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 hire more GPs.

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

We are starting to see consistent growth in the general practitioner (GP) workforce. There was an overall increase of 440 full-time equivalent, or 1,298 headcount, doctors in GPs in September 2025 compared to September 2024.

The Government committed to recruiting over 1,000 recently qualified GPs in primary care networks (PCNs) through a £160 million investment into the Additional Roles Reimbursement Scheme (ARRS) over 2024/25. This is part of our initiative to secure the future pipeline of GPs, with over 1,000 doctors otherwise likely to graduate into unemployment in 2024/25. Data on the number of recently qualified GPs for which PCNs are claiming reimbursement via the ARRS show that, since 1 October 2024, over 2,500 GPs were recruited through the scheme.

Newly qualified GPs employed under the ARRS will continue to receive support under the scheme in the coming year as part of the 2025/26 contract. Several changes have been confirmed to increase the flexibility of the ARRS. These include: GPs and practice nurses being included in the main ARRS funding pot; an uplift of the maximum reimbursable rate for GPs in the scheme; and no caps on the number of GPs that can be employed through the scheme.

We are boosting practice finances by investing an additional £1,092 million in GPs to reinforce the front door of the National Health Service, bringing total spend on the GP Contract to £13.4 billion in 2025/26. This is the biggest increase in over a decade. The 8.9% boost to the GP Contract in 2025/26 is faster than the 5.8% growth to the NHS budget as a whole.

Question to the Ministry of Justice:

To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, whether he plans to increase sentences for people convicted of sexual offences.

Answered by Jake Richards - Assistant Whip

Sexual offences such as rape, assault by penetration, and causing a person to engage in sexual activity without consent already attract some of the most serious penalties under the law, with a maximum sentence of life imprisonment. These maximums reflect the gravity of such offences and are among the highest available. In light of this, the Government has no current plans to increase statutory maximum sentences for sexual offences.

Sentencing in individual cases is a matter for our independent judiciary. The sentence imposed on an offender should reflect the crime they have committed and be proportionate to the seriousness of the offence. That is why, when deciding what sentence to impose, courts must consider the circumstances of the case, including the culpability of the offender, the harm they caused or intended to cause, and any aggravating and mitigating factors. The courts also have a statutory duty to follow any relevant sentencing guidelines, issued by the Sentencing Council for England and Wales.

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 raise awareness of osteoporosis.

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

In July, we published the 10-Year Health Plan, which committed to rolling out Fracture Liaison Services across every part of the country by 2030.

The National Fracture Liaison Service database is a clinically-led national audit of secondary fracture prevention in England and Wales, commissioned by the Healthcare Quality Improvement Partnership and delivered by the Royal College of Physicians. It collects and publishes data on individual Fracture Liaison Services and uses internationally recognised standards as the key performance indicators that these services are measured against. The data is publicly available.

Additionally, the National Health Service website, along with the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence and the Royal Osteoporosis Society, has information and resources for patients to learn about osteoporosis, including advice on how to manage osteoporosis and advice on lifestyle changes that patients can make to improve their bone health and reduce their risk of fractures. The Royal College of General Practitioners’ e-learning module on the diagnosis and management of osteoporosis also suggests resources that clinicians can use with their patients.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what estimate he has made of the number of people being treated for prostate cancer.

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

The latest Cancer Waiting Times data published by NHS England shows that 4,441 people started their first treatment for prostate cancer in August 2025 under the 31-day cancer waiting time standard.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what discussions she has had with local councils on ensuring that there are sufficient road grit boxes for road users to use in winter 2025-26.

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

Responsibility for winter road maintenance, including grit boxes, is a devolved matter. As such this answer relates only to England.

Section 41 of the Highways Act 1980 places a duty on highway authorities to ensure, so far as is reasonably practicable, that safe passage along a highway is not endangered by snow or ice.

It is for local highway authorities to determine what the most appropriate measures are to achieve this, based on local circumstances.

Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what steps she is taking to tackle car theft.

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

We are working with the police and the automotive industry, to ensure the strongest response possible to vehicle crime.

The National Vehicle Crime Reduction Partnership and the police-led National Vehicle Crime Working Group are focusing on prevention and deterrence of theft of, and from, vehicles. This includes training police officers on the methods used to steal vehicles, encouraging vehicle owners to secure their vehicles, and working with industry to address vulnerabilities in vehicles.

In the Crime and Policing Bill we are banning the electronic devices used to steal vehicles, empowering the police and courts to target the criminals using, manufacturing, importing and supplying them.

We are providing £485,000 this financial year to the National Vehicle Crime Reduction Partnership to tackle the export of stolen vehicles.

Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what steps his Department is taking to support small businesses with energy transitions.

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

The Department for Energy Security and Net Zero is committed to supporting small businesses across the UK in their transition to cleaner, more secure energy.

Key steps include:

• UK Business Climate Hub – the Department has recently provided a grant to fund a refresh of the UK Business Climate Hub, a central platform offering SMEs across the UK sector-specific guidance, and information about green finance options.
• Business Energy Advice Service (Pilot in the West Midlands) – the Department is trialling an approach to providing small businesses with energy audits and grants to invest in energy efficient equipment.
• Financial support via schemes like the Industrial Energy Transformation Fund (now closed for new applications) and the Boiler Upgrade Scheme (not available in Northern Ireland)
• Investing in innovation, helping SMEs adopt low-carbon technologies and improve energy efficiency.

These programmes form part of the Department’s wider efforts to ensure small businesses can play a full role in the UK’s energy transition, while benefiting from reduced costs and enhanced competitiveness.

For Northern Ireland, energy policy is devolved. However, we continue to work closely with the Northern Ireland Executive to share best practice and support UK-wide collaboration on energy transition. Small businesses in Northern Ireland can access advice and support through local programmes.

Question to the Northern Ireland Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, what discussions he has had with the Northern Ireland Executive on the restrictions on veterinary medicines into Northern Ireland.

Answered by Hilary Benn - Secretary of State for Northern Ireland

The Government has engaged with the Northern Ireland Executive extensively on the issue of veterinary medicine access. This includes through the Veterinary Medicines Working Group, which I co-chair and which is also attended by Northern Ireland’s Minister for Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs, Andrew Muir MLA.

The working group has met five times under this Government, most recently on 15 October. We are looking to convene the next meeting before the end of the year and intend to meet again early in 2026. I am grateful for the constructive and positive contributions that Minister Muir has made to this work.

The discussions of the working group are confidential, but the availability of veterinary medicines in Northern Ireland is of course a key focus. In June this year, the Government published its position with regards to the supply of veterinary medicines to Northern Ireland, including its assessment that the vast majority of authorised medicines will continue to be supplied, and set out two new schemes to address any supply gaps. We continue to engage with industry and monitor the situation closely

In addition, officials in the Veterinary Medicines Directorate and the Cabinet Office regularly engage with DAERA officials on this issue.

Question to the Ministry of Justice:

To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what steps he is taking to ensure that people who have been charged with sexual assault attend court in person.

Answered by Sarah Sackman - Minister of State (Ministry of Justice)

The Government is committed to ensuring that defendants charged with serious offences, including sexual assault, attend court so that justice is delivered effectively, and victims can see accountability upheld.

We recognise the distress caused when offenders refuse to attend court, and in particular, for sentencing hearings. That is why we are legislating through the Victims and Courts Bill to give judges express statutory powers to order attendance and impose additional penalties for refusal, ensuring victims and their families see justice delivered in person.

Any decision to order attendance is a matter for the judiciary, who act independently and apply the law in each case.

Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what steps she is taking to increase substitute funding for schools.

Answered by Georgia Gould - Minister of State (Education)

Education is a devolved matter, and the response outlines the information for England only.

