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

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what funding is available to faith-based organisations to help them support communities.

Answered by Miatta Fahnbulleh - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

The Government works closely with faith and belief groups and organisations to support communities, and there are a wide range of potential sources of support available to them.

The Common Ground Resilience Fund is providing over £3m funding to local communities in England to insulate them against threats to local social cohesion and resilience. Through the Common Ground Award, which forms part of this Fund, we are supporting the voluntary and community sector organisations - including faith-based organisations, with capital investments into the infrastructure and equipment which enables them to serve communities.

The Government also supports interfaith activities through which faith and belief organisations work with their wider communities. The Government supported Inter Faith Week 2025 by providing £141,720 of funding to ensure the Week remains a key part of the national calendar for dialogue, learning, and connection between people of different faiths and beliefs.

MHCLG has allocated up to £515,000 for the current financial year to fund the Near Neighbours programme in England, which is delivered by the Church Urban Fund. This programme brings together communities from diverse backgrounds and faiths to build relationships of trust and work together on initiatives that improve their communities.

Faith‑based organisations across England are also eligible to apply to the annual Windrush Day Grant Scheme, funded by MHCLG. Since 2019, the scheme has funded 268 projects, awarding a total of £3.75 million. Faith‑linked groups may receive funding where proposals align with the scheme’s aims of raising awareness of the Windrush story and strengthening community cohesion.

Supporting faith and belief communities’ physical buildings may help them in their work with communities. A new £92 million fund called the Places of Worship Renewal Fund will replace the £23 million Listed Places of Worship Grant Scheme and bring these important buildings into line with other heritage assets. It will give them access to the same level of financial support from the Government as historic houses, monuments and other heritage sites.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what assessment he has made of the the potential merits of using the private rented sector to fulfil the statutory duty to homeless households.

Answered by Alison McGovern - Minister of State (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

High-quality accommodation in the private rented sector plays an important role in councils discharging their homelessness duties. In England in 2024/25, 52,870 households had their prevention or relief duty ended with accommodation secured in the private rented sector, and 4,070 households had their main duty ended having accepted a private rented sector offer.

Question to the Attorney General:

To ask the Solicitor General, whether she has held recent discussions with her counterpart in the United Arab Emirates on the enforcement of UK High Court rulings in the case of Muhammad Tahir Lakhani and Muhammad Ali Lakhani.

Answered by Ellie Reeves - Solicitor General (Attorney General's Office)

The Solicitor General has not had any such meetings.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, whether any further financial support is planned for individuals in the culture and arts sector.

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

The Government believes that British artists and creators are second-to-none and is committed to giving them security and a regulatory and fiscal environment where creativity can flourish. Arts Council England, a Department for Culture, Media and Sport arm’s length body, receives grant-in-aid funding and money from National Lottery Good Causes to enable it to fund individuals and organisations in the culture and arts sector.

Arts Council England currently provides a number of funds open to individuals including National Lottery Project Grants and Developing Your Creative Practice. Arts Council England expects to launch the next round of Developing Your Creative Practice in April 2026. Between rounds of Developing Your Creative Practice, Arts Council England introduced dedicated R&D funding for individuals, as part of the National Lottery Project Grants under £30,000 strand.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, if she will ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department to pause the passage of the Diego Garcia Military Base and British Indian Ocean Territory Bill until the Metropolitan Police investigation into Peter Mandelson has concluded, and it is established there was conflict of interest with the 2025 UK/Mauritius Agreement concerning the Chagos Islands.

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

I refer the Hon Member to the answer provided on 2 March to question 111415.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, how much (a) his Department and (b) NHS England have spent on (i) Part IX, Value-Based Procurement and (ii) the MedTech Commercial Strategy reforms.

Answered by Zubir Ahmed - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)

The Department and NHS England have spent:

• £1,067,157.34 directly on Part IX of the Drug Tariff, including VAT where applicable. This covers the period 2024/25 and planned spend up until the end of the 2025/26 financial year;
• £225,189 on Value Based Procurement during the current financial year, including VAT where applicable. This figure includes planned spend up until the end of the 2025/26 financial year. No spend on Value Based Procurement was identified during the 2024/25 financial year; and
• £120,000 planned direct spend for the Medtech Commercial Strategy, including VAT where applicable. This includes planned spend up until the end of the 2025/26 financial year.

These figures do not include the Department and NHS England staff time.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, how many people living in England are (a) blind and (b) partially sighted, broken down by age.

Answered by Zubir Ahmed - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)

The specific data requested is not held centrally, however the Registered Blind and Partially Sighted People data collection provides national statistics on individuals in England with a Certificate of Vision Impairment (CVI) who are on local authority registers. A CVI formally certifies someone as sight impaired or as severely sight impaired. The latest figures are from 2022/23 and can be found at the following link:

https://digital.nhs.uk/data-and-information/publications/statistical/registered-blind-and-partially-sighted-people/registered-blind-and-partially-sighted-people-england-2022-23

As of 31 March 2023, there were 268,500 people registered as blind and partially sighted in England. The following table shows the number of people registered as blind/severely sight impaired, as of 31 March 2023, broken down by age:

In addition, the following table shows the number of people registered as partial sight/sight impaired persons, as of 31 March 2023, broken down by age:

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, who the members are of the Cardiovascular Disease Modern Service Framework Task and Finish Group.

