Asked by: Kate Osborne (Labour - Jarrow and Gateshead East)
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 has taken to implement the recommendation issued by the UN Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination in 2024 to ‘ensure the provision of adequate and culturally appropriate accommodation for Gypsy and Traveller communities and create more sites and stopping places for these communities.'
Answered by Nesil Caliskan - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Housing, Communities and Local Government)
The Government is committed to ensuring that prejudice and discrimination have no place in our society. The Equality Act 2010 provides protection against discrimination for people because of various characteristics, including race, which covers colour, nationality, and ethnic and national origins.
In terms of culturally appropriate accommodation, between 16 December 2025 and 10 March 2026, the Government consulted on a new National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF). The consultation on the revised Framework, which can be found on gov.uk here, included proposals to incorporate policies relating to traveller sites, currently set out in Planning Policy for Traveller Sites, within relevant chapters of the draft NPPF. We are currently analysing the feedback received and will publish our response in due course.
Asked by: Kate Osborne (Labour - Jarrow and Gateshead East)
Question to the Department for Business and Trade:
To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, whether he has had discussions with Morrisons on its reported plans to close 100 Morrisons Daily stores, including the store on Edinburgh Road in Jarrow; and what assessment he has made of the potential impact of those closures on workers, high streets and access to essential retail services in affected communities.
Answered by Kate Dearden - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade)
While this is a commercial decision for Morrisons, we understand that this will be a concerning time for workers and their families. A broad range of support is available for those affected, including through Jobcentre Plus and the Rapid Response Service. Acas can also provide employees and employers with free, impartial advice on workplace rights, rules and best practice.
We remain committed to supporting thriving high streets and have introduced permanently lower business‑rates multipliers for retail, hospitality and leisure properties, introduced a £4.3 billion transitional support package protect ratepayers seeing their bills increase because of the revaluation, and are bringing forward a new High Streets Strategy, to help reinvigorate our communities.
Asked by: Kate Osborne (Labour - Jarrow and Gateshead East)
Question to the Department for Business and Trade:
To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what assessment he has made of the effectiveness of Post Office Ltd’s franchising model in maintaining community access to Post Office services where branches are located within retail premises that subsequently close; and what discussions he has had with Post Office Ltd on the proposed closure of Edinburgh Road Post Office in Jarrow following the proposed closure of the Morrisons Daily store in which it is located.
Answered by Blair McDougall - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade)
The Government recognises the impact that post office and retail closures can have on employees, communities and access to essential services. The proposed closure of certain Morrisons stores is a commercial decision by the retailer rather than Post Office Limited.
My officials are in close contact with Post Office Limited to ensure it continues to meet the Government’s network requirements. Post Office Limited has indicated it will locally advertise the opportunity for a replacement branch for all affected branches, including in Jarrow.
Asked by: Kate Osborne (Labour - Jarrow and Gateshead East)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether she has considered using the Armed Forces Bill to clarify the legal status of maritime wrecks connected to the United Kingdom’s war effort which are not currently afforded protection comparable to military maritime graves.
Answered by Keir Mather - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
The sinking of merchant vessels during the world wars, represents a tragic loss of life that we must all strive to remember and reflect upon. It is right that we honour and recognise this sacrifice and strive to ensure the grave sites of those who have been lost receive appropriate protection. While the specific scope and purpose of the Armed Forces Bill preclude such an extension to merchant wrecks, we will continue to ensure underwater cultural heritage receives the highest levels of protection available in accordance with international law and best practice.
Asked by: Kate Osborne (Labour - Jarrow and Gateshead East)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, if she will make an assessment of the potential merits of designating the wreck of the SS Tilawa, sunk in 1942, as a protected heritage site in recognition of its status as a Commonwealth wartime loss.
Answered by Keir Mather - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
The sinking of the SS Tilawa, and many other merchant vessels during the world wars, represents a tragic loss of life that we must all strive to remember and reflect upon. It is right that we honour and recognise this sacrifice and strive to ensure the grave sites of those who have been lost receive the highest levels of protection in accordance with international law and best practice.
Asked by: Kate Osborne (Labour - Jarrow and Gateshead East)
Question
To ask the Minister for Women and Equalities, whether she plans to introduce any measures aimed at improving legal protections for LGBT+ people following the UK’s decline in the ILGA-Europe rankings.
Answered by Olivia Bailey - Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State (Department for Education) (Equalities)
The UK is a proud champion of LGBT+ rights, both at home and globally, underpinned by our strong legislative framework. We are actively working to advance these rights, which include strengthening protections against anti-LGBT+ hate crimes and progressing a full trans inclusive ban on conversion practices.
