arts and culture can be felt where need is greatest. The Arts Council will also bring in the views of local citizens into this process, to ensure that communities across England have more input into the cultural offer in their area.

According to ACE's Area Report Cornwall received £9.43 per head in 25/26, compared to £12.75 in the South West and £14.75 in England. Total ACE funding for Cornwall across the 2023–26 investment period stands at £14,522,985. This covers a range of organisations, including NPO IntoBodmin, a community and arts organisation which received £411,992 in funding for 2023–26. Total funding for dance organisations in Cornwall for 2023–26 was £277,396.

Further, as part of the £1.5 billion Arts Everywhere Fund, earlier this year, Newlyn Art Gallery & The Exchange in Cornwall was awarded £726,599 through the first round of Creative Foundations Fund, which allocated £14.4 million to eight arts and cultural venues across the South West to address urgent infrastructure needs. The second round of the Creative Foundations Fund is currently in progress.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what data her Department holds on the number of COVID vaccines issued, unused and discarded; and what steps she is taking to adjust supply to local centres to meet demand.

Answered by Diana Johnson - Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)

Recent trends in the uptake of COVID-19 booster vaccinations among eligible groups are published routinely by the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) and NHS England. The relevant publications can be accessed at the following links:

https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/national-flu-and-covid-19-surveillance-reports-2026-to-2027-season/national-flu-and-covid-19-surveillance-report-15-october-2026-week-42#main-points

https://www.england.nhs.uk/statistics/statistical-work-areas/covid-19-vaccinations/

The UKHSA supports public awareness and uptake of seasonal COVID-19 vaccination through a range of public-facing communications, and has improved access to vaccination through online booking, the NHS App, and community pharmacies. Eligibility for the COVID-19 vaccination programme is set out by the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI), and is available at the following link:

https://www.england.nhs.uk/long-read/2026-27-covid-adult-influenza-vaccination-service-specification-general-practice/

Practices must offer COVID-19 vaccination to all patients on their Registered Patient List who are eligible through inclusion in a JCVI cohort that has been announced and authorised by the commissioner.

NHS England uses the JCVI determined eligibility criteria, alongside cohort size data and uptake trends, to determine each provider's vaccine allocation for the campaign. Within this allocation, providers can flex the volume and frequency of deliveries to match local demand. Where demand exceeds their allocation, providers can request additional stock to ensure demand can be met. Further information is available at the following link:

https://view.officeapps.live.com/op/view.aspx?src=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.england.nhs.uk%2Fstatistics%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fsites%2F2%2F2026%2F07%2FSpring-2026-Monthly-COVID-vaccinations-9-July-2026.xlsx

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, is she will take steps to allow GPs to administer surplus COVID vaccinations to key workers, medical staff and vulnerable patients.

Answered by Diana Johnson - Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)

Recent trends in the uptake of COVID-19 booster vaccinations among eligible groups are published routinely by the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) and NHS England. The relevant publications can be accessed at the following links:

https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/national-flu-and-covid-19-surveillance-reports-2026-to-2027-season/national-flu-and-covid-19-surveillance-report-15-october-2026-week-42#main-points

https://www.england.nhs.uk/statistics/statistical-work-areas/covid-19-vaccinations/

The UKHSA supports public awareness and uptake of seasonal COVID-19 vaccination through a range of public-facing communications, and has improved access to vaccination through online booking, the NHS App, and community pharmacies. Eligibility for the COVID-19 vaccination programme is set out by the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI), and is available at the following link:

https://www.england.nhs.uk/long-read/2026-27-covid-adult-influenza-vaccination-service-specification-general-practice/

Practices must offer COVID-19 vaccination to all patients on their Registered Patient List who are eligible through inclusion in a JCVI cohort that has been announced and authorised by the commissioner.

NHS England uses the JCVI determined eligibility criteria, alongside cohort size data and uptake trends, to determine each provider's vaccine allocation for the campaign. Within this allocation, providers can flex the volume and frequency of deliveries to match local demand. Where demand exceeds their allocation, providers can request additional stock to ensure demand can be met. Further information is available at the following link:

https://view.officeapps.live.com/op/view.aspx?src=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.england.nhs.uk%2Fstatistics%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fsites%2F2%2F2026%2F07%2FSpring-2026-Monthly-COVID-vaccinations-9-July-2026.xlsx

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment she has made of recent trends in the level of uptake among target groups of covid-19 booster vaccinations; and what steps her Department is taking to (a) promote public awareness and (b) increase the take-up of the covid-19 spring and summer booster vaccinations by target groups.

Answered by Diana Johnson - Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)

Recent trends in the uptake of COVID-19 booster vaccinations among eligible groups are published routinely by the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) and NHS England. The relevant publications can be accessed at the following links:

https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/national-flu-and-covid-19-surveillance-reports-2026-to-2027-season/national-flu-and-covid-19-surveillance-report-15-october-2026-week-42#main-points

https://www.england.nhs.uk/statistics/statistical-work-areas/covid-19-vaccinations/

The UKHSA supports public awareness and uptake of seasonal COVID-19 vaccination through a range of public-facing communications, and has improved access to vaccination through online booking, the NHS App, and community pharmacies. Eligibility for the COVID-19 vaccination programme is set out by the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI), and is available at the following link:

https://www.england.nhs.uk/long-read/2026-27-covid-adult-influenza-vaccination-service-specification-general-practice/

Practices must offer COVID-19 vaccination to all patients on their Registered Patient List who are eligible through inclusion in a JCVI cohort that has been announced and authorised by the commissioner.