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

There are two appointed co-chairs to the Cardiovascular Disease Modern Service Framework (CVD MSF) Task and Finish Group, namely Dr. Jessica Randall-Carrick and Sir Andrew Goddard.

The membership of the group comprises of a wide range of representatives from 31 stakeholder organisations, including, charities, professional bodies, patient, and public voices, the Department, and NHS England, related to cardiovascular disease and associated conditions.

The Department and NHS England are engaging widely with stakeholders to co-produce the CVD MSF, ensuring that experts, people, and communities are at the heart of its development.

The CVD MSF will be published later this year and will support consistent, high quality, and equitable care whilst fostering innovation across the cardiovascular disease pathway.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of the long-term financial and psychological impact of blood cancer on patients.

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

It is a priority for the Government and the National Health Service to support people who are living with cancer, and for those people who have been through cancer treatment.

Through the National Cancer Plan, we will improve experiences and outcomes for people living with and beyond cancer. Every cancer patient will receive a tailored support plan, covering treatment, mental health, and employment support. Every patient will also have a named neighbourhood care lead to coordinate their care and support after treatment. We will support patients to stay in and return to work through Health and Growth Accelerators and a new employer collaborative, in partnership with cancer charities, the NHS, and the Government.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment he has made of the potential merits of extending the free school milk entitlement through the Nursery Milk Scheme to the end of the academic year in which a child turns five.

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

The Nursery Milk Scheme (NMS) is a statutory scheme which allows early years childcare settings to reclaim the cost of providing one-third of a pint of milk per day to children under the age of five years old who attend a setting for two or more hours per day.

The NHS Business Services Authority, which delivers the NMS on behalf of the Department, does not hold data relating to the number of children who became ineligible for free milk as a result of the age eligibility cut-off of the NMS.

There are no plans to extend eligibility for the NMS to cover children until the end of the academic year, during which they reach their fifth birthday. However, the School Food Standards provide that milk must be available in schools for those who want it at least once a day during school hours. Separate legislation allows pupils who are eligible for free school meals to continue to receive free milk at school after the age of five years old. Free school meal eligibility will be expanded from September 2026 to more disadvantaged children, leading to higher attainment, improved behaviour, and better outcomes. As eligibility widens, more children will be able to access free milk.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, how many children became ineligible for free school milk as a result of the age eligibility cut-off of the Nursery Milk Scheme in the last 12 months.

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

The Nursery Milk Scheme (NMS) is a statutory scheme which allows early years childcare settings to reclaim the cost of providing one-third of a pint of milk per day to children under the age of five years old who attend a setting for two or more hours per day.

The NHS Business Services Authority, which delivers the NMS on behalf of the Department, does not hold data relating to the number of children who became ineligible for free milk as a result of the age eligibility cut-off of the NMS.

There are no plans to extend eligibility for the NMS to cover children until the end of the academic year, during which they reach their fifth birthday. However, the School Food Standards provide that milk must be available in schools for those who want it at least once a day during school hours. Separate legislation allows pupils who are eligible for free school meals to continue to receive free milk at school after the age of five years old. Free school meal eligibility will be expanded from September 2026 to more disadvantaged children, leading to higher attainment, improved behaviour, and better outcomes. As eligibility widens, more children will be able to access free milk.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of age-based eligibility criteria for free school milk on (a) educational and (b) health inequalities.

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

The Nursery Milk Scheme (NMS) is a statutory scheme which allows early years childcare settings to reclaim the cost of providing one-third of a pint of milk per day to children under the age of five years old who attend a setting for two or more hours per day.

The NHS Business Services Authority, which delivers the NMS on behalf of the Department, does not hold data relating to the number of children who became ineligible for free milk as a result of the age eligibility cut-off of the NMS.

There are no plans to extend eligibility for the NMS to cover children until the end of the academic year, during which they reach their fifth birthday. However, the School Food Standards provide that milk must be available in schools for those who want it at least once a day during school hours. Separate legislation allows pupils who are eligible for free school meals to continue to receive free milk at school after the age of five years old. Free school meal eligibility will be expanded from September 2026 to more disadvantaged children, leading to higher attainment, improved behaviour, and better outcomes. As eligibility widens, more children will be able to access free milk.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what his planned timetable is for the implementation of the Cardiovascular Disease Modern Service Framework in (a) community care, (b) primary care, and (c) secondary care.

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

The Cardiovascular Disease Modern Service Framework (CVD MSF) will be published later this year.

