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 potential implications for his policies of the trade deficit.

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

In the 12 months to February 2026, the UK trade deficit (excluding precious metals) was £14.8bn, comprising a £210.1bn trade in services surplus, and a £225.0bn trade in goods deficit. The UK trade deficit (excluding precious metals) has remained broadly similar year-on-year, and stood at £14.9bn in the 12 months to February 2025 (ONS, 2026).

The Department for Business and Trade’s primary objective is to promote economic growth. As set out in Industrial and Trade Strategies published in 2025, we seek to improve UK productivity and competitiveness, strengthen our export capability, attract inward investment, and support resilient supply chains.

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 health impacts of microplastic exposure.

Answered by Sharon Hodgson - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)

The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) is carrying out research to understand if there are potential health risks from exposure to micro and nano plastics through inhalational and oral routes. This work is in collaboration with Imperial College under the Health Protection Research Unit Environmental Exposures and Health. These research projects assist in the understanding of the potential risks from exposure to micro- and nano plastics through inhalational and oral routes and enhance UKHSA capability in understanding the risks from microplastics.

The potential impact of microplastic materials on human health has been assessed by the UK Committee on Toxicity of Chemicals in Food, Consumer Products and the Environment. The most recent statement was published in 2024 and can be found at the following link:

https://cot.food.gov.uk/sites/default/files/2024-02/Microplastics%20inhalation%20final%20draft%20statement%20Acc%20V%20SO.pdf

In October 2025, the Committee on the Medical Effects of Air Pollutants published a statement summarising the evidence for a potential risk to health from exposure to airborne nano- and microplastics, and the uncertainty and gaps in this evidence. This statement can be found on the GOV.UK website at the following link:

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/comeap-statement-on-airborne-nano-and-microplastic-particles-and-fibres

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, whether he has analysed the responses to the consultation on enhanced protections for homeowners on freehold estates which closed on 12 March 2026; and when he plans to respond to that consultation.

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

We are currently analysing the feedback received to the consultation in question and will publish our response in due course.

Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what data her Department collects on children placed in households where an individual is a registered sex offender.

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

It has not proved possible to respond to the hon. Member in the time available before Prorogation.

Contribution of John McCue to astronomy and public service in North Yorkshire

Seafarers in the Strait of Hormuz

100th birthday of Sir David Attenborough

MS Awareness Week 2026 (No. 2)

St George’s Day 2026

100th anniversary of the birth of Her late Majesty Queen Elizabeth II