Question

To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, with regards to the Gambling Commission's decision to introduce Financial Risk Assessments, whether DCMS has received or assessed an impact assessment or equivalent evidence; and whether DCMS expects the supporting evidence to be published.

Answered by Vicky Foxcroft - Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State (Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport)

The 2023 Gambling White Paper proposed Financial Risk Assessments (FRAs) as a key tool to help gambling operators consider a customer’s risk profile and intervene if necessary. The White Paper itself received significant Parliamentary scrutiny, and the detailed policy was the subject of public consultation and subsequent piloting by the Gambling Commission. Engagement with the Department took place throughout this period.

On 7 July 2026, the Gambling Commission announced that its Board had decided to implement FRAs in a careful, phased way and that a full consultation response would be published in the Autumn. The Commission made these evidence-based decisions under the statutory powers provided to them under the Gambling Act 2005, and specifically to support the Gambling Act licensing objective to protect children and other vulnerable people from being harmed or exploited by gambling, working closely with the government throughout. All relevant impacts were considered alongside harm reduction, including: reducing friction for customers, data protection, impacts on industry and impacts on specific sectors including horseracing.

The Gambling Commission’s Board will continue to have oversight of implementation and evaluation. The Government will continue to engage actively with the Commission on the effectiveness of implementation.

The Government recognises the significant contribution that racing makes to British sporting culture and its importance to the British economy. Horseracing is the only sport in receipt of a direct government-mandated levy which helps to drive improvements in the sport. We do recognise that the horseracing sector has concerns about FRAs. Both the former Minister for Gambling and the Gambling Commission have met the British Horseracing Authority and wider racing stakeholders to discuss these concerns. We would encourage the sector to engage constructively with the Commission during the upcoming implementation phase.

Question

To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, what discussions her Department has had with the Gambling Commission on the safeguards that will apply to personal and financial data processed in connection with Financial Risk Assessments, including safeguards relating to security, retention, deletion, access and permitted use; and when relevant requirements or guidance will be published.

Answered by Vicky Foxcroft - Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State (Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport)

The 2023 Gambling White Paper proposed Financial Risk Assessments (FRAs) as a key tool to help gambling operators consider a customer’s risk profile and intervene if necessary. The White Paper itself received significant Parliamentary scrutiny, and the detailed policy was the subject of public consultation and subsequent piloting by the Gambling Commission. Engagement with the Department took place throughout this period.

On 7 July 2026, the Gambling Commission announced that its Board had decided to implement FRAs in a careful, phased way and that a full consultation response would be published in the Autumn. The Commission made these evidence-based decisions under the statutory powers provided to them under the Gambling Act 2005, and specifically to support the Gambling Act licensing objective to protect children and other vulnerable people from being harmed or exploited by gambling, working closely with the government throughout. All relevant impacts were considered alongside harm reduction, including: reducing friction for customers, data protection, impacts on industry and impacts on specific sectors including horseracing.

The Gambling Commission’s Board will continue to have oversight of implementation and evaluation. The Government will continue to engage actively with the Commission on the effectiveness of implementation.

The Government recognises the significant contribution that racing makes to British sporting culture and its importance to the British economy. Horseracing is the only sport in receipt of a direct government-mandated levy which helps to drive improvements in the sport. We do recognise that the horseracing sector has concerns about FRAs. Both the former Minister for Gambling and the Gambling Commission have met the British Horseracing Authority and wider racing stakeholders to discuss these concerns. We would encourage the sector to engage constructively with the Commission during the upcoming implementation phase.

Question

To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, what statutory powers the Gambling Commission is relying on to introduce Financial Risk Assessments; what consultation with her was undertaken; and what parliamentary scrutiny the Government considers appropriate for regulatory changes of this kind.

Answered by Vicky Foxcroft - Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State (Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport)

The 2023 Gambling White Paper proposed Financial Risk Assessments (FRAs) as a key tool to help gambling operators consider a customer’s risk profile and intervene if necessary. The White Paper itself received significant Parliamentary scrutiny, and the detailed policy was the subject of public consultation and subsequent piloting by the Gambling Commission. Engagement with the Department took place throughout this period.