NHS England uses the JCVI determined eligibility criteria, alongside cohort size data and uptake trends, to determine each provider's vaccine allocation for the campaign. Within this allocation, providers can flex the volume and frequency of deliveries to match local demand. Where demand exceeds their allocation, providers can request additional stock to ensure demand can be met. Further information is available at the following link:

https://view.officeapps.live.com/op/view.aspx?src=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.england.nhs.uk%2Fstatistics%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fsites%2F2%2F2026%2F07%2FSpring-2026-Monthly-COVID-vaccinations-9-July-2026.xlsx

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether his Department has made an assessment of the potential merits of requiring card payment providers to proactively offer small business customers the lowest rates for which they are eligible.

Answered by Lucy Rigby - Economic Secretary (HM Treasury)

The Government recognises the importance of customers of financial services firms, including payment firms, receiving good outcomes.

A market review by the Payment Systems Regulator (PSR) found that the supply of card-acquiring services, which allow businesses to accept card payments, did not work well for small and medium-sized merchants and large merchants with annual card turnover up to £50 million.

In response, the PSR introduced new rules to improve outcomes for small businesses. These include personalised summary boxes containing key price and non-price information; online quotation tools; and messages prompting businesses to shop around or switch. It also introduced an 18-month maximum duration for point-of-sale terminal lease and rental contracts, followed by rolling monthly contracts. These measures are intended to help businesses compare offers and reduce barriers to switching.

Furthermore, the PSR has also recently introduced a set of requirements on the information that Mastercard and Visa must supply to card acquirers when setting certain fee levels that may be passed down to small businesses. This should help reduce unnecessary operational costs, support more accurate billing and pricing to small businesses, and help card acquirers and small businesses make better-informed choices about optional services and behavioural fees.

The Financial Conduct Authority’s Consumer Duty also requires firms to act to deliver good outcomes for retail customers. The FCA has confirmed that the Duty applies to card acquirers serving micro-enterprises and charities with annual income below £1 million. The FCA expects firms to give customers the information they need, at the right time and in a way they can understand.

Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, if she will consider expanding the list of sports approved for Physical Education examinations where a sport has (a) an established governing body and (b) established participation among young people.

Answered by Georgia Gould - Minister of State (Education)

The current approved Physical Examinations Activity List is based on the activity’s suitability for assessment against nationally applied criteria, rather than the existence of a governing body alone.

We have outlined our commitment to revisit the activity list following the Curriculum and Assessment Review undertaken last year. We will ensure that the list is inclusive to all children and that any amendments to the activity list maintains the standard of the qualification.

Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what consideration she has given to recognising pilot gig rowing within the list of sports approved for assessment in Physical Education examinations.

Answered by Georgia Gould - Minister of State (Education)

The current approved Physical Examinations Activity List is based on the activity’s suitability for assessment against nationally applied criteria, rather than the existence of a governing body alone.

We have outlined our commitment to revisit the activity list following the Curriculum and Assessment Review undertaken last year. We will ensure that the list is inclusive to all children and that any amendments to the activity list maintains the standard of the qualification.

Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what assessment she has made of the suitability of pilot gig rowing for assessment under the rowing category in GCSE Physical Education examinations.

Answered by Georgia Gould - Minister of State (Education)

The current approved Physical Examinations Activity List is based on the activity’s suitability for assessment against nationally applied criteria, rather than the existence of a governing body alone.

We have outlined our commitment to revisit the activity list following the Curriculum and Assessment Review undertaken last year. We will ensure that the list is inclusive to all children and that any amendments to the activity list maintains the standard of the qualification.

Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, with reference to the consultation entitled 'Exploring the role of alternative clean heating solutions' which closed on 10 February 2026, when her Department plans to publish its (a) conclusions and (b) recommendations.

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

The consultation 'Exploring the role of alternative clean heating solutions' sought evidence on the costs and barriers to uptake of low carbon heating technologies that could be used to decarbonise heat in the small number of properties that may not be suitable for heat pumps and heat networks. We are now considering the evidence received from responses and the Government will publish its response in due course.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps the Rural Payments Agency is taking to clear outstanding quarterly rural payments to farmers; and what the average delay in making those payments has been in the last 12 months.

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

The vast majority of eligible quarterly Sustainable Farming Incentive payments have been made. As of 7 October 2026, RPA has made 98% of eligible SFI23 & SFI24 payments and continues to resolve outstanding cases as quickly as possible.

LGBT+ rights in the Commonwealth

Found: Not called_116 Mr Paul Kohler Ben Maguire .

Found: Helen Morgan Tom Gordon Richard Foord Ian Sollom Mr Angus MacDonald Calum Miller David Chadwick Ben Maguire

Found: Helen Morgan Tom Gordon Richard Foord Ian Sollom Mr Angus MacDonald Calum Miller David Chadwick Ben Maguire