Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps her Department is taking to mitigate risks posed to public transport workers who are lone working.

Answered by Lilian Greenwood - Government Whip, Lord Commissioner of HM Treasury

The Department wants everyone to feel and be safe on the public transport network, and we are working across government and with partners, including the British Transport Police (BTP), the transport industry, and local authorities to this end.

On the railways, there are robust safety arrangements in place to support staff who are operating independently and alone, whether they be track workers, station staff, train guards, or signallers, among other roles. These arrangements are mandatory due to the strong statutory safety duties that apply to operators and employers on the railway. To mitigate the risks associated with lone working, the industry is implementing various measures to improve safety and security.

The BTP are the dedicated police force responsible for policing the railway in England, Scotland and Wales. Their officers patrol the network 24/7 to provide reassurance to passengers and staff and deter criminals from offending. BTP also work closely with the rail industry to encourage staff to report offences so they can take action against offenders. Reporting can be done by texting 61016, calling 0800 405040 or calling 999 in an emergency.

As part of the Departmental transport commitments outlined in the recently published Action Plan of the Government's ‘Freedom from violence and abuse: a cross-government strategy,’ the Department is currently exploring expanding the provision and use of CCTV on the bus network, to increase feelings of safety and reduce the length of investigations.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what steps she will take to support a) local newspapers and b) digitally excluded adults in the context of the proposed removal of the legal requirement for alcohol licensing notices.

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

The Government published a Call for Evidence on reforming the licensing system on 7 October. This invited views on the impact of licensing reforms, including in relation to Recommendation 4 of the Licensing Taskforce, that the requirement for printed statutory notices in local newspapers for alcohol licences should be removed. The reforms collectively aim to create a modern, proportionate, and enabling system that supports economic growth, revitalises high streets and fosters vibrant communities.

The Government is also concerned about the sustainability of local journalism and DCMS is developing a Local Media Strategy, in recognition of the importance of this vital sector. We recognise that local press continues to play a central role in informing local communities, and that statutory notices, including alcohol licensing notices, can be an important way of keeping residents informed about decisions made by their council which may affect their quality of life, local services or amenities, or their property.

As part of the Local Media Strategy, we will be conducting a statutory notices review, which will take forward final decisions on the future of alcohol notices. As part of this, we will consider the merits and risks of making changes to existing requirements to place statutory notices in print local newspapers, including the impact this has on digitally excluded adults and local newspapers. More will be announced on the Strategy and the review in due course.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what assessment she has made of the potential implications for her policies of the Samaritan's media guidelines for reporting suicide; and if her Department will take steps to promote those guidelines.

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

The UK has a self-regulatory system for the press, which is independent from Government. This is vital to ensure the public has access to accurate and trustworthy information from a range of different sources. The Government therefore does not intervene in the work of the press or independent press regulators.

Within the self-regulatory system, the majority of traditional publishers are members of the Independent Press Standards Organisation (IPSO). Some publishers have joined the Independent Monitor for the Press (Impress), while others, including the Financial Times and the Guardian, have chosen to stay outside either regulator with their own detailed self-regulatory arrangements.

These regulators enforce codes of conduct which provide guidelines on a range of areas, which include reporting on suicides. Both regulators also signpost to the Samaritans’ media guidelines for reporting on suicides and publish further advice for journalists and editors relating to reporting on suicide. Impress’ guidance is https://www.impressorg.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/Guidance-on-the-Impress-Standards-Code.pdf#page=65 and IPSO’s is https://www.ipso.co.uk/resources/reporting-suicide-guidance/.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what steps she is taking to raise awareness of gambling-related harms and mitigate the impact of gambling advertisements.

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

All operators who advertise in the UK must comply with advertising codes, which are enforced by the Advertising Standards Authority independently of government. The codes include a wide range of provisions which are designed to protect children and vulnerable adults from harm and ensure that adverts are socially responsible.

However, we recognise that more work needs to be done to ensure that gambling advertising does not exacerbate harm. We are working closely, across government and with industry, to ensure children and the most vulnerable are protected, and to tackle illegal gambling advertising.

In addition, the new statutory gambling levy will raise around c.£100 million in funding every year. This funding will be ringfenced to deliver priority projects and services for the research, prevention and treatment of gambling-related harm, further increasing awareness, understanding and treatment of gambling-related harms across Great Britain.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what steps her Department is taking to ensure that the statutory gambling levy takes a public health approach.

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

In our response to the consultation on the statutory levy, we set out the levy’s overarching principles to ensure that the lead commissioning bodies are supporting the government in delivering on our vision for the future system. This includes a coordinated approach to prevention at the local, regional and national level and providing investment to develop and deliver harm reduction activities across Great Britain.

The Office for Health Improvement and Disparities holds responsibilities for prevention programme design and commissioning in England, alongside appropriate bodies in Scotland and Wales. We are collectively committed to ensuring the levy system is effective, evidence-based and aligned with wider public health principles.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what assessment she has made of the potential implications for her policies of Chapter One's report entitled Ten Point Plan for Gambling Harm Prevention.

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

The Government is acutely aware of the impact that gambling harm can have on individuals, families and communities and we are committed to strengthening protections for those at risk.

We consider a wide range of evidence when making policy and regulatory decisions. This includes consideration of the recommendations in Chapter One’s report “Ten Point Plan for Gambling Harm Prevention”.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, whether her Department plans to bring loot boxes under gambling regulation.

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

Prizes that can be won via loot boxes do not have a monetary value, cannot be cashed-out, and are of value only within the context of the game. They are therefore not legally classified as gambling and do not fall under gambling regulation. There are currently no plans to change this.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what recent discussions her Department has had with relevant stakeholders on the potential for a direct rail link between South Wales and Heathrow Airport.

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

The Department regularly engages with stakeholders on transport to Heathrow, in line with the Statement of Approach to engagement during the ANPS review. The Government recognises the vital role that surface access will play as part of any future expansion of Heathrow Airport. As part of the review of the Airports National Policy Statement (ANPS), launched on 22 October 2025, we will consider the transport infrastructure required to support a third runway, including rail connectivity and mode share targets. This will include considering the impacts for travellers from different regions.

The Government has been clear that expansion must be affordable and delivered in the best interest of passengers. Scheme costs should be minimised and financed through private funding, including any surface transport costs.

While it would not be appropriate to pre-empt the outcome of the ANPS review at this stage, it will be the responsibility of any expansion promoter to set out a surface access strategy demonstrating how they will meet the requirements set out in the ANPS.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what steps his Department is taking to increase the supply of one-bedroom social rented homes for young people facing homelessness.

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

I refer the hon. Member to the answers given to Questions UIN 101227 on 7 January 2026 for Programmes in England and 104603 on 19 January 2026.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, whether his Department plans to prioritise the development of housing suitable for single young people within wider social housing programmes.

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

I refer the hon. Member to the answers given to Questions UIN 101227 on 7 January 2026 for Programmes in England and 104603 on 19 January 2026.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether she is planning to improve rail links between South Wales and a) Gatwick and b) Heathrow.

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

This Government is continuing to invest in the UK rail network at record levels, including at least £445 million of investment in the rail network in Wales announced at the Spending Review and backed up by the Prime Minister's recent endorsement of the Transport for Wales vision for the future of Welsh rail. This will support the creation of thousands of jobs, the building of new homes and improving opportunities for communities all across Wales.

Since December an additional late evening service has been added on the line between Reading and Gatwick Airport allowing more opportunities for passengers from South Wales to get to the airport. In the future, passengers from South Wales may be able to change trains at the new Old Oak Common station for fast and frequent connections to Heathrow Airport once main line trains begin stopping there.