Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what recent discussions he has had with international partners on reports of the mistreatment and torture of Ukrainian prisoners of war by Russian forces.

Answered by Uma Kumaran - Assistant Whip

The UK condemns Russia's systematic mistreatment of Ukrainian prisoners of war. UN reporting found that more than 96 per cent of released prisoners they interviewed reported torture or ill-treatment. We regularly raise this with international partners, most recently at the Organization for Security and Co‑operation in Europe (OSCE) Warsaw Human Dimension Conference on 5 October. We continue to call on Russia to meet its obligations under international humanitarian law, and we will keep working with partners to hold Russia to account.

Question

To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, if her Department will pause the expansion of the GOV.UK One Login pending an independent review of the programme; and if it will introduce a statutory guarantee of free and genuinely equivalent non-digital alternatives.

Answered by Stephanie Peacock - Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State (Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport)

GOV.UK One Login’s rollout will continue because it simplifies access to government services for users and delivers significant benefits to the government.

The programme's delivery is tightly governed through departmental controls, HM Treasury oversight and independent assurance by the National Infrastructure and Service Transformation Authority (NISTA) as part of the Government Major Projects Portfolio (GMPP). GOV.UK One Login is also independently assured and certified under the UK Digital Verification Services Trust Framework.

One Login is not mandatory to use. Users who do not wish to or can’t use One Login also have alternative routes to accessing government services. The alternative route is decided by the relevant government service.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what assessment he has made of the potential merits of introducing an Essential User Rebate for HGV, coach and van operators.

Answered by James Murray - Financial Secretary to the Treasury and Paymaster General

The Government recognises the pressures faced by drivers and other fuel users from price increases from the conflict in the Middle East. At Budget the Chancellor announced the Government is extending the 5 pence per litre (ppl) fuel duty cut by a further six months to July 2027 and delaying uprating until the same date, providing breathing space to motorists whilst prices are high. Therefore, fuel duty will remain at 52.95ppl for both petrol and diesel to July 2027.

The government’s decisions on fuel duty across this Parliament will save the average car driver £230, the average van driver saves £472 and the average heavy goods driver nearly £4000 compared to plans under the previous government, and means petrol and diesel will be 15p per litre cheaper from April 2027.

Recognising the importance of the haulage sector, the Government also announced a 12-month vehicle excise duty (VED) holiday for the majority of heavy goods vehicles, with hauliers and operators of fuel based refrigerated road transport also benefiting from the extension of the 5p fuel duty cut.

Rail freight is eligible for red diesel entitlement to avoid perverse environmental outcomes, namely transferring rail freight or passengers to more polluting lorries, coaches and cars if costs rose. Red diesel is taxed at 6.48ppl following the introduction of a 3.7ppl cut, which at Budget the government announced will be extended to 1 July 2027.

As with all taxes, the Government keeps fuel duty under review; and any changes are announced at fiscal events.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what assessment she has made of the potential merits of introducing a statutory requirement for 20mph speed limits outside schools in England; and whether her Department plans to move from guidance-based arrangements to a mandatory national standard for school zones.

Answered by Justin Madders - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)

The Government recognises the importance of road safety around schools.

Local highway authorities are responsible for setting local speed limits and are best placed to assess road safety risks in their areas, including around schools, taking account of local circumstances and evidence. The Department provides guidance to support these decisions.

The Department's current approach is to support local authorities in determining the most appropriate measures for their areas, including around schools, rather than prescribing a national requirement for specific speed limits.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment she has made of the adequacy of access to prescription dispensing services provided by GP practices in rural and remote areas.

Answered by Diana Johnson - Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)

No such assessment has been made.

Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, whether he has (a) made an assessment of the underlying causes of the gender pension gap and (b) considered developing a cross-government strategy to address those causes and reduce the gap.

Answered by Torsten Bell - Parliamentary Secretary (HM Treasury)

The Government recognises that the gender pensions gap reflects a range of factors, including differences in earnings, working patterns, labour market participation and the accumulation of private pension savings over working lives.

