Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether he plans to make an assessment of the potential merits of establishing a Government-backed social care investment fund to offer low-cost loans to support the development of the (a) infrastructure and (b) services of not-for-profit care providers, including digital approaches to (i) social care services and (ii) back-office functions; and what assessment he has made of the adequacy of the level of capital investment in social care.

Answered by Stephen Kinnock - Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)

A Government-backed social care investment fund is not an idea that we are currently considering. Funding for adult social care is provided by central Government to local authorities through the Local Government Finance Settlement. The Spending Review allows for an increase of over £4 billion of funding available for adult social care in 2028/29 compared to 2025/26, to support the sector in making improvements. Local authorities have discretion over how to best use this funding in order to meet the diverse needs of all local people.

We know that digital transformation has the potential to drive improvement in adult social care, improving experiences and outcomes for people seeking and receiving care. The Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT) is funding projects that support the adoption and use of advanced technologies in social care settings. DSIT’s £44 million 5G Innovation Regions Programme has funded ten regions across the United Kingdom to demonstrate the benefits of adopting technologies and solutions that rely on advanced connectivity services in a range of sectors, including health and social care.

The Department has not carried out a specific assessment on the adequacy level of capital investment in social care.

To build consensus on plans for a National Care Service, Baroness Casey is chairing an Independent Commission to shape the medium- and longer-term reforms needed, with phase 1 reporting next year. Details about how to engage with the Commission are available at the following link:

https://caseycommission.co.uk/

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what discussions she has had with Cabinet colleagues, Football authorities and the Football Association on the potential visa requirements of the US government to provide information about their social media activity in the last 5 years for people travelling to watch the world cup.

Answered by Stephen Doughty - Minister of State (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)

The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) is working across Government and with sporting bodies to support UK fans travelling to matches for the FIFA World Cup in 2026. The FCDO is in contact with US authorities to ensure we have the latest information on immigration rules, and we encourage those travelling to the US to consult our USA (https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/usa/entry-requirements) and World Cup (https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/usa/world-cup-2026) travel advice pages before making travel arrangements.

Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, if she will extend the ‘Respond by’ deadline on the technical consultation on the International Student Levy until after her Department has published the research it commissioned on student price elasticities in Spring 2026.

Answered by Josh MacAlister - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Education)

The international student levy forms part of our wider plan for higher education student finance and funding reform, as set out in the Post-16 Education and Skills White Paper, which puts the sector on a secure financial footing whilst also ensuring it contributes to wider governmental objectives.

The department is continuing to engage with providers on the implementation of the levy, to ensure its effective introduction and operation. Our technical consultation gives stakeholders the opportunity to contribute their views and shape how the levy will be delivered. It is open until 18 February 2026 in line with usual practice for consultations.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what representations she has had from (a) pubs and licensed premises, (b) leisure arenas, (c) community sports clubs and (d) music venues on business rates increases in the next financial year.

Answered by Dan Tomlinson - Exchequer Secretary (HM Treasury)

The Government has engaged with a range of stakeholders on business rates in advance of the Budget and continues to do so.

Marking the 60th anniversary of the University of the Air White Paper

Buying community energy locally

Found: No.148) Current membership Sir Geoffrey Clifton-Brown (Conservative; North Cotswolds) (Chair) Mr Clive Betts

Found: Watch the meeting Members present: Sir Geoffrey Clifton-Brown (Chair); Mr Clive Betts; Anna Dixon; Sarah

Found: Watch the meeting Members present: Sir Geoffrey Clifton-Brown (Chair); Mr Clive Betts; Anna Dixon; Sarah

Found: Watch the meeting Members present: Sir Geoffrey Clifton-Brown (Chair); Mr Clive Betts; Rachel Gilmour

Found: No.148) Current membership Sir Geoffrey Clifton-Brown (Conservative; North Cotswolds) (Chair) Mr Clive Betts

Found: Watch the meeting Members present: Sir Geoffrey Clifton-Brown (Chair); Mr Clive Betts; Sarah Green;

Found: Watch the meeting Members present: Sir Geoffrey Clifton-Brown (Chair); Mr Clive Betts; Anna Dixon; Sarah

Found: No.148) Current membership Sir Geoffrey Clifton-Brown (Conservative; North Cotswolds) (Chair) Mr Clive Betts

Found: the meeting Public Accounts Committee members present: Sir Geoffrey Clifton-Brown (Chair); Mr Clive Betts

Found: No.148) Current membership Sir Geoffrey Clifton-Brown (Conservative; North Cotswolds) (Chair) Mr Clive Betts

Found: Cooper Jen Craft Josh Fenton-Glynn Andrew George Alex McIntyre Joe Robertson Greg Stafford Clive Betts