Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether he plans to publish an evaluation of the LGBTQ+ financial Recognition Scheme, including information on application numbers, outcomes, lessons learned and recommendations for future restorative justice programmes.

Answered by Calvin Bailey - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence) (Minister for Veterans and People)

To date, the LGBT Financial Recognition Scheme has paid out over £57 million. The Department’s current priority is to maximise awareness of the scheme among eligible veterans and encourage applications before the closing date on 12 December 2026. Once the scheme has closed and all applications have been assessed, the Department will review next steps.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps she is taking to improve the publication of farmed animal welfare inspections; and if she will consider extending transparency requirements across farmed animal sectors, including work carried out by the Animal and Plant Health Agency.

Answered by Stephen Morgan - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)

The Government recognises the importance of transparency where it relates to the welfare of farmed animals. The Government publishes the Multi Annual National Control Plan (MANCP) Annual Reports which includes national data on inspections, including work carried out by the Animal and Plant Health Agency.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what resources within the Valour programme are dedicated to the needs of LGBTQ+ Veterans.

Answered by Calvin Bailey - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence) (Minister for Veterans and People)

This government is committed to ensuring that all veterans, including LGBT+ veterans, have easy access to support, when and where it is needed, and that any barriers to accessing support are addressed.

The £50 million VALOUR programme will make it easier for all veterans to access the care and support they deserve wherever they live in the UK. We are working hard to ensure that the VALOUR network is inclusive of all veterans’ needs and experiences, including women, LGBT+ veterans and others.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, if she will outline the proposed timeline of the government consultation on the legislation on E-scooters and E-bikes.

Answered by Justin Madders - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)

The Government plans to consult on e-scooter regulations over the next year.

We will also consult on the implementation of licensing for shared cycle schemes over the coming months to ensure we deliver a combination of regulations and guidance which empowers our local leaders to maximise the benefits of these schemes and tackle negative impacts.

Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what assessment his department has made of the potential impact of the requirement for all rental properties to obtain a level of C for the Energy Performance Certificate on homeowners, and whether exemptions have been considered for properties that have previously made energy efficiency improvements such as loft insulation or double glazing installed.

Answered by Martin McCluskey - Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)

The Impact Assessment, which provides an estimated impact of the final policy, including on owners of let homes was published on 7 February 2026.

Properties that can demonstrate appropriate energy efficiency measures are already in place will have these represented in their EPC assessment and rating. Those property owners who make energy efficiency improvements before the standard applies and can demonstrate their property is EPC C before 1 October 2029 will be considered compliant under the transition measures until their EPC expires. Those who install, or have installed since 1 October 2025, relevant measures in their properties, but are unable to achieve a C rating in advance of the transition deadline, may be able to count their spend towards a cost cap exemption once the standard applies.

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 suggested recommendations provided in the Royal College of Anaesthetists’ report titled 'The Anaesthetic Workforce: UK State of the Nation Report, June 2026'.

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

I refer the Hon. Member to the answer provided on 16 July in response to Question 17628.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, (a) how many referrals via Advice and Guidance have been rejected each month since July 2024 (b) how many of these were later successfully referred.

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

Advice and Guidance (A&G) does not reject referrals. A&G allows general practitioners (GPs) to receive advice from specialists without the need for a referral, ensuring that patients get the right care in the right place, first time. A GP’s clinical decision to refer remains unchanged.

Monthly data on the number of processed advice and guidance requests, including the number of diverted requests, is available at the following link:

https://www.england.nhs.uk/statistics/statistical-work-areas/outpatient-transformation/specialist-advice/

The Department does not hold data on the number of referrals that were not added to the waiting list but subsequently later successfully referred.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what discussions her department has had on improving dementia research, diagnosis and treatment, which haven’t seen significant improvements for nearly 20 years.

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

The Government wants a society where every person with dementia receives high-quality, compassionate care from diagnosis through to the end of life.

We will publish the first ever Modern Service framework for Frailty and Dementia to set a clear direction and a long-term blueprint to improve outcomes for people with dementia. It will cover research, diagnosis and treatment. We are engaging with a wide group of partners to understand what should be included to ensure the best outcomes for people living with frailty and dementia.

We will also appoint a Dementia Tsar to bring strong and meaningful national leadership to drive forward the prevention, treatment and care of dementia.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, whether the safeguards recommended by the Covid Inquiry will be put in place to prevent political connections from being used to secure privileged access to public contracts.