The Department and NHS England are working together to deliver the CVD MSF, and as part of this, are considering how the modern service framework can be implemented in the community, as well as parts of primary and secondary care.

Wide engagement with stakeholders is underway to co-produce the CVD MSF, ensuring that experts, people, and communities are at the heart of its development.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, when he expects to publish the Cardiovascular Disease Modern Service Framework; and if he will set out the planned timetable for its implementation.

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

The Cardiovascular Disease Modern Service Framework (CVD MSF) will be published later this year.

The Department and NHS England are working together to deliver the CVD MSF, and as part of this, are considering how the modern service framework can be implemented in the community, as well as parts of primary and secondary care.

Wide engagement with stakeholders is underway to co-produce the CVD MSF, ensuring that experts, people, and communities are at the heart of its development.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what is the criteria for disabled people to access transport from the Ambulance Service for hospital appointments.

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

Non-Emergency Patient Transport Schemes (NEPTS) often provide funded transport where a medical condition means that a patient would struggle to safely attend their treatment independently. NEPTS can be provided by ambulance trusts or other providers depending on local arrangements.

In 2019, NHS England set out updated eligibility criteria, which includes disability criteria, which is available at the following link:

https://www.england.nhs.uk/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/B1244-nepts-eligibility-criteria.pdf

We want disabled people’s access to, and experience of, healthcare services to be equitable, effective and responsive to their needs.

NEPTS in England is an operational matter for the National Health Service and how the NEPTS guidance is implemented at a local level is determined by integrated care boards and their partners, including local ambulance trusts.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether he will review the mileage allowance for health and social care staff.

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

Mileage rates for Agenda for Change staff and resident doctors in England are set out in the NHS Terms and Conditions of Service (TCS) Handbook, also known as the Agenda for Change handbook. The TCS is maintained by the NHS Staff Council. Mileage reimbursement rates in England are reviewed twice a year in April and November.

The outcome of the last review in November 2025 resulted in reimbursement rates reducing due to sustained decreases in fuel prices for the 12-month period ending in October 2025. Reimbursement rates dropped to 56 pence per mile for the first 3,500 miles claimed before dropping to 21 pence per mile thereafter. The revised rates apply to mileage incurred from 1 January 2026 onwards.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether he has made an assessment of the potential impact of overcrowding in emergency departments on infection control.

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

All health and social care providers have statutory obligations, set out in the Health and Social Care Act 2008: code of practice on the prevention and control of infections, to undertake steps to keep patients, residents, and staff safe. Ensuring patient and public safety in all areas where healthcare is provided is a priority, and infection prevention and control (IPC) is a core component of safe, high-quality care, regardless of care setting. More information about these obligations is available at the following link:

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/the-health-and-social-care-act-2008-code-of-practice-on-the-prevention-and-control-of-infections-and-related-guidance

The National infection prevention and control manual for England contains guidance on Standard Infection Control Precautions, which are to be used by all staff, in all care settings, at all times, for all patients whether infection is known to be present or not. This manual is available at the following link:

https://www.england.nhs.uk/national-infection-prevention-and-control-manual-nipcm-for-england/

Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what the component costs are to facilitate a social security appeal hearing.

Answered by Stephen Timms - Minister of State (Department for Work and Pensions)

The information is not centrally recorded and to provide it would incur disproportionate costs.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, whether she has plans to financially aid or support local leisure facilities, and is this doable with local government making cuts to services.

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

The Government recognises the importance of ensuring public access to leisure facilities which are vital spaces for people of all ages to stay fit and healthy, and which play an important role within communities.

The ongoing responsibility of providing access to public leisure facilities lies at local authority level with funding levels set as part of the Local Government Finance Settlement. The Government encourages local authorities to make investments which offer the right opportunities and facilities for the communities they serve, investing in sport and physical activity with a place-based approach, to meet the needs of individual communities.

In June, we committed another £400 million to transform sports facilities, including public leisure, across the whole of the UK over the next four years, supporting the Government's Plan for Change. We are working closely with the public leisure sector, sporting bodies and local leaders to establish what communities need, before setting out further plans on how future funding will be allocated.

Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, whether he has requested that the Drax power station provides further documents relating to its conduct following of the 2022 BBC Panorama investigation.

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

Ofgem is responsible for investigating compliance. In 2024 Ofgem concluded an investigation into Drax’s reporting for the period April 2021 to March 2022. Its investigation included a review of over 3,000 documents. The investigation did not find evidence that Drax had failed to comply with sustainability requirements or had received subsidy payments incorrectly. However, Ofgem identified an absence of adequate data governance and controls and Drax agreed to make £25m voluntary redress payment.

In September 2025 Ofgem and Drax appointed Forvis Mazars to conduct an independent audit of Drax’s annual profiling data and associated reporting across its global supply chain.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, how the monies raised through the statutory gambling levy is being allocated; and if they will publish a breakdown of spending by (a) prevention, (b) treatment, (c) innovation and (d) research into gambling-related harms.