On 7 July 2026, the Gambling Commission announced that its Board had decided to implement FRAs in a careful, phased way and that a full consultation response would be published in the Autumn. The Commission made these evidence-based decisions under the statutory powers provided to them under the Gambling Act 2005, and specifically to support the Gambling Act licensing objective to protect children and other vulnerable people from being harmed or exploited by gambling, working closely with the government throughout. All relevant impacts were considered alongside harm reduction, including: reducing friction for customers, data protection, impacts on industry and impacts on specific sectors including horseracing.

The Gambling Commission’s Board will continue to have oversight of implementation and evaluation. The Government will continue to engage actively with the Commission on the effectiveness of implementation.

The Government recognises the significant contribution that racing makes to British sporting culture and its importance to the British economy. Horseracing is the only sport in receipt of a direct government-mandated levy which helps to drive improvements in the sport. We do recognise that the horseracing sector has concerns about FRAs. Both the former Minister for Gambling and the Gambling Commission have met the British Horseracing Authority and wider racing stakeholders to discuss these concerns. We would encourage the sector to engage constructively with the Commission during the upcoming implementation phase.

Question

To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, whether her Department has sought assurances from the Gambling Commission that data-protection impact assessments and any other assessments required under data-protection legislation have been completed in respect of Financial Risk Assessments.

Answered by Vicky Foxcroft - Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State (Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport)

The 2023 Gambling White Paper proposed Financial Risk Assessments (FRAs) as a key tool to help gambling operators consider a customer’s risk profile and intervene if necessary. The White Paper itself received significant Parliamentary scrutiny, and the detailed policy was the subject of public consultation and subsequent piloting by the Gambling Commission. Engagement with the Department took place throughout this period.

On 7 July 2026, the Gambling Commission announced that its Board had decided to implement FRAs in a careful, phased way and that a full consultation response would be published in the Autumn. The Commission made these evidence-based decisions under the statutory powers provided to them under the Gambling Act 2005, and specifically to support the Gambling Act licensing objective to protect children and other vulnerable people from being harmed or exploited by gambling, working closely with the government throughout. All relevant impacts were considered alongside harm reduction, including: reducing friction for customers, data protection, impacts on industry and impacts on specific sectors including horseracing.

The Gambling Commission’s Board will continue to have oversight of implementation and evaluation. The Government will continue to engage actively with the Commission on the effectiveness of implementation.

The Government recognises the significant contribution that racing makes to British sporting culture and its importance to the British economy. Horseracing is the only sport in receipt of a direct government-mandated levy which helps to drive improvements in the sport. We do recognise that the horseracing sector has concerns about FRAs. Both the former Minister for Gambling and the Gambling Commission have met the British Horseracing Authority and wider racing stakeholders to discuss these concerns. We would encourage the sector to engage constructively with the Commission during the upcoming implementation phase.

Question

To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, with regards to the Gambling Commission's decision to introduce Financial Risk Assessments, what assessment she has made of the potential impact on turnover, Horserace Betting Levy receipts and the racing sector.

Answered by Vicky Foxcroft - Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State (Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport)

The 2023 Gambling White Paper proposed Financial Risk Assessments (FRAs) as a key tool to help gambling operators consider a customer’s risk profile and intervene if necessary. The White Paper itself received significant Parliamentary scrutiny, and the detailed policy was the subject of public consultation and subsequent piloting by the Gambling Commission. Engagement with the Department took place throughout this period.

On 7 July 2026, the Gambling Commission announced that its Board had decided to implement FRAs in a careful, phased way and that a full consultation response would be published in the Autumn. The Commission made these evidence-based decisions under the statutory powers provided to them under the Gambling Act 2005, and specifically to support the Gambling Act licensing objective to protect children and other vulnerable people from being harmed or exploited by gambling, working closely with the government throughout. All relevant impacts were considered alongside harm reduction, including: reducing friction for customers, data protection, impacts on industry and impacts on specific sectors including horseracing.