The department does not specifically fund substitute provision. However, the overall core schools budget (CSB) is increasing by £3.7 billion in the 2025/26 financial year. Each school has the autonomy to allocate its budget to best meet the needs of its pupils and ensure they have the best opportunities in life. This may involve decisions concerning the hiring of supply staff, since schools, academies and local authorities are responsible for staff recruitment.

The department is also committed to helping schools get better value for their money when hiring supply staff. We are working closely with the Crown Commercial Service on their agency supply deal, which supports schools to obtain value for money when hiring agency supply teachers and other temporary school staff. The deal has established a list of preferred suppliers that schools can access, all of which will be transparent with schools about the rates they charge.

The department continues to conduct policy research into the supply market.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, how many women are being treated with hormone replacement therapy.

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

The NHS Business Services Authority releases official statistics on patients prescribed hormone replacement therapy (HRT). The latest available data shows that there were 2.8 million female patients aged 18 years old or over who were prescribed HRT in England, that was subsequently dispensed in the community, from July 2024 to June 2025. Further information, including monthly data to June 2025, is available at the following link:

https://www.nhsbsa.nhs.uk/statistical-collections/hormone-replacement-therapy-england/hormone-replacement-therapy-england-april-2015-june-2025

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps his Department is taking to help find rare blood type donors.

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

NHS Blood and Transplant (NHSBT) is the organisation responsible for blood services in England. NHSBT works to find and encourage people with rare blood types to give blood to ensure blood of all types is available for patients when needed.

In addition to routine extended antigen typing, which enables many rare donors to be identified, NHSBT’s Rare Donor Screening Programme tests approximately 25,000 donors annually, for additional blood group antigens, to identify donors with rare blood types. This testing helps to maintain a national rare donor panel containing extremely rare types.

Furthermore, NHSBT’s Rare Donor Clinical Team contacts donors and actively manages their donation schedule via a special call up process. This team also works closely with hospitals to identify patients and their siblings as potential new donors. To ensure the timely availability of blood, blood from rare donors may also be frozen and stored in the National Frozen Blood Bank and thawed when required for patients.

Finally, NHSBT also contributes to the International Rare Donor Panel which contains details of donors of rare blood types from 27 contributing countries and frozen unit inventories from frozen blood banks around the world. Further information on the International Rare Donor Panel is available at the following link:

https://www.nhsbt.nhs.uk/ibgrl/services/international-rare-donor-panel/

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, how many active legal cases are open against the NHS.

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

NHS Resolution (NHSR) manages clinical negligence and other claims against the National Health Service in England.

NHSR handles negligence claims on behalf of the members of their indemnity schemes. The indemnity schemes are divided into clinical and non-clinical negligence schemes.

Clinical negligence schemes:

• the Clinical Negligence Scheme for Trusts (CNST) handles all clinical negligence claims against member NHS bodies where the incident in question took place on or after 1 April 1995, or when the body joined the scheme if that is later;
• the Clinical Negligence Scheme for General Practice (CNSGP) covers clinical negligence claims for incidents occurring in general practice on or after 1 April 2019;

• the Existing Liabilities Scheme for General Practice (ELSGP) covers historic NHS clinical negligence of staff of GP members of participating medical defence organisations occurring before 1 April 2019;
• The Clinical Negligence Scheme for Coronavirus (CNSC) meets clinical negligence liabilities arising from NHS services provided in response to the coronavirus pandemic where no other indemnity or insurance arrangements are in place already to cover such liabilities.

• DHSC Clinical (DH CL) covers clinical negligence liabilities that have transferred to the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care following the abolition of any relevant health bodies;
• The Existing Liabilities Scheme (ELS) covers clinical negligence claims against NHS organisations for incidents occurring before 1 April 1995; and

Non clinical negligence schemes:

• the Liabilities to Third Parties Scheme (LTPS) covers non-clinical claims such as public and employers’ liability;
• the Property Expenses Schemes (PES) covers ‘first party’ losses such as property damage and theft, for incidents on or after 1 April 1999; and
• DHSC Non-clinical (DH Liab) covers non-clinical negligence liabilities that have transferred to the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care following the abolition of any relevant health bodies.