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

This year the statutory levy has raised just under £120 million, which will be ringfenced solely for the use of tackling gambling-related harm. Details on how this has been allocated are available in this Written Ministerial Statement.

DCMS will publish an Annual Report setting out each year how levy funds have been spent. We expect the first Annual Report to be published this summer.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what steps she is taking to protect businesses and investors from fraud where individuals found liable by UK courts are resident overseas.

Answered by Lucy Rigby - Economic Secretary (HM Treasury)

The Government is committed to tackling fraud, a key aspect in ensuring that the UK is a strong place for investment.

As detailed in Economic Crime Plan 2023-2026, the Government is working to strengthen international standards and build partnerships with overseas financial centres to reduce the threat international illicit finance, including fraud, poses to the UK. Agencies including HMRC, the Serious Fraud Office, and the National Crime Agency collaborate with overseas partners on this.

The upcoming Fraud Strategy will detail the Government’s plans to prevent fraud and protect the public beyond 2026.

Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what assessment she has made of the effectiveness of the UK-UAE Illicit Finance Partnership Agreement.

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

The UK–UAE Illicit Finance Partnership is overseen at Ministerial level, including through an annual Illicit Finance Ministerial Dialogue which reviews effectiveness.

The UK-UAE Illicit Finance Dialogue in September 2025 was successful in reaffirming both countries' commitment to tackling illicit finance flows, strengthening joint efforts across operational, policy, and strategic outcomes in the Partnership.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what assessment she has made of the trends in the level of the tv license.

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

As of 1 April 2026, the annual cost of the colour TV licence will increase by £5.50, in line with CPI inflation. This uplift will provide the BBC with a stable financial footing to continue delivering for audiences and supporting the wider creative industries.

Under the 2022 Licence Fee Settlement, the cost of the licence fee was frozen for two years and then required to increase annually in line with CPI inflation until the end of the current Charter Period (2027). The Culture Secretary committed to increasing the licence fee in line with CPI annually for the remainder of this Charter Period in a Written Ministerial Statement in 2024.

As part of the Charter Review, the government is looking at a range of options to ensure the BBC’s funding model is sustainable while also being fair and affordable for households.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether he has made an assessment of the potential merits of greater reference to blood cancer diagnosis and treatment pathways in upcoming cancer policy documents.

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

The National Cancer Plan for England, released on 4 February 2026, sets out a commitment to diagnose cancers earlier and ensure people receive timely, effective treatment. The government is committed to helping the National Health Service to detect cancers, including blood cancers, earlier and provide faster treatment to improve outcomes.

While there has been no separate assessment of the benefits of including blood cancer pathways in future policy documents, the National Cancer Plan for England outlines actions to improve outcomes for all cancer patients, including those diagnosed with blood cancer. These include expanding faster access to diagnostic tests, improving treatment turnaround times, and ensuring patients benefit from the latest innovations and technologies.

The NHS in England now uses non‑specific symptom pathways for people presenting with symptoms such as unexplained weight loss, fatigue or general illness that do not point to a particular cancer type. These pathways are especially important for detecting blood cancers, which often present with vague or non‑specific symptoms.

In addition, ongoing investment in diagnostic capacity, including new magnetic resonance imaging and computed tomography scanners, will support the NHS in England to diagnose all cancers, including blood cancers, earlier and ensure patients can begin treatment as quickly as possible.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps he is taking to support NHS dentists to tackle waiting lists.

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

Patients in England are not registered with a National Health Service dental practice, although many NHS dental practices do tend to see patients regularly. There is no geographical restriction on which practice a patient may attend and no national waiting list. Some dental practices may operate local waiting list arrangements.

NHS dentists are required to keep their NHS.UK profiles up to date so that patients can find a dentist more easily. This includes information on whether they are accepting new patients. In circumstances where patients are unable to access an urgent dental appointment directly through an NHS dental practice, they should contact NHS 111.

The Government is committed to ensuring people can access urgent dental care when they need it. Over the past year, integrated care boards have been commissioning additional urgent dental appointments 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 2024 to October 2025 compared to the corresponding months prior to the general election.

We are committed to delivering fundamental reform of the dental contract before the end of this Parliament. As a first step, on 16 December, we published the Government’s response to the public consultation on quality and payment reforms to the NHS dental contract. The changes will be introduced from April 2026. These reforms will put patients with greatest need first, incentivising urgent care and complex treatments. More information is available from the following website:

https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/nhs-dentistry-contract-quality-and-payment-reforms/outcome/government-response-to-consultation-on-nhs-dentistry-contract-quality-and-payment-reforms

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what progress he has made on meeting the 18-week treatment target in the Elective Reform Plan.

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

The Elective Reform plan set out that the Government is committed to returning to the National Health Service constitutional standard that 92% of patients wait no longer than 18 weeks from referral to consultant-led treatment, by March 2029. Additionally, NHS England’s Operational Planning Guidance for 2025/26 set a target that 65% of patients wait no longer than 18 weeks by the end of March 2026.

