Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what steps his Department is taking to help prevent homelessness for veterans as part of the (a) National Plan to End Homelessness and (b) Inter-Ministerial Group on homelessness, and how Op FORTITUDE interacts with the National Plan to End Homelessness.

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

This Government is clear that one veteran rough sleeping is one too many. This Government is fully committed to ensuring that all veterans across the UK have access to the support they need on housing. That is why we have committed an additional £12 million to ensure the continuation of the Reducing Veteran Homelessness programme. This programme, alongside Op FORTITUDE, will deliver three years of support services across the UK for veterans at risk of or experiencing homelessness.

In December last year, the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government published A National Plan to End Homelessness, the Ministry of Defence contributed to this strategy and will continue to do so through its attendance at the Inter-Ministerial Group on Homelessness and Rough Sleeping. This includes ensuring that all councils are aware of service provision in their area to support veterans at risk of homelessness; and recognises the importance of veteran-specific support such as Op FORTITUDE, putting the service that has already supported over 1,100 veterans on a sustainable footing.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, with reference to the National Cancer Plan 2026, what steps his Department is taking to support the uptake of NHS England and Starlight’s Play Well toolkit.

Answered by Sharon Hodgson - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)

The Department is committed to improving outcomes and experiences of children and young people with cancer and recognises the importance of supporting and maintaining their right to play in healthcare settings.

The NHS England and Starlight Play Well Toolkit, published in June 2025, includes the first national guidelines and standards for commissioning and delivering health play services in England. It aims to improve access to child-friendly care and specialised health play services across paediatric healthcare.

Through the National Cancer Plan, the Department will improve the experience of staying in hospital for children and young people with cancer. More tangibly, the Department is committed to ensure uptake of NHS England and Starlight’s Play Well toolkit across regions and integrated care boards. This ensures young cancer patients have access to activities and therapeutic care that support their emotional wellbeing.

In addition, NHS England is promoting the toolkit to managers of health play services across a wide range of settings, including community clinics, emergency departments, children’s hospices, and acute paediatric wards. The toolkit provides clear guidance on supporting practical training and mentorship in healthcare settings.

Found: Watch the meeting Members present: Mr Tanmanjeet Singh Dhesi (Chair); Mr Calvin Bailey; Alex Baker;

Found: Watch the meeting Members present: Mr Tanmanjeet Singh Dhesi (Chair); Mr Calvin Bailey; Alex Baker;