Answered by Mark Ferguson - Parliamentary Secretary (Cabinet Office)

The Government is fully committed to supporting the work of the Covid-19 Inquiry and to learning lessons from the Covid-19 pandemic to ensure the UK is better prepared for a future pandemic.

The Inquiry published its report on Module 5 (Procurement) in July. The Government will consider its findings and recommendations in detail and respond in due course.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, how the new Water Regulator replacing Ofwat will be structured; and if she will ensure that water companies cannot play the two proposed bodies against each other.

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

The Government has committed creating a powerful new regulator.

Defra will work closely with the current regulators to ensure a smooth transition; detailed organisational structure and design of the new regulator is still under development.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what the goals are of the new Water Regulator replacing Ofwat.

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

The Government has committed creating a powerful new regulator.

Defra will work closely with the current regulators to ensure a smooth transition; detailed organisational structure and design of the new regulator is still under development.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps she is taking to ensure that the South of England maintains required water levels for additional housing in the context of predicted heatwaves.

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

Government is committed to a twin track approach to improving water resilience. This involves urgent action to improve water efficiency and reduce water company leaks, alongside investing in new supply infrastructure, including new reservoirs and water transfers. With £8 billion unlocked, projects like the Havant Thicket Reservoir in Hampshire and the proposed White Horse Reservoir in Oxfordshire will help ensure water security in Southern England.

Water companies must also maintain their statutory plans to secure water supplies and are required to review the plans annually to take account of changes, such as housing growth and the impacts of climate change.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, with reference to NHS England's January 2026 call for evidence on the impact of making the Accessible Information Standard mandatory, whether a cost-benefit assessment was subsequently produced, and whether it has been submitted to her Department.

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

Further to the answer provided on 8 June in response to Question 5682, consideration is underway as to the extent to which the Accessible Information Standard meets the criteria for new mandatory information standards. A cost benefit assessment is one part of that. As the process is ongoing, a cost benefit analysis would not be published at this stage.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, with reference to the Government's commitment to spend £343 million on opening 159 NHS mental health centres in England to provide people with earlier local support and specialist crisis care outside of A&E, whether provisions within this will provide support for young people who fall between early intervention and crisis care.

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

The recently announced community-based mental health centres are based on a pilot aimed at adults with severe mental health needs. The new centres announced are for adults. However, following the formal evaluation of this pilot, we will be looking at relevant learning to complement existing and future transformation of services for children and young people.

For children and young people in distress or struggling with their mental health, fast access to early, high-quality support is critical. That is why we are expanding mental health support teams in schools and colleges to reach full national coverage by 2029. We are also continuing to provide £7 million top-up funding to 24 Early Support Hubs to expand their services, enabling them to deliver at least 10,000 additional mental health and wellbeing interventions, so that more children and young people are supported.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment his Department has made of whether the incidence rate of postpartum haemorrhage differs by (a) ethnicity, (b) deprivation, (c) geography; and how his department is ensuring better data collection for incidences of postpartum haemorrhages.

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

Improving maternity safety and reducing inequalities across the country is a priority for the Government, including in Surrey Heartlands. The Maternal Care Bundle sets clear standards across services by bringing together best practice to help tackle the leading causes of maternal death and harm, improve consistency of care, and reduce inequalities. One of its five elements focuses specifically on obstetric haemorrhage, including postpartum haemorrhage, and sets out best practice to support its prevention, recognition, and management.

NHS England publishes annual trust-level data on reported postpartum haemorrhages involving blood loss of 1,500 millilitres or more, including data for trusts in Surrey Heartlands, through the Maternity and Neonatal Equalities Dashboard, with further information available at the following link:

https://digital.nhs.uk/dashboards/maternity-and-neonatal-equalities-dashboard

Monthly data from April 2019, together with information on data quality, is available in the Maternity Services Monthly Statistics, which are available at the following link:

https://digital.nhs.uk/data-and-information/publications/statistical/maternity-services-monthly-statistics

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 reasons why Surrey Heartlands Integrated Care Board recorded the highest rate of postpartum haemorrhage involving blood loss of 1,500 millilitres or more in England in 2025.

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

Improving maternity safety and reducing inequalities across the country is a priority for the Government, including in Surrey Heartlands. The Maternal Care Bundle sets clear standards across services by bringing together best practice to help tackle the leading causes of maternal death and harm, improve consistency of care, and reduce inequalities. One of its five elements focuses specifically on obstetric haemorrhage, including postpartum haemorrhage, and sets out best practice to support its prevention, recognition, and management.

