Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, pursuant to the Every child achieving and thriving White Paper published 23 February 2026, what steps she is taking to address the (a) financial and (b) operational instability of some school trusts, ahead of the proposed move to a system where all schools will be part of school trusts.

Answered by Georgia Gould - Minister of State (Education)

The department sets robust expectations that trusts must have the financial, leadership and management capacity to plan effectively and act in the best interests of pupils. Where this is not the case, we will intervene. Where concerns about financial compliance or governance arise, the department can issue a Notice to Improve, setting conditions the trust must meet to avoid further intervention.

Alongside this, the department supports trusts through high-quality advice, tools and development opportunities to strengthen financial management, reduce the risk of financial difficulty and ensure resources are used effectively to maximise value for pupils. The latest published data shows that 96% academy trusts are operating with a cumulative surplus.

The government will also strengthen accountability through new trust standards and trust inspection, including assessment of governance. Multi-academy trust inspection will provide clear insight into strengths and weaknesses, support improvement, identify trusts ready to grow, and ensure resources are used efficiently to deliver high-quality education for all pupils so every child can achieve and thrive.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, if he will take steps to end recurring eligibility assessments for the Armed Forces Compensation Scheme for veteran amputees.

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

Armed Forces Compensation Scheme (AFCS) awards do not require recurring eligibility assessments.

For serious and permanent injuries, including amputation, the AFCS is designed to make full and final awards as early as possible once the condition has stabilised. This provides long-term financial certainty and allows individuals to focus on their recovery and future.

Once a final award has been made, it is not subject to ongoing reassessment. Reviews are available in limited circumstances, such as where there is unexpected and exceptional deterioration in the condition.

Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, with reference to the Every child achieving and thriving White Paper published 23 February 2026, by which policies and mechanisms free schools will form part of the move to a system where all schools will be part of school trusts.

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

Free schools, as academies, are already able to join or form multi-academy trusts and will continue to do so through both expansion of existing high‑quality trusts and the establishment of new trusts.

Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, (a) whether the amount of money that an individual loses as a victim of fraud is a criterion used to decide whether to take an incident reported to Report Fraud forward for investigation.

Answered by Sarah Jones - Minister of State (Home Office)

Reports submitted to Report Fraud are considered by the service’s National Crime Analysis Service and evaluated to assess the information available which could assist an investigation.

Where there is enough evidence available and a viable lead, the case is sent to the appropriate police force or other law enforcement partners to consider whether enforcement activity should take place.

Once a report is submitted, Report Fraud will search for any matching suspect details from other cases previously reported, and if found, the report will be added to those cases and assessed as a package. Where a report cannot be matched to another report, it is still scored individually based on any lines of enquiry that are provided, and if scoring allows will be sent for review and potential investigation by the relevant local police force.

Monetary loss is considered as part of this broader assessment process.

All victims who report fraud to Report Fraud will receive support either directly from their local police force, or through Report Fraud Victim Services. Report Fraud Victim Services offers a bespoke service to victims of fraud where their case has not been taken forward for investigation and aims to reduce the likelihood of repeat victimisation.

Report Fraud are unable to disclose the exact thresholds for their assessment as this would give criminals information which would allow them to be confident of evading justice.

Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, whether she has plans to review the approach taken in handling reported incidents of romance fraud to the Police.

Answered by Sarah Jones - Minister of State (Home Office)

Romance fraud is an issue this Government takes incredibly seriously; we recognise that it is a particularly devastating crime, that can leave victims facing financial loss and emotional distress.

The most recently available data on romance fraud comes from Action Fraud (the predecessor to Report Fraud). Of the 321,025 reports to Action Fraud in the year ending September 2025, 3% (10,393) were categorised as Dating Scams.

The Home Office and Office for National Statistics (ONS) have agreed that while City of London Police (CoLP) are transitioning to the new Report Fraud system, they will temporarily suspend their supply of recorded fraud data to the ONS. This is to enable CoLP to give priority to aligning the legacy Action Fraud data against Report Fraud to ensure consistency.

