Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, how much on average was invested in Government Bonds by Retail Investors in January (a) 2023 and (b) 2025.

Answered by Lucy Rigby - Economic Secretary (HM Treasury)

HM Treasury does not hold data on the average amounts invested in gilts by retail investors; however, the government welcomes participation from a broad and diverse range of gilt market investors, including retail buyers.

The Office for National Statistics publishes aggregate holdings in government bonds by different investors, which can be found using the following link - https://www.ons.gov.uk/releases/ukeconomicaccountsjulytoseptember2025

Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what recent discussions she has had with her European Commission counterparts on border controls for the import of high-risk plants in the context of the 10 remaining species of plants on the EU's prohibitions list.

Answered by Angela Eagle - Minister of State (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)

Since 2021 Defra has worked with the horticultural industry to submit 48 market access applications (including multiple species within the same genera) for the most widely traded High-Risk Plants, 40 of which have now resulted in the adoption of EU import requirements allowing the export of these species to resume to the EU. The industry has been consulted on a regular basis to ascertain the species of interest, as industry’s cooperation and input have been paramount in completing the relevant applications. Following the announcement of the intention to negotiate an SPS agreement with the EU and after consultation with the industry, work has been paused on further applications, in the expectation that under the agreement the High-Risk Plant prohibitions for third countries would no longer be applicable to the UK.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what estimate her Department has made of changes in levels of (a) maladministration and (b) corruption involved in the onsite distribution of the overseas aid budget between 2020 and 2025.

Answered by Chris Elmore - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)

The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) actively monitors and manages fraud, bribery, corruption and error risks across its Official Development Assistance (ODA) portfolio through a range of controls, reporting mechanisms and ongoing risk assessments. Available estimates in this area can be found in the section on fraud at pages 167-169 of the FCDO's 2024/25 Annual Report and Accounts, and in equivalent sections in previous years' reports.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, pursuant to the Answer of 26 January 2026 to Question 106949 on Oil: Sanctions and with reference to the meeting with Irish Ministers on 3 December 2025, whether she received an offer of support in countering Russian aggression at that meeting.

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

As stated in my answer to Question 105155, the UK and Ireland are jointly committed to deepening our security and defence cooperation on the full range of threats facing both our countries. That includes countering Russian aggression and supporting Ukraine.

Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, if she will hold discussions with the Foreign Affairs Minister in the Irish Republic on joint action to tackle international drug trafficking into the UK via the Irish Republic.

Answered by Dan Jarvis - Minister of State (Cabinet Office)

The UK and Ireland have a strong relationship which includes joint action against criminals targeting both the UK and Ireland.

In addition to these operational relationships, there is an annual security dialogue between the UK and Ireland to discuss key shared security issues faced. This includes discussions on international serious & organised crime, with the last one taking place in November 2025.

In January 2026, the UK formally invited Ireland to join the North Sea Channel Maritime Information Group. This group facilitates the cooperation and exchanging of information about maritime border security topics, including information around the movement of drugs. Existing members include Belgium, France, Germany and the Netherlands.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, when she expects to receive the 10-year bus procurement analysis from the UK Bus Manufacturing Panel.

Answered by Simon Lightwood - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)

My Department is planning to publish the ten-year pipeline of projected orders shortly.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether she will hold discussions with the her Indian counterparts on the need for the Indian Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau investigation into the crash of Air India flight 171 to be independent, including commercial considerations.

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

The Government has engaged with counterparts in India regarding the tragic accident of Air India Flight 171. The Indian Air Accident Investigation Bureau is the lead investigating authority, in line with standards set out by the International Civil Aviation Organization and must be given the time and space to undertake a thorough investigation. The UK welcomed the preliminary report which was published in July 2025. I want to reaffirm my deepest sympathies to those who lost their lives in this accident, as well as to their loved ones.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether the National Wealth Fund's strategic plan of investment will be allocated in all areas of the United Kingdom.