NHSR has provided the attached information:

Table 1: Number of Clinical and Non-Clinical Claims received between Financial Years '2006/07' and '2024/25' where the status of the claim was open as at 31/03/2025. Broken down by Scheme (as noted above).

Table 2: Number of Clinical and Non-Clinical Claims and Incidents received between Financial Years '2006/07' and '2024/25' where the status was 'Open' or 'Incident' as at 31/03/2025. Broken down by Scheme (as noted above).

Note: NHSR defines an ‘open’ claim as one where NHSR is yet to settle or claims that have settled but remain open, where NHSR are yet to agree costs. NHSR has not included cases which are settled but remain open due to ongoing periodical order payments.

The distinction between Table 1 and Table 2 is that Table 2 includes incidents reported to NHSR that have not yet progressed to a formal notification of claim. NHSR encourages its members and beneficiaries to report such incidents directly, even prior to the receipt of a claim.

Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, whether she has had discussions with her Northern Ireland counterpart on substitute teachers unable to get permanent jobs.

Answered by Georgia Gould - Minister of State (Education)

Supply teachers perform a valuable role and make an important contribution to the smooth running of schools by filling posts on a temporary basis and covering teacher absences.

Schools, academies and local authorities are responsible for the recruitment of supply teachers, which includes deciding whether they contract supply teachers directly or use employment agencies.

Education is a devolved matter. The department is in contact with Northern Ireland counterparts at an official level to discuss and share valuable knowledge about supply teachers and the supply system in England and Northern Ireland.

Question to the Department for Business and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what recent discussions he has had with his US counterpart on reducing remaining tariffs on British-produced steel.

Answered by Chris Bryant - Minister of State (Department for Business and Trade)

Thanks to the strength of the UK-US partnership, the UK remains the only country to benefit from a preferential 25% tariff on steel and aluminium exports to the US, avoiding the global rate of 50%. The UK is therefore uniquely positioned as the only country to have secured this commitment, giving our companies a 25% competitive advantage over global competitors.

We continue to work closely with our US counterparts to reduce tariffs further and secure the best possible outcomes for UK manufacturers.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what discussions she has had with her Estonian counterpart on reports that Russian jets entered Estonian airspace.

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

I refer the Hon. Member to the answer provided to question 81195 on 20 October 2025.

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 the potential merits of integrating psychological support into care pathways for people with rare diseases.

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

The Government is committed to improving the lives of those living with rare diseases and continues to make progress under the UK Rare Diseases Framework. Mental health and psychological support has featured as a focus area under England’s rare diseases action plans, the most recent of which was published in February 2025. Access to psychological support for people with rare diseases is underpinned by National Health Service service specifications. In addition, the NHS National Genomics Education Programme provides information to health care professionals, including on mental health and rare disease. This includes setting out how the mental health of rare disease patients requires assessment, and that monitoring should be an integral part of care plans, considered equally as important as physical health.

More widely, the 10-Year Health Plan sets out ambitious plans to transform mental health services to improve access and treatment, and to promote good mental health and wellbeing for the nation. This includes improving assertive outreach, investing in mental health emergency departments and neighbourhood mental health centres, and increasing access to talking therapies and evidence-based digital interventions.

Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what steps she is taking to prevent hate speech in schools.

Answered by Georgia Gould - Minister of State (Education)

Education is a devolved matter, and the response outlines the information for England only.

There is no place for hate or prejudice in our education system. Every school should actively promote the shared values of democracy, the rule of law, individual liberty, and mutual respect for those of different faiths and beliefs.

