Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what recent discussions she has had with headteachers on the potential impact of changes to the Primary PE and Sport Premium on schools.

Answered by Georgia Gould - Minister of State (Education)

On the 21 May, my right Hon. Friend, the former Secretary of State for Education, wrote to all head teachers to inform them of the transition to the PE and Sports Partnerships.

We engage regularly with school leadership organisations on the changes to PE and School Sport funding and have responded to schools’ concerns about managing the transition by increasing the transitional PE Premium payment to £150 million, giving time for the Partnerships Network to work with schools to mobilise during the spring term and bring in new support from April.

The department will continue to engage closely with schools through this transition, supporting further with the publication of guidance and conditions of grant for the start of the new academic year, and providing schools with advance notification of the funding formula.

Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what recent discussions she has had with specialist sport providers for schools regarding the potential impact of the introduction of the PE and School Sport Partnerships Network on their services.

Answered by Georgia Gould - Minister of State (Education)

The department conducted sessions with major sector stakeholders including specialist sport providers in the summer 2025, and we have engaged with Sport England and National Governing Bodies of Sport to support policy development. We have also held market engagement events to help develop the scope, and scale of delivery expected from the National Delivery Partner (NDP).

We expect the NDP to draw on local insight to shape priorities and delivery, and we recognise the importance of school sport providers who hold strong local knowledge and trusted relationships with schools and families. They form an important part of this model.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to the Answer of 1 June 2026 to Question 2672, what steps his Department plans to take on conclusion of the study on the impact of anti-malarial chemoprophylaxis on functional effectiveness of military personnel (713/MODREC/15) once that study has been published.

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

The study entitled; Impact of anti-malarial chemoprophylaxis on functional effectiveness of military personnel (713/MODREC/15) was initiated in 2015 by a now-retired Defence Public Health Consultant. The work sought to collect data around the impact of anti-malarial chemoprophylaxis on the functional effectiveness of military personnel. Data was collected from two British Army Training Unit Kenya (BATUK) battlegroups between 2017-18 in the form of questionnaires and was stored for subsequent analysis.

Retirement of the lead investigator without appointment of a replacement meant that the data remained unanalysed. A team of public health specialists supported by Defence Statistics undertook a re-analysis of the original dataset and determined that the study had not generated evidence of sufficient certainty to warrant recommendations to change policy or clinical practice around the choice of antimalarial. The relative lack of substantive findings from the reanalysis meant that while the work was reported internally as part of a general review of malaria policy to ensure compliance with earlier HCDC Direction, peer reviewed publication was not prioritised.

A separate service evaluation of Defence Primary Healthcare electronic patient records is currently being undertaken based on malaria notifications between January 2016 and January 2026. The work builds on 713/MODREC/15 and aims to provide a more contemporaneous picture of the impact of malaria on UK Armed Forces and the role of force health protection measures, including malaria chemoprophylaxis. Subject to further work, the department will aim to submit the results of 713/MODREC/15 for publication in a peer reviewed journal in 2027. Further, the intent is to publish the service evaluation in a peer reviewed journal as a follow up to publication of the results from 713/MODREC/15.

Question to the Ministry of Justice:

To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what recent discussions he has had with (a) the Solicitors Regulation Authority and (b) the Legal Services Board on support available for prospective solicitors impacted by the transition to the Solicitors Qualifying Examination.

Answered by Sarah Sackman - Minister of State (Ministry of Justice)

The legal profession in England and Wales, together with its regulators, operates independently of Government. The Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) is responsible for setting the regulatory requirements for qualification as a solicitor, with oversight from the Legal Services Board (LSB).

The Ministry of Justice regularly engages with the SRA and the LSB on a variety of issues relating to the effective operation of the legal services regulatory framework. There is ongoing engagement with the SRA in relation to solicitor training and qualification. In future, we can raise the specific issue of solicitors impacted by the transition to the Solicitors Qualifying Examination (SQE).