To achieve this, we expect the size of the total waiting list to reduce and have already made significant progress. As of December 2025, the waiting list had reduced by over 330,000 since the Government came into office. This is despite 31.7 million referrals onto the waiting list. Performance against the referral to treatment standard had improved by 2.7% over the same period, reaching 61.5%.

This has been supported by the delivery of 5.2 million additional appointments between July 2024 and June 2025 compared to the previous year, more than double the Government’s pledge of two million. This marked a vital first step towards delivering the constitutional standard.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what steps her Department is taking to help tackle humanitarian crises caused or exacerbated by climate change.

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

The issues raised in the Hon Member's questions are among the most important priorities for the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO), and our work in these areas cannot adequately be summarised in the answer to one parliamentary question. However, he can find regular updates about that work by following the FCDO news feed on GOV.UK, and by continuing to attend our statements, oral questions sessions and urgent question responses in the House.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what steps her Department is taking to help promote the (a) rights and (b) well-being of children in conflict zones.

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

The issues raised in the Hon Member's questions are among the most important priorities for the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO), and our work in these areas cannot adequately be summarised in the answer to one parliamentary question. However, he can find regular updates about that work by following the FCDO news feed on GOV.UK, and by continuing to attend our statements, oral questions sessions and urgent question responses in the House.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what steps her Department is taking to support the rights of women and girls.

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

The issues raised in the Hon Member's questions are among the most important priorities for the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO), and our work in these areas cannot adequately be summarised in the answer to one parliamentary question. However, he can find regular updates about that work by following the FCDO news feed on GOV.UK, and by continuing to attend our statements, oral questions sessions and urgent question responses in the House.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what steps her Department is taking to help tackle global malnutrition.

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

The issues raised in the Hon Member's questions are among the most important priorities for the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO), and our work in these areas cannot adequately be summarised in the answer to one parliamentary question. However, he can find regular updates about that work by following the FCDO news feed on GOV.UK, and by continuing to attend our statements, oral questions sessions and urgent question responses in the House.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what data her Department holds on the (i) volume and (ii) cost of missed MOT appointments in each of the last three financial years.

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

The Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) supervises the delivery of light vehicle MOTs in Great Britain through its approved MOT garages. However, as these are private garages, DVSA does not collate overall data on the volume and cost of missed MOT appointments.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what steps her Department is taking to tackle economic drivers of conflict in the world.

Answered by Seema Malhotra - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)

The UK is working closely with international financial institutions (IFIs) to better understand economic drivers of conflict, including enhancing the use of analytics to anticipate potential conflict, and ensuring timely, effective and conflict sensitive interventions.

The World Bank and other IFIs, working as effectively as possible with other actors such as the United Nations, the private sector, civil society and governments, bring valuable expertise and investment to address key drivers of fragility and conflict, improving employment and livelihoods, natural resource management, access to essential services and governance. This is why the UK put our critical influence and Board position at the World Bank to improve their focus and strategy on fragile and conflict-affected states, which enables stronger delivery at scale in these countries.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, pursuant to the Answer of 2 December 2025 to Question 83339 on China: Religious Freedom, what recent discussions she has had with her Chinese counterpart on the case of Pastor Ezra Jin.

Answered by Seema Malhotra - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)

I refer the Hon. Member to the answer given on 23 October 2025 to Question 83339.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether he plans to take steps to help ensure that soldiers will not be prosecuted for following orders in future conflicts.

Answered by Al Carns - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence) (Minister for Veterans)

The Government is unstinting in its admiration and gratitude for our Armed Forces. We expect the highest standards of our Service personnel and they serve with great distinction. We rightly hold them to account when they fall short.

We are committed to supporting our people who act reasonably and in good faith in the course of their duties. Legal advice and welfare support are available to all serving and former members of the Armed Forces, where they face criminal allegations that relate to their service.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, if she will make it her policy to pause the passage of the Diego Garcia Military Base and British Indian Ocean Territory Bill until the Metropolitan Police investigation into Peter Mandelson has concluded.

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

I refer the Hon Member to the answer provided on 2 March to question 111415.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, how many times the fisheries protection vessel has been deployed in each of the last five years.

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

Defra is unable to confirm the position at a UK level as fisheries protection is a devolved matter. The Marine Management Organisation is responsible for regulating and enforcing fisheries activity in English waters. Its two dedicated Offshore Patrol Vessels maintain a near-continuous presence at sea to monitor compliance and safeguard sustainable fishing, with each vessel averaging over 350 days at sea per year since 2022.

Information on at sea activity undertaken by the Scottish, Welsh, or Northern Irish authorities in the waters for which they are responsible can be obtained directly from the respective devolved governments.

Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, if she will make extra staff available to process certificates of entitlement for those born in the UK.