NHS England publishes annual trust-level data on reported postpartum haemorrhages involving blood loss of 1,500 millilitres or more, including data for trusts in Surrey Heartlands, through the Maternity and Neonatal Equalities Dashboard, with further information available at the following link:

https://digital.nhs.uk/dashboards/maternity-and-neonatal-equalities-dashboard

Monthly data from April 2019, together with information on data quality, is available in the Maternity Services Monthly Statistics, which are available at the following link:

https://digital.nhs.uk/data-and-information/publications/statistical/maternity-services-monthly-statistics

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps her department are taking to support those living with Postural Tachycardia Syndrome (PoTS) particularly in relation to there only being 2 PoTS specialists.

Answered by James Frith - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)

I refer the Hon. Member to the answer provided on 15 June to Question 6594.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, in relation to, question 15159, how many women’s health hubs in England currently provide information and education on breast awareness, checking and screening eligibility.

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

The information requested on women's health hubs is not held by the Department. Breast screening is delivered through the NHS Breast Screening Programme, which invites eligible women aged 50 to 71 years old every three years. Information on breast awareness and screening eligibility is available through the National Health Service website and the NHS App.

There are currently no plans to change the existing local surveillance arrangements for women at moderate and high risk of breast cancer.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, pursuant to question 15160, whether there are plans to integrate screening for women at moderate and high risk into the breast screening programme.

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

The information requested on women's health hubs is not held by the Department. Breast screening is delivered through the NHS Breast Screening Programme, which invites eligible women aged 50 to 71 years old every three years. Information on breast awareness and screening eligibility is available through the National Health Service website and the NHS App.

There are currently no plans to change the existing local surveillance arrangements for women at moderate and high risk of breast cancer.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, how many grants awarded through the Utilisation and Modernisation Fund in financial year 2025-26 have supported schemes aimed at improving the environmental sustainability of primary care premises, including improvements to lighting, ventilation and heating systems, energy-efficiency measures and other works supporting net zero objectives; and what the total value of those grants was.

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

The information is not held in the format requested.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment the Department has made of the adequacy of the enforcement of Regulation 20 of the Health and Social Care Act 2008 (Regulated Activities) Regulations 2014 (Duty of Candour) at independent sector providers delivering NHS funded care; and how many enforcement actions the Care Quality Commission has taken in respect of Regulation 20 at such providers in each of the last three years.

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

The Care Quality Commission (CQC) does not centrally record whether providers are delivering National Health Service funded care, so cannot identify Regulation 20 duty of candour breaches by those independent providers.

In the last three years, the CQC has suspended the registration of one independent healthcare organisation for breaches of Regulation 20. The CQC has also requested action plans from two independent healthcare organisations for breaches of Regulation 20.

All providers of NHS funded care must comply with the NHS Complaints (England) Regulations 2009 in their complaints handling arrangements. This includes the requirement to advise a complainant of their right to refer their complaint to the Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman (PHSO) if they are dissatisfied with the response to their complaint. It is the role of the PHSO to independently investigate complaints that NHS and NHS-funded organisations have not acted properly or fairly.

While it is not the role of the CQC to enforce the complaints regulations, it does assess whether registered providers have effective arrangements for receiving, handling, and responding to complaints as part of its regulatory role, and may take action where providers fail to meet the relevant regulatory requirements.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps the department are taking to assure itself that independent sector providers delivering NHS funded care comply with the Local Authority Social Services and National Health Service Complaints (England) Regulations 2009, including the requirement to inform complainants of their right to refer a complaint to the Health Service Ombudsman.

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

The Care Quality Commission (CQC) does not centrally record whether providers are delivering National Health Service funded care, so cannot identify Regulation 20 duty of candour breaches by those independent providers.

In the last three years, the CQC has suspended the registration of one independent healthcare organisation for breaches of Regulation 20. The CQC has also requested action plans from two independent healthcare organisations for breaches of Regulation 20.

All providers of NHS funded care must comply with the NHS Complaints (England) Regulations 2009 in their complaints handling arrangements. This includes the requirement to advise a complainant of their right to refer their complaint to the Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman (PHSO) if they are dissatisfied with the response to their complaint. It is the role of the PHSO to independently investigate complaints that NHS and NHS-funded organisations have not acted properly or fairly.