The SRA publishes guidance for prospective solicitors affected by the transition to the SQE: SRA | Becoming a solicitor with the Legal Practice Course (transitional requirements) | Solicitors Regulation Authority.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what recent steps have been taken to reduce waiting times for mental health assessments in the constituency of Slough.

Answered by Alison McGovern - Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)

The Government and NHS England are taking steps to improve access to mental health services and assessments across the country, including in Slough.

Locally, a range of initiatives have been introduced to help people access support more quickly. These include the Safe Haven service, which provides same-day, walk-in access to support from trained mental health professionals for people suffering a mental health crisis, alongside the Crisis Resolution and Home Treatment Team.

Additional voluntary, community, and social enterprise sector staff have also been introduced at Wexham Park Hospital, to work alongside the East Berkshire Psychological Medicine Service and strengthen the multidisciplinary response for people requiring mental health assessment and support.

In addition, the local mental health trust has introduced a text messaging service for its crisis service to improve accessibility and make it easier for people to seek support.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what recent steps have been taken to reduce waiting times for mental health services in Slough.

Answered by Alison McGovern - Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)

The Government and NHS England are taking steps to improve access to mental health services and assessments across the country, including in Slough.

Locally, a range of initiatives have been introduced to help people access support more quickly. These include the Safe Haven service, which provides same-day, walk-in access to support from trained mental health professionals for people suffering a mental health crisis, alongside the Crisis Resolution and Home Treatment Team.

Additional voluntary, community, and social enterprise sector staff have also been introduced at Wexham Park Hospital, to work alongside the East Berkshire Psychological Medicine Service and strengthen the multidisciplinary response for people requiring mental health assessment and support.

In addition, the local mental health trust has introduced a text messaging service for its crisis service to improve accessibility and make it easier for people to seek support.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to the answer of 1 June 2026 to Question 2672, what the reason is for the time taken to analyse the data collected in the study on the impact of anti-malarial chemoprophylaxis on functional effectiveness of military personnel (713/MODREC/15).

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

Defence understands the importance of ensuring transparency and timeliness in the reporting of research results and recognises the results of this study have been significantly delayed.

The study entitled: Impact of anti-malarial chemoprophylaxis on functional effectiveness of military personnel (713/MODREC/15) was initiated in 2015 by a now-retired Defence Public Health Consultant. Retirement of the lead investigator without appointment of a replacement meant that the data remained unanalysed. Regrettably the delay was compounded by the COVID-19 pandemic, and it was not until 2023 that resources were applied to revisiting the dataset.

A team of public health specialists supported by Defence Statistics undertook a re-analysis of the original dataset. The reanalysis determined that the study had not generated evidence of sufficient certainty to warrant recommendations to change policy or clinical practice around the choice of antimalarial. The relative lack of substantive findings from the reanalysis meant that while the work was reported internally as part of a general review of malaria policy to ensure compliance with earlier House of Commons Defence Committee (HCDC) Direction, peer reviewed publication was not prioritised; however, the findings prompted a further service evaluation which will look to examine malaria in the service population.

This further evaluation is ongoing and based on malaria notifications between January 2016 and January 2026. This work builds on 713/MODREC/15 and aims to provide a more contemporaneous picture of the impact of malaria on UK armed forces and the role of force health protection measures, including malaria chemoprophylaxis.

The intent is to publish both the results of 713/MODREC/15 and this service evaluation in a peer reviewed journal. The department will aim to submit the results of 713/MODREC/15 for publication within the calendar year.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to the Answer of 1 June 2026 to Question 2672, whether the analysis of the data collected in the study on the impact of anti-malarial chemoprophylaxis on functional effectiveness of military personnel (713/MODREC/15) has now been completed.

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

Defence understands the importance of ensuring transparency and timeliness in the reporting of research results and recognises the results of this study have been significantly delayed.