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

The Home Office keeps staffing levels for processing Certificates of Entitlement under regular review. Current resourcing is sufficient to meet service standards, with straightforward applications processed within eight weeks of receipt of all required information.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether he has had discussions with the Northern Ireland Executive on improving access to mental health support for adolescents in Northern Ireland.

Answered by Zubir Ahmed - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)

Health is a devolved matter, and responsibility for improving access to mental health services in Northern Ireland, including for adolescents, sits with the Northern Ireland Executive.

The Government works closely with the devolved administrations on shared health challenges, including mental health. Ministers meet regularly with their counterparts through intergovernmental forums such as the Interministerial Group for Health and Social Care.

At the Interministerial Group for Health and Social Care in April 2025, ministers discussed common priorities across the four governments on mental health, including the importance of early support for children and young people delivered in schools and community settings. The Government remains committed to continuing to work with the Northern Ireland Executive and the other devolved administrations to share learning and approaches to improving mental health support.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of the radioisotope supply disruption in late 2024 on patients.

Answered by Zubir Ahmed - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)

The 2024 disruption was caused by the required closures of a number of reactors used to supply the United Kingdom and Europe. In response to this shortage, the Department worked closely with suppliers, the National Health Service, the British Nuclear Medicine Society, the UK Radiopharmacy Group, and the devolved administrations to ensure that the limited available supplies were shared equitably and that patients with the most critical needs were prioritised. A National Patient Safety Alert was issued providing guidance to radiopharmacy units on how to manage affected patients.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether he plans to publish the review of clinical negligence costs by David Lock KC.

Answered by Zubir Ahmed - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)

The rising costs of clinical negligence claims against the National Health Service in England are of great concern to the Government. Costs have more than doubled in the last ten years and are forecast to continue rising, putting further pressure on NHS finances.

As announced in the 10-Year Health Plan for England, David Lock KC is providing expert policy advice on the rising legal costs of clinical negligence and how we can improve patients’ experience of claims. That work is ongoing, following initial advice to ministers and the recent National Audit Office and Public Accounts Committee reports.

The results of David Lock’s work will inform future policy making in this area. No decisions on policy have been taken at this point, and the Government will provide an update on the work done and next steps in due course.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what proportion of the health budget is allocated to mental health services.

Answered by Zubir Ahmed - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)

For the 2025/26 financial year, total mental health spend is forecast to be £15.6 billion, the equivalent to 8.71% of the recurrent National Health Service baseline of £179.4 billion. However, there are important elements of mental health spend not included in these figures. This includes capital spending, where we committed £75 million of investment in 2025/26 to reduce out-of-area placements, prescribing mental health medication, continuing healthcare, and NHS England’s investment in training the mental health workforce. This was set out in the Written Statement HCWS562 of 27 March 2025, by my Rt Hon. Friend, the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care.

Funding is central to delivering the ambitious goals set out in the Medium-Term Planning Framework for integrated care boards (ICBs) and providers over the next three years to drive improvements across mental health services. These include 100% coverage of Mental Health Support Teams by 2029, expanding NHS Talking Therapies and Individual Placement Support, and reducing the number of inappropriate out-of-area placements by the end of March 2027. To support this, the Government is requiring all integrated care boards to meet the Mental Health Investment Standard over the next three years, which sets a minimum rate of growth in annual spend on mental health services.

As required under Section 3 of the Health and Care Act 2022, my Rt Hon. Friend, the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, will lay a Written Ministerial Statement before Parliament setting out the expected mental health spend for 2026/27, including the total forecast spend and the proportion of the NHS recurrent baseline allocated to mental health services. This will be before the start of the next financial year.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, if her Department will consider using World Wildlife Day to promote driver awareness of wildlife on the roads.

Answered by Lilian Greenwood - Government Whip, Lord Commissioner of HM Treasury

The Department do not have any plans to use World Wildlife Day to promote driver awareness of wildlife on the roads. A main focus for this Government is to make our roads safer for all users, which will in turn reduce the risk to all animals.

There is a range of traffic signs prescribed in the Traffic Signs Regulations and General Directions 2016 to warn drivers of road safety risks due to wildlife on or near roads. It is for local traffic authorities to determine if such signs are required to address a road safety issue on their roads.

Advice on the use of these signs is given in Chapter 4 of the Traffic Signs Manual, available at https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/traffic-signs-manual

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of the local growth fund on critical infrastructure, transport connectivity, digital infrastructure and energy resilience in Northern Ireland.

Answered by Miatta Fahnbulleh - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

The Local Growth Fund has the scope to support economic growth in Northern Ireland through investment in a broad range of interventions including infrastructure, innovation, business support and skills MHCLG and the Northern Ireland Office are working with the Northern Ireland Executive to design and deliver the funding in Northern Ireland, ensuring that investment aligns with Northern Ireland’s priorities and delivers meaningful impact for local people.

Question to the Ministry of Justice:

To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, how much has been spent on electronic monitoring contracts in each of the last five years.

