Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what assessment she has made of the adequacy of housing and welfare conditions for dogs kept at MBR Acres, including the effectiveness of heat mitigation measures during periods of high temperature; and how many inspections of the establishment have been undertaken by the Animals in Science Regulation Unit in the last three years.

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

The Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986 sets a rigorous and robust framework for protecting the welfare of animals used in science, including dogs. The framework establishes minimum standards for the care and accommodation of animals, including environmental conditions and arrangements to safeguard animal welfare. The delivery of this framework is the responsibility of the Regulator, who has conducted three audits of MBR Acres in the last three years.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what progress has been made in preparing the secondary legislation, regulations and statutory guidance required to implement the community right to buy provisions contained in the English Devolution and Community Empowerment Act 2026; what the anticipated timetable is for laying those regulations before Parliament; and when local authorities will be able to commence independent valuation processes and other preparatory actions.

Answered by Jim McMahon - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

The new Community Right to Buy will empower local people to protect valued community spaces and help to end the blight of empty properties on our high streets. We will announce more details on the implementation of the policy in due course.

Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what work she is doing on exam conditions for students with dyslexia and neurodivergence.

Answered by Georgia Gould - Minister of State (Education)

It is vital that students with special educational needs and/or disabilities, including those with dyslexia and other neurodivergent conditions, can access exams and assessments without disadvantage. The Equality Act 2010 requires awarding organisations to make reasonable adjustments where a disabled student would otherwise be placed at a substantial disadvantage when undertaking an assessment.

The independent Curriculum and Assessment Review took an evidence-led approach, drawing on data and engagement with experts, stakeholders and the public, including consideration of the experiences of children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities.

We have carefully considered this evidence and will make improvements where the Review recommends change is needed. As qualifications are reformed, we will work closely with Ofqual and awarding organisations to ensure accessibility is fully considered throughout the qualification development process, including for students with special educational needs and/or disabilities.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, for what reason his Department is applying VAT on new connections to off-electrical grid homes; and what consideration he has given to lifting this on off-grid homes.

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

The VAT treatment of electricity connection charges depends on the nature of the supply and the circumstances in which it is made. Where a grid connection forms part of a qualifying domestic supply of electricity, it is subject to the same VAT treatment as that supply.

VAT is a broad-based tax on consumption, and the 20 per cent standard rate applies to most goods and services. Exceptions to the standard rate have always been limited and balanced against affordability considerations.

Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, how many households in the UK are living off the electric grid; and what actions his department are taking to ensure access to energy for communities in all parts of the UK, including rural and remote locations.

Answered by Michael Shanks - Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)

DESNZ does not hold data on off-grid households. DESNZ works with Ofgem to ensure grid investment supports all communities, including rural and remote areas. Under Ofgem’s price control framework, network companies are investing in new electricity capacity reducing the cost of connections and ensuring access to energy for all communities.

Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what support is being given to schools to enable them to enforce phone bans.

Answered by Paul Waugh - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Education)

The government has published strengthened statutory guidance on mobile phones in schools, available at:

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/mobile-phones-in-schools/mobile-phones-in-schools.

This guidance states that all schools should be mobile phone-free environments by default, with no access during lessons, between lessons, at breaktimes or at lunchtime.

To support implementation, the department has published case studies alongside the guidance which demonstrate a range of effective approaches and best practice. We have also published resources to help schools communicate their mobile phone policy to parents and pupils.

The government has committed to review the guidance and make any necessary revisions by September 2027.

Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what criteria is used by the Home Office when considering whether to review, vary, suspend or revoke an establishment licence under the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986; and whether concerns raised regarding MBR Acres have been assessed against that criteria.

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

Under the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986 (ASPA), the Home Office may review an establishment licence where information raises concerns about compliance or animal welfare. In deciding whether to vary, suspend or revoke a licence, it considers the available evidence, the nature and seriousness of any breach, its actual or potential impact on animal welfare, the licence holder’s compliance history and whether the proposed action is necessary and proportionate. A licence may be suspended urgently where this is necessary to safeguard animal welfare. Decisions are taken case by case in accordance with ASPA and the published Animals in Science Regulation Unit compliance framework.

Concerns raised about MBR Acres have been assessed through these established regulatory processes. Published inspection reports found no evidence of non-compliance with the requirements of ASPA, associated licence conditions, or the statutory Code of Practice for the Housing and Care of Animals Bred, Supplied or Used for Scientific Purposes. The Regulator also carried out an announced audit on 10 July 2026, following a period of high temperatures in Great Britain. No immediate animal welfare concerns were identified by inspectors on the day of the visit.

Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what steps her Department is taking to ensure rigorous application of section 5(5)(b) of the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986 during the assessment of project licence applications involving the use of dogs; and what assessment she has made of the effectiveness of current procedures in ensuring that protected animals are not used where a scientifically satisfactory non-animal alternative is available.