The study entitled: Impact of anti-malarial chemoprophylaxis on functional effectiveness of military personnel (713/MODREC/15) was initiated in 2015 by a now-retired Defence Public Health Consultant. Retirement of the lead investigator without appointment of a replacement meant that the data remained unanalysed. Regrettably the delay was compounded by the COVID-19 pandemic, and it was not until 2023 that resources were applied to revisiting the dataset.

A team of public health specialists supported by Defence Statistics undertook a re-analysis of the original dataset. The reanalysis determined that the study had not generated evidence of sufficient certainty to warrant recommendations to change policy or clinical practice around the choice of antimalarial. The relative lack of substantive findings from the reanalysis meant that while the work was reported internally as part of a general review of malaria policy to ensure compliance with earlier House of Commons Defence Committee (HCDC) Direction, peer reviewed publication was not prioritised; however, the findings prompted a further service evaluation which will look to examine malaria in the service population.

This further evaluation is ongoing and based on malaria notifications between January 2016 and January 2026. This work builds on 713/MODREC/15 and aims to provide a more contemporaneous picture of the impact of malaria on UK armed forces and the role of force health protection measures, including malaria chemoprophylaxis.

The intent is to publish both the results of 713/MODREC/15 and this service evaluation in a peer reviewed journal. The department will aim to submit the results of 713/MODREC/15 for publication within the calendar year.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what recent steps she has taken to improve the (a) health and (b) welfare of farmed animals.

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

In December 2025, Defra published The Animal Welfare Strategy for England, a comprehensive package of reforms designed to enhance the lives of millions of animals, including farmed animals. This Government continues to make progress towards delivering the commitments set out in the strategy. The Department supports livestock farmers to improve disease prevention and biosecurity through existing initiatives, such as the Animal Health and Welfare Pathway.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what recent steps her Department has taken to ensure compliance with animal welfare regulations within the (a) meat and (b) dairy industry.

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

The Animal and Plant Agency (APHA), as the national regulator for farmed animal welfare in Great Britain, undertakes proactive and reactive inspections on farms to monitor compliance with legislation. Official veterinarians of the Food Standards Agency (FSA) are present in all approved slaughterhouses to monitor and enforce welfare requirements at slaughter. The APHA and FSA investigate all potential animal welfare non-compliances that come to their attention and appropriate action is taken against anyone who breaks the law.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps his Department is taking to ensure that clinical assessments for former Armed Forces personnel under (a) Op COURAGE and (b) Op RESTORE include screening for mefloquine (Larium) toxicity.

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

NHS England has agreed to include screening for prior mefloquine use as part of patient clinical assessments within Op COURAGE and Op RESTORE. NHS England is working with providers to determine how this information can be recorded within existing clinical systems and reporting structures.

To improve awareness and understanding among general practitioners and across the National Health Service, NHS England is developing information on mefloquine and its potential adverse effects, informed by National Institute for Health and Care Excellence guidance. Once completed, this will be shared across the NHS and made available on the websites of the Royal College of General Practitioners and the National Armed Forces Training and Education Programme.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps his Department is taking to improve General Practitioners’ awareness and understanding of Mefloquine toxicity, particularly in respect of Armed Forces veterans.

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

NHS England has agreed to include screening for prior mefloquine use as part of patient clinical assessments within Op COURAGE and Op RESTORE. NHS England is working with providers to determine how this information can be recorded within existing clinical systems and reporting structures.

To improve awareness and understanding among general practitioners and across the National Health Service, NHS England is developing information on mefloquine and its potential adverse effects, informed by National Institute for Health and Care Excellence guidance. Once completed, this will be shared across the NHS and made available on the websites of the Royal College of General Practitioners and the National Armed Forces Training and Education Programme.

Submit Evidence (by 4 Nov 2026)

This inquiry will consider the role of UK Defence in the Gulf region. It will examine the UK’s defence interests and objectives, force posture, and defence partnerships. It will cover the implications of recent crises, including the 2026 conflict involving Iran, Israel and the United States, for the UK’s future defence presence.