A primary focus of the Government’s response to this issue, outlined in the recently published Fraud Strategy, is ensuring that where fraud occurs, victims are recognised and supported, and law enforcement is empowered to respond.

We have committed to publishing a Fraud Victim Charter by the end of 2027, which will set national standards for the level of service every victim should receive, including response times, minimum standards of care, and clear communication pathways.

Steps are also being taken to ensure law enforcement have the tools, training and experience to fully investigate each crime.

The new Report Fraud service will provide police with better quality intelligence from public reports of fraud to support investigations and bring fraudsters to justice.

We will assess wider police performance on fraud investigations and victim care regularly through His Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire & Rescue Services Police Efficiency Effectiveness and Legitimacy (PEEL) inspections, improving consistency and standards for investigations and victim care. We have also committed to providing a clearer training framework, including new courses to upskill officers in fraud investigations and victim support.

In the longer term, we will transfer overall responsibility for fraud into the new National Police Service (NPS), as part of the wider Police Reform programme, to ensure a stronger and more streamlined police response with clearer roles and more effective tasking.

Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what percentage of incidents reported to Report Fraud have been categorised as Romance Fraud.

Answered by Sarah Jones - Minister of State (Home Office)

Romance fraud is an issue this Government takes incredibly seriously; we recognise that it is a particularly devastating crime, that can leave victims facing financial loss and emotional distress.

The most recently available data on romance fraud comes from Action Fraud (the predecessor to Report Fraud). Of the 321,025 reports to Action Fraud in the year ending September 2025, 3% (10,393) were categorised as Dating Scams.

The Home Office and Office for National Statistics (ONS) have agreed that while City of London Police (CoLP) are transitioning to the new Report Fraud system, they will temporarily suspend their supply of recorded fraud data to the ONS. This is to enable CoLP to give priority to aligning the legacy Action Fraud data against Report Fraud to ensure consistency.

A primary focus of the Government’s response to this issue, outlined in the recently published Fraud Strategy, is ensuring that where fraud occurs, victims are recognised and supported, and law enforcement is empowered to respond.

We have committed to publishing a Fraud Victim Charter by the end of 2027, which will set national standards for the level of service every victim should receive, including response times, minimum standards of care, and clear communication pathways.

Steps are also being taken to ensure law enforcement have the tools, training and experience to fully investigate each crime.

The new Report Fraud service will provide police with better quality intelligence from public reports of fraud to support investigations and bring fraudsters to justice.

We will assess wider police performance on fraud investigations and victim care regularly through His Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire & Rescue Services Police Efficiency Effectiveness and Legitimacy (PEEL) inspections, improving consistency and standards for investigations and victim care. We have also committed to providing a clearer training framework, including new courses to upskill officers in fraud investigations and victim support.

In the longer term, we will transfer overall responsibility for fraud into the new National Police Service (NPS), as part of the wider Police Reform programme, to ensure a stronger and more streamlined police response with clearer roles and more effective tasking.

Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what data her Department holds on the number of incidents reported to Report Fraud that were not taken forward for investigation over Report Fraud's first three months of operation.

Answered by Sarah Jones - Minister of State (Home Office)

The Home Office regularly reviews the performance of Report Fraud with the City of London Police and will continue to engage with them to ensure the service is delivering improved outcomes for victims and strengthening the national response to fraud. The service offers better management information to track and monitor service performance and a new performance dashboard which supports the Home Office in monitoring outcomes and identifying emerging fraud threats.

This does not yet include data on reports taken and not taken forward by police forces for investigations.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether he is taking steps to make veterans with chronic pain eligible for the Armed Forces Compensation Scheme.

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

The Ministry of Defence has assessed that both the Armed Forces Compensation Scheme (AFCS) and the War Pension Scheme (WPS) already provide compensation for pain and suffering as part of a holistic assessment of service-attributable injury or illness.

Under both schemes, chronic pain is not normally treated as a standalone condition. Instead, it is generally considered an expected consequence of a primary injury and is reflected within the overall award.