The department has published advice for schools on promoting these values and made resources available through the Educate Against Hate website.

The new relationships, sex and health education (RSHE) guidance seeks to provide a practical framework that enables schools to teach RSHE in a way that is preventative and protective. It strengthens content on healthy relationships, mental health and the content reflects some of the challenges facing young people today. The guidance was updated on 15 July and is available here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/relationships-education-relationships-and-sex-education-rse-and-health-education.

The department has also published ‘Respectful School Communities’, a self-review and signposting tool to support schools to develop a whole- school approach which promotes respect and discipline. It is available here: https://www.educateagainsthate.com/resources/respectful-school-communities-self-review-signposting-tool-2/.

Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what steps she is taking to help (a) discover and (b) seize cannabis farms.

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

Local police forces and Regional Organised Crime Units deliver the bulk of enforcement and seizure activity against cannabis production and supply. The Home Office has provided funding to enable Operation Mille which is one of the most significant operations of its kind aimed at disrupting organised crime groups (OCG) by identifying and dismantling large-scale cannabis farms which provide a key source of illicit income.

Since June 2023, in Phases 1-3 of the operation, police have executed 1,368 search warrants and arrested over 1,000 individuals. They have also seized a significant number of cannabis farms including the recovery of over 100,000 cannabis plants worth over £100 million, as well £1m in cash and many weapons including 14 firearms.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what steps she is taking to help uphold the right to free speech.

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

DCMS has responsibility for protecting media freedom, which is protected under the Article 10 of the European Convention on Human Rights, which sets out the right to freedom of expression. An integral part of DCMS's work to support media freedom is working with partners to tackle threats to journalist safety and protect journalistic freedoms. DCMS and Home Office Ministers co-chair the National Committee for the Safety of Journalists, which convenes criminal justice, civil society and media partners to tackle journalist safety and oversees a National Action Plan for the Safety of Journalists.

Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of social media in schools on bullying.

Answered by Olivia Bailey - Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State (Department for Education) (Equalities)

​​Education is a devolved matter, and the response outlines the information for England only.

​We know that evidence suggests that cyberbullying is often linked to face-to-face bullying.

​Mobile phones have no place in our schools. The department’s ‘mobile phones in schools’ guidance is clear that schools should prohibit the use of devices with smart technology throughout the school day, including during lessons, transitions and breaks.

​The department expects all schools to take steps in line with this guidance to ensure mobile phones do not disrupt pupils’ learning. If pupils fail to follow those rules, schools have the power to confiscate devices.

​Additionally, the department is launching a procurement for an expert and evidence-led review into best practice on managing pupil behaviour, reducing preventable exclusions and tackling and preventing bullying. The learning from this best practice review will inform the support to be given in the longer term by up to 90 new regional improvement for standards and excellence attendance and behaviour hubs, which are being established across regions in England to focus on supporting senior leaders to develop safe, supportive school cultures. ​

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps his Department is taking to ensure the National Cancer Plan prioritises improving (a) patient experience and (b) quality of life.

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

The National Cancer Plan, which will be published in early 2026, will have patients at its heart and will cover the entirety of the cancer pathway, from referral and diagnosis to treatment and ongoing care, as well as prevention and research and innovation. It will seek to improve every aspect of cancer care to better the experiences and outcomes for people with cancer. The National Cancer Plan will build on the three shifts set out by the 10-Year Health Plan. These shifts will enable rapid progress on the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of cancer, as well as supporting those living with cancer to better manage their condition and improve their quality of life.

The National Cancer Plan will aim to improve how the physical and psychosocial needs of people with cancer can be met, with a focus on personalised care to improve quality of life. It will address how the experience of care can be improved for those diagnosed, treated, and living with and beyond cancer.

Question to the Attorney General:

To ask the Solicitor General, what discussions she has had the Crown Prosecution Service on the adequacy of the number of prosecutions in relation to promoting terrorism.