While it is not the role of the CQC to enforce the complaints regulations, it does assess whether registered providers have effective arrangements for receiving, handling, and responding to complaints as part of its regulatory role, and may take action where providers fail to meet the relevant regulatory requirements.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what discussions she has had with integrated care boards on expanding access to community optometry-led urgent eye care services.

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

Integrated care boards are responsible for deciding whether to commission enhanced eye care services from high street optical practices to meet the needs of their local populations. This is in line with the 10-Year Health Plan’s commitment to local decision making.

As part of our 10-Year Health Plan, the Department is investing £20 million to equip high street optometrists with the digital tools they need to refer patients faster and more accurately, helping more people get convenient eye care closer to home.

Accident and emergency departments should still be used for genuine emergencies, and we expect patients to be assessed and directed to the service that best meets their needs.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment her department has made on the recommendations provided in the ‘Eye care everywhere: taking pressure off Emergency Departments in England’ policy paper published by the Association of Optometrists.

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

Integrated care boards are responsible for deciding whether to commission enhanced eye care services from high street optical practices to meet the needs of their local populations. This is in line with the 10-Year Health Plan’s commitment to local decision making.

As part of our 10-Year Health Plan, the Department is investing £20 million to equip high street optometrists with the digital tools they need to refer patients faster and more accurately, helping more people get convenient eye care closer to home.

Accident and emergency departments should still be used for genuine emergencies, and we expect patients to be assessed and directed to the service that best meets their needs.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment her Department has made of geographical variation in commissioning community urgent eye care services in England.

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

Integrated care boards are responsible for deciding whether to commission enhanced eye care services from high street optical practices to meet the needs of their local populations. This is in line with the 10-Year Health Plan’s commitment to local decision making.

As part of our 10-Year Health Plan, the Department is investing £20 million to equip high street optometrists with the digital tools they need to refer patients faster and more accurately, helping more people get convenient eye care closer to home.

Accident and emergency departments should still be used for genuine emergencies, and we expect patients to be assessed and directed to the service that best meets their needs.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps her department are taking to work with Integrated Care Boards to ensure that every Neighbourhood Health Service has sufficient specialist menopause expertise to deliver high-quality and accessible care.

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

The Renewed Women’s Health Strategy, published in April, identifies menopause as a core women’s health priority and shifts menopause care into primary and community settings, including neighbourhood women’s health services and women’s health hubs, making care easier to access and closer to home.

Each region will have a specialist centre to support group-based clinics in women’s health, such as menopause services, improving access, peer support and consistency, with early rollout focused on areas of highest need. Integrated care boards (ICBs) will be responsible for commissioning these specialist centres.

ICBs are also responsible for assessing the workforce needs of their local population and for commissioning services with the workforce and skills mix required to meet that need.

The Renewed Women's Health Strategy commits to developing a skills framework for women's healthcare in community settings, which will set out the capabilities needed to deliver care at basic, intermediate and advanced levels, including for menopause. This framework, once completed, will be shared with ICBs to map their existing workforce and skills, and plan for a workforce that matches clinical need.

In the future, our vision is that every neighbourhood will provide proactive, specialist and preventative women’s health care that complements and extends the primary care offer.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment his department have made of the effectiveness of the deadline of 16 July for the Government to commit to a compensation scheme for women affected by pelvic mesh and sodium valproate set by the Patient Safety Commissioner.

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

I refer the Hon. Member to the answer provided on 14 July in response to Question 16121.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps the government are taking to support and compensate women who have been treated with Trans Vaginal Tape Mesh.

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

I refer the Hon. Member to the answer provided on 14 July in response to Question 16121.

Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what assessment his Department has made of the potential merits of a national take up strategy for later life entitlements, including Pension Credit, Housing Benefit and Council Tax Reduction.

Answered by Torsten Bell - Parliamentary Secretary (HM Treasury)

The Government is committed to supporting pensioners and ensuring they receive the financial support to which they are entitled. Maximising Pension Credit take-up is a key priority, as Pension Credit provides a vital financial safety net for pensioners on low incomes and can also act as a gateway to a range of additional support.

We have been running the biggest ever Pension Credit take-up campaign across Great Britain. We are building on that with our new autumn campaign which will launch in October 2026, urging pensioners and their families to check their eligibility and make a claim. We are also taking a range of further actions to increase Pension Credit take-up, including targeted communications, partnership working and close engagement with councils, both directly and through Local Authority Welfare Direct bulletins.