The Gambling Commission’s Board will continue to have oversight of implementation and evaluation. The Government will continue to engage actively with the Commission on the effectiveness of implementation.

The Government recognises the significant contribution that racing makes to British sporting culture and its importance to the British economy. Horseracing is the only sport in receipt of a direct government-mandated levy which helps to drive improvements in the sport. We do recognise that the horseracing sector has concerns about FRAs. Both the former Minister for Gambling and the Gambling Commission have met the British Horseracing Authority and wider racing stakeholders to discuss these concerns. We would encourage the sector to engage constructively with the Commission during the upcoming implementation phase.

Question

To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, with regards to the Gambling Commission's decision to introduce Financial Risk Assessments, what discussions she had with the Commission regarding the timing of the decision and publication of the consultation response and independent evaluation.

Answered by Vicky Foxcroft - Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State (Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport)

The 2023 Gambling White Paper proposed Financial Risk Assessments (FRAs) as a key tool to help gambling operators consider a customer’s risk profile and intervene if necessary. The White Paper itself received significant Parliamentary scrutiny, and the detailed policy was the subject of public consultation and subsequent piloting by the Gambling Commission. Engagement with the Department took place throughout this period.

On 7 July 2026, the Gambling Commission announced that its Board had decided to implement FRAs in a careful, phased way and that a full consultation response would be published in the Autumn. The Commission made these evidence-based decisions under the statutory powers provided to them under the Gambling Act 2005, and specifically to support the Gambling Act licensing objective to protect children and other vulnerable people from being harmed or exploited by gambling, working closely with the government throughout. All relevant impacts were considered alongside harm reduction, including: reducing friction for customers, data protection, impacts on industry and impacts on specific sectors including horseracing.

The Gambling Commission’s Board will continue to have oversight of implementation and evaluation. The Government will continue to engage actively with the Commission on the effectiveness of implementation.

The Government recognises the significant contribution that racing makes to British sporting culture and its importance to the British economy. Horseracing is the only sport in receipt of a direct government-mandated levy which helps to drive improvements in the sport. We do recognise that the horseracing sector has concerns about FRAs. Both the former Minister for Gambling and the Gambling Commission have met the British Horseracing Authority and wider racing stakeholders to discuss these concerns. We would encourage the sector to engage constructively with the Commission during the upcoming implementation phase.

Question

To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, what assessment she has made of the potential merits of introducing extreme heat health and safety guidance for all outdoor sport.

Answered by Stephanie Peacock - Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State (Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport)

The Government recognises the challenges of extreme heat for sport and physical activity, and encourages all sports bodies, organisers, and local clubs to monitor weather-health alerts and take appropriate steps.

Through its environmental sustainability strategy, Every Move, our arm’s length body Sport England provides tools, resources, and funding to build climate resilience across the grassroots sector. As part of this work, Sport England is developing guidance to support the sector in adapting to climate change.

In addition the Sports Grounds Safety Authority (SGSA), the Government’s advisory body on safety at sports grounds, has published guidance on Planning for Extreme Heat at Sports Grounds, setting out practical steps on shade mapping, water provision, staff welfare, and contingency protocols.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what assessment her Department has made of the adequacy of public interest powers to assess the potential impact of changes in overseas ownership of major UK airlines like EasyJet on national transport infrastructure and regional connectivity.

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

The Government recognises the importance of easyJet as a major UK airline, supporting connectivity, regional economies, employment and consumer choice.

As these are live commercial discussions between private parties, it would not be appropriate for Government to comment on the merits of the offer. The Civil Aviation Authority and my officials are in communication with both easyJet and its potential new owners, Apollo Global Management.