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

The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) has a strong record of bringing successful prosecutions in terrorism cases and works very closely with Counter Terrorism policing and partners to help build strong cases.

Cases are prosecuted by the specialist CPS Counter Terrorism Division. Recently published Home Office statistics confirmed that in the year ending 30 June 2025, of the 83 persons who were tried for all terrorism-related offences, 80 were convicted (96%).

There are several offences that can be used to prosecute those who promote terrorism, including offences of disseminating terrorist publications, encouraging terrorism, and for the preparation of acts of terrorism or to assist others in preparation of acts of terrorism.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what discussions she has had with her counterpart in Northern Ireland on Asian hornets.

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

The British Irish Council (BIC) has an Invasive Species Work Sector which shares expertise and learning across the eight BIC administrations and makes decisions on common policies and approaches with respect to Invasive Species. Members include the UK Government and the Northern Ireland Executive. There is a Work Plan for this Work Sector and Asian hornets are one of the five key areas of focus.

Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what support her Department provides for people in further education.

Answered by Josh MacAlister - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Education)

Education is a devolved matter, and the response outlines the information for England only.

The department provides a range of financial support for students who need it to enable them to participate in post-16 education, including free meals, bursaries to help with the cost of education (such as travel, books, equipment, and trips), plus support for childcare and residential costs where required.

Within the Adult Skills Fund, Learner Support is available to colleges and training providers to help learners meet costs such as transport, accommodation, books, equipment and childcare. In addition, learning support meets the costs of reasonable adjustments as set out in the Equality Act 2010 for learners with learning difficulties and/or disabilities.

Question to the Northern Ireland Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, what discussions he has had with the Northern Ireland Executive on veterinary medicine access.

Answered by Hilary Benn - Secretary of State for Northern Ireland

The Government has engaged with the Northern Ireland Executive extensively on the issue of veterinary medicine access. This includes through the Veterinary Medicines Working Group, which I co-chair and which is also attended by Northern Ireland’s Minister for Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs, Andrew Muir MLA.

The working group has met five times under this Government, most recently on 15 October. We are looking to convene the next meeting before the end of the year and intend to meet again early in 2026. I am grateful for the constructive and positive contributions that Minister Muir has made on this work. In addition, officials in the Veterinary Medicines Directorate and the Cabinet Office regularly engage with DAERA officials on this issue.

Furthermore, in June this year, the Government published its position with regards to the supply of veterinary medicines to Northern Ireland, including its assessment that the vast majority of authorised medicines will continue to be supplied, and set out two new schemes to address any supply gaps.

Question to the Northern Ireland Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, what discussions he has had with the Northern Ireland Executive on preventing the politicisation of sport in Northern Ireland.

Answered by Hilary Benn - Secretary of State for Northern Ireland

I meet frequently with Northern Ireland Executive Ministers on a range of issues. I have visited a number of sporting projects and organisations across Northern Ireland, most recently meeting with Down GAA and the Irish Football Association. Sport has a great ability to unite people and to bring young people from different backgrounds together. I commend and support all those working in Northern Ireland who are working in pursuit of this goal.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what steps his Department is taking to help families in lower socio-economic groups who are unable to afford private sector rental prices.

Answered by Matthew Pennycook - Minister of State (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

Housing is a devolved matter within the competency of the Northern Ireland Assembly.

The government provides financial support to low-income private renters in England through a range of mechanisms including the housing element of Universal Credit, Discretionary Housing Payments, and the Household Support Fund.

The Renters’ Rights Act contains a large number of provisions that will benefit low-income private renters in England. These include measures that empower private tenants to challenge unfair rent increases without fear of eviction; make it illegal for landlords and agents to discriminate against prospective tenants in receipt of benefits or with children; and end the practice of rental bidding by prohibiting landlords and agents from asking for or accepting offers above the advertised rent.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what funding her Department provides to the Northern Ireland Executive to help make derelict properties (a) safe and (b) habitable.