We are also using data and targeted approaches to identify potentially eligible households and encourage claims. These activities help pensioners access the wider support available to them, including Housing Benefit and, where applicable, Council Tax Reduction.

Housing Benefit continues to support pensioners who rent, while pensioner homeowners on income-related benefits, including Pension Credit, may receive Support for Mortgage Interest to help with interest on eligible secured loans.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what assessment he has made of the potential merits of broadening the scope of the proposed Defence Readiness Bill to include national resilience and other risks identified in the national risk register.

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

Defence Readiness legislation is a key part of the Government's work to strengthen the UK's resilience and readiness. In line with the Strategic Defence Review, the Government intends to bring forward this legislation later in this Parliament.

The legislation will help ensure the Government has the powers needed to respond to sub-threshold and hybrid threats, while providing a framework of reserve powers that could be activated during a national crisis or escalation towards conflict.

Work is underway across Government, and consideration is being given to how the legislation can support wider national resilience objectives.

Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what assessment his department has made on a) funding access to lipreading classes and b) classifying them as health and wellbeing courses rather than leisure activities to recognise their importance.

Answered by Lilian Greenwood - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Work and Pensions)

The Adult Skills Fund (ASF) fully funds or co-funds education and skills training for eligible adults aged 19 and above from pre-entry level to Level 3, helping them gain the skills they need for work, an apprenticeship or further learning.

In addition to qualification-based provision, the ASF can fund Tailored Learning, which is flexible, non-qualification provision developed to meet the needs of learners and communities. Lipreading is an eligible Tailored Learning aim and may be delivered through ASF-funded provision, including where it supports objectives such as health and wellbeing, social inclusion, confidence building or progression into further learning.

The Department recognises the value of lipreading provision in supporting people with hearing loss to communicate effectively, maintain independence and participate in everyday life. The Department has not made a separate assessment of the merits of classifying lipreading courses as health and wellbeing courses rather than leisure activities. However, under existing ASF arrangements, lipreading provision can already be funded as Tailored Learning, including where it is intended to improve an individual's health and wellbeing.

As of August 2026, approximately 76% of the ASF is devolved to 20 Strategic Authorities, which are responsible for determining how adult skills funding is used locally beyond national statutory entitlements, including decisions on whether to fund lipreading provision. In non-devolved areas, the Department funds ASF provision directly and providers have flexibility to determine their local offer in line with learner and community needs.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what discussions her Department has had with delivery platforms on ensuring riders use only safe and road-legal e-bikes.

Answered by Justin Madders - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)

Ministers have previously written to food delivery platforms on this matter, and those letters are available in the Library of the House.

In addition, the Department has commissioned research on the road behaviours of food delivery riders, the level of illegal e-bike usage and the extent to which the business practices of food delivery platforms may influence this. The Department’s researchers are currently in contact with food delivery platforms to inform this work, which is expected to conclude by March 2027, and we will publish the findings from it.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what steps his Department is taking to share technical expertise and threat intelligence with humanitarian mine action organisations in Ukraine to protect personnel from targeted missile and artillery strikes.

Answered by Louise Sandher-Jones - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence) (Minister for the Armed Forces)

I refer the hon. Member to the answers I gave to her on 17 July 2026 to Questions 17642 and 17643 which remain extant.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps she is taking to recover Government funding lost during the VIP contract lane during the Covid Pandemic.

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

I refer the Hon. Member to the final report of the Covid Counter Fraud Commissioner, which examined these matters in detail and was published by HM Treasury on 9 December 2025, and which is available at the following link:

https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/693807447a605b2d61cd8f55/E03505750_HMT_CP_1462_Web_Accessible.pdf

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many armed forces pensions remain unclaimed.

Answered by Calvin Bailey - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence) (Minister for Veterans and People)

There are 17,018 Unclaimed Armed Forces Pensions for the financial year 2025-26.

This information is already in the public domain and can be found on page 70 of the Armed Forces Pension Scheme Annual accounts report here:

https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/6a58b74f2cbe5d1c179a6653/Armed_Forces_Pension_Scheme_annual_accounts_2025_to_2026.pdf

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether he has had discussions with international counterparts on accelerating the deployment of remote-controlled and autonomous mine-clearance technology to Ukraine to minimize the physical risk to civilian humanitarian deminers.

