Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Carolyn Harris and Keir Mather

Thursday 11th June 2026 Commons Chamber

[Keir Mather]

We believe that the benefits of having electric rolling stock for our train services actually allow us to improve efficiency on the railway, and I hope that those improvements can be realised for the hon. Gentleman’s constituents.

[Carolyn Harris (Neath and Swansea East) (Lab)]

11. What recent assessment her Department has made of the potential merits of providing UV index alerts on public information boards at transport hubs.

[The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Transport (Keir Mather)]

The Department has not made an assessment of the potential merits of providing UV index alerts on public information boards at transport hubs. UV guidance and forecasts are published by the UK Health Security Agency and the Met Office. They are included in TV and radio weather reporting and can be readily accessed on a range of weather apps.

[Carolyn Harris]

One of the key findings of the recent beauty, hair and wellbeing all-party parliamentary group UV safety report was that the public do not fully understand the UV index. With evidence showing that over 86% of skin cancer is entirely preventable, the report recommends that daily UV ratings be widely advertised across communities, including transport hubs. Will the Minister meet me to discuss how that could help to educate and protect the public, and ultimately save lives?

[Keir Mather]

I know my hon. Friend is producing a report on this critical matter and I would be very glad to meet her to discuss its findings. We ought to take every opportunity to ensure that people understand the impact of UV on their skin health, so I look forward to meeting her to discuss those findings further.