Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether she plans to introduce a contactless payment system for commuter rail services in Devon.

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

At this stage there are no plans for such a scheme. However, this Government remains committed to making ticketing simpler and more flexible for passengers and to working with local authorities to support integrated transport plans in their areas. We want to expand ticketing innovations such as Pay As You Go (PAYG) where possible and further details on any wider expansion of PAYG will be announced in due course.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what recent discussions she has had with South Western Railway on extending London Waterloo Services past Exeter St Davids to Newton Abbot.

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

The Department and South-Western Railway (SWR) are in regular discussion regarding its service provision, which aims to balance the needs of both passenger and taxpayer. There have, however, been no recent discussions with SWR regarding extending London Waterloo services via Exeter St Davids to Newton Abbot.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether he plans to make an assessment of the (a) adequacy of the requirement for UK-produced phages to be manufactured under good manufacturing practice and (b) potential impact of this requirement on patient access to treatment.

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

In the March 2024 response to the Science, Innovation and Technology Committee’s report on bacteriophages, the Government acknowledged the challenges of requiring United Kingdom-produced phages to meet Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) standards, which is essential for clinical use.

To address this, the Government committed to exploring the case for a dedicated GMP facility to support phage innovators, working with key stakeholders, including funders and research organisations, to strengthen the UK’s phage manufacturing capabilities and thereby improve patient access to these therapies.

Question to the Department for Business and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what steps his Department is taking to help support pubs in Devon.

Answered by Gareth Thomas - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade)

Hospitality businesses, including pubs and breweries in Devon, are at the heart of our communities and play a vital role in supporting economic growth across the UK.

The Government is creating a fairer business rate system and reducing alcohol duty on qualifying draught products. This work will be supported by the publication of The Small Business Strategy Command Paper which will be published later this year. Through the Hospitality Sector Council, we are addressing strategic issues for the sector related to high street regeneration, skills, sustainability, and productivity.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, if she will take steps to ensure the digital service tax is not repealed.

Answered by James Murray - Exchequer Secretary (HM Treasury)

The Digital Services Tax (DST) is an interim tax measure to ensure that digital services providers pay UK tax on digital services that reflects the value they derive from UK users.

The UK remains committed to reaching a global solution on the taxation of the digital economy through Pillar 1 of the G20-OECD Inclusive Framework project. It is UK’s intention to repeal our Digital Services Tax (DST) when this international solution is in place.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, if she will take steps to enable disabled bus pass users to use their passes at peak times.

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

The English National Concessionary Travel Scheme (ENCTS) provides free off-peak bus travel to those with eligible disabilities and those of state pension age. The ENCTS costs around £700 million annually and any changes to the statutory obligations, such as extending the travel time criteria, would therefore need to be carefully considered for its impact on the scheme’s financial sustainability. The government recently conducted a review of the ENCTS, which included considering travel times for disabled passholders and is currently considering next steps.

Currently, local authorities in England have the power to go beyond their statutory obligations under the ENCTS and offer additional discretionary concessions, such as extending the travel time criteria for the ENCTS.

The government has confirmed £955 million for the 2025 to 2026 financial year to support and improve bus services in England outside London. This includes £243 million for bus operators and £712 million allocated to local authorities across the country. Devon County Council has been allocated £11.6 million of this funding. Funding allocated to local authorities to improve services for passengers can be used in whichever way they wish. This could include extending the discretionary concessions available in the local area.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, whether she has plans to repeal part 1, Schedule 13 of the Elections Act 2022.

Answered by Rushanara Ali - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

I refer the hon Member to the answer given to Question UIN 23541 on 22 January 2025.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, if his Department will work with Versus Arthritis to increase funding in musculoskeletal research.

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

The Department funds health and care research through the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR). The NIHR funds clinical, public health and social care research and works in partnership with the National Health Service, charities, universities, local government, other research funders, patients, and the public.

The NIHR supports and delivers research across a variety of musculoskeletal conditions such as arthritis, which includes osteo, rheumatoid, psoriatic and juvenile arthritis, osteoporosis and joint and back pain. In 2023/24, the NIHR funded £17.3 million in musculoskeletal research.