I can, however, confirm that any change of ownership would need to comply with the UK’s regulatory framework, including requirements on ownership, control, and financial fitness. The Civil Aviation Authority are responsible for assessing compliance with these requirements and may refer matters to the Secretary of State for Transport as necessary.

The Government keeps the operation of the UK's merger control, investment and aviation regulatory frameworks under review and will continue to monitor this situation and engage as appropriate within the existing regulatory framework.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what assessment he has made of HM Revenue and Customs’ performance in delivering (i) timely and (ii) accurate services to taxpayers.

Answered by James Murray - Financial Secretary to the Treasury and Paymaster General

HMRC closely monitors a range of metrics relating to day-to-day performance and the overall customer experience. Information such as customer satisfaction scores, telephony and correspondence performance is regularly published on GOV.UK:

https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/hmrc-quarterly-performance-updates

HMRC’s latest customer survey results, including those for individuals, agents and small businesses, can be found here:

https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/hmrc-customer-surveys

Improving the customer experience remains a key priority, with a strong focus on making it simpler and quicker to deal with HMRC.

More customers are choosing to use HMRC’s digital services, which provide a fast and convenient way to manage their tax affairs. HMRC are continuing to expand and improve their digital services as set out in their latest transformation roadmap update:

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/hmrc-transformation-roadmap-progress-update-2026

HMRC have also enhanced their guidance and redesigned key services so customers can feel more confident and get things right first time.

When customers do need to speak to HMRC by phone their calls are being answered, on average, more quickly. This progress is helping HMRC deliver their Charter standards and build a more modern, reliable service that customers can trust.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what steps he is taking to improve HM Revenue and Customs' customer experience ratings for (i) individuals, (ii) small businesses and (iii) agents.

Answered by James Murray - Financial Secretary to the Treasury and Paymaster General

HMRC closely monitors a range of metrics relating to day-to-day performance and the overall customer experience. Information such as customer satisfaction scores, telephony and correspondence performance is regularly published on GOV.UK:

https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/hmrc-quarterly-performance-updates

HMRC’s latest customer survey results, including those for individuals, agents and small businesses, can be found here:

https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/hmrc-customer-surveys

Improving the customer experience remains a key priority, with a strong focus on making it simpler and quicker to deal with HMRC.

More customers are choosing to use HMRC’s digital services, which provide a fast and convenient way to manage their tax affairs. HMRC are continuing to expand and improve their digital services as set out in their latest transformation roadmap update:

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/hmrc-transformation-roadmap-progress-update-2026

HMRC have also enhanced their guidance and redesigned key services so customers can feel more confident and get things right first time.

When customers do need to speak to HMRC by phone their calls are being answered, on average, more quickly. This progress is helping HMRC deliver their Charter standards and build a more modern, reliable service that customers can trust.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what assessment his Department has made of the potential impact of HMRC rules on taxing visiting international athletes' global endorsement income on the ability of regional grass-court tennis tournaments to attract elite international players; and if he will review introducing targeted tax exemptions for pre-Wimbledon events.

Answered by James Murray - Financial Secretary to the Treasury and Paymaster General

Under long-standing UK tax rules, non-UK resident sportspersons are taxed on income arising from participation in UK events. For major sporting events the government will consider an exemption where strict criteria are met; an exemption is a condition of a bid to host an internationally mobile, world class, major sporting event. Whilst a world class event, events such as Wimbledon do not meet these criteria.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what steps he is taking to ensure HM Revenue and Customs' Transformation Roadmap (i) is completed on time, (ii) delivers the business case at implementation and (iii) provides value for money to the tax payer.