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

The Government has interpreted the question as referring to section 5B(3) of the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986, as the Act does not contain a section 5(5)(b).

Before granting a project licence, the Home Office must evaluate the proposed programme of work. This includes assessing whether the applicant has demonstrated that the purpose of the work cannot be achieved by a scientifically satisfactory method or testing strategy that does not involve protected animals. Where such an alternative is available, the use of animals cannot be authorised.

Qualified Home Office inspectors scrutinise the evidence provided by applicants, including the scientific justification for the work, compliance with the principles of Replacement, Reduction and Refinement, and the proposed use of any specially protected species. As with all species, dogs may be used only where their use is specifically justified and the relevant statutory criteria are met. A licence cannot be granted unless the expected benefits of the programme are judged to justify the likely harms to the animals.

These statutory requirements and the independent scrutiny applied during licence assessment provide safeguards against the use of protected animals where a scientifically satisfactory non-animal alternative is available. The Home Office has also commissioned the National Centre for the Replacement, Refinement and Reduction of Animals in Research to review the project licence application process, including how information on the 3Rs is provided and assessed. Its recommendations are expected later this year and will inform consideration of any further improvements to the process.

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Found: Chair); Chris Bloore; Sorcha Eastwood; Simon Hoare; Mike Kane; Katrina Murray; Gavin Robinson; David Smith

Found: Democratic Unionist Party; Belfast East) Sir Alec Shelbrooke (Conservative; Wetherby and Easingwold) David Smith

Found: Democratic Unionist Party; Belfast East) Sir Alec Shelbrooke (Conservative; Wetherby and Easingwold) David Smith

Found: Simon Hoare; Mike Kane; Mr Paul Kohler; Katrina Murray; Gavin Robinson; Sir Alec Shelbrooke; David Smith

Found: Simon Hoare; Mike Kane; Mr Paul Kohler; Katrina Murray; Gavin Robinson; Sir Alec Shelbrooke; David Smith

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what steps has he taken to raise the plight of the Bahai community in Iran.

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

We condemn Iran's historic and current repression of Baha'is in the strongest terms. On 28 April 2026, the UK Special Envoy for Freedom of Religion or Belief, David Smith MP, highlighted via X abhorrent reports that Baha'is had been subject to torture and mock execution, and said the UK would continue to pursue accountability. We have repeatedly raised the situation of Baha'is in Iran at the United Nations, including at the Human Rights Council on 23 September 2025, and the Third Committee of the General Assembly on 19 November 2025. In addition, the UK has raised Iran's repression of religious minorities more broadly. We will continue to work with our international partners to hold Iran accountable for its repression of religious minorities, including Baha'is.

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Found: Clapham London SW4 BV21304252/1 Colin Ernest Smith 26/01/2013 Nottingham Nottinghamshire BV983994/1 David Smith

Found: Clapham London SW4 BV21304252/1 Colin Ernest Smith 26/01/2013 Nottingham Nottinghamshire BV983994/1 David Smith

Found: Clapham London SW4 BV21304252/1 Colin Ernest Smith 26/01/2013 Nottingham Nottinghamshire BV983994/1 David Smith

Found: Clapham London SW4 BV21304252/1 Colin Ernest Smith 26/01/2013 Nottingham Nottinghamshire BV983994/1 David Smith

Found: Clapham London SW4 BV21304252/1 Colin Ernest Smith 26/01/2013 Nottingham Nottinghamshire BV983994/1 David Smith

Found: Clapham London SW4 BV21304252/1 Colin Ernest Smith 26/01/2013 Nottingham Nottinghamshire BV983994/1 David Smith

Found: Clapham London SW4 BV21304252/1 Colin Ernest Smith 26/01/2013 Nottingham Nottinghamshire BV983994/1 David Smith

Found: Clapham London SW4 BV21304252/1 Colin Ernest Smith 26/01/2013 Nottingham Nottinghamshire BV983994/1 David Smith

Found: Clapham London SW4 BV21304252/1 Colin Ernest Smith 26/01/2013 Nottingham Nottinghamshire BV983994/1 David Smith

Found: Clapham London SW4 BV21304252/1 Colin Ernest Smith 26/01/2013 Nottingham Nottinghamshire BV983994/1 David Smith

Found: Clapham London SW4 BV21304252/1 Colin Ernest Smith 26/01/2013 Nottingham Nottinghamshire BV983994/1 David Smith

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Found: Worker (A rating) Skilled Worker Davey's Chemist Huyton Liverpool Worker (A rating) Skilled Worker David Smith

Found: Worker (A rating) Skilled Worker Davey's Chemist Huyton Liverpool Worker (A rating) Skilled Worker David Smith

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