The NIHR works in collaboration with Versus Arthritis on a joint initiative, the UK Musculoskeletal (MSK) Translational Research Collaboration, aligning investment in MSK translational research, and creating a United Kingdom-wide ambition and focus to drive cutting edge research and improve outcomes for patients.

The NIHR welcomes funding applications for research into any aspect of human health, including arthritis and other musculoskeletal conditions through its research programmes.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, pursuant to the Answer of 1 April to 2025 to Question 41338 on Nature Restoration Fund, if he will make an assessment of the potential merits of a long term plan to help protect irreplaceable (a) peatlands and (b) ancient woodlands.

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

This Government is committed to protecting our irreplaceable peatlands. That's why we are investing £400 million to protect and restore nature, including our peatlands and trees including ancient woodlands. We have large ambitions to restore hundreds of thousands of hectares of peatlands across the country, and we are working to ensure that we have the most effective mechanisms in place to go further than we have before.

Defra recently conducted and published a review into how ancient woodland and ancient and veteran trees are protected by the National Planning Policy Framework. This revealed that the policy is not being consistently implemented and we are looking at how this can be improved. Defra is also currently revising the Environmental Improvement Plan, which includes actions to protect ancient woodlands.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, pursuant to the Answer of 1 April 2025 to Question 41578 on Nurses: Training, if he will take steps to increase the number of nursing positions in Devon.

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

Decisions about the number of nursing positions in Devon are a matter for individual National Health Service trusts. NHS trusts manage their recruitment at a local level to ensure they have the right number of staff in place, with the right skill mix, to deliver safe and effective care.

We will publish a refreshed Long Term Workforce Plan to deliver the transformed health service we will build over the next decade and treat patients on time again.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, if his Department will work with Versus Arthritis to improve work-related support for people with arthritis.

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

The Department will continue to work with Versus Arthritis as we consider how best to address ill-health related economic inactivity, including improving work-related support for people with musculoskeletal (MSK) conditions such as arthritis.

The Get Britain Working White Paper set out that the Government is investing £240 million to tackle the root causes behind why people are not working and join up help and support, based on the needs of local people and places.

In terms of the wider provision of work-related support for people with MSK, and as part of the localism agenda, the WorkWell service is piloting low-intensity work and health support. This support is led by local partnerships of health systems, local authorities, and job centres in 15 areas of England. By spring 2026, WorkWell pilots aim to support 56,000 disabled people and people with health conditions, including MSK conditions, to get into work and to get on at work.

The Government is also mobilising eight inactivity trailblazers in England and Wales that will lead the way in delivering a joined-up local work, health and skills offer. Three of these areas will receive a share of £45 million to become Health and Growth Accelerators. The Accelerators will focus on prevention and early intervention to improve population health outcomes and reduce health-related economic inactivity. MSK is one of the key drivers of health-related inactivity and integrated care boards will consider targeted interventions as part of their plans.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, if his Department will work with Versus Arthritis to (a) bring down waiting times for people with arthritis and (b) support them while waiting for treatment.

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

On 6 January 2025, NHS England published the new Elective Reform Plan, which sets out a whole system approach to hitting the 18-week referral to treatment target by the end of this Parliament.

Integrated care boards (ICBs) are responsible for commissioning services that meet the needs of their populations, including for those with arthritis. To support this, the Department of Health and Social Care is delivering the Getting It Right First Time (GIRFT) Musculoskeletal (MSK) Community Delivery Programme jointly with NHS England and the Department for Work and Pensions. With a £3.5 million funding boost, GIRFT will work with the ICBs to reduce MSK community waiting times.

The Department funds research into MSK conditions, including arthritis, through the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR). Through that route, the Department spent approximately £26.3 million on MSK research in 2023/24, and £79.2 million since 2019/20. In particular, the Leeds Biomedical Research Centre aims to improve treatment for osteoarthritis. The NIHR, in collaboration with Versus Arthritis, also funds a dedicated UK MSK Translational Research Collaboration, aligning investment in MSK translational research and creating a United Kingdom-wide ambition and focus to drive cutting edge research and improve outcomes for patients.