The Department for Work and Pensions has assessed differences in pension outcomes between men and women through its published analysis of the Gender Pensions Gap in Private Pensions: 2020 to 2022, which found that the Gender Pensions Gap for those approaching retirement (aged between 55 and 59) between 2020 and 2022 stood at 48%. This publication also highlights underlying causes of the gender pension gap and that the differences in pension outcomes between men and women become most apparent once women reach their 30’s, a trend driven by childcare responsibilities.

A range of activity is already underway across Government that could help improve pension outcomes for women. This includes a Government review of the parental leave and pay system and the appointment of Mariella Frostrup as Women’s Employment Ambassador in April 2026. The Ministry of Justice has also consulted on proposals to support greater use of pension sharing on divorce, where appropriate.

The Pensions Commission is exploring how to improve retirement outcomes, especially for those on the lowest incomes and at the greatest risk of poverty or under saving, including women. The Government will consider their recommendations carefully on publication of the Pension Commission’s final report in early 2027.

Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, whether he has made an assessment of the impact of career breaks and periods out of paid employment on women’s pension savings and retirement outcomes.

Answered by Torsten Bell - Parliamentary Secretary (HM Treasury)

The Government recognises that the gender pensions gap reflects a range of factors, including differences in earnings, working patterns, labour market participation and the accumulation of private pension savings over working lives.

The Department for Work and Pensions has assessed differences in pension outcomes between men and women through its published analysis of the Gender Pensions Gap in Private Pensions: 2020 to 2022, which found that the Gender Pensions Gap for those approaching retirement (aged between 55 and 59) between 2020 and 2022 stood at 48%. This publication also highlights underlying causes of the gender pension gap and that the differences in pension outcomes between men and women become most apparent once women reach their 30’s, a trend driven by childcare responsibilities.

A range of activity is already underway across Government that could help improve pension outcomes for women. This includes a Government review of the parental leave and pay system and the appointment of Mariella Frostrup as Women’s Employment Ambassador in April 2026. The Ministry of Justice has also consulted on proposals to support greater use of pension sharing on divorce, where appropriate.

The Pensions Commission is exploring how to improve retirement outcomes, especially for those on the lowest incomes and at the greatest risk of poverty or under saving, including women. The Government will consider their recommendations carefully on publication of the Pension Commission’s final report in early 2027.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what assessment she has made of the potential merits of UK participation in the European Geostationary Navigation Overlay Service.

Answered by Keir Mather - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)

The Department is undertaking a comprehensive review of the transport case and the practicalities of rejoining the European Geostationary Navigation Overlay System (EGNOS), with the aim of determining how to best take this policy forward by the end of the year.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what assessment he has made of the adequacy of welfare and family support available to personnel serving in the Royal Fleet Auxiliary and their families; and whether he has considered extending eligibility for support schemes available to Armed Forces families, including Service Pupil Premium funding and wraparound childcare provision, to the children of Royal Fleet Auxiliary personnel.

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

The Ministry of Defence recognises the importance of supporting Royal Fleet Auxiliary (RFA) personnel and their families. RFA personnel and their families have access to a range of welfare and family support services, and we continue to keep these arrangements under review to ensure they remain appropriate to the needs of the workforce.

Support available for RFA personnel and their families includes enhanced leave entitlements and tailored assistance through mechanisms such as Occupational Health, keep-in-touch days, and reasonable workplace adjustments. Further support is delivered through the Employee Assistance Programme, the Defence Health and Wellbeing Portfolio, and Family and People Services, with the RFA workforce also benefitting from an extended welfare network under the umbrella of expert services, including the Navy Families Federation, ensuring holistic support for employees and their families.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment she has has made of the potential contribution of business-led regenerative agriculture programmes to improving soil health, biodiversity and water management.

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

As set out in the Farming Roadmap, food security and restoring nature are, over the long term, inseparable. The most resilient farms are profitable because they work with the environment.

The Government is backing a shift towards lower input, more sustainable farming systems, with £310 million of funding allocated through SFI26 this year. SFI is largely aligned with regenerative agriculture, including actions for cover crops, no till farming and providing insect rich habitats.

