Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, with reference to the Maritime and Coastguard Agency’s announcement that Coastguard Rescue Officers will move to a volunteer-with-expenses model from mid-September 2026, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of that revised model on the resilience of the Coastguard Rescue Service; and if she will publish any evidence.

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

Public safety remains our priority and careful consideration was given to the options for a revised operating model. The legal position, the operational implications, and the wider organisational impact have all been looked at in detail, as well as the views of current Coastguard Rescue Officers (CRO). They were clear that serving their community was a major reason why they volunteer.

Contingency plans are in place to enable the continuation of maritime and coastal search and rescue. HM Coastguard is closely monitoring operational performance, team availability, and safe response capability and remains fully committed to maintaining an effective, resilient maritime and coastal emergency response.

Alongside the Coastguard Rescue Service, HM Coastguard will continue to draw upon the full UK Search and Rescue system, including HM Coastguard aviation assets, RNLI and independent lifeboats, independent rescue teams, lifeguards and other emergency services as they do today.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, with reference to the Maritime and Coastguard Agency’s announcement regarding the future model for Coastguard Rescue Officers, what alternative operating models were considered prior to the decision.

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

Changing the Coastguard Rescue Service operating model was not something which we wanted to do but is a mandated consequence of the Court of Appeal ruling. The Court of Appeal judgment made clear that current arrangements could not legally continue.

Public safety remains our priority and careful consideration was given to the options for a revised operating model. The legal position, the operational implications, and the wider organisational impact have all been looked at in detail, as well as the views of current Coastguard Rescue Officers (CRO). They were clear that serving their community was a major reason why they volunteer.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, with reference to the Maritime and Coastguard Agency’s announcement concerning the future status of Coastguard Rescue Officers, whether Ministers formally endorsed the decision to move to a volunteer-with-expenses model, or whether it was taken at agency level.

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

The Court of Appeal judgment made clear that current arrangements could not legally continue. Careful consideration was given to the options for a revised operating model. The legal position, the operational implications, and the wider organisational impact have all been looked at in detail, as well as the views of current Coastguard Rescue Officers.

I accepted the Maritime and Coastguard Agency’s recommendation that they should move to a volunteer with expenses model. The Maritime and Coastguard Agency have been engaging with members of the Coastguard Rescue Service over the past few months and leading up to and since the Court of Appeal judgement, on the implications for the service.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, with reference to the Maritime and Coastguard Agency’s announcement on the transition of Coastguard Rescue Officers to a volunteer-with-expenses model from mid-September 2026, whether a formal impact assessment has been carried out on recruitment, retention and operational capability across coastal regions.

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

Careful consideration was given to the options for a revised operating model. The legal position, the operational implications, the wider organisational impact and the effect on individuals have all been considered, as well as the feedback Coastguard Rescue Officers (CRO) have given us through recent surveys and engagement. Feedback from members of the Coastguard Rescue Service overwhelmingly indicated that the primary motivation for volunteering is to serve local communities and save lives.

Public safety remains our priority. The transition will be carefully managed to protect resilience and response capability.

Alongside the Coastguard Rescue Service, HM Coastguard will continue to draw upon the full UK Search and Rescue system, including HM Coastguard aviation assets, RNLI and independent lifeboats, independent rescue teams, lifeguards and other emergency services as they do today.

Question to the Ministry of Justice:

To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, pursuant to the Answer of 1 June 2026 to Question 3327 on Prisoners' Release, in which part of the referenced data the figures can be found for the number of prisoners who (a) have been returned to prison and (b) remain at large.

Answered by Jake Richards - Assistant Whip

Where an individual is deemed unlawfully at large and subject to rearrest, any information held on such cases is used for prison and police operational purposes.

As this information is not part of a routine, quality-assured statistical collection, it is not included in published statistics.

A joint protocol between HMPPS and the National Police Chiefs’ Council ensures timely communication between partner agencies when an individual is released in error and is unlawfully at large.

The protocol sets out steps to re-arrest the individual as quickly as possible. Further work is underway to strengthen the protocol further and improve victim communication, following Dame Lynne Owens’ independent review.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, how many appeals against decisions to refuse exemption from Making Tax Digital for Income Tax Self Assessment have been (a) submitted, (b) upheld and (c) rejected.

Answered by Dan Tomlinson - Exchequer Secretary (HM Treasury)

HMRC has been accepting applications for exemption from Making Tax Digital (MTD) for Income Tax since September 2025.

Around 6,500 applications for exemption have been received to date. Decisions have been reached on around 60% of these cases, with approximately 75% of the determined applications granted exemptions based on the specific circumstances of each taxpayer.

Taxpayers may request a review or appeal decisions using established processes, with a very small number proceeding to appeal.

Eligibility is assessed on a case-by-case basis, including factors such as age, disability, health conditions, religious beliefs or lack of internet access; HMRC does not produce a single estimate of the number of those who may qualify.