Answered by James Murray - Financial Secretary to the Treasury and Paymaster General

HMRC’s Transformation Roadmap was published on 21^st July 2025. The roadmap sets out HMRC’s plans to transform the tax and customs systems over the spending review period and its longer-term ambitions. HMRC published a Transformation Roadmap Update on 2nd July 2026. The updateset out the progress delivering HMRC’s priorities as set out in the Transformation Roadmap:https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/hmrc-transformation-roadmap-progress-update-2026

In 2025 to 2026 HMRC met the vast majority of its Transformation Roadmap commitments for the year. Progress included reaching 78% of customer interactions through automated or digital self-serve channels in 2025 to 2026, compared with around 65% in 2020 to 2021; introducing MTD for Income Tax for sole traders and landlords with income over £50,000 in April 2026; and enhancing the Child Benefit service so that eligible customers can now pay the High Income Child Benefit Charge through their Pay as You Earn (PAYE) tax code.

Value for money is a core consideration throughout the lifecycle of HMRC's transformation activity. HMRC's Accounting Officer is responsible for ensuring that expenditure represents value for money and that programmes deliver their intended benefits. Delivery, costs and benefits are assessed throughout implementation, with major programmes subject to regular review and assurance to ensure that investment continues to provide value for taxpayers and supports the priorities set out in the Transformation Roadmap.

The HMRC Board, chaired by the Financial Secretary to the Treasury, provides strategic oversight of the Transformation Roadmap. Supported by its sub-committees, the Board scrutinises progress, costs, benefits realisation and delivery risks, helping to ensure that the Roadmap is delivered effectively.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether an Equality Impact Assessment was carried out on the implementation of the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health’s 2021 guidance on Perplexing Presentations and Fabricated or Induced Illness.

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

The Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health is independent of the Government, and we are not aware of any Equality Impact Assessment being carried out in relation to their guidance.

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 the effectiveness of how consent to share information with family carers is applied by mental health providers and the mental health workforce.

Answered by Alison McGovern - Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)

The Mental Health Act Code of Practice is already clear that practitioners should be familiar with the provisions of the Mental Capacity Act. We will look at how we can improve guidance on capacity and assessment of capacity to professionals in the revised Mental Health Act Code of Practice.

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 the effectiveness of how mental capacity assessments are applied by mental health providers and the mental health workforce.

Answered by Alison McGovern - Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)

The Mental Health Act Code of Practice is already clear that practitioners should be familiar with the provisions of the Mental Capacity Act. We will look at how we can improve guidance on capacity and assessment of capacity to professionals in the revised Mental Health Act Code of Practice.

Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what are her plans to review the Police Pension Scheme 1987 with regard to the loss of the Survivor Pension for widows, widowers, or surviving civil partners who remarry or enter a new cohabiting relationship.

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

I refer the Hon. Member to the response given to UIN 813 on the 18th May 2026.

Question

To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, what assessment her Department has made of the level of accessibility of live coverage of major national and international sporting events for viewers who do not subscribe to paid streaming services; and if she will bring forward proposals to expand the list of sporting fixtures required to have live free-to-air television coverage.

Answered by Stephanie Peacock - Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State (Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport)

The Government wants to see certain sporting events of national interest shown on free-to-air television so that they can be enjoyed by a wide audience, and recognises the importance of broadcasting sporting events to attract significant audience interest. That said, broadcasting rights provide essential income for sports rights holders, which enables them to invest in their sports.

The current listed events regime is designed to ensure that sporting events of national significance are available to as wide an audience as possible, by prohibiting exclusive broadcasting of the event without prior consent from Ofcom.

The Government believes the current list of events strikes the appropriate balance between encouraging access to a number of sporting events and allowing sports to maximise broadcasting revenue. The Government has no plans to review the list at this time.

Second Reading of the Mental Capacity (Duty to Assess) Bill

Lord Lieutenancy of Surrey transition

Publication of Legal Advice on Local Government Reorganisation

Support for hospices

Found: Hackney South and Shoreditch) (Chair) Dame Harriett Baldwin (Conservative; West Worcestershire) Chris Coghlan

Found: Watch the meeting Members present: Dame Meg Hillier (Chair); Dame Harriett Baldwin; Chris Coghlan; Bobby

Found: Watch the meeting Members present: Dame Meg Hillier (Chair); Dame Harriett Baldwin; Chris Coghlan; Bobby