The Roadmap also recognises the important role that the private sector and farmer-led collaboration can play in supporting the adoption of sustainable farming practices.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment she has made of the potential contribution of regenerative agriculture to the resilience of domestic agricultural supply chains and the long-term productivity of British farms.

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

As set out in the Farming Roadmap, food security and restoring nature are, over the long term, inseparable. The most resilient farms are profitable because they work with the environment.

The Government is backing a shift towards lower input, more sustainable farming systems, with £310 million of funding allocated through SFI26 this year. SFI is largely aligned with regenerative agriculture, including actions for cover crops, no till farming and providing insect rich habitats.

The Roadmap also recognises the important role that the private sector and farmer-led collaboration can play in supporting the adoption of sustainable farming practices.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, when she plans to publish her Department’s acquired brain injury action plan.

Answered by James Frith - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)

Ministers are currently considering next steps and the potential for a national Acquired Brain Injury Action Plan and will set out next steps in due course.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, if she will consider introducing a pathway for Postural Tachycardia Syndrome.

Answered by James Frith - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)

I refer the Hon Member to the answer provided on 15 June in response to Question 6594.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, whether her Department has made an assessment of the presence of fipronil and its metabolites in drinking water in the UK stemming from pet parasite treatments; and whether she can confirm that UK drinking water is free from those chemicals.

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

Regulation 4 of The Water Supply (Water Quality) Regulations 2016 stipulates that ‘drinking water must be wholesome meaning it does not contain any substance at a concentration or value which is harmful to human health’.

Information on veterinary medicines in drinking water is available in a Drinking Water Inspectorate report.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps her Department is taking to ensure that PSVAR requirements do not restrict access to post-16 education for students in rural communities where there is no suitable alternative public transport available.

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

The Government strongly supports the aims of the Public Service Vehicles Accessibility Regulations 2000 and believes that disabled children and young people should be able to travel alongside their classmates.

Compliance with these regulations in the home-to-school coach sector has been slow, which is why the Government has been offering exemptions to coach operators since 2019.

We recognise that closed-door home-to-school services, including those carrying students to further education or training, are particularly important in rural communities where alternative public transport may be limited.

We have therefore introduced a further four-year exemptions scheme for eligible home-to-school coach services, protecting essential transport while ensuring that accessible vehicles are available where they are needed.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether her Department has issued guidance to bus operators on offering discounted fares for children and young people through non-digital methods.

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

The Department has not issued specific guidance to bus operators on offering discounted fares for children and young people through non-digital methods.

Decisions on fare offers and ticketing arrangements are generally made by local transport authorities and bus operators, reflecting local needs and circumstances.

The Government supports affordable bus travel through the National Bus Fare Cap and the Local Authority Bus Grant. The Local Authority Bus Grant gives local transport authorities flexibility to introduce local fare initiatives for children and young people and determine how those schemes are delivered.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what assessment her Department has made of the potential impact of bus fares on access to further education for post-16 students in rural areas; and whether she has made an assessment of the potential merits of encouraging bus operators to introduce discounted travel passes for students travelling to and from further education colleges.

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

The Government recognises the importance of affordable and reliable bus services in helping children and young people access education and other opportunities. Decisions on introducing local concessionary travel schemes are generally matters for local transport authorities, who are best placed to consider local transport needs and priorities.

The Government supports affordable bus travel through the Local Authority Bus Grant, which gives local transport authorities flexibility to introduce local fare initiatives and targeted support for children and young people. For the first time, the formula used to allocate this funding takes rurality into account, reflecting the particular challenges faced by rural areas.

Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, if he will review Personal Independence Payment assessment guidance in relation to Functional Neurological Disorder to ensure that claimants are not being refused the daily living component on the basis that they do not have a diagnosed mental health condition.

Answered by Stephen Timms - Minister of State (Ministry of Housing Communities and Local Government) (Equalities)

Personal Independence Payment (PIP) is based on the impact of a health condition or impairment on a person's ability to carry out the daily living and mobility activities prescribed in legislation, rather than on a particular diagnosis.

All PIP claimants are assessed to determine their entitlement. As part of the assessment process, a health professional (HP) considers a claimant's ability to carry out a range of everyday activities and advises which assessment criteria they believe apply. DWP will then consider all available evidence before making a decision on entitlement.