In January 2026 HMRC had 15 FTE focused on exemptions. This increased to 42 in June 2026.

HMRC provides guidance and communications directly to taxpayers and works with agents, charities and representative bodies to help raise awareness of exemptions. Taxpayers who cannot use digital services can meet their obligations through alternative channels, mitigating the risk of inappropriate penalties.

The Government keeps the operation of MTD under review, including exemptions. Decisions on publishing further statistics in relation to MTD will be considered alongside wider transparency arrangements.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, how many and what proportion of applications for exemption from Making Tax Digital have (a) been granted, (b) been refused and (c) are pending decision.

Answered by Dan Tomlinson - Exchequer Secretary (HM Treasury)

HMRC has been accepting applications for exemption from Making Tax Digital (MTD) for Income Tax since September 2025.

Around 6,500 applications for exemption have been received to date. Decisions have been reached on around 60% of these cases, with approximately 75% of the determined applications granted exemptions based on the specific circumstances of each taxpayer.

Taxpayers may request a review or appeal decisions using established processes, with a very small number proceeding to appeal.

Eligibility is assessed on a case-by-case basis, including factors such as age, disability, health conditions, religious beliefs or lack of internet access; HMRC does not produce a single estimate of the number of those who may qualify.

In January 2026 HMRC had 15 FTE focused on exemptions. This increased to 42 in June 2026.

HMRC provides guidance and communications directly to taxpayers and works with agents, charities and representative bodies to help raise awareness of exemptions. Taxpayers who cannot use digital services can meet their obligations through alternative channels, mitigating the risk of inappropriate penalties.

The Government keeps the operation of MTD under review, including exemptions. Decisions on publishing further statistics in relation to MTD will be considered alongside wider transparency arrangements.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what estimate her Department has made of the number of people who meet the eligibility criteria for exemption from Making Tax Digital for Income Tax Self Assessment.

Answered by Dan Tomlinson - Exchequer Secretary (HM Treasury)

HMRC has been accepting applications for exemption from Making Tax Digital (MTD) for Income Tax since September 2025.

Around 6,500 applications for exemption have been received to date. Decisions have been reached on around 60% of these cases, with approximately 75% of the determined applications granted exemptions based on the specific circumstances of each taxpayer.

Taxpayers may request a review or appeal decisions using established processes, with a very small number proceeding to appeal.

Eligibility is assessed on a case-by-case basis, including factors such as age, disability, health conditions, religious beliefs or lack of internet access; HMRC does not produce a single estimate of the number of those who may qualify.

In January 2026 HMRC had 15 FTE focused on exemptions. This increased to 42 in June 2026.

HMRC provides guidance and communications directly to taxpayers and works with agents, charities and representative bodies to help raise awareness of exemptions. Taxpayers who cannot use digital services can meet their obligations through alternative channels, mitigating the risk of inappropriate penalties.

The Government keeps the operation of MTD under review, including exemptions. Decisions on publishing further statistics in relation to MTD will be considered alongside wider transparency arrangements.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what assessment she has made of the risk that people who should qualify for exemption will incur penalties under the Making Tax Digital regime; and what steps she is taking to mitigate that risk.

Answered by Dan Tomlinson - Exchequer Secretary (HM Treasury)

HMRC has been accepting applications for exemption from Making Tax Digital (MTD) for Income Tax since September 2025.

Around 6,500 applications for exemption have been received to date. Decisions have been reached on around 60% of these cases, with approximately 75% of the determined applications granted exemptions based on the specific circumstances of each taxpayer.

Taxpayers may request a review or appeal decisions using established processes, with a very small number proceeding to appeal.

Eligibility is assessed on a case-by-case basis, including factors such as age, disability, health conditions, religious beliefs or lack of internet access; HMRC does not produce a single estimate of the number of those who may qualify.

In January 2026 HMRC had 15 FTE focused on exemptions. This increased to 42 in June 2026.

HMRC provides guidance and communications directly to taxpayers and works with agents, charities and representative bodies to help raise awareness of exemptions. Taxpayers who cannot use digital services can meet their obligations through alternative channels, mitigating the risk of inappropriate penalties.

The Government keeps the operation of MTD under review, including exemptions. Decisions on publishing further statistics in relation to MTD will be considered alongside wider transparency arrangements.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, how many HMRC staff are assigned to process Making Tax Digital exemption applications by (a) headcount and (b) full-time equivalent.

Answered by Dan Tomlinson - Exchequer Secretary (HM Treasury)

HMRC has been accepting applications for exemption from Making Tax Digital (MTD) for Income Tax since September 2025.

Around 6,500 applications for exemption have been received to date. Decisions have been reached on around 60% of these cases, with approximately 75% of the determined applications granted exemptions based on the specific circumstances of each taxpayer.

Taxpayers may request a review or appeal decisions using established processes, with a very small number proceeding to appeal.