Answered by James Murray - Chief Secretary to the Treasury

The National Wealth Fund's Strategic Plan sets out its ambition to accelerate place-based investment across all four nations of the UK, and it has dedicated directors in each nation to support this.

The National Wealth Fund will continue to work closely with devolved governments and local leaders to help accelerate project delivery and drive regional growth.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, when she plans to respond to correspondence from the hon. Member for East Londonderry of 13 January 2026 on an outstanding tax issue from September 2024.

Answered by Dan Tomlinson - Exchequer Secretary (HM Treasury)

The correspondence from the hon. Member for East Londonderry was transferred from HM Treasury to HMRC. HMRC responded on 2 February.

Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many court cases there have been relating to not having a valid electronic travel authorisation.

Answered by Mike Tapp - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Home Office)

The Home Office is yet to commence the legislative provision that will make it an offence to knowingly arrive in the UK without an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA). Accordingly, there have been no cases in the courts brought on this basis. Further details of how the ETA requirement is being enforced will be published in due course.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, if she will she hold discussions with the Northern Ireland Executive on the potential impact of Making Tax Digital on home-based childcare providers in Northern Ireland.

Answered by Dan Tomlinson - Exchequer Secretary (HM Treasury)

HM Treasury ministers and officials engage regularly with the Northern Ireland Executive.

Childminders play a vital role in childcare. The Government has eased rules on working from schools and community centres and increased early years funding rates above 2023 average fees. These increases reflect increased costs, and from April 2026, local authorities must pass at least 97 per cent of funding to providers.

Only a small proportion of childminders with qualifying income over £50,000 will be mandated into Making Tax Digital (MTD) for Income tax from April 2026. The government will monitor the impact of Making Tax Digital (MTD) for Income tax on childminders and other home-based childcare providers in the same way as it will for all sole traders moving to MTD for Income Tax.

Childminders can continue to claim tax relief for wear and tear by deducting the actual cost of buying, repairing or replacing items. They can also deduct the cost of business expenses such as utilities, cleaning and equipment. This ensures childminders receive tax relief for all of the costs that they incur in relation to their childminding business.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, when does he expect to be able to answer named day Question 105652 submitted on 14 January 2026 on the Ajax programme.

Answered by Luke Pollard - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)

I will respond to the hon. Member shortly.

Question

To ask the hon. Member for Blaenau Gwent and Rhymney, representing the Members Estimate Committee, how much Representative Money has been made available to elected Members who have not taken the Oath in each year between 2023 and 2025.

Answered by Nick Smith

This information is available from the Library. Appendix 3 of the House of Commons Library briefing on Short Money (opens in a new tab) provides data from 2005/06 onwards.

WPQ 74628, answered on 16 September 2025, provided Representative Money allocations from 2005/06 onwards, shown separately as the main budget and travel budget. Total allocations, including the travel budget, since 2022/23 are as follows:

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what discussions she has had with Sport England on expanding the Physical Activity Clinical Champions pilot.

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

The Physical Activity Clinical Champions Programme was developed by the Office for Health Improvements and Disparities, part of the Department of Health and Social Care, alongside Sport England. The programme is designed to equip healthcare professionals with the skills to discuss the importance of physical activity with patients who have health conditions. This supports the delivery of the Government’s 10-year Health Plan and fosters greater collaboration between the health, sport and physical activity sectors.

Since 2023, the programme has been led by a consortium of the Faculty of Sport and Exercise Medicine, Intelligent Health and Sheffield Hallam University. An update on the future of the programme is due shortly.

Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, if she will hold discussions with her US counterpart on the potential merits of establishing pre-clearance facilities for US bound travellers at an airport in (a) England, (b) Scotland, (c) Wales and (d) Northern Ireland.