The GIRFT programme in NHS England has had a paediatric rheumatology workstream since April 2024. The team has assembled the largest ever set of data and information about paediatric rheumatology in England and is visiting every department in England to discuss its findings. It will produce its national report with recommendations later this financial year. This will include a focus on supporting young people and their parents as they transition to adult services.

The GIRFT team will be working with the British Society for Rheumatology and rheumatology departments in England to implement the findings and recommendations of the GIRFT paediatric rheumatology national report.

NHS England Specialised Commissioning has a Clinical Reference Group for specialised paediatric rheumatology, which has produced a service specification naming juvenile idiopathic arthritis as one of the conditions that should be managed by a specialist paediatric rheumatology team. The service specification also sets out that specialised paediatric rheumatology teams will provide transitional care to facilitate transfer to, and ongoing care in, adult rheumatology. Specialised paediatric rheumatology services are expected to be commissioned in line with this service specification.

The Department will continue to work with Versus Arthritis as we consider how best to provide National Health Services for people with MSK conditions such as arthritis.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, if his Department will work with Versus Arthritis to improve (a) care and (b) support for young people with arthritis.

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

On 6 January 2025, NHS England published the new Elective Reform Plan, which sets out a whole system approach to hitting the 18-week referral to treatment target by the end of this Parliament.

Integrated care boards (ICBs) are responsible for commissioning services that meet the needs of their populations, including for those with arthritis. To support this, the Department of Health and Social Care is delivering the Getting It Right First Time (GIRFT) Musculoskeletal (MSK) Community Delivery Programme jointly with NHS England and the Department for Work and Pensions. With a £3.5 million funding boost, GIRFT will work with the ICBs to reduce MSK community waiting times.

The Department funds research into MSK conditions, including arthritis, through the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR). Through that route, the Department spent approximately £26.3 million on MSK research in 2023/24, and £79.2 million since 2019/20. In particular, the Leeds Biomedical Research Centre aims to improve treatment for osteoarthritis. The NIHR, in collaboration with Versus Arthritis, also funds a dedicated UK MSK Translational Research Collaboration, aligning investment in MSK translational research and creating a United Kingdom-wide ambition and focus to drive cutting edge research and improve outcomes for patients.

The GIRFT programme in NHS England has had a paediatric rheumatology workstream since April 2024. The team has assembled the largest ever set of data and information about paediatric rheumatology in England and is visiting every department in England to discuss its findings. It will produce its national report with recommendations later this financial year. This will include a focus on supporting young people and their parents as they transition to adult services.

The GIRFT team will be working with the British Society for Rheumatology and rheumatology departments in England to implement the findings and recommendations of the GIRFT paediatric rheumatology national report.

NHS England Specialised Commissioning has a Clinical Reference Group for specialised paediatric rheumatology, which has produced a service specification naming juvenile idiopathic arthritis as one of the conditions that should be managed by a specialist paediatric rheumatology team. The service specification also sets out that specialised paediatric rheumatology teams will provide transitional care to facilitate transfer to, and ongoing care in, adult rheumatology. Specialised paediatric rheumatology services are expected to be commissioned in line with this service specification.

The Department will continue to work with Versus Arthritis as we consider how best to provide National Health Services for people with MSK conditions such as arthritis.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, whether his Department's objectives on support for sustainable farming have changed, in the context of the closure of the SFI scheme.

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

We have closed Sustainable Farming Incentive (SFI) for new applications because the current SFI budget has been successfully allocated, with large-scale uptake of the scheme and 37,000 live SFI agreements delivering towards our environmental targets. This will allow us to align SFI with our work on the Land Use Framework and the 25-year farming roadmap to protect the most productive land and boost food security, whilst delivering for nature.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what recent assessment he has made of the effectiveness of anti-corruption measures in UK relations with Bangladesh.