Eligibility is assessed on a case-by-case basis, including factors such as age, disability, health conditions, religious beliefs or lack of internet access; HMRC does not produce a single estimate of the number of those who may qualify.

In January 2026 HMRC had 15 FTE focused on exemptions. This increased to 42 in June 2026.

HMRC provides guidance and communications directly to taxpayers and works with agents, charities and representative bodies to help raise awareness of exemptions. Taxpayers who cannot use digital services can meet their obligations through alternative channels, mitigating the risk of inappropriate penalties.

The Government keeps the operation of MTD under review, including exemptions. Decisions on publishing further statistics in relation to MTD will be considered alongside wider transparency arrangements.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what steps HMRC is taking to ensure that digitally excluded people are aware of their right to apply for an exemption.

Answered by Dan Tomlinson - Exchequer Secretary (HM Treasury)

HMRC has been accepting applications for exemption from Making Tax Digital (MTD) for Income Tax since September 2025.

Around 6,500 applications for exemption have been received to date. Decisions have been reached on around 60% of these cases, with approximately 75% of the determined applications granted exemptions based on the specific circumstances of each taxpayer.

Taxpayers may request a review or appeal decisions using established processes, with a very small number proceeding to appeal.

Eligibility is assessed on a case-by-case basis, including factors such as age, disability, health conditions, religious beliefs or lack of internet access; HMRC does not produce a single estimate of the number of those who may qualify.

In January 2026 HMRC had 15 FTE focused on exemptions. This increased to 42 in June 2026.

HMRC provides guidance and communications directly to taxpayers and works with agents, charities and representative bodies to help raise awareness of exemptions. Taxpayers who cannot use digital services can meet their obligations through alternative channels, mitigating the risk of inappropriate penalties.

The Government keeps the operation of MTD under review, including exemptions. Decisions on publishing further statistics in relation to MTD will be considered alongside wider transparency arrangements.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether HMRC will publish regular statistics on exemption applications, outcomes and processing times under Making Tax Digital.

Answered by Dan Tomlinson - Exchequer Secretary (HM Treasury)

HMRC has been accepting applications for exemption from Making Tax Digital (MTD) for Income Tax since September 2025.

Around 6,500 applications for exemption have been received to date. Decisions have been reached on around 60% of these cases, with approximately 75% of the determined applications granted exemptions based on the specific circumstances of each taxpayer.

Taxpayers may request a review or appeal decisions using established processes, with a very small number proceeding to appeal.

Eligibility is assessed on a case-by-case basis, including factors such as age, disability, health conditions, religious beliefs or lack of internet access; HMRC does not produce a single estimate of the number of those who may qualify.

In January 2026 HMRC had 15 FTE focused on exemptions. This increased to 42 in June 2026.

HMRC provides guidance and communications directly to taxpayers and works with agents, charities and representative bodies to help raise awareness of exemptions. Taxpayers who cannot use digital services can meet their obligations through alternative channels, mitigating the risk of inappropriate penalties.

The Government keeps the operation of MTD under review, including exemptions. Decisions on publishing further statistics in relation to MTD will be considered alongside wider transparency arrangements.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what proportion of NHS dental practices are accepting new adult NHS patients in (a) North West Norfolk constituency and (b) Norfolk.

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

As of 5 June 2026, the latest data available, none of the National Health Service dental practices in the North West Norfolk constituency were showing as ‘accepting new adult patients when availability allows’. For the Norfolk and Waveney Integrated Care Board (ICB), nine of the NHS dental practices were showing as ‘accepting new adult patients when availability allows’. This data is sourced from the Find a Dentist website and is matched to constituencies based on the postcode data shown on the website, which is available at the following link:

https://www.nhs.uk/service-search/find-a-dentist

The responsibility for commissioning primary care services, including NHS dentistry, to meet the needs of the local population has been delegated to integrated care boards across England. The Government is committed to ensuring people can access urgent dental care when they need it, and there is now an urgent care safety net available in all areas of the country.

1.8 million additional courses of NHS dental treatment have been delivered in the seven months between April to October 2025 compared to the corresponding months prior to the general election, nearly half of which were delivered to children.

From April 2026, we began introducing a package of reforms which will prioritise those with the greatest need, shifting care away from clinically unnecessary check-ups. We will also make it a requirement for newly qualified dentists to practice in the NHS for a minimum period. That will mean more NHS dentists, more NHS appointments, and better oral health.

We are also committed to fundamentally reforming the dental contract by the end of the Parliament, with a focus on matching resources to need, improving access, promoting prevention, and rewarding dentists fairly, while enabling the whole dental team to work to the top of their capability.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what funding the Royal Navy plans to make available in 2026-27 to the Marine Society & Sea Cadets and to Sea Cadet units for equipment used for training.

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

The Royal Navy is not currently in a position to confirm the final Grant in Aid (GiA) figure for the Marine Society and Sea Cadets (MSSC) for financial year 2026-27. Final GiA figures will be confirmed in due course.