Answered by Louise Sandher-Jones - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence) (Minister for the Armed Forces)

I refer the hon. Member to the answers I gave to her on 17 July 2026 to Questions 17642 and 17643 which remain extant.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps her Department is taking to support the police in identifying, seizing and prosecuting the use of non-compliant e-bikes on public roads.

Answered by Justin Madders - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)

The Department’s advice for consumers is clear that e-bikes that do not comply with the Electrically Assisted Pedal Cycle Regulations 1983 are classed as motor vehicles and must be registered, taxed and insured to be legally used on the roads.

The police have existing powers to seize these e-bikes, where they have not been properly registered as motor vehicles, under Section 165A of the Road Traffic Act 1988.

In addition, the Crime and Policing Act 2026 strengthened police powers so that they will no longer be required to provide a warning before seizing any vehicle where it is used anti-socially. This includes faster and more powerful e-bikes that have been properly registered as motor vehicles.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what assessment her Department has made of the potential merits of supporting the E-Bike Positive campaign.

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

The Government welcomes the E-Bike Positive campaign and the Department’s advice for consumers on purchasing electrically assisted pedal cycles has been updated to refer to it.

Love Me Love My Mind 20th anniversary

Josh Kerr's mile world record

Epsom Common Local Nature Reserve awarded 20th consecutive Green Flag Award

Support for retired service animals

UK firefighters attending the Terry Farrell Patriot Memorial Stair Climb

Royal National Lifeboat Institution (No. 2)

Celebrating the great British postie

Battle of Britain Day 2026

Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) rescue operations

Contribution of women to the Bayeux Tapestry

Lord Lieutenancy of Surrey transition

World Suicide Prevention Day 2026

Support for hospices

Publication of Legal Advice on Local Government Reorganisation

Devon maternity services

Cosmetic specifications for fresh produce and national food security

Essential energy guarantee

Funding of Jodrell Bank Observatory

Found: Select Committee Changes or Nominations Resolved, Edward Morello to be discharged and Helen Maguire

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, with reference to the Animal Welfare Strategy, published in December 2025, what legislative vehicle she plans to use for any ban on the carbon dioxide gas stunning of pigs; and when she plans to bring that legislation forward.

Answered by Stephen Morgan - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)

I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to the hon. Member for Epsom and Ewell, Helen Maguire, on 20 May 2026 to PQ UIN 613.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, with reference to the Animal Welfare Strategy, published in December 2025, when any ban on the use of carbon dioxide gas stunning of pigs will take effect, including any proposed transition period for the industry.

Answered by Stephen Morgan - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)

I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to the hon. Member for Epsom and Ewell, Helen Maguire, on 20 May 2026 to PQ UIN 613.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment her Department has made of the potential impact of using carbon dioxide (CO₂) to stun pigs before slaughter on animal welfare; and whether she plans to phase out the use of CO₂ stunning.

Answered by Stephen Morgan - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)

I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to the hon. Member for Epsom and Ewell, Helen Maguire, on 20 May 2026 to PQ UIN 613.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what is the timeline of phasing out the use of carbon dioxide gas as a method of slaughtering pigs.

Answered by Stephen Morgan - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)

I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to the hon. Member for Epsom and Ewell, Helen Maguire, on 20 May 2026 to PQ UIN 613.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, with reference to the Animal Welfare Strategy, published in December 2025, when the consultation on banning the use of carbon dioxide gas stunning of pigs will open; and how long it will be open for.

Answered by Stephen Morgan - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)

I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to the hon. Member for Epsom and Ewell, Helen Maguire, on 20 May 2026 to PQ UIN 613.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, with reference to the Animal Welfare Strategy, published in December 2025, when she plans to publish a response to the consultation on banning the use of carbon dioxide gas stunning of pigs.

Answered by Stephen Morgan - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)

I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to the hon. Member for Epsom and Ewell, Helen Maguire, on 20 May 2026 to PQ UIN 613.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, when she will publish the consultation on banning the use of carbon dioxide gas stunning of pigs promised in the animal welfare strategy.

Answered by Stephen Morgan - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)

I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to the hon. Member for Epsom and Ewell, Helen Maguire, on 20 May 2026 to PQ UIN 613.

Found: Committed London Helen Gowar Marketing Limited Liverpool L1 0AB Other Committed North West England Helen Maguire