Answered by Matthew Pennycook - Minister of State (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

Housing is a devolved matter within the competency of the Northern Ireland Assembly.

The UK Government supports the Northern Ireland Executive through a variety of funding streams.

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 increase the number of funded women's health nursing training posts.

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

The Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) set the standards for nursing education in the United Kingdom. These standards prepare nurses to deliver care in a variety of roles and settings. There is no NMC-mandated requirement for post registration education for nurses working in women's health. It is the responsibility of individual employers to invest in the future of their workforce and to ensure specialist nurses have the appropriate ongoing training and continuing professional development to provide safe and effective care.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what diplomatic steps her Department is taking to help protect Nigerian Christians.

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

I refer the Hon. Member to the answer provided on 20 October to Question 81931.

Question to the Department for Business and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what recent discussions he has had with his international counterparts on trade deals.

Answered by Chris Bryant - Minister of State (Department for Business and Trade)

The Secretary of State met his Indian counterpart, Minister Goyal, in Mumbai as part of the recent trade mission led by the Prime Minister, and had productive discussions on our joint ambition to bring the UK-India free trade agreement (FTA) into force as soon as possible.

I held meetings with German, Emerati, Saudi, Greek and Indian counterparts at the Berlin Global Dialogue and attended the GCC Trade Ministers Meeting in Kuwait in October, reaffirming shared, strong political will to conclude a UK-GCC trade deal.

I visited Argentina and Brazil and discussed how best to strengthen our trading relationship with a series of ministerial counterparts, including potentially through an FTA. I have also held meetings with my Uruguayan, Paraguayan, and Ukrainian counterparts online.

There have been further ministerial-level discussions with counterparts in the US, EU, Switzerland, Republic of Korea, and Turkey.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what steps he is taking with Cabinet colleagues to help improve (a) sewage lines and (b) other housing infrastructure.

Answered by Matthew Pennycook - Minister of State (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

I refer the hon. Member to the answers given to questions UIN 65505 on 14 July 2025 and UIN 77897 on 17 October 2025.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what recent discussions she has had with her Vietnamese counterpart on reports of attacks against (a) Khmer Krom human rights defenders and (b) Theravada Buddhist monks.

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

I refer the Hon. Member to the answer given to question 85114.

Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what discussions he has had with his counterpart in Northern Ireland on getting more people into work.

Answered by Diana Johnson - Minister of State (Department for Work and Pensions)

This Government is committed to supporting growth across the United Kingdom, including through our long-term ambition to reach an 80% employment rate.

Through our Get Britain Working Strategy, we are reforming employment, health, and skills support to tackle economic levels, support people into good work, and create an inclusive labour market based on the unique needs of local communities, in which everybody can participate and progress in work.

In Northern Ireland, health, skills, careers, and all aspects of employment support are transferred matters. Ministers and officials continue to work closely with their counterparts in the Northern Ireland Executive, with a view to maintaining parity on social security matters and sharing best practice in the development of employment support.

Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many people have been prosecuted for espionage in the last 12 months.

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

From 1 October 2024 to 30 September 2025, eight people have been convicted of espionage offences.

These convictions were contrary to section 3 of the National Security Act 2023, section 1 of the Official Secrets Act 1911 and conspiracy to spy offences contrary to section 1 of the Criminal Law Act 1977.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, how many men have been diagnosed with penile cancer by age in the last 12 months.

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

The latest available data that can be broken down by age reports 676 recorded cases of penile cancer in 2022. Data is available at the following link:

https://digital.nhs.uk/data-and-information/publications/statistical/cancer-registration-statistics/england-2022

The ‘Cancer Registration Statistics, England 2023’ indicates 634 diagnoses of penile cancer in 2023. However, age-specific data is not yet available. Data is available at the following link:

https://digital.nhs.uk/data-and-information/publications/statistical/cancer-registration-statistics/england-2023

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