Answered by Jake Richards - Assistant Whip

The spend on electronic monitoring contracts in each of the last five financial years is presented in the table below:

The total number of individuals with an electronic monitoring device assigned at 31 December 2025 was 28,111. This figure comes from the Electronic Monitoring Statistics Publication: (Electronic Monitoring Statistics Publication, December 2025 - GOV.UK).

https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/electronic-monitoring-statistics-publication-december-2025

The cost per tag information is commercially sensitive. The Ministry of Justice believes that releasing information on device costs would prejudice, or likely prejudice Allied Universal Electronic Monitoring’s (the provider of the monitoring equipment) commercial interests.

The latest assessment of average running costs per offender per year is £3,130 – related to direct EM costs only. That figure includes contracted out and internal costs but does not include the average cost of a probation or police officer supervising an individual with EM.

Tagging is a critical tool for punishing and monitoring offenders outside of prison which is why we are already tagging more offenders than ever before and will increase numbers further through the Sentencing Act.

For information relating to the additional supervision costs of managing an individual with EM please refer to the following answer: Written questions and answers - Written questions, answers and statements - UK Parliament

Question to the Ministry of Justice:

To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what the cost is per electronic monitoring tag; and what the running costs are of those tags.

Answered by Jake Richards - Assistant Whip

The spend on electronic monitoring contracts in each of the last five financial years is presented in the table below:

The total number of individuals with an electronic monitoring device assigned at 31 December 2025 was 28,111. This figure comes from the Electronic Monitoring Statistics Publication: (Electronic Monitoring Statistics Publication, December 2025 - GOV.UK).

https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/electronic-monitoring-statistics-publication-december-2025

The cost per tag information is commercially sensitive. The Ministry of Justice believes that releasing information on device costs would prejudice, or likely prejudice Allied Universal Electronic Monitoring’s (the provider of the monitoring equipment) commercial interests.

The latest assessment of average running costs per offender per year is £3,130 – related to direct EM costs only. That figure includes contracted out and internal costs but does not include the average cost of a probation or police officer supervising an individual with EM.

Tagging is a critical tool for punishing and monitoring offenders outside of prison which is why we are already tagging more offenders than ever before and will increase numbers further through the Sentencing Act.

For information relating to the additional supervision costs of managing an individual with EM please refer to the following answer: Written questions and answers - Written questions, answers and statements - UK Parliament

Question to the Ministry of Justice:

To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, how many electronic monitoring tags are in use.

Answered by Jake Richards - Assistant Whip

The spend on electronic monitoring contracts in each of the last five financial years is presented in the table below:

The total number of individuals with an electronic monitoring device assigned at 31 December 2025 was 28,111. This figure comes from the Electronic Monitoring Statistics Publication: (Electronic Monitoring Statistics Publication, December 2025 - GOV.UK).

https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/electronic-monitoring-statistics-publication-december-2025

The cost per tag information is commercially sensitive. The Ministry of Justice believes that releasing information on device costs would prejudice, or likely prejudice Allied Universal Electronic Monitoring’s (the provider of the monitoring equipment) commercial interests.

The latest assessment of average running costs per offender per year is £3,130 – related to direct EM costs only. That figure includes contracted out and internal costs but does not include the average cost of a probation or police officer supervising an individual with EM.

Tagging is a critical tool for punishing and monitoring offenders outside of prison which is why we are already tagging more offenders than ever before and will increase numbers further through the Sentencing Act.

For information relating to the additional supervision costs of managing an individual with EM please refer to the following answer: Written questions and answers - Written questions, answers and statements - UK Parliament

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what her Department’s policy objectives are for the Global Partnerships Conference in May 2026.

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

I refer the Hon Member to the press release published on GOV.UK on 20 February setting out our plans for the conference: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/global-partnerships-conference-to-build-new-international-coalitions-to-tackle-shared-challenges

Pakistani labour law reform

Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month (No. 2)

45th anniversary of Only Fools and Horses

Modern slavery in Pakistan

HPV Awareness Day

90th anniversary of Upper Crossgar Pipe Band

Stans of St Martins

Ané Kritzinger Physics Gold Medal at STEM for BRITAIN Awards

Campbell College’s rugby and football double

Durham District Prostate Cancer Group

Archbishop Hosam and Gaza

40th anniversary of Bathgate rail

2026 British and World Marbles Championship

Online abuse and exploitation of Ukrainian refugees

Future Homes Standard

Water sector reform

Outdoor learning specialist apprenticeships

Support for the ceramics industry

Month of the Military Child 2026 in Arbroath

Cyprus and UK Sovereign Base Areas

Angus–Sumy friendship agreement

Achievements of St Mary's Aghagallon GAA Club at the 2026 Ulster Scór Championships