All assessment suppliers are required to ensure that HPs have appropriate training and knowledge of the clinical aspects and likely functional effects of a wide range of health conditions and impairments, including Functional Neurological Disorder (FND). All HPs undertaking assessments on behalf of the department must be registered practitioners and receive comprehensive training in disability analysis, including how to assess the impact of health conditions on day-to-day activities, alongside awareness training covering a range of conditions, symptoms and disabilities.

From 9 September 2024, the educational material for all Health Assessment Advisory Service HPs has been provided by DWP, ensuring HPs have the skills and knowledge to deliver safe, informed and compassionate assessments. In addition, HPs have access to a wide range of Core Training and Guidance Materials. These resources provide clinical and functional information on a broad range of conditions, including FND.

Following the transfer of responsibilities to DWP, all training and guidance materials are undergoing a comprehensive review and update. A dedicated team is leading this work to ensure materials remain aligned with national best practice standards, supported by independent clinical experts who provide external quality assurance of content.

The department keeps its guidance under review to ensure it remains accurate, reflects current clinical understanding and supports fair and consistent decision making.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether utility companies that excavate private roads in order to carry out works associated with the installation or maintenance of utility services are required to reinstate and repair those roads to an appropriate standard upon completion of the works.

Answered by Justin Madders - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)

Utility companies are required to reinstate streets following completion of their works. For privately maintained streets, the Specification for the Reinstatement of Openings in Highways provides that surfacing should be reinstated to match the existing construction as far as is reasonably practicable and to the reasonable satisfaction of the street manager, while requirements relating to backfill and the area surrounding utility apparatus continue to apply.

Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what discussions she has had with the Secretary of State for Transport on improving the affordability of travel for post-16 students attending schools, colleges and training providers in rural areas.

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

Both the Department for Transport and the Department for Education recognise that rural communities face transport challenges. The Department for Transport is developing a new transport poverty tool to help national and local bodies in England identify where transport connectivity and affordability may be barriers in accessing employment and essential services. In developing this tool, officials are considering a range of data sources, together with the perspectives of academics, local transport authorities, community organisations and residents through targeted research, to understand better the transport issues people, particularly those in low-income households, experience. The department has piloted the use of this tool in several key policy areas intended to support young people to participate in education, training and work by understanding and removing barriers.

Corridor care in the NHS

Maternity safety in the NHS

Rehabilitation and reintegration of Ukraine’s veterans

Appointment of Russian diplomat to lead United Nations' mine-action work

Delivery of Budget 2026 through property tax systems

Rural fuel duty relief

Sustainable Farming Incentive 2026

Cancer treatment in rural areas

Postural Tachycardia Syndrome

Found: Cotswolds) (Chair) Mr Clive Betts (Labour; Sheffield South East) Anna Dixon (Labour; Shipley) Rachel Gilmour

Found: Q14 Rachel Gilmour: Food security is national security.

Found: Sabine Dr Roz Savage Dr Danny Chambers Helen Morgan Lisa Smart Caroline Voaden Steve Darling Rachel Gilmour

Found: Sabine Dr Roz Savage Dr Danny Chambers Helen Morgan Lisa Smart Caroline Voaden Steve Darling Rachel Gilmour

Found: Sabine Dr Roz Savage Dr Danny Chambers Helen Morgan Lisa Smart Caroline Voaden Steve Darling Rachel Gilmour

Found: Sabine Dr Roz Savage Dr Danny Chambers Helen Morgan Lisa Smart Caroline Voaden Steve Darling Rachel Gilmour

Found: Sabine Dr Roz Savage Dr Danny Chambers Helen Morgan Lisa Smart Caroline Voaden Steve Darling Rachel Gilmour

Found: Sabine Dr Roz Savage Dr Danny Chambers Helen Morgan Lisa Smart Caroline Voaden Steve Darling Rachel Gilmour

Found: Vikki Slade Tom Gordon Anna Sabine Dr Roz Savage Dr Danny Chambers Helen Morgan Steve Darling Rachel Gilmour