Internationally, the UK has recently committed £21 million in global LGBT+ Rights funding. This significant investment is specifically targeted at the most urgent global environments where LGBT+ individuals face the greatest risks of violence, exclusion, and inadequate legal protection.
Looking ahead, the UK will host the 14th European IDAHOT+ in 2027. This event will provide an opportunity for the UK Government to collaborate with governments from across Europe, academics and experts on LGBT+ Rights, clearly demonstrating our steadfast commitment to upholding and protecting the rights of all.
Asked by: Kate Osborne (Labour - Jarrow and Gateshead East)
Question
To ask the Minister for Women and Equalities, what assessment she has made of the potential implications for her policies of the UK’s standing in the ILGA-Europe Rainbow Europe rankings.
Answered by Olivia Bailey - Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State (Department for Education) (Equalities)
The UK is a proud champion of LGBT+ rights, both at home and globally, underpinned by our strong legislative framework. We are actively working to advance these rights, which include strengthening protections against anti-LGBT+ hate crimes and progressing a full trans inclusive ban on conversion practices.
Internationally, the UK has recently committed £21 million in global LGBT+ Rights funding. This significant investment is specifically targeted at the most urgent global environments where LGBT+ individuals face the greatest risks of violence, exclusion, and inadequate legal protection.
Looking ahead, the UK will host the 14th European IDAHOT+ in 2027. This event will provide an opportunity for the UK Government to collaborate with governments from across Europe, academics and experts on LGBT+ Rights, clearly demonstrating our steadfast commitment to upholding and protecting the rights of all.
Asked by: Kate Osborne (Labour - Jarrow and Gateshead East)
Question
To ask the Minister for Women and Equalities, what discussions she has had with LGBT+ organisations on reversing the UK’s decline in the ILGA-Europe rankings.
Answered by Olivia Bailey - Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State (Department for Education) (Equalities)
The UK is a proud champion of LGBT+ rights, both at home and globally, underpinned by our strong legislative framework. We are actively working to advance these rights, which include strengthening protections against anti-LGBT+ hate crimes and progressing a full trans inclusive ban on conversion practices.
Internationally, the UK has recently committed £21 million in global LGBT+ Rights funding. This significant investment is specifically targeted at the most urgent global environments where LGBT+ individuals face the greatest risks of violence, exclusion, and inadequate legal protection.
Looking ahead, the UK will host the 14th European IDAHOT+ in 2027. This event will provide an opportunity for the UK Government to collaborate with governments from across Europe, academics and experts on LGBT+ Rights, clearly demonstrating our steadfast commitment to upholding and protecting the rights of all.
Asked by: Kate Osborne (Labour - Jarrow and Gateshead East)
Question
To ask the Minister for Women and Equalities, what assessment she has made of the reasons for the UK’s decline in the ILGA-Europe Rainbow Europe rankings.
Answered by Olivia Bailey - Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State (Department for Education) (Equalities)
The UK is a proud champion of LGBT+ rights, both at home and globally, underpinned by our strong legislative framework. We are actively working to advance these rights, which include strengthening protections against anti-LGBT+ hate crimes and progressing a full trans inclusive ban on conversion practices.
Internationally, the UK has recently committed £21 million in global LGBT+ Rights funding. This significant investment is specifically targeted at the most urgent global environments where LGBT+ individuals face the greatest risks of violence, exclusion, and inadequate legal protection.
Looking ahead, the UK will host the 14th European IDAHOT+ in 2027. This event will provide an opportunity for the UK Government to collaborate with governments from across Europe, academics and experts on LGBT+ Rights, clearly demonstrating our steadfast commitment to upholding and protecting the rights of all.
Asked by: Kate Osborne (Labour - Jarrow and Gateshead East)
Question
To ask the Minister for Women and Equalities, what steps she is taking to improve the UK’s position in the ILGA-Europe Rainbow Europe rankings.
Answered by Olivia Bailey - Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State (Department for Education) (Equalities)
The UK is a proud champion of LGBT+ rights, both at home and globally, underpinned by our strong legislative framework. We are actively working to advance these rights, which include strengthening protections against anti-LGBT+ hate crimes and progressing a full trans inclusive ban on conversion practices.
Internationally, the UK has recently committed £21 million in global LGBT+ Rights funding. This significant investment is specifically targeted at the most urgent global environments where LGBT+ individuals face the greatest risks of violence, exclusion, and inadequate legal protection.
Looking ahead, the UK will host the 14th European IDAHOT+ in 2027. This event will provide an opportunity for the UK Government to collaborate with governments from across Europe, academics and experts on LGBT+ Rights, clearly demonstrating our steadfast commitment to upholding and protecting the rights of all.