Where there is a distinct and separately diagnosable chronic pain condition, such as Complex Regional Pain Syndrome, this may be considered on its own merits on a case-by-case basis

The Department keeps the operation of both schemes under review. The Independent Medical Expert Group (IMEG) is currently considering evidence and stakeholder concerns on how chronic pain is reflected within existing arrangements. No final conclusions have yet been reached.

Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, (a) whether she has made an assessment of the potential financial impact on families with children who are younger than nine months old on the start date of childcare, who therefore do not qualify for funded childcare for their first term, and (b) what alternative financial support is available for such families.

Answered by Olivia Bailey - Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State (Department for Education) (Equalities)

The government’s Plan for Change sets out a commitment to give children the best start in life, breaking the link between background and opportunity.

Children become eligible for the working parent entitlement from 1 September, 1 January or 1 April, the term after reaching 9 months old. Termly deadlines enable local authorities and providers to better plan and ensure sufficient places are available for parents each term.

Parents can access support with childcare costs beyond free entitlements, including Tax‑Free Childcare worth up to £2,000 per year up to age 11 (£4,000 for disabled children up to age 17). Eligibility matches the working parent entitlement, and support can be claimed immediately. Those not eligible may qualify for Universal Credit Childcare, which covers up to 85% of registered childcare costs each month.

​We have committed to a Childcare Review to improve access to education and care, making the system simpler for families.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether she plans to legislate on the proposals in the Road Safety Strategy.

Answered by Lilian Greenwood - Government Whip, Lord Commissioner of HM Treasury

On 7 January 2026 we published our new Road Safety Strategy, setting out our vision for a safer future on our roads for all.

We will take a phased approach to deliver the commitments in the Road Safety Strategy. Some commitments, such as consultations on key reforms, are already underway and will inform legislative and regulatory changes in the near term.

We will fully consider the consultation responses before bringing forward any legislation to make sure any measures we introduce are proportionate and will improve safety.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, if she will consider requiring individuals whose vision without glasses does not meet the threshold for driving to carry a spare pair of glasses in their vehicle.

Answered by Lilian Greenwood - Government Whip, Lord Commissioner of HM Treasury

We recently consulted on introducing mandatory eye tests for drivers aged 70 and over. The consultation closed on 11 May and we are now analysing the responses received. The logistical arrangements for carrying out any potential new eyesight tests formed part of the consultation. No decisions will be made until the responses to the consultation have been carefully considered.

All drivers have a legal responsibility to ensure that they meet the required vision standards for driving, including the use of glasses or corrective lenses where necessary. The DVLA provides clear guidance on eyesight requirements for driving, which is available on GOV.UK at: https://www.gov.uk/driving-eyesight-rules

Although there is no legal obligation on medical professionals to notify the DVLA about a patient who is medically unfit to drive, they do have a duty to report this if it is in the public interest to do so. The General Medical Council and General Optical Council guidance confirms that it is appropriate to notify the DVLA directly, even if the patient does not consent when their patient is unwilling or unable to notify the DVLA themselves.

In the Road Safety Strategy, the Government committed to continue engaging with the relevant regulatory bodies to highlight the importance of healthcare professionals notifying DVLA if their patient is unwilling or unable to notify.

There are currently no plans to require drivers to carry a spare pair of glasses in their vehicle. The existing legal framework places responsibility on individual drivers to ensure they can meet the vision standards whenever they are driving. Driving without meeting these standards, including where glasses or corrective lenses are needed but not worn, is an offence and may result in enforcement action.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, if she will enable qualified optometrists to undertake age-related eye tests for use in driving licence renewals.

Answered by Lilian Greenwood - Government Whip, Lord Commissioner of HM Treasury

We recently consulted on introducing mandatory eye tests for drivers aged 70 and over. The consultation closed on 11 May and we are now analysing the responses received. The logistical arrangements for carrying out any potential new eyesight tests formed part of the consultation. No decisions will be made until the responses to the consultation have been carefully considered.

