Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what guidance is provided to NHS Mental Health Trusts on involving families and carers in the care and support of mental health patients.

Answered by Preet Kaur Gill

The Community Mental Health Framework makes clear that families and carers should be involved in the design of services and in the assessment and delivery of care. It emphasises that assessment should be a collaborative, biopsychosocial process involving the individual, their families, carers and wider support network, based on communication, respect and shared understanding.

NHS England is also developing further guidance through the Mental Health Personalised Care Framework, which will support services to involve families, carers and support networks appropriately in care planning and delivery, as part of effective personalised care. In addition, the Culture of Care Standards highlight that high-quality inpatient mental health care should actively involve families and carers wherever possible, recognising the important knowledge they bring and the positive impact this can have on safety, continuity and recovery.

We have also launched a call for evidence to shape the new mental health strategy, which closes on 10 July 2026. The call for evidence is available at the following link:

https://consultations.dhsc.gov.uk/informing-the-mental-health-strategy-for-england

Question to the Department for Science, Innovation & Technology:

To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, pursuant to the answer of 22 May 2026, to question 477 titled ICT: Public Sector, whether Open Source software is used at the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology.

Answered by Ian Murray - Minister of State (Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport)

DSIT makes extensive use of open source software. The Government Digital Service within DSIT uses open source software in the delivery and operation of citizen-facing digital services, in line with the government’s “Be open and use open source” guidance. Services are built using open-source technologies including programming languages such as Java, Python and Ruby, alongside widely adopted platforms and tools, for example, PostgreSQL and Grafana to support data management, monitoring and observability.

We also follow the government’s “Making source code open and reusable” guidance and develop code in the open to encourage transparency, reuse and community collaboration. A well-known example is the open-source GOV.UK Frontend project, which is publicly available on GitHub.

Separately, the Incubator for AI is working with world-class AI researchers through the Open-Source AI Fellowship to demonstrate the real-world potential of open-source AI, tackling public sector challenges spanning transport, education, and policing.

Question

To ask the hon. Member for Blaenau Gwent and Rhymney, representing the House of Commons Commission, whether any Open Source software is used in the House of Commons.

Answered by Nick Smith

In supporting the work of Parliament, the Parliamentary Digital Service makes extensive use of open source software, and in particular in bespoke procedural systems. Where appropriate and subject to licensing requirements, open source solutions are generally preferred. We also seek to ensure that systems remain portable across hosting platforms and avoid unnecessary dependence on proprietary technologies.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what assessment he has made of the adequacy of the application deadline of 12 December 2026 will allow all eligible veterans sufficient opportunity to apply for restorative measures.

Answered by Calvin Bailey - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence) (Minister for Veterans and People)

The LGBT Financial Recognition Scheme (FRS) will close at 23:59 on 12 December 2026 following a 24-month application window. The duration of the FRS’ application window was limited by its reliance on the authority of the Supply and Appropriations Act, which was utilised, instead of primary legislation, to avoid delay in launching the Scheme. The Government considers the 24-month application period sufficient and there are no current plans to extend the deadline. All applications received before the deadline will be processed in line with Scheme Rules.

Defence continues to take a proactive approach to ensuring all those affected by the Ban are aware of the restorative measures available before the deadline. This includes working in partnership with local councils, the NHS, community groups, Veterans’ Commissioners, LGBT and military charities and external communications specialists to increase awareness.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what advertising campaigns are planned during the final six months of the Financial Recognition Scheme.

Answered by Calvin Bailey - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence) (Minister for Veterans and People)

The Government continues to take a proactive approach to ensure all those affected by the Ban are made aware of the LGBT Financial Recognition Scheme, including those who may not be engaged with established veteran or digital communication channels.

For the final six months of the Scheme, Defence will continue to work with local councils, the NHS, community groups, Veterans’ Commissioners, both LGBT and military charities and other relevant stakeholders.

The MOD will also launch an externally delivered communications campaign to reach more isolated veterans, supported by the continued distribution of a stakeholder pack to promote the Schemes.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many applications have been made to the LGBTQ+ Independent Impact Panel; how many have been determined; and how many remain outstanding.

Answered by Calvin Bailey - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence) (Minister for Veterans and People)

As of 6 July 2026, the LGBT Financial Recognition Scheme has received 1,290 applications for an Impact Payment, of which, 804 have received a decision from the Independent Panel and 486 are pending a decision from the Panel.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, if he has yet met with Fighting With Pride to discuss the LGBTQ+ Financial Recognition Scheme.

Answered by Calvin Bailey - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence) (Minister for Veterans and People)

I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave on 13 July 2026 to Question 16835 to the hon. Member for New Forrest East (Rt hon. Sir Julian Lewis MP).

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 on access to Parkinson’s Specialist Nurse services in (a) Stockport and (b) Greater Manchester.

Answered by Sharon Hodgson

The Manchester Centre for Clinical Neurosciences, part of the Northern Care Alliance NHS Foundation Trust, has five specialist nurses, four full time, one part time, based at the Salford Royal Hospital providing support for the Salford borough and the wider Greater Manchester area.

The Greater Manchester Neurorehabilitation and Integrated Stroke Delivery Network is a National Health Service service improvement organisation currently facilitating a Parkinson’s United Kingdom-funded project to improve care across Greater Manchester and East Cheshire. The project aims to reduce variation in access and provision of care and support, improve patient experience and outcomes, and support more joined-up, cost effective services. More information can be found at the following link:

https://gmnisdn.org.uk/

A key piece of work completed so far includes the development and delivery of a Greater Manchester-wide benchmarking survey, informed by national guidance and stakeholder feedback. The survey achieved near-complete geographical coverage and identified variation in areas, including access to specialist support, mental health services, escalation pathways, hospital care, and support following diagnosis.

Retirement of Godfrey Asare and Margaret Labulo from the Members' Tea Room

Found: present: Nick Smith (Chair); Bambos Charalambous; Mary Glindon; Marie Goldman; Carolyn Harris; Navendu Mishra