The National Council of Resistance of Iran's ten-point plan

St Neots Walk and Talk 4 Men 5th anniversary

NHS funding for mental health services

Anniversary of the Tel al-Sultan aid worker massacre

25th anniversary of the Voluntary Initiative

Alexandra Infants’ School, Stoke-on-Trent

Airbag safety in vehicles

New Special Educational Needs and Disabilities provision in Wokingham

Legal routes for refugees

Sign Language Week

Sunday Times Best Place to Live in Scotland 2026

Middlesbrough City of Culture

Inverness City of Culture

Coniston Hydro

Display of pricing for alcoholic drinks

Fife Best Bar None Awards

Funding for rural Britain

Historical building safeguarding in Scotland

Windermere

Indy Wokingham and support for small independent businesses

Protection of historic green spaces

Bluebell House care home and person-centred care

Student finance system reform

Gas leaks in rural areas

UNESCO World Heritage Status and the River Marden

Burghead Indoor Bowling Club

Non-League Day

Queen Elizabeth Prize for Education 2026 for North Warwickshire and South Leicestershire College

MacMoray Festival

Liz Jamieson and Spynie Care Home

World Social Work Day 2026

Whyburn Farm and Misk Hills

Save by the Bell Dundee 20th anniversary

200th anniversary of High Street Methodist Church, Lurgan

40th anniversary of Donaghcloney Brownies

Museum online sales to Northern Ireland

Erwood Young Farmers’ Club success at Wales YFC Entertainment Finals

Deployment of nuclear power

Wilf Peddle’s 1964 Morris Minor Van at The Somerset Rural Life Museum

Karen Cardy and 40 years of service to the 10th Bangor Boys’ Brigade

Sight loss charity funding

Darcy Webb from Betley Primary School in Newcastle-under-Lyme

Ollie Royles

Transition of rail workers into Great British Railways

Steve Cram CBE

Royal Surrey County Hospital research funding

Whitburn Brass Band and the Scottish Brass Band Championships

Thatcham Refillable and community environmental leadership

Olympic achievement of Leon Greenwood

Stand-Out Theatre School

Cheadle Civic Society's celebration of Agatha Christie's connection to Cheadle 2026

Endometriosis Awareness Month 2026

State visit of the president of Nigeria

Scotland’s curlers

21st Ayrshire Scout Group

Economic contribution of drag hunting to rural communities

Heating oil prices

Understanding of Tourette Syndrome

Ketamine

Energy prices for households and businesses

Free school meal holiday voucher scheme in Surrey

Creative industries and the use of AI

Delay Repay scheme

Airport drop-off charges

Outdoor learning

50th anniversary of the IRA terrorist attack at West Ham station

Bonhill Primary School Pupils' charity fundraising

Bishop Andrew Watson

Congratulations to Hollie Davidson

Cupar Vet national award

30th anniversary of the Dunblane Primary School tragedy

Royal Mail delivery standards

New Start Highland takeover of Highland Foodbank

Industrial relations at Carlisle Support Services

Oil prices and the cost of living

European Remembrance Day for Victims of Terrorism (No. 2)

Future of Hamworthy Fire Station

Recognition of armed forces personnel wounded in terrorist attacks outside of operational deployment

Shrewsbury and Telford Hospital Trust

Reforming National Parks and National Landscapes

Ambulance handover times

125th anniversary of The Forest Club, Starbeck

National No Smoking Day

Halesowen Ramblers

Centenary of Babbacombe Cliff Railway in Torquay

International Women's Day 2026 and women’s inclusion in placemaking

NHS dentistry

Fundraising for brain tumour research

Cancer care in Gaza

Association of Colleges Award for Derwen College

Temporary accommodation and its impact on neurodivergent children

Eating disorder services

Corstorphine Window Wanderland 2026

Football ticket prices (No. 2)

EE Dundee Community Challenge Champions 2025

Boujee Dogs

Protections for Cornish produce

Use of catapults against wildlife

90th anniversary of Killaloo Accordion Band

Marie Curie Great Daffodil Appeal 2026

Falkirk Trinity Church fundraiser for Ukraine

Cardiac risk in the young

Proscription of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps

Donaghadee Parish Church 400th anniversary

Chief Constable’s Bravery Award, Clackmannanshire officers

Curlew populations

Covid Day of Reflection 2026

May McLeod, 25 years of voluntary service

Opinion polls before and during election campaigns

Edinburgh mural marking the deaths of protestors in Iran

Funding for rural fire and rescue services

World Hearing Day 2026

Dame Anne Pringle elected Chancellor at University of St Andrews

Dundee Women's Trail for International Women's Day

Reverend Jesse Jackson Sr

Dual nationals without British passports

Recognition of Ukrainian driving licences

Billionaire wealth

Kirsty Muir at the 2026 Winter Olympics

Compulsory redundancies and industrial action at Edinburgh Napier University

The Snug Bookshop and Café named a winner of the Realising the Remarkable grant

Ellen Roome and the Jools’ Law campaign

Found: Jim Shannon: Thank you very much for the opportunity to request this debate.