All drivers have a legal responsibility to ensure that they meet the required vision standards for driving, including the use of glasses or corrective lenses where necessary. The DVLA provides clear guidance on eyesight requirements for driving, which is available on GOV.UK at: https://www.gov.uk/driving-eyesight-rules

Although there is no legal obligation on medical professionals to notify the DVLA about a patient who is medically unfit to drive, they do have a duty to report this if it is in the public interest to do so. The General Medical Council and General Optical Council guidance confirms that it is appropriate to notify the DVLA directly, even if the patient does not consent when their patient is unwilling or unable to notify the DVLA themselves.

In the Road Safety Strategy, the Government committed to continue engaging with the relevant regulatory bodies to highlight the importance of healthcare professionals notifying DVLA if their patient is unwilling or unable to notify.

There are currently no plans to require drivers to carry a spare pair of glasses in their vehicle. The existing legal framework places responsibility on individual drivers to ensure they can meet the vision standards whenever they are driving. Driving without meeting these standards, including where glasses or corrective lenses are needed but not worn, is an offence and may result in enforcement action.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, if she will make it a requirement for optometrists to share eye test results with the DVLA.

Answered by Lilian Greenwood - Government Whip, Lord Commissioner of HM Treasury

We recently consulted on introducing mandatory eye tests for drivers aged 70 and over. The consultation closed on 11 May and we are now analysing the responses received. The logistical arrangements for carrying out any potential new eyesight tests formed part of the consultation. No decisions will be made until the responses to the consultation have been carefully considered.

All drivers have a legal responsibility to ensure that they meet the required vision standards for driving, including the use of glasses or corrective lenses where necessary. The DVLA provides clear guidance on eyesight requirements for driving, which is available on GOV.UK at: https://www.gov.uk/driving-eyesight-rules

Although there is no legal obligation on medical professionals to notify the DVLA about a patient who is medically unfit to drive, they do have a duty to report this if it is in the public interest to do so. The General Medical Council and General Optical Council guidance confirms that it is appropriate to notify the DVLA directly, even if the patient does not consent when their patient is unwilling or unable to notify the DVLA themselves.

In the Road Safety Strategy, the Government committed to continue engaging with the relevant regulatory bodies to highlight the importance of healthcare professionals notifying DVLA if their patient is unwilling or unable to notify.

There are currently no plans to require drivers to carry a spare pair of glasses in their vehicle. The existing legal framework places responsibility on individual drivers to ensure they can meet the vision standards whenever they are driving. Driving without meeting these standards, including where glasses or corrective lenses are needed but not worn, is an offence and may result in enforcement action.

Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, whether her Department has plans to introduce (a) a mandatory dyslexia screening for all primary pupils, (b) a national standard for early identification of dyslexia amongst students and (c) a national standard for support for pupils with dyslexia.

Answered by Georgia Gould - Minister of State (Education)

Effective early identification and intervention is critical to improving outcomes for children and young people with special educational needs (SEN), including those with dyslexia.

The statutory Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) Code of Practice is clear that meeting a child’s needs does not require a diagnostic label. Clear statutory duties for schools will be introduced, including identifying and meeting needs as early as possible and ensuring that they monitor children and young people’s progress to ensure timely and effective interventions.

To support this, we are strengthening the evidence base on effective early identification and intervention. We will also introduce National Inclusion Standards, providing evidence‑informed tools and approaches to support pupils with SEN, including those with barriers to learning consistent with dyslexia.

Alongside this, UK Research and Innovation is testing new approaches to earlier identification, strengths and needs assessment, and support of children and young people with SEN that can be integrated into education settings by 2028.

M49 Severnside Junction

Duty to assess mental capacity

Rosebank oil field

Spinal Cord Injury Awareness Day 2026

Jonathan Frisher

Indefinite Leave to Remain changes

Right to work

Dual nationals without British passports

UK trade with illegal settlements in the Occupied Palestinian Territories

Future of children’s palliative care

Public disorder in Southampton and Belfast

Found: Sir Geoffrey Clifton-Brown and Vikki Slade made representations.

Found: Slaughter (Chair); Pam Cox; Sir Ashley Fox; Warinder Juss; Tessa Munt; Dr Neil Shastri-Hurst; Vikki Slade

Found: Sarah Russell (Labour; Congleton) Dr Neil Shastri-Hurst (Conservative; Solihull West and Shirley) Vikki Slade