Answered by Mike Tapp - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Home Office)

A decision to explore the introduction of US pre-clearance at a UK airport is primarily a commercial decision for airport operators. An outline commercial agreement between an airport operator and US authorities would be required before any formal discussions between the UK and US governments could take place, however we stand ready to negotiate should this be forthcoming.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, pursuant to the Answer of 22 January 2026 to Question 106495, what assessment has been made of the reasons for the 25% reduction in the numbers of those aged 75 and over self referring for bowel cancer screening between 2023 and 2024.

Answered by Ashley Dalton - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)

Improving cancer services is a priority for the Government. We will get the National Health Service diagnosing cancer earlier and treating it faster so that more patients survive, and we will improve patients’ experience across the system.

The bowel cancer screening programme primarily focuses on uptake and coverage of those eligible for screening, those aged 50 to 74 years old, and how these individuals progress through the pathway for additional diagnostic tests where required. As those over 75 years old self-referring fall outside the primary cohort no analysis has been made of the fluctuations in numbers.

Over 75s can still ask for a kit every two years by phoning the free bowel cancer screening helpline. Anyone experiencing symptoms is encouraged to seek medical advice immediately.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, if she will hold discussions with the (a) Science Museum and (b) Victoria and Albert Museum on making items available online for residents in Northern Ireland.

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

DCMS officials are in touch with the Science Museum Group and the Victoria and Albert Museum to discuss the ongoing steps they are taking to resume online sales to Northern Ireland.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what estimate her Department has made of the change in the number of people who will be tax payers as a result of the freezing of personal allowances between 2024 and 2029.

Answered by Torsten Bell - Parliamentary Secretary (HM Treasury)

The number of people forecast to pay Income Tax by marginal rate can be found in Table 3.19 of the Office for Budget Responsibility’s November 2025 Economic and fiscal outlook – detailed forecast tables: receipts, linked below:

https://obr.uk/download/november-2025-economic-and-fiscal-outlook-detailed-forecast-tables-receipts/?tmstv=1764165511

The previous Government made the decision to maintain income tax thresholds at their current levels from April 2021 until April 2028.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what progress NHS England has made on its review of the UK Foundation programme.

Answered by Karin Smyth - Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)

The Government’s Chief Medical Officer, Professor Chris Whitty, and the former National Medical Director at NHS England, Professor Stephen Powis, have led the Medical Training Review to understand current challenges and identify key areas for potential improvements in postgraduate medical education, which includes the UK Foundation Programme. Phase one of the review was published in October 2025.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, when she expects a decision from the Office of Road and Rail on the prospect of approving a Newcastle to Brighton rail link.

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

Grand Central submitted an application to the Office of Rail and Road (ORR) on 19 December 2025 for rights to operate Open Access rail services between Newcastle and Brighton.

The application has not been agreed by the infrastructure manager, Network Rail, and ORR is currently carrying out the statutory consultation with Network Rail and Grand Central. Network Rail responded on 30 January 2026 and Grand Central now has until 20 February to respond to Network Rail’s views.

ORR aims to take decisions on access applications within six weeks of the date of receipt of all relevant information.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps she is taking to ensure ongoing liaison between the Maritime and Coastguard Agency, the Marine Accident Investigation Branch and the General Lighthouse Authorities.

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

The Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA), the Marine Accident Investigation Branch (MAIB) and the General Lighthouse Authorities (GLAs) maintain regular and well‑established liaison mechanisms. These include routine operational engagement, information‑sharing, and close coordination during incident response to ensure timely communication and effective delivery of respective statutory duties. The Department monitors this cooperation to ensure learning is embedded and that the highest standards of maritime safety are maintained.

Museum ecommerce sales to Northern Ireland

World Cancer Day and breast cancer

70th anniversary of Tayto Crisps

International Epilepsy Day 2026

Murder of Royal Navy sailor David Cuthbert

90th birthday of former hon. Member William Ross

Apprenticeship Week 2026

50th anniversary of the King's Trust

Legacy of British troops in Afghanistan and Iraq

Honour and gratitude for British armed forces