Answered by Catherine West - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)

The UK is committed to assisting investigative, prosecuting and judicial authorities in combating international crime. Whilst we cannot comment on any individual asset recovery cases, we have robust illicit finance legislation and instruments which can be used to support asset recovery requests. The UK is providing support to the Interim Government of Bangladesh through the International Anti-Corruption Coordination Centre hosted by the UK's National Crime Agency and the International Centre for Asset Recovery. We will continue to support these recoveries to the extent that we can.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, if he will bring forward legislative proposals to introduce a magistral phage model to allow UK phages to be produced without requiring GMP licensing.

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

In its March 2024 response to the Science, Innovation and Technology Committee’s report on bacteriophages, the Government acknowledged the challenges in manufacturing phage materials in the United Kingdom, including the requirement to meet Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) standards. The principles of GMP are considered necessary to ensure the medicines are of the appropriate quality, safety, and efficacy. The Government committed to considering the case for the development of a UK-based GMP facility to support phage innovators.

In parallel, the Government is engaging with professional regulators and the specialist pharmacy service to clarify how existing regulations address liability for the use of non-GMP produced phages. Unlicensed phages can currently be used in the UK for compassionate cases with appropriate controls. The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency will be publishing regulatory considerations for therapeutic use of bacteriophages in the UK in the second quarter of 2025, which will offer guidance on these matters.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, if he will make a comparative assessment of the effectiveness of phage therapy regulatory frameworks in (a) Belgium, (b) Canada, (c) France, (d) the US and (e) Australia; whether he plans to adopt similar measures in the UK; and if he will make an assessment of the potential impact of doing so on patient access.

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

The United Kingdom’s regulatory framework supports patient access to phage therapy and is in line with many other national regulatory authorities. We continue to keep the regulatory framework for phage therapies under review, aligning where necessary with regulatory frameworks internationally, in order to support continued patient access via phage sharing between countries.

The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency is planning to publish draft guidance on phage product licensing, developed with researchers and industry, to clarify regulatory and manufacturing requirements.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether his Department is taking steps to simplify the process for clinicians seeking approval to use phage therapy.

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

In March 2024, the Government’s response to the Science, Innovation and Technology Committee’s report on bacteriophages highlighted the potential role of phage therapy as one of a range of tools to tackle antimicrobial resistance.

To support clinical use, the Medical and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency plans to publish non-mandatory guidance on the quality, safety, and efficacy data required to license phage products for both proactive and reactive National Health Service use to treat common infections, and the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence will assess new phage-based treatments alongside other medicines.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, if he will make an assessment of the potential merits of introducing a phage impact bond that is similar to previous social impact bonds.

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

Social Impact Bonds (SIBs) are a mechanism to raise investment for a service provider. SIBs are commissioned on a payment-by-results basis, with the payment being proportional to the delivery of a positive social outcome.

As detailed in the Government’s response to the Science, Innovation and Technology Committee’s report on bacteriophages, published 1 March 2024, the Government is focusing on projects that aim to be most beneficial to supporting phage development in the United Kingdom, based on an assessment of context and barriers.

This includes exploring the case for a dedicated Good Manufacturing Practice facility to support phage innovators, working with key stakeholders, including funders and research organisations, to strengthen the UK’s phage manufacturing capabilities and thereby improve patient access to these therapies.

Currently, SIBs have not been identified as a mechanism that would progress development beyond the impact of current projects, but will be considered alongside other options.

Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, if she will make an assessment of the potential impact of Government policy on visas on long term residency for Ukrainians.

Answered by Seema Malhotra - Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State (Department for Education) (Equalities)

We recognise the Ukrainian government’s desire for the future return of its citizens to Ukraine. It is important our approach respects these wishes.

This is why the temporary sanctuary Ukraine Visa Schemes do not lead to settlement in the UK. Similarly, time spent in the UK with permission granted under the Ukraine Schemes cannot be relied upon towards the continuous qualifying period for the purposes of a Long Residence application.

There are other routes available for those who wish to settle in the UK permanently, if they meet the requirements.

We continue to keep the Ukraine schemes under review in line with the ongoing conflict.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, if he will publish the Defence Planning Assumptions before the Defence Spending Review.

Answered by Luke Pollard - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence)

Defence Planning Assumptions (DPAs) will be revised following the Strategic Defence Review. We remain committed to transparency and will release a public version of updated DPAs once this detailed work is complete and tested.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what information his Department holds on the number of 16-week old puppies brought into the UK for animal testing purposes in the latest period for which data is available.

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

Defra does not hold the data requested. Imports data drawn down from the import of products, animals, food and feed system (IPAFFS) does not record the age of the animal.

The Home Office assures that, in every research proposal, animals are replaced with non-animal alternatives wherever possible, the number of animals are reduced to the minimum necessary to achieve the result sought, and that, for those animals which must be used, procedures are refined as much as possible to minimise their suffering.

Dogs are a specially protected species under the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986. The Home Office will only grant a project licence for a programme of work using dogs where the purpose of the programme of work specified in the licence can only be achieved by their use, or where it is not practicable to obtain other suitable animals.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, pursuant to the Answer of 1 April 2025 to Question 42193 on Digital Technology: Taxation, what recent discussions she has had with her G20 counterparts on the taxation of the digital economy.

Answered by James Murray - Exchequer Secretary (HM Treasury)

G20 Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors met in February 2025. International taxation was among the topics discussed, including OECD/G20 work on addressing the tax challenges arising from the digitalisation of the economy through ‘Pillar 1 and 2’ reforms to international corporate taxation. South Africa subsequently published a Chair’s summary of these meetings which is indicative of G20 members’ views.

Question to the Department for Science, Innovation & Technology:

To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, whether he plans to provide funding to develop small-batch GMP phage manufacturing in the UK.

Answered by Feryal Clark - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Science, Innovation and Technology)

The Government supports the vibrant life sciences sector, which contributes £108 billion to the economy and 300,000 jobs nationwide. A new Life Sciences Sector Plan, part of the upcoming Industrial Strategy, is due to be published in late Spring. This will set out a comprehensive plan of how the Government intends to drive growth in the sector. Domestic manufacturing is of critical importance and to support this part of the sector, the Life Sciences Innovative Manufacturing Fund will allocate up to £520 million to deliver economic growth and build health resilience. Funding is available UK-wide, with GMP batch phage manufacturing projects being eligible.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, when he plans to answer Question 38216, tabled on 13 March 2025.

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

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, whether he plans to support the Climate and Nature Bill.

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

This Government is absolutely committed to tackling the climate and nature crises. We do not believe that more legislation is needed in the areas of climate and nature, where there is already a well-developed legislative framework, especially the Climate Change Act and the Environment Act. In accordance with parliamentary convention, the Government will set out its formal position on this Bill when its Second Reading debate is scheduled to resume.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, if the Government will seize the interest that has accrued on Roman Abramovich’s assets associated with the sale of Chelsea Football Club.

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

In a statement announcing the sale of Chelsea Football Club, Roman Abramovich stated the proceeds would be used to establish a foundation for the benefit of all the victims of the war in Ukraine. The Government is determined to see the proceeds reach humanitarian causes in Ukraine as quickly as possible, and we are exploring all options to bring that about.

Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, whether she is taking steps to ensure police forces conduct due diligence in preventing crimes involving legally held firearms.

Answered by Diana Johnson - Minister of State (Home Office)

The Firearms Act 1968 gives responsibility for issuing firearms licences to Chief Officers of Police. Since November 2021, however, Statutory Guidance issued by the Secretary of State requires police forces to make robust checks on the suitability of applicants to hold a license and ensure their subsequent continuous assessment. The application process is supported by the police Authorised Professional Practice (APP) and a national training programme.

We keep firearms licensing controls under constant review to safeguard the public against the misuse of licensed firearms. Firearms licensing fees were increased on 5 February 2025, giving effect to a commitment in the Government’s manifesto. The extra income from fees will help police forces to better resource and train their firearms licensing teams.

There were four firearms-related homicides by licence holders in England and Wales in the year ending March 2024. While other statistics are published which indicate the types of firearms involved in criminal offences, they do not always show whether the firearm used was legally held.

Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, whether her Department has reviewed statistical evidence on the use of legally held firearms in criminal activities.

Answered by Diana Johnson - Minister of State (Home Office)

The Firearms Act 1968 gives responsibility for issuing firearms licences to Chief Officers of Police. Since November 2021, however, Statutory Guidance issued by the Secretary of State requires police forces to make robust checks on the suitability of applicants to hold a license and ensure their subsequent continuous assessment. The application process is supported by the police Authorised Professional Practice (APP) and a national training programme.

We keep firearms licensing controls under constant review to safeguard the public against the misuse of licensed firearms. Firearms licensing fees were increased on 5 February 2025, giving effect to a commitment in the Government’s manifesto. The extra income from fees will help police forces to better resource and train their firearms licensing teams.

There were four firearms-related homicides by licence holders in England and Wales in the year ending March 2024. While other statistics are published which indicate the types of firearms involved in criminal offences, they do not always show whether the firearm used was legally held.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether he plans to support the development of phage therapy solutions for low-to-middle-income countries.

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

The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) is not directly supporting the development of phage therapy solutions currently. The FCDO is monitoring research developments, which may prove phage therapy solutions useful for tackling antimicrobial resistance, other anti-infective uses, vaccines and cancer therapies, however this work is at an early stage.

The Prime Minister has set out a clear path to spending 2.5 per cent of Gross Domestic Product on defence spending. Doing so demands the difficult but necessary decision to reduce our Official Development Assistance (ODA) spending from 0.5 per cent to 0.3 per cent of Gross National Income by 2027. Decisions on how the ODA budget will be used in future will be worked through as part of the ongoing Spending Review and resource allocation processes. We will be taking a rigorous approach to ensure all ODA delivers value for money.

Question to the Department for Business and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what information his Department holds on whether any UK firms with Russian holdings are not in the process of divesting from operations based in Russia.

Answered by Douglas Alexander - Minister of State (Cabinet Office)

The Department for Business and Trade does not hold any specific data on UK firms that are not in the process of divesting from operations based in Russia. UK businesses must comply with our sanctions, which form an extensive regime to constrain the Kremlin’s ability to continue the war. It is a decision for individual UK businesses on whether and how to divest from Russia in compliance with UK sanctions.

Frome Town Women Football Club

Congratulating Prime Minister Mark Carney

Three promotion places from the National League

Residence-based voting rights

British companies and the transportation of Russian liquefied natural gas

Prostate Cancer Awareness Month

UK parliamentarians sanctioned by the Russian Federation

Sanctioning of UK Parliamentarians by Russia

Great British Beef Week 2025

NHS parking charges

Introduction of the Hillsborough Law and the 36th anniversary

Practical driving tests in the South West

National League restructuring

Sentencing Guidelines and pre-sentence reports

Gerry Watkins

Interstitial Lung Disease

Work of the Royal British Legion in Stratford-on-Avon

Libraries in state primary schools

Protecting children from data exploitation

150th anniversary of Wokingham Town Football Club

75th anniversary of the European Convention on Human Rights

Rural bus services

Public libraries

Retirement of GPs and national GP strategy

Chalk stream river protection

Stepping Hill Hospital

Small and medium-sized enterprises in defence procurement

Oaklands College success in sport and academia

Flamstead Toad Patrol

Wokingham Borough Council awarded Local Authority of the Year

Robert May’s school and STEM racing competition

Ukrainian Action Team Devon

International Day for Mine Awareness

Dementia strategy for Devon

Abduction of Ukrainian children

Cupar Scouts King's Scout Award

Fife Carers Centre

Found: Race (Labour; Exeter) Dr Lauren Sullivan (Labour; Gravesham) Adam Thompson (Labour; Erewash) Martin Wrigley

Found: _NC7 Steff Aquarone Claire Young Martin Wrigley Jamie Stone Brian Mathew Alison Bennett Steve Darling

Found: _NC7 Steff Aquarone Claire Young Martin Wrigley Jamie Stone Brian Mathew